Laura, her irritation evident as she bit her lip, issued a warning.

"If you persist, I'll leave right now.”

Edwin finally relaxed his grip a bit; as she got up, he couldn't help saying, "You looked absolutely stunning just now. Laura, I've never seen you quite like that."

Laura silently pushed him aside and made her way to the bathroom.

The bathroom's light spilled out, illuminating her figure and casting a soft glow on her.

Edwin's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he watched her.

Later, when she emerged, he refrained from any further playfulness, simply holding her close as they gazed at the snow outside the window. Laura fretted about the challenge of leaving in the morning, but for Edwin, hugging her was all the warmth he needed.

That feeling was something he had yearned for, for a long time.

In the quiet of the night, Laura awoke to find Edwin insisting on intimacy.

Beneath the thin quilt, the air was charged with alluring tension.

Every soft moan and gasp was pure poetry.

She had indeed found pleasure in their shared moments, but it took Edwin quite some time to gently coax her into slumber, her head resting on his shoulder. In the soft moonlight, Edwin couldn't tear his gaze away from her petite face; he never seemed to get enough of it.

Silently, he pondered, "Despite not being entirely satisfied, why does my heart feel so content?"

Early in the morning, Edwin's phone rang, and it was Mark on the line.

He carefully slipped out from beside the slumbering young woman and tiptoed to the bathroom to take the call.

Mark's voice was hushed, a clear indication that he was keeping the conversation from Cecilia's ears.

“You've really outdone yourself, huh?" Mark snapped.

"Just because I don't object your relationship anymore, you immediately take her out for the night? It was Peter's birthday yesterday, and you were lucky that he was inebriated. If he hadn't been, I think he might have given you a piece of his mind."

Mark was fuming as he yelled, “Hurry back! But first, make sure she gets home safely. You may be shameless, but that girl's reputation still matters!"

Edwin furrowed his brow, saying, “Dad, Laura's still catching some sleep, so let's not disturb her."