Chapter 58


    The next day, Jocelyn tagged along with Quinta to the city hospital for a check–up. There was a whole


    laundry list of things to get checked out, so there was no way they were gonna breeze through it


    quickly. All sorts of tests and reports consumed time to process.


    While Quinta was getting poked and prodded, Jocelyn stayed out in the waiting area.


    Only when you’re actually in the thick of it will you realize just how many folks are itching to have a bun


    in the oven but can’t seem to make it happen. It’s mostly women flying alone here, barely a dude in


    sight.


    Jocelyn found it kind of heartbreaking.


    Having babies is a two–person gig, but somehow it always seems to fall back on thedies


    responsibility. Can’t get pregnant? It’s on the woman. Didn’t give birth to a son? That’s on her too. Kid’s


    got a bad attitude? Guess who’s fault that is. Bad grades? You guessed it. It’s like the guys have


    nothing to do with it.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Sometimes, Jocelyn could totally get why Melvin wasn’t keen on tying the knot.


    Sure, there are happy marriages out there. It’s a fifty–fifty shot. But who knows what your own marriage


    is gonna look like?


    It wasn’t until the afternoon that Quinta got her hands on all her medical reports. One of her fallopian


    tubes was totally blocked, and the other was inmed, making it tough to get pregnant. Even if she did,


    the chances of an ectopic pregnancy were sky–high. The doctor suggested getting the tubes removed


    and going for IVF.


    Clutching the reports, Quinta sat down, trying her darnedest not to cry, but her eyes reddened anyway.


    She bit her lip, trying to fake some calm and shook her head at Jocelyn, “I’m fine.”


    Jocelyn couldn’t truly get it, but she knew this hit Quinta like a ton of bricks.


    She gave her a gentle hug, choked up, “Quinta, don’t worry. It’s just surgery, right? I’m here for you.”


    Quinta couldn’t hold back any longer and just bawled into Jocelyn’s arms.


    Jocelyn couldn’t help but tear up too, with the sound of Quinta’s muffled sobs.


    Hospitals are ground zero for tears. It’s said that hospital walls have heard more heartfelt prayers than


    any church. People whoe here are praying for the best.


    After a while, Quinta dried her tears and let go of Jocelyn, “I’ll go ssh some water on my face.”


    “Okay.”


    Jocelyn waited by the door with Quinta’s stuff.


    Suddenly, someone bumped into her, and the medical reports scattered everywhere. The person who


    bumped her seemed in a rush, muttered a quick sorry, and dashed off.


    Jocelyn was already feeling low, but what can you do in that situation? She squatted down to pick up


    the


    mess


    A pair of shiny shoes stopped in front of a report. Jocelyn reached out, picked it up, and looked up.


    The face above the shoes was not a happy one.


    Jocelyn gripped the reports tight, took a deep breath, and stood up. This was not the time for


    pleasantries. Might as well skip the hellos.


    She sidestepped, ready to find another ce to wait for Quinta.


    “Gynecology check–up?” Melvin had caught a glimpse of one of the reports but only saw the type of


    test, nothing else.


    Jocelyn stuffed everything into her bag and just gave him a smile, “Yep.”


    Melvin squinted, “What’s up?”


    “Nothing.” Jocelyn was polite.but distant, even taking a step back further.


    Melvin, picking up on her vibe, snorted coldly, eyeing Jocelyn, “I underestimated you. You’ve got quite


    the tolerance.


    Jocelyn looked at him puzzled, not getting his drift.


    “Isn’t there something you want to exin to me?” Melvin was losing his patience.


    Jocelyn frowned slightly, “Exin what?”


    “Ha. Melvin was pissed, especially seeing her innocent act. It just fueled his anger.


    No idea how she kept her cool like that.


    Suddenly, someone inside yelled, “Family of Quinta! Is Quinta’s family here?”


    Jocelyn was startled and hurried in, “I’m here!”


    “Where did you run off to? She’s fainted!” The nurse scolded Jocelyn, “Hurry and take care of her.”


    Jocelyn rushed after the nurse to find Quinta on the emergency room bed, looking as pale as a ghost.


    “Quinta!” Jocelyn panicked, touching her hand, which was cold.


    “She’s okay, just stressed out and a bit malnourished. Make sure she gets some rest at home,” the


    nurse advised.


    “Thank you.”


    Jocelyn sat by the bed, watching over Quinta. She thought she should let Quinta’s husband know,


    since he was the one ought to be here after all.


    Better to say something now thanter. With such a big surgery, her brother–inw couldn’t possibly


    stay out of


    1. it.


    After hesitating, Jocelyn dialed her brother–inw’s number.


    It rang for ages before he picked up.


    “Damian, it’s Jocelyn.


    “What’s up?” Damian sounded even–keeled.


    Jocelyn gave him the lowdown on Quinta’s situation, “I mean, if you’ve got the time, could you maybe


    take a day off to be with her?”


    There was a long silence on the other end before he responded, “I’m swamped at work, can’t really get


    away. Jocelyn, could you please keep Quintapany? Talk her through this. Tell her not to stress so


    much. If it turns out she really can’t have kids, then we’ll just… give up.


    Jocelyn understood his job situation and felt slightly reassured by his response.


    After hanging up, Jocelyn saw Quinta opening her eyes, “Quinta, still feel dizzy?”


    Quinta shook her head slightly and sat up, “I’m fine.”


    ?? ? ??? ? ??


    “Rest a bit longer, we’ll head hometer.” Jocelyn whispered, “I went ahead and called Damian about


    your situation. He said not to stress. He wanted to be here with you, but he’s tied up with urgent work.”


    Quinta managed a weak smile, her eyes still showing disappointment, “I know.”


    Suddenly, Quinta looked past Jocelyn, “Mr. Martinez.”


    Jocelyn was taken aback, remembering Melvin’s still here.


    Turning around, there he was, staring at her coldly.


    Small world, huh? Bumping into him here.


    And it seemed like he wasn’t about to let her off the hook easily.


    Funny, she wasn’t even thinking about settling scores with him, yet here he was, acting like a debt


    collector.


    Jocelyn stood up, intending to shoo him away, and said nonchntly, “I am not avable today. If you


    want to talk, let’s do it tomorrow”


    Melvin had his hands stuffed in his pockets, squinting slightly, genuinely clueless about how she could


    act so entitled. It seemed like she wasn’t the one who needed to exin herself; rather, it looked as if


    he was the one who had screwed up.


    “Jocelyn, I’m fine, really. Much better now. You need to talk with Mr. Martinez.” Quinta knew there was a


    misunderstanding between them, and if it wasn’t cleared up, it would weigh on both their hearts.


    Jocelyn nced at Quinta, frowning, “Talk with him? I don’t think it’s necessary.”


    Quinta mmed up, realizing it was a bad idea to try and mediate.


    Melvin watched Jocelyn, feeling a slow burn of anger inside. If they weren’t in a hospital, he’d definitely


    find a way to let off some steam with her.


    Seeing the situation, Quinta decided not to bother anymore.


    After resting for a bit, Jocelyn helped Quinta out of the hospital once she was sure there were no


    issues, with Melvin trailing behind them.


    Just as Jocelyn was about to hail a cab at the curb,pletely ignoring him, a ready driver, Melvin’s


    voice came from behind, icy as hell, “Do you think I’m invisible or something?”