She nestled her face into his shoulder, finding solace as he held her, offering silent comfort.

After a lingering moment, Cecilia murmured, "When I heard the news, my biggest fear wasn't the thought of you being with someone else; it was the fear that something might happen to you."

Her voice held a mature understanding, a far cry from the stark perspectives she once held in her youth.

Mark felt a pang of regret listening to her.

He smoothed her hair, reassuring her softly, “Cecilia, I promise there's nothing to worry about. I'm yours, completely.”

She remained silent, simply holding onto the man she had cherished for so long.

As she began to speak, Mark silenced her, placing his forehead against hers.

"Some matters are best left for men to handle," he whispered.

Glancing at him, she asked in a slightly quivering voice, "What do you mean?"

Mark chuckled, lightly pinching her nose.

They both knew what was left unsaid.

Perhaps it was the residual shock of recent events or maybe Mark's exhaustion, but when Cecilia arrived, he finally felt a weight lifted.

He nestled into her, letting sleep take him.

Cecilia, feeling Mark's complete trust in her, gazed at his handsome features. Even with age, his allure remained unchanged.

She playfully bit him, smiling at the thought that a younger woman might not have found him attractive if he'd aged differently.

Their intimate moment was interrupted when Peter returned with the children.

Noticing the scene, Peter grinned cheekily, while Edwin blushed but appeared content.

Cecilia, slightly flustered, gently laid Mark down and tucked Olivia beneath the quilt beside him.

A lover of sleep, Olivia nestled close to her father, sighing contentedly.

Peter signaled Cecilia, suggesting they step out for a private discussion.