Chapter 287 Lyla Ultimately Leaves

Holding his silence, Mark took a drag while he was lost in his thoughts.

Lyla took a deep breath in before turning to him. “Mark, I know that you love me but I don’t want you to shoulder the burden because of me...”

“I believe that if my mother knew, she would agree with me.” Mark insisted.

“But what about me?” Lyla sat up. “I will feel guilty and blame myself about the fact that you can’t even go to your mother’s death anniversary because of me!” Staring at him, Lyla exclaimed.

Mark pursed his lips without muttering a word.

Lyla drew near and looked into his eyes. “As your future wife and the daughter-in-law of dear mother, not only did I fail in my duties, I dragged you into it too. Mark, do you have me in your thoughts?

“I promise you that I will be back soon and from then on, I will never leave your side.”

Lyla never noticed that Mark turned red in the eyes right there and then.

“Mark...”

Mark turned to gaze at her. “Do you know how dangerous of a person Felix is? Staying by his side would mean putting yourself at risk at every turn. What would I do, what would the darlings do if, god forbids, something happens to you?” Mark questioned.

Lyla was aware of his concern. She was.

However, there was no going back on everything. She wanted to be selfish just this once yet could not do it.

Lyla did not want to dwell in guilt and self-blame in her later days. This, to her, was suffering.

Staring at him, Lyla shook her head. Similarly, her eyes welled up and tears kept flowing down. “No, I won’t let any loss or accident happen to me because there’s too much to live for in this world. I won’t let anything happen to me.” She cuddled against Mark, shaking uncontrollably.

Mark extended his arms and hugged her.

He had no intention of telling her but it never occurred to him that she would find out.

“Promise me,” Lyla said.

What more could be said? Lyla would be struck by a guilty conscience should he say no. Was there another choice?

With nothing said, he merely hung on tight against her.

Just then, Lyla lifted her head and proactively pressed her lips against his...

Mark, on the hand, seized her by the back of her head as he indulged further in the entanglement...

…...

Mark gave his word in the end.

Two days later, Lyla departed alongside Felix.

On the day of their departure, Hansel and Gretel, together with Justin came to send them off at the hospital entrance. However, Mark was not in sight.

“Mommy, we’re not with you so you have to be careful.” Hansel stared at her and said.

Lyla grinned. “I know. You have to take care of yourselves when I’m not at home, okay?”

The pair nodded together.

Standing at a corner, Justin kept to himself because he had no words.

After an exchange with Hansel, Lyla approached Justin.

She dwelled in her thoughts for long before speaking, “I know the matter this time isn’t being handled appropriately, but I needed to do it. Please forgive me.”

There was nothing Justin could say since fault was hardly found in Lyla’s way of handling things. He uttered, “Anyway, I will settle the wedding arrangements for you. You can figure it out later.”

Lyla nodded with a smile. “Thank you.”

Justin held his tongue.

Lyla’s eyes wandered around but Mark was still nowhere to be seen.

She was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

On one hand, she did not want Mark to send her off, while on the other, she wanted otherwise.

She guessed only those helplessly in love would understand this sort of conflicting thoughts.

Meanwhile, Hansel and Gretel drew near to Felix.

“Felix...” Gretel longingly gazed at him.

Felix took a glance at them. “You guys, please be good during the absence of your mommy and I, alright?”

Gretel bobbed her head. She stared at Felix with puppy dog eyes that could tug at heartstrings. “Felix, you have to get better. You must, okay?”

Felix gave a nod. “I will.”

Gretel went up and embraced Felix, overcome with heartfelt reluctance and dejection. “Felix...”

Felix caressed her head.

Watching as it all unfolded, Hansel uttered, “Remember to give us a call no matter what.” He bellied up to him. “I will remember the happy times we had together forever.”

Hansel’s words struck a chord with Felix. With the latter loosening his grip around the children, he fixed his eyes on Hansel. “I hope that the memories are etched in our minds.”

Taken aback, Hansel remained quiet.

Shadow came over and looked towards Felix. “Boss, we have to go.”

Felix nodded his head.

Shadow moved towards Lyla. “Ms. Lowe, it’s time to go.”

Lyla turned over and took a glance at him before looking around once again. Still, there was not a glimpse of Mark. Finally, Lyla had to give up. “Let’s go.”

She fixated on Hansel and Gretel. “Keep in mind what I told you, okay?”

The twins gave a nod.

After a glance around, Lyla lowered her head and got into a car...

With Felix getting into the car, the car started and drove away.

Hansel and Gretel stood at one side. Growing up, they had never been apart like this. The twins were very reluctant to part but there was nothing they could do but helplessly watch.

“Mommy...” Gretel ran ahead for a distance but it was not as though she could keep up with the speed of a car. She could only watch as the car disappeared in sight.

Hansel walked over and turned his attention to her. “Don’t worry. Mommy will be back before you know it.”

Gretel looked into the distance, at a loss for words. She might not be as fragile since the last occurrence but in comparison, she had learned to cherish things more...