Juliette elbowed her husband gently.

Yet, Mark remained unflustered. Presenting gifts to Juliette and Korbyn, he said graciously, “There are many things I haven't handled well. I plan to make amends, step by step, in the future. I anticipate guidance from you both.” Korbyn, astute as he was, recognized the need only to apply subtle pressure on Mark.

He knew pushing too hard might upset Mark, potentially distressing Cecilia once more.

Instead, Korbyn invited Mark to take a seat, and then instructed a servant, “Please inform Waylen and the others it's time to come downstairs for dinner. They shouldn't isolate themselves every time they congregate.” “Rena and Cecilia went shopping, coming home with an array of clothing and jewelry,” Juliette shared.

“They're seeking Waylen's opinion. They get along so well. That pleases you, doesn't it?” A twinge of disappointment struck Mark.

Cecilia had claimed her schedule was too packed for meet-ups.

A hint of jealousy emerged in Mark, though he kept it to himself.

As he pondered, footsteps signaled their descent.

Waylen led the way, with Rena and Cecilia following, side by side.

Cecilia, leaning on Rena, had her arm linked through Rena's...

Korbyn'’s voice, cool, interjected, “Your uncle has arrived.” Korbyn looked at his children.

The ambiance held a delicate subtlety.

Waylen glanced over at Cecilia and noticed a slight blush gracing her face. Clearly, she couldn't withstand such teasing.

Mark was much more thick-skinned.

At his age, he found himself once more in Cecilia's company, and he paid little heed to anything else.

His affectionate gaze upon Cecilia was even more unreserved than before.

Waylen let out a chuckle.

In agreement with his father, he added, “Dad, if you keep on going like that, Mark might never show his face here again.” Korbyn shot Waylen a grave look before inquiring, “Is he that really shy, Waylen?” Both Korbyn and Waylen possessed sharp tongues.

Mark had no option but to take it.

As Cecilia drew near, Mark strolled alongside her and tenderly asked, “Why didn't you invite me to join you for shopping?” Cecilia cast a brief glance at Mark's way.

“Even my brother didn't go” After a brief pause, she added, “You were planning to go to the office, weren't you? Besides, I prefer shopping with Rena.” Beneath the table, Mark discreetly clasped Cecilia's hand.

“You're absolutely right. Women understand each other best.” Angela's Library With that, Mark offered a gentle smile and whispered, “I'l go get Olivia.” Typically, Olivia didn’t dine at the table. She was still quite young, and her meals were either prepared separately, or she would just have her milk.

Cecilia wanted to say something, but Mark had already ascended the stairs.

Observing his daughter's expression, Korbyn curled his lip.

“Feeling sorry for him? Well, don’t thwart a man’s desire to prove himself.

You shouldn't concern yourself too much. Simply follow your sister-in-law’s lead and give him a hard time.” Rena served a portion of food to Korbyn.

In a hushed tone, she said, “Dad, if I've ever wronged Waylen in any way, please forgive me.” Korbyn quickly reassured her, “No. No, you've been really good to Waylen.” Witnessing that, Cecilia couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.

Rena not only had a grip on Waylen, but she also managed to please Korbyn.

As Cecilia pondered, Mark descended the stairs, holding Olivia in his embrace.

Just in time for summer, Olivia wore a white dress adorned with red flowers. She appeared plump and utterly adorable.

Olivia wrapped her tiny arms around her father’s neck, her curious eyes fixed on the dishes set on the table.

Most of it was devoid of salt or other seasonings. Olivia found them quite plain and refused to eat.

Yet Mark patiently cajoled her.

3 Olivia radiated pure delight. She let out joyful giggles and devoured all the food her father fed her.

Korbyn chortled.

“I am truly impressed. Mark, you could run a nursery school. You have a real knack for handling kids.” Mark responded promptly, “Olivia is quite a good girl.” Olivia held a deep fondness for Mark. She nestled against his chest.

Mark couldn't resist rubbing her plump little belly.

During the meal, he refrained from eating much as he mostly focused on his daughter.

Cecilia harbored concerns about Mark, yet her entire family had gathered, and her shyness held her back.

She stole a quick glance at Rena.

Rena grasped Cecilia's unspoken message and addressed Mark, “Uncle Mark, why don't you grab a bite?” Mark appeared momentarily taken aback.

Then, he offered a gentle smile and replied, “'m not much of an eater.” Rena let the matter rest and turned her gaze back to Cecilia, noticing the hint of wetness in her eyes.

In private, Rena inquired, “Are you worried about him?” Cecilia felt a touch awkwardness.

THe Rena refrained from further questioning.

Following the meal, Rena and Cecilia attended to the children’s belongings, while Mark was summoned to Korbyn's study.

closed behind

Korbyn's jesting ceased.

Mark to take a

deeply, valuing her even more than his

Whether you two make it in the long run depends on you.

as she did seven years

a pang of

waved his hand.

tinge of sorrow in his expression, but he had something

you. As a father, I can't say much

'm not asking for anything else at this moment. I just wish you could be there for her a while longer” Having spoken those words, Korbyn

glistened with

was barely in

considerably older and plagued by frail health, weighed heavily on Korbyn's

contemplative silence for an extended period, grappling with the

self-centered, how could he muster the courage? After a prolonged pause, Mark uttered in a raspy voice, “Please, don't worry.” Korbyn wiped away his tears discreetly and spun around

and raise the two children. I believe Edwin holds tremendous promise. He inherits his personality

engaged in a brief discussion regarding some

grasped Edwin's hand,

Mark, she

up his daughter, a suitcase

gaze at Cecilia and uttered, “You take the wheel.” Cecilia nodded

departed, Rena stood on the porch, her

Rena's unspoken longing for

arm around her shoulder, both of them

you feeling emotional? I thought Mrs. Fowler isn't as

of his feigned mental

thought, could be

discovered his actions, he

him! Rena cast a

brushing against her

I soothe your anger? What if you also tampered with

earth would want to tamper with your phone? You think everyone's as perverted as

her slender shoulder, a mischievous streak evident.

her to push him away. There was an undeniable helplessness in dealing with him, and it seemed his antics had an

at Mark's villa

the car didn’t come to a halt until it had maneuvered

been eagerly anticipating Cecilia's visit for quite some

past few years, there was a distinct significance to

taking unsteady

breeze playfully lifted her

half of her little bottom,

resist the urge

for Olivia knew

Olivia in her arms, showering her

standing nearby, didn’t harbor any jealousy. He patiently waited for

a cold shoulder to

her grandson, Zoey’s gaze drifted toward

Zoey's nose twitched.

Cecilia's hand, her

have you back. It's truly wonderful” What Zoey uttered held significance to

only to her

in her early years, and her son's life had been shrouded in uncertainty following that. How could Zoey

attempts to maintain composure, Zoey

to the side and

held a

eyes welled up as well. She regarded Zoey as her own mother and playfully said, “I'm famished. Do you happen to have any

your fondness for it. I've also fried some mini meatballs you like, but be careful not to get scalded

conversation served to alleviate Cecilia's melancholy, evoking

pleasant and challenging moments triggered a mix of emotions inside

remarkable reunion. Cecilia couldn't help having a myriad

charge of

setting up a small bathtub and a tiny bath

reclined in the bathtub, completely bare, her face brimming with

adorable little girl

poured water

Midway through the meal, Mark whisked her

eat so much now, you'll feel overstuffed.”

felt a flush of

that Zoey

some weight, you might regret it later” His words were tender, making

gazed at Mark with an affectionate

do I sense you've been avoiding me lately?” “I haven't” She softly replied, “I've just been extremely busy.” Mark affectionately ruffled her hair and remarked, “Well then, keep yourself occupied. But when you're free, be sure to

in my room tonight?”

feeling

herself

gaze held a

we'll Edwin and Olivia with

about anything.” Mark devoured the rest of

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