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

remained locked

the car

to the villa’s grand hall, Mark found Waylen perched

inquired in a low

from Mark. A faint smile

a hint of envy. He took

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

the underlying message

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

touch tenderly graced his

snow gets heavier, can

remained unspoken, shrouded in

retrieved a candy from his pocket, and

in his mouth

son happy. But he needed to depart,

struggle did not evade

reached out, taking Edwin in his arms, and patted

upstairs and play with Leonel. I need to talk to your

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

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 sense the turmoil within

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

personally poured a cup of tea for Mark, After a contemplative pause, he asked,

Mark gazed pensively at the drifting snowflakes

Waylen’s

reply, hushed

family has

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

to push Mark further. Mark’s departure was scheduled for four in the

he set out earlier, around two. Waylen understood his

embracing Edwin, Mark departed into the heavy snow. As he stepped into the waiting

his gaze

make a pit stop halfway. I want to buy

away with

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

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

end, he simply sighed softly, realizing the depth of

winter landscape was adorned with a blanket of snow. Chilling gusts swept through, the frigid air piercing to

stood in a thin summer dress. The moment one segment of the advertisement concluded, her

the biting cold, she remained resolutely focused on checking on

doorway, Mark stood, his

even though her work might appear insignificant, it was essential for her

her eyes caught sight

their attention to this gentleman of dignified

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

at Mark

warm smile and explained, “Mr. Evans has come to check on Miss Fowler. Given

tea was handed to Cecilia. Clasping the warm cup, Cecilia

his eyes, an affectionate

his coat and draped it over her shoulders, his touch tender as he secured it in place.

hint of reproach, his tone

here just for

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

fell into a

savored its warmth, its comfort diffusing through her

not upset when I speak to you

lingered on her for a prolonged moment before a smile graced

than I am. What’s there

her hair. The gesture bore a gentleness

tender, Cecilia harbored no desire to disrupt the serene ambiance

“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

cameras were poised to resume shooting.

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

enticing. Cecilia also wanted

persisted. While she could place all her hopes

Mark broke his promise once again? Mark

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

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

exited the studio, a snowstorm had

remove his coat and offer

I’m not

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

speechless. Recognizing his gaffe, Peter opened the car

settled on his sweater, chiding himself, “True, I may be

deep. At the same time, Cecilia’s

of the situation,

invitation for dinner, her assistant, ever adept with

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.

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

the couch, Waylen was engrossed in his laptop,

“Stay here tonight. Edwin’s been

turned her gaze

gripping her hand, and in a subdued tone, he pleaded, “I want to play with Alexis

debt to Edwin, Cecilia couldn’t bring herself

ruffled his hair

go ahead. Put on your down

in their snowball fight. Laughter and merriment wafted

some point, Waylen had ceased his

recognized how much Cecilia had changed over the

and become astute, yet Waylen longed for her to retain her innocence, shielded from

milk tea

tone took on

milk tea? You seem

choosing silence. She feared

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

“Waylen.”

advised, “If you’re patient, just wait for him to give you a complete family. I won’t stop

stairs to be with Rena.

milk tea, she approached the French

off? Was he

her and Edwin when he

contemplation, she dialed

The call connected…

back

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