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 you, Mr. Evans, having

were the words

of an outsider, Mark chose not to

Albert was sensible.

in the car. You two should

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

his arms,

headed toward the door,

clasped her hand. He said

off his hand and whispered,

Uncle Mark, just this once Cecilia felt

gently caressed her face, his

“How is the baby?”

the past, she might have lashed out at Mark and argued for a long time because he had hurt her

now, he was

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 wanted him to

met his

face appeared pale and

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

the weight of his

indescribable

composed Uncle Mark she had

just an ordinary man

couldn’t even admit to

voice caught in

going back. Please take

is your next prenatal check-up? I’ll come

looked up

She spoke softly.

two weeks from now, at nine in the

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

were exchanged

assure him she would remain by his side once he

he didn’t bring up the

two children became their

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

she let her

and the transformations this affliction

separation, she wished for

the aisle’s end, mirrored

divulged it

treatment wasn’t enough anymore, he had

accompany her for

Cecilia descended the stairs.

out of the car

delighted to

red eyes?” he

settled into the back seat and

seat belt and glanced

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,

had no desire to

have him by your side; make sure to torture him and make him feel the pain… Truth be told, he’s

wiped her tears away,

you still up for

though he knew Rena wouldn’t accept him, he felt it would still be nice for him to check

they headed

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

weeks later, Ross accompanied Cecilia to

join her, she refrained from inviting

dropped Cecilia off at

flashed her

gently knocked on the door and stepped inside. The

streamed into

made as though it had never been

devoid of any

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

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

letter left for Cecilia

the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on

words scrawled on the

To Cecilia.

a single sheet of paper

don’t wait for

you meet a good man, seize your

from her

lowered her head, unable to bring

down

recover, to utter the words, “Forgive me,

hadn’t found

he had told her

she really waiting for

anticipated that he would join her for her prenatal check-up like he

had simply thought about letting him

had simply hoped her presence would provide him with the courage he needed to

he left

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

she was over 30

more to take into consideration,

But he just left.

seemed more

and was taken aback upon entering the

Fowler, why are you

wiped

she said, her voice

eyes hurt

the letter on the floor and picked

shreds. She managed a smile, tears glistening in her

now on, let’s just forget about

understood that Mark’s illness

Recovery was uncertain.

over him

to prevent her from bidding him

eyes, Mark’s actions

quivered as she said, “Ross, please accompany me to my prenatal

and he wordlessly escorted her out of

no one mentioned the incident

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

behind only

had departed without a trace of

to allow Cecilia to

had vanished from both the Fowler family

everyone forgot there had been such a person

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

called Mark nor reached out to

mind, Mark

casting a chilly ambiance over

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