Instead, she hailed a taxi.

Throughout the journey, tears streamed down her face relentlessly. The driver couldn't bear witnessing her distress and handed her a generous pack of tissues.

Amidst her tears, Cecilia called Rena.

Despite in the middle of the night, Rena answered promptly, her voice gentle as she inquired, "Cecilia, what's wrong?”

Tears streamed down Cecilia's cheeks.

Clutching a tissue to her nose, she wept, her words punctuated by sobs.

"Rena, he's such a despicable man. How... How could he treat me this way? I thought he had some feelings for me but he... | despise him so much."

Rena listened to these emotionally charged words.

Her heart softened, both amused and sympathetic towards Cecilia. After offering a few comforting words, she suggested gently, "Are you still in the car? Come over to my place then."

Cecilia's voice choked as she replied with a tearful yes.

Rena ended the call and dialed Mark's number.

In a delicate position, she approached the conversation with tact, saying, "Uncle Mark,

Cecilia called me. I've invited her to stay over tonight."

Mark's voice sounded hoarse as he responded, "She didn't eat much for dinner. Make sure she has something to eat.”

Rena agreed.

Hanging up, she proceeded to the kitchen to prepare something for Cecilia.

Waylen followed her into the kitchen.

He busied himself warming up milk for their daughter, and inquired casually, "Did they have a disagreement?"

Rena confirmed and gently lifted the pot cover.

‘As she cook, the fragrance of sesame oil wafted through the air, triggering a wave of nostalgia...

The sensation was all too familiar to her.

Rena clasped her chest, overcome with a wave of nausea.