Chapter 90


    Melvin had not eased up on Jocelyn. Their dance continued in the living room, silhouetted against the


    grand French window that framed the night sky.


    Under the moonlight, their shadows mingled, rising and falling in a dance that never seemed to end..


    Exhaustion lulled Jocelyn into sleep.


    When she awoke, sunlight was zing through the curtains.


    The familiar view brought her a sense of calm as she attempted to rise, only to feel Melvin’s arm


    snaking around her waist, pulling her back down.


    “Isn’t this enough?” Jocelyn’s voice was hardly recognizable, hushed and hoarse.


    A warm breath tickled her ear, sending shivers down her spine. “Not even close,” Melvin whispered


    against her skin


    Jocelyn stiffened, her fingers curling into fists. “Aren’t you afraid Willow will find out?”


    “It’s none of her business, Mel murmured as he kissed her shoulder “Tll do whatever as | please.”


    Jocelyn couldn’t understand why she had fallen for such a cad, always taking and never thinking of


    giving anything back.


    She fell silent, letting him have his way.


    His hands roamed her waist, brushing her belly, where she tensed.


    Suddenly, the buzzing of a phone shattered the silence.


    As the urgent ringtone continued, Jocelyn rxed slightly.


    Melvin finally let go of her and tossed aside the covers. He scrambled nude out of bed to pick up his


    cellphone from the floor. ncing


    at the caller’s name, he answered, “Yeah, I’m home… can’t talk now… check with Zephyr Bye.”


    Hanging up, he turned to find Jocelyn already wrapped in a towel, stepping out of bed.


    “Where are you going?” he asked.


    Without looking back, Jocelyn replied, “Home.”


    “Do we have to end up like this?” Mel frowned


    “Like what?” Jocelyn challenged across the bed, facing him now. “What else is left between us?”


    Her reaction made Melvin ufortable, “Don’t you have any lingering feelings for me?”


    Jocelyn didn’t know how he had the nerve to ask such question


    His question irked her, “You think I have no other desires but to love a man who doesn’t love me back?


    To waste my years in the shadows as your secret? Melvin, what makes you think I’d want to be with


    you forever?”


    Melvin clenched his jaw, his eyes swirling with anger. She could always provoke him easily.


    Jocelyn let out a sardonicugh. She put on her clothes and headed to the door.


    “Do you even want to be with me anymore?” Melvin called out, following her.


    Facing away from him, Jocelyn took a deep breath and said. “Not anymore.”


    With that, she opened the door


    “Jocelyn!” Melvin’s voice was desperate, I won’t give you another chancel”


    She didn’t look back as she waited for the elevator.


    As the doors slid open and she stepped inside, she saw Melvin’s face set in stone. As the doors began


    to close, his image disappearing from her sight.


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    Back home, Jocelyn threw herself onto her bed. The tears she had been holding back finally broke


    free….


    Jocelyn didn’t have to wait for Vance to sue her.


    On thest day of the holiday, she went back at school for the staff meeting. It seemed normal as usual


    until Principal Fletcher gave her a few extra nces.


    Afterward, he asked Jocelyn to his office


    the braced herself, suspecting it was about the incident. She’d already sent an anonymous report to the


    education department right


    leaving Melvin’s ce. But she was unsure if they’d believe her


    Prepared for the worst, Jocelyn was ready to face whatever came.


    Principal Fetcher had her sit and started inquining about the incident, revealing that the so-called


    leader had never actually spoken to tem and had used his name to approach her.


    An investigation’s underway,” he assured her. “We never tolerate such behavior. Well seek justice for


    the wrongs you’ve endured. Principal Fletcher admitted his own mishandling, regretting involving her in


    the meeting.


    Jocelyn was relieved to know the principal wasn’t at fault, “I understand you were looking out for the


    school. I’m just sorry I couldn’t be of more help.


    “Mr. Martinez has agreed to fund a new teaching building, Principal Fletcher shared some good news.


    “The contract will be signed within five weeks”


    Jocelyn was taken aback, not having expected this oue.


    Leaving the office, she gazed at the empty plot to the west


    “My uncle’s agreed to donate to the school.” Preston’s sudden appearance startled her.


    She looked at the boy who’d shot up in height. “What brings you to school today?”


    *Just got back on an early flight Didn’t have ns, so I came to check out the school. I’ve got a


    basketball game with some ssmates and saw you here,” Preston said, ncing at her face. “Do you


    know why my uncle suddenly agreed?”


    Jocelyn didn’t know or care to know


    “I think it’s mostly because of you,” Preston leaned against the railing, facing her. “Is it really over


    between you and him?”


    Jocelyn didn’t want to discuss it and turned to leave. “Go y your game. I’ve got things to do.”


    “Hey, why are you so afraid to talk about my uncle?” Preston followed. “The other night, he called my


    mom, feverish and talking nonsense. I heard him say something about a woman not wanting him


    anymore. Was it you?”


    Jocelyn’s heart skipped a beat. The other night was when she’d left his ce.


    “You’re reading too much into it.”


    “Uncle Melvin’s always been tough with words,” Preston said. “He’s starved for affection. Can’t you cut


    him some ck? You’re the first person in years to make him call my mom in tears”


    Jocelyn paused, her gaze fixing on Preston with serious intent. “You’re mistaken. His heart belongs to


    Willow.”


    “No way!” Preston’s voice rose an octave. “If he loved her that much, they’d be hitched by now.”


    “How do you know they won’t tie the knot?” Jocelyn shook her head, weary of the conversation. “Let’s


    drop it, Preston. You shouldn’t poke your nose into grown folks’ business.”


    But Preston wasn’t ready to give up. “Come on, Jocelyn. Heart on your sleeve. Do you honestly not


    have any feelings for my uncle?”


    Her grip tightened. Without a word, Jocelyn descended the porch steps, leaving her answer unspoken


    Preston didn’t follow her Watching her retreating figure, he felt a sense of regret on their behalf.


    It was like witnessing a love story unfold, where everyone could see the main characters were smitten


    with each other. Yet for some inexplicable reason, they just couldn’te together.


    Was falling in love really thatplicated?


    The next morning, the Department of Education’s official website issued a statement denouncing a


    certain leader’s misconduct and delivered a termination notice, effectively erasing their name from the


    educational system.


    Though only a few insiders knew it was Jocelyn who had written the report letter, and even fewer knew


    who had been dragged out to those unsavory meet-and-greets by the now-disgraced official


    Yet, the story spread like wildfire across schools, with many praising the courageous teacher who stood


    up to help cleanse a bit of the


    corruption.


    “Jocelyn, do you have any idea why this was resolved so quickly?” Principal Fletcher approached her,


    his eyes assessing her with newfound respect.


    Jocelyn was puzzled. “Isn’t this just the result of justice?”


    Principal Fletcher shook his head, implying there was more to it. “While it’s true that the higher-ups


    don’t tolerate such vitions of rules and ethica, the speedy resolution came about because someone


    presented very strong andpelling evidence. That’s what really


    elerated the oue”