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?”

become clear to me that Edwin and I

tone, Mark

her and

out

chilly night caused the window

traced patterns on the glass, and after a long silence, she offered, “Maybe I should leave you alone to handle all these. I’ll wait for you

spun her to face

“I will help the Thomas family reclaim the custody of

be entangled in? The child belongs to Cathy, and you are not the father. Mark, you know what? The virtuous acts

off not being in a relationship filled with such

her

wriggle free, but

face on his shoulder,

was filled with regret. In a hoarse whisper, he assured

with Cathy. You’ve been the only one in my heart all these

seemed lost

puffy as

softly nudged him aside and hung her head

a moment

Mark watched her intently.

he could only sense that she had matured, becoming a woman with independent thoughts while he

he was uncertain if this was

days

Mark continued to receive calls from Cathy, but he refrained from visiting Laura. He only occasionally conversed with Laura over the phone, always speaking to her

Paul, she was undeniably Cathy’s

Cecilia was disgusted.

all his

off his duties,

hard to say

Having grown accustomed to working with

the deepest understanding of Mark,

your abilities, you’re bound to achieve

it, inhaled a few times in silence, then crushed

“Let’s move on.”

ready

Cathy

lost your 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 for the sake of a

with indifference, “She’s

exited, choosing not to engage in further conversation with

moment before she hurried after him,

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

herself at a loss for

lips quivered as she confessed, “I only loved one

more. He headed straight for

and quickly

found the nurse tidying up, but Edwin and Cecilia were nowhere in

Mark questioned urgently.

Mr. Folwer assisted your wife with the

Mark had a hunch that

delay, Mark dashed downstairs and dialed Cecilia’s number

the call, and after a brief pause, he gently inquired, “Why didn’t you wait for me to give you a ride? Are you at the airport now? I’m on

Cecilia’s voice came through, “We’re about to board

Mark massaged his eyes, fatigue washed

you, let’s discuss it. Let’s talk

heard from

with emotion, carried over, “Mr. Evans, maybe you can’t see it, being so

after my own experience. And Cathy was the cause of all that turmoil. Now, you want me to look after her child

cracked as she

whispered an apology

logic in her tone, Cecilia urged, “Think

with that, she

a cigarette and taking slow, deliberate puffs… Once the cigarette was finished, he continued his

had already flown

a ticket and settled into the departure

observing the airplanes as

and Edwin

keeping

was at the piano, her posture impeccable, the epitome

cradled Edwin with one arm while skillfully balancing

might be

the

after Edwin? Or do you want our dad to worry about you and nag you every day? I’m telling you, our parents are still

out, who knows what

Waylen, so she kept

was expecting

prepared a pot of

might become more irate and speak harshly, Waylen headed to

approached quietly and wrapped his arms around Rena from

stopped for a

turning her head, she

with

With Mark at odds with Cecilia, Rena felt stuck in the middle, but thankfully,

nipped

he remarked, “Mark’s not getting

lip and inquired,

intend to rival

a light laugh, Waylen responded, “I wouldn’t dare. Didn’t I mention before that I owe a debt

the soup

Cecilia plenty of comfort

Waylen had profound eyes.

a serene and collected expression. Time might age her,

He was deeply touched.

tenderly brushed his

Waylen’s smile softened.

wished to accompany

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 a

gracefully drove into the villa and came to a

watched the

eyes filled

going into the house right away, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He

to

but wish that child had never come

felt a hand

she turned around,

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