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

gaze remained locked

the car

Mark

across from him, Mark inquired in a low

A faint smile graced

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

remarking with nonchalance, “Mark, if you’re considering relinquishing everything for Cecilia, the project is nearly done, and there shouldn’t be any

underlying

cheeks held a rosy hue as he approached

graced his son’s

“When the snow gets heavier, can you build

remained unspoken, shrouded

lap, retrieved a candy from his pocket,

candy in his mouth but continued to gaze at

son happy. But

internal struggle did not

taking Edwin in his arms, and patted

and play with Leonel. I need to talk to your

of disappointment graced Edwin’s tender features. Nevertheless,

Mark had failed to spend more than a few days with him. He couldn’t even promise him a snowball fight. Waylen,

between Mark

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

teacup, Mark gazed pensively at

Waylen’s

reply, hushed and

has

considering revitalizing these ventures, giving

further. Mark’s departure was scheduled

earlier, around two.

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

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

make a pit stop halfway. I want

away with

to visit Cecilia.

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

comfort, but in the end, he

a blanket of snow. Chilling

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

resolutely focused

doorway, Mark

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

caught sight

onlookers, too, turned their attention to

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

at

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

of steaming milk tea was handed to Cecilia.

an affectionate Light

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

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

you come here just

“Do you think I am here to

into a

its warmth, its comfort diffusing through her

you not upset when I speak to you

prolonged moment before a

am. What’s

The gesture bore a gentleness akin to that of a departing

Cecilia harbored no desire to disrupt the

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 for

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

new year approaches, let’s

proposition was enticing. Cecilia also wanted to

While she could place all her hopes on Mark, she

Mark broke his promise once again? Mark was cognizant of

her hair and murmured, “We can discuss this later. For

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

Mark exited the studio,

coat and offer it to Mark, had his offer

not

Peter quipped with a grin, “At your age, it’s best to take

speechless. Recognizing his gaffe, Peter opened the car door

“True, I may be

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

the best of the situation,

assistant, ever adept with people, personally paid

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.

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

was engrossed in his laptop, managing

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

gaze to her

gripping her hand, and in a subdued tone, he pleaded,

Edwin, Cecilia couldn’t bring herself

his hair and

go ahead. Put on your

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

Waylen had

sister in silence, he recognized how much Cecilia had changed over the years, all for

astute, yet Waylen longed for her to retain her innocence, shielded from sorrow’s touch… His gaze then

tea

on an

the milk tea? You seem quite attached to

choosing silence. She feared her brother’s possible

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

“Waylen.”

her. With gentleness, he advised, “If you’re patient, just wait for him to give you

be with Rena. Cecilia was left alone in the living

approached the French window. Outside, the snowfall

taken off? Was he safe

Edwin when he was free. If she hadn’t lost her temper with him, she would have

she dialed a

The call connected…

sniffed back

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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