Chapter 80


    Metvin was halfway through his shower when he suddenly dragged Jocelyn in with him.


    at was quite a while before Melvin emerged, clutching a spent woman in his arms. Heid her on the


    spacious bed andzily traced her lips with a oluttonous touch.


    Don’t go home Melvin said. ‘With bruise on your lips, you can’t face your parents.”


    Jocelyn knew he’s just looking for convenience.


    Jocelyn’s voice was hoarse, I can think of an excuse to exin.”


    Melvin shot her a look. “Come on, you’re a grown-up but still living with your parents, aren’t you


    embarrassed?”


    “No matter how old we get, we’re still kids in our parents’ eyes They want to be with their children,


    Jocelyn argued back. “Ask your own parents if you don’t believe’


    Melvin fell silent


    Jocelyn realized she had hit a nerve She mentioned his taboo


    She nced up at his face, his expression was not good.


    What had happened with his parents that he was so sensitive about mentioning them?


    Jocelyn felt sorry for him. She had just blurted out thatment in the flow of conversation; she hadn’t


    meant to pry into his heart


    She hugged him gently and apologized. “Sorry


    “I need to use the bathroom, Melvin said as he gently pushed her away and got out of bed


    The door closed Jocelyn pursed her lips, her eyes darkening


    In the afternoon, Melvin dropped Jocelyn off at her apartment and didn’t go up with her


    “I won’t be back tonight” Melvin said from the car, eyeing the bruise on her lip, his Adam’s apple


    bobbing “Get some rest early”


    Jocelyn nodded


    Watching his car drive away, Jocelyn was curous about what was up with his parents that made his


    emotion change so quickly


    She never pred into his family matters if it weren’t for Preston transferring to her ss, she wouldn’t


    even know he’s Preston’s uncle


    But she really wanted to know about his family, what his parents were like, and what kind of home he


    grew up in.


    However, she clearly hadn’t reach the depths of his heart yet.


    She began to suspect his reluctance to marriage had something to do with his parents.


    It seemed now she couldn’t fathom any further.


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    In the following days, Melvin was busy and didn’te to see her.


    With the schooldays approaching, Jocelyn also became busy Meetings and preparations for the new


    term kept her spinning like a top.


    Quinta once called her, saying she was putting off IVF for now. When asked why, she only said it was


    almost school time and she didn’t have enough time


    Quinta was an elementary music teacher and the initial meetings at the beginning of a new term were


    indeed many, but it didn’t seem enough to skip IVF for this sake


    Jocelyn had her suspicions. But if Quinta wasn’t sharing, it wasn’t her ce to probe further


    Everyone was so busy, there was no time to worry about anything else


    A couple of days before school started, Melvin called Jocelyn to help pick up Preston at the airport


    When Jocelyn asked Melvin where he was, he said he was on a business trip.


    Jocelyn didn’t ask where he went or when he’d be back. If he wanted to tell her, she wouldn’t have to


    ask


    Besides, even if she did ask, he wouldn’t tell if he didn’t want to


    Jocelyn went to the airport to pick up Preston. In just two months, the boy seemed to have grown taller.


    Jocelyn, you’ve lost weight were Prestons first words, leaving Jocelyn a bit dazed


    smiled, call a slimming down


    weight Preston insisted on carrying his own belongings.


    dropping Preston off at Melvin’s, Preston pulled out a box from his bag and handed it to Jocelyn, “This


    is for you”


    is at Jacelyn didn’t take it


    “Just open it and youll see, Preston urged, lifting the box.


    Jocelyntock it. Upon opening, she saw a blood diamond bracelet inside. She wasn’t a jewelry buff, but


    she knew it was pricey.


    After a nce, she handed it back. “This is too expensive, I can’t ept it”


    “My mom sent it for you” Preston refused to take it back. “She said Uncle Melvin has been a handful for


    you”


    Jocelyn frowned. “What exactly have you told your mom?”


    Just that you two are in a rtionship, Preston said. “Didn’t you shoot that street video? I showed it to


    my mom, and she liked you so much. She said you’re a good match for Uncle Melvin, and you can


    keep him on a tight leash. So, she wanted me to pass this gift on to


    you


    Jocelyn was taken aback. The street video?”


    “Yeah. That guy with you seemed okay, but my mom thinks her brother is better for you, Preston said


    “Anyway, she’s taken you on as a


    sister-inw


    Jocelyn was speechless


    What was he talking about sister-inw?


    “I still can’t ept it, Jocelyn ced the gift on the table. Your uncle and I won’t work out


    Preston frowned. “You don’t think you can win him over?”


    “Don’t think so.” Jocelyn was very self aware


    “Then why are you still hanging out with him? That other guy isn’t bad,” Preston remarked sensibly


    Jocelyn felt a bitter moment Because I love your uncle.”


    Preston was slightly baffled. “I see. Like my dad loved my mom, but they just couldn’t be together.


    Jocelyn was surprised by his words, but she didn’t ask why


    “If youre not willing to take it, I won’t force you I’ll exin to my mom, Preston was very reasonable. “If


    there’s no future between you, why not break it off early? You shouldn’t let your best years go to the


    dogs.


    Jocelyn was at a loss for words.


    Talking about his uncle in such ways, he really resembled Melvin.


    “But what if you make him think about marnage, Preston still had hope. “After all, he does like you a


    lot.”


    Jocelyn knew Melvin liked her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been ying’ with her for so long.


    But such affection wasn’t enough for him to entangle his life with hers.


    Jocelyn didn’t reveal these to Preston. Instead, she just told him to take good care of himself, and she


    left.


    On her way back, U sent her a Facebook message with a photo of Willow and Melvin getting out of a


    car and entering a hotel together


    Seeing the photo, Jocelyn’s heart clenched painfully


    He had promised her he’d try to keep a distance from Willow. But while he was away on a business


    trip, he turned out to be with Willow.


    [That dude is the boss of the jewelry brand.)


    Jocelyn felt a twinge in her heart and didn’t know how to respond


    She just sent a “?” back


    U replied instantly. [Heard that guy’s got a girlfriend. If we snap a pic of them getting cozy, Willow’s


    rep is gonna be trashed.]


    Jocelyn couldn’t help butugh.


    Turns out she was that guy’s girlfriend. But Melvin never introduced her publicly


    even if they did get a photo, how could they prove Melvin had a girlfriend?


    didn’t reply to U, zooming in and out of the photo, curious about the real deal between Willow and


    Melvin


    y were not over, why not rekindle the old me?


    nothing between them, why was Mn always so endlessly amodating towards Willow?


    buck to see Preston,


    Preston was surprised to see her relum.


    “Can I ask you something about your uncle?” Jocelyn stood at the door without entering


    Preston was confused, nodded dumbly.


    After thinking it through, Jocelyn asked, “What’s the real deal between Willow and your uncle?”


    Preston blinked. “My mom mentioned they used to be together, but that was way back when they were


    young. Later, when my started his business, Willow went abroad.”


    uncle


    Jocelyn’s heart sank.


    So, she was his first love after all.