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 good as you, Mr.

the words of

presence of an outsider, Mark chose

Albert was sensible.

in the car. You two

reassuringly and added, “Mr. Evans,

Edwin cradled in his

toward the

clasped her hand. He said in a hushed

his hand and whispered,

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

gently caressed her face, his concern

“How is the baby?”

she might have lashed out at Mark and argued for a long time because he had

he was

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 his

appeared pale

back at her, a soft smile playing on his lips,

weight of his

an indescribable ache

the confident and composed Uncle Mark she had admired had

an ordinary

even admit to

caught

Please

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

up at

She spoke softly.

now, at

simply brushed his fingers gently through her hair, reminiscent of the past… At that moment,

promises were exchanged between

him she would remain by

he didn’t bring up the topic

two children became their

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

a long time, she

to Mark’s illness and the transformations this

separation, she wished for the

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

divulged

treatment wasn’t enough anymore, he had to seek medical help

for a prenatal

Cecilia descended the stairs.

of the car and opened the door for her as she

you be delighted

the red

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

seat belt

I willingly 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?

no desire to talk to

by your side; make sure to torture him and make him feel

away, trying

you still up

felt it would still

result, they

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

weeks later, Ross accompanied Cecilia

to join her, she refrained

Cecilia off

flashed her a

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

streamed into the

was neatly made as

appeared spotless and orderly, devoid of any trace of

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

She pulled out a letter from her pocket

letter left

the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website

words scrawled on the

To Cecilia.

single sheet of paper inside. The words inscribed on it

wait

meet a good man, seize your

from

lowered her head, unable to bring herself

down

waiting for him to recover, to utter the words, “Forgive me, let’s

hadn’t found

he had told

really waiting for

simply come over and anticipated that he would join her for her

thought about letting him

simply hoped her presence would provide him with the courage he

in the end, he left her behind

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

over

more to take into consideration, especially

But he just left.

seemed more heartless

something amiss and was taken aback upon

Fowler, why are

gently wiped her tears

not crying,” she said,

hurt from

the floor

took the letter and ripped it to shreds. She managed a smile, tears glistening in her

let’s just forget

that Mark’s illness

Recovery was uncertain.

him as

choice seemed designed to prevent

eyes, Mark’s actions felt

said, “Ross, please accompany me to my

wordlessly escorted her

mentioned the incident

did some digging and discovered that Mark’s condition had worsened that night. Peter had contacted the hospital

only a letter

departed without

to allow Cecilia to see him for

on, Mark had vanished from both the Fowler family

had been such a person in their

at night, calling

Cecilia neither called Mark

mind, Mark

a

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