He yearned to step out and approach, yet the fear of causing a disturbance kept him seated, observing from a distance.

Suddenly, Julie looked up and her gaze met Marcus' through the car window, her reaction one of shock.

She quickly scooped up Matthew and hurried back inside, as if she had seen a specter.

Matthew's protest was visible in his scrunched-up face, causing Marcus a pang of heartache.

Once inside, Julie's heart raced.

She pondered over the sighting of Marcus.

Why was he here? Did he know about Matthew? As Julie was about to call Melissa, Matthew approached, wrapping her in a gentle hug, his soft voice expressing his desire to continue playing outside.

Julie's thoughts were interrupted by the young boy's request.

She took a moment to compose herself before peering outside through the curtains.

To her dismay, Marcus had exited his car and was standing below, his gaze fixed upwards.

Julie's mind raced with worry.

The sudden appearance of Matthew's biological father presented a daunting scenario. Marcus' presence raised the fear that he could easily take Matthew away, given his resources and influence, a challenge Melissa would struggle to counter.

Faced with this dilemma, Julie hesitated before making a decision.

In the end, she resolved to confront Marcus directly.

She reassured Matthew, "I need to step outside for a bit. Stay here and watch the snow through the window, okay?"

Matthew, settled comfortably in a high chair by the window, nodded, captivated by the snowfall.

With Matthew content, Julie braced herself against the cold and stepped out, umbrella in hand.

The snowfall intensified, enveloping everything, including Marcus, who stood out in the cold, a figure of solitude.

Julie couldn't help but acknowledge his charm, understanding why Melissa's thoughts lingered on him even after all these years.

As Julie approached, Marcus greeted her with a respectful, “Mrs. Wilson."