Mark's gaze lingered on her for a prolonged moment before a smile graced his lips.

“You're much younger than I am. What's there to be upset about?"

At last, he reached out and tenderly ruffled her hair. The gesture bore a gentleness akin to that of a departing husband.

A touch so tender, Cecilia harbored no desire to disrupt the serene ambiance that enveloped them,

Mark's voice dipped to a hush as he continued, "Wrap up the shooting soon. Edwin is eagerly awaiting a snowman-building session. Ensure you take care of and him. He's prone to fever. As for you, remember to have ginger tea. Zoey has been insistent about taking you to Czanch and cooking nutritious food for you."

Cecilia was momentarily perplexed by his heartfelt advice. Just then, the cameras were poised to resume shooting. Pearl retrieved the coat and extended it toward Mark. Yet, Mark declined the offer.

In a soft murmur, he relayed, “Keep it for your breaks. As the new year approaches, let's go to Czanch, you, Edwin, and I. What do you say?"

Mark's proposition was enticing. Cecilia also wanted to agree.

However, her hesitations persisted. While she could place all her hopes on Mark, she also had her child with her.

What if Mark broke his promise once again? Mark was cognizant of Cecilia's internal debate.

He tenderly smoothed her hair and murmured, “We can discuss this later. For now, focus on wrapping up your shoot."

Having said that, Mark should have departed. Yet, he lingered a bit longer. Opportunities to see her were so rare. Eventually, the filming resumed.

As Mark exited the studio, a snowstorm had commenced.

Peter, poised to remove his coat and offer it to Mark, had his offer declined.

"No need. I'm not in my seventies."

Unfazed, Peter quipped with a grin, “At your age, it's best to take good care of your health."

Mark was left speechless. Recognizing his gaffe, Peter opened the car door for his boss.

As Mark settled in, he brushed away the snowflakes that had settled on his sweater, chiding himself, “True, I may be getting old, but I can't provide my wife and child with a complete family.”

Peter sighed, his emotions deep. At the same time, Cecilia's mood had worsened after Mark's departure.

She exerted herself to make the best of the situation, eventually completing the commercial shoot.

Though she declined the crew's invitation for dinner, her assistant, ever adept with people, personally paid for the staff to dine together.

Cecilia yearned for Edwin.