She was pregnant.

She was pregnant with Mark's child.

Aknock echoed from outside, followed by faint footsteps. She knew Mark was approaching.

Gently caressing her belly, she stepped out slowly.

Though only two hours had passed since they last saw each other, she felt as though they were already strangers.

Her lips trembled, wanting to tell him about the pregnancy.

But Mark spoke first.

He bypassed her and settled onto the sofa, his slender fingers gently tracing the armrest. It seemed like he struggled to find the right words before finally saying, "You've seen it, Cecilia. It's dangerous to be with me."

She wanted to declare that she wasn't afraid of danger or challenges.

Mark looked at her, smiling, and inquired, “What can you do for me if you stay? Can you bleed for me like Cathy? Cecilia, what I desire is someone like Cathy, not a little baby like you who can only cry."

She mumbled, "Do you love her?"

“lL admire her," Mark replied.

Adjusting the creases on his trousers, he calmly stated, "| disabled her right hand. And I'm the one responsible for it. Do you comprehend?”

With those words, he was urging her to return to Duefron immediately.

Her lips continued to tremble as she failed to grasp his underlying message.

Mark then said with a cruel smile slowly forming, "It appears you don't quite get it. Look, | admire women like her. Cecilia, you are undeniably charming but you can only be an amusement for me, a distraction. I'm destined to lead neither an easy nor tranquil life, do you understand?"

Then, in a harsh voice, he declared, "You know nothing!"

Hearing those words, Cecilia felt lost.

She thought she understood.

He did have feelings for her but his love wasn't enough for him to let go of what he already Possessed. He valued fame and power and she wasn't the right woman for him.

Was Cathy the right one for him?

Cecilia refrained from asking that question. Instead, she slowly lowered her eyelashes.