Chapter 113


    Jocelyn had convinced herself that Melvin had finallye to his senses.


    So wheri Yasmine came here looking for Melvin, Jocelyn was quite at ease, thinking that even if they


    could never be lovers, they could still remain friends.


    Yasmine had expected Melvin to look all lost and forlorn, but as they were leaving, Melvin paused,


    turned back, and shed Jocelyn a wicked smile. “Your words are sweet, Jocelyn. They make sense


    But…” He Jabbed at his chest, “Unless you rip my heart out of me, I’m not letting you y house with


    that other guy. So, forget about getting over me.”


    Jocelyn’s newly found peace crumbled instantly.


    Melvin’s smile vanished as he headed out


    Yasmine was shaken by Melvin’s words and his expression. She quickly turned to Jocelyn who was


    stunned and said, “Get some rest, and don’t mind his nonsense,” before helping her shut the door


    Inside the elevator, Yasmine was about to curse Melvin for being a jerk when she saw a tear slide down


    from the corner of his eye.


    She frowned, remembering thest time he had called her, choked with emotion, but this was the first


    time she had seen him cry.


    The harsh words she had intended to say never came out. Instead, she took a deep breath and patted


    her shoulder “Need a shoulder to cry on?”


    Melvin lifted his head proudly, too stubborn to show weakness.


    Yasmine chuckled, “Why do you even bother? You had her and didn’t cherish those moments. Now that


    she’s made up her mind to leave you, you suddenly realize what you’ve lost, huh?”


    “No,” Melvin denied, his voice firm, though his heart said otherwise


    Yasmine watched the elevator numbers change, her expression growing serious


    “Men are too confident sometimes,” she mused. “Always thinking women will never walk away. But


    when a woman decides to cut ties, she really can leave everything behind.”


    Melvin turned away, his eyes cold. He looked at his hand, where a fading bite mark was a bitter


    reminder of what he had lost.


    She was really gone.


    Jocelyn spent a month on edge, waiting for Melvin’s retaliation that never came. Her days started to


    look normal again.


    But every time she saw Preston in ss, her thoughts would uncontrobly drift to Melvin.


    Her rtionship with Harrison was progressing smoothly. He’d call or video chat daily, wish her


    goodnight, ask what she had for dinner, and remind her to wear extrayers when it was cold. Harrison


    was a caring and tender man, and being with him felt effortless and


    warm.


    Yet, Jocelyn felt crowded inside


    In the silent hours of the night, her mind would spin out of control. Memories clung to her, pulling at the


    threads of herposure


    She had changed her bedding and even her bed, but some images weren’t tied to objects-they were


    ingrained in her mind.


    Without clearing her thoughts, no change made a difference.


    The school had begun renovations, but Melvin hadn’t shown up.


    The inte was buzzing with news about Willow, but none of it rted to her first love.


    All the previous online information about Willow’s first love had vanished, along with the likes on the


    engagement news and the advertisement suggesting a romance between Willow and the jewelry brand


    owner


    It was as if the whole affair between Willow and the jeweler had been a dream that had disappeared


    upon waking.


    Comered at the airport by the media, Willow was asked about her love life, which was really just prying


    into her rtionship with the jeweler.


    Her eyes sparkled as she smiled brightly at the camera. “I’ll share any good news with everyone as


    soon as it happens.”


    “Why haven’t we seen any photos of you two together?”


    “He’s not fond of public appearances.”


    “Does he diske your profession?”


    “Mothespects my career If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have had me represent his brand”


    Are your fring together?”


    Wow defected with a joke, “Are you all hoping to snap some pics?”


    The media twisted her words, and headlines quickly imed that Willow was living together with her


    first love, the jeweler.


    Jocelyn felt ufortable reading the trending topics on Twitter, but she could digest the news.


    That aftemoon, as Jocelyn left school to have dinner with her parents, Preston caught up with her.


    *Jocelyn!”


    She turned to face the boy who bore a resemnce to Melvin and calmly asked, “What’s up?”


    “My uncle’s arranging for me to transfer schools.”


    Jocelyn paused, then said with a smile, “You’ve got one term left before finals. A change now might be


    tough, but if you y your cards right, you’ll ace them no matter what school you’re at.”


    Preston watched her closely, noting the subtle shifts in her expression “Is it because of my uncle that


    you don’t want to keep me around?”


    The question made Jocelyn’s chest ache. She forced a smile. “Once a decision’s made, sticking


    around only adds to your troubles. It’s up to you. If you don’t want to transfer, just talk to your parents.


    But parents usually aim for what’s best for their kids, so give it some thought.”


    “I understand,” Preston sighed. “You really don’t want to keep me around because of my uncle.”


    Jocelyn had to admit there was a sliver of truth in that, and wasn’t that what Melvin thought too?


    “You’re smart, Preston. You’ll do well anywhere,” she encouraged with a smile. “Good luck.”


    “Can Ie over for dinner at your parents’ ce onest time?” he asked. “If I really transfer, I might


    not get another chance.”


    Jocelyn saw the hope in his eyes and couldn’t bring herself to refuse.


    The thing between her and Melvin still cast a shadow over Preston.


    “Let’s go, Jocelyn finally relented


    Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Preston was over the moon and hurried to keep pace with Jocelyn.


    Having given her parents a heads-up, when she got home, Calvin and Daisy greeted Preston with open


    arms.


    Preston was a charming and well-mannered kid who had a knack for winning over the older folks. He’s


    completely different from when he first transferred to the school


    *Jocelyn, that’s a gift from Mr. Martinez, Calvin said, pointing to a box of durians on the table. “He said


    it was a gift to him, but no one at his ce would eat it, so he gave it to me. Knowing you like durians, I


    brought it home.”


    Jocelyn saw the well-packaged box of durians. She’d caught a faint whiff of the fruit when she walked


    in but hadn’t expected a whole box, and certainly not from Melvin to her father.


    Her period was due in a couple of days, and here was Melvin giving her dad a whole box of durians


    Jocelyn didn’t dare to overthink it, choosing to believe that Melvin was just being generous.


    Preston caught Jocelyn’s eye, and she quickly shifted her gaze. “It’s too much. Why don’t you share


    some with the neighbors?”


    “That’s pricey stuff,” Daisy interjected as she brought dishes to the table. “When your dad asked me to


    help him carry it, the Lucas family saw it and mentioned that these can cost a few hundred bucks each.


    Later, let Preston take a couple home, and you take the rest back with you. We’ll keep one here. Your


    dad isn’t fond of dunians, but I’ll have a bit”


    Preston couldn’t tell whether Melvin had done it on purpose or not


    Of course, he wouldn’t take any. After dinner, Jocelyn walked Preston downstairs.


    “Jocelyn, actually my uncle…”


    “Whatever it is, it’s none of my business,” Jocelyn cut him off, not wanting to hear about Melvin. She


    had made things official with Harrison; she couldn’t be indecisive like Melvin


    Preston bit his lip, swallowing the words he was about to say