Mark's smile diminished.

He looked at the little girl he had once cherished, filled with emotion.

He had believed he endured enough hardships but compared to Waylen, he realized he was faring quite well.

Mark had pressing matters to attend to and had to depart.

Placing the cigarette between his lips, he gently touched Cecilia's hair.

"I'm leaving. Reach out if you need anything."

"Okay," Cecilia replied softly.

After studying her for a moment, Mark withdrew his hand and slowly descended the stairs.

However, before he reached the bottom, he turned back to ask, "How are you getting along with that man?"

Cecilia fell silent for a moment.

With a bitter tone, she admitted, "We weren't getting along, so we broke up.”

Then she ascended the stairs.

Mark watched her retreating figure, lost in thought.

Though he should have been pleased by her failed blind date, a sense of discontent lingered in the depths of his heart.

He knew all too well that without him and Edwin, she could effortlessly find a worthy man to marry.

After all, he was the one who had held her back.

By the time Rena returned, night had fallen.

In the study, she discovered Waylen engrossed in reading his diary.

Spotting Rena's entrance, he swiftly concealed the diary in the drawer, as he had done before.

Rena chose not to expose him.

Approaching him, she tenderly embraced him and inquired, "Did Uncle Mark visit today?"

Waylen confirmed that he had.