The doctor emerged, advising them to prepare themselves mentally and also be mindful of Rena’s emotions.

Tears finally escaped Mark’s eyes.

It was the first time Cecilia witnessed Mark shedding tears. In her memory, he was always resolute, unfazed by anything.

Past midnight, he couldn’t sleep but found solace in smoking outdoors.

Morning came.

Mark entered the ward, while Juliette went to the reception desk. Inside, Cecilia perched by Rena’s bedside, seemingly dozing off.

Gently, Mark patted Cecilia’s shoulder.

Instantly, Cecilia stirred awake. Her reddened eyes met his, and she called out to him in a daze, “Uncle Mark.”

“Do you still remember that I’m your Uncle Mark?”

His voice sounded hoarse, his words laden with ambiguity.

However, Cecilia had little room to dwell on the matter. In this tense situation, her fleeting emotions paled in comparison. All she wished for was Rena and Alexis to be safe.

Cecilia stepped out of the ward, allowing Mark to have a private conversation with Rena.

Heading to the ICU’s entrance, Cecilia peered through the glass door but the view inside remained obscured.

She leaned against the door, shedding silent tears.

Her heart pleaded for her little niece’s well-being…

She didn’t know if her brother and sister-in-law would reunite as before, but she wanted Alexis to thrive. The little one was so young and adorable.

Not far away, Mark stood in silent contemplation.

He overheard the little girl talking to herself…

Peter offered gentle advice, “You should eat something. How can you go a whole day without eating or drinking?”

Mark turned around and replied softly, “Bring her some breakfast.”

Although Mark was very busy, he chose to remain in Duefron to accompany Rena.

Peter even managed to secure him a small office through some connections.

Although it wasn’t that big, it was fully equipped and comfortable.

Mark usually worked there while his bodyguards patrolled outside. Peter would go in and out of the office, depending on his work.

The next day, Waylen came back from Braseovell.

He was worn out and full of guilt.

Outside the ICU, Mark hit Waylen hard. Even though Waylen didn’t fight back, Mark still injured his right hand…

Peter teased Mark playfully while treating his wound.

“You’re not a young school kid anymore. Perhaps it’s time you learned the art of patience.”

Mark’s suppressed anger flared up again. “Are you kidding me? I don’t think I hit him hard enough. Next time I see him, I’ll beat him to death.”

While the two were talking, they were suddenly interrupted by a commotion at the door.

Peter went out to investigate and soon returned with someone. It was Cecilia.

Having worked for Mark for many years, Peter was sensible, and he went out to give the two some privacy.

Cecilia took a few steps forward, but she didn’t dare to get too close to Mark.

Mark clamped a fresh cigarette between his lips and lit it. After taking a drag, he asked softly, “What’re you doing here?”

She raised the ointment in her hand and said shyly, “Let me treat your wound.”

As a matter of fact, Peter had applied ointment on Mark’s wound just now, but Mark didn’t mind having his wound treated a second time.

Sitting next to him on the narrow sofa, Cecilia held his hand and carefully dabbed the ointment onto his wound. While taking another long drag, Mark watched her elegant movements…

Her face was flawless, and her eyelashes were long and curved.

As though nothing had happened, Mark grunted, “That boy was nice. Why aren’t you with him?”

Cecilia was stunned for a moment, but she soon understood what he meant.

She took a deep breath and answered, “Well, I don’t like him that much.”

Then she let go of his hand and whispered, “There. All fixed up.”

Cecilia tried to stand up to leave, but the man stopped her.

He grabbed her by the wrist, forcing her to sit back down. She didn’t know if she was imagining things, but she felt so close to him… She could even smell the distinct fragrance of his aftershave.

Slowly, she raised her head to meet his intent gaze, his eyes deep.

He couldn’t rest touching her soft lips with his slender fingers.

She trembled at his touch and helplessly called him “Uncle Mark’

Mark brought his face close to hers, murmuring, “Now, tell me. What’s the real reason that you came? Do you want to apologize for your brother? Or are you interested in a man more than ten years older than you? Tell me what you really want.”

He was so straightforward with her, which made her cheeks burn with shame.

Lips trembling, she couldn’t say a word, but she already knew that her answer wasn’t what Mark wanted.

The next second, he kissed her.

Just like last time, Mark gently pressed his body against Cecilia’s, whispering at her to relax.

the kiss gradually became more rough and

Cecilia tried

the

his shoulders tightly for support, but

were so weak from his kiss that she had no idea how she’d ever

lip, she looked at the ravenous man in front

day on, she started to

at the hospital, but she’d

past him, Mark fell into deep

and said, “You must’ve taken advantage of

The little girl curled up in his arms, like a helpless kitten. Perhaps it was because she was angry at

instead of deterring him, it

Whenever he was dealing with Rena’s matter, he couldn’t help but think about Cecilia and

wondered if being together with her

a way out of the

Mark hadn’t

Alexis to

Mark had slapped Waylen in

palm a third time, Mark couldn’t bear to deliver another slap. He

away, Mark drank a lot, and even Peter couldn’t stop him. At last, the helpless Peter sought out Cecilia’s help and begged her to persuade Mark. “Mr.

at first, Peter begged her until she

opened the door for her, but stayed

dark inside

finally adjusted to the darkness. She found Mark’s silhouette slumped over the sofa, with several bottles of wine on the floor in front

head to

“That’s enough…”

stepped forward and held his hand, preventing him from holding the

quietly with his bloodshot eyes. After a long time, he

Cecilia refused.

knelt on the carpet and started

watched her. She looked like a child playing house.

well aware that Cecilia was not a child anymore. She was a full-grown

over and raised

told, they were both alone in this

croaked, “Cecilia, let’s at least have a

this moment, he thought that even if sleeping together couldn’t change anything, he at least would have to be responsible for her. Then no

him clearly because his words were

he

kissing her, he pressed her against the sofa. The

Mark…” she said in

gently stroked her face, eyeing her

he wanted, because the way he looked at her now was wild and primal—filled with

did it with her once on

restrained his true desires and was deliberately gentle

yet, he felt that

carried her

in there was rickety, rattling

her so ferociously that the small bed shook like a boat in the middle of a

but she wasn’t

the other hand,

going on. He considerately ordered the bodyguards to retreat a little, and he guarded at the door for

Cecilia awoke in Mark’s

felt really comfortable

man’s hoarse voice broke

to make a

restraint, not to mention the million things he had on his plate. He grabbed the watch at the bedside to check the time. He had

to say to Cecilia

could say anything, Cecilia’s timid voice interrupted

It was just a one-night

Mr. Evans?

Aone-night stand?

me ‘Uncle Mark’ the whole night? You little temptress, you’re calling me Mr. Evans now that you’re done with

and her

bad. He loved her,

a hug and whispered, “Have you gotten the rabbit doll

nodded shyly. “Yes, I like it

anything anymore and just held

her ear, “As

of her and began to get dressed. “Get some more rest. I’ll be back at

was usually good

to

clothes neatly, sat on the edge of the bed, and pinched her

to get going. Otherwise, I’ll be late for my meeting. Look at my neck. Do you think it looks

quilt, Cecilia looked at him, tears welling

They had slept together.

dare to ask

wasn’t

didn’t wait for

avoid him, but she couldn’t

Mark was snubbed…

Cecilia received a call from Mark. His voice was gentle but a little tired. “I’m going back

to herself how much she wanted

identities, she was destined

she still

restaurant. Peter waited for Cecilia at the

huge, but there was

blue shirt and black suit pants

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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