As the year end approached, Mark's schedule became busier and they hadn't seen each other for several days.

Despite the distance, Cecilia laid on her bed, talking to him on the phone, playfully coquetting like a little girl.

In the background, a faint sound reached Mark's ears—the sound of Juliette crying.

Concerned, Mark couldn't help but inquire, "What's wrong?"

Hushing her mother's voice, Cecilia replied, "I'll go downstairs to check."

After ending the call, Cecilia hurried downstairs, only to find her brother, Waylen, standing in the hall, comforted by their weeping mother and father.

The scene left Cecilia stunned.

Juliette, amidst her tears, called out to Cecilia, pointing at a photo.

"Come and have a look!"

Cecilia ran downstairs, her heart pounding.

Waylen revealed the photo to Cecilia.

It was a picture of six-month-old Alexis, whose brown hair and flawless skin made her utterly adorable like a baby doll.

Enthralled by the image, Cecilia covered her mouth in awe, whispering, "She looks just like Rena!"

Overcome with joy, Juliette continued to cry, touched by the fact that her granddaughter was safe and sound and so pretty.

Korbyn, though teary-eyed, maintained his pride, asserting, "She's better off looking like her mother. If she resembled your brother, she'd be destined for hardship. No man would dare marry her when she grows up."

Juliette cast a gentle yet reproachful glance at her husband.

Korbyn's voice softened, attempting to console her.

"Look, our granddaughter is perfectly fine. You don't need to cry every day. Let us look forward to the future with optimism. I'm sure Waylen, with his capabilities, will provide us with a troop of grandchildren."

Cecilia couldn't help but express her disapproval, "Dad, are you comparing my brother to a mere breeding pig?”

Her words elicited a laugh from Korbyn.

However, even amid the laughter, a tinge of sadness lingered. Alexis was recovering, but someone vital was still absent from the family—the thought of Rena weighed on Korbyn's mind.

It was well past midnight when Cecilia finally returned to her room.