Chapter 134
If only Jocelyn had known it woulde to this, she would’ve crashed at a hotel for the night, just to
keep him from getting too smug
about it all.
“So, got anything else to say?” Jocelyn was now facing him with a newfound calm, no longer afraid of
whatever chaos he might conjure
1.
Melvin shook his head.
With that smail movement, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, and he closed his eyes again,
slowly sliding down against the
wall into a crouch
Jocelyn stepped back, startled. “Hey, cut the act, will you?”
She was sure he had yed up his injuries in that scuffle with Harrison just for her sympathy. And now,
putting on this show in front of her? It was getting old.
Sitting on the floor withbored breathing, Melvin muttered, “Don’t bother with me”
Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Jocelyn’s brows knitted together. Was he ever going to be tired of this retreat-as-advance tactic?
Seeing him sitting there with a furrowed brow and a pale face, she thought his act was bing a bit
too convincing. Defeated, she opened the door, really ignoring him this time, and firmly shut it behind
her.
It wasn’t that she didn’t care. He was the one who told her not to.
Jocelyn feltpletely justified, without a shred of sympathy. She took a shower, applied a face mask,
and then settled on the couch to watch some TV
The window was open, letting in a gusty wind and the sound of heavy rain. She felt goosebumps on her
skin with every draft. Closing the window, she nced at the clock on the cab. It was half-past
eleven.
By all ounts, she should have been getting ready for bed, but there was a nagging feeling of
something left undone.
Unable to help herself, she peered through the peephole in the door. No one in sight, but there were his
shoes.
Jocelyn’s frown deepened. Was he really just lying out there?
It was cold outside, and he was drenched. Even the healthiest body wouldn’t withstand such
foolishness.
In the end, Jocelyn opened the door, ready for him to mock her concern.
Surprisingly, Melvin didn’t open his eyes to tease her.
“Hey, Melvin?” she called out, but there was no response.
Something felt off. Jocelyn crouched down to feel his forehead.
The moment she touched him, her hand snapped back.
He was burning up.
“Melvin, get up,” she said, panic creeping into her voice, afraid he might be seriously ill.
The man stirred groggily, struggling to open his eyes. “Afraid I’d die on your doorstep?”
Sometimes, Jocelyn truly detested his attitude.
“Yes, I’m afraid you’d die right here, she snapped back, itching to kick him. “Are you going to the
hospital, or should I call your sister to pick you up?”
“Isn’t your ce closer? Melvin’s eyes were heavy, his mind foggy, but one clear thought shone
through.
Jocelyn was speechless.
They were at an impasse Unsettled by the way he forced his eyes to stay on her, Jocelyn lost her
rity of thought. She dragged him into the house and dumped him on the sofa, gasping for breath.
Melvin sprawled out on the couch, kicking off his shoes and awkwardly stripping off his jacket and
sweater, eventually baring his chest. His breath wasbored and rapid. He clearly fell too warm.
Feeling ufortable, he started to unbuckle his belt to remove his pants.
Jocelyn regretted her impulsiveness. She should never have brought him inside on a whim. He had
never treated this ce as solely her
His pants discarded on the floor, he was down to just his underwear, seemingly thest bastion of his
modesty.
frown never wavered She fetched a nket from her room and tossed it over him, then went to get him
some medicine and
brought it to him with a ss of water.
“Take the medicine*
Melvin squinted at her. “It’s not poison, is it?”
“Yes,” Jocelyn retorted sharply, “Dare to take it?”
He propped himself up enough to take the medicine, his tongue identally-or perhaps not-grazing her
palm. The sensation was like an electric current surging through her body, making even her toes curl.
She wanted to scold him for his indecency, but he acted as if nothing had happened, reaching for the
cup of water she held.
“Don’t you have hands? Jocelyn was beyond exasperated.
After a sip, Melvin smacked his lips, “Maybe your hand-feeding will help my fever drop faster”
What a shameless man.
She set the water ss down on the coffee table. Take care of yourself,” she said, turning to retreat to
her room
The wolf was in the house now. Even if it was a sick wolf, it was probably hoping not to leave.
Melvin caught her hand, his grip weak She could have pulled away, but she didn’t.
Looking back at him, devoid of his usual vitality, she felt a pang of pity
Yes, she was beaten. She just couldn’t harden her heart against him.
“Stay with me,” he asked softly, his voice hoarse and low, clearly sick.
Jocelyn swallowed hard. “Ill call your sister.”
“No, please.”
Was he pleading now?
Jocelyn was at her wit’s end.
“But I have work tomorrow.
Then sleep here, or I’lle with you to your room. Melvin shamelessly capitalized on his cold to be
even more unreasonable.
Taking a deep breath, Jocelynid out her terms, “Letting you inside was the greatest kindness I could
offer. If you overstep, don’t me me for being heartless.
He held onto her hand, looking at her with puppy-dog eyes.
“You don’t have to look at me in this way. I’m seeing someone. Your behavior is putting me in an
impossible position, Jocelyn stated calmly, without raising her voice
At the mention of her being with someone else, Melvin’s grip ckened, though he didn’t let go entirely.
His hand just hung loosely on her wrist, in a limbo of letting go.
His visible disappointment, that sense of clutching at hisst hope, made Jocelyn’s heart clench
“I’m sorry for my disturbance
Melvin released her hand, slowly sitting up. He picked up his soaking wet clothes, which were unfit to
be worn, and attempted to pull them on. Jocelyn couldn’t stand it any longer and snatched the clothes
away from him.
Melvin looked at her.
“Can’t you just stop pretending?” Jocelyn was at her limit
“What am I pretending?” His voice was faint, as if he might pass out at any moment. “You said keeping
me here would wrong you, so III
1.
Melvin’s voice was faint, his face etched with a feigned resignation that Jocelyn knew all too well
Jocelyn feared she might lose her grip on her emotions as she red at him, so she reached for her
phone immediately to call
Yasmine.
They had swapped numbers over a mealst week.
Stepping back a few paces, she watched Melvin, who now seemed as helpless as a kitten, and dialed
Yasmine’s number
hankfulty. Yasmine picked up
Ms Martinez, Im sorry to bother you, but could youe pick up your brother?” Jocelyn’s tone was
polite but urgent. He’s running a high fever and if he’s not taken to the hospital soon, he could die Yes,
please bring a change of clothes for him. Alright, 10 be waiting”
After hanging up, Jocelyn couldn’t help but twitch at the sight of Melvin’s resentful expression.
“He could die?” Melvin hadtched onto the key point. “You’d just love that, wouldn’t you? So I’d stop
cramping your style with your new beau, night?”
Jocelyn had no patience for his tantrums. “d you understand.”
Suddenly, Melvin’s breathing grewbered and his gaze shifted.
For a split second, Jocelyn thought he might strike her
Instead, Melvin’s eyes rolled back, and he slumped over the couch.
His copse didn’t seem feigned.
Jocelyn was scared stiff. She rushed to his side. “Melvin, don’t scare me! Melvin?” She patted his face,
but there was no response.
And his skin was scorchingly hot to the touch