After a while, he decided to turn up the temperature inside the room.

While waiting for the room to warm up, the two of them shared a suffocating silence.

After all these years, this might be the first real argument between the two of them.

In the past, whatever quarrel they had was resolved by Mark's unilateral suppression of the issue.

This time was different. Standing in front of the heater, Mark contemplated how he should phrase his next words. After a long time, he finally turned around and said to her, "I did let Cathy stay in

Czanch. But, Cecilia, I'll quit. I have already prepared my resignation."

Cecilia knew that if they weren't able to talk this through tonight, he would never let her go.

She pulled the quilt closer to her and crumpled its corners.

“So, will you stop seeing her and keep your distance from her in the future? Can you leave that child alone? If you say yes to these questions, then I will forgive you here and now. Then, our wedding will be held as scheduled."

Mark gnashed his teeth and looked away.

He still had lingering feelings of guilt toward what had happened to

Paul. On top of that, Paul's child was completely innocent.

He took a deep breath and finally faced Cecilia.

"I won't meet them unless it's necessary."

As soon as he said that, the disappointment became quickly evident on

Cecilia's face.

Mark had always been handsome even though he was tired. Many women yearned for him, but they were all unsuccessful.

Before, he said that he only wanted her and her alone, and back then, she believed him.

ALL she wanted from him was a relationship where both of them were equals.

However, after years of suffering and anticipation, she couldn't even get a promise out of him.