A Second Chance With My Billionaire Love

For a moment, Cecilia just watched them in silence. Then, notifying Mark of her intention, she ascended the stairs.

Mark’s attention remained fixed on Olivia.

Edwin observed Mark, a thought brewing in his mind.

After a moment, he ventured, “Mom’s not with Mr. Smith anymore. Dad… does that make you happy?”

Mark hesitated.

The complexities of adult relationships weren’t something easily distilled into simple words.

Yet, Mark understood the crux of what Edwin sought.

Turning to him, Mark responded gently, “Your mom’s having a tough time. Try to be there more for her and help look after your sister, okay?”

Edwin nestled up to Mark, pressing his lips together in thought.

The question hanging in the air was whether Edwin would like to spend a few more days with him. Though the boy yearned to stay with his father, he couldn’t bear the thought of parting from his sister, his goodnight kiss to her a cherished ritual.

After wrestling with the idea, Edwin inquired, “Can I bring Olivia along?”

Mark shared the wish to have Olivia over, but her tender age made it impractical. She needed her mother’s presence.

Edwin’s desire to remain with his father was palpable.

Sitting close, he ran his fingers through his sister’s brown locks, his tone mature beyond his years.

“Olivia, I’ll be away for a week.

I’ll come back next week, I promise.”

Bottle in hand, Olivia paused to gaze at her brother with her bright, black eyes.

Overcome with affection, Edwin leaned in for a kiss.

He whispered, “So adorable.”

After Olivia’s feeding, Mark spent some time playing with her before ascending the stairs to hand her over to Cecilia.

Cecilia was propped against the sofa, script in hand.

Beside her stood a treadmill. Mark set Olivia down, allowing her some space to play.

“What’s up?” Cecilia lifted her gaze to inquire.

Taking a seat opposite her, Mark studied Cecilia’s eyes, noticing the slight redness.

He couldn’t tell if it was from lack of sleep or the melancholy of parting ways with Thomas. Although he yearned to know, it wasn’t his place to ask. After a pause, he ventured, “You and he…”

“Wie broke up,” interjected Cecilia, her tone casual.

She then strolled over to the window, reaching for her coffee cup.

Mark’s eyes followed her, noting a touch of solitude in her posture.

She was still in her early 30s, he thought, surely she yearned for companionship. He’d encountered Thomas a few times, and the man seemed to mesh well with Cecilia. Love aside, Mark believed they could have had a fulfilling life post-marriage.

His emotions were a tangle.

It was a blend of relief and self-reproach.

Olivia, in her playful zest, scampered toward Mark, intending to Leap into his embrace, but the treadmill stood in her path.

She stamped her little feet, craning her neck to look up at him.

In response, Mark scooped her up.

Olivia’s arms found their way around Mark’s neck. Admiring how handsome her father was, she planted kisses on his face, leaving a trail of drool on his chin.

Mark didn’t mind.

He ambled slowly behind Cecilia, Olivia secure in his hold.

After what felt like an eternity, he managed to ask, “Did you care for him?”

Eyes downcast, Cecilia offered a smile.

“If I admit I did, would you cease to appear before me, or stop visiting my house?”

A pang of pain shot through Mark’s heart.

They were both acutely aware of her split with Thomas.

Yet, Mark couldn’t make that promise.

He accepted his own selfishness, understanding that when someone craves something deeply, they might just do anything to obtain it.

Cecilia’s demeanor remained even.

“Mark, there’s no hidden message here. I’m simply stating that Edwin and Olivia hold more space in my heart than anyone else… It’s not about you.”

Her words, stark and grounded in reality, stung.

But they were Mark’s to bear.

He grasped her intent. She was signaling her rejection, not just of his advances but of any romantic entanglement.

Though she’d ended things with Thomas, she still didn’t envision a future with Mark.

Mark nodded in acquiescence.

“I understand.”

“What do you understand?”

Cecilia spun around, tears brimming in her eyes, a hint of anger in her voice.

Yet, there Mark stood, Olivia in his arms, the little one busily smearing her saliva on his chin with a look of innocent delight.

Beneath it all, Mark’s gaze held a profound depth.

And in that moment, his allure remained undiminished, even amidst the domestic chaos.

Cecilia held back her rising irritation.

Mark, ever perceptive, sensed it. He playfully tapped Olivia’s backside, remarking, “Your cute little devil.”

Oblivious, Olivia merely wrapped her arms around Mark’s neck and planted a kiss on him.

Mark didn’t beat around the bush.

He handed Olivia to Cecilia, his hand lingering on the child’s soft cheek for a moment.

bit older, let me look after her for some time. I’m taking Edwin back with me today. Don’t fret, I’ll ensure

eyes shifted to

agree

the question, Edwin emerged upstairs, schoolbag slung over his shoulders,

found herself unable to

son’s attire with one hand,

never wavered

exuded a mature allure, a quality that never failed

listen

Edwin nodded in affirmation.

a

heading out,” Mark murmured, his warm breath

eyes lifted

hand, gently caressing her shoulder

get some

retort,

the stairs, they

Mark greeted him politely.

with a smirk, “Hearing you this humble feels odd. But after your

better now I

fan of Mark, Korbyn harbored a deep affection

beckoned the boy over with a wave, ruffling his hair and

Mark departed, Korbyn’s final words carried a laden

over. But just remember, as long as we’re here, no one’s going to take advantage of her and get

wasn’t lost on

Cecilia,

held a

“I understand, Dad.”

of discomfort crossed Korbyn’s features, finding Mark’s familiarity brazen.

me that. You are

a simple, amiable

back. Midway, his phone rang; Waylen

the call concerned

first question caught him off

“Is Rena with you?”

the steering wheel, Mark hesitated before replying, “No, she’s not here. I

Concerned, Mark probed further.

was a prelude to

Angela’s Library

major, just… we had a bit of a

familiar with

back her social interactions, any hint of her mingling with the opposite sex would set Waylen’s jealousy simmering for days

was complex, neither entirely positive

Rena wouldn’t head home and voice her

well-known in their circle, often

from embarrassed, Waylen wore his

Mark reached out

her

Mark inquired, “What’s

drinks with Vera at a bar, couldn’t help but

to check on me,

Mark offered no denial.

nothing major,” Rena reassured

a hiccup. We’ll smooth things over in a day or

place to pry

call. Vera

on heading back

than half of Duefron’s

eyes, Rena’s smile

I’ll stay at

glasses

the kids?”

her shimmering crystal glass, her mind

I’m not there, he’ll

Rena had its roots in the Smith

night, Rena

post-celebration, he arrived uncharacteristically early to fetch Rena, almost like he suspected there was something going on between Rena and

was fortuitous; otherwise, Waylen’s reaction

Rena to their post -nuptial villa, where passion reigned through the night. Amidst their fervor, Waylen’s words lacked

she could forget all those unpleasant things he

Waylen’s routine altered –late departures, early returns, yet

appeared protective in his defense was, in

control, reaching a breaking point when she discovered

fit of defiance, she discarded

between the

details from even Vera,

misconstrue the ordeal as a grand love

Rena, it

the depth of his affection for her, but she knew love wasn’t an excuse for

Nobody enjoyed feeling watched.

Rena decided to step

descended the stairs, her form-fitting, elongated dress drew an extra

no mind, requesting Ross to

to a taxi, throwing Waylen off her

vibrated. It

She answered this time.

tone was soft,

“I’m with Vera.”

the call, only to blacklist his number when he

her

these years, his love for you hasn’t waned,”

voice tinged with humor, “Perhaps Waylen’s going through a midlife crisis.” That might explain his fixation on Harrison and

despise this side of him, but she insisted he

a male voice drifted in from

Angela’s Library

“Midlife crisis, am I?”

Rena swiveled.

clad in a business suit, appeared to have just left a formal engagement. Drawing close, he bent down to plant a kiss on her lips, murmuring,

an alluring blend of charm and

in to kiss his

couldn’t resist observing

She watched, utterly fascinated.

of the kiss,

traced

Romance saturated the air.

announcing, “I’ll leave you two to it, then.

you a ride home?” Waylen extended the

“No, I’ll manage, thanks.”