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.

hospital at a cautious

the hospital entrance,

slung over his shoulders, he

intently,

he found who he

a sight

of Cathy's features, her skin rivaling Olivia's porcelain

in plaster, leaned against the

1954 Her sketchbook

took shape under her crayon,

guided by a heart full of dreams, moved

the woman in Laura's drawings was Cathy since Cathy loomed large in Laura's memories. But Laura never

Laura understood Mark's marriage never happened because

even got to wear

crafting stunning wedding dresses in her sketches, Laura dreamed of becoming a designer. She harbored the

Cecilia wouldn't hold

his gaze also fell upon the

woman for

never done

of Laura's artistic endeavors, spanning

it was nothing

landing on the pristine bed, amidst

at the little

His skin was perfect.

a rich

features? Echoes of

he was. With a complexion as white as a sheet, she

his tone, demanded, “Why are you always around?”

children and looked about, bewildered... Where had Mark and Peter gone? Lina, doing her

down, querying, “Why’s Edwin here? The kids

1955 This revelation was

call, Peter turned to Mark, his words

at the hospital. How'd he wind up there?” Mark figured Edwin must have overheard his phone

back, ringing Cecilia

Relief washed over Mark.

made a beeline for

tidying the floor, while Laura sat on the bed, lost in

was a mix of remorse and

approached Edwin with measured steps, and planted himself before

lifted his gaze to

with emotion, Mark asked, “Why'd you lash out like that?" Edwin's

to say sorry to her?” Mark

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

guide Edwin right, but

murmured, “Sort it out at home. Take Edwin back first. He probably hasn't eaten. He's just a kid... Go easy on him." Frustration simmering, Mark whisked Edwin

to

a portrait of

over her

you a new

1956 Laura

a scrap

was a sketch of a red

red

unwittingly thrown

and Edwin headed

ride was silent, Edwin brooding in

Mark manned the wheel.

was

stopped the car and tried to

that way. Think about her situation. She got shoved down the stairs and

I raise you to act like this?" Edwin stayed silent.

loss with Edwin, yet he held back from sharp

into the villa and halted did Edwin murmur, “You never raised me or taught me anything.” With those words, he unlatched the door

the gaping

out, the car door slamming behind him, bracing

entering the hall,

kneeling upright on the

pestering to play with

muttering, “Go over there.”

Ah!

So Edwin was both

a word out, Edwin beat him

“I messed up.

But I'm not sorry.”

Damn.

unbridled, would've spanked Edwin without a

confidence eluded him

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

memory

tears as he shredded

on the verge of

So

failing to budge Edwin, whirled on Mark, her words a heated

should've faced 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

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