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.

car. Her assistant occupied the front, a

remained

car

grand hall, Mark found Waylen perched on a

him, Mark inquired in a low

A

hint of envy.

nonchalance, “Mark, if you’re considering relinquishing everything for Cecilia, the project is nearly done,

underlying message

bounded down the stairs, a playful demeanor about him. His cheeks

tenderly graced his son’s

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

unspoken, shrouded

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

candy in his mouth but continued to gaze at Mark

the joy of making his son happy.

struggle did not evade Waylen’s

Edwin in his arms, and patted

and play with Leonel. I

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

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 promise him a snowball fight. Waylen, attuned to Mark’s mood, could

in the intricacies between Mark and Cecilia.

personally poured a cup of tea for

teacup, Mark gazed pensively

comprehended Waylen’s unspoken

reply, hushed and

family has some

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

further. Mark’s departure was scheduled

out earlier, around two. Waylen understood his

Edwin, Mark departed into the heavy snow. As he stepped into the waiting car, Peter couldn’t resist

slipping off his leather gloves, fixed his

make a pit stop halfway. I want

pulled away with

intended to visit Cecilia. Lightly

before he softly murmured, “I owe them too

in the end, he simply sighed softly, realizing the

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

shooting a shampoo advertisement, stood in a thin summer dress. The moment one segment of the advertisement concluded, her assistant promptly enveloped

the biting cold, she remained resolutely focused on

doorway, Mark stood, his

for her livelihood. Mark chose not to disturb her although he felt sad to see

her eyes caught

too, turned their attention to this gentleman

recognized Mark and, speaking in hushed tones, queried Cecilia, “Is he here for

looked at Mark

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

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

his eyes, an affectionate Light

it in place. Gently, he chided, “Sometimes I wonder how old you are. Can’t you add another layer

tone remained soothing. Cecilia

you come here just for

quipped, “Do you think I am here to

into a

milk tea, she savored its warmth,

you not upset when I speak

on her for a prolonged moment before a

I am. What’s there to be

reached out and tenderly ruffled her hair. The gesture bore a

touch so tender, Cecilia harbored no desire to disrupt the serene

“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 for you, remember to have ginger tea. Zoey has been insistent about taking you to Czanch and cooking nutritious food

by his heartfelt advice. Just then, the cameras were poised to resume shooting. Pearl

the new year approaches, let’s go to Czanch, you, Edwin,

enticing. Cecilia

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

his promise once again?

murmured, “We can discuss this later. For now, focus on wrapping

have departed. Yet, he lingered a bit longer. Opportunities to see her

exited the studio, a snowstorm had

offer it to Mark, had his

I’m not in

grin, “At your age, it’s best to take

was left speechless. Recognizing his gaffe, Peter opened the car

“True, I may be getting old, but I can’t provide

the same time, Cecilia’s mood had worsened

herself to make the best of

crew’s invitation for dinner, her assistant, ever adept with

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.

reaching the villa where Waylen resided, the hour had grown late and snow was

Waylen was engrossed in his laptop, managing official

raising his gaze, he said, “Stay here tonight. Edwin’s been eagerly anticipating playing in the snow all

turned her gaze to

tone, he pleaded, “I want to play with Alexis and Leonel in

her debt to Edwin, Cecilia couldn’t

his hair

go ahead. Put on

Alexis and Leonel in their snowball fight. Laughter and merriment wafted in through the open door.

some point, Waylen had

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

longed for her to retain her innocence, shielded from sorrow’s touch… His

tea cup sat

tone took on an

Mark buy you the milk tea? You seem quite attached to

pursed her lips, choosing silence. She feared her

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

“Waylen.”

not to scold her. With gentleness, he advised, “If you’re patient, just wait for him to give you a complete family.

Waylen ascended the stairs to be with Rena. Cecilia was

approached the French window.

taken off? Was he safe

her and Edwin when he was free. If she hadn’t lost her temper with

much contemplation, she dialed a

The call connected…

sniffed back her

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