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.

a bit older, let me look after her for some time. I’m taking Edwin back with

shifted to

agree to

she posed the question, Edwin emerged upstairs, schoolbag

herself unable

her son’s attire with one hand, and relayed

gaze never

mature allure, a quality that never failed

sure to listen

Edwin nodded in affirmation.

clasped Edwin’s hand and shared a parting kiss with Olivia,

warm breath

eyes lifted to

her shoulder and back, his voice a

to get some

could muster a retort, Mark had

stairs, they

Mark greeted him politely.

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

now

Korbyn harbored a

wave, ruffling

Mark departed, Korbyn’s final words carried a laden

But just remember, as

wasn’t lost

to woo Cecilia, but coercion was

smile held a trace

“I understand, Dad.”

discomfort crossed Korbyn’s features,

that. You are no longer

response was a simple, amiable

tow, Mark headed back. Midway, his phone rang;

the call concerned Cecilia,

Waylen’s first question caught him off

“Is Rena with you?”

Mark hesitated before replying, “No, she’s not here. I haven’t heard from

Concerned, Mark probed further.

a prelude to

Angela’s Library

we had

was familiar with their

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

situation was complex, neither

Rena wouldn’t head home and

possessive nature was well-known in their circle, often fueling

embarrassed, Waylen wore his infamy

the call, Mark reached out

her voice

tones, Mark inquired, “What’s happening between

with Vera at a bar, couldn’t

to check on me, didn’t

Mark offered no denial.

nothing major,” Rena reassured

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

wasn’t Mark’s place to pry into

over, Rena ended the call. Vera shot her a questioning

on heading

French glass, showcasing more than half of Duefron’s nighttime skyline. Central to the view was Exceed Group’s illuminated tower,

her eyes, Rena’s smile was

I’ll stay at

glasses

the kids?”

to her shimmering crystal

he’ll surely head home

Waylen and Rena had its roots in the Smith family’s party the other

Rena

even asked Harrison to take care of Rena for him. Yet, post-celebration, he arrived uncharacteristically early

was fortuitous; otherwise, Waylen’s reaction could have been

villa, where passion reigned through the

unpleasant things he said in a fit

Waylen’s routine altered –late departures, early returns, yet constant surveillance on Rena, whether through personal tracking or via

appeared protective in his

reaching a breaking point when she discovered her

of defiance,

between the couple

back these details from even

ordeal as a grand love gesture, thrilling and

for Rena, it felt far

of his affection for her, but she knew love

Nobody enjoyed feeling watched.

Rena decided to step

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

him no mind, requesting

she switched to a

phone vibrated. It was

She answered this time.

tone was soft,

“I’m with Vera.”

ended the call, only to blacklist his number when

observing, cradled her chin in

love

a midlife crisis.” That might explain his fixation on Harrison and the unconscious need to measure up to

Rena didn’t despise this side of him, but

drifted in from the private

Angela’s Library

“Midlife crisis, am I?”

Rena swiveled.

appeared to have just left a formal engagement. Drawing close, he bent down to plant a kiss on her lips, murmuring, “Mrs. Fowler, it seems you value me less

his prime, Waylen exuded an

to kiss his

observing

She watched, utterly fascinated.

the spell of the kiss,

fingers traced her

Romance saturated the air.

her purse, announcing, “I’ll leave you two to it, then. Have a good

ride

“No, I’ll manage, thanks.”