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 of

an outsider, Mark

Albert was sensible.

car. You two should sort out

Evans, it seems there’s a significant

cradled in his arms, Albert

toward the door,

reached out and clasped her hand. He

off his hand

fault. Can you forgive your Uncle Mark, just this once

gently caressed her face,

“How is the baby?”

and argued for a long time because he

now, he was

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, despite her pain, she

she met

appeared pale

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

sensed the weight of his

moment, an indescribable ache gripped

if the confident and composed Uncle Mark she had

just an ordinary

admit to

voice caught in her

back. Please take

is your next prenatal check-up? I’ll

looked up

She spoke softly.

now, at nine in the

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

were

him she would remain

bring up the topic

children became their sole

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

long time, she let her

illness and the transformations this

pondered, even despite their separation, she wished for the robust

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

hadn’t divulged

wasn’t enough anymore, he had to

her for a prenatal check-up before he

Cecilia descended the stairs.

stepped out of the car and opened

you be delighted

red

the back seat and retorted,

his seat belt and glanced

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

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 than

her tears away, trying to

you still up for dinner?”

to. Even though he knew Rena wouldn’t accept him, he felt it would still be nice for him

result, they headed to

was Cecilia’s tears, her sorrow

accompanied

she refrained from inviting her family

Cecilia off at

flashed her

gently knocked on the door and stepped inside. The

into the

made as though it had

devoid of any trace

Cecilia stood there, bewildered.

Where could Mark be?

Cecilia, noticing her confusion. She pulled out a letter from her pocket

letter left for Cecilia

the Find ɴøᴠel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access

several words scrawled

To Cecilia.

envelope, finding only a single sheet of paper inside. The words inscribed

don’t wait for

good man,

letter slipped from her

to

down

for him to recover, to utter the words, “Forgive me, let’s begin anew. I’ll commit to daily exercises, care

found

had told her not

she really waiting for

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

simply thought about letting him pick their baby’s

would provide him with the courage he needed to

he left her behind once

a plethora of choices, but he never chose to stand by her, regardless of the circumstances–good or bad. Cecilia couldn’t help

she was over 30 years old

had more to take into consideration, especially since

But he just left.

more heartless

amiss and was taken aback upon

why are you

wiped

she said, her

hurt from

letter on the floor

shreds. She managed a smile, tears glistening in

from now on, let’s just forget

Mark’s

Recovery was uncertain.

loomed over him as a

his choice seemed designed to prevent her from bidding

Cecilia’s eyes, Mark’s actions felt unbearably

“Ross, please accompany me to

he wordlessly escorted her

one mentioned the

and discovered that Mark’s condition had worsened that night. Peter had contacted the hospital in

only a

departed without a trace

allow Cecilia to see him for

Mark had vanished from both

been such a person in their

his sleep at night, calling out to Mark as if he

Cecilia neither called Mark

Mark

casting a chilly ambiance over the

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