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, he

his efforts. Mark showed her how much she meant to

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

Uncle Mark.

he was already doing so well in

dawn, Mark woke her up and they made love twice, leaving

full of energy. He took a shower, prepared breakfast and lunch for her, instructing her to just heat the meals

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

voice, “I’ll have dinner with you tonight before heading

nodded and replied sleepily,

her

the car, Peter couldn’t help but tease Mark, “Cooking and doing laundry for

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

lingered on his

genuinely felt happy for Mark who finally finding a girl he like. How could Peter not share in

bit envious of Mark’s

a house in Czanch. It was a precious gift,

a

deep affection and protectiveness

around him staying discreet and

sun’s noon rays caressed Cecilia awake, casting a warm glow

her eyes open, and there it was-the house that Mark had

rabbit doll he had given her close to her chest and playfully rolled around in

the sky, she got

also meticulously washed and cut into bite-size, a testament to his caring nature. Cecilia couldn’t help but feel spoiled by him, grateful for the tender gestures that came from his elevated position in life, gestures any

his kindness, Cecilia had the intention of cooking dinner for

ended up burning the food

day, as the clock struck four, Mark returned from

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

him her nicked finger and tears welled

he carefully bandaged

The way he carried himself was akin

an opportunity related to the development of a groundbreaking new metal, a project that

people were desperate to

four years, his future would be bright

for the position,

no regrets, for his priorities had shifted—he now yearned for a

up close to

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

a soft, hushed tone, she revealed her heartfelt desire to learn the culinary

her earnestness, a faint yet affectionate smile

melancholy danced in the depths of his eyes, he welcomed the opportunity to engage in conversations about their shared dreams and aspirations, especially

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 a recent development, “A few days ago, a magazine approached me

few

her cheek affectionately, and admiringly praised,

with joy,

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

discreetly

“How

for her, she simply yearned

care of me?”

lovingly kissed her forehead, assuring her, “Yes, I will always take

couple in the lap of luxury

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

If any were necessary, his assistant Peter would handle them.

which Mark would simply

gave her freedom in dealing with

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

became busier and they hadn’t seen each

her bed, talking to him on the phone, playfully

sound reached Mark’s ears—the sound

couldn’t help but inquire,

voice, Cecilia replied, “I’ll

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

left

her tears, called out to Cecilia, pointing at a photo. “Come and have a

downstairs,

revealed the photo

of six-month-old Alexis, whose brown hair and

image, Cecilia covered her mouth in awe, whispering,

with joy, Juliette continued to cry, touched by the fact that her granddaughter was safe

mother. If she resembled your brother, she’d be destined for hardship.

a gentle yet reproachful

our granddaughter is perfectly fine. You don’t 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

but express her disapproval, “Dad, are you

a laugh from

was recovering, but someone vital was still absent

past midnight when Cecilia finally

Alexis to Mark and, after a while, she received a call from him. The night

She responded him.

that moment, words were unnecessary. Their feelings for each other were

no longer needed to hide their love

phone close and

early morning brought a call from Mark, informing Cecilia that he would arrive

of his visit. Cecilia was both elated and worried for him. In a soft tone,

brother’s presence at home, knowing he had a keen

in his gentle

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

a

playfully pushing him against the car.

not a barrier to his irrational yearnings in this

lingering kiss, he asked in a hoarse

was a

entrance with a smile. “Everything is put

Cecilia held Mark’s hand as they ascended

one 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

love, they took their time to

a profound and passionate intimacy she had never encountered before. Wrapped in

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

Comments ()

0/255