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

outsider, Mark chose

Albert was sensible.

in the car. You two should sort

added, “Mr. Evans, it

Edwin cradled in his

headed toward

and clasped her hand. He

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

Can you forgive your Uncle Mark,

gently caressed her

“How is the baby?”

lashed out at Mark and argued for a long time because he had

now, he was

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

met his

face appeared pale and

smile playing on his lips,

weight of his

that moment, an indescribable ache

confident and composed Uncle Mark she had admired had

just an ordinary man

admit to feeling

voice caught in

going back. Please take care of

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

up

She spoke softly.

from now,

He simply brushed his fingers gently through her hair, reminiscent of the past…

promises were

remain by his side once he

he didn’t bring up the topic of

children became

sadness washed over her, and she wandered to the end of the corridor, standing

a long time, she let her

the transformations

their separation, she wished for the robust Mr. Evans she

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

hadn’t divulged it just

wasn’t enough anymore, he had to

accompany her for a prenatal check-up before

Cecilia descended the stairs.

out of the car and opened the door for her as she

delighted to meet your

the red

and

his seat belt and

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,

no desire to talk to

torture him and make him feel the pain… Truth be told, he’s quite handsome,

away, trying to

still up for dinner?”

he felt it would still be nice for him to check on her every once in

a result, they headed to

that evening was Cecilia’s

later, Ross accompanied Cecilia

join her, she refrained from inviting her family this

dropped Cecilia off at

flashed her

inside. The

into

made as though it had never

orderly, devoid

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

noticing her confusion. She pulled out a letter from her

letter left for Cecilia

website on Gøøglᴇ to

scrawled on

To Cecilia.

promptly tore open the envelope, finding only a single sheet of paper inside. The words inscribed on it

don’t wait for

good man, seize your

from

head, unable to bring herself to pick it

down

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

really waiting

come over and anticipated that he would join her

about letting him pick their

would provide him with the courage he needed to

in the end, he left her behind

offered a plethora of choices, but he never 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, she might have just rushed

was over 30 years

to take into consideration,

But he just left.

seemed more heartless than

something amiss and was taken

Fowler, why

wiped her tears

she

hurt

letter on the floor and

it to shreds. She managed a smile, tears glistening in

from now on, let’s just forget about this

Mark’s illness

Recovery was uncertain.

him as

to prevent her from bidding

Mark’s actions

as she said, “Ross, please accompany me to

he wordlessly escorted her out

one mentioned

some digging and discovered that Mark’s condition had worsened that night. Peter

behind only

had departed without a

allow Cecilia to see him

that day on, Mark had vanished from

forgot there had been such a person in

sleep at night, calling out to Mark as

day, Cecilia neither called Mark nor reached out

Mark ceased to

in, casting a chilly

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255