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.

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

gaze remained

the car vanished from

hall, Mark found Waylen perched on a

him, Mark inquired in a low voice.

from Mark. A faint smile

hint of envy. He took

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

the underlying

His cheeks held a rosy hue as he approached Mark’s side, softly summoning his

touch tenderly graced

queried, “When the snow

response remained unspoken,

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

placed the candy in his mouth

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

internal struggle did not

out, taking Edwin in his arms, and patted him

with Leonel. I need to talk to

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 promise him a snowball fight. Waylen,

the intricacies between Mark and Cecilia. Their

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

gazed pensively at

Waylen’s

reply, hushed and

family has

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

chose not to push Mark further. Mark’s departure was scheduled for four in the

two. Waylen understood his reasons

snow. As he stepped into the waiting car, Peter couldn’t

leather gloves, fixed his gaze

pit stop halfway.

pulled away with an

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

pause ensued before he softly murmured, “I owe them too

offering comfort, but in the end, he simply sighed softly, realizing the

landscape was adorned with a blanket of snow. Chilling

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

she remained resolutely focused on checking on

doorway, Mark

was essential for her livelihood. Mark chose not to disturb her although

eyes caught

too, turned their attention to

director recognized Mark and, speaking in hushed tones, queried Cecilia, “Is

at Mark

addressing the assembly with a warm smile and explained, “Mr. Evans has come to check on Miss Fowler. Given the cold

milk tea was handed to Cecilia. Clasping

an

in place. Gently,

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

you come here

surroundings, then quipped, “Do you think I am here

into

savored its warmth, its comfort diffusing through

I speak

prolonged moment before a smile

much younger than I am. What’s there

last, he reached out and tenderly ruffled her hair. The gesture bore

harbored no desire to disrupt the

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.

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

“Keep it for your breaks. As the new year approaches,

was enticing. Cecilia also wanted to

While she could place all her hopes on Mark,

again? Mark was

tenderly smoothed her hair and murmured, “We can discuss this later. For now, focus on wrapping up

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

the studio, a snowstorm

and offer it to

not

a grin, “At your age, it’s

Recognizing his gaffe, Peter opened the car door for his

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

the same time, Cecilia’s

herself to make the best of the situation,

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

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.

she intended to take Edwin back to her apartment. However, upon reaching

Waylen was engrossed

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

turned her gaze

tone, he pleaded, “I want to play with Alexis

Cecilia couldn’t bring

ruffled his

Put

to join Alexis and Leonel in their snowball fight. Laughter and merriment

point, Waylen had ceased

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

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

tea cup sat

took on an air

milk tea? You seem quite attached

choosing silence.

stubborn this afternoon? Now you’re moved just because

“Waylen.”

her. With gentleness, he advised, “If you’re

with Rena.

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

flight taken off? Was he safe

time to visit her and Edwin when he was free. If she hadn’t lost her temper with him,

much contemplation, she dialed a

The call connected…

back her

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