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.

good as you, Mr. Evans, having so many

words of a

an outsider,

Albert was sensible.

you in the car. You two should sort

“Mr. Evans, it seems there’s a significant misunderstanding

his arms, Albert

headed toward the

out and clasped her hand. He said in

off his hand and whispered,

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

gently caressed her

“How is the baby?”

Mark and argued for a long time because he

now, he was

might 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 wanted him to stay healthy. So, despite her pain, she suppressed her grievances and replied, “The baby is

she met his

appeared pale and

at her, a soft smile playing on his lips, tinged with a hint of

weight

moment, an indescribable ache

the confident and composed Uncle Mark she had admired had

an

even admit to

voice caught

Please take care of

is your next prenatal check-up?

up

She spoke softly.

two weeks from now, at nine

through her hair, reminiscent of the past… At that moment, Mark

were exchanged

assure him she would remain

up the topic of

became their

washed over her, and she wandered to the end of

time, she

and the transformations

she wished for the robust Mr. Evans

she lingered at the aisle’s end, mirrored the duration Mark spent standing at the ward’s door

hadn’t divulged

anymore, he had to

for a prenatal check-up

Cecilia descended the stairs.

immediately stepped out of the car and opened the door for

delighted

the red eyes?” he

the back seat and retorted, “It’s

his seat belt and

worried you’d be upset and might experience abdominal pain. Frankly, I don’t get you. Don’t you

had no desire to

my opinion, you should have him by your side; make sure to torture him and make him feel the pain… Truth be

wiped her tears away, trying to

are you still up

Even though he knew Rena wouldn’t accept him, he felt it would still be nice for him to check on her every once in a

a result, they headed

all Albert observed that evening was Cecilia’s tears,

later, Ross accompanied Cecilia to her prenatal

to join her, she refrained from inviting her family this

dropped Cecilia off

flashed her

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

streamed into the

as though it had

spotless and orderly, devoid

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

her confusion. She pulled out a letter from her pocket and

left for Cecilia

Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

several words scrawled on the white

To Cecilia.

promptly tore open the envelope, finding only a single sheet of paper

wait

a good man, seize

slipped from her

lowered her head, unable to bring herself to

streamed down her cheeks,

remained uncertain if she was waiting for Mark. Was she waiting for him to recover, to utter the words, “Forgive

found the

he had told her not

really

had simply come over and anticipated that he would join her for her prenatal check-up like he

thought about letting him

would provide him with the courage he needed to

end, he left

chose to stand by her, regardless of the circumstances–good or bad. Cecilia couldn’t help but think that if she had been 18 years old again,

was over 30 years

consideration, especially since she was mother

But he just left.

more heartless than

sensed something amiss and was taken aback

why are

wiped her

crying,” she said, her voice

eyes hurt from the

the floor and

the letter and ripped it to shreds. She managed a smile, tears glistening

let’s just

Mark’s

Recovery was uncertain.

loomed over him

seemed designed to prevent her from

eyes, Mark’s actions

quivered as she said, “Ross, please accompany

he wordlessly escorted her out

one mentioned the

had worsened that night. Peter had contacted the hospital in Rouemn

left behind only a letter for

had departed without

allow Cecilia to see him

on, Mark had vanished from both the Fowler family and

had been

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

day, Cecilia neither called Mark nor

mind, Mark ceased

in, casting a chilly

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