You reek of her presence.”

Mark was left in a state of shock.

He held on yet whispered close to her ear, “There’s nothing between her and me. I feel sorry for Laura. That’s all.”

“Is that why you weren’t there for your son during his operation?”

Cecilia shoved him off.

Mark reached for her again, but she lifted her hand sternly, saying,

“Mark! Stop this right now.”

She cast a cold gaze in his direction.

Mark gradually stood upright, his desire to speak held back by an inability to find the right words.

Their first intense fight unfolded.

Mark had his hands full elsewhere, yet concerns for Cecilia’s exhaustion lingered, so he asked a nurse to watch Edwin. Once things were in order, he said softly, “Rest on the couch. I’ll return as soon as I can.”

Cecilia felt nothing.

Mark’s throat worked as he tried to speak, then he finally departed.

Inside the car.

Peter’s tense nerves finally eased, and he spoke candidly.

“I know I am in no position to comment. But may I know why you still took care of that child? I had already advised against it. I believe Cecilia is quite displeased with this situation.”

Sitting in the back, Mark’s hands were tight balls of tension.

He didn’t intend to be concerned about Laura, but she was a lively little girl.

He was unsure about how Cathy would treat Laura if he didn’t give Laura his attention.

Right at that instant, Cathy called him once more.

Mark felt irked.

He passed the phone to Peter without a second thought, and Peter quickly grasped the situation. Soon after, Peter took the call, explaining, “It so happens that Mr. Evans’ son is ill. He’s tied up and can’t attend to other things right now. Miss Wilson, have you considered asking Paul’s family for assistance? They are more than willing to help you with childcare.”

Cathy’s response was icy.

“He put you up to this, right?”

Peter offered an awkward grin.

The line went dead as Cathy disconnected.

Peter gestured with the phone toward Mark, grumbling, “Cathy’s got quite the nerve, doesn’t she?”

Mark adjusted his shirt and pondered briefly before instructing,

“Ship off the DNA report to the Thomas family and secure a trustworthy lawyer to assist them with the case and to retrieve the custody of Laura.”

Peter’s face lit up with a grin.

“That’s the way to go.”

Mark’s day was packed.

Sleep had been scarce for him over the past two nights, yet despite feeling exhausted, he made his way to the hospital without delay.

While on the way to the hospital, Cathy’s calls kept interrupting him.

He picked up and suggested she speak with the doctor instead.

After the call, Mark’s spirits were low. He knew he hadn’t handled the situation with Paul’s daughter well, likely causing Cecilia pain, and he felt awful for that.

Cecilia was correct. Why should she try to comprehend him? Why should she linger and wait for him to sort things out?

The thought of Edwin’s condition weighed heavily on Mark, stirring up feelings of remorse.

He had the driver pull over so he could purchase a toy for Edwin.

Soon, Mark reached the hospital.

Edwin had awakened.

The doctor mentioned that Edwin was allowed to eat, and now he sat beside Zoey, savoring the porridge Zoey had prepared. The porridge was tasty and made his appetite soar.

Cecilia was engrossed in her work, sitting on the couch with a laptop.

Once collecting himself, Mark entered with a faint smile and said,

“Edwin. How are you feeling?”

Seeing Mark brought a smile to Edwin’s face.

Children had a remarkable capacity for forgiveness.

Mark placed the new toy on Edwin’s bedside table, which Edwin adored instantly. Stroking Edwin’s hair, Mark asked softly, “Is the pain still bothering you?”

“Just a bit.” Edwin’s voice was soft.

Guilt washed over Mark as he looked at his son.

Mark stayed by Edwin’s side for a time before turning his attention to Cecilia.

Cecilia seemed to pay him no mind, absorbed in her work, which left Mark perplexed. However, with the constant bustle, he understood it wasn’t the moment for personal conversations, so he refrained from bothering her.

It wasn’t until the clock struck ten at night that the ward quieted down.

By then, Edwin had drifted off to sleep.

Cecilia chose not to leave. She showered and remained beside the bed.

In hushed tones, Mark queried, “You really don’t want to talk to me?”

Cecilia paused, momentarily taken aback.

Releasing Edwin’s hand, Cecilia approached the ward window and whispered, “Edwin will recover in three days, and then I’LL bring him back to Duefron.”

Mark’s heart felt a subtle squeeze.

He approached her slowly and gently grasped her slender shoulder from behind.

“What are you implying?”

I’ve been overly optimistic. It’s become clear to me that Edwin and I are mere extras in the screenplay of your life, taking

tone, Mark protested, “That’s not

her and

born out of love between Cecilia

faint smile as the chilly night caused the window

a long silence, she offered, “Maybe I should leave you alone to handle all these. I’ll wait

her

eyes, he affirmed, “I will help the Thomas family

belongs to Cathy, and you

was better off not being in a relationship

her in his

wriggle free, but

her face on

filled with regret. In a

been the only one in my

seemed lost

appeared slightly puffy as she gently shook her

him aside and

take a

Mark watched her intently.

had matured, becoming a woman with independent

was uncertain if this was a positive

days unfolded

from Cathy, but he refrained from visiting Laura. He only occasionally

father was Paul, she was

Cecilia was disgusted.

day, Mark quit and delegated all his responsibilities. He decided to

handing off his duties,

found it hard to

decided to step down from his position alongside Mark. Having grown accustomed to

who had the deepest understanding of

abilities, you’re bound to achieve success

a cigarette. He lit it, inhaled a few times

“Let’s move on.”

ready to

moment, Cathy

mind? All your life’s hard work is here. Your connections and your promising career! You should be willing to let go of all of it

with indifference, “She’s

exited, choosing not to engage in further

in shock for a moment before she hurried after

came to a halt. He abruptly queried, “Cathy, what went through your mind when Laura was born? Did you

at a loss

quivered as she confessed, “I

more.

and quickly made his way

he found the nurse tidying up, but

Mark questioned urgently.

afternoon, Mr. Folwer assisted your wife with the discharge process.

had a hunch

delay, Mark dashed downstairs and dialed

inquired, “Why didn’t you wait for me to give you a ride? Are you at the airport now? I’m

Cecilia’s voice came through,

eyes, fatigue washed

it. Let’s talk it through. Please, don’t act

soft exhale could be heard from the other

emotion, carried over, “Mr. Evans, maybe you can’t

ago after my own experience. And Cathy was the cause of all that turmoil. Now, you want me

cracked as she

an

in her tone, Cecilia

with that, she ended

his phone down slowly, then settled into his car, lighting a cigarette and taking slow, deliberate puffs… Once the cigarette was finished, he continued his drive to the

had already flown

and settled into the departure

airplanes as they took

had brought Cecilia and

keeping Edwin

piano, her posture

Edwin with one arm while skillfully balancing the

sensed that she might be inconveniencing Waylen a

Edwin on the ground

Or do you want our dad to worry about you and nag you every day? I’m telling you, our parents are still unaware of what happened between you and

they were to find out,

obedient to Waylen, so she kept her complaints

was expecting a

feeling unwell, Rena prepared a pot of

become more irate and speak harshly, Waylen headed to the kitchen to

approached quietly and wrapped his arms

stopped for a

her head, she asked softly, “You’re

confirmed with

conflicts, informed by Zoey. With Mark at odds with Cecilia, Rena felt stuck in the middle, but thankfully,

nipped Rena’s

“Mark’s not getting any younger. Why’s he still

lower lip and inquired, “Are you implying

intend to rival him in moral

mention before that I owe a

the soup

gently, “Enough nonsense. Give Cecilia plenty of comfort in the upcoming two

Waylen had profound eyes.

Time might age her, but it only added a refined and graceful

He was deeply touched.

tenderly brushed his

Waylen’s smile softened.

to accompany Cecilia to comfort

Cecilia reassured Rena that she was okay and headed to bed with Edwin. Later that night, the villa echoed with the noise of

Cecilia speculated silently.

the window for

the villa and came to a halt. A lean figure

watched the

filled

noticed Mark standing next to the car. Instead of going into the house right away, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He indulged in a few

to

child had

she felt a hand on her

around, Waylen was

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