Cecilia took off her coat and glanced around, impressed by the grandeur.

Mark went to the kitchen to pour some milk for her.

She followed him, wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. “Mark, what does this mean?”

She was worried about becoming his mistress.

Even if he wasn’t married, any woman he kept outside the public eye would be considered his mistress.

Ina soft voice, Mark replied, “Drink your milk.”

She shook her head stubbornly, insisting on an explanation.

Mark gently touched her hand and spoke with a hint of bitterness. “Cecilia, for now, I can’t offer you a legitimate marriage. I can’t even walk with you openly on the streets. We can’t keep meeting only in hotels. It’s too humiliating for you. I understand what you’re thinking, but I’ve never seen it that way… Here, you can consider this place as your home, and me as your husband. I’m all yours here.”

This was the best he could provide at the moment.

Aprivate sanctuary where he would do his best to spend time with her.

When Alexis’ condition stabilized, they could be together publicly.

Cecilia felt a bit embarrassed after hearing his explanation, her emotions shifting.

She felt a mix of shyness and happiness.

This was the home Mark had given her.

Knowing that the little girl had been coaxed, Mark said in a soft voice, “I also put two rabbit dolls in the bedroom. Peter asked someone to line up to buy them for you. Go see if you like them.”

She still held him said softly, “I like you more.”

Mark pulled her to face him, enveloping her in his arms, and kissed her tenderly. After their sweet moment, she mentioned that she was feeling hungry. He playfully patted her on the butt and teased, “You eat like a horse, but you never seem to gain weight.”

In truth, she had a lovely figure, with a slender waist and ample curves.

Mark admired and appreciated it very much.

She wondered why Peter wasn’t around, and Mark replied with a mischievous smile, “Do you want him to be here all the time? Are you suggesting he should be watching us while we make love?”

Cecilia was about to cry with anger.

Mark’s teasing ways sometimes got under her skin, and she felt he only did it because he was a little older than her.

Later on, Mark took Cecilia to the counter and sat her down to watch him cook for her.

Despite not being skilled in housework, he felt elated to spend this time with Cecilia. Doing this simple task together brought him immense joy, far more than his usual activities at the club with friends or listening to Flora sing.

He recalled the time Cecilia had asked him why he hadn’t married yet.

Mark realized it wasn’t because of his busy schedule or his social status.

The truth was, he hadn’t met the right person until he found Cecilia.

Previously, he had imagined his future wife to be a capable and polished woman. But when he found his true love, she was nothing like his initial expectations. She couldn’t do much in terms of life skills, but it didn’t matter to him.

He adored her for who she was. The woman who called him “Uncle Mark” and could be both clingy and coy, yet ignore him when she was upset.

For him, it made perfect sense to love a woman like her.

Mark cherished Cecilia deeply. He treated her not just as his wife but also as a precious innocent little girl. Despite occasionally taking advantage of her in playful banter, he always gave in to her wishes and desires.

After their late-night snack, Cecilia noticed that Mark was quite tired, so she insisted on washing the dishes herself.

However, Mark didn’t want her to get wet and quickly took over the task.

He was significantly older than Cecilia, and he felt the need to compensate for her in other ways. Mark doted on her immensely, believing that when she was with him, she should experience a better life than she had at the Fowler’s house. If not, he considered himself an inadequate husband.

As the night passed, Cecilia now saw this place as her true home.

But not going back for the night meant she had to explain things to her family. Luckily,

Shelly came to her rescue, helping her sort things out.

In the middle of the night, Cecilia finished her phone call with her friend and returned to her bedroom.

Mark had already taken a shower and was now in a bathrobe as he lay against the headboard, seemingly asleep.

Seeing the tiredness on his face, Cecilia felt a pang of guilt. She decided to lie down beside him quietly, but he woke up as she lay down and gently pulled her into his arms.

He softly touched her waist and inquired, “You finished the phone call?”

Cecilia confirmed it, and he held her closer, their faces now inches apart.

Their rapid breaths and closeness seemed to stir their emotions.

He huskily whispered, “Shall we… do it?”

With those words, Mark opened the bedside drawer and placed a small box beside the pillow.

Without delay, he pressed her against the pillow and kissed her passionately.

Although Cecilia was not opposed to the idea, she worried about his fatigue. She didn’t want him to waste any more energy pleasing her, so she wrapped her arms around his waist and lied, “I’m on my period right now.”

Mark was momentarily taken aback. but then playfully rubbed his nose against hers and chuckled.

He realized she wasn’t serious about it. There wasn’t any smell of blood at all.

Cecilia, feeling a bit embarrassed, held onto his hair and whispered, “Let’s just cuddle and talk. We don’t have to do it.”

Mark didn’t force her.

Mark didn’t insist and pulled her close to him when they settled in bed, pretending to complain, “Don’t pull my hair anymore. I won’t look good if I go bald.”

He playfully expressed his concern for his age.

With a smile, Cecilia held him tightly and softly asked, “How long can you stay?”

Mark gently caressed her head and replied, “I have to leave tomorrow afternoon.

Ihave a full day of meetings ahead.”

night together,

his efforts. Mark showed her how much she meant to him,

off to sleep, she snuggled her face against his neck, feeling safe and

Uncle Mark.

fact, he was already doing so well in being

they made love twice, leaving her feeling sleepy and

of energy. He took a shower, prepared breakfast and lunch

edge of the bed,

a low, tender voice, “I’ll have dinner with you tonight before heading back to Czanch. You can spend the day here and wait

Cecilia nodded and replied

kissed her softly before

settled into the car, Peter couldn’t help but tease Mark, “Cooking and doing laundry for a young girl, and you’re so

pants and played it off casually. “She was in a bit of a mood, and I just coaxed

lingered on his

girl he like. How could Peter not share

a bit envious of Mark’s happiness, secretly wishing he could find

in Czanch. It was

Mark also arranged a job

demonstrated Mark’s deep affection and protectiveness for

knew that keeping Cecilia safe depended on those around him staying discreet and trustworthy.

noon rays caressed Cecilia awake, casting a

she blinked her eyes open, and there it was-the house that Mark had bestowed upon

gift that filled her heart with joy, she held the rabbit doll he had given her

in the sky, she got up and found the breakfast

feel spoiled by him, grateful for the tender gestures that came from his elevated position in life, gestures

his kindness, Cecilia had

her best efforts, she ended up burning the food in the frying pan. Defeated, she decided to opt for

the clock

table set for dinner, he playfully teased her about ordering

him her nicked finger and tears

her gently and he carefully bandaged her wound

of elegance as he quietly smoked. The way he carried himself was

he had turned down an opportunity related to the development of

were desperate to

over four years, his future would be

tempting offer, he recommended a junior for the position, unswayed by the allure of

priorities had shifted—he now yearned for a life

up close to

from Mark’s extinguished cigarette dissipated, he cast a contemplative gaze at her. “Will you grace

she bent down, seeking refuge in his loving arms, and in a soft, hushed tone, she revealed her heartfelt desire to learn the culinary arts

earnestness, a faint yet affectionate smile graced

he welcomed the opportunity to engage in

feel a pang of shame over her lack of a job. Seeking solace, she nuzzled her face against his sturdy abdomen, her delicate fingers gently toying with the buttons of his shirt. In a

grace, Cecilia extended a few fingers, proudly stating, “It’s

lowered his head, pinching her cheek affectionately, and admiringly praised, “My Cecilia is so capable. Not everyone gets

joy, Cecilia’s heart

reservations. Considering their impending marriage, he felt it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to be in the public eye as

her discreetly before inquiring about the

young girl hesitated, “How about I decline the

an issue for her, she simply

take care of

forehead, assuring her, “Yes, I will

as a couple in the

time together was filled with moments of intimacy and affection. He cooked for her and she lovingly massaged his back and legs.

with friends like Charlie. If any were necessary, his assistant Peter would handle them. Mark seldom attended such events, especially with Cecilia, as he deemed them

about these gatherings, to which Mark would simply say it was

freedom in dealing with her own

took Cecilia skiing and to witness the mesmerizing aurora, making that period the sweetest time

approached, Mark’s schedule became busier and they hadn’t

bed, talking to him on the

reached Mark’s ears—the

Mark couldn’t help but inquire, “What’s

replied,

Cecilia hurried downstairs, only to find her brother, Waylen, standing in the hall, comforted by

left Cecilia

amidst her tears, called out to Cecilia, pointing at a

downstairs, her

the photo

six-month-old Alexis, whose brown hair and flawless skin made her utterly adorable like a

covered her mouth in awe, whispering,

by the fact that her granddaughter was safe and sound and so

mother. If she resembled your brother, she’d be destined for hardship. No man would dare

a gentle yet reproachful glance

need to cry every day. Let us look forward to the future with optimism. I’m sure Waylen, with his capabilities, will provide us with a troop

couldn’t help but express her disapproval, “Dad, are you comparing my brother to a mere

words elicited a laugh from

someone vital was still absent from the family—the thought of Rena weighed

past midnight when Cecilia finally

while, she received a call from him. The

She responded him.

were understood and Alexis’

they no longer needed to hide their

close and

a call from Mark, informing Cecilia that he would arrive

visit. Cecilia was both elated and worried for

was mindful of her brother’s presence at home, knowing he

in his gentle request for

Peter greeted Cecilia warmly, carrying

a cold

the car. Mark

a barrier to

lingering kiss, he asked in a hoarse voice, “Do you miss

response was

a smile. “Everything is put away. I’ll pick you up at two o’clock in the

touch of bashfulness, Cecilia held Mark’s hand as they ascended the stairs

hand while stealing more kisses. Sex outside the bedroom was something rare for them, but today was different—his eagerness led him to carry her to the sofa in

embrace of their love, they took their

never encountered before. Wrapped in his strong arms, her

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