Mark, clad in a white hospital gown, regarded her with a slight tilt of his head.

She approached the table and began peeling an apple.

After a moment, she spoke up softly.

“Mark, you don't have to do this."

“But I want to," he replied.

“I can't bear to see you being mistreated."

Cecilia fixed her gaze on the apple and murmured, “Who else could mistreat me more than you? I'll be honest. Acting is merely a hobby for me. It's not that significant."

Mark recognized that Cecilia wasn't being entirely truthful.

If she truly didn't care about it, she could have chosen to stay with the two children more instead of pursuing her acting career.

She had continued acting in dramas for several years, and it was evident she had developed a liking for it.

Mark chose not to press the matter further.

Cecilia refrained from broaching the topic again; she didn't want to impose any pressure on him. Consequently, neither of them raised it in the following two days. When Simon called Cecilia again, she chose not to answer.

Two more days went by.

Following the doctor's rounds, someone appeared at the door.

He looked disheveled.

It was Simon. He had rushed there from Warsaw.

Not only had the studio in Warsaw been repossessed, but also the investment for his upcoming play had been withdrawn abruptly, offering no explanation. They simply cited Simon's erratic behavior and an apparent rift with someone as the reasons.

Simon pondered for a while and realized that Mark was the answer.

He hurried to Duefron.

When Simon encountered Cecilia again, a hint of tension hung in the atmosphere. Cecilia was not one to hold grudges.