Before digging into his meal, Mark quietly inquired, "You're also upset with me. Why bother feeding me?"

He half expected her to stay quiet, but a slight smile crossed her face.

"Getting mad at you is one thing. You're Edwin's dad, after all."

Mark's brow creased.

He found her response unsatisfactory. After taking a bite, he couldn't resist asking again, "Am I merely Edwin's father? What happened to your future husband?"

Cecilia held her tongue.

It had been ages since she'd used that term of endearment. As time passed and she aged, their relationship evolved into what it had become. She could no longer address him as "honey."

Their bond had grown distant following their disagreements.

They were still romantically involved during the Christmas holiday.

Mark was genuinely hungry, so he devoured all the not-so-tasty instant noodles.

Next, he pulled out a cigarette.

The urge to smoke was there, but not wanting to taint the air around her, he refrained from lighting up.

Mark's voice softened as he looked at her, "Why don't you come over here? I want to hug you."

Cecilia didn't move toward him. Instead, it was Mark who closed the distance between them.

He embraced her, planting soft kisses in her hair, over her eyes, and onto her lips...

His kisses were tender and slow.

As he intensified the kiss, Cecilia pulled back and declared with her red, teary eyes that she didn't want to do it.

Mark sensed she was still mad at him.

He pressed his lips to hers gently and murmured, “Kissing you is all

I want. Cecilia, it's not just you who's upset about what transpired between us. I'm struggling too."