Donât worry about me.
Iâm really fine.
â
Cecilia blushed slightly.
Zoey ushered her upstairs.
Up on the second floor, Mark was not in the master bedroom.
Cecilia then found him in the childrenâs room.
Edwin lay sound asleep.
Mark reclined against the headboard, Olivia nestled upon him.
Olivia was in her white onesie, still damp from a recent shower as she lay on Markâs chest, her head tilted slightly upwards.
In a hushed tone, Mark read a fairy tale to her.
When he reached the part about the wicked queen, she buried her face into his belly.
Cecilia lingered by the door, a hint of envy in her demeanor.
As Mark raised his gaze, his eyes bore a silent message for Cecilia to retreat to their bedroom first.
She then understood that Olivia was about to drift off to sleep.
Cecilia returned to the bedroom, where she took a shower.
Emerging from the bathroom, she found Mark waiting inside the room.
He stood by the French window, a half-burnt cigarette delicately held between his slender fingers.
Cecilia was taken aback.
She approached quietly, taking the cigarette from between his fingers and stubbing in out, and then she softly whispered, âWhy are you smoking?â
Mark, typically a model of self-discipline, wasnât in the best of health.
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His decision to smoke indicated that something was deeply troubling him.
Turning to face Cecilia, Mark gazed at her intently.
After a lengthy silence, he admitted, âI mishandled Elaineâs affairs.
If I had been more cautious from the outset, she wouldnât have had the opportunity to manipulate the household staff like this.
Cecilia, Iâve disappointed both you and my mother.
â
Cecilia gently shook her head.
Embracing him, she murmured, âItâs not your fault.
â
He held her close for an extended moment, whispering, âTrust me.
I wonât allow her to come near you and the children again, nor will I permit her to disrupt our lives.
â
Ceciliaâs heart quivered.