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.

entrance to the car. Her assistant occupied the front,

remained locked

car vanished from

to the villa’s grand hall, Mark found Waylen

inquired in a low voice. “Have

nothing from Mark. A faint smile graced his

for a fleeting moment, felt a hint of envy. He took a sip of

remarking with nonchalance, “Mark, if you’re considering relinquishing everything for

the underlying

Edwin bounded down the stairs, a playful demeanor about him. His cheeks held a rosy hue as he approached Mark’s side, softly

tenderly graced his son’s

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

unspoken, shrouded in

placed Edwin on his lap, retrieved a candy from

in his mouth but

joy of making his son happy. But he needed to depart, a multitude

internal struggle did

in

upstairs and play with Leonel. I need to talk

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

than a few days with him. He couldn’t even promise him a snowball fight. Waylen, attuned to Mark’s mood, could sense the

between Mark and Cecilia. Their attachment was complex, after

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

gazed pensively

comprehended Waylen’s unspoken

reply, hushed

family has some

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

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

earlier, around two. Waylen understood his

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

gloves, fixed his gaze forward with his mesmerizing, narrowed

pit stop halfway. I

with an

was well aware that Mr. Evans intended 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

comfort, but in the end, he

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

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

remained resolutely focused on checking on

doorway, Mark

was essential for

eyes caught sight of

too, turned their attention to this gentleman of dignified

hushed tones, queried Cecilia,

looked at

warm smile and explained, “Mr. Evans has come to check on Miss Fowler. Given the cold weather, please enjoy some hot milk

steaming milk tea was handed to Cecilia.

his eyes, an affectionate Light

tender as he secured it in place. Gently, he chided, “Sometimes

reproach, his tone remained soothing. Cecilia stood momentarily

you come here just for

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

into a

its warmth, its

when I speak to you

prolonged moment before a smile

much younger than I am.

ruffled her hair. The

desire to disrupt the serene ambiance

soon. Edwin is eagerly awaiting a snowman-building session. Ensure you take care of and him. He’s prone to fever.

resume shooting. Pearl retrieved the coat and extended it toward

murmur, he relayed, “Keep it for your breaks. As the new year approaches, let’s go to Czanch, you, Edwin, and

proposition was enticing. Cecilia also wanted to

all her hopes on Mark, she also had her child with

his promise once again? Mark was cognizant

discuss this later. For now, focus on wrapping up

that, Mark should have departed. Yet, he lingered a bit longer. Opportunities to see her were

exited the studio,

offer it to Mark, had his offer

I’m not in

a grin, “At your age, it’s best to take good care of

gaffe, Peter opened the car door for his

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

deep. At the same time, Cecilia’s mood had worsened after

of

dinner, her assistant, ever adept with people, personally

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.

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

on the couch, Waylen was engrossed in

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

gaze

approached, gripping her hand, and in a subdued tone, he pleaded, “I want

Cecilia couldn’t

tenderly ruffled his hair and

go ahead. Put on your

out to join Alexis and Leonel in their snowball fight. Laughter and merriment wafted in through the open door. Tears welled

point, Waylen had ceased his

had changed over the years,

to retain her innocence, shielded from sorrow’s touch… His gaze then fell

milk tea cup sat

took on an

tea? You

lips, choosing silence.

and remarked, “Weren’t you quite stubborn this afternoon?

“Waylen.”

cared for Cecilia deeply, preferring not to scold her. With gentleness, he advised, “If you’re patient, just

ascended the stairs to be with Rena. Cecilia was

approached the

taken off? Was he

regretted their conflict earlier in the day. Mark had taken the time to visit her and Edwin when he

much contemplation, she dialed a

The call connected…

sniffed back her

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