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,

words

an outsider,

Albert was sensible.

in the car. You two should sort out

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

cradled in his arms, Albert made

toward

clasped her hand. He

off his hand and whispered,

fault. Can you forgive your Uncle Mark, just

gently caressed her face, his

“How is the baby?”

Mark and argued for a long time

now, he

was inherently kind-hearted. Even she hadn’t really contemplated a future without

she met

appeared

smile playing on

weight of

an indescribable ache

as if the confident and composed Uncle Mark she

an ordinary

couldn’t even admit

caught in

Please take care of

next prenatal check-up? I’ll come

up at

She spoke softly.

from now, at nine in

through her hair, reminiscent of the past… At that moment,

promises were exchanged

him she would remain by his side

bring up the topic of

two children became their sole

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

a long time, she let

illness and the transformations this affliction had wrought upon

pondered, even despite their separation, she wished

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

hadn’t divulged it just

anymore, he had to seek

wanted to accompany her for a prenatal check-up before

Cecilia descended the stairs.

immediately stepped out of the car and

delighted to meet your

red

back seat and retorted, “It’s none of

seat belt

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

no desire to

your side; make sure to torture him

tears away, trying to

still up for

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

a result, they headed to

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

later, Ross accompanied Cecilia to her

intended to join her, she refrained from inviting

off at

flashed her a reassuring

stepped inside. The moment

into the

bed was neatly made as though

devoid of

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

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

left

website on Gøøglᴇ

words scrawled on

To Cecilia.

promptly tore open the envelope, finding only a single sheet of paper inside. The words

wait

you meet a good man, seize

slipped from

unable to bring herself to pick

down her

him to recover, to utter the

found

had told

really waiting

come over and anticipated that

thought about letting him pick their

would provide him with the courage he

end, he left her

her, regardless of the circumstances–good or bad. Cecilia couldn’t help but think that if she had been 18 years

she was over 30 years old

take into consideration, especially

But he just left.

seemed more

sensed something amiss and was taken aback

why

wiped her

she said, her

hurt from the

letter on the floor and picked it

slowly took the letter and ripped it to shreds.

let’s just forget

Mark’s illness

Recovery was uncertain.

over him as a real

to prevent her

Mark’s actions

she said, “Ross, please accompany

he wordlessly escorted

no one mentioned

did some digging and discovered that Mark’s condition had worsened that night. Peter had contacted the hospital in Rouemn and arranged for Mark to be

left behind only

had departed without a trace

to

had vanished from both the Fowler family

been such a person

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

Cecilia neither called Mark nor reached out

mind, Mark ceased to

settled in, casting a chilly ambiance

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

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