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,

were the words

an outsider, Mark chose

Albert was sensible.

you in the car. You two should sort out this

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

Edwin cradled in his arms, Albert made

headed toward

hand. He said in a hushed

his

your Uncle Mark, just this once

her

“How is the baby?”

might have lashed out at Mark and argued for

he was

further. She 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 wanted him to stay

met

face appeared

back at her, a soft smile playing on his

the weight of his

an indescribable ache gripped Cecilia’s

was as if the confident and composed Uncle Mark she had

an ordinary man

even admit

caught in her

going back. Please

next

up

She spoke softly.

from now, at nine in the

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

were exchanged between

remain by

he didn’t bring up the

two children became

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

she let her

Mark’s illness and the transformations this affliction had

separation, she wished for the

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

hadn’t divulged it

local treatment wasn’t enough anymore, he had

why he wanted to accompany her for a prenatal check-up

Cecilia descended the stairs.

strained relationship, immediately stepped out of the car and opened

Shouldn’t you be delighted

red

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

seat belt and glanced

be upset and might experience abdominal pain. Frankly, I don’t get you. Don’t you both care for

no desire to talk to

to torture him and make him feel the pain… Truth be told, he’s quite handsome, not any less than your

wiped her tears away,

you still up for dinner?”

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

result, they headed to

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

weeks later, Ross accompanied Cecilia

her, she refrained from inviting

Cecilia off at the ward

her a reassuring

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

into the

bed was neatly made as though

appeared spotless and orderly, devoid of any trace

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

She pulled out a

letter left for Cecilia

the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

scrawled

To Cecilia.

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

don’t wait

meet a good man, seize

slipped from her trembling

to bring

down

to utter the words, “Forgive me, let’s begin anew. I’ll

hadn’t found

told her not to

really

and anticipated that he would join her for

simply thought about letting him pick their

had simply hoped her presence would provide him with the

he left

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

she was over 30 years

to take into consideration, especially since she was mother

But he just left.

one seemed more heartless than

sensed something amiss and was taken aback

Fowler, why are

gently wiped her

not crying,” she

eyes hurt

the floor and picked it up

letter and ripped it to shreds.

on, let’s just

Mark’s

Recovery was uncertain.

him as a

choice seemed designed to prevent her from

Mark’s

“Ross, please

and he wordlessly escorted

no one mentioned the

night. Peter had

behind only a letter for

had departed without a trace of

to allow Cecilia to see him for

vanished from both

had been such a

calling out to Mark as if he were

called

her mind, Mark ceased to

settled in, casting a chilly ambiance over

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