As the house fell silent, she sat down again, staring at the diamond ring in a daze.

Her phone suddenly rang.

The ringing pierced the quiet night, and the call was from Mark.

After hesitating for a moment, Cecilia answered the call.

The other end was quiet. Mark's voice sounded a little hoarse as he asked, "Have you made up your mind?"

Cecilia sniffed, trying to hold back her emotions.

“Are you asking if I've decided to watch the ceremony or live together with you? Mark, I haven't made up my mind about either of those things. Please give me some time."

Mark chuckled softly, his voice low and hoarse.

"You seem more like an adult now. Cecilia, I was too impatient last night. I just wanted to share the news. Edwin was there last night, so it was inconvenient to talk with you. Let's have a conversation sometime, okay?"

"No," she replied in a nasal voice.

Mark knew her so well that he could sense she wanted to cry.

He empathized with her, knowing that a woman with so much going for her, abandoned by him, and waiting for him in secret for years would naturally feel sad.

He didn't press her to continue the topic and changed the subject.

In a relaxed tone, he said, "It's winter now. The wisteria flowers in the house have fallen, but they'll bloom again next year! Cecilia, did you hear me?" He continued, “Zoey just sent me a bowl of midnight snack. She knows I don't like eating midnight snack! She's becoming more and more overbearing, always telling me not to eat too much and reminding me that I need to maintain my physique to impress young ladies. Zoey misses you and Edwin very much. She even made two pairs of cloth shoes for Edwin. I'll bring them here later."

Cecilia sobbed.

The days they spent in Czanch a few years ago held some of the best memories for her and Mark.

Despite the hardships they faced and the pain she endured, reminiscing about that time now brought a sense of solace.

Tears continued to stream down her cheeks as Mark gently coaxed her, “Come here with Edwin, okay? I'll take you to eat all the delicious food in Czanch and go shopping together. We can take him to visit my relatives. He is so adorable that my relatives will definitely Like him."

Cecilia's emotions overwhelmed her, and she cried even harder.

Mark had always possessed the ability to evoke deep emotions in her, bringing back both beautiful and painful memories.

He was intertwined with all the moments that had shaped her Life.

Unable to find the right words to say, Cecilia decided to end the call without saying goodbye, leaving Mark on the other end of the line, Lost in contemplation.