Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 780 The Visitors (Part Two)

A hint of relief flitted through Spark's amber eyes. He nodded slightly and said, "If you're so determined, what's there for you to fear? Molly, just hang on in there. Regardless whether you go off course, or you replace yourself in the shortest path, remember that you're not alone. You'll always have your backup." "Spark..." whispered Molly. Despite feeling like she had so many things to tell him, there was none that she could utter when she opened her mouth. There was so much that Molly owed this wonderful man. Nevertheless, she had no other choice. Just like everyone who had to choose a route, she had chosen hers, and now the best thing she could do was not to hurt anyone else along the way because of her hesitation.

*

In the dining hall of the hospital, Brian watched the boy eat his meal, a cup of untouched coffee in front of him. The older the boy got, the more the resemblance between father and son became too prominent to ignore.

"Papa Brian, why did you pretend to lose your memories?" Mark asked nonchalantly as if he was talking about the weather, and played with his food.

"A relationship with an unequal beginning will never be as peaceful as an equal one," answered Brian matter-of-factly.

Upon hearing him, Mark put his chopsticks down, and looked at his father. The meaning behind Brian's words was lost on him.

"What about you?" retorted Brian, before he could ask for an elaboration. "Why did you pretend to forget me?"

Turning his head to the side, Mark curled his lips. "Uncle Victor said the strongest power to nail down a lie, is with another lie,"

As he leaned back in his seat, a faint smile appeared on Brian's thin lips. "Don't communicate with Victor unless it's necessary," he said.

"Yikes," Mark's eyes glistened with amusement. "You share the same sentiments as Mommy. You see, she didn't like it when I spent time with Uncle Victor either. Mommy thinks his teachings are misguided."

Brian hid a smile, and cleared his throat. In an indifferent tone, he said, "No matter what becomes of my relationship with your mother, I hope you realize that at the end of the day, she and I love you very much. It just so happens that we're in different places now." "I do know that," Mark said, nodding in understanding. "Papa Brian, if you love Mommy so much, why did you make such a decision?" During the incident at the art class, Mark had seen how stressed Brian had been, and at the same time, controlled the situation in an instant as though he were Superman. When it had reached the critical moment, he had gone into overdrive and shot the leading kidnapper to death. Had it not been for his Papa Brian's quick decision-making, the dagger would have gone deeper into his Mommy's back. "In order to live in this world," said Brian, sounding more like a father than his usual cold tone, "there are going to be instances when you feel helpless, regardless of how strong you become. Mark, sometimes you'll feel happier when everything is less complicated." Although his words still had not sunk in completely, Mark was able to comprehend bits of it. Nevertheless, the words of wisdom his father passed on to him were forever imprinted in his mind, and later on influenced his life in the future.

When Brian's lie was exposed, he thought there would be dire repercussions. Fortunately, though, nothing happened. That night, Brian did not visit the ward. But he did not leave either. As much as he wanted to appear detached, he could not maintain the facade completely. One after another, the lies which came out of his mouth disguised his true intentions.

When Spark exited from Molly's ward, there was a smile that crept up on his face despite the mixed feelings battling it out in the pit of his stomach. When Spark exited from Molly's ward, there was a smile that crept up on his face despite the mixed feelings battling it out in the pit of his stomach.

After leaving the hospital, Spark did not head directly to the parking lot. Instead, he lingered on the stairs outside the hospital building. Taking out his left hand from his pocket, Spark looked at the scar that was now slightly faded.

In the past two years, it had healed well, and though much of the way his hand looked had remained the same, some have definitely changed.

Despite the tendon in his left hand being connected through rigorous surgery, he could no longer exert too much pressure with it. It marked the end of his career as a violinist in this lifetime. The incident was a turning point in his life. When he had lost the only means to express his soul's desires, he was given the chance to look at the broader world. That was how he found out that there were so many other things worth pursuing in his life.

Putting his hand down back to his side, he raised his head to look up at the dark sky sprinkled with flickering stars.

With a sigh of relief, Spark wore a strange expression and walked down the stairs. While heading to the parking lot, he brought out his cellphone from his pocket and dialed a number. 'Mol, as long as you stick to your path, we'll march right behind you,' he thought. 'Even if the others give up, I will always have your back.'

It was cloudy in A City the next day, giving off a gloomy vibe. The sun was hidden behind thick clouds, allowing little to no light to pass through.

It seemed like a day where people were better off staying indoors. But for some people, there were places where they simply had to go.

Early in the morning, a military land cruiser arrived at the private hospital of Dragon Empire Group. Getting off the cruiser, Edgar's feet hit the ground. He wore an informal winter uniform at the moment, and as he stood and looked around, he put on his cap briskly. He sniffed a bit out of habit, and then strode into the hospital.

"Excuse me, which ward is Molly Xia in?" asked Edgar, upon reaching the guide desk.

With a smile on her lips, the nurse answered with a routine spiel, "Sorry, sir. The floor which Miss Xia is on is currently not open for visitors."

Frowning slightly, Edgar said, "In that case, I want to see Mr. Brian Long,"

About to refuse his request again, she caught a glimpse of Brian entering the hospital. When Edgar noticed the nurse's expression change, he turned around just in time to face the man that he was asking to meet.

"Mr. Brian Long!" Edgar exclaimed, greeting him.

"So glad you're here." "Are you here to see Molly?" asked Brian. Without waiting for Edgar's response, Brian eyed the nurse meaningfully. As soon as the nurse caught on, she turned to Edgar and guided him in the right direction.

With his mouth shut tightly, he followed the nurse. As he was about to leave A City in a couple of hours to take Culpeo back to his army, he thought of dropping by to see Molly. Although unsure whether he would get to see her, he felt there was no harm in trying. There was something important that she needed to hear from him.

As soon as Edgar entered the elevator, Brian turned around and left the hospital once again. He had predicted the possibility of Edgar coming to visit. He just did not know when. What had happened a long, long time ago had always been a thorn in Molly's heart. It was time, he thought, that Molly knew everything that had really happened. Whether or not she would be relieved in the end, it was up to her.

The weather did not pick up as the day progressed. By the time Edgar got out of the hospital, the sun was nearly out of sight behind the thick clouds. 00000☐☐☐☐☐☐