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.

you, Mr. Evans,

were the words

outsider, Mark

Albert was sensible.

You two should sort

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

Edwin cradled in his

headed toward

hand. He said in a

off his hand

your Uncle Mark, just

caressed her face, his concern

“How is the baby?”

at Mark and argued for a long time because he had hurt

now, he was

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, despite her pain, she suppressed

met

face appeared

a soft smile playing on his lips, tinged

the weight of his

that moment, an indescribable ache gripped

as if the confident and composed Uncle Mark she

an ordinary man

admit

voice caught in her

back. Please take

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

up at

She spoke softly.

from now, at

silent. He simply brushed his fingers gently through her hair, reminiscent of the past… At that moment, Mark seemed both

promises were exchanged between

would remain by his

bring up the topic of

became their sole

of sadness washed over her, and she wandered to

a long time, she let her tears flow

to Mark’s illness and the transformations this affliction had wrought upon

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

know was that the whole time she lingered at the aisle’s

divulged it

local treatment wasn’t enough anymore, he

for a prenatal check-up before he had to

Cecilia descended the stairs.

immediately stepped out of the car and opened

delighted to meet

red eyes?”

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

fastened his seat belt and glanced

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

desire

should have him by your side; make sure to torture him and make him feel the pain… Truth be told, he’s quite handsome, not any less

her tears away,

up for

him, he felt it would still be nice for him to check on her every once in a

a result, they headed to the

evening was Cecilia’s

weeks later, Ross accompanied Cecilia to her

had intended to join her, she refrained from inviting her

Cecilia off at the

flashed her a

on the door and stepped inside. The moment

into

was neatly made as though it had never

orderly, devoid

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

She pulled out a letter from her

letter left for Cecilia by

the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

words scrawled on the white

To Cecilia.

single sheet of paper inside. The words inscribed on it were

wait for

meet a good man, seize your

letter slipped from her trembling

unable to bring herself to pick

streamed down her cheeks,

for Mark. Was she waiting for him to recover, to utter the words, “Forgive me, let’s begin anew.

hadn’t found the

he had told her not to

really waiting for

anticipated that he would join her for her prenatal check-up

simply thought about letting him

provide him with the courage he needed

the end, he left her behind

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

over 30

into consideration, especially

But he just left.

more heartless than

amiss and was

Fowler, why

gently wiped

crying,” she said, her

hurt

the letter on the floor and picked it up

to shreds. She managed a smile, tears glistening in

from now on, let’s just forget about

understood that Mark’s

Recovery was uncertain.

him as a

seemed designed to prevent her from bidding him

Cecilia’s eyes, Mark’s actions

she said, “Ross, please

and he wordlessly escorted her out

mentioned the incident

Peter had contacted the hospital in

left behind only a

without

chose not to allow Cecilia to

that day on, Mark had vanished from both the Fowler family

there had been such a

night, calling out to

neither called Mark nor reached out

her mind, Mark ceased to

a chilly

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