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.

the gas stove, his gaze deep and intense

ages since he'd allowed himself to

inviting under his touch, felt like his

voice, quivering, called out to

he leaned forward, capturing her lips in

support

Library Their kisses were

than that embrace. Cecilia rested her head on his

brushed through her long

a prolonged silence, he softly proposed, “You

she replied, her eyes reddened from crying.

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

master bathroom, she turned the faucet, letting cool water cascade over her face

reflected her

Her eyes were tinged with red,

Cecilia caught her breath.

elicit. Despite the ordeals

had attempted to move on, to explore relationships with

craved a

out the undeniable truth-she hadn't moved past Mark because

with Mark, her heart seemed

eat,”

with

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

door, he lowered his voice a

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

shove, chiding, “Flattery isn't your 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 relationship prematurely. Respecting her boundaries, he caressed her dark tresses, his smile

preparing a meal that included her

Cecilia indulged heartily.

a twinge of 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 a

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

a natural consequence, and

to bridge the distance between them,

years of silence, coupled with significant age disparities and differing social circles,

interest appeared to be

exchange, Cecilia's smile

you apologize on my behalf?

extend your apologies.” An ensuing silence enveloped Mark and Cecilia,

urgency underpinning their

“Stay here. I have more to share.”

intimacy and a shared life; pretense was unnecessary when he suggested

the dishes, Cecilia opted for a

she found solace by the window, initiating a

stark contrast to the impulsive boldness of her youth.

the call,

sudden unease overtook

man for the first

stunning,” Mark complimented

crept across Cecilia's

the sound of running water filled

her own timidity, she reasoned th i i She chastised herself

steam-filled bathroom, Mark's

made Cecilia shiver; she instinctively curled into his embrace, looking up to inquire, “Did you have a cold shower?” Mark's casual affirmation concerned her,

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 nothing to worry about.” He wouldn't have returned

Cecilia fell silent.

stretched on until he presumed she

reached out, extinguishing the

her face into the crook of his

you wanted to, I wouldn't have rejected you. You didn’t need

warmth spread

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

Unable to resist the mounting tension, Mark cradled

his free hand began to ease her bathrobe

and tender, beckoned

He answered without words.

box, setting it aside before his lips eagerly found

moonlight bathed

danced

their bodies merged, the night air was punctuated by their

deepened the

subsided, the clock struck

on his shoulder, her raven tresses cascading over

intimate reconnection promised to accelerate the thaw

skin, her voice a soft

longed for you, for Edwin, for the unborn child within you,” Mark confessed, his voice

you? Did thoughts of me ever cross your mind?” he inquired, lowering his gaze to meet

but you were always there, in my thoughts.” ANGELA'sLIBRARY Mark pressed a

work tomorrow? Join me in visiting my

I'l accompany you to see your parents,”

Cecilia's smile was faint.

have the courage to go see my parents?” she

darkness, Mark's voice carried

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

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