Hesitant, Peter trailed off, embarrassment coloring his pause.

Mark unwrapped a candy, his smile cryptic.

Then, Peter shifted topics.

“There’s a dinner party tonight, Edwin’s with you. Planning on canceling?”

Mark considered it.

However, upon reviewing the document, he inquired, “Wasn’t this an investment-related dinner? Summon Maria.”

Peter stepped out to fetch one of Mark’s secretaries, Maria Manson.

Shortly, Maria appeared, a smile playing on her lips.

“Mr. Evans, tonight’s host is Mr. Simon Lewis, a big name in the showbiz. He’s anxious about funding for his project. He’s even managed to invite the play’s leading lady-stunning and from Duefron’s elite. She rarely makes such appearances.”

Mark’s curiosity piqued.

Upon inquiry, Maria confirmed, “The actress is Cecilia Fowler.”

Peter’s gaze met Mark’s.

Dispassionate, Mark instructed, “Inform Simon I’ll be punctual.”

Maria nodded and exited.

Peter’s smile was sly.

“Perfect. The dinner has multiple investors.

You could play Cecilia’s guardian angel.”

Mark’s attention was anchored to the document.

After a pause, he murmured, “In Duefron, she’s untouchable.”

Mark’s intent was singular: to see Cecilia, even just from afar.

Come afternoon, his tasks completed, Mark collected Edwin.

To make up for his absence for the night, he suggested dinner out.

Children typically favored fast-food like fried chicken, a preference Mark was willing to indulge.

Yet, Edwin declined the fried chicken.

Grasping Mark’s hand, his brow furrowed, Edwin declared, “I want rice.”

Mark was baffled by the child’s preference for such simplicity.

Patting Edwin’s head tenderly, he proposed, “I can watch you eat the fried chicken.”

“But I want the rice,” Edwin clarified, blushing.

Mark smiled, acquiescing to the child’s peculiar request.

“Alright, let’s find you a restaurant.”

He drove Edwin to a well-regarded establishment, bustling with patrons.

Edwin relished the meal.

As Mark mentioned he’d drop Edwin off before attending an evening event, the boy’s demeanor shifted, his focus now solely on his plate.

Mark found Edwin’s temperament reminiscent of Rena’s.

He cajoled softly, “Your mother will be at the event, too. Don’t you want us to meet?”

Edwin did, undoubtedly.

But restrained, he sidestepped.

“I have a heap of homework tonight.

I can’t accompany you. You might as well just go to the event.”

Mark’s smile returned.

Post-dinner, they drove back to the villa where Zoey anticipated Edwin’s arrival.

As Mark made to leave, Zoey approached him, her words firm.

“No alcohol for you. Keep an eye on Cecilia; ensure she’s treated right.”

Mark offered a reassuring smile.

“No need to worry, Mom.”

Zoey hesitated, her initial words dying on her lips, and instead, she exhaled a sigh.

“I’ve prepared your favorite snack. Some wontons with coriander.”

A moment of surprise flickered across Mark’s face.

Finally, he responded softly, “I’ll bring her back.”

He slid into his vehicle, the robust SUV offering an expansive view of the crimson horizon.

A craving for a cigarette tugged at him.

Yet, he refrained.

His health necessitated abstention from all harsh substances, tobacco and alcohol included. While such restrictions could render life lackluster for some, he found solace in Cecilia and their two beautiful children…

A gentle warmth touched Mark’s features.

Upon his arrival at the club, the evening vibrancy was palpable.

Peter awaited him at the entrance.

As the vehicle halted, Peter leaned in, his voice a whisper.

“Cecilia’s here. She’s unaware you’re coming.”

A smile tugged at Mark’s lips.

Together, they ventured into the private dining area, already occupied by a dozen individuals.

Except for the film crew, there were five investors.

Upon entry, Mark’s presence caught the attention of an acquaintance who initiated light conversation. It was Mark’s voice that caused Cecilia to divert her attention from her phone, her gaze Lifting.

It was him.

hadn’t been informed

attention discreetly remained

but current

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

the rest, it appeared Mark was taking a fancy to Cecilia,

Evans might not stand a chance this

was low, his ease in such scenarios

response, he addressed someone near

of my prospects, I’d relish an opportunity to discuss the script with

Cecilia became available as the person stood up to make room, and Mark took the opportunity to sit beside her. With eleven people squeezing into ten seats, the

pressed against Cecilia, acutely aware of the softness of her waist, though his expression revealed nothing

in the evening’s mingling, he held a cigarette between his slender, pale fingers, not for smoking

complemented

one would dare challenge him or

buzzed

the focus when a tipsy gentleman offered her a glass of wine, slurring, “A toast from Miss Fowler shall guarantee funding for the

Her eyes lifted.

wealthy patrons and respecting

of a Fowler daughter entertaining the investor was

declined without hesitation, but Simon’s faith and validation meant something to her, and he used to be such a big help to her career…

of the crowd, Cecilia rose, glass in

offered a poised

I trust

sip, a slender hand enveloped hers, steadying

It was Mark.

gasp filled the

casually touch a lady, and not just

Nothing happened next. There was

silent, intense exchange

grasped at once that

with Cecilia’s, where an emotional storm seemed to

tone, he asserted, “I’ll drink it for

take the glass, Cecilia’s reflexes kicked

health, she knew he couldn’t afford even

down the

a rosy hue post-drink, rendering

instigator, found his sobriety hastening

also slighted Mark. Recognizing the gravity of the moment, he was about to say something, but Mark interrupted him. He declared, his voice resonant, “I will

anxiety surged, mot over potential profit loss, but the realization that he’d

of the terrain, Roger observed Mark’s Lack of immediate action. Instead, Mark offered a subdued smile, advising, “Mr. Medina, no

regaining his

though

Roger in conversation, he effortlessly

usurpation

glasses of wine, her

glance darted towards Mark, aware of the history he

dissuade her, but he soon relented, allowing

wine, of decent quality, wouldn’t induce

end, sufficient to impair her senses. As they prepared to depart, Mark

though

move to accompany them but reconsidered, sensing the intimacy of the moment, and instead closed the car door behind

Her black hair cascaded

was a blend of sophistication

Mark felt its

her emotional turmoil was the impetus behind her

ties with Thomas, was she nursing

he steeled himself, recognizing their current reality as a divorced pair. Despite the uniqueness of this solitary moment,

of indecision, Mark steered towards the house on Gamous

in her current state

Cecilia’s face, he murmured,

black SUV pulled up at the apartment’s

her eyes fluttering open to unfamiliar

are we?” she inquired,

noise punctuated the

released his seat belt, leaning across to do the same for her,

its high beams

her eyes, discomfort evident as she reclined, her

recall the place we

was enveloped by

was a unique blend of her natural fragrance

dormant desire within Mark quietly

Mark really wanted to hug

was able to restrain

about it,” he whispered in her

all, this apartment housed their most precious memories. He truly believed that she would

her hand and gazed ahead, as though looking at something

which quickly disappeared

the point of remembering any of it?” she

it again, and this time, her voice almost

off the car, opened the door on her side, and bent down to pick her up. At this

“No! I won’t go!

don’t want to go

chilly wind blew past

face almost touching hers, and said in a hoarse voice, “Where can

kick, he shut the car door and headed towards the

she would fall, she wrapped her arms around Mark’s neck and

the elevator made its ascent, a glassy look once again

her nose. They had been in this elevator countless of times already, and it seemed like it was just yesterday when they were

flashed before her

there

was the great discomfort she felt

could she dare to bury her face

began to roll

his shoulder even more, feeling embarrassed as she sobbed like a

than enough

opened. As they arrived at their apartment, he took out

Although Mark didn’t live here anymore, he still

and gently lay her on

soft, her body was

leave yet. He bent over the bed and gently brushed aside a stray lock of her long hair from her

were closed, and her

with the way her

time. Of course he wanted

gently called her

was greeted by the sight of this large man

on his face was hard

were

by the

even resist, he already had her wrists pinned above her head, while the weight of his body pressed her down, trapping

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