Zoey rose from her seat, resolute in her decision.

Rena’s role in the situation was the most delicate. She then held Edwin’s hand and whisked him away for some playful distraction.

With the child out of the picture, Zoey found herself in a better position to act.

In Zoey’s presence, Mark acquiesced to her wishes.

In a stern tone, Zoey addressed her son, “Mark, the Fowler and Evans families are connected through marriage, and Cecilia is your junior. She used to address you as Uncle Mark… How could you treat her like this? Now that your child has grown up, we’ve only learnt of his existence. Is this how I taught you to behave since you were a child?”

With a face filled with shame, Mark replied, “I’m sorry, Mom.”

Zoey waved her hand and said, “Your apology should be directed to their daughter. I shouldn’t have to instruct you on what to do, should I?”

Mark hesitated for a moment.

Then, without hesitation, he softly knelt in front of Korbyn and Juliette.

Korbyn and Juliette were taken aback.

They hadn’t expected Mark to be so direct.

Being a man of his stature, he rarely gave in. To see him kneeling down like this was an odd sight.

Korbyn wasn’t unreasonable.

He knew his daughter well. If Cecilia didn’t truly care for Mark, how could she endure the secrecy of giving birth to Edwin and raising him alone?

Moreover, Waylen had already fought with Mark.

Korbyn glanced at his wife, unsure of what to say, seeking her guidance.

Juliette didn’t want to escalate things with Mark. She assisted him back up and said politely, “After all, you and Cecilia have Edwin now. As for the future, you can discuss it between yourselves.”

Zoey felt even more ashamed.

Waylen turned to his sister and asked, “Cecilia, what do you think?”

Cecilia gazed at Mark with composure.

He returned her gaze.

She knew in her heart that with Edwin in the picture, he couldn’t claim they were incompatible anymore… He seemed willing to marry her with the families’ efforts combined.

But she didn’t want that.

Why would she agree to such an arrangement?

Cecilia’s lips moved slightly. Mark understood what she wanted to say, so he preemptively interjected, “Let’s talk privately.”

Cecilia glanced at her brother.

Waylen took a sip of tea and smirked, “Go ahead, talk with him.

He won’t do anything to harm you; after all, he’s too old for that.”

Waylen was indeed sharp-tongued.

Cecilia nodded in agreement.

Indeed, there were things they couldn’t discuss in front of their elders…

The two of them retreated to a small parlor for their conversation.

Standing by the window, Cecilia turned her back to Mark and whispered in a hushed voice, “I got pregnant after the last time we were together. I only found out after we broke up.”

Mark’s eyes fixated on her back.

He shook his head gently and said, “You’re not being truthful Cecilia. You knew about the pregnancy before we broke up, didn’t you?”

Cecilia took a shallow breath.

After regaining her composure, she replied, “I can’t hide anything from you, Mr. Evans. Yes, I found out the night we broke up. I wanted to tell you but you then said we were not meant to be.”

In truth, he didn’t have to remind her of that. She knew deep down that their relationship wouldn’t work out.

She had her own pride and dignity.

Mark had a multitude of captivating girlfriends, leaving Cecilia to wonder how stupid she was to believe she could actually hold his heart.

It was all her wishful thinking!

Cecilia turned around and graced them with a smile. “Rena once said that if she couldn’t have my brother completely, she wouldn’t want him at all. She was now with him for Alexis’ sake, as she needed care, and both her parents… But Mr. Evans, Edwin has grown up without a father and is in good health. We don’t need to force ourselves into a relationship for Edwin’s sake.”

Her rationality had grown significantly. “If you wish to see him, you can come to Duefron anytime. I won’t stop you.”

However, taking Edwin to Czanch was out of the question.

She had vowed never to return there for the rest of her life.

She expressed her thoughts extensively.

Mark remained silent, seated on the sofa, smoking…

Unlike his mother, he knew that having a child wasn’t enough. He was aware that Cecilia’s resentment toward him only intensified because of Edwin and that forgiveness was beyond reach.

Mark was no impulsive man; his current position was a testament to that.

Even in the face of love, the woman he deeply admired and his own flesh and blood, he retained his composure.

There were just too many aspects to consider.

After finishing his cigarette, he seemed to have weighed all possibilities and asked her softly, “Have you made your decision?”

Cecilia confirmed her decision.

Mark approached her, raising his hand with the intention of caressing her hair as he had done before. Yet, he hesitated and his hand remained suspended in the air…

After a prolonged moment, in a husky voice, he inquired, “Was it difficult for you out there on your own for two years?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

Mark didn’t say another word; he simply enveloped her in his arms.

It was a hug with no sexual desire. He held her tenderly, consoling her silently, much like an elder concerned for a younger one…

Such tenderness acted as a poison to her heart.

Cecilia didn’t want to be entranced by this affection, so she gently pushed him away and asserted, “From now on, we are only Edwin’s parents.”

Mark didn’t press the matter.

Under the shadow of the curtain, he said in a hushed tone, “Cecilia, when I was with you, there was no one else.”

Cecilia appeared visibly surprised but then a smile graced her lips. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Cecilia voiced

was furious and

within the Fowler

the alimony for Edwin, deeming it as what a responsible

lives, and their decision to make. Besides, I don’t believe they harbor any lingering feelings for

Zoey felt somewhat disheartened.

by inviting Zoey to stay at the Fowlers’

for Mark, he found himself entangled in a busy schedule and had to hasten back

current state of

the afternoon, Rena and Waylen set out

seat, Rena couldn’t shake

“Isn’t this outcome expected? Cecilia has always had a gentle nature. If it weren’t for her broken heart, she would have

undergone significant

Rena’s heart softened.

an unwavering determination. It appears that we, too, should not reconcile

Waylen glanced at her.

stepped on the gas, driving for a while before smiling. “Have we truly reconciled? We haven’t

you

to argue

wouldn’t lead

a brief silence,

her hand and whispered, “Dress up

Rena agreed.

that Waylen had undergone significant

behavior towards her and their

the

together with their child. She was willing to treat him better, which led her to agree when he hinted his desire for intimacy on the night of the anniversary

conscious decision

much her simple “okay”

he couldn’t endure it. He hadn’t been with any woman in the past

was that she willingly wanted to be with him, that she opened her

grace and gentleness, Rena lifted little Alexis into

he pondered and proposed, “These days, I’m swamped to look after Alexis. How about dining out

head and inquired, “Would you like a grand feast, my

Legs and let out a cute yawn, saying,

car’s

fathom the depth of Alexis’

she locked eyes with Waylen. He responded casually, “Isn’t it common for children to be intelligent these days? Don’t worry too much,

Alexis burst

recounted to Rena everything her kindergarten classmates had shared, with Leonel’s name coming

help but worry about Alexis’

discuss this with Waylen when they had the time, fearing he

brought the

Rena realized they were at the

she shot him a

playfully teased, “You know, in other families, wives usually foot the bill… You

Rena didn’t give in.

this! I simply wanted to be a part of your life. I want everyone to know that you’re Mrs. Fowler. I

through his intentions, Rena calmly stated, “I never even

prepared to lift Alexis out of

arms around her slender waist, insisting, “Let me

the car with a disapproving expression, saying, “Daddy just wants to have a date with

she relished the fact that she could hold both her father’s and mother’s hands at

restaurant, Waylen

regular customers now knew that Rena had a husband

was so down-to-earth that he even joined

found his actions somewhat too obvious, she decided

to use knives and

adorable face, Rena felt a profound affection for Alexis in

her aspiration now was a life filled with love and care

to do just that. For Rena, Alexis was

with delight but his euphoria didn’t last

dissipated when Tyrone unexpectedly appeared, casting a

have to

girlfriend, who was rumored to be a socialite

“Mr. Fowler! Rena,

extended courteous greetings, and naturally, Waylen responded without

hand in his, Waylen stood up and smiled, “Long

Tyrone nodded affirmatively.

from Rena’s face to

and Rena caught his attention and he couldn’t

initiative and sweetly greeted him, kissing him on

and the little girl generously

Tyrone couldn’t help but compliment Alexis tearfully,

darling! Rena and I were even discussing having

dimmed the sparkle in Tyrone’s

wondering when she had

inviting Tyrone and his

left speechless by Waylen’s childlike behavior. She observed him calmly discussing stocks and the economic landscape with Tyrone and then making

girlfriend admired, “You two love

replied with a

and had no intention

too well, including what he would

decided to maintain

restaurant, Waylen and Tyrone stood together, smoking peacefully

and complimented, “You have a wonderful

exhaled a cloud of smoke and self-deprecatingly remarked,

face Waylen, accusing, “You secretly backed my

Waylen remained silent.

and, after a while, he mockingly added with bitterness, “Because of you, Rena despised me back then! She truly regarded

still cared about their relationship

knew that Rena had never liked Tyrone

entirely his own doing. Waylen knew he should blame no one but himself for everything that

he resolved to

a drag on his cigarette, dropped it on the ground,

relationship without financial resources was

his back evoking a sense of familiarity in Waylen, reminiscent

the dinner, everyone exchanged polite goodbyes but the gestures

home, Rena

Alexis’ presence, Waylen restrained his urge to speak

reached home, Alexis had already

in his arms, Waylen’s eyes and brows softened with tenderness, and

went to the little girl’s

Rena changed her into a comfortable pajama and

drew Rena closer to him, pressing his

face slightly and asked, “What do

jealous of him.

their table earlier, he observed that Rena didn’t try to forge friendship

that keeping distance was Rena’s way of secretly protecting Tyrone, and

the unspoken

he laid his

again?

a moment, Waylen

carried her back to

Rena put up a show of reluctance, she knew it

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