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.

been informed

mingled, his attention discreetly remained

talk, but current company

Mark’s gaze was inscrutable.

it appeared Mark was taking a fancy to Cecilia,

ordinary woman. Mr. Evans might not stand a chance this

his ease in such scenarios

a direct response, he

opportunity to discuss the script

available as the person stood up to make room, and Mark took the opportunity to sit beside

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

held a cigarette between his slender, pale

features complemented

dare challenge him or pressure him

buzzed

tipsy gentleman offered her a glass of wine, slurring, “A toast from Miss

Her eyes lifted.

appeasing wealthy patrons and

daughter entertaining the

Cecilia would have declined without hesitation, but Simon’s faith and validation meant something to her, and he used to be such

eyes of the crowd,

offered a poised

Medina, I trust you’ll honor your

slender hand enveloped

It was Mark.

collective gasp

touch a lady, and not just any,

happened next. There was no slap, no

silent, intense exchange held between

grasped at once that this was no

gaze locked with Cecilia’s, where an emotional storm

he asserted, “I’ll drink

to take the

Mark’s fragile health, she knew

down the wine

a rosy hue post-drink, rendering her

initial instigator, found his sobriety

patriarch’s daughter but had also slighted Mark. Recognizing the gravity of the moment, he was about to say something, but

loss, but the realization that he’d crossed Mark, a man renowned for

a subdued smile, advising, “Mr. Medina, no need to

his wits,

though cold

conversation, he effortlessly took

apparent usurpation irked

consumed several more glasses of wine, her assistant’s attempts to intervene

glance darted towards Mark, aware of the history he shared

to dissuade her, but he soon relented, allowing her to

quality, wouldn’t induce

As they prepared to depart, Mark assured her

though

in the car, Peter made a move to accompany them but reconsidered, sensing

gaze rested on the inebriated woman beside him. Her black

was a blend of sophistication

her face, Mark felt its

emotional turmoil was the

Thomas, was she

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

indecision, Mark steered towards

in her current state would only distress Edwin and

Cecilia’s face, he murmured, “We’re heading

before the black SUV pulled up at

at the halt, her eyes fluttering

we?” she

punctuated the

leaning across to do the same for her, his voice a soft murmur, “It’s

vehicle approached, its high

as she

the place we once lived?”

Mark was enveloped by

of her natural fragrance mingled

within

moment, Mark really wanted to hug

was able to restrain

won’t forget about it,” he

their most precious memories. He truly believed that she would never

gazed ahead,

smile broke on her face, which

point of remembering any

it again, and this time,

on her face. He got off the car, opened the door on her side, and bent down to pick her up. At this point, she wasn’t completely inebriated yet and still had some energy to

“No! I won’t go!

want to go

chilly wind

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

shut the car

had no more strength left after drinking. Afraid that she would fall, she wrapped her

ascent, a glassy look once again pervaded

familiar and pleasant smell wafted up her nose. They had been in this elevator countless of times already, and it seemed like it was just yesterday when they were still a sweet couple who snuck out and

memories flashed before her eyes, Cecilia’s eyes

felt completely wasted, but there were also times she

common denominator between those two states was the great discomfort she felt

had alcohol in her system could she dare

roll down

Mark,” she murmured. Then, she pressed her head on his shoulder even more, feeling embarrassed as she sobbed

enough to make Mark’s

apartment, he took out

Although Mark didn’t live here anymore, he still

into the bedroom and gently lay her on the

the bed was soft, her body

in the bed, Mark didn’t want to leave yet. He bent over the bed and gently

eyes were closed, and her

with the way

course he wanted to hold her. After all, he was a man who had

he gently

opened her eyes and was greeted by the sight of this large man

face was hard to

were locked in a

eyes widened, shocked by the suddenness of

completely turned on. Before she could even resist, he already had

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