Chapter 145


    The weather was good, with the sun casting yful shadows through the windows, painting the room in


    a spectrum of light and colors.


    Melvin sat there, whose gaze was fixed on Jocelyn with an intensity that seemed to chill the air. His


    eyes were deep pools of lost dreams and cold resolve, as if his heart had been broken and his soul had


    gone astray.


    Jocelyn squirmed in his stare. Especially now she was only dressed in her thermal underwear and


    cocooned in a nket. It was decidedly inappropriate.


    “If you’ve got nothing else to say, would you mind leaving?” Jocelyn’s tone was polite but strained.


    For half an hour, Melvin had been a solid presence in her bedroom. She had slept so soundly that his


    imagination about the previous night went into a frenzy


    She hadn’t seen Harrison for a while, and they had reunited justst night. It should have been him by


    her side, yet she had spent the night under the same roof with another man.


    Late hours, reunion after a long absence. What they might have done behind closed doors Melvin


    didn’t need to spell it out. He knew.


    If it had been him with her, he would have made sure she wouldn’t be able to leave the house the next


    day.


    The mere thought of them together drove him mad, as if something was clogging his heart, making him


    hard to breathe.


    “Did you… enjoyst night?” Melvin asked, though it felt like stabbing himself with a knife.


    Jocelyn choked on his question.


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    Who would have the audacity to ask such a thing?


    “What do you think?” Jocelyn retorted, convinced he was out of his mind.


    No sane person would ask such a question.


    Was he just looking to upset himself?


    Melvin’s heart felt as though it was being crushed by invisible hands. His smile was a twisted mix of


    menace and destion. “How cruel of you.


    Jocelyn was stunned.


    In that moment, Melvin’s look made her feel like she was the worst of viins, as if she were the one


    who had betrayed him and let him


    down


    She didn’t know what to say.


    Exin? There was no point.


    But not exining seemed wrong somehow either.


    The stalemate continued until Melvin’s fingers curled slightly. He took a deep, shaky breath. “Even a


    dog would mourn the loss of affection. What about you?”


    Jocelyn was speechless at his words.


    Was heparing himself to a dog?


    She swallowed hard, knowing she shouldn’t say anything more.


    Silence was best when words failed.


    Seeing her silent, Melvin scoffed, “Are you so heartless?”


    Jocelyn averted her eyes and lowered her head.


    Every question he asked weighed heavily on her, making her want to exin everything. But what good


    would that do?


    His persistence was both endearing and infunating.


    “Melvin!”


    Willow’s voice from outside broke the tension.


    Jocelyn breathed a sigh of relief


    “Melvin, are you here? Willow shouted


    Jocelyn nced at Melvin. He remained seated. His eyes looked fragile.


    Melvia? Willow’s voice was clearly intentional


    ye stored of Melvin Melvin stared back at her.


    “Jocelyn?” Willow called again.


    Jocelyn drew a breath, about to respond.


    If she did, Willow would surely enter and find Melvin in her room. It would definitely stir up rumors.


    They knew the truth, but the vigers didn’t.


    Rumors could paint her as a loose woman, cozied up with her boyfriend one night, then with another


    man the next morning. What kind of example would that set?


    With that thought, Jocelyn dared not answer.


    “You’re calling Jocelyn for what? She’s sleeping, came Urs’s voice from outside.


    Jocelyn listened intently to the voices beyond the walls.


    Willow said, “I’m looking for Melvin.”


    “Why bother her rest then? You think Jocelyn and Melvin are hiding out here together? What a joke.


    You think she’s as immoral as you?” Urs’s attitude toward Willow was far from pleasant


    Jocelyn felt guilty. By all ounts, she was acting immorally.


    Of course, as long as Melvin stayed put, no one could use her of any wrongdoing.


    As sheforted herself with that thought, Melvin stood up.


    She watched him stride out, and the front door opened momentster.


    “Melvin?” Seeing Melvin, Willow’s voice carried a note of disbelief, “Were you really here?”


    Melvin didn’t respond.


    After a pause, Urs burst into Jocelyn’s room. “Holy smokes… were you really here? What the heck


    were you two up to?”


    Jocelyn swung her legs out of bed and stood up, twirling in front of Urs. “Clothes intact.”


    “No, but do you realize I just told that woman there’s no way Melvin would be in your room because if


    he were…”


    “It would be immoral,” Jocelyn finished for her, pulling on her jacket and fixing her hair. “I heard.”


    “I just don’t know what you’re up to. Did Melvin do that on purpose, leaving at that moment? Doesn’t he


    care about your reputation?” Urs was fuming “And that Willow, buzzing around like a fly. Why’s she


    butting in?”


    Jocelyn was mostly concerned about Melvin being seen leaving her room. The rest didn’t bother her


    much.


    “Because of love,” Jocelyn said, opening the door to gaze out at the lush mountains and clear blue sky.


    “I need to let myself go.”


    Jocelyn and Urs headed out to hike together.


    Watching their retreating figures, Melvin’s expression was unfathomable.


    “She’s got a boyfriend now,” Willow brought him a cup of coffee. She saw all the emotions ying


    across his face. Her own feelings were a mix of resentment and caution.


    Melvin didn’t take the coffee. Instead, he followed the path Jocelyn had taken.


    Willow hurried after him. “Where are you going?”


    Melvin ignored Willow. He was chasing Jocelyn.


    He couldn’t let go of her, not even if she had a boyfriend, not even if they were madly in love. He just


    wouldn’t let her go.


    “Hey, isn’t that them?’ Urs paused to catch her breath. As she turned around, she saw Melvin


    closing in with Willow trailing a bit behind him. ‘What a nutcase!”


    Jocelyn hadn’t expected them to follow either.


    Let’s get moving,” Jocelyn suggested, probably aware of what was on Melvin’s mind.


    The trail was tough. Jocelyn had already taken off her jacket and walked in fits and starts alongside


    Ursuja.


    Melvin had caught up.


    Willow, however, tagged far behind.


    No matter how much Willow called out, Melvin didn’t even cast a look back.


    What do you want to do, man? Urs stopped Melvin


    Mess’s yes were locked on Jocelyn. His gaze was so forceful that even a nce made Urs feel a


    chill


    “Sorry, do you mind leaving first? Melvin was polite, at least.


    Urs swallowed nervously, looking at Jocelyn for a cue.


    Jocelyn nced at Willow, who was still struggling up the slope. She realized things were more


    complicated than she’d anticipated.


    Melvin said, “I won’t do anything to her.”


    Urs frowned, and finally decided to save some space for them to talk.


    “Don’t mess with her. Urs wamed Melvin before she left.


    He just grunted in acknowledgment.


    Urs made her way down quickly and stopped Willow from following up.


    Willow was clearly reluctant to be hustled down by Urs, frequently looking back in protest.


    “What’s your n?” Melvin asked Jocelyn.


    By then, Jocelyn had lost interest in climbing further.


    “I’m heading back too,” she said coolly


    Melvin grabbed her hand in a sh, pinning her against the rough bark of a tree. His breathing was


    heavy and erratic. He was struggling to contain himself. His eyes were filled with a turbulent mix of


    emotions.