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.

the words of

outsider,

Albert was sensible.

You two should sort

reassuringly and added, “Mr. Evans,

his

toward

her hand. He said

off his hand and whispered,

forgive your Uncle Mark, just this once Cecilia felt tears welling up, but she held them

caressed her face,

“How is the baby?”

at Mark and argued for a long time because he

he

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 healthy. So,

she met

face appeared pale and

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

sensed the weight

moment, an indescribable

the confident and composed Uncle Mark she had admired had

was just an

even admit to

voice caught in

Please

your next prenatal

up at

She spoke softly.

two weeks from now, at nine in the

remained silent. He simply brushed his fingers gently through her hair, reminiscent of the

were exchanged between

she would remain by his side

bring up the

children became

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

a long time, she

Mark’s illness and the transformations

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

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

divulged it just

enough anymore, he had to

accompany her for a prenatal

Cecilia descended the stairs.

stepped out of the car and opened

you be delighted to meet your old

the red eyes?” he

the back seat and

fastened his seat belt

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

had no desire to talk to

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

her tears away, trying

still up

to. Even though he knew Rena wouldn’t accept him, he felt it would still be nice for him to check on her every once in a

a result, they headed to the

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

accompanied Cecilia to her

she refrained from inviting her family

dropped Cecilia off at the

flashed her a reassuring

the door and stepped inside. The

into

made as though it had never

appeared spotless and orderly, devoid of any trace of

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

on her rounds approached Cecilia, noticing her confusion. She pulled out a letter

letter left for

the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ

words scrawled on the

To Cecilia.

single sheet of

don’t wait for

meet a good

slipped from her trembling

unable to bring herself to

down her cheeks,

Mark. Was she waiting for him to recover, to utter the

found the answer

had told her not to

really

had simply come over and anticipated that he would join her

thought about letting him

her presence would provide him with the courage he needed to keep

he left her behind once

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

had more to take into consideration, especially since she was

But he just left.

seemed more heartless than

amiss and was taken aback upon entering the

Fowler, why are you

gently wiped her tears

not crying,” she said,

hurt

on the

the letter and ripped it to shreds. She managed a

let’s just forget about this

Mark’s illness

Recovery was uncertain.

over him as

choice seemed designed to prevent her

eyes, Mark’s actions felt

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

trembled, and he wordlessly escorted

one mentioned

had worsened that night. Peter had contacted the hospital

only a

had departed without a trace of

to see him for the last

vanished from both the Fowler family

forgot there had been such

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

that day, Cecilia neither called

her mind, Mark ceased to

in, casting a chilly ambiance

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