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.

stove, his gaze deep and

ages since he'd allowed

warm and inviting under his touch,

voice, quivering, called out

her lips in a passionate French

staggered, finding support against

kisses

Cecilia rested her head on his shoulder,

brushed through her

silence, he softly proposed, “You must be

prepare something for us.” “Okay,” she

her shoulder, Mark suggested, “Freshen up in the

the master bathroom, she turned the faucet, letting

reflected her

eyes were tinged with red, her complexion

Cecilia caught her breath.

reaction only Mark could elicit. Despite the ordeals they'd weathered over the years, he alone had the power to stir such profound emotion

to move on, to explore relationships

a fresh

pointed out the undeniable truth-she hadn't moved past Mark because her feelings for

with Mark, her heart seemed to reawaken, pulsating with life

let's eat,” Mark

responded with a simple

poised at the bedroom doorway. She averted her gaze, intending to sidestep him, but he

lowered

it's enchanting.”

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 relationship prematurely. Respecting her boundaries, he caressed

was a proficient cook, preparing a meal that included

Cecilia indulged heartily.

cup of fruit tea, offering it with a reassurance, “This is a one-time indulgence. I'll prepare a salad for you tomorrow.” “You understand me well,” Cecilia acknowledged, sipping her

lighting complementing the

a natural consequence, and Cecilia was

the distance between them, to compensate

significant age disparities and differing social circles,

interest appeared to be their

exchange, Cecilia's smile

Miss Holt next, could you apologize on my behalf? I wasn't at my best earlier” “It's on me,” Mark interjected, playfully pinching Cecilia's

apologies.” An ensuing silence

urgency underpinning their interactions, leaving little room for verbal communication. Now, a

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

shared life; pretense

dishes, Cecilia

the window, initiating a call home, received by

faint, a stark contrast to

she ended the call, her gaze falling upon

unease overtook

man for

Look stunning,” Mark complimented

crept across Cecilia's

smiled, retreating to the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water filled

more appropriate. Frustrated with her own timidity, she reasoned th i i She chastised herself before climbing into bed. Now Clutching a pillow, she pressed

bathroom, Mark's slightly chilled

inquire, “Did you have a cold

“It’s alright. As long as I'm cautious with my diet, there's nothing to worry about.” He wouldn't

Cecilia fell silent.

on until he presumed

reached out,

her face into the

“Actually, if you wanted to, I wouldn't have rejected you. You didn’t need to take that cold shower.” Mark remained silent, his hand

spread

softly, each wary of betraying their desires. Yet, such things defy restraint, and

to resist the mounting tension, Mark cradled the back of

his free hand began to ease her bathrobe from

Her voice, vulnerable and tender, beckoned him as

He answered without words.

retrieved a small box, setting it aside

bathed the

shadows danced

merged, the night air was

deepened the

the time their passion subsided, the clock struck

rested on his shoulder, her raven tresses cascading over

intimate reconnection promised to accelerate the thaw

she caressed his warm skin, her voice a

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

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

painful, but you were

have work tomorrow? Join me

accompany you to see your parents,”

Cecilia's smile was faint.

courage to

Mark's voice carried a hint of

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