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 intense as he gently caressed

had been ages since he'd allowed himself to look

under his

quivering, called out

her lips in a

staggered, finding support against

Library Their kisses were

rested

brushed through her long hair, comforting

softly

she

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

turned the faucet, letting cool water cascade over her face to regain her

mirror reflected her

were tinged with

Cecilia caught her breath.

since she'd 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 profound emotion

attempted to move on, to explore relationships

a fresh

had pointed out the undeniable truth-she hadn't moved

her heart seemed to reawaken,

Come, let's eat,” Mark

responded with a

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

lowered his

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

“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,

preparing a meal

Cecilia indulged heartily.

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,

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

a natural consequence, and Cecilia was not

distance

with significant age disparities and differing social

interest appeared to be

exchange, Cecilia's smile

a subdued tone, she requested, “When you see Miss Holt next, could you apologize on my behalf? I wasn't

extend your apologies.” An ensuing silence enveloped Mark

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

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

marked by intimacy and a shared life; pretense was unnecessary when he suggested they converse

dishes, Cecilia

solace by the window, initiating a

contrast to the

she ended the call, her gaze falling

unease overtook

for the first time, nervously adjusting

stunning,” Mark

blush crept across Cecilia's

the sound of running water filled the

Frustrated with her own timidity, she reasoned th i i She chastised herself before climbing into

steam-filled bathroom, Mark's slightly chilled

she instinctively curled into his embrace, looking up to inquire, “Did you have a cold shower?” Mark's casual

reassured her in a whisper, “It’s alright. As long as I'm cautious with my diet, there's nothing to worry

Cecilia fell silent.

until he presumed she had withdrawn

she reached out, extinguishing the

into the crook of his

wanted to, I wouldn't have rejected you.

warmth spread

desires. Yet, such

to resist the mounting tension, Mark cradled the back

began

Her voice, vulnerable and tender, beckoned him as

He answered without words.

bedside table, he retrieved a small box, setting it aside before his lips eagerly

moonlight bathed the

danced upon

merged, the night air

the night's

their passion subsided, the clock

shoulder, her raven tresses cascading

accelerate the thaw in

skin, her voice

think of me?” “Every single day. I longed for you, for Edwin, for the unborn child within you,”

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

fond and painful, but you were

work tomorrow? Join me in visiting my

you to see your

Cecilia's smile was faint.

courage to go see my parents?”

darkness, Mark's voice carried a hint of

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