During this time, Cecilia’s visits provided him with solace. She visited for prenatal check-ups once every two weeks, and the she would stopped by and visit. Her interactions with Mark were brief, as she typically spent only a short while sitting with him before leaving.

Nevertheless, this was more than enough for Mark.

One day, Cecilia brought Edwin to visit Mark.

While she went for her prenatal check-up, Edwin was brought to the ward by the nanny. The little boy gently pushed open the door and peeked inside.

Mark looked up and noticed Edwin’s presence.

In a gentle, hushed tone, he asked, “Why don’t you come in?”

Edwin softly closed the door behind him and made his way to the bedside. He crawled onto the bed and nestled against Mark, resting his head on Mark’s shoulder.

Mark felt a pang of sadness.

Perhaps Edwin had sensed something was wrong.

Mark gently stroked his son’s head and asked, “You don’t call me ‘great-uncle’ anymore?”

Edwin was on the brink of tears and sniffled.

In a hoarse voice, he exclaimed, “Dad!”

Mark mustered a faint smile and scolded, “Silly boy.”

As children often did, Edwin wore his heart on his sleeve. He held Mark’s hand and whispered, “Dad… I don’t blame you anymore. Get better soon, okay?”

Even if it meant giving up his dad for Laura, Edwin was willing to do it.

He couldn’t bear the thought of his father’s death.

Tears welled up in Mark’s eyes. In the latter half of his life, Mark, who had enjoyed a carefree existence in his earlier years, had failed many people.

Edwin was the person Mark had wronged the most.

Holding back his tears, Mark hugged his son and assured him, “I promise you.”

Edwin nestled closer to Mark, possibly exhausted, and soon fell asleep.

Mark gazed at his son’s face for a while.

A voice emanated from the door, presumably Cecilia’s.

Mark got out of bed and walked to the door. He was taken aback.

In the corridor, not only Cecilia but also Albert stood there.

Helen had asked Albert to accompany Cecilia to the hospital.

Albert and Cecilia often quarreled, and she obviously got him riled up again this time.

He cornered her in the corridor as though he intended to settle scores with her.

However, he meant no harm.

Albert was a young and handsome man. Even in late autumn, he only wore a T-shirt, which displayed his smooth and muscular arms.

Mark had always been self-assured.

He hailed from a noble family and was quite good-looking.

In his youth, Mark had been the object of admiration for everyone.

But now he couldn’t help but feel inferior in the presence of the young man’s strong physique. Mark’s gaze dropped to his oversized hospital gown, deepening his sense of inadequacy.

Mark was overwhelmed with a sense of shame about himself.

He had never experienced such a feeling before.

He stepped back into his ward.

He leaned against the door and chuckled at his own predicament.

He signed in resignation. He knew that he had no right to expect Cecilia to choose him. Now, any young man could easily overshadow his ill and weak self.

What right did he have to love her?

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

After regaining his composure, Mark opened it and saw Cecilia and Albert waiting outside.

Mark asked politely, “Are you here to pick up Edwin? He’s sleeping.”

Cecilia observed Mark.

She wasn’t naive. She could discern his shifting emotions. He had been happier during her previous visits. She attributed this shift to Albert.

However, she didn’t feel the need to provide any explanations.

After all, she didn’t owe Mark anything.

So she simply nodded coolly and replied, “Yes. Then…”

She glanced at Albert and said, “You can help me carry Edwin.”

Albert rubbed his nose and inwardly cursed his situation. Why was she putting him in this situation? Mark was evidently jealous, which was why he had been acting like this. Even though he was currently unwell, Albert anticipated that Mark’s recovery would not bode well for him.

Albert met Cecilia’s gaze and silently sought her confirmation.

Cecilia managed a faint smile and proposed, “I’m going to have dinner at my brother’s place later. Would you like to join me?”

He hurriedly replied, “Yes!

Of course he wouldn’t pass on that offer.

He also picked up Edwin affectionately.

“Let me carry you, Edwin.”

Albert even kissed Edwin’s forehead, seemingly intending to see if he could provoke Mark even more.

Sure enough, there was a disapproving expression on Mark’s face.

He glanced at Cecilia and asked, “Is this your new boyfriend?”

Cecilia could have said something to provoke Mark.

But… she chose not to.

Instead, she stared at him, and her eyes welled up with unshed tears and turned red.

Mark felt a pang of regret, but he found no words to offer her solace.

After a prolonged silence, Cecilia spoke softly, her voice tinged with hurt.

not as good as you, Mr. Evans, having so

the words of

outsider, Mark chose

Albert was sensible.

you in the car. You two should sort out this

smiled reassuringly and added, “Mr. Evans, it

with Edwin cradled in his

toward the door,

and clasped her hand. He said

gently shook off his hand and whispered,

forgive your Uncle Mark, just this once Cecilia felt tears welling up, but she

caressed her face, his concern

“How is the baby?”

at Mark and argued for a long time because he

he was

worsen his mood, subsequently affecting his health. She was inherently kind-hearted. Even she hadn’t really contemplated a future without him at the moment, she

she met

appeared

at her, a soft smile playing on his lips, tinged

weight

that moment, an indescribable ache

composed Uncle Mark

just an ordinary

even admit

caught in her

going back. Please take

next

up at

She spoke softly.

weeks from now, at nine

his fingers gently through her hair, reminiscent of the past… At that moment, Mark seemed both like a guardian and

promises were exchanged between

remain by

didn’t bring up the

children became their sole

sadness washed over her, and

long time, she let

transformations

their separation, she wished for

thing she didn’t know was that the whole time she lingered at the aisle’s end, mirrored the

hadn’t divulged

local treatment wasn’t enough anymore, he had to

her for a prenatal check-up

Cecilia descended the stairs.

of the car

delighted to meet

red eyes?”

settled into the back seat and retorted, “It’s

his seat belt and glanced

myself in your affairs? It was your sister-in-law who asked me to keep an eye on you. She was worried you’d be upset and might experience abdominal pain. Frankly, I don’t get

had no desire to

accelerator and continued, “In my opinion, you should have him by your side; make sure to torture him and make him feel the pain… Truth be told, he’s quite handsome, not any less than

wiped her tears away, trying to compose

up for dinner?”

Albert wanted to. Even though he knew Rena wouldn’t accept him, he felt it would still be nice for him to check on

they

was Cecilia’s

later, Ross accompanied Cecilia to her

her, she refrained from inviting her family

off at the ward

flashed her a reassuring

gently knocked on the door and stepped inside. The moment she entered,

streamed into the

bed was neatly made as though it had never been

and orderly, devoid of

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

She pulled out a letter from her pocket and

a letter left for

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several words scrawled on

To Cecilia.

only a single sheet of paper inside. The

don’t wait for

meet a good man, seize

slipped from her trembling

unable to bring herself to pick

streamed down her cheeks,

now, she remained uncertain if she was waiting for Mark. Was she waiting for him to recover, to utter the words, “Forgive me, let’s begin anew. I’ll commit to daily exercises,

found the

had told her

she really waiting for

anticipated that he would

letting

provide him with the courage he

in the end, he

to stand by her, regardless of the circumstances–good or bad. Cecilia couldn’t help but think that if

was over 30 years old

take into consideration, especially since she was mother

But he just left.

more

amiss and was taken aback upon entering

why

gently wiped her tears

she

eyes hurt from the

the floor and picked it

it to shreds. She managed a smile,

from now on, let’s just forget about this

that Mark’s illness was

Recovery was uncertain.

over him as

seemed designed to prevent her

Cecilia’s eyes, Mark’s actions

voice quivered as she said, “Ross,

heart trembled, and he wordlessly escorted her

no one mentioned the

Peter had

left behind only a letter for

had departed without a

allow Cecilia to see him for

vanished from both the Fowler family and

there had been such a person in

Edwin whispered “dad” in his sleep at night, calling out to Mark as if he were

neither called Mark nor reached out to

Mark

casting a chilly ambiance over the

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