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.

gas stove, his gaze deep and intense

he'd allowed himself to look at her this

under his

called out to

he leaned forward, capturing her

staggered, finding support against the kitchen

kisses were

that embrace. Cecilia rested her head on his shoulder, her tears

her

prolonged silence, he softly

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

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

in the master bathroom, she turned the faucet, letting cool

reflected

were tinged with red, her complexion

Cecilia caught her breath.

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

move on, to explore

craved a fresh

undeniable truth-she

heart seemed to

ready. Come, let's eat,” Mark invited,

responded with a

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

the door, he lowered his voice

it's

to rush things between us." Their maturity precluded the need for explicit statements. He understood her hesitation to physically rekindle

a proficient cook, preparing a meal that

Cecilia indulged heartily.

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

yellow lighting complementing

a natural consequence,

to bridge the distance between them, to compensate

coupled with significant

to be their discussions

a brief exchange,

apologize on my behalf? I wasn't at my best earlier” “It's on

extend your apologies.” An ensuing silence enveloped Mark

was primarily physical, a fervent urgency underpinning their interactions, leaving

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

and a shared life; pretense was unnecessary when he suggested

to the dishes, Cecilia opted for

window, initiating a call home, received by

stark contrast to

the

unease

she was with a man for the first

Look stunning,”

blush crept

the sound of running water filled the

th i i She chastised herself before climbing into bed.

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, sparking worry for his

a whisper, “It’s alright. As long as

Cecilia fell silent.

until he presumed she had withdrawn into

out, extinguishing

into the crook

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

warmth spread from his

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

Library Unable to resist the mounting tension, Mark

free hand began to ease

Her voice, vulnerable and tender, beckoned him as she gazed

He answered without words.

small box, setting it aside before his lips

bathed the

shadows danced upon

merged, the night air was punctuated

the night's

subsided, the clock struck

rested on his shoulder, her raven tresses cascading over

accelerate the thaw in their

skin,

“Every single day. I longed for you, for Edwin, for the unborn child within you,” Mark confessed, his

you? Did thoughts of me ever cross your

but you were

have work tomorrow? Join me in visiting my

accompany you to see

Cecilia's smile was faint.

do you have the courage to go see my parents?”

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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