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 cherished every moment they

tinge of disappointment, Cecilia understood and appreciated his efforts. Mark showed her how much she meant to him, dedicating

she drifted off to sleep, she snuggled her face against

Uncle Mark.

so well in being a

Mark woke her up and they made

took a shower, prepared breakfast and lunch for her, instructing her to just heat

edge of the bed, looking at

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

Cecilia nodded and replied sleepily,

kissed her softly

Mark, “Cooking and doing laundry for a young girl,

off casually. “She was in a bit

smile lingered on his

a girl he like. How could Peter

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

a moment of contemplation, Mark generously gifted Peter a house in Czanch. It was a precious gift, as many

a job for the driver’s

Mark’s deep

on those around him staying discreet and trustworthy. He valued

caressed Cecilia awake, casting a warm

it was-the house

given her close to her chest and playfully rolled around in bed, overwhelmed with affection

sky, she got up and found the breakfast Mark had prepared

feel spoiled by him, grateful for the tender gestures that came from

his kindness, Cecilia had

her best efforts, she ended up burning the food in the frying

in the day, as the clock struck four, Mark returned from

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

finger and tears welled up in her

heart softened as he scolded her gently and he carefully bandaged her wound before joining her

the sofa, exuding an air of elegance as he quietly smoked. The way he

to the meeting earlier that day, where he had turned down an opportunity related to the development of a groundbreaking new metal, a project that could

desperate to take

over four years, his future would be

for the position, unswayed by the allure of wealth and

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

snuggled up

extinguished cigarette dissipated, he cast a contemplative gaze at her. “Will you grace us with your cooking

seeking refuge in his loving arms, and in a soft, hushed tone,

earnestness, a faint yet affectionate smile graced Mark’s

of his eyes, he welcomed the opportunity to engage in conversations

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 a soft, almost timid whisper, she revealed

grace, Cecilia extended a few fingers,

her cheek affectionately, and admiringly praised, “My Cecilia is so capable. Not everyone gets such an opportunity,

joy, Cecilia’s

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

discreetly

hesitated, “How about

her, she simply yearned for

will you take care of me?” she asked

her forehead, assuring her, “Yes, I

a couple in

week and their time together 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 his shirt and snuggling into his

received private calls but he declined any social engagements 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 unsuitable for

Mark would simply say

gave her freedom in dealing with her

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

Mark’s schedule became busier and they

bed, talking to him on the phone,

background, a faint sound reached Mark’s ears—the

Mark couldn’t help but inquire,

Cecilia replied, “I’ll go

only to find her brother, Waylen, standing in the hall, comforted by their weeping mother

left Cecilia

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

ran downstairs,

the photo

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

her mouth in awe, whispering, “She looks just like

cry, touched by the fact that

mother. If she resembled your brother,

yet reproachful glance at her

Let us look forward to the future with optimism.

express her disapproval, “Dad, are you comparing my brother to a

elicited a

lingered. Alexis was recovering, but someone vital was still absent from the

midnight when

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

She responded him.

were understood and Alexis’

they no longer needed to

her phone close and drifted

a call from Mark, informing Cecilia that he would arrive at the apartment

his overnight work and the early hour of his visit. Cecilia was both elated and worried for

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

concern evident in his gentle request for

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

was a cold winter

playfully pushing him against the car. Mark held her close, his head lowering to kiss her

barrier to his irrational yearnings in

kiss, he asked in a

was a resounding

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

Cecilia held Mark’s hand as

caressing her body with one hand while stealing more kisses. Sex outside the bedroom was something rare for them, but today was different—his eagerness

of their love, they took their time to intimately connect, savoring every

never encountered before. Wrapped

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

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