He playfully replied with a question of his own, "What do you think I mean?"

Her lips quivered as she responded, "I don't know. Mark, please clarify it for me.”

With a tender embrace, Mark cradled Cecilia's head against his waist. Due to the age difference, he couldn't help but always treat her like a cherished child. After a significant pause, he uttered, "Isn't it natural for a boyfriend to spend money on his girlfriend?"

Cecilia's quivering lips betrayed her emotions.

Clutching onto him tightly, she cried out, "Then, can | ask my boyfriend not to engage with other women? Can | request that you only have eyes for me?"

The future remained uncertain in Cecilia's mind but when he claimed they were together, it felt like a love untainted by any external forces.

It was just the two of them.

Mark lowered his gaze to his little girl and she looked up at him.

He leaned in and kissed her.

Aware that he had a flight to catch, time was short for them to be together. With a brief kiss, he softly stated, "Since | met you, there has been no one else."

Cecilia clung to his waist, her face turning a delicate shade of red.

Recollections of moments when jealousy gripped her resurfaced.

Yet, Mark refrained from teasing her. He knew how much she cared for him, and he wouldn't dare to mock her feelings.

Tenderly, he caressed her face and murmured, "You're not allowed to be with anyone else. If lever see someone confessing their love to you again, | might just have to break their legs."

She obediently nodded, unable to tear her gaze away from him.

Mark lowered his head, kissed her and, in a husky voice, said, "I'm leaving.”

As he pulled away, Cecilia rose from the chair, straightened his shirt, and handed him his briefcase. Part of Mark wished he could tuck her into it and take her with him.

Before departing, he added in a hushed tone, "I'll take Rena back to Czanch in a few days.

You should come with me.”

Cecilia was surprised by this.

The future of her brother and Rena remained uncertain. Was it appropriate for her to go to

Czanch?