Chapter 2090


    "Go freshen up; I''ve made breakfast."


    Cicely looked back at her sleeping child, then covered her face with her hands. After a moment of


    silence, she opened her mouth and asked, "What time is it?"


    "6:10."


    Cicely paused, then suddenly looked up. "So..."


    Seth nodded subtly. "In just under three hours, Hugo will have his surgery. You''re exhausted. You''ve


    been up all night, and you skipped dinner."


    Cicely seemed dazed, shes of her recent dream pricking at her consciousness, and she abruptly


    closed her eyes. A warm, broad palm rested on her head, and as she lowered her gaze, she saw a


    pair of expensive leather shoes stop in front of her, the trousers sharply creased.d2


    "It''s going to be okay."


    Tears began to well uncontrobly in Cicely''s eyes. She didn''t want this, and she never wanted to


    rely on anyone, least of all Seth. She thought she could handle the responsibility alone, hiding


    away, but when trouble struck, she realized she was helpless.


    Hugo hadn''t even been taken to the operating room, and she was already falling apart. What would


    she be doing now if Seth hadn''te along?


    She couldn''t deny that Seth''s presence was her rock.


    Seth saw her condition, his hand tightening slightly around her, and he gently pulled Cicely into his


    embrace. "It''s okay."


    *


    When Hugo woke up, he reached out across the bed, but couldn''t find Cicely. Hugo looked


    confused, as if trying to remember if the past few days had been a dream. After a while, he reached


    out again to emptiness.


    He couldn''t help but pout and climb up on his own. Staring ahead with helpless and confused eyes,


    he choked down a few sobs and then suppressed the tears in his eyes.


    From his time in the orphanage, he had learned to suppress his tears after too many


    disappointments. Crying would trouble the caretakers, and most importantly, it wouldn''t bring his


    mother back.


    But he believed that one day she woulde for him. He just had to patiently wait. His mother


    wouldn''t like a whiny, naughty child.


    After breakfast, Cicely, worried about Hugo, softly pushed open the door, only to find Hugo already


    sitting up, his lost and confused eyes suddenly fixing on her direction.


    "Mommy?" His voice uncertain, his face tense.


    "Hugo!"


    Hearing Cicely''s voice, Hugo''s lips tightened, and tears threatened to spill from his eyes.


    Cicely hurried over and held Hugo in her arms. "I''m here."


    Hugo clung to Cicely''s neck as if afraid of being left behind.


    Seth stood at the doorway. It had been so long since he’d seen Cicely show such affection. The


    proud and radiant girl was also nervous, tender, perplexed, and fearful.


    She changed from a girl to a woman to a mother. He had shaped all of this, and yet he was the


    least entitled to it.


    *


    At nine o''clock, it was time for Hugo''s surgery. Cicely was ice-cold, holding Hugo tightly, refusing to


    let go.


    "Cicely, you need to put Hugo down."


    Cicely looked troubled.


    "Mommy." Hugo, sensing Cicely''s distress, cupped her face and pressed his forehead to hers. "I


    know mommy must be the most beautiful mommy in the world, and I really want to see what


    mommy looks like."


    Cicely''s tears finally fell. "Hugo..."


    How could she not hear that her child wasforting her? She felt so useless, letting Hugofort


    her instead.


    Hugo pursed his lips, tears swirling in his eyes again. "I''m not scared. Mommy shouldn''t be scared


    either."


    Cicely nodded fervently, holding back the overwhelming sorrow and fear, kissing Hugo''s cheeks.


    "Okay, mommy''s not scared. Mommy will be right here waiting for you."


    "Yeah!"


    Seth took Hugo from her arms andid him on the gurney.


    Seth’s hand rested on Hugo''s forehead, easily seeing the tension and fear in his eyes. Then Seth


    gently ruffled Hugo''s hair. "I''ll take care of mommy for you, you just sleep, and when you wake up,


    I''ll be right here with mommy."


    Seth''s deep voice seemed to carry a magic, calming Hugo''s deep-seated fear. Hugo noticed the


    hesitation in Seth’s voice but obediently nodded.


    Seth forced a smile and stood up straight.


    The doctors hurriedly wheeled Hugo into the operating room. Cicely, on impulse, wanted to follow,


    but Seth pulled her into his embrace.


    "Hugo''s going to be okay, right? Seth, tell me that our son is going to make it." Cicely clung to Seth''s


    arm, enveloped in anxiety and fear, oblivious to Seth''s momentarily rigid body.


    He looked down at her, returned to his senses, and nodded, reassuring her once again. "Yes, he''s


    going to make it. The best ophthalmologists in the world are in there. They won''t let us down."


    Even though his own heart was filled with worry and anxiety, and he felt every bit of Cicely''s


    emotions, he couldn''t show weakness in front of her.


    Watching the helpless woman in his arms gradually calm down, he led her to a nearby chair to sit.


    Cicely''s hands were sped tightly, resting against her chest, her eyes fixed on the operating room


    door, her heart tormented.


    After what seemed an eternity, the operating room door opened. The surgeon emerged, removing


    his mask to reveal a face covered in a fine sheen of sweat.


    At the sight of the doctor, Cicely should have rushed forward, but she froze in her chair, unable to


    move.


    Seth, unable to rise immediately with her in his arms, looked up at the doctor. "How is he?"


    The doctor closed his eyes and exhaled, "It was a sess."


    Seth clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, the weight that had been on his heart finally dropping.


    He turned to Cicely, whose tears had already silently turned her into a weeping figure. "It''s over,


    Hugo will soon see the world."


    Cicely''s tense eyes suddenly blinked, and she nodded. "He''s going to see, he''s going to see..."


    Relief washed over her, and the next moment, she fainted into Seth''s arms.


    "Cicely!"


    *


    One monthter.


    Cicely was lost in slumber when a soft, warm kissnded on the tip of her nose, stirring her from


    dreams. The breath that grazed her skin was cooler than one might expect. Her brow furrowed


    slightly as her eyelids fluttered open to the blurry outline of a familiar, youthful face that gradually


    sharpened into focus. The boy sitting beside her bed had features of delicate beauty, his dark eyes


    sparkling like stars twinkling in the night sky as they gazed upon her.


    Frozen in ce, Cicely''s gaze was locked onto those eyes, unwavering for what felt like an eternity.


    Eventually, the child beside her stirred, crawling closer and reaching out to gently touch Cicely''s


    face. "I always knew Mommy must be the most beautiful mommy in the world," the boy dered


    with a certainty that belied his tender years.


    Trembling, Cicely lifted her hand to grasp Hugo''s, whispering, "You can see now, can you?"


    Hugo''s smile widened, his small hand now tracing the bridge of her nose. "Mommy''s nose, so


    pretty," he said, then moved to her eyebrows. "Mommy''s eyebrows, so pretty."


    His fingers continued their journey to her eyelids. "Mommy''s eyes, so pretty."


    And finally, they rested on Cicely''s lips. "Mommy''s mouth, so pretty."


    Finishing his tour, Hugo looked up with a burst of joy. "Just like me."


    Cicely raised her hands, cupping Hugo''s face tenderly, her fingertips quivering as they brushed the


    corners of his eyes. "Hugo." she breathed out.


    Hugo nodded, nuzzling into the palm of her hand. "I can see Mommy now."


    Cicely sat up and gathered Hugo into her arms, examining his face with an intensity born of love


    and relief.


    Seth stood at the bedside, his expression softening at the sight before him.


    Hugo had been free of bandages for two days now, but the world was still adjusting to his newly


    regained vision. He had woken up early that morning, eyes wide open, taking in the crisp details of


    his surroundings—the ceiling, the curtained windows, the vibrant sunflowers on the coffee table,


    and the tall, handsome man standing in the doorway.


    Ignoring the intensity in the man''s gaze, Hugo turned his attention to the beautiful woman sleeping


    beside him, her scent as familiar andforting as ever.


    ...


    After a few more days of observation in the hospital, they were cleared to return home. Cicely''s


    complexion had been pale since boarding the ne.


    Hugo, filled with wonder for this new world, had his face pressed against the window, marveling at


    the cotton candy clouds. When he grew tired, he fell asleep in Cicely''s arms, and Seth gently


    covered him with a nket. His movements were soft and caring.


    Cicely watched as he tucked the sleeping child in, his long fingers pressing the nket beneath


    Hugo''s chin, his touch lingering on the boy''s soft skin.


    Cicely bit her lip and turned her gaze out the window, breaking the silence with a soft confession. "I


    haven''t figured out how to live with you."


    Seth withdrew his hand and looked at her for a moment before looking down silently.


    The ne touched down in P City.


    Hugo, having slept through most of the flight, was still in Seth''s arms as they disembarked and got


    into the waiting car. Cicely followed closely, expecting to return to Emerald Valley Estates. Instead,


    the car stopped in front of Cicely''s Mansion, a gift from Creighton for hering of age.


    Three years had passed, yet it still resembled a princess'' castle. Hugo''s eyes widened in surprise


    as he looked at the mansion.


    "You and Hugo need an absolute quality living environment, and this ce was meant to be yours,


    so don''t worry about anything else. The people in charge of looking after you inside are the original


    servants from the Ellis family."Seth said.


    Cicely''s eyes quivered softly.


    "Mommy, is this our house?" he asked in awe.


    "Yes, Hugo. Would you like to live here with Mommy?" Cicely replied with a gentle nod.


    "Wherever Mommy is, that''s where I want to be," he said, his eyes shining with the same brightness


    as the stars above.


    Ever since Hugo could see things with his eyes, he seemed to be a little more cheerful than before,


    which brought somefort to Cicely.


    "Mom, the house next to ours is so big, much bigger than our house," Hugo eximed.


    Cicely followed Hugo''s pointing finger and her eyes narrowed for a moment before quickly retracting


    her gaze. "Yeah," she murmured, unsure of what to say. After a brief pause, she spoke in a low


    voice, "We are going inside."


    "Okay," Seth responded several secondster. Cicely kept her gaze straight ahead, holding Hugo in


    her arms as they walked forward.


    Hugo turned in her arms and leaned on her shoulder, his eyes mirroring Seth''s. They stared straight


    at him. The tranquility in them was like the descending darkness, with only a few sparkling stars left.


    As Cicely''s figure gradually moved away, Hugo also turned away and stopped looking at him.


    It was only when the two figures entered the mansion''s door that Seth withdrew his gaze. He leaned


    back against the car, quietly observing the brightly lit estate in front of him. He reached for his


    pockets and realized he didn''t have a cigarette— he was out of smokes.


    As they entered the mansion, the staff, who had been with the Ellis family, greeted them with teary


    eyes and warm embraces.


    Cicely managed a small smile. "Thank you. It''s good to be home."


    Hugo''s eyes danced from face to face, but nonepared to his mother''s beauty.


    "Let''s get you washed up, dinner will be ready soon," one of the staff suggested, and Cicely couldn''t


    help but think that Seth had nned this all along.


    Cicely closed her eyes for a moment, then proceeded with her routine. She gave Hugo a quick


    wash, helped him into clean pajamas, and carried him downstairs.


    Later on, she took Hugo to the orphanage. Everyone was ted to see Hugo''s eyes had healed—


    the director, the teachers, and all the other kids at the orphanage. To everyone''s surprise, Hugo


    could even urately name each one of them.


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    Then, they went to visit Damon and Chloe. As soon as Chloe heard the news of Hugo''s sessful


    surgery, she was overjoyed. Now, seeing his beautiful eyes focusing clearly, pure and clean as if


    sprinkled with stardust, she was both stunned and ecstatic.


    "Ms. Chloe, you''re as beautiful as my mom."


    Chloe smiled happily, receiving apliment from a child that equated her beauty with that of his


    mom was the highest praise she could imagine.


    But Damon wasn''t too pleased to hear that, his dark eyesmanding respect without anger,


    "She''s even more beautiful than your mom."


    Cicely rolled her eyes. This man''s pettiness was truly eye-opening. He had topete with a child


    forpliments.


    Chloe gave an awkward smile, patting Hugo''s slightly upset head. "Here, I have prepared a gift for


    you, Hugo."


    It was a set of art supplies with over a hundred different colors of pencils and other drawing tools.


    Chloe knew that Hugo enjoyed ying instruments, but she had also noticed his secret passion for


    drawing. His previous inability to see had made his drawings a source of both regret and sympathy.


    But now things were different. He could clearly transfer anything he saw onto paper.


    Hugo was indeed over the moon with the gift, immediately tearing open the package and sitting at a


    small table to start drawing.


    Cicely watched from the couch as Hugo, carefree and happy, seemed to disperse the suffocating


    feelings that had been surrounding her.


    "Have you taken Hugo to see your Grandpa yet?"


    "Not yet..."


    "He must be really looking forward to seeing you and Hugo."


    Cicely pursed her lips, “I am afraid it will overwhelm him."


    Chloe looked at her calmly, "Your Grandpa''s stronger than anyone. Besides, it''s your child, his


    great-grandson—he couldn''t be happier."


    Cicely didn''t respond.


    Chloe knew what she was thinking, "If your Grandpa truly hated Seth, he wouldn''t have let him


    arrange care for him these past three years. I think, perhaps in his heart, nothing is more important


    than being alive, because it means there''s still a chance to see the people he loves in this world.


    Cicely, you owe Grandpa three years of care. Do you really want to wait for another life-and-death


    separation likest time?"


    Cicely''s fingertips trembled.


    That afternoon, she took Hugo to the hospital. Erik had been awake for over a month by then. When


    he saw Cicely, his aged eyes, bloodshot and tearful, fixed on her. "You stubborn girl."


    Cicely nodded, unable to hold back her tears. "I''m sorry, Grandpa."


    Erik reached for his walking stick by the bed and tapped her gently three times. There was hardly


    any strength in it.


    Cicely stood there, epting it.


    "Did you even think of me?"


    "Why be so foolish?"


    "How many three-year periods does a person have in life?"


    "You''ve wasted the best years of a girl''s life."


    Cicely cried even harder, "I''m sorry, Grandpa. But it was my fault Dad and Issac died."


    "Nonsense!" Erik''s voice thundered, triggering a fierce coughing fit.


    Cicely quickly went to him, patting his chest in a fluster.


    "Great-grandpa, please don''t be angry." A child''s voice cut through the tension, causing Erik to


    freeze.


    Great-grandpa?


    Erik’s gaze frantically searched the room until itnded on a small head poking out beside his bed,


    hands gripping the edge, his eyes sparkling with concern. Even though he saw just half of the face,


    Erik recognized him instantly. "Were you pregnant back then?"


    Cicely bit her lip and nodded.


    Erik reached out and patted Hugo''s head, "You''re a handsome boy."


    "What''s your name?"


    Hugo leaned in closer, making it easier for his great-grandpa to see and touch him, "I''m Hugo." His


    speech was clear.


    Erik smiled, "What did you call me just now? Say it again."


    Hugo blinked his dark eyes and said, "Great-grandpa."


    "Good boy." Erik responded heartily, his eyes crinkling with a smile.


    Seeing Cicely still standing there with guilt and shame, Erik sighed deeply and looked up at the


    ceiling, gripping her hand tightly. "It''s all fate, Cicely. No one is to me. Everyone is ced in this


    world with a role to y, a life to live, and a time to die. There are good people and bad people,


    natural deaths and idental ones. We cannot control any of it."


    He lovingly stroked Hugo''s head, looking earnestly at Cicely, "The living are always more important


    than the dead."


    Cicely was stunned.


    "Your father loved you so much, Cicely. What you need to do is find happiness. Do you think he


    would be pleased to see you punishing yourself in his memory? No one who loves you wants you to


    suffer."


    Cicely nodded, "Grandpa, I''m doing well now."


    Erik gazed at her deeply for a moment, then sighed and didn''t pursue the conversation further,


    diverting his attention to his great-grandson.


    The next day, Lana appeared in Erik''s hospital room.


    When Cicely saw her, Lana''s expression was far from weing. "So you remember you have a


    grandfather?"


    Cicely knew her aunt was upset about her self-imposed exile. "I''m sorry, Aunt Lana."


    Lana''s eyes reddened, "And the child?"


    Cicely was surprised that her aunt knew about Hugo.


    "That damn Seth kept me abroad for three years without a word about home. I only got news of you


    recently."


    Cicely felt a stir in her heart.


    Seth trapped Lana abroad for three years without letting her know even the slightest bit of news. So


    now, was he lifting the ban? Was he not stopping Cicely from leaving anymore? Had he really given


    up on Cicely?


    Cicely led Lana into the room.


    Hugo was busy drawing at Erik''s bedside. Hearing them enter, Hugo looked up.


    "Hugo, call her Great-aunt Lana."


    Hugo blinked and obediently called out to her.


    Lana sniffled as she approached, "Come here, let me give you a hug."


    Hugo hesitated for a moment, but upon seeing Cicely''s nod of approval, he opened his little arms


    wide.


    Lana lifted Hugo into her arms and examined the child''s face closely. "You must really adore him.


    Did you have this child while thinking him?" she said.


    Cicely grimaced. "Auntie, you should spend more time with Grandpa."


    "I came backst night." Which meant she had already visited.


    *


    Cicely, with Hugo in tow, made daily trips to the hospital, or she would sit and chat with Chloe.


    Having been through pregnancy herself, Cicely was an old hand at it. This was the only edge Cicely


    had over Damon, otherwise, she reckoned it would have been tough to see Chloe.


    Lana hadn''t mentioned leaving at all. Seth seemed to have vanished from Cicely’s world, not once


    appearing before her.


    Half a monthter, Charlie cornered Cicely at the hospital entrance.