He only wore a shirt. Rena could feel his heartbeat through the lightweight material infused with the distinct smell of tobacco.

It was quite charming.

“What's wrong?" she asked in an incredibly gentle tone.

“I've consulted experts, and if my uncle ensures proper treatment, it shouldn't be a big problem."

He gently caressed her flowing brown hair and, after a prolonged contemplation, whispered, “Cecilia is pregnant."

Rena was caught off guard by his revelation.

Her body, nestled in his embrace, tensed up. After a prolonged silence, she finally found her voice.

“Wait, what did you just say?"

Wary of stimulating her, Waylen lowered his head, tenderly brushed her face, and softly said, “Cecilia has decided to go through with the pregnancy."

"How could she..."

A profound sadness enveloped Rena.

Her voice quivered as she said, “Cecilia doesn't know about my uncle's illness, and my uncle doesn't know she's pregnant. Waylen, I think it's terribly unfair to both of them."

Waylen embraced her in silence.

In an effort to find solace, Rena tried to regain her composure.

Having been married to him for many years, she had little difficulty discerning his thoughts.

Rena asked gently, "You don't intend to tell my uncle about this, do you?"

Waylen remained silent.

His gaze was even gentler than the serene night outside.

Nuzzling her head on his shoulder, Rena accepted the reality.

In a hoarse voice, he said, “Rena, their relationship has reached an impasse. Their separation was incredibly painful, witnessed by so many. If they reconcile solely because of your uncle's illness and Cecilia's pregnancy, wouldn't that be unjust to Cecilia?"