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

the words of

of an outsider, Mark

Albert was sensible.

you in the car. You two should sort

smiled reassuringly and added, “Mr. Evans, it

his

headed toward the

her hand.

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

gently caressed her face, his

“How is the baby?”

Mark and argued for

now, he was

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 stay healthy. So, despite her pain, she suppressed her

met his

face appeared pale

soft smile playing on his lips, tinged with

sensed the weight

an indescribable

composed

an ordinary

couldn’t even admit to feeling

caught

going back. Please

next prenatal check-up? I’ll

looked up at

She spoke softly.

two weeks from now, at

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

were

assure him she would remain by his side once

up the topic

two children became their sole

her, and she wandered to

she let her tears

Mark’s illness and the transformations this affliction

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

she didn’t know was that the whole time she lingered at the aisle’s end, mirrored the duration Mark spent standing

hadn’t divulged

local treatment wasn’t enough anymore, he had to

her for a prenatal check-up before he had

Cecilia descended the stairs.

their strained relationship, immediately stepped out of the car

be delighted to meet your

red eyes?”

the back seat and retorted,

seat belt

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 he doesn’t make

desire to talk

continued, “In my opinion, you should have him by your side; make sure to torture him

away,

still up

he felt it would still be nice for

they headed

Albert observed that evening was Cecilia’s

weeks later, Ross accompanied Cecilia to her

intended to join her, she refrained from inviting her family this

off at

her

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

into the

as

devoid of any trace of

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

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

was a letter left for Cecilia by

ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website

scrawled

To Cecilia.

envelope, finding only a single sheet of paper inside. The words inscribed on it were

don’t wait

you meet a good

slipped from her

unable to bring herself to pick it

streamed down

was 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, care for my health, and

hadn’t found the answer

had told her not to

she really

She had simply come over and anticipated that he would join her

about letting

presence would provide him

end, he left her behind

or bad. Cecilia couldn’t help but think that if she had been 18 years old again, she might have

over 30 years

had more to take into consideration, especially since she was

But he just left.

more heartless

sensed something amiss and was taken

why are

wiped her

she said,

hurt from

the letter on the

and ripped it to shreds. She managed

on, let’s just forget

that Mark’s

Recovery was uncertain.

him

designed to prevent her from bidding

eyes, Mark’s actions felt

as she said, “Ross, please

wordlessly escorted her

one mentioned the incident

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

only

had departed without a trace

allow Cecilia to

that day on, Mark had vanished from both the

had been such

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

neither called Mark

her mind, Mark ceased to

settled in, casting a chilly ambiance over

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