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

remained locked on

car

villa’s grand hall, Mark found Waylen perched on a

him, Mark inquired in a

Mark. A faint smile graced his

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

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

underlying message in Waylen’s

playful demeanor about him. His cheeks

graced his son’s

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

unspoken, shrouded

lap, retrieved a candy from his

the candy in his mouth but continued to gaze at Mark

bask in the joy of making his son happy. But he

did

out, taking Edwin in his arms, and patted

with Leonel. I need

of disappointment graced Edwin’s tender features. Nevertheless, he obediently ascended the stairs. Mark’s heart

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

intricacies between Mark and Cecilia. Their attachment

that Cecilia might reconcile with Mark still lingering in his heart, Waylen personally poured a cup of tea for Mark, After a contemplative pause, he asked, “What are your plans

pensively at the drifting snowflakes

Waylen’s unspoken

hushed and thoughtful,

family has

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

chose not to push Mark further. Mark’s departure

set out earlier, around two. Waylen understood his reasons all

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

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

And make a pit stop halfway. I want

away with

visit Cecilia. Lightly teasing,

ensued before

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

winter landscape was adorned with a blanket of snow. Chilling gusts

absent. Cecilia, engaged in shooting a shampoo advertisement, stood in a thin summer dress. The moment one segment of the advertisement concluded,

biting cold, she remained resolutely

doorway, Mark stood, his gaze

that even though her work might appear insignificant, it was essential for her livelihood. Mark chose not to

caught sight

onlookers, too, turned their attention to this gentleman of

in hushed tones, queried

at

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

to Cecilia. Clasping the warm cup, Cecilia approached

eyes, an affectionate

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

reproach, his tone remained soothing. Cecilia

come here just

I am here

into a contemplative

she savored its warmth, its

I

her for a prolonged moment before a smile graced his

than I am. What’s there to be upset

The gesture bore a gentleness akin to that of a

no desire to disrupt the serene ambiance that enveloped

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

cameras were poised to resume shooting. Pearl retrieved the

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

was enticing. Cecilia also

While she could place all her hopes

broke his promise once again? Mark was cognizant of Cecilia’s internal

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

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

the studio, a snowstorm had

poised to remove his coat and offer it to Mark,

not in my

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

left speechless. Recognizing his gaffe, Peter opened the car door

snowflakes that had settled on his sweater, chiding himself, “True, I may be getting old,

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

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

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

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.

reaching the villa where Waylen resided, the hour had grown late and snow was

on the couch, Waylen was engrossed in

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

turned her gaze to her

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

Edwin, Cecilia couldn’t bring herself to

ruffled his hair and

Put on

Laughter and merriment wafted in through the open door. Tears

some point, Waylen had ceased his

had changed over the years, all

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

tea cup

on an air

milk tea? You seem quite

choosing silence. She

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

“Waylen.”

you’re patient, just wait

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

approached the French window. Outside, the snowfall

Mark’s flight taken off? Was he

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

contemplation, she

The call connected…

back her

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