Although Mark knew she was only craving for an intimate hug, he playfully scolded, "The children are waiting for their meal. Let me cook, and I promise to attend to you later. No more mischief, okay?"

Cecilia thought he was being cruel.

But she had no intention of letting him go.

The pair sidled up to the kitchen counter, Cecilia clinging to Mark as though she were a baby koala. Her playful antics while he was trying to cook almost made it impossible for him to focus on the task at hand.

Turning his head, he whispered suggestively, “Or maybe I should attend to you first?"

In response, Cecilia playfully bit his back, darkening the hue of his dark blue shirt.

Shaking his head with an affectionate sigh, Mark chided, "You're such a big baby. I bet Edwin will outgrow you in a few years' time."

Unfazed, Cecilia tightened her grip on him and whispered, "I just want to hold you right now."

Mark felt a surge of happiness so intense it almost disoriented him.

Despite their recent reconciliation, he hadn't dared to hope they could ever return to their former closeness. He hadn't dared to wonder if Cecilia could still love him as she once had.

But in that moment, her love felt unrestrained and passionate.

While he had some inkling as to why she'd taken up cooking, he chose not to voice it.

She wanted to cook for him.

Mark was accustomed to handling tensed situations. It honed his ability to control his emotions effectively. Focused on finely chopping vegetables, Mark asked softly, "You never did answer my earlier question. What prompted you to take up cooking all of a sudden?"

Cecilia's thoughts drifted to Elaine and the unpleasant words she'd spoken.

She didn't like it.

Still silent, she continued to stand behind him.

Mark's eyes were gentle. Sensing her mood, Mark remained quiet too, concentrating on his culinary tasks.

Finally, Cecilia broke the silence.

"I didn't decide to cook because of what people said. I just wanted to do it for you."