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,

the words of a wounded

of an outsider, Mark chose

Albert was sensible.

car. You

reassuringly and added, “Mr. Evans, it

in his arms, Albert made

headed toward the door,

her hand. He said in a

gently shook off his hand and whispered, “I’m

apologized, “It’s all my fault. Can you forgive your Uncle Mark, just this once Cecilia felt tears welling up, but

caressed her face,

“How is the baby?”

might have lashed out at Mark and argued for a long

he was

kind-hearted. Even she hadn’t really contemplated a future without him at the moment, she wanted him to stay healthy. So, despite her pain, she suppressed her grievances

met

face appeared

back at her, a soft smile playing on

weight of his

an indescribable ache

confident and composed Uncle Mark she had

just an ordinary man

admit to feeling

voice caught in her

going back. Please take care of

inquired, “When is your next prenatal check-up?

up

She spoke softly.

weeks from now, at nine

brushed his fingers gently through her hair, reminiscent of the past… At that moment, Mark seemed

promises were exchanged

didn’t assure him she would remain

didn’t bring up the topic

children became

the ward. A wave of sadness washed over her, and she

she let her

transformations

pondered, even despite their separation, she wished for

the whole time she lingered at the aisle’s end, mirrored the duration Mark spent standing at

hadn’t divulged it just

he had to seek medical help

why he wanted to accompany her for

Cecilia descended the stairs.

of the

you be delighted to meet your

red

into the back seat and retorted, “It’s none of

seat

an eye on you. She was worried you’d be upset and might experience abdominal pain. Frankly, I don’t get you. Don’t you both care for each other? And now you’re pregnant. It would be a pity if

had no desire to

opinion, you should have him by your side; make sure to torture him and make him

tears away,

still up for

he felt it would still be nice for him to check

a result, they headed to

that evening was Cecilia’s tears, her sorrow palpable

accompanied

she refrained from

off

her

door and stepped inside. The moment she entered, she noticed the ward was impeccably

streamed into the

made as

devoid of

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

Cecilia, noticing her confusion. She pulled out a letter from her pocket and handed it to

a letter left for Cecilia by

the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website

scrawled on the white

To Cecilia.

finding only a single sheet of paper inside.

don’t wait

you meet a good man, seize

letter slipped from her trembling

head, unable to bring herself to

streamed down her

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.

found the

told her not to

really waiting for

and anticipated that he

about letting

presence would provide him with the courage he

he left her behind

of choices, but he never chose to stand by her, regardless of the circumstances–good or bad. Cecilia couldn’t help

was over 30

more to take into consideration, especially since she

But he just left.

more heartless

sensed something amiss and was taken

Fowler, why are

wiped

crying,” she said, her voice

hurt from the

on the floor and picked it

to shreds.

on, let’s just forget about

that Mark’s illness was

Recovery was uncertain.

him

to prevent her from bidding

Mark’s actions felt unbearably

quivered as she said, “Ross, please

he wordlessly escorted her

mentioned the incident

that Mark’s condition had worsened that night. Peter had contacted the hospital in Rouemn and arranged

left behind only a letter

departed without a

not to allow Cecilia to see him for

on, Mark had vanished from both

everyone forgot there had been such a person in

whispered “dad” in his sleep at night, calling out to

called Mark nor reached

her mind, Mark

casting a chilly

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