Though Howard had been discreet, not overstepping any boundaries, his constant presence and thoughtful gestures, like bringing her favorite coffee, hinted at more than mere friendship.

    Renee even suspected the anonymous flowers on the first day of ss were his doing.

    She had maintained a careful distance with Howard and kept interactions formal to avoid any misunderstandings.

    “You…” Renee gently reminded him, “Howard, you’re aware I’m married, right?”

    “know,” he acknowledged, looking down. “Your husband is Marcelo.”

    “Even knowing that, you…”

    “But Renee, that doesn’t deter me.”

    Realizing his boldness, Howard quickly rified, “I don’t intend to disrupt your marriage. I just…I wanted byou /bto know that you’re someone worth liking, regardless of your marital status.”

    He had noticed her apparent unhappiness with Marcelo and couldn’t help but admit to himself that,

    despite her marriage, he still harbored feelings for her.

    “Thank you, Howard,” Renee said, her smile genuine, adding a touch of warmth to her otherwise pale face.

    Howard, unable to hide his longing, asked hesitantly, “So…do you think there might be a chance for us in

    the future?” His eyes searched hers, hopeful.

    Renee contemted a potential future without Marcelo. “I’m sorry, Howard, but no.”

    She saw the light of hope in Howard’s eyes dim, and a twinge of guilt momentarily gripped her. She sighed. “Howard, you’re a wonderful person, truly. It’s not just a ‘nice guy‘bel, I mean it. You deserve

    someone who can fully appreciate you.”

    Howard couldn’t bring himself to acquiesce to her words.

    To him, Renee had always been the one.

    He shook his head, believing she couldn’t perceive the radiance she had brought into his life.

    Renee continued, “Howard, when I refuse you, it’s not about you; it’s about me.” She sighed, herughter tinged with self–mockery, “I already have someone I like.”

    “Can you…tell me who?” Howard asked tentatively.

    He had gathered some information about Renee and Marcelo’s marriage, which remained shrouded in mystery. The sudden incident with Vivian had only deepened the enigma.

    Chapter 203 In the dark.

    Many remained skeptical about whether Renee was genuinely Marcelo’s wife.

    Their marriage was shrouded in mystery!

    Howard spoke. “Is it Da…” But he was cut off by Renee

    “Marcelo. The person I like is Marcelo. I’m sorry, How…”

    Renee abruptly stopped, her attention drawn to the door.

    It stood ajar, revealing a man with a food thermos in hand, unclear how long he had been standing there.

    It was Marcelo!

    Marcelo’s face was a mask of inscrutability, his eyes unwaveringly fixed on Renee.

    No matter how she looked at him, he remained impassive, as if he were a statue.

    Renee, puzzled by his thoughts, found the situation increasingly ridiculous.

    She had taken pains to conceal her emotions.

    Her desire for a prompt divorce and her yearning to put distance between them intensified as the days

    passed.

    And yet, there she was, having spilled everything before him.

    Embarrassed, Renee averted her gaze to the window, feigning ignorance of his presence and her own

    confessions.

    “Renee, I understand now, thank you.” Howard expressed his gratitude for her frankness.

    After Howard exited the room, Marcelo seemed to snap out of his daze, holding the food thermos, and approached Howard.

    He inquired, “How did you learn my wife was here?”

    “A gentleman informed me,” replied Howard, his demeanor calm and courteous.

    “Mr. King, I hope you value what you possess. Likewise, I won’t abandon my own pursuit.”

    “Your pursuit will always be futile as she is and will continue to be my wife.”

    “We’ll see, Mr. King,” Howard said, unfazed by the taunt.

    He was determined to rise to Marcelo’s level, to win Renee’s attention.

    Within their circles, Howard was described as a well–mannered, handsome gentleman.

    Marcelo had once mocked this idea.

    Chapter 203 In the dark

    But now, he believed Howard truly embodied it.

    During his confession to Renee, Howard never spoke ill of Marcelo.

    His aim was simple: to reveal his true feelings to her.

    Howard wanted her to know that even if she rejected him, he would remain steadfastly by her side.

    Had he chosen to, Howard could have spoken of his enduring affection for her that brought him home

    from Annd. Such long–standing devotion often resonated deeply with women.

    “Mr. King, it was young Mr. Lambert who tipped off Howard,” a bodyguard reported after inquiring.

    Why would Daniel intervene?

    Daniel’s behavior towards Renee seemed somewhat exceptional.

    However, Marcelo couldn’t dwell on that now.

    His thoughts were consumed by Renee’s admission. “The person I like is Marcelo.”

    Those words were akin to rain on parched earth, a flicker of hope that set his heart racing and soul trembling.

    Marcelo felt an overwhelming joy, a sensation unparalleled, surpassing even their most intimate

    moments.

    Yet, Renee had confessed to developing feelings for Howard.

    She had told him she liked Howard.

    Didn’t she mean that?

    “Daniel, why did you tell Howard about Renee’s location in the hospital? Didn’t you realize he was trying to steal Renee from Marcelo?” Susanna questioned angrily.

    “I inadvertently let it slip; it won’t happen again,” Daniel replied, pretending to be sorry.

    He was trying to get Howard to be with Renee.

    Marcelo’s upbringing had been so skewed; he never learned what true love looked like. The only affection

    he knew was from ate brother, leaving him with heavy burdens.

    If Renee were his sister, Daniel would never consent to her marrying Marcelo.

    He wanted Renee, still so young, to have better choices.

    Chapter 203 In the dark

    At that moment, Marcelo walked into the room.

    He lifted the lid off the food thermos, releasing the scent of mushroom chicken strip porridge into the

    room.

    “That shop stopped making mushroom chicken strip porridge.” Renee’s voice was tense, a stark contrast to the gentleness she’d shown Howard.

    “I requested it specially for my wife,” Marcelo exined.

    He pressed a bedside button, raising the meal table, and ced the porridge on it.

    The porridge had been a specialty of the shop until two years ago. After the owner’s spouse died of

    cancer, it vanished from the menu.

    “I’m not hungry,” Renee said, turning to the window, an air of detachment surrounding her. “I need to rest.

    “Are you refusing to eat just to avoid me?”

    Since he’d entered, she hadn’t once looked at him. This indifference, colder than that of a stranger, made

    Marcelo question what he had heard earlier, that she liked him.

    Gently, he took hold of her chin, nudging her face towards his. “Renee, if you like me, why push for a

    divorce?”

    Her reaction was fierce, like a cat whose tail had been trodden on. Her beautiful eyes were filled with

    tears in an instant.

    In a blink, those tears trailed down her cheeks.

    “Did I cause you pain?” Confused, Marcelo let go immediately. “Where does it hurt? Tell me.”

    Marcelo, worried Renee might be feverish again, reached to feel her forehead.

    Renee, however, pped his hand away sharply. “Don’t touch me!”

    Tears cascaded down her face, overwhelming her with a sense of crushed pride.

    She had already suggested divorce. Why did he need to probe her feelings?

    Why did he have to emphasize it?

    Why did he interrogate her?

    Renee initially thought about denying it, iming her confession was a ruse for Howard.

    But she decided against dragging Howard further into this mess.

    Chapter 203 In the dark

    Taking a deep breath, she admitted, “Yes, Marcelo, I do have feelings for you.”

    As she spoke, tears broke through, sorrow etching her beautiful features.

    Her feelings…

    She had finally acknowledged them.

    Marcelo’s heart raced.

    Her confession still sent his heart soaring, even on hearing them again.

    He couldn’t resist cupping her face, gently kissing away the tears.

    This act of tenderness left Renee momentarily frozen.

    She felt like a defensive hedgehog, wanting to push him away.

    “Marcelo, I don’t want your pity or this uncertain closeness!” Her usually calm demeanor shattered, almost yelling. “I seek mutual love, do you understand? I want you to like me, to love me! If you can’t offer

    that, then leave me! Now, right this moment…”

    Her plea for separation was cut off by his kiss, her words lost in the moment.

    “I’m not pitying you,” Marcelo murmured, his hands framing her face, their foreheads and noses just touching, his eyes filled with affection. “I like you too. Renee, the love you’re asking for, I’ll give it to you.”

    Her eyes widened in surprise, meeting his intense gaze.

    Marcelo, known for his indifference, had shown her moments of tenderness throughout their marriage.

    The softness he showed now seemed to hint at a profound, engulfing love.

    “Do you even understand love enough to offer it?” Renee’s tone cooled, skepticism in her eyes.

    His response appeared too facile.

    Marcelo’s lips tightened slightly. He didck aplete understanding of what love truly entailed. Nheless, he could not bring himself to admit it.

    He sighed. “I used to think expressing love in words was pointless.”

    His lips met her tear–streaked cheeks.

    He continued, “With everything I’ve been through, life just hardened me up. I couldn’t let my guard down,

    I couldn’t be weak and I thought emotions would make me weak so I always avoided it, but you’ve be the love bI /bnever knew I needed.”

    The love he had seen was a testament to failure.

    Chapter 203 In the dark

    Renee’s heart fluttered.

    She had be his love?

    His gentle tone made her grip the sheets tighter.

    This seemed like a beautiful dream, yet dangerously fragile.

    She retorted, “But how can anyone know your feelings if you never express them? People might break

    promises, but they should still be honest with their feelings.”

    “Yes. I used to dismiss it as meaningless. Now, I see it differently,b” /bMarcelo confessed.

    Renee’s admission had stirred something in him, a joy so deep it shook his very soul.

    Renee watched him, seeking rity. “What do you mean?”

    “Listening to Howard confess to you, do you know what went through my mind?”

    Renee remained silent, biting her lip.

    Was he plotting against Howard?

    Marcelo’s possessiveness was well–known, shown in his strict privacy rules.

    “I was worried.” He gently brushed a lock of hair from her face, his touch tender. “What if you choose

    Howard? What then? If I confessed my feelings, would you return to me?”

    If she didn’t, should he resort to drastic measures?

    He was even considering involving the Howard’s family to push Howard away from Renee.

    Alternatively, he contemted coercing Renee to remain by his side indefinitely.

    Her pupils widened in shock, disbelief etching her features.

    “Mrs. King,” Marcelo began, tenderly holding her hand, mindful of the needle marks on her left hand. “I’m

    sorry for making you wait so long.”

    He offered an apology, now understanding she yearned for recognition and sincerity.

    Tears started flowing from her eyes again.

    Crying wasn’t her usual response.

    But she had longed for this moment!

    “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Marcelo’s concern grew as she wept anew.

    “About yesterday…I apologize for what happened.”

    Chapter 203 In the dark

    He recalled her demand for an apology back at the film city.

    Sniffling, Renee pulled her hand back, striving forposure. “Marcelo, have you changed your mind about divorcing me?”

    His expression shifted. “Renee, after what I’ve just told you, what do you think?”

    His yful side emerged. “I never truly wanted a divorce; my words yesterday was a lie, to buy some time and get you to change your mind.”

    Renee’s frustration surged. She questioned, “You say you like me, but what about Vivian?”

    Marcelo hadn’t anticipated her bringing up Vivian, yet he wasn’t overly surprised.

    “Well, she’s a childhood friend,” Marcelo rified. “If not for my brother’s tragic death, she was meant to

    marry him. They were engaged.”

    “She was…to be engaged to your brother?”

    Realization dawned on Renee.

    Initially, Vivian had misled her, making her think she was intruding on Vivian and Marcelo’s

    rtionship.

    When Renee questioned Marcelo, it was about the King and Lambert families‘ marriage alliance.

    Vivian had intentionally deceived her!

    “Why did you allow your rumors with her to be so public?” Renee questioned further.

    “I was left in the dark about it. But I was also negligent.”

    Her gaze remained firm. “If I say I suspect Vivian engineered this entire situation, would you believe me?”

    “I would.” Marcelo’s response was immediate.

    He had reached the same conclusion.

    Renee hadn’t expected this, considering his past behavior of favoring Vivian.