Cecilia tenderly kissed her cheek, and then, holding her hand, they strolled in the garden, with Edwin trailing. He suddenly announced, "I want to stay in Duefron to finish high school."

Cecilia was taken aback by Edwin's declaration.

"You can discuss it with your dad later. If he's okay with it, so am I," she responded, smiling and affectionately ruffling Edwin's hair.

He nodded in agreement.

Edwin, mature for his age, had his unique way of thinking, which Cecilia respected.