It was a rare occasion for Edwin to be in such proximity to Mark.

A hint of shyness crept over Edwin.

Bending down, Mark said softly, "Allow me to check your wound."

The white sweater was lifted, revealing a @.7-inch wound on Edwin's slender abdomen. It might have been small, but it was still a concern for Mark.

As Mark probed the wound with his delicate fingers, he inquired, "Are you upset with me?"

Edwin shook his head.

Yet, under Mark's earnest look, Edwin gave a soft nod though tears were absent.

Waylen had once told him that a true man shouldn't shed tears easily.

Mark drew closer, their foreheads touching, and murmured with a raspy voice, "From now on, I'm here for you."

Edwin's arms found their way around Mark's neck, his demeanor compliant.

Mark's phone buzzed in his pocket.

He checked his phone and found it was Cathy.

Mark picked up the phone, thinking it might be related to Laura.

Cathy sounded anxious as she spoke.

“Mark, how could you let the

Thomas family compete with me over the custody of Laura? You even let Waylen handle this matter!"

Mark fell into a brief moment of quiet.

He said in a low voice, "If you treat Laura well, nobody will meddle in your affairs. Laura was never meant to be born then, and she should never have been made a pawn in your hands. You know how she caught pneumonia the last time. Cathy, stop it. Give both you and your daughter a slack."

A soft smile crept onto Cathy's face.

"With Waylen being the lawyer, I know I can't win this case. Mark, I'm surprised to know the Fowler family should value you this much!