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 assistant occupied the front, a young boy likely

remained locked on

the car

the villa’s grand hall, Mark found Waylen perched on

from him, Mark inquired in a low voice. “Have

A faint smile

moment, felt a hint of envy. He took a sip of tea to

relinquishing everything for Cecilia, the project

underlying

Edwin bounded down the stairs, a playful demeanor about him. His cheeks held a rosy hue

touch tenderly graced his

queried, “When the snow gets heavier, can you build

remained unspoken, shrouded in

Edwin on his lap, retrieved a candy from his pocket, and presented it

in his mouth but continued to gaze at

staying, to bask in the joy of making his son happy. But he needed to depart, a

struggle did

reached out, taking Edwin in his arms, and patted him

I need to talk

pout of disappointment graced Edwin’s tender features. Nevertheless,

as his father, Mark had failed to spend more than a few days with him. He couldn’t even promise him a snowball fight. Waylen, attuned to Mark’s mood, could sense the turmoil

he refrained from intervening in the intricacies between Mark

in his heart, Waylen personally poured a cup of tea for Mark, After a contemplative pause, he

pensively at the drifting snowflakes

Waylen’s unspoken

reply, hushed and thoughtful,

has

generation is struggling to manage them effectively. I’m considering revitalizing

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

he set out earlier, around two. Waylen

stepped into the waiting car, Peter couldn’t

gloves, fixed his gaze

pit stop halfway. I want to buy cups of

away with an understanding

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

weight. A pause ensued before

end, he simply sighed softly, realizing the depth

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

a thin

she remained resolutely focused on checking

doorway, Mark

appear insignificant, it was essential for her livelihood. Mark chose not to disturb her although he felt sad to

her eyes caught

turned their attention

Mark and, speaking in hushed

looked at

tea, addressing the assembly with a warm smile and explained, “Mr. Evans has come to

was handed to Cecilia. Clasping the warm cup, Cecilia approached

an affectionate Light

shoulders, his touch tender as he secured it in place. Gently, he chided, “Sometimes I wonder how old you are. Can’t you add another layer of

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

you come here just

surroundings, then quipped, “Do you think I am here to deliver milk

into a

the milk tea, she savored its warmth, its comfort diffusing through her

you not upset when I speak to

for a prolonged

I am. What’s there to be

he reached out and tenderly ruffled her hair. The gesture bore a gentleness akin to that of a departing

no desire to disrupt the

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

his heartfelt advice. Just then, the cameras were poised to resume shooting. Pearl retrieved the coat and extended it toward Mark. Yet, Mark declined

for your breaks. As the new year approaches, let’s go to Czanch, you, Edwin, and I. What do you

enticing. Cecilia also wanted

her hesitations persisted. While she could place all her hopes on Mark,

again? Mark was cognizant of Cecilia’s internal

smoothed her hair and murmured, “We can discuss this later.

he lingered a bit longer. Opportunities to see her were

the studio, a

remove his coat and offer it to Mark, had

I’m not

quipped with a grin, “At your age, it’s

Peter opened the car

the snowflakes that had settled on his sweater, chiding himself, “True, I may be getting old, but I can’t provide my wife and child with a complete

same time, Cecilia’s mood had worsened

to make the best of the situation, eventually completing the commercial

dinner, her assistant, ever adept with people, personally paid for the staff to dine

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.

upon reaching the villa where Waylen resided, the

was engrossed in

said, “Stay here tonight. Edwin’s been eagerly anticipating playing

turned her gaze to her

subdued tone, he pleaded, “I want to

her debt to Edwin, Cecilia couldn’t bring herself

tenderly ruffled his hair and

Put on

their snowball fight. Laughter and merriment wafted in through the open door. Tears welled in

point, Waylen had

at his sister in silence, he recognized how much Cecilia had changed

had matured and become astute, yet Waylen longed for her to retain her innocence, shielded from

milk tea cup

took on an

Mark buy you the milk tea? You

silence.

a sidelong glance and remarked, “Weren’t you quite stubborn this afternoon? Now you’re moved just because he bought you

“Waylen.”

not to scold her. With gentleness, he advised, “If you’re patient, just

Waylen ascended the stairs to be with Rena. Cecilia was left alone

the milk tea, she approached the French window. Outside, the snowfall

taken off? Was he safe

Cecilia regretted their conflict earlier in the day. Mark had taken the time to visit her and Edwin when he was free. If she hadn’t

she

The call connected…

sniffed back her

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