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

remained locked on

the car vanished from

hall, Mark found Waylen perched on

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

Mark. A faint smile

felt a hint of envy.

relinquishing everything for Cecilia, the project is nearly done, and there

underlying message in

about him. His cheeks held a rosy hue as he approached

touch tenderly graced

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

unspoken,

placed Edwin on his lap, retrieved a candy from his pocket, and

his mouth

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

did not evade

Waylen reached out, taking Edwin in his

play with Leonel. I need to talk to

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

old, Edwin already yearned for his father’s companionship. Yet, as his father, Mark had failed to spend more than a few days with him. He couldn’t even

in the intricacies between

Waylen personally poured a cup of tea for Mark, After a contemplative pause, he asked, “What are your plans

the teacup, Mark gazed pensively at the

comprehended Waylen’s

hushed

has some

manage them effectively. I’m considering revitalizing these ventures, giving them

not to push Mark further. Mark’s

out earlier, around two. Waylen understood his reasons all too

snow. As he stepped into the waiting car, Peter couldn’t resist asking, “It’s not

off his leather gloves, fixed his gaze forward with

a pit stop halfway. I

pulled away with

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

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

in the end, he simply sighed

was adorned with a blanket of snow. Chilling gusts swept

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

remained resolutely focused on

the doorway, Mark

was essential for her livelihood. Mark chose not

caught

onlookers, too, turned their attention to this gentleman

in hushed

at

distributed cups of milk tea, addressing the assembly with a warm smile and explained, “Mr. Evans has come to check on Miss Fowler. Given the cold weather,

of steaming milk tea was handed to Cecilia. Clasping the warm cup, Cecilia

an affectionate

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

his words carried a hint of reproach, his tone remained soothing. Cecilia

here

think I am here

fell into a contemplative

its warmth, its comfort diffusing

when I

gaze lingered on her for a prolonged moment before a smile graced his

much younger than I am. What’s there to be

and tenderly ruffled her hair. The gesture bore a

tender, Cecilia harbored no desire

voice dipped to a hush as he continued, “Wrap up the shooting soon. Edwin is eagerly awaiting a snowman-building session. Ensure you take care of and him. He’s prone to fever. As

were poised to resume shooting. Pearl retrieved

As the new year approaches, let’s go to Czanch,

Cecilia also

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

again?

can discuss this later. For

he lingered a bit longer. Opportunities to see

exited the studio, a

remove his coat and offer it

not in

“At your age,

Recognizing his gaffe, Peter opened the car door for

sweater, chiding himself, “True, I may be getting

his emotions deep. At the same time, Cecilia’s mood

exerted herself to make the best of the situation,

declined the crew’s invitation for dinner, her assistant, ever adept with people, personally paid for the staff

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.

reaching the villa where Waylen resided, the hour

on the couch, Waylen was engrossed

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

turned her gaze

subdued tone, he pleaded, “I want to play

Edwin, Cecilia couldn’t

tenderly ruffled his

go ahead. Put on your down

in their snowball fight. Laughter and merriment wafted in through the

Waylen

much Cecilia had changed over the years, all for the sake of her relationship with

yet Waylen longed for her to retain her innocence, shielded from

tea

on an air of

milk tea? You seem quite attached to

her lips, choosing silence. She feared her brother’s

“Weren’t you quite stubborn this afternoon? Now

“Waylen.”

to scold her. With gentleness, he advised, “If you’re patient, just

the stairs to be with Rena. Cecilia was left alone in the living

milk tea, she approached the French window. Outside,

off? Was

their conflict earlier in the day. Mark had taken the time to visit her and Edwin when he was free. If she hadn’t lost her temper with him, she would have spent more time with

much contemplation, she

The call connected…

back

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