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.”

only night together, he

appreciated his efforts. Mark showed her how much she

she snuggled her face against his neck, feeling

Uncle Mark.

fact, he was already doing so

her up and they made love

of energy. He took a shower, prepared breakfast and lunch for her, instructing her to

the edge of the bed, looking at Cecilia, who was still

low, tender voice, “I’ll have dinner with you tonight before heading back to Czanch. You can spend

nodded and replied sleepily,

kissed her

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

adjusted his straight suit pants and played it off casually. “She was in a bit of a mood, and I just coaxed her. There’s nothing to

smile lingered on his

finding a girl he like. How

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

Czanch. It was a precious gift, as many people couldn’t afford properties in that

Mark also arranged a job for

demonstrated Mark’s deep affection and protectiveness

staying discreet and trustworthy. He valued

rays caressed Cecilia awake, casting a warm glow

she blinked her eyes open, and there it was-the house

filled her heart with joy, she held the rabbit doll he had given her close to her chest and

got up and found the breakfast Mark

but feel spoiled by him, grateful

Cecilia had the

culinary skills proved to be less than perfect and, despite her best efforts, she ended up burning the food in the

the clock struck four, Mark returned from a

set for dinner, he playfully teased her about ordering take-out instead cooking something

then showed him her nicked finger and tears welled up

he scolded her gently and he carefully

he quietly smoked. The way he carried himself was akin to an exquisite painting, an embodiment of both

earlier that day, where he had turned down an opportunity related to the development of

were desperate to take on the

was successful over four years, his future would be

the

shifted—he now yearned for a life with Cecilia, a

up close

extinguished cigarette dissipated, he cast a contemplative gaze at her.

in a soft,

earnestness, a faint yet

eyes, he welcomed the opportunity to engage in conversations about their shared dreams

a considerable time in Mark’s company, Cecilia couldn’t help but 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

few

lowered his head, pinching her cheek affectionately, and admiringly praised, “My Cecilia is so

joy, Cecilia’s heart

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

her discreetly

the young girl hesitated, “How about I

issue for her,

will you take care

her forehead, assuring her, “Yes, I will always

in the

was filled with moments of intimacy and affection. He cooked for her and she lovingly massaged his back and legs. At night, she found comfort in wearing

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

simply say it

her freedom in dealing with

their free time, Mark took Cecilia skiing and to witness the mesmerizing aurora, making that period the

approached, Mark’s schedule became busier and

Cecilia laid on her bed, talking to him on the phone, playfully

reached

couldn’t help but inquire, “What’s

Cecilia replied, “I’ll go downstairs to

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

left Cecilia

called out to Cecilia, pointing

ran downstairs, her heart

revealed the

Alexis, whose brown hair and flawless skin made her utterly adorable like a

mouth in

by the fact that her granddaughter was safe and

looking like her mother. If she resembled your brother, she’d be destined for hardship. No

a gentle yet reproachful glance at

us look forward to

help but express her disapproval, “Dad, are you comparing my

elicited a

lingered. Alexis was recovering, but someone vital was still

past midnight when Cecilia finally returned to her

and, after a while, she received a call from him. The night was hushed, and all he

She responded him.

moment, words were unnecessary. Their feelings for each other were understood and Alexis’

no longer needed to hide their love in

close

brought a call from Mark, informing Cecilia that he

both elated and worried for him. In a soft tone,

she was mindful of her brother’s presence at

agreed, his concern evident in his

reached the apartment entrance, serendipitously encountering each other. Peter greeted Cecilia warmly, carrying bags of

a cold

into his arms, playfully pushing him against the car.

was not a barrier to his irrational yearnings in

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

response was a

with a smile. “Everything is put

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

immediately removing her coat and tenderly caressing her body with one hand while stealing more kisses.

the embrace of their love, they took their time to intimately connect,

Cecilia, it was an unparalleled experience, a profound and passionate intimacy she had never encountered before. Wrapped in his strong

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