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 of a wounded

of an outsider, Mark chose not

Albert was sensible.

wait you in the car. You two

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

his arms, Albert made

headed toward the door,

clasped her hand. He said in

off his hand

anger, Mark tenderly apologized, “It’s all my fault. Can you forgive your Uncle Mark, just this once Cecilia felt tears welling up, but

caressed her

“How is the baby?”

the past, she might have lashed out at Mark and argued for a long time because he

now, he

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

met his

face appeared

soft smile playing on his lips, tinged with a hint

weight

that moment, an indescribable ache gripped Cecilia’s

as if the confident and composed Uncle Mark she had admired

was just an

even admit to

voice caught

Please take

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

up at

She spoke softly.

from now,

through her hair, reminiscent of the past… At that

were exchanged

didn’t assure him she would remain by his side once he

he didn’t bring up the topic

two children became

wave of sadness washed over her, and she wandered

she let her tears flow

the transformations this affliction had wrought upon

wished for the robust

thing she didn’t know was that the whole time she lingered at the aisle’s end, mirrored the

hadn’t divulged it

he had to seek medical help

her for a

Cecilia descended the stairs.

out of the car and opened

delighted to meet your old

red

seat and

seat belt and

involve myself in your affairs? It was your sister-in-law who asked me to keep 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

desire to talk to

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

her tears away, trying

are you still up for dinner?” she

knew Rena wouldn’t accept him, he felt it would still be nice

result, they

Albert observed that evening was Cecilia’s tears, her

Ross accompanied Cecilia

to join her, she refrained from inviting her family

off at

flashed her

stepped inside. The moment she entered, she noticed

into

bed was neatly made as though it had

and orderly, devoid of any

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

nurse on her rounds approached Cecilia, noticing her confusion. She pulled out a letter from her pocket and handed it to

left

Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

were several words scrawled on

To Cecilia.

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

don’t wait for

good man,

from her

her head, unable to bring herself to pick it

down her

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,

hadn’t found the answer

told her

she really waiting for

over and anticipated that he would join her for her prenatal check-up like he

had simply thought about letting him

provide him with the courage

in the end, he left her behind

couldn’t help but think that if she had

was over 30 years old

consideration, especially since

But he just left.

one seemed more

something amiss and was

why

wiped

crying,” she said, her

eyes hurt from the

the letter on the floor and picked it

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

from now on, let’s just forget about this

Mark’s illness

Recovery was uncertain.

him as a

his choice seemed designed to prevent her from bidding

Mark’s actions felt

voice quivered as she said, “Ross,

he wordlessly

one mentioned

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

only a letter

without a trace of

to allow Cecilia to see him for

had vanished from both the Fowler

forgot there had been such a person in

at night, calling out to Mark as if

neither called Mark

her mind, Mark ceased to

settled in, casting a chilly

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