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.

the car. Her assistant occupied the front, a young boy likely from the studio accompanying

gaze remained

the car vanished

hall, Mark found Waylen perched on

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

A faint smile graced

a hint of envy. He

if you’re considering relinquishing everything for Cecilia, the project is nearly

underlying message in

demeanor about him. His cheeks held a

tenderly graced his son’s

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

remained unspoken,

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

placed the candy in his mouth but continued to gaze at Mark

too yearned for staying, to bask in the joy of making his son happy.

did not evade Waylen’s

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

upstairs and play with Leonel. I need to talk

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

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, attuned to Mark’s

refrained from intervening in the intricacies between Mark and Cecilia. Their attachment

personally poured a cup of tea

pensively

Waylen’s unspoken

hushed and

has some

considering revitalizing these ventures, giving them a fresh lease

Mark’s departure was

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 yet time. Why the early

slipping off his leather gloves, fixed his gaze forward with his

make a pit stop halfway. I

away with

Cecilia. Lightly teasing, he added, “She’ll surely be overjoyed

heart carried a weight. A pause ensued before he softly

but in the end, he simply

Chilling gusts swept through, the frigid

a shampoo advertisement, stood in a thin summer

resolutely focused on

the doorway, Mark stood, his gaze

had asserted that even though her work might appear insignificant, it was essential for her livelihood. Mark

caught sight

their attention to this gentleman of dignified

recognized Mark and, speaking in hushed tones, queried

at

a warm smile and explained, “Mr. Evans has come

to Cecilia.

his eyes, an affectionate

touch tender as he secured it in place. Gently, he chided,

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

here just for

then quipped, “Do you think I am here to

into a

tea, she savored its warmth, its

I speak to

gaze lingered on her for a prolonged moment before

much younger than I am. What’s there to

The gesture

desire to disrupt

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

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

it for your breaks. As the new year

enticing. Cecilia also

her hopes on Mark,

broke his promise once again? Mark

can discuss this later. For now, focus on wrapping up your

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

exited the studio, a snowstorm

poised to remove his coat and offer

not in

“At your age, it’s

Peter opened the car door

away the snowflakes that had settled on his sweater, chiding himself, “True, I may be

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

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

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

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.

her apartment. However, upon reaching the villa where Waylen resided, the hour had grown late and

engrossed in his

here tonight. Edwin’s been eagerly anticipating playing in the snow

her gaze to her

hand, and in a subdued tone, he pleaded, “I want to

Cecilia couldn’t bring herself

tenderly ruffled his

ahead. Put

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

point, Waylen had ceased his

much Cecilia had changed over the years,

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

tea cup sat

took on an

the milk tea? You seem quite attached to

silence. She feared her

cast her a sidelong glance and remarked, “Weren’t you quite stubborn this afternoon?

“Waylen.”

advised, “If you’re patient, just wait for him to give you a complete family. I

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

tea, she approached the French

off? Was he

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

she

The call connected…

back her

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