Chapter 1951 Settling into his chair, the doctor mulled over his words before speaking with a reassuring smile.

“Her physical injury is manageable.

However, mending her psychological scars is a tougher mountain to climb. I've been told her silence stems from emotional trauma. What delayed her treatment?” Mark's face was a canvas of stoicism.

His thoughts drifted to darker days. Days colored by Paul's demise, Cathy's unyielding nature, and Cecilia's suffering.

In a hushed tone, Mark confessed, “Life hasn't been kind to this little one. She's weathered many storms. I blame myself for not living up to my duties.” Well-versed in Mark's dynamics with the Fowler family, the doctor understood the depth of his involvement. He was privy to the tale of Mark forsaking his own wedding for the sake of this child.

The doctor scribbled down a treatment pathway, but then paused, pondering before softly adding, “Now's the prime time for her therapy.

Delay it, and relearning speech later will be her Sisyphean task, long and fraught with struggle.” “I'll discuss it with her,” Mark agreed, determination in his voice.

ANGELA'sLIBRARY Handing over a business card, the doctor offered a lifeline.

“Here's the contact of my mentor’s close colleague. He's a big shot in this field, often overseas. Should you seek guidance, ring him up and mention my referral.” Mark accepted the card, expressing his gratitude before exiting the doctor’s office.

He didn’t head straight back to the ward.

The corridor was a silent companion.

Drawn to a window at the corridors end, Mark embraced the gusts of summer heat that swept in. The warmth unsettled him, yet he needed this moment of discomfort to clear his head.

Later in the day, Laura was scheduled for minor surgery.

He phoned Cecilia, advising her not to hold dinner.

His voice softened with regret.

“We had plans for the weekend. I am so sorry.” Cecilia, now more at ease than before, was in the midst of meal prep with Zoey while keeping an eye on Olivia.

“I'll keep the kids and Zoey company. Don't worry about coming home,” she reassured him gently.

A smile touched Mark's Lips before concern crept in.

“How's Edwin? He seemed upset when I left. Keep an eye on him, Cecilia. I'll also have a chat with him later.”

Chapter 1952 She agreed with a nod, her gaze finding Edwin engrossed in a book under a tree's comforting shadow.

Their conversation wrapped up, and she ended the call.

Concerned about Cecilia's spirits, Zoey decided to lead both Cecilia and Olivia to check out her vault, a world of shimmering treasures.

Jewels adorned with pearls and emeralds made a grand appearance.

Each piece seemed to outshine the one before.

Cecilia had her fair share of beautiful things, but what woman could ever say no to more? Olivia, not really seeing the charm, draped herself in a lengthy string of green beads.

Rubies and sapphires were her choice next.

Their hues were vivid, almost painting a rainbow.

Adorning herself in these sparkling jewels, she smiled goofily.

Zoey, with a playful reprimand, asked, “Why the sudden shift to a pint-sized outlaw?” Understanding Zoey’s kindness, Cecilia responded, “Please, keep them.

They carry too hefty a price tag.” But Zoey didn't stash them away.

Rather, she presented even more treasures, leaving Cecilia torn between tears and laughter.

ANGELA'SLIBRARY However, Cecilia's amusement soon faded.

Fifteen minutes later, they went back to the yard, only to discover Edwin was nowhere to be found.

Edwin had been lost in a book there moments ago.

Anxiety also gripped Cecilia.

The two women, assisted by their servants, scoured the villas every nook and cranny for Edwin but to no avail. Finally, Zoey declared, “We need to ring Mark immediately. Nothing is more crucial than finding his boy. He needs to join the search.” Ht rr Ts rE rT Ss Koos Her voice betrayed her fear.

“Mark, we can’t find Edwin." In the hospital, an icy jolt shot through Mark's heart.]

Chapter 1953 His son was missing? Phone in hand, Mark exited the ward. Despite the chaos brewing inside, he took on the role of the rock for Cecilia.

“Stay calm. Have you looked through the villa’s security footage?” Through her tears, Cecilia replied, “I'm on it. He dashed out on his own.” The screen showed Edwin, stepping through the black, intricately carved door.

He rounded a corner and then, just like that, vanished.

A heavy dread settled in Mark's chest.

Battling his inner turmoil, he instructed, “Get my mother to watch over Olivia. I'm heading to the police station. If you can get there before me, please do. We need to review the nearby surveillance.” In this moment, Mark stood as the pillar of strength.

And Cecilia, she would heed his guidance.

So, both of them set off in the direction of the police station, making a call to Waylen en route to pull every string they could.

Upon his departure, Mark ran into Peter.

Learning of Edwin's disappearance, Peter didn't hesitate to tag along.

Angela's Library Once in the car, Mark phoned Cecilia.

“Remember the last time Edwin bolted? He headed to that apartment. Check there first. We'll touch base soon.” Cecilia agreed, her voice steady yet fraught with concern.

car pulled away from the hospital at a cautious pace, the urgency palpable

the hospital entrance,

slung over his shoulders, he scampered toward the in-patient department.

searched intently, floor after

he found who he

a sight

Cathy's features, her skin rivaling

encased in plaster, leaned against the bed’s headboard, lost in

Her sketchbook

wedding dress, the epitome of elegance, took shape under her crayon,

heart

loomed large in Laura's memories. But

marriage

never even got to wear her wedding

becoming a designer. She harbored the hope of presenting Cecilia with

wouldn't hold a

from the doorway, his gaze also fell upon

woman for Cathy as

did something he'd never done

collection of

it was nothing

pristine bed,

the little boy

His skin was perfect.

hair, a

Echoes of

Laura pieced together who he was. With a complexion as white as a

and resentment in his tone, demanded, “Why are you always around?” Laura's face lost what

about, bewildered... Where had Mark and Peter gone? Lina, doing her best to soothe

“Why’s Edwin here?

This revelation was

call, Peter turned to

the hospital. How'd he wind up there?” Mark figured

back, ringing Cecilia to relay

Relief washed over Mark.

he made a

Lina busied herself tidying the floor, while Laura sat on the bed,

a mix

measured steps, and planted himself before the

gaze to

with emotion, Mark asked, “Why'd you lash out like

expect me to say

was in the wrong, but wasn't Mark the real cause? For a beat,

guide Edwin right, but guilt shackled his

at home. Take Edwin back first. He

chose to

sitting there, a portrait of

over

tones, he offered, “I'll get you a

Laura stayed

up, concealing a scrap of

sketch of

how stunning Cecilia looked in red on what should have

unwittingly thrown a wrench in

Edwin

silent, Edwin brooding

Mark manned the wheel.

then, he was

light flipped to red, he stopped the car and tried to bridge the

can't treat girls that way. Think about her situation. She got shoved down the

to act like this?" Edwin

loss with Edwin, yet he held

the villa and halted did Edwin murmur, “You never raised

gaping door,

out, the car door slamming behind

the hall,

upright on the stairs, his small frame rigid, exuding

to

muttering, “Go over there.” Mark's laughter was tinged with

Ah!

both

could get a word out, Edwin beat

“I messed up.

lumps. But I'm not sorry.”

Damn.

would've spanked Edwin without a second

But confidence eluded him

then, Zoey shuffled over, quaking. Spotting her cherished grandson on his knees, her worry surged, and

memory crossed Edwin's

eyes, brimming with tears as he shredded

the verge of

was crying. So him kneeling

to budge Edwin, whirled on Mark, her

worse, many times over, right? Cecilia and the kids have weathered so much due to your past escapades. You fret over someone else's child; what about your own? Or are Edwin and Olivia not worthy of being your kids? Fine, I'll take them away now. We'll steer clear of you. But let's get one thing straight, Mark. You're no big shot now. Clinging to past glories, expecting others to prop you up? Nonsense! I'd be

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