Chapter 135


    “Melvin must be having a lousy year, Yasmine mused aloud as she nced at the man hooked up to


    an IV drip. “Otherwise, why would he keepnding himself in the hospital?”


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    Jocelyn remained silent, her thoughts unreadable.


    “Why did you let him in?” Yasmine nodded towards Melvin, who was receiving fluids, and questioned


    Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn’s eyes, filled with concem, never left the feverish man. “Couldn’t bear to turn him away.”


    A smirk tugged at Yasmine’s lips ‘Because you still have feelings for him?”


    Jocelyn never denied her affection for Melvin.


    “Maybe you should give him another chance, Yasmine suggested, vouching for Melvin. “Why put


    yourself through this misery?”


    Jocelyn met Yasmine’s gaze calmly. “And what happens after I give him that chance?”


    Yasmine paused, her gaze shifting to the man who was lying on bed. He was such a puzzle – unwilling


    tomit, yet entangling Jocelyn in his ambiguous advances. Eventually, even the deepest affection


    could be worn down to nothing


    His antics were just a crutch, leveraging Jocelyn’s lingering feelings


    Once those feelings faded, Melvin would be no more than a puff of smoke.


    “I won’t advise you anymore” Yasmine’s smile was tinged with resignation. “We’re both women. I totally


    understand you. If you don’t care for him, don’t pity him. If something like this happens again, stay


    away or call me


    Jocelyn nodded.


    Yasmine nced at the clock. “You should get some rest. It’ste.”


    “Alnght”


    Yasmine sat by the bed, sighing as she looked at Melvin’s gaunt figure. After a while, he stirred awake


    and mistook Yasmine for Jocelyn


    “You’re up?” Yasmine offered him water, noting the fleeting disappointment in his eyes. “Don’t tell me


    you’re not happy to see me?”


    “Where is she?”


    Yasmine checked the time. “Do you have any idea what hour it is?”


    Melvin’s lips were dry, his face set in a grimace.


    “You can’t keep doing this. Why disturb her? She’s happy now with a boyfriend who cherishes her.


    Bothering her like this is hical. And even if she dide back to you, what could you offer her?*


    For the first time, Yasmine spoke with earnest gravity. “I’m a woman too. I know what she wants. Three


    years is more than just time. It’s the youth and effort she’s given. If you can’t promise her a future, let


    someone else do it. What you’re doing isn’t love. It’s being a pest.”


    Melvin clenched his fist, struggling to contain his emotions.


    “Hey, your IV’s back-flowing.” Yasmine eximed upon noticing blood at the site of Melvin’s infusion,


    her voiceced with rm. “Are you sick or something?”


    His eyes reddened, a storm of emotions brewing within him.


    Seeing him like this, Yasmine’s heart softened. “I never asked you, why don’t you proposed to her if


    you really love her so much?”


    Melvin’s expression suddenly darkened with anger and fear


    Yasmine’s brow furrowed. “Is it because of our father…?”


    “Shut up!” Melvin’s outburst cut her off.


    She had struck a nerve. She never imagined that old wound had be his demon.


    “He’s been repenting every day for years. I visited him recently. He wanted me to tell you that he’s


    sorry. He’s sorry for everything.”


    I’m not the one he should apologize to!” Melvin’s anger was palpable.


    Yasmine lowered her gaze. “He owes the biggest apology to you. And to our mum”


    Tears threatened to spill from Melvins eyes as he felt trapped, as if he were about to explode.


    Not eve


    every mamane ends in tragedy, Yasmine tried to persuade him again.


    about yours? Melvin’s question was a sharp retort.


    tightened at the usation, Indeed, she hadn’t set the best example as his older sister. What night did


    she have to coursed tim


    on marriage?


    “I had an amicable divorce with Zachary Turner. We didn’t be enemies, as you know.” Yasmine


    chose her words carefully, hoping to Pit his spirits.


    A ful smile yed on Melvin’s lips. “Divorce is still divorce.”


    “So what? If it’s not working out, it’s okay to split up. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. But it’s still better


    than being too scared to offer a future like you!” Yasmine’s patience was wearing thin


    Melvin’s breath hitched. The mere mention of not being able to promise Jocelyn a future was


    suffocating


    “Let me tell you, you’re the coward. The weakest of them all. You can’t even have the courage to give


    the woman you love a future. And you dare to act all lovesick? You’re more suited to being alone


    forever Stop messing with Jocelyn’s life Her happiness has no ce with you!”


    Fuming, Yasmine stormed out, mmed the door behind her and left


    Melvin clenched his fist until it hurt, but he didn’t care.


    Jocelyn went about her usual routine. As the term’s end approached, her workload increased.


    Harrison asionally asked her out, and she’d go when she could.


    Her parents, however, were constantly urging her to bring Harrison home for dinner, even suggesting


    she bring him to meet the extended family over the holidays.


    Jocelyn felt weary. She hadn’t told her parents about her breakup with Harrison, and he hadn’t told his


    either. Both figured they’d just let. things take their natural course


    “Jocelyn, any ns for winter break? Urs inquired.


    “As usual. The holidays areing up, so I’ll be getting ready for that, Jocelyn replied before turning


    the question back on Urs “What about you, any different ns?”


    Ursid a document in front of her. “Interested?


    “Volunteer teaching? Jocelyn scanned the content. “You’re going?”


    “Mmm, I want to do something meaningful,” Urs mused. “It’s the same old routine every holiday


    season, and I’ve talked it over with my family. They re behind me on this. While we’re here enjoying the


    festivities, able to gather with family, think about those kids left behind in rural areas They can’t even


    see their parents, let alone struggle with their studies. They’re so eager to learn.”


    Jocelyn pondered the idea deeply. “Could I take a look at the n first?”


    *Sure,” Urs replied. “Check it out and see if you’re interested. If you are, we can go together.”


    “Sounds good


    At dinner that evening, Jocelyn brought up the idea of volunteer teaching with her parents.


    “Teaching over the winter break? Daisy frowned. “Everybody else is heading home for Thanksgiving,


    and here you are, nning to head out. Plus, those ces are so poor and remote, and I’m worried


    you won’t adjust well.”


    “What’s there to adjust to? I grew up in the countryside, remember?” Jocelyn had given it serious


    thought-for one, she genuinely wanted to contribute to society, and on the other hand, she had her own


    reasons.


    She saw this as an opportunity to reflect, to cleanse her spirit. It wasn’t about running away. She just


    wanted to go somece where she could let go and not reminded her of him.


    “I say let Jocelyn go, Calvin chimed in. “We might not have the means to tackle poverty, but we can do


    what’s within our power. I saw this news piece about kids in poor areas, the longing in their eyes for


    education-it’s heart-wrenching. It’s precisely because these ces are impoverished and isted that


    we should help out


    “Go for it,” he continued. “Just make sure to stay safe and take care of yourself. As for visiting rtives


    during the holidays, I’ll exin it to them. What you’re doing is a true act of kindness, and everyone will


    understand and support that.”


    You make it sound like I’m not supportive,” Daisy piped up, not to be outdone. Jocelyn, if you want to


    go, then go. If we could’ve gotten whore education thirty years ago, who knows where we’d be today?”


    With her parents’ support, Jocelyn felt even more empowered to spread her wings.