After some time, he stepped out, carrying an empty plate.
The night wasnât deep yet.
Inside, Cecilia and the kids were present, but Mark found solitude on the balcony, the night wind his silent companion.
An urge to smoke rose within him, but his health wouldnât permit it.
Never had he felt more acutely the changes time brought; he had lost much, while Cecilia seemed to continually gain.
The other night, Cecilia had finally called him âUncle Markâ once again, but they were no longer who they used to be.
He let the cool breeze alleviate his troubled thoughts.
The sound of the glass door sliding open then gently closing snapped him out of his reverie.
Cecilia stood there.
Fresh from a shower, clad in a black silk robe, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, she appeared Like a night-blooming rose.
She embraced him from behind.
âWhatâs on your mind?â she whispered.
Mark turned and looked down, his hands tenderly caressing her hair, but he remained silent.
Cecilia seemed to sense his thoughts.
In a soft tone, she said, âMark, itâs been eight years since weâve known each other.
Times change, and so do we.
Iâm no longer that little girl.
If I were, I wouldnât be here with you.
Gains always come at a cost, right?â
Markâs face softened into a smile.
âAre you trying to console or persuade me?â
Cecilia playfully nibbled at his Adamâs apple.
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âMaybe a bit of both.
â
âYou can do better than this, then.
â
Mark firmly grasped the back of her head, not allowing her to move away.
Leaning her against the ornate balcony railing, he ki*sed her deeply, savoring the moment amidst the night wind.
Their passionate embrace offered him a sense of relief.
He whispered hoarsely, âCecilia, youâre incredibly alluring like this.
â
It was her essence he cherished, not just a fixed image.
A deep sigh escaped him, filled with mixed emotions.
Cecilia, nestled in his arms, looked up and asked softly, âAre you leaving tonight?â
Mark, lost in her charm and not intending to leave at all, let the moment linger.
The house was quiet, all the staff gone, leaving only the intense, fiery connection between them.