"Do you believe the words of an actress?"

Cecilia trembled, her body wrought with emotion. Rarely engaged in conflicts, she knew she had to find out the truth today. She refused to be deceived.

Mark pressed her shoulder forcefully.

"You want to hear the truth?"

Cecilia's lips quivered, tears on the brink of spilling.

With his hair cascading over his forehead, Mark appeared forlorn and mysterious, a side of him Cecilia had never witnessed before. He gazed intently at her and spoke softly, "You can't handle the truth. But if you insist, I'll tell you. Before you, there was Miss Holt, Miss Green, Miss Smith... They were all pragmatic. You know what's different about you? Unlike them, a young and inexperienced woman like you isn't after my status or wealth. You love me with all your heart and that's something | find refreshing. By the way, have you forgotten the first time we were intimate? It was in the hospital when Rena's fate weighed heavily on my mind. | didn't know if Alexis would survive and the stress was overwhelming. Yet, you came to me that night, of your own accord. How could | resist? Six months have passed and I've grown weary of you. | don't wish to entertain you any longer, alright? You mentioned | never had sex with Miss Holt. You're correct. I've grown tired of her as wel

With a firm resolve, Mark started unbuttoning Cecilia's shirt as he continued speaking.

"You've come all this way. Do you want me to have you? Do you crave a man's touch so desperately? Fine, I'll indulge you once. Then you better dress yourself and leave. Return to Duefron. | no longer wish to play with a young girl like you. Do you comprehend?"

Mark undid Cecilia's buttons and subjected her to degrading touches.

In response, she slapped him across the face.

Through her tears, Cecilia pleaded, "Mark, you have feelings for me, don't you?"

With a sneer, Mark pushed her onto the bed and began to kiss her.

"When a man desires a woman, he'll surely profess his fondness. If | hadn't claimed to like you, would you have willingly thrown yourself into my arms? And how could you address me so affectionately as

Uncle Mark? What a naive fool! | merely wanted to have sex with you. Only you took it seriously."

‘As Mark pinned Cecilia to the bed, she wept uncontrollably.

Tears welled up in Mark's eyes as well but he continued to speak mercilessly.

"I've encountered many women like you. I'm merely enamored by novelty. Do you truly believe | would assume responsibility for you after sleeping together a few times?”

Cecilia broke down in tears...

She wished for him to stop speaking...

Pushing him away, she prevented him from continuing his advances. Yet, Mark retrieved a box of condoms from the bedside drawer, as if determined to take things to the end.

Unable to bear it any longer, she slapped him across the face.

After the stinging slap, she buried her face in the quilt and sobbed bitterly.