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.

as good as you,

words of a

the presence of an outsider, Mark chose not to

Albert was sensible.

car. You

“Mr. Evans, it seems there’s a

Edwin cradled in his

headed toward

her hand. He

off his hand and whispered, “I’m

“It’s all my fault. Can you forgive your Uncle Mark, just this once

gently caressed her face, his concern

“How is the baby?”

Mark and argued for a long time because

he was

reasoned that if she expressed her anger, it 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

she met

face appeared pale

at her, a soft smile playing on his

sensed the weight

that moment, an indescribable ache gripped

composed

an

even admit

caught in her

going back. Please

is your next prenatal

up at

She spoke softly.

weeks from now, at nine

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

promises were

she would remain by

didn’t bring up the topic

children became their sole

washed over her, and

time, she let her tears flow

to Mark’s illness and the transformations this

wished for the robust

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

hadn’t divulged

local treatment wasn’t enough anymore, he had to

he wanted to accompany her for a prenatal check-up before he had to

Cecilia descended the stairs.

strained relationship, immediately stepped out of the car and opened the door for her

be delighted to meet your old

red eyes?”

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

seat belt and glanced

involve 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 you. Don’t you both care for each other?

desire

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

wiped her tears away, trying to compose

still up for

it would still be nice for him to

they

all Albert observed that evening was Cecilia’s tears, her sorrow palpable in every

Ross accompanied Cecilia to her prenatal

intended to join her, she refrained from inviting

Cecilia off

flashed her a

inside. The moment she entered, she noticed

into

made as though it had never

devoid of any

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

She pulled out a letter from her pocket and handed it to

a letter left for Cecilia

website on Gøøglᴇ to

words scrawled on the

To Cecilia.

finding only a single sheet of paper inside. The words inscribed on

wait for

meet a good man,

slipped from her trembling

unable to bring herself

down her cheeks,

for him to recover, to utter the words, “Forgive me, let’s begin anew. I’ll commit to daily exercises, care for

hadn’t found the answer

told her not

really

that he would

had simply thought about letting him pick their

presence would provide him with the courage

in the end, he left her

bad. Cecilia couldn’t help

over 30 years old

take into consideration, especially since

But he just left.

one seemed more heartless than

amiss and was taken

why are

wiped her

not crying,” she said, her

eyes hurt

letter on the floor

ripped it to shreds.

now on, let’s

that Mark’s illness was

Recovery was uncertain.

over him as a real

choice seemed designed to

Cecilia’s eyes, Mark’s actions

as she said, “Ross, please accompany me

and he wordlessly

one mentioned

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

behind only a letter

without a

allow Cecilia to see

vanished from both the Fowler family and

had been such a person in

his sleep at night, calling out to Mark as if he were

that day, Cecilia neither called Mark nor reached out to

her mind, Mark ceased

in, casting a chilly ambiance

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