When they arrived at the apartment, it was already ten o'clock.

Mark was on his best behavior.

He asked her to sit on the sofa while he cut some fruits for her.

Then, he handed her a tablet PC so that she could watch a drama series or whatever she liked while he was in the kitchen.

Cecilia didn’t know whether she had made the right decision or not.

But now that she was here, there was no use thinking it over anymore.

She made herself comfortable in the sofa as she watched the TV show on the tablet. From time to time, her eyes would wander and catch a glimpse of Mark.

Angela's Library From the corner of her eyes, she noticed how well-maintained Mark's physique was.

Although he was in his 40s, the shape of his body was just as good when she first met him.

Before she knew it, Cecilia found herself staring at him as though she was in a trance.

Mark took out a glass of milk. When he saw her in a daze, he gently pinched her cheek and told her, “Have a glass of milk first.

Cecilia shook her head.

“I've already had a candy. I'll definitely get fatter if I have milk now as well as midnight snacks later.” She anticipated Mark to say that she wasn't fat.

Instead, he looked at her and smiled. His eyes looked deep, as if staring at them would cause her to drown.

“I think you're worried that you might not look as good on camera. If that's what you're worried about, then from now on, I'll cook you nutritious food low on calories.” Hearing this, Cecilia pursed her lips before they slowly curved into a smile.

Mark lowered his head and kissed her again.

“I want to do you so badly,” he whispered in her ear.

“But not today.” What? As Cecilia watched him walk back to the kitchen, memories of the past flashed in her mind. For a second, she thought she had been transported Koos Mark was wearing a white shirt and iron gray suit pants.

The hem of his shirt was neatly tucked in, accentuating his strong waist. Cecilia thought that her arms fitted perfectly around his waist.

Cecilia was not a naive girl anymore.

She thought she being here was already dropping hints to Mark.

But now, she wanted to make it even clearer.

Without making a noise, she walked over and hugged him from behind.

As soon as he felt her arms wrapped around him, Mark’s body stiffened. After a while, a gentle smile broke on his face.

“This will still take some time. Are you hungry already?” She buried her face in Mark's back.

“Mark,” she murmured.

“Do you want to clarify our relationship this time?” Mark gulped as he nodded.

“How about you be my girlfriend? That way, I'll be under your scrutiny. If you are not satisfied with me, then you can dump me any time you want.” As Cecilia heard these words, she almost burst into tears.

She pressed her face harder against his back and muttered, “During this period, I won't be going on any blind date, while you are not allowed to be close to any married woman. Got it?” Mark smiled.

“Got it. I have a girlfriend and I'm not available anymore.” For a while, Cecilia remained silent.

At this moment, Mark was starting to feel his back moisten. He turned around and held her hand.

“Shh... Don't cry, Cecilia,” he comforted her in a hoarse, soothing tone.

“Don’t cry.” Mark felt an urge to turn around.

But Cecilia's grip tightened, her embrace so intense that her nails dug into his skin.

Her body quivered uncontrollably.

In that instant, Mark's resolve wavered, and tears threatened to fall.

Life had thrown myriad challenges his way, teaching him to maintain a facade of tranquility. However, the heartfelt sobbing of the woman he cherished shook his composure.

“Cecilia,” he uttered, his voice laced with emotion.

She offered no response, her face pressed against his back. He was leaner now, but his frame was actually more robust than during his illness.

After what felt like an eternity, her voice, barely above a whisper, broke the silence.

“Does it still hurt?” “The pains gone.” Finally, Mark rotated, his eyes meeting Cecilia's tear-streaked face.

For the first time, he realized reconciliation wouldn't bring sheer joy.

Instead, a profound sorrow engulfed him.

his gaze deep and intense as he gently caressed her

allowed

under his

quivering, called out to

leaned forward, capturing her lips

finding support

kisses were fervent,

embrace. Cecilia rested her

brushed through her long hair, comforting

a prolonged silence, he softly proposed, “You must

something for us.” “Okay,” she replied, her eyes

suggested, “Freshen up in the bathroom. We'll eat once you're done.”

the master bathroom, she turned the faucet, letting cool water cascade

mirror reflected

Her eyes were tinged with red, her

Cecilia caught her breath.

since she'd last blushed, a reaction only Mark could elicit. Despite the ordeals they'd weathered over

to move on, to explore relationships with

a

just wouldn't work. Her brother had pointed out the undeniable

her heart seemed to reawaken, pulsating with

ready. Come, let's eat,” Mark

with a

him poised at the bedroom doorway. She averted her gaze,

lowered his

complexion... it's enchanting.” Cecilia's

best tactic.” Her eyes, still tinged with red, betrayed her emotions as she added, “I don’t want to rush things between us." Their maturity precluded the need for explicit statements. He understood her hesitation to physically rekindle their

preparing a meal that included

Cecilia indulged heartily.

regret surfaced. She patted her slightly protruding belly, lamenting, “Extra pounds don't translate well on camera.” In response, Mark brewed a cup of fruit tea, offering it with a reassurance, “This is a one-time indulgence. I'll prepare

was comforting, the warm yellow lighting complementing the cool, air-conditioned interior of the tastefully

consequence, and Cecilia was not

bridge the distance

of silence, coupled with significant

appeared to be their

brief exchange, Cecilia's smile

my behalf? I wasn't at

apologies.” An ensuing silence enveloped Mark and Cecilia,

the past, their connection was primarily physical, a fervent urgency underpinning their interactions, leaving little room for verbal

the night deepened, Mark proposed, “Stay here. I have more to

by intimacy and a shared life; pretense was unnecessary

to the dishes, Cecilia opted

window, initiating

voice was faint, a stark contrast to the

a brief conversation, she ended the call,

unease

was with a man for the first time, nervously adjusting

stunning,” Mark complimented

blush crept across

Soon, the sound of running water filled the

the bed was more appropriate. Frustrated with her own timidity, she reasoned th i i She chastised herself before climbing into bed. Now

bathroom, Mark's slightly

inquire, “Did you have a cold shower?” Mark's casual affirmation concerned her, sparking worry for

the quilt’s embrace, he caught her hand, drawing her close, and reassured her in a whisper, “It’s alright. As long as I'm cautious with my diet, there's

Cecilia fell silent.

on until he presumed she had withdrawn

reached out,

nestled her face into the

rejected you. You didn’t need to take that cold shower.” Mark remained silent, his

spread from

desires. Yet, such things defy restraint, and soon their breaths quickened

the mounting tension, Mark cradled the back

her, his free hand began to ease her bathrobe

Her voice, vulnerable and tender, beckoned him as she

He answered without words.

table, he retrieved a small box, setting it aside before

moonlight bathed the

danced upon the

merged, the night air was

deepened the night's

the time their passion subsided,

rested on his shoulder, her raven tresses cascading

reconnection promised to accelerate

she caressed his warm skin, her voice a soft

I longed for you, for Edwin, for the unborn child within you,”

thoughts of me ever cross your mind?” he inquired, lowering his gaze

Cecilia confessed, “Constantly. Memories, both fond and painful, but you were always there, in my thoughts.”

work tomorrow? Join me in visiting

I'l accompany you to see your parents,” he

Cecilia's smile was faint.

to

Mark's voice carried a hint of playful

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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