Because she didn't respond, Marcus put his hand on her waist and softened his expression, adding, "Go and check on Matthew. I'll stay here for a little while longer."

Melissa wasn't a young, naive girl anymore.

So she knew what Marcus meant by that.

Only after she stepped out of the bathroom did Melissa realize that she never agreed to let Marcus stay here for the night, but it seemed that he had already made the decision for her.

Inside the room, she found that Matthew had fallen fast sleep, various toys strewn all over the bed.

She put away the toys and then carefully tucked the Little boy under the blanket, staring dotingly at his sleeping face for a while.

Ten minutes later, Marcus came out of the bathroom, his hair still dripping wet.

Melissa glanced at him and chastised, "You should leave now."

With nothing but a bath towel wrapped around his waist, Marcus held up his sopping wet suit pants and said, "My clothes are still soaked.

Do you seriously want me to leave like this?"

“Then dump the clothes in the drier-" Melissa replied matter-of-factly.

But before she could finish her sentence, Marcus suddenly bent over and silenced her with a kiss-but this time, he was rather gentle.

Instead of being aggressive like he was in the bathroom earlier, he just softly pressed his lips against hers. Somehow, such a gentle kiss put Melissa into a deeper trance, and she didn't dare to say anything more. Seeing that he had successfully tamed her, Marcus said with a faint smile, “Are we good now? Relax! I just want to get some sleep. Besides, the little guy's already snoring. What else can I do?"

At this point, Melissa was too exhausted to argue with him.

So she just turned around and ignored him.

After staring at her back for a few seconds, Marcus shrugged and got in bed next to Matthew, careful not to wake the little boy up. When he wrapped his big arms around the little boy, he was surprised to find that he was so soft and fragile.

The playful look in Marcus' eye vanished instantly, replaced by one of affection and tenderness.

He gently brushed Matthew's cheek, and a warm sensation surged up in his heart. Indeed, this child was his flesh and blood-the result of the efforts and love shared between him and Melissa.

Just then, Matthew stirred ever so slightly in his slumber, nestling his face against Marcus' chest.

Stunned, Marcus couldn't help but nudge Melissa on the shoulder and ask in a soft voice, "Did it hurt when you gave birth to Matthew?"