Juliette and Korbyn, accustomed to their affection, barely blinked at the display downstairs.

Yet, another figure was present.

It was Mark.

Snow dusted the man as he entered, his gaze capturing the charged scene. His scoff dripped with sarcasm as he said, “Ah, Waylen, age hasn’t diminished your romance.”

Unbeknownst to all, Waylen’s memories had fully returned.

Seating Rena gently, Waylen said with a smile, “Mark, I’m only 35.”

Mark’s unease was palpable.

Waylen’s gaze shifted to Edwin, perched at the table. Edwin’s timidity had thus far hindered him from addressing Mark as Dad.

With a gentle stroke of Edwin’s head, Waylen inquired.

“Your great uncle is here. Why not greet him?”

Edwin, his voice a soft murmur, addressed Mark as great uncle.

Mark’s hand ruffled Edwin’s hair as he chuckled.

A searching Look passed between Mark and Waylen. Concealment might work with others, but not with Mark. Did Waylen have something on his mind?

Mark didn’t make it clear when Waylen wanted to spice things up.

He skillfully steered the conversation while seated beside Cecilia. His voice hushed, he explained, “I’ve been swamped Lately. I only have a short break, so I came to see you. I’ve got a flight to catch later.”

Should he miss the plane, a long car ride would await.

Cecilia, her response unvoiced, remained silent.

Months prior, Mark had prepared a house for them. At the time, Cecilia had been ready to accept his proposal, the pain of the past seemingly abated. Yet, constant work had forestalled their happiness.

Endless waiting had gradually eroded her faith.

Mark understood, yet the present setting allowed no room for such discussions.

As the family savored dinner and conversation flowed, Waylen’s attentiveness to Rena struck Mark’s heart with a pang of envy of having a complete family. Despite their trials, they remained united.

Mark longed for the same with Cecilia.

A hint of solitude crept over him.

Edwin fetched a morsel of food for Mark, urging, “Dad, let’s eat.”

Mark’s heart softened. A tender touch graced his son’s shoulder, before his gaze sought Cecilia’s.

Cecilia feigned ignorance.

As dinner concluded, Cecilia readied herself for a commercial shoot, her assistant waiting in the car.

Mark, positioned within the bathroom, obstructed her path.

He Looked at her stunning face, and his voice emerged hoarse, a plea tinged with urgency.

“Can’t you adjust your schedule? We have such a rare opportunity to meet.”

Cecilia, tending to her Lipstick, turned and Lightly pushed him. “I’LL be late.”

Mark persisted.

He enclosed her within his arm, Locking the bathroom door behind them.

Cecilia’s efforts to resist were futile.

She leaned against the wall, her gaze distant.

Soft-spoken words drifted from her lips, laden with an undertone of resignation. “Mark, you’re always consumed by obligations. You probably can’t even recall our son’s birthday. I know in your eyes, my work is unimportant, so I should cooperate with you unconditionally. If I have to put off my work once you come, do you know how many favors I will owe others? Mark, you won’t think about it at all. You don’t care about my feelings at all.”

Emotions perhaps unrevealed, Cecilia voiced her thoughts, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Enriching herself seemed wiser than waiting for Mark.

Edwin needed her guidance too.

Mark’s gaze was profound.

He stood defenseless, recognizing that the young girl who once clung to him had matured significantly.

But he longed for the simplicity she had exuded.

Cecilia’s melancholy registered. She was loath to quarrel with him.

Her head bowed, a whisper broke from her lips. “I’m leaving. When will you leave?” She shifted her focus to Edwin, her voice softening. “If you have time, accompany Edwin to play. At his age, he should be in kindergarten. You can’t imagine how much he envies Alexis and Leonel.”

Mark’s heart twinged.

Cecilia’s departure was forestalled by Mark’s grasp, his hand producing a cigarette.

Only half of it was smoked before it was snuffed out.

His Lips descended upon hers in a deep, intense kiss, laden with a yearning that lingered in the air.

Initially resistant, Cecilia’s resistance gradually softened.

But her eyes glistened with tears.

Mark desisted, his forehead meeting hers, his touch tender as he smoothed her dress.

He had failed her, burdening her with enough pain.

The year’s end loomed with a looming project deadline, yet Mark shied away from making promises he feared he couldn’t keep.

After a lengthy silence, he murmured, “Don’t let Edwin see this. He might think I’m picking on you.”

Cecilia’s frustration materialized in a playful punch to his shoulder.

Pushing the door ajar, she departed.

her entrance to the car. Her assistant occupied the front, a young boy likely

remained

the car vanished

the villa’s grand hall, Mark found Waylen perched

from him, Mark inquired in a

from Mark. A faint smile

a fleeting moment, felt a hint of envy. He

magazine, remarking with nonchalance, “Mark, if you’re considering relinquishing everything for Cecilia, the project is nearly done, and there

underlying message

him. His cheeks held a

touch tenderly graced his son’s

brimming with anticipation, queried, “When the snow gets heavier, can you build a

response remained unspoken,

a candy

placed the candy in his mouth but continued to gaze at

yearned for staying, to bask in the joy of making his son happy. But he needed to depart, a multitude of matters requiring his attention at

did

Waylen reached out, taking Edwin in

play with Leonel. I need to talk

graced Edwin’s tender features. Nevertheless, he obediently ascended

failed to spend more than a few days with him. He couldn’t even promise him a

from intervening in the intricacies between Mark and Cecilia. Their attachment was complex, after

cup of tea for Mark, After a

teacup, Mark gazed pensively at

Waylen’s

reply, hushed and

has some

to manage them effectively. I’m considering

further. Mark’s departure was scheduled for four in the

earlier, around two.

embracing Edwin, Mark departed into the heavy snow. As he stepped into the waiting

leather gloves, fixed his gaze forward with his mesmerizing, narrowed

the studio. And make a pit stop halfway. I want to buy cups

with an understanding

to visit Cecilia. Lightly teasing, he added, “She’ll surely be overjoyed to see

weight. A pause ensued before he softly murmured, “I owe them

contemplated offering comfort, but in the end, he simply

with a blanket of snow. Chilling gusts swept through, the frigid air

the studio, the heating was absent. Cecilia, engaged in shooting a shampoo advertisement, stood in a thin summer dress. The moment one segment

the biting cold, she remained resolutely focused on checking on the

Mark

Cecilia had asserted that even though her work might appear insignificant, it was essential for her livelihood. Mark chose not to disturb her although he felt

caught sight of

attention to this

hushed tones, queried Cecilia, “Is

at

explained, “Mr. Evans

handed to Cecilia. Clasping the warm cup, Cecilia approached

his eyes, an

draped it over her shoulders, his touch tender as he secured it in place. Gently, he chided, “Sometimes I wonder how old

a hint of reproach, his tone remained soothing. Cecilia stood momentarily stupefied, her

come here just

his surroundings, then quipped, “Do you think I am here to deliver milk tea to these burly

into

milk tea, she savored its

not upset when I

on her for a prolonged

I am. What’s there to

The gesture bore a gentleness akin to that of

harbored no desire to disrupt the serene ambiance that enveloped

snowman-building session. Ensure you take care of and him. He’s prone to fever. As for you,

the cameras were poised to resume shooting. Pearl

it for your breaks. As the new year approaches, let’s go to Czanch, you, Edwin,

Cecilia also wanted to

persisted. While she could place all her

broke his promise once again? Mark was

discuss

he lingered a bit longer. Opportunities to see her were so rare. Eventually,

studio, a snowstorm had

to remove his coat and offer

not in my

your age, it’s best to

Peter opened the car door for his

he brushed away the snowflakes that had settled on his sweater, chiding himself, “True, I may be getting

deep. At the same

exerted herself to make the best of the situation, eventually completing

her assistant, ever adept with people,

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.

take Edwin back to her apartment. However, upon reaching the villa where Waylen

on the couch, Waylen was engrossed in his laptop, managing official

“Stay here tonight. Edwin’s been

turned her gaze

approached, gripping her hand, and in a subdued tone, he pleaded, “I want to play with Alexis and Leonel in the

Cecilia couldn’t bring herself

ruffled his hair

go ahead. Put on your

complied, heading out to join Alexis and Leonel in their snowball fight. Laughter and merriment wafted in through the

Waylen

he recognized how much Cecilia had changed over the years, all for the sake of her

matured and become astute, yet Waylen longed for her to retain her innocence, shielded from sorrow’s touch… His gaze then fell to

milk tea cup

tone took on an air

you the milk tea? You seem quite

silence. She feared her

remarked, “Weren’t you quite stubborn this afternoon? Now you’re moved just because he

“Waylen.”

gentleness, he advised, “If you’re patient, just wait

that, Waylen ascended the stairs to be with Rena.

tea, she approached the French

flight taken off? Was he safe

Edwin when he

she dialed a

The call connected…

back her

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