In the en suite bathroom, Cecilia squatted next to the toilet and cried bitterly.

She knew that doing so meant that she had hit rock bottom.

But she couldn't control herself. This was the only way she could release her pent-up frustration, because the moment she walked out that door, she'd have to pretend that she was completely fine.

She still had to be a good daughter.

She still had to be a good mother.

She still had to be a glamorous model...

"Suck it up, Cecilia," she told herself through gritted teeth. She told herself she wasn't allowed to cry.

Ina trance, her listless eyes landed on a stray pack of cigarettes. She lit one and fell into deep thought, recalling the first time she met Mark.

Back then, Cecilia was young and innocent.

And Mark was a man everyone admired.

She could never forget that evening when eight Audi cars abruptly pulled to a stop in front of her house, bringing along more than a dozen bodyguards dressed in black, escorting the noble man into her home.

He stood in the living room of the Fowler's house, looking handsome and almost god-like.

That day, Cecilia learned that the man was none other than Mark Evans from Czanch.

He was also Rena's uncle.

Cecilia descended the stairs gracefully, as her father requested her to greet Mark. When she looked at Mark's youthful and attractive face, she couldn't help but think that he appeared to only be in his early thirties. Why, then, should she, a full-grown adult, address him as "Uncle Mark" like he was an old man?

But on second thought, she could see that both her father and brother were intimidated by Mark.

So she figured that if she was humble and obedient, Mark might agree to let Rena be with Waylen.

That day, Cecilia had worn a simple white dress.

It almost looked like a nightgown...

In this way, she descended the stairs and looked down at the nobleman in their house, calling him "Uncle Mark".

Mark turned around at the mention of his name.

Upon seeing his face, she couldn't deny that her heart began to beat faster. She had never imagined that Rena would have such a handsome and influential uncle. However, Mark just casually nodded at her and then continued chatting with her father.