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, Mr.

words

an outsider, Mark chose

Albert was sensible.

in the car. You

“Mr. Evans,

in his

headed toward

her hand.

gently shook off his hand and whispered,

your Uncle Mark, just this once Cecilia felt tears welling

caressed her face, his

“How is the baby?”

and argued for a long

now, he was

his health. She was inherently kind-hearted. Even she hadn’t really

met

appeared pale and

looked back at her, a soft smile playing on his lips, tinged

sensed the weight of

an indescribable ache gripped

as if the confident and composed Uncle Mark she had admired had

was just an ordinary

even admit to feeling

caught

Please take care

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

up at

She spoke softly.

now,

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

promises were

remain by his side

up the topic of

children became their

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

she let her

and the transformations this

despite their separation, she wished

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

divulged it

local treatment wasn’t enough anymore, he had to seek medical

accompany her for a

Cecilia descended the stairs.

stepped out of the car and opened the

be delighted

red

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

seat belt

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? And now you’re pregnant. It would be a pity if he doesn’t make

had no desire to talk

opinion, you should have him by your side; make sure to torture him and make him

away,

up

him, he felt it would still be nice for him to check on

a result, they headed

Cecilia’s

accompanied Cecilia to

her, she refrained from inviting her family

dropped Cecilia off at the ward

her

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

streamed into

made as though it had never been

devoid of any trace of

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

Cecilia, noticing her confusion. She pulled out a letter from her pocket

letter left

website on

were several words scrawled

To Cecilia.

only a single sheet of paper inside. The words

wait for

a good man,

from her

unable to bring herself to

streamed down her

him to recover, to utter the

found the answer

he had told her not

really waiting

come over and anticipated that he

had simply thought about letting him pick their baby’s

simply hoped her presence would provide him

he left her behind once

stand by her, regardless of the circumstances–good or bad. Cecilia couldn’t help but think that if

over 30 years old

to take into consideration,

But he just left.

one seemed more heartless

and was taken aback upon entering

why

wiped her

crying,” she

eyes hurt from

the letter on the floor and picked

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

from now on, let’s just

that Mark’s illness

Recovery was uncertain.

over him as a real

his choice seemed designed to prevent her

eyes, Mark’s

she said, “Ross, please

and he wordlessly escorted her out of the

one mentioned the incident

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

behind only a letter for

departed without a trace of

to see him

Mark had vanished from both the Fowler

been

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

Cecilia neither called Mark nor reached out

her mind, Mark

a chilly

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

Comments ()

0/255