After the meeting the next day, he should go back to Czanch. After all, he was really busy.

He took over the task a few years ago.

Despite his successful public life, he struggled with personal matters.

He couldn't even publicly show his love to the woman he loved. And he had to hide his real self and could only find solace in that secret apartment with her.

Two years ago, he broke up with someone he deeply cared for, and the pain still lingered.

He had always been abstinent, but he smoked two packs of cigarettes at that night. ©

He tried to stop himself from going to see her.

If he didn't see her, he wouldn't lose his mind and wouldn't become a love-sick fool. It had been so long since they broke up and he thought he had moved on, but... He hadn't.

Even now, he couldn't help but eventually drive alone to see Cecilia.

However, when he found her, she wasn't alone.

She was with a young gentleman, looking seemingly content with their companionship.

She had dinner with that man and they went to the cinema.

The man didn't send her home until nine o'clock in the evening.

At the gate of the Fowlers' villa, Mark's car was parked not far away. Watching them from a distance, Mark felt a pang of jealousy.

He wished he could be younger, free of obligations, and able to confront the man openly.

But now, he could only watch from the shadows, feeling a mix of emotions.

Cecilia got out of the car and watched the man leave.

The man her mother's friend Dora Carter introduced to her this time was actually very nice.

And Cecilia was willing to get along with him... She went to dinner with him, went to the movies with him and she felt OK.

Maybe they could get married after some time together.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and her heart ached as she felt torn between her past and the possibility of a future with someone else.

Then, she heard Mark calling her name, "Cecilia."