《The Unwilling CEO鈥檚 Love Game》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    Jocelyn Winslet slumped against Melvin Martinez¡¯s chest, feeling utterly zapped. She listened to his


    strong heartbeat and basked in the residual warmth he left inside her, her emotions surging. It took


    quite a while for her to simmer down. Post-romp, he was puffing on a cigarette, blowing smoke rings,


    looking like he was in seventh heaven.


    ¡°I¡¯m twenty-six this year. Jocelyn¡¯s hand rested on his chest, her voice coquettish and soft, ¡°My folks


    are on my back about getting hitched.¡±


    Ashes fluttered on the duvet


    She felt his heartbeat skip.


    Melvin casually flicked the ashes off the duvet and asked nonchntly, ¡°Got anyone in mind for that


    walk down the aisle?¡±


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    Do you dig him?


    ¡°He says he¡¯s up for giving me a home.¡±


    Melvin took a drag and then stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s nice. I¡¯ll clear out in a bit.¡± He gently pushed her away, threw off the covers, got out of bed,


    and headed to the bathroom.


    Hearing the sound of water, Jocelyn felt a pang in her heart. She threw off the covers, stepped out of


    bed barefoot, and opened the bathroom door. Inside, steam clouded the air, and his lean, toned


    physique-broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs-brought joy to her otherwise dull life.


    Melvin turned around, facing her through the mist. He turned off the water and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?


    Looking for another


    round?¡±


    It had been three years. There were many moments of honesty between Jocelyn and Melvin, but each


    time she still feit a hint of shyness.


    However, her shyness didn¡¯t mean she was afraid.


    She moved toward him, her hands caressing his chest, slowly drifting lower until he let out a muffled


    groan. She kissed the water on his chest, mist in her eyes, her lips parted slightly, ¡°You really won¡¯t


    marry me?


    Melvin looked up, eyes closed, with a look of bliss on his face, ¡°We had a deal from the start.¡±


    But can you bear to let me go? Jocelyn knew just how to touch his sensitive spots, making him almost


    desperate to give his all to her.


    Melvin swallowed hard, his throat dry, and Jocelyn bit down on his Adam¡¯s apple.


    His eyes snapped open, hisrge hands gripping her waist, lifting her. And his voice husky. Then don¡¯t


    get married.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t afford to wait.¡± Jocelyn looked up, the mist and the light above her head swirling in her vision.


    ¡°Then go get married.¡±


    His voice was gravelly and thinking of her being intimate with another man drove him into a frenzy. He


    wished he could just end her.


    That way, she¡¯d never marry anyone


    Jocelyn used all her tricks, hoping to make Melvin yearn for her, even if he lied about wanting to marry


    her, but he left decisively.


    She ran her hand over the pillow he had slept on, thinking back to three years ago.


    Three years earlier, be had been drunk on the street, and she had taken advantage of the situation,


    bring him home


    That night, fueled by alcohol, they were passionately entwined.


    When he sobered up, he said they were a good match, and if she was up for it, they could keep it


    casual until she wanted to marry. Then she¡¯d just tell him, and he¡¯d bounce.


    True to his word, he did just that


    Jocelyn and Den had their first meal alone together, and at first, there was a bit of awkwardness


    Den was polished, chatty, and easy to talk to, making her feel like she was catching up with an old


    friend.


    Suddenly, Den said, ¡°Does that guy know you? He¡¯s been staring at us.¡±


    Confused, Jocelyn turned around and locked eyes with Melvin, her heart skipping a beat.


    What a coincidence that he was here too.


    He had left so decisively before; he couldn¡¯t possibly be stalking her, right?


    That suspicion was quickly dismissed when a sultry woman sashayed over to him, and as soon as she


    sat down, Melvin¡¯s gaze never strayed back to Jocelyn.


    Just like that, he had found a new bedmate.


    He had quite the appetite. Aside from her menstrual cycle, he needs it every night.


    She felt choked up but regained herposure and shed Den a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t know him.¡±


    After dinner, Den dropped Jocelyn off.


    When she exited the restaurant, Melvin and that woman were still there. Jocelyn inadvertently saw the


    woman¡¯s foot flirtatiously entwining Melvin¡¯s leg under the table.


    Just as she entered the elevator at home, her mother, Daisy, called to check in.


    Jocelyn was aware of her parents¡¯ thoughts, at twenty-six and unmarried, she was far away and it


    didn¡¯t matter to her, but her parents had to face the neighbors¡¯ scrutiny.


    While her peers were on their second kids, she didn¡¯t even have a prospect, practically drowning in


    their gossip.


    She candidly shared her feelings about Den while stepping out of the elevator, ¡°He seems nice.


    Probably a match for


    marriage.


    Suddenly, she smelled a familiar scent of tobo. Looking up, she saw Melvin leaning against her


    door, his coat draped over his wrist, legs crossed, with a cigarette between his thin lips, his cold gaze


    enveloping her through the


    smoke.


    Why was he here?


    Shouldn¡¯t he be rolling in the sheets with his new me?


    Jocelyn hung up the call and fished for her keys, walking past him expressionlessly.


    Melvin¡¯s fingers, holding the cigarette, parted slightly, enveloping Jocelyn in smoke as she approached.


    She was used to it.


    She unlocked the door.


    Tuming back, she met Melvin¡¯s inscrutable gaze. His eyes were so seductive that they made her blush.


    She liked, no, she loved Melvin.


    She thought Melvin loved her too. Otherwise, why would he be so earnest every night?


    They had been together for three years.


    He was good to het giving her everything she wanted except mamage.


    Last year, she attended a friend¡¯s wedding and told him how romantic and happy it was.


    But he said, ¡°Only fools get married.¡±


    That moment, she felt like she was thrown into an icy pool, chilled to the bone.


    That should have been her clue. Melvin didn¡¯t love her.


    He only loved the feeling of being with her.


    That¡¯s how people are, always thinking they¡¯re the exception. That¡¯s why they keep hitting the wall.


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    This time, she turned back.


    ¡°You forgot something, Melvin?¡±


    She remembered clearing out all his things. These past few days, she had even fantasized about


    finding something of


    his.


    ¡°The ones I bought that night, there should be half a box left.¡± Melvin extinguished his cigarette, tossing


    it into a nearby


    trash bin.


    Jocelyn immediately got what he meant.


    That night, in the heat of the moment, they had run out of protection.


    Previously, they used a brand that only had six per box, which they would finish in less than two days.


    Later, he bought them by the tens.


    That night, in a rush, they bought a box downstairs and used half.


    Talk about being flush with cash, he wasing back to im what was left unused.


    Popping over here to pick something up would take so long. He could¡¯ve just bought it and been done


    with it.


    Jocelyn pulled out the stuff for him.


    Melvin pocketed it right away and exined, ¡°I didn¡¯t really want toe get it, you know, sizes vary,


    and it might not fit. Plus, if your new me catches a glimpse, he might feel a bit inferior.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s ears started burning.


    Who asked him to exin?


    ¡°Melvin, you better take it easy too, gotta practice some self-control, or you¡¯ll be running on empty,


    Jocelyn shot back.


    without mincing words.


    Melvin squinted his eyes, ¡°Even if you had three more years, you wouldn¡¯t drain me.¡±


    A wave of bitterness swept over Jocelyn¡¯s heart. If she kept this up for three more years, she¡¯d waste


    half her life.


    By that time, she¡¯d really be the talk of the town.


    ¡°Get moving Don¡¯t keep her waiting, Jocelyn said, pushing the door to close it.


    Melvin held the door, and Jocelyn looked at him.


    Melvin¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed slightly, ¡°Are you seriously thinking of tying the knot?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    The two stood off for a moment, and Melvin was the first to let go, ¡°If you get hitched, make sure to


    send me an invite.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± Jocelyn replied.


    She couldn¡¯t be enemies with someone she had loved, but she couldn¡¯t just be friends, either.


    And there was no way she¡¯d invite him to her wedding


    She was afraid she wouldn¡¯t be able to stop herself from getting cold feet.


    fetvin¡¯s lipa curved up slightly, ¡°After everything we¡¯ve been through, you won¡¯t even let me witness


    your love story

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    Melvin¡¯s nonchnt remark about their past affair made Jocelyn realize howughable herst three


    years had been.


    Indeed, it¡¯s the one who falls deeper that ends up more embarrassed.


    ¡°I fear you might whisk me away at my own wedding, Jocelyn cheekily admitted, a bit shameless


    indeed.


    As expected, Melvin chuckled.


    He grabbed the doorknob, ¡°Sweet dreams.


    He shut the door behind him, and there Jocelyn was, leaning against it, chuckling at herself


    sarcastically before the


    tears came streaming down without warning.


    Over the weekend, Daisy called Jocelyn over for a family meal.


    As soon as she got home, she heard voices.


    Den was there, having a coffee with her dad, all chummy and the vibe was great.


    Thinking back to her three years with Melvin, he never once mentioned meeting her parents.


    Clearly, he never really saw a future with her.


    She went to the kitchen to help her mom and saw a feast being prepared, which made her curious


    ¡°Your dad kept his job, and he even got promoted to head of security,¡± Daisy was beaming.


    Jocelyn asked, ¡°Wasn¡¯t he about to get the axe?¡±


    She had been asking around at work for some cushy job for him.


    Daisy was all smiles, A new boss came in at your dad¡¯spany, not only did he not fire your dad, but


    he also promoted


    him to team leader. Talk about a stroke of luck.


    ¡®Honey, whip up a few more dishes, her dad, Calvin Winslet, hurried in, ¡°The new boss just called me,


    asking which local restaurant was good. I shot my mouth off, invited him over for dinner out of


    politeness. And would you believe it, he agreed just like that.¡±


    Daisy was speechless.


    Jocelyn thought to herself, this boss sure doesn¡¯t stand on ceremony.


    Melvin arrived empty-handed, and Calvin had to greet him with all the enthusiasm he could muster


    Jocelyn never imagined that the new boss at her father¡¯spany would be him.


    When their eyes met, Melvin raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes darting to Den who was helping in


    the kitchen, giving Jocelyn an amused look that unsettled her.


    Jocelyn panicked and hurried into the kitchen.


    Coincidence?


    She wasn¡¯t buying it.


    But what was his deal, showing up all of a sudden?


    In the past, during holidays, she had asked if he wanted to join her family to make things lively


    He was so indifferent, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about getting me to meet your parents.


    ¡°Stop daydreaming, bring out the fruit, Daisy urged her, whispering. ¡°This boss of your dad, just shows


    up out of the


    blue.


    Jocelyn begrudgingly carried out the sliced watermelon.


    In the living room, Calvin¡¯s stiffness and Melvin¡¯s ease were a stark contrast.


    It was weirdly awkward in their own home.


    The dinner was served, and watching her parents being so polite and amodating to Melvin made


    Jocelyn even


    more uneasy


    Melvin suddenly turned to Den, ¡°What do you do for work, Den?¡±


    Den felt like he¡¯d seen this guy somewhere before but couldn¡¯t ce him.


    Facing the alpha male aura, Den felt a bit of pressure.


    Man to man, Den didn¡¯t want to be overshadowed by another guy in front of the woman he liked.


    ¡°I¡¯m a real estate agent.¡±


    ¡°Oh. A house seller. Melvin added. I¡¯ve got two properties downtown that have been sitting empty


    Agents keep calling, asking if I¡¯m selling Since I know someone in the business, I won¡¯t bother with


    strangers.¡±


    Jocelyn was suffocating with his high and mighty attitude.


    Den quickly said. ¡°Then send me the address, I¡¯ll check out the properties this afternoon and list


    them online for you.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    After the meal, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t wait for Melvin to leave; seeing her parents tiptoeing around him and


    doling outpliments made her stomach churn.


    But Melvin didn¡¯t leave; instead, Den got a call.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve got a client to see, gotta run. Den excused himself politely, eager to leave


    Before, Den could have chatted with Melvin, but his leaving made the atmosphere even more


    awkward


    And Melvin, oblivious to the Winslets¡¯ distaste, just sat there.


    He wouldn¡¯t leave, and nobody else could really move.


    ¡°Mom, Dad, I¡¯ve got a seminar this afternoon, I should go. You guys should take a break, Jocelyn said,


    not wanting her parents to keep up the charade with Melvin.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take off too, Melvin stood up, buttoning his suit, ¡®Jocelyn, I¡¯ll walk you out.¡±


    Jocelyn refused, ¡°No need.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble, Melvin then looked straight at Calvin. Thanks for having me today. If you need anything


    work-rted,e to me, Melvin added.


    Calvin was taken aback, quickly responding with a ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Melvin turned, shooting Jocelyn a nce.


    Jocelyn got the hint, he was leveraging her dad¡¯s job to manipte her.


    Reluctantly, she followed him out.


    in the elevator, they were less than a meter apart, yet it felt like miles between them.


    Once the closest of people, now they didn¡¯t even want to share the same air.


    In the car, Melvin smoked and steered with one hand, his demeanor nonchnt, radiating a cold and


    haughty air.


    ¡°That guy is not right for you, Melvin¡¯s voice was maic, quite pleasant to the ear.


    Jocelyn looked out the window, refusing to respond.


    Melvin nced at her sideways. So eager to marry that you don¡¯t even choose carefully?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Jocelyn was restless but still ignored him.


    He Melvin scoffed ¡®Moved on so quickly You are pretty bold¡±


    Thatment lit a fire in Jocelyn. She red at him, ¡°What do you want, anyway? What does it matter


    to you if I find someone to marry? Me moving on is certainly better than some freeloader.¡±


    The nerve of him to say that.


    Melvin mmed on the brakes, pulled over, and looked at her, ¡°Freeloader?¡±


    Jocelyn instantly regretted it. She shouldn¡¯t have lost her cool and engaged with him.


    ¡°What have I ever taken from you without giving back? What¡¯s so great about marriage? You think


    being tied down for life is so great?¡± Melvin¡¯s tone grew heavier


    He snorted. ¡°You think that guy can give you the marriage you want?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business. We¡¯re done, stop bothering me.¡±


    ¡°Pfft¡± Melvin gripped the steering wheel tight. ¡°Get out


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t hesitate, unbuckled her seat belt, got out, and mmed the door behind her.


    The moment the door mmed shut, the car zoomed off with a roar, nearly scaring the daylights out of


    her.


    And you, baiting her in, then ditching her when you¡¯re bored? ssic move,¡± a friend poured Melvin a


    drink, trying to


    console him.


    ¡°That¡¯s terrible advice. Women can want anything, but as soon as they start talking marriage, you¡¯re in


    deep water. Next thing you know, they¡¯re crying, making scenes, threatening to do something drastic. If


    it¡¯s time to split, just split, another buddy disagreed.


    And end up like him, drowning his sorrows for a week straight?¡±


    ¡°Come on, Melvin, you¡¯re clearly heartbroken, man.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got the feels.¡±


    Melvin shot a cold nce their way, one of them instantly mmed up, standing up quickly, ¡°Oh, I


    forgot to call my sweetheart back. Let me step out for a sec.


    Soon after, he came back, all worked up, ¡°Melvin, I saw Jocelyn. She¡¯s out drinking with a bunch of


    people.


    Melvin¡¯s cigarette twitched at the corner of his mouth, his eyes darkening.


    Den had sold Melvin¡¯s house and made a tidymission. He was buzzing so much that he treated


    his colleagues to a meal and karaoke, inviting her along. Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to rain on his parade, and


    the fact that he was keen to introduce her to his friends and colleagues made her feel valued.


    When she was with Melvin, she felt like a mistress who had to stay in the shadows.


    Listening to the group chat away, she still couldn¡¯t blend in. So she used the excuse of going to the


    restroom and once out, she didn¡¯t feel like returning to the private room.


    Leaning against the hallway wall, she fiddled with her phone, not paying any mind to someone


    approaching.


    It wasn¡¯t until the person had been standing beside her for quite a while that she finally looked up.


    It was Melvin!


    Melvin leaned against the wall, tilting his head to look at her.

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    Jocelyn spotted his bloodshot eyes and her heart tightened. She beat a hasty retreat.


    But her wrist was caught, and with a yank, she felt a weight on her shoulder and suddenly she was


    stered against the


    cold wall.-


    ¡°What are you trying to do? Let go of me! Jocelyn hissed at him, struggling to break free.


    Melvin was strong, pinning her down so she couldn¡¯t move.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± His husky voice, thick with the scent of alcohol, was hot and moist against her neck.


    Jocelyn turned her head and panted, ¡°What the hell do you want?¡±


    ¡°I am fucking miss you¡±


    Jocelyn froze


    Her hands fell to her sides and her heart fluttered. She took a deep breath to calm the storm of


    emotions his words had stirred up. Her eyes warmed with tears, ¡°We broke up.¡±


    Those words made the man leaning on her shoulder tense up.


    Jocelyn kept her cool. She loved him, but they were over. This wasn¡¯t right. It wasn¡¯t supposed to


    happen.


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Melvin turned his head, his lips brushing against her cheek, not speaking, just trailing kisses down her


    neck.


    His hand slid to her waist; now his intention was clear.


    Jocelyn closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and with a shaky voice, said, ¡°Youe back to flirt when


    you can¡¯t offer me a future. Want me to always be your little secret?¡±


    The kissing stopped, then there was a sudden pain at her corbone ¨C he was actually biting her!


    ¡°Melvin! Jocelyn¡¯s eyes reddened with fury as she yelled.


    Melvin gently licked the spot he had bitten, ¡°Having me in your heart while dating other guys, you¡¯re


    such a yer¡±


    Jocelyn, seething with anger, shoved him away with all her might andnded a resounding p across


    his face..


    Breathless, she red at him, You¡¯re shameless!¡±


    Melvin touched his cheek with his tongue, his eyes revealing a dangerous glint.


    He grabbed her shoulders and kissed her lips wildly, gnawing and biting without mercy.


    Jocelyn felt fear while she was unable to push him away, and humiliation washed over her as tears


    spilled from her eyes


    Tasting the salt of her tears, Melvin touched her face, and found it was damp.


    I


    He calmed down, breathing heavily. Staring at the tear-streaked woman, his chest tight with agitation


    and irritation, ¡°Do we have to get married? Can¡¯t we be together without it?¡±


    Jocelyn feigned calmness and asked, ¡°Are you just in it for fun?¡±


    Dating without the intention of marriage was pretty much just messing around.


    Because it was all about satisfying his desires without taking responsibility.


    ¡°What¡¯s so great about marriage? Are you that desperate to marry him?¡± Melvin¡¯s voice was low and


    husky, like a lion provoked, issuing a warning growl.


    Jocelyn took deep breaths and said clearly, ¡°Yes, I do want to marry him. So, don¡¯t bother me again.¡±


    Melvin gripped her shoulders as if trying to crush them, ¡°Have you slept with him?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business: Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to waste words with him, she just wanted to get


    away.


    As she tried to leave, he pressed her against the wall again, lifted her chin, and looked into her eyes,


    his Adam¡¯s apple


    moving as his lips brushed against her ear, ¡°I can¡¯t get used to anyone else. Can you really get used to


    him?¡±


    Jocelyn was vulnerable to his seduction.


    Her whole body tingled, nerves strung tight.


    She turned her head, suppressing that strange feeling. When she thought of the woman who had


    called him that day, she felt a blockage in her heart


    ¡°There was a time to adjust when I was with you at first, too.¡±


    Melvin applied a bit more pressure, leaving a red mark on her fair chin.


    Seeing her defiant face, Melvin wanted to make her beg for mercy.


    He bent down and kissed her lips fiercely, sucking hard.


    Jocelyn, in pain, pushed him, hit him, pinched the flesh around his waist, but it was futile.


    After a long while, Melvin let her go, saw the anger in her sparkling eyes, and tenderly wiped her


    swollen red lips with his fingertips. His deep eyes nced sideways with a sinister smile ying on his


    lips, ¡°You really are heartless, moving on


    from the old love to the new.¡±


    Jocelyn sensed something off in his smirk. Following his gaze, she saw Den standing there.


    At that moment, Jocelyn was mortified.


    Melvin was a jerk, unting himself in front of Den. He bit her earlobe again, breathing hot air, ¡°Do


    you think he¡¯ll still want to marry you?¡±


    Jocelyn, furious and embarrassed, pushed him with all her might, but he let go first. Like a proud


    peacock, he turned and left triumphantly


    Jocelyn trembled all over. When she looked back in Den¡¯s direction, he was gone.


    Asshole! Jocelyn cried out, cursing Melvin.


    Den¡¯s breakup was expected by Jocelyn.


    Even without romantic feelings, no man could witness such a scene and act like nothing happened


    Den said they could still be friends.


    But Jocelyn thought it was just politeness.


    After the breakup, Jocelyn wasn¡¯t sad at all; it was Daisy who was sighing.


    After working, Jocelyn walked back to her apartment.


    At the building¡¯s entrance, she saw Melvin¡¯s car.


    Her heart skipped a beat, and she walked past without looking.


    In the elevator, she pressed the button but then saw Melvin heading her way.


    She tried to keep him out, but with his long arms and legs, he wedged his foot in the closing door.


    Jocelyn stood as far from him as possible.


    Melvin leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, eyes full of deep emotion.


    Jocelyn knew he had seductive eyes but a cold heart.


    After exiting the cievator, Melvin still followed her.


    ¡°What exactly do you want?¡± Jocelyn snapped.


    Melvin¡¯s thin lips parted, his voice rich and seductive, Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn raised her eyebrows; he rarely called her by her name. Even on the phone, it was straight to


    business


    ¡°You asked what I want, right? I want Jocelyn.¡¯ Melvin¡¯s face made such a crass statement hard to


    dislike


    Jocelyn blushed, biting her lip, at a loss for words against his crude talk


    She was a teacher; she couldn¡¯t swear or speak such filth.


    ¡°Open the door, I¡¯ve got something for you,¡± Melvin urged her


    ¡°What can¡¯t you give here?¡±


    Melvin raised an eyebrow, ¡°Are you sure you want it here?¡±


    His mischievous grin made even the most serious words sound lewd.


    Jocelyn knew that once she let him through the door, he probably wouldn¡¯t be leaving tonight.


    She¡¯s such a pushover, the moment he gets close, she just can¡¯t seem to harden her heart and turn


    him away.


    The door had barely opened when Melvin grabbed her hand, pinned her against the wall, and without a


    word, locked his lips onto hers


    It was almost like he was punishing her, his hands gripping her waist, squeezing now and then as if he


    was hovering


    between snapping and sparing her.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t resist his kiss, just like she couldn¡¯t resist him as a person.


    Even though she knew he would never marry her, she still got lost in the heady chaos of passion he


    stirred in her


    After a while, Melvin let her go.


    He looked at her with a teasing sparkle in his eyes, his fingers gently tracing her plump, flushed lips,


    ¡°See, you just can¡¯t quit me. Why bother marrying anyone else?¡±

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    Jocelyn was annoyed with herself for herck of resolve, and annoyed at him for knowing her too well.


    He was so sure she was head over heels for him that he thought she just couldn¡¯t say no to him.-


    Not wanting to let him have her wrapped around his finger, she turned her head away and blurted out,


    ¡°I have al boyfriend.¡±


    Melvin snorted, ¡®The real estate quy?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s his profession. Don¡¯t look down on it ¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never looked down on any profession. It¡¯s him as a person that I don¡¯t respect..¡±


    Melvin pulled out his phone and yed an audio clip.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez, if you hand over those properties and let me dealing with them, I¡¯ll break up with


    Jocelyn.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re supposed to be getting married, right?¡±


    That was arranged by our parents; I had no choice.¡±


    You don¡¯t like her?


    ¡°I¡¯m still young, so I¡¯ve got to prioritize my career. Plus, weddings cost a fortune, right? Besides, I can


    tell you two are a better fit, so consider this an early blessing.


    Melvin put down the phone, ¡°Boyfriend? He sure doesn¡¯t treat you like one.¡±


    Jocelyn was steaming inside but had nowhere to vent. She couldn¡¯t me Den for making that


    choice; if she saw him getting cozy with another girl, she¡¯d opt for a breakup too.


    Grown-ups know how to take advantage of the rtionships they can.


    And Den using the breakup to negotiate with Melvin was just him betting that Melvin was still into


    her.


    ¡°Your marriage dreams just crashed and burned before they even took off.¡± Melvin wrapped his arms


    around her waist and nibbled on her earlobe, ¡°Isn¡¯t it better to just live in the moment?¡±


    His breathing got heavy, his hand wandering under her clothes, lips finding her corbone.


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind was crystal clear, she tilted her neck back, ¡°I¡¯m not ying this game with you anymore.


    The kisses on her chest paused.


    Melvin looked up, her eyes were like a stagnant pool, devoid of any desire.


    ¡°Are you serious? Melvin¡¯s voice was raspy with lust.


    ¡°Yes. Jocelyn pulled at her clothes that he had tugged open, saying tly. This is going nowhere in the


    end.¡±


    Melvin squinted. You want topletely end things with me?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Jocelyn¡¯s voice was firm as her heart shattering inside.


    She knew all too well that he just wasn¡¯t tired of her yet.


    Their rtionship was nothing more than physical, no strings attached.


    Melvin stormed out, mming the door with a bang that could shake the heavens.


    Jocelyn straightened her clothes, wiped her face, and steeled her heart for a clean break, otherwise,


    she¡¯d be stuck on him for life.


    After finishing two morning sses and returning to the office, the teacher let slip that a student might


    be transfering to her ss


    Middle schoolers are in their rebellious phase, and Jocelynis ss was the toughest in the school She


    natt bear


    teaching long before she was handed this challenge, and it had brought her to tears more than once.


    Maybe it was because she was such a tearjerker, or because she was so genuine and could crack


    jokes and get personal with each student, bing friends with them, that these kids started treating


    her like a sister, willing to


    listen to her.


    Now with another one shoved into her ss, it looked like she was in for another round of chaos.


    Before she even had a sip of water, the principal¡¯s call came through to Jocelyn.


    After hanging up, the teacher warned her, ¡°I heard the student is from a well-off family but a handful.


    His uncle dealt with the paperwork, and he seemed like a tough cookie. Even the principal was bowing


    and scraping in front of him.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned and made her way to the principal¡¯s office, knocking on the door.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    Jocelyn stepped in, ¡°Principal, you wanted to see me?¡±


    Jocelyn, let me introduce you to Mr. Martinez.¡± The principal said cheerfully, his face radiating kindness.


    Jocelyn followed his gesture and saw Melvin sitting there, arrogant and aloof.


    Seeing him was unexpected, but she kept herposure.


    She hadn¡¯t seen him since he left her ce about half a month ago. She thought she¡¯d never see him


    again.


    A boy who looked a bit like him sat next to him, with the same defiant look in his eyes.


    This is Mr. Martinez¡¯s nephew, Preston Turner.¡± The principal said, ¡°Preston has been studying abroad


    until now, but starting this sermester, he¡¯ll be joining ss One.¡±


    Jocelyn had no say in this matter, the kid was already here, and this was just a heads-up.


    She just hadn¡¯t expected Melvin to have such a grown nephew. She didn¡¯t want any more to do with


    Melvin, but with the kid in her ss and Melvin as the guardian, they might have to meet.


    A headache was forming.


    ¡°Jocelyn, I¡¯m Preston¡¯s guardian here in the country, so if there¡¯s anything concerning him, you can


    contact me directly.¡± Melvin¡¯s tone was cold, as if they were strangers.


    Jocelyn treated him like a stranger too, responding with a simple ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Seeing the situation, the principal quickly said, ¡°Let¡¯s exchange contact information then. That way, you


    can get in touch right away if needed.¡±


    Jocelyn was about to feign ignorance when she heard Melvin say, ¡°Jocelyn shouldn¡¯t have deleted my


    number.¡±


    His gaze was aggressive and carried ill intentions..


    The principal looked at Jocelyn in confusion.


    Preston also gave Jocelyn a couple of extra nces.


    The former was curious about Jocelyn¡¯s acquaintance with Melvin.


    Thetter was surprised that his uncle¡¯s phone number would be given to a woman other than family.


    Jocelyn led Preston out of the principal¡¯s office, her mood sour..


    ¡°What¡¯s your rtionship with my uncle?¡± Preston was sharp.


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    Preston gave her a knowing look, ¡°Denying it so fast means it¡¯s deep¡±


    Jocelyn furrowed her brows, about to argue some more, but Preston swaggered ahead with his


    backpack, if you¡¯re thinking of bing my aunt, I¡¯d say give it up. My uncle¡¯s a bachelor for life¡±


    Jocelyn felt a twinge in her chest; this kid came to twist the knife, huh?


    ¡°I have a boyfriend Jocelyn lied, not wanting to embarrass herself.


    Preston turned and sized her up, then suddenlyughed, ¡°Guess I thought too much. You¡¯re not even


    his type.¡±


    Jocelyn passed by him without showing any reaction, ¡°What would a little brat like you know about


    types?¡±


    I know plenty. My uncle likes them clean and pure, like little white flowers.


    Jocelyn felt a sting in her heart, a bit hurt.


    The first time she met Melvin, he had the nerve to say she looked too enchanting, like a fairy or


    something, and it was just impossible to picture her as a teacher.


    He was like, ¡°Can a teacher with that kind of look really teach and nurture properly?¡±


    Jocelyn knew right off the bat that she was being judged.


    Doubting her teaching abilities, and now he was sending his nephew to her ss? Wasn¡¯t he afraid she


    won¡¯t be a good influence?


    After Jocelyn settled Preston in, she headed back to her office.


    Jocelyn Melvin stood at the office door, his posturezy, his lips coolly pronouncing her name for the


    first time.


    She thought he had left.


    Putting on a front, she asked, Can I help you with something?¡±


    Melvin got all serious, ¡°Preston¡¯s got a bit of an attitude and a temper, so please bear with him.


    ¡°People say the nephew takes after his uncle.¡± Jocelyn noticed his expression change and went on,


    ¡°He¡¯s my student now, and I¡¯ll teach him well. Of course, you, as the guardian, should set a good


    example at home, too. A teacher¡¯s role is just to support After all, leading by example is key.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s charming eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°I¡¯m just reminding you not to call me for every little thing.


    Some teachers, you know, they like to pick on students as an excuse to get close to the parents


    Jocelyn was so annoyed that she felt tight in the chest.


    She took out her phone in front of Melvin, found his number, and with a firm press, blocked and deleted


    it.

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    Melvin¡¯s expression darkened. He was no longer as arrogant as he was a second ago.


    Jocelyn let out a sigh of relief, took a deep breath, and shed her trademark smile, ¡°Anything else I


    can help with you?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, his lips parted slightly, ¡°Nice one.¡±


    Jocelyn managed to tick off Melvin.


    Suddenly, she realized that Melvin seemed to get easily ruffled by her, which she hadn¡¯t noticed before


    Maybe she hadn¡¯t been so ¡®rebellious¡¯ before


    Jocelyn had kept an eye on Preston, after all, he was her ex¡¯s nephew, so it was natural to pay a bit


    more attention.


    She noticed that Preston didn¡¯t have his heart in studying, he¡¯d just crash and sleep as soon as ss


    started. He wasn¡¯t chummy with ssmates, and when they reached out to him, he¡¯d snub them with


    his nose in the air


    Just like his uncle, full of himself.


    Jocelyn nned to have a serious chat with him in a couple of days.


    On Friday after school, while Jocelyn was still in her office, a teacher came running, Jocelyn, that new


    student in your ss got into a fight off campus.


    Preston had dislocated someone¡¯s jaw and left him ck and blue all over.


    After sending the injured student to the hospital, Jocelyn told Preston to call Melvin. Preston did call,


    but no answer


    Annoyed, Jocelyn dialed the number that didn¡¯t need saving in her phone. Because she had already


    committed this number to her heart


    Amid a noisy background, Jocelyn frowned, ¡°Mr. Martinez¡­


    ¡°Who is this?¡± came a deep, maic voiceced with a hint of unfamiliarity.


    Hearing the noise on the other end, Jocelyn simply hung up


    She advanced the medical expenses, exined things to the injured student¡¯s parents, then took


    Preston to look for Melvin.


    Pushing open the doors to the private room, they were met with a haze of smoke, a scene of decadent


    indulgence that was not for innocent eyes.


    Jocelyn had Preston wait outside, not wanting him to see anything that might scar a kid.


    Everyone paused to stare at Jocelyn as she entered, with only the sound system still ying music.


    After a quick scan of the room, she spotted Melvin in a dark corner.


    His smoking intensified the glow of the fire, his sharp features appearing even more striking in the dim


    light.


    Flicking ash, he ordered the lights on. His piercing, almond-shaped eyes assessed the room. ¡°Who


    called for her?¡±


    Everyone looked at each other, clueless. The bolder ones thought of stepping in but were quickly held


    back and whispered a warning, ¡°That¡¯s Melvin¡¯s woman. Don¡¯t mess around¡±


    Hearing this, they promptly sat down.


    Jocelyn was unfazed by Melvin¡¯s attitude, and walked up to him. ¡°Preston sent someone to the hospital


    with his fiste Don¡¯t you think you should, as a quandian, go check it out?¡±


    gave her a cold look. How much money do they want?¡±


    Jocely was frustrated. As a teacher, she couldn¡¯t stand parents who acted like they owned


    ¡°it¡¯s not about the money right now; it¡¯s about after Preston sending someone to the hospital, shouldn¡¯t


    you, as a


    quardian, go and see the student, maybe apologize to the parents?¡± Jocelyn tried to keep her cool, not


    wanting to be seen as a teachercking patience.


    Melvin tilted his head towards a shy-dressed guy, ¡®Zephyr, get them out.¡±


    Then the onlookers were shooed away, and the music shut off.


    Melvin took azy drag, leaned back into the sofa, and looked at her sideways, ¡°If it¡¯s something that


    could¡¯ve been said over the phone, whye find me?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    If it wasn¡¯t for the noise on his end, if she could¡¯ve been heard clearly, would she havee?


    Jocelyn had never seen such a brazen attitude from him. She could barely hold back her anger, ¡°You¡¯re


    Preston¡¯s guardian. He¡¯s been fighting at school and sending someone to the hospital. Shouldn¡¯t you


    go check it out?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not something that has to be done right now. You came running over in such a hurry; are you sure


    it wasn¡¯t just to see me? Melvin flicked off his ash elegantly.


    Jocelyn felt like she was talking to a brick wall;ing to him was a mistake, a waste of time.


    Just as she stepped out, Melvin followed her with his jacket, nced at Preston with a bruised face,


    ¡°Sending someone to the hospital isn¡¯t something to be proud of. If you¡¯re really skilled, you wouldn¡¯t


    have peopleing after you.¡±


    Jocelyn heard it loud and clear as she walked ahead. She never imagined he¡¯d say something like that.


    Back when they were together, these issues had nevere up, because they never got to the point of


    discussing something as serious as educating a child.


    But now she knew, his way of ¡®teaching¡¯ was frightening.


    Preston followed Melvin like a puppy trailing a big dog, and Jocelyn was like the dog owner on a walk.


    Where are you going? Melvin asked Jocelyn, who was still heading forward as he reached his car.


    Jocelyn simply replied, ¡°I¡¯m hailing a cab.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t see my car?¡±


    Jocelyn nced over, continued walking, and gestured for a taxi¡­


    Melvin couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    Preston looked on with a knowing look, told Melvin, ¡°Better sweet-talk her, or she¡¯ll make life tough for


    me.


    Melvin shot him a look, then approached Jocelyn, grabbing her hand and tugging ¡°Let go!¡±


    Jocelyn tried to shake free, but he held on tight.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes were determined, ¡°Come with me.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez, if you keep this up, I¡¯m going to call the cops.


    ¡°Heh, calling the cops over a little tug? Why didn¡¯t you call them when I had you pinned down on the


    bed?¡± Melvin¡¯s insinuation was far from innocent.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, her heart ached.


    She wasn¡¯t usually at a loss for words, but in front of him, she felt mute.


    Without letting go, Melvin pulled her to the car.


    Jocelyn red at him, refusing to get in


    Melvin slightly raised an eyebrow, leaning close to whisper in her ear, ¡°Jocelyn, you don¡¯t want to get


    kissed in front of your student, do you?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s face zed hotly, ring at him fiercely


    Chapter S


    Out of theer of her eye, she saw Preston sitting in the car like he was watching a soap opera, and


    she resented Melvin¡¯s tactless bbering even more.


    Fearing he might do something drastic, Jocelyn reluctantly got into the passenger seat.


    ¡®Seat belt¡± Melvin said coolly, his assertive tone clear


    Under his watch, Jocelyn fastened her seat belt reluctantly


    Melvin mmed the car door, and then they were on their way


    On the road, Melvin asked Preston why he fought.


    Preston touched his split lip with a defiant smirk, ¡°Because I¡¯m handsome¡±


    Jocelyn frowned.


    Melvin, driving with one hand, lit a cigarette with the other, ¡°Don¡¯t trouble Jocelyn.¡±


    Jocelyn pursed her lips, her pretty face not exactly touched by the sentiment.


    ¡°You¡¯ve always told me not to start trouble, but to stand my ground if someone provokes me. If


    someone ps me, I need to hit back harder. Preston¡¯s rebellious streak was giving Jocelyn a


    headache.


    Melvin nced in the rear-view mirror, ¡°I also told you, don¡¯t throw hands if you can¡¯t handle the heat,


    and if you do. clean up your mess. Don¡¯t make others wipe your ass.¡±


    Preston deted on the spot.


    ¡°Is this how you teach a child? Jocelyn was incredulous


    Melvin shot her a look. You got a problem with that?¡±


    Jocelyn was now truly realizing that the three years she¡¯d spent with him were a waste, except for his


    bedroom skills, she didn¡¯t know the guy at all


    At the hospital, the injured student¡¯s parents naturally wanted some answers.


    Jocelyn stepped in to mediate, asking how it all started.


    The injured student, with a face like he¡¯d gone ten rounds, told his story with shifty eyes.


    Preston, on the other hand, was cocky as ever.


    ¡°You¡¯re sent to school to learn, not to get into petty jealousies,¡± the other parent pinched his son¡¯s arm,


    ¡°You¡¯re a disgrace. Let¡¯s go home!¡±


    Melvin, hands in his pockets, eyed Preston, ¡°Not bad, already got girls falling for you on your first day¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right The apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree, I can¡¯t let you down, Preston was slightly smug.


    Melvin reached out and knocked on Preston¡¯s head, Tone it down.¡±


    Preston rubbed his head and nced at Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn said stemly, ¡°Write a reflection paper and hand it to me at school on Monday.¡±


    With that, she walked away first.


    Presion nudged Melvin, ¡°Uncle, whether I can keep my nose clean at school is up to you now.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with me?¡± Melvin stared at the disappearing figure at the hospital entrance.


    ¡°If you¡¯re not good to her, she¡¯ll take it out on me,¡± Preston patted Melvin¡¯s shoulder, ¡°For my sake, do


    me a solid and treat her right.


    Melvin¡¯s brows furrowed.


    ¡°Go after her, man, Preston pushed him, ¡°I¡¯ll cab it home. You don¡¯t have toe back tonight, good


    luck.¡±


    Preston ran off just as Melvin raised his hand to him, looking back to cheer him on ¡°You got this¡±


    Melvin wanted to strangle the little brat.


    What¡¯s there to ¡®got this¡¯ about?


    She was just an ex he didn¡¯t want anymore.


    Jocelyn got home and cooked up some instant noodles.


    Just as she sat down, the doorbell rang.


    Through the peephole, she saw Melvin¡¯s arrogant face staring back.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath and decided not to open the door.


    But her phone rang, it was him. She hung up, and he called again.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°What do you want? Jocelyn answered, not sounding too pleased..


    Melvin¡¯s deep voice came through, scratchy and oddlypelling, Open the door.¡±

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    Jocelyn just couldn¡¯t bear his life-threatening tone. Leaning against the wall, she let out a huff, ¡°It¡¯s


    late.¡±


    ¡°Anything goes at night. You have three seconds to open the door, or I¡¯m busting the door down. 3¡­


    Melvin threatened.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t defy him, she knew he was a man of his word.


    Banging down the door now would totally stir up a ho¡¯s nest.


    As he counted down to 2, Jocelyn caved and opened the door.


    Melvin put away his phone, raised an eyebrow, ¡°Eager aren¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°What the hell do you want? Jocelyn stood in the doorway, blocking his entry.


    Melvin just gave a gentle push and squeezed into the room, closing the door behind him. Before she


    could blow her top, he cupped the back of her head and nted a kiss on her lips.


    ¡°Mm Jocelyn¡¯s lips stayed sealed as she pushed against him.


    Breathing heavily, he ignored the anger in her eyes, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing, his voice husky, ¡°I


    missed you.¡±


    His kind of missing was purely physical. Jocelyn understood the look in his eyes; it wasn¡¯t her he


    wanted; it was her body


    And damn it, she always ended up waving the white g too easily. Just a simple ¡®I miss you¡¯ from him,


    and she¡¯s utterly disoriented


    Melvin kissed her, ¡°Did you miss me?¡±


    Being addicted to someone is like quitting smoking; you can resist for a few days, but the moment a lit


    cigarette is within reach, the urge to take a drag is irresistible.


    That¡¯s exactly where she was at.


    Melvin¡¯s kisses grew more intense, his hands starting to wander.


    His slightly rough palm slid under the hem of her clothes onto her smooth skin, his heavy breaths


    creating a moist. warmth in the nape of her neck.


    Jocelyn felt herself melting into his embrace. As his hand moved higher, she took a sharp inhale and


    grabbed his hand, ¡°If it¡¯s just about scratching an itch, go find someone else


    Melvin¡¯s hand paused, lifting lust-filled eyes, You really gonna deny me?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears as she stared him down, her stance saying it all.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take what I want! Melvin kissed her neck, sucking hard.


    Three years had been long enough for him to get hooked on her, to crave her like a favorite vor. No


    other woman caught his interest they all seemed nd


    He was into her body


    ¡°Is this what? Rape?¡± Jocelyn turned her head, her teeth clenched yet her body betraying her with a


    shameful moan.


    Melvin¡¯s breath teased her ear,ced with a hint of triumph, ¡°Dare to say you don¡¯t want me?¡±


    As he spoke, his hand caressed her soft belly, knowing exactly where her weak spot was.


    ¡°Mmm. Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but let out a sultry moan


    Still iming you don¡¯t want it? Melvin¡¯s eyes twinkled with mischief, and then something didn¡¯t feel


    quite right.


    Puzzled, he flipped on the light, and the stark red startled his eyes.


    Melvin stepped out of the bathroom, shot a look at the flushed woman, and snorted, ¡°No wonder you¡¯re


    so cranky


    Jocelyn senously wished she could just jump off the balcony right now.


    Embarrassing as hell.


    Now, the interest was killed for anything.


    ¡°Go wash up and change. Melvin said tly as he left.


    A wave of self-pity washed over Jocelyn. Before any tears could fall, she quickly grabbed some clothes


    and headed for


    a shower


    Afterward, she brewed some brown sugar ginger coffee, her thoughts drifting.


    He used to buy a durian and leave it at home when her period was approaching, iming it helped with


    menstrual


    cramps.


    And it did work


    She scoffed at herself. What was she thinking? That man¡¯s kindness was only because he wanted to


    sleep with her.


    After finishing her coffee, she was ready to head back to her room when the doorbell rang.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    The only person she could think of was him, but she was useless to him tonight, so he wouldn¡¯te


    back


    Best check the peephole first


    Then that impatient face of him magnified, who was relentlessly pressing the doorbell.


    Not wanting to disturb the peace, Jocelyn opened the door.


    Melvin walked in with a cardboard box, plonked it on the table, and revealed its contents.


    The scent of dunian burst forth, filling the room.


    Melvin frowned as he peeled the durian, the ripe flesh giving off an inviting aroma.


    ¡°What are you waiting for? Eat, he grumbled. He himself disliked the stuff, and said it stank like crap.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t get his drift and didn¡¯t move.


    Melvin thrust a piece towards her mouth, ¡°Eat!¡±


    But she just stared at him.


    ¡°Are you out of your mind? Melvin forcefully fed her the durian, ¡°Eat it quickly, it stinks to high heaven!¡±


    Jocelyn turned away, refusing to bite, ¡°Can you leave now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± He wiped his hands with a tissue and slouched on the sofa. What can you do


    about it?¡±


    Jocelyn gritted her teeth, ¡°What do you want, exactly?


    I¡¯m moving back in. Melvin lounged back, all calm and collected.


    ¡°No way.¡± she didn¡¯t even need to think about it; getting entangled with him again was out of the


    question.


    A love that must be hidden, like an affair that shamed the marriage, was steeped in disgrace.


    Besides, what they had couldn¡¯t even be called a rtionship; if she had tobel it, they were just sex


    buddies.


    Melvin wasn¡¯t annoyed, ¡°Then you move to my ce. You can keep an eye on Preston for me.¡±


    His calction was clear, expecting her to be a free nanny without anymitment


    He¡¯s audacious to even think it


    Jocelyn looked at him indifferently, ¡°Are you not bored yet? Sorry, I am¡±


    Melvin narrowed his eyes, ¡°Say that again.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to keep this murky thing going with you, because i¡¯m sick of it¡± Jocelyn averted her gaze, a


    bit wary Tve


    sted three years on you; dord want to waste any more.¡±


    ¡°I find you¡¯re not as devoted as me on this, just three years and you¡¯re ready to switch men.¡± Melvin


    stood up, approached her, and gently lifted her chin. ¡°What is it? I didn¡¯t satisfy you in some way?¡±


    Jocelyn turned away, but he firmly gripped her chin firmly, preventing her from looking away.


    Don¡¯t be so naive, woman. You really think marriage guarantees a lifetime of happiness? Ha! I can say


    no man treats you better than I do, marriage aside¡±


    Melvin cradled her face, his gaze intense, almost threatening. ¡°I¡¯m still interested in you, don¡¯t take me


    lightly. If you dare


    refuse me again¡­¡±


    Jocelyn was holding her breath, her beautiful eyes dancing, and her lips parted slightly, ¡°What would


    you do?¡±


    Melvin had one arm wrapped around her waist, the other pinching the back of her neck so she couldn¡¯t


    dodge.


    His lips barely parted. He leaned in close to her ear, nibbled on her earlobe, and at the moment her


    body shivered, he said. Tonight, even if it¡¯s a battle to thest drop of blood, I¡¯m gonna show you just


    how good I was to you before.¡±


    Jocelyns cheeks were burning up, her breathing all over the ce, and she cursed, ¡°You freak!¡±


    Melvin acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard her, his hand still on her waist. With his forehead against hers, his


    peachy eyes brimmed with affection, his cool lips gently brushing against hers, ¡°So, am I moving in with


    you, or are youing over to my ce? Huh?

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    Jocelyn remained unyielding


    As Melvin kissed her lips, his breathing heavy, ¡°Don¡¯t push me¡±


    ¡°Do you really want to keep things this way with me forever?¡± Jocelyn tried to keep her cool.


    Melvin¡¯s hands roamed over her body, masterfully taking control, ¡°Forever¡± works for me¡±


    Early in her period, she was too touchy to resist.


    That volcanic rush of sensation had her shamefully squeezing her legs together, he knew just how to


    get her going.


    ¡°What am I to you without a name, without a status?¡± Jocelyn was losing her mind, probably because


    she hadn¡¯t worked out in a while, and her desires were easily stirred by him.


    A lifetime was indeed tempting.


    Melvin bit through the thin nightgown, and upon hearing her gasp, he looked up proudly at her misty


    eyes, ¡°Why do we need a name orbel? We¡¯re in sync and life¡¯s good; isn¡¯t that enough?¡±


    He was so bad.


    Bad enough to leave Jocelyn at a loss for words.


    She had even convinced herself that his good stamina and skills were a point in his favor.


    In the adult world, that really mattered.


    ¡°I want a real rtionship, marriage, and kids,¡± Jocelyn said with a fast-beating heart, ¡°If you can¡¯t give


    me those, then stop leading me on.¡±


    Melvin took her hand and ced it on his lower half, his voice rough, ¡°You know you¡¯re the one who


    really turns me on.¡±


    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Jocelyn¡¯s breath was erratic. She wanted to pull away but was held down firmly.


    ¡°You love me, and I¡¯m with you, isn¡¯t that what you want?¡± Melvin¡¯s seductive voice was maic.


    She loved him, and he knew it all too well.


    It was because of this unfair love that he dared to toy with her.


    A moment of rity pierced Jocelyn¡¯s muddled thoughts, ¡°What about you? Do you love me?¡±


    Melvin held her hand, ¡°If I¡¯m all fired up just for you, doesn¡¯t that mean you¡¯re the one for me?¡±


    Never saying love, that was Melvin.


    Jocelyn knew that tonight, without making a move, there would be no end. Her grip tightened, her palm


    burning. ¡°After tonight, I won¡¯t love you anymore.¡±


    Melvin had already closed his eyes in contentment, holding her hand as if undergoing physical therapy,


    swallowing hard, and making a sound that could make one blush, ¡°We¡¯ll talk after tonight.¡±


    See now confident he is.


    In his eyes, Jocelyn would never be able to let gopletely.


    Even if she was determined, there would be a process


    And that process was his opportunity.


    Half an hourter, Melvin dragged Jocelyn to wash her hands, ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve bothered


    you.¡±


    Jocelyn could barely lift her arms; thankful she didn¡¯t have work the next day.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to take a shower, Melvin said, stripping off his pants with a look of disdain.


    Before closing the door, he pointed at the durian on the table, ¡°Eat it up quickly¡±


    Jocelyn had no appetite, her body all limp. She headed to the bedroom and copsed on the bed.


    Soon, Melvin entered, stark naked, and slipped under the covers beside her.


    Jocelyn turned her head to nce at him. ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving?¡±


    Melvin naturally slipped his arm under her head and hugged her shoulder, closing his eyes, ¡°You want


    me to leave naked?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your problem,¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t want this endless cycle, so she tried to pull away from his


    embrace


    But before she could move, he hugged her from behind, his voice sleepy, ¡°Be good, stop fussing. Let¡¯s


    sleep.¡±


    His intimate tone was like a lover¡¯s whisper, stirring deep inside her.


    Jocelyn resisted, but she was tired too, and eventually gave in.


    The next moming. Jocelyn woke up to those deep, affectionate peach blossom eyes.


    She wanted to get up, but he flipped her beneath him.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m moving in today¡± Melvin said softly, fixing her hair, ¡°Let¡¯s pretend nothing happened this past


    month.¡±


    Jocelyn, feeling sore, didn¡¯t have the energy to discuss this, ¡°Move. I need to use the bathroom¡±


    ¡°If you agree, I¡¯ll move.¡±


    ¡°If I wet the bed sheet, it¡¯s on you, Jocelyn said without a hint of embarrassment.


    It was like a volcanic eruption down there the first couple of days; just a move would be a floodgate.


    Melvin frowned but rolled off to let her up.


    Jocelyn had no appetite, just sipped some warmed-up milk and curled up in bed again.


    Melvin nced at her, then slid his hand under the covers to her abdomen, gently massaging, ¡°I¡¯ve


    heard that women don¡¯t get menstrual cramps after having kids.¡±


    Jocelyn looked at himzily, ¡°With you?¡±


    ¡°Dream on¡±


    Jocelyn removed his hand, ¡°You can go now.¡±


    Melvin immediately got up, left the bedroom, and then she heard the door close.


    Did he just leave naked?


    But then, she felt a bit hollow inside as he left sopliantly.


    Was it the pain or something else that made her tears soak the pillow?


    When she woke up again, there was Melvin, dressed in a casual white top and ck bottoms, silting at


    her vanity, arms crossed, legs propped up, giving her a cocky eyebrow raise.


    He had left, hadn¡¯t he?


    How did he get back in?


    ¡°You were talking in your sleep, Melvin grinned, smug and handsome.


    Jocelyn was clueless.


    ¡°You said, ¡®Melvin, I want¡± His smile deepened.


    Jocelyn¡¯s face turned beet red.


    Impossible!


    She never talked in her sleep. He was ying her


    Melvin stood up, walked over to the bed, and looked down at her, ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry? Get up, and I¡¯ll


    take you out to eat breakfast.¡±


    Originally, Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to deal with him, but he yanked the covers away as soon as she pulled


    thern over her head


    ¡°Do you want me to dress you, or should I just carry you out like this, Jocelyn?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you go to eat by yourself?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Melvin yanked some clothes from the closet and tossed them on the bed, signaling her to change.


    Jocelyn saw his clothes already hanging in the wardrobe, and her heart felt troubled.


    On a hot day, Melvin wrapped her in a coat.


    Too tired to argue, she let him push her into the car, and he floored the gas pedal, speeding away.


    As soon as they got out of the car, she ran into a colleague who was shocked to see her stepping out


    of a luxury car


    worth millions.


    After all, at school, aside from her beauty and knack for managing students, she was exceptionally


    discreet.


    ¡°Jocelyn, out for lunch?¡± The colleague greeted her and then caught sight of the man getting out of the


    driver¡¯s seat, eyes shining even brighter.


    Such a handsome man!


    Jocelyn smiled and nodded, ¡°Have you all eaten already, Freya?¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh. It¡¯s the weekend, and my hubby happens to be free, so we¡¯re nning to hit the town after


    lunch. And this is?¡± Freya said with a mischievous smile, yfully winking at Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn nced at the man who had walked up beside her and said, ¡°Oh, my ride share driver.¡±


    Melvin was left speechless.


    Freya paused, then let out an awkward chuckle.


    Jocelyn sipped her soup, feeling a cozy warmth in her belly, which perked her up a bit.


    Melvinzily watched her, amused. She was the one who didn¡¯t want to go out to eat, and yet she was


    the one digging in with the most gusto.


    ¡°Ride-share driver?¡± Melvin¡¯s voice rose teasingly, with a yful glint in his eye, ¡°You¡¯re quite


    something.¡±


    Jocelyn looked up at him. ¡°What else then? Boyfriend?¡±


    Melvin took out a cigarette, fished for his lighter, then thought better of it and set it aside. He grabbed


    Jocelyn¡¯s soup bowl and took a big gulp, ¡°I suppose I could suffer through being your boyfriend.¡±


    Jocelyn was momentarily taken aback, watching him pick up some food without looking at her, feeling a


    strange kind of difort.

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    Monday.


    First thing in the morning. Jocelyn pounced on Preston at the ssroom door, demanding his written


    reflection.


    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Truth be told, she felt awkward around Preston.


    With Melvin crashing at her ce these past few days, he hadn¡¯t lifted a finger to look after his nephew.


    Melvin¡¯s justification was, ¡°The kid¡¯s big enough to fend for himself. He won¡¯t starve


    What would Preston¡¯s folks think if they knew they¡¯d entrusted their son to such an unreliable dude?


    Would they be kicking themselves?


    Preston fished a piece of paper from his backpack and handed it to her, all casual like, and quipped,


    ¡°When¡¯s my uncle heading home?¡±


    Jocelyn felt a lump in her throat her gaze fluttered in confusion.


    Trying to appear calm, she fiddled with the textbooks in her hands. ¡°Why don¡¯t you call him and ask?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, if I could get that out of him, would I be asking you? Preston gave her a sidelong nce, his


    backpack twisted in his grip. Didn¡¯t you say you had a boyfriend? Are you ying the field now, or is


    this some secret love affair?


    Jocelyn almost choked.


    Raising an eyebrow, Preston teased, ¡°You¡¯re not nning to be my auntie, are you?¡±


    Turning her head and covering her mouth, Jocelyn took a deep breath, trying to regain herposure.


    Forget about it. Dream on, but don¡¯t get your hopes up, he said before strutting into the ssroom.


    Jocelyn felt a chill run down her spine.


    Maybe before, Melvin¡¯s reluctance to tie the knot was just a passing thought. But now, Preston¡¯s words


    seemed to confirm that Melvin wasn¡¯t just temporarily against marriage; he¡¯d nted this idea long ago


    and was dead set on it. unlikely to change his mind.


    Back in the office, Jocelyn saw several students from the ss next door standing with their heads


    down in front of their teacher, Freya¡¯s desk


    ¡°What¡¯s up with them? Jocelyn asked casually.


    Freya nced at the students. ¡°Caught them using their phones during ss


    Jocelyn chuckled. ¡°What¡¯s so fascinating that even your ss monitor risked getting caught by you to


    sneak a peek?¡±


    Freya passed her phone to Jocelyn ¡°Some starlet who hit the big time the moment she debuted.¡±


    ¡°Willow?¡± Jocelyn nced at the screen. ¡°My folks were glued to the TV for that talent show. They were


    rooting for her


    too.¡±


    Freya shook her head, ¡°She got famous on a foreign talent show, debuting with the whole innocent


    schr image. Heard she¡¯sing back home soon, and some hotshot director¡¯s got his eye on her


    for a leading role. The whole nation¡¯s buzzing, counting down the minutes till her nends so they


    can wee back their goddess.¡±


    ¡°How do you know all this?¡± Jocelyn was curious


    Freya gestured to the kids in front of her ¡°They spilled the beans just now¡±


    Jocelyn let out augh.


    ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there grinning Keep an eye on the students in your own ss, Freya wamed her


    buning a ss in the afternoon, Jocelyn didn¡¯t dive straight into teaching instead, she chatted with the


    students about


    Mer dols, and naturally, the conversation turned to the nation¡¯s newest darling, Wille


    At the mention of her name, the excitement in the room was palpable.


    Even Preston, who usually couldn¡¯t care less about anything, perked up.


    ¡°I know


    you


    all love her, and why not? She¡¯s hardworking and a brainy beauty. I¡¯m a fan too,¡± Jocelyn said. ¡°I¡¯ve


    checked, and she¡¯s due back at the beginning of next month. If you guys can top the grade in the


    uing monthly exams, I¡¯ll see if I can organize a trip for those who want to go wee her at the


    airport. How¡¯s that?¡±


    The room erupted in cheers


    Jocelyn¡¯s smile brightened even more.


    Only Preston rolled his eyes and slumped onto the desk, muttering under his breath, ¡°Dumb¡±


    After evening ss, Jocelyn was packing up in the office when she spotted Preston lounging on the


    flowerbed steps outside the school gate.


    He got up as soon as he saw her.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you gone home yet, Preston?¡±


    Preston, lugging his bag and slouching like he couldn¡¯t stand straight, his hair almost covering his eyes,


    comined, ¡°I¡¯m sick of takeout. Can you cook?


    Jocelyn frowned slightly. ¡°Are you nning to head over to my ce for dinner?¡±


    As if it¡¯s a big deal. You¡¯ve already taken in my uncle; what¡¯s one more?


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    She¡¯d almost forgotten he was Melvin¡¯s nephew.


    The nephew came to stay with his uncle, only to find the uncle was not home.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll leave after I eat and won¡¯t be any bother,¡± Preston said with a look of distaste.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t refuse, given that Melvin was sprawled out at her ce.


    It was just a kilometer from the school to where she lived. Breaking the awkward silence, Jocelyn


    asked, ¡°Howe your parents are cool with leaving you in your uncle¡¯s care?¡±


    ¡°You think my uncle¡¯s unreliable too? Preston countered.


    Jocelyn swore she meant no such thing.


    Then Preston dug in again, ¡°How long have you been with him? I¡¯ve never heard him mention having a


    girlfriend.¡±


    Another brutal jab to her.


    Jocelyn felt suffocated.


    Locked behind closed doors with Melvin, their rtionship, intimate as it got, was still one that couldn¡¯t


    see the light of day.


    Three years of physical sce, devoid of love.


    Once home, Melvin was lounging in the living room on hisptop. His brows knitted when he saw


    Jocelyn followed by someone, ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    Preston nced around the ce, then back at the casually poised man, ¡°The teacher couldn¡¯t bear to


    watch a student go home all alone, so she brought him back


    Melvin clearly didn¡¯t buy it and looked at Jocelyn.


    By then, she was already in the kitchen, ready to whip up something quick and easy


    Tak Jocelyn¡¯s got it tough,ing homete with no one to make a midnight snack, and having to take


    care of a grown jed. Maybe she should trade up for someone more helpful, Preston said, his mouth


    running like a loose


    Chapter a


    Melvin, irked, picked up some papers from the table and flung thern at Preston, who dodged with ease,


    giving his uncle a defiant look, Jocelyn, you¡¯ve got skills when ites to teaching, but howe you


    haven¡¯t managed to educate my


    uncle a bit better?¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless, Preston was really poking the tiger.


    Melvin stood up, ready toy into Preston, who quickly scampered to the kitchen, ¡°Auntie Jocelyn, save


    me!


    Jocelyn froze.


    Melvin¡¯s face sank as he warned Preston, ¡°Cut the crap, will ya?¡±


    The atmosphere turned oddly tense


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t say a word, pretending not to notice Melvin¡¯s dark and displeased look, and just kept on


    cooking her pasta.


    like nothing happened.


    Preston, not giving a hoot about who felt awkward, went on, ¡°Uncle, this is where you¡¯re screwing up


    You¡¯re freeloading at Jocelyn¡¯s ce, eating and living for free, and you won¡¯t own up to it? Man, you¡¯re


    worse than my old man.¡±


    Melvin looked like he wanted to throw the boy off the balcony.


    ¡°It¡¯s pasta time. Jocelyn dished out three tes and took hers to the table to sit down.


    Preston didn¡¯t stand on ceremony, grabbed his bowl, and plunked down next to Jocelyn, ¡°Jocelyn, why


    keep a guy around who won¡¯t take responsibility? You like making life harder for yourself?¡±


    ¡°Preston!¡± Melvin gritted his teeth.


    Preston chuckled at his snarling face, No use getting mad at me. I just don¡¯t want Jocelyn getting her


    heart broken and it messing with her teaching gig.


    Melvin was huffing through his nose, his eyeballs nearly popping out.


    Preston wolfed down his pasta in no time and, being the considerate guy he was, even washed his


    te. He politely said to Jocelyn, Thanks for the midnight snack, Jocelyn. I¡¯m outta here.


    Jocelyn only reminded him, ¡°Be safe on your way.¡±


    With Peterson gone, the room fell silent.


    Melvin just stood there watching Jocelyn clean up. He walked over and hugged her gently from behind,


    ¡°Are you angry?¡±

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    ¡°Why would I be angry? Jocelyn shrugged off his hand and turned to face him, ¡°I already know


    everything he said.¡±


    Melvin frowned, ¡°Know what?¡±


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°Our inability to part ways has nothing to do with love. So, I¡¯m not angry.¡±


    Jocelyn truly wasn¡¯t angry. Instead of feeling angry, it was more like she could see things more clearly


    now.


    Melvin squinted at her. So you¡¯re saying you¡¯re cool with the way things are between us now?¡±


    ¡°Would you be standing here if I weren¡¯t?¡± Jocelyn thought about it; she liked Melvin, and since she


    couldn¡¯t let go, so be


    It


    A little fling never hurt anybody.


    Melvin raised an eyebrow, surprised but pleased.


    He lifted her up and plunked her onto the bar, tilting her chin up, So what made you see the light all of a


    sudden? Spill


    Jocelyn lowered her longshes, her cheeks turning a shade of pink as she locked eyes with him,


    ¡°Because you¡¯re good


    in bed.¡±


    The moment she uttered those words, she saw the fiery look in Melvin¡¯s eyes, his Adam¡¯s apple


    moving in a hard


    swallow,


    ¡°Next time, when I¡¯m ready to tie the knot, we¡¯re done for real,¡± Jocelyn said with all sincerity.


    She knew very well that the one she wanted to marry had always been him, from start to finish.


    Melvin¡¯s gaze lingered on her rosy lips, his fingers gently stroking them, ¡°That time you said you


    wanted to get married to some guy, that wasn¡¯t to get a rise out of me, was it?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes flitted about nervously, ¡°If it¡¯s the right fit, I would consider it. Ah¡­¡±


    Melvin, pinching her at her most tender spot, his peach blossom eyes glinting with a vengeful light.


    ¡°You¡¯re ying with


    fire.


    ¡°Who knows, maybe you¡¯ll be the one wanting to get hitched first,¡± Jocelyn said teasingly, her eyes


    brimming with spring and her face as lovely as a peach blossom.


    Melvin really had a thing for her seductive charm, always able to snag his soul.


    He toyed with her sensitive spot, watching the mistiness in her eyes, his throat working. ¡°I¡¯m never


    getting married in this lifetime. Swapping out women, now that¡¯s a possibility.¡±


    Jocelyn bit her lip, her voice sultry and soft, ¡°How do you even have the audacity to say that?¡±


    Such a yboy!


    Melvin grasped her waist, Then don¡¯t get married. I can keep youpany for as long as you want to


    y.¡±


    Joclyn bit down on his neck hard


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡± Melvin hissed, ¡°You trying to take a chunk out of me?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t let go until she tasted something metallic in her mouth, then she finally backed off.


    Seeing the bite mark on his neck, she felt a rush of satisfaction.


    Facing his slightly reddened eyes, she couldn¡¯t help but smile smugly. ¡°After all the good times, I¡¯ve got


    to leave you with something to remember me by.¡±


    Melvin, still pinching her waist, his words through gritted teeth, ¡°That possessive, huh?¡±


    ¡°Not allowed?¡±


    ¡°Allowed¡±


    If it was about possessiveness, how could she ever outdo him?


    Before Jocelyn could sense trouble, she was already hoisted over his shoulder.


    Yep, hoisted.


    In the bedroom, she was flung onto the bed, thankfully soft enough to cushion her fall


    Jocelyn was halfway through her ss when her mom called.


    They usually wouldn¡¯t disturb her at work unless it was urgent


    Stepping outside to take the call, her expression turned grim instantly


    Sorry guys. I have to take care of something. Continue with self-study


    After that. Jocelyn hurried out of the ssroom


    Noticing her distress, Preston stealthily pulled out his hidden phone and shot Melvin a message.


    Jocelyn hopped in a cab to the hospital and found Melvin there with her dad when she arrived at the


    ward.


    They both tumed at her entrance


    Surprised to see Melvin there, it was her father who approached her, ¡°What are you doing here?


    Shouldn¡¯t you be in ss?


    ¡°L called me from mom¡¯s phone and said she had a fall, Jocelyn rushed to her mother¡¯s side, ¡°Mom,


    how are you?¡±


    Daisy shook her head to reassure her, ¡°I¡¯m fine, really You all should get back to work or ss.¡±


    ¡°I got a colleague to cover two sses. I¡¯ll head back this afternoon. Dad, you¡­


    Jocelyn nced at Melvin.


    Melvin was quiet, impably dressed in a suit, looking every inch the gentleman.


    Mr. Martinez kindly brought me to the hospital. Otherwise, I¡¯d have arrived muchter than him, Calvin


    was grateful to


    Melvin.


    Stay here with your mother until she¡¯s discharged, then you can go back to work, Melvin¡¯s voice was


    deep and seductive, his tone soothing.


    ¡°Well. I suppose we¡¯re in Mr. Martinez¡¯s debt,¡± Calvin was moved, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Martinez.


    Melvin nced at his watch, I¡¯ve got to go, got things to take care of.¡±


    Then I¡¯ll leave you to it. Jocelyn, see Mr. Martinez out, will you?¡±


    Jocelyn and Melvin left the ward, her trailing a step behind, ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Me in stopped and turned to her, ¡°Verbal thanks mean nothing.


    Jocelyn frowned.


    This was a hospital, with peopleing and going, what did he expect?


    ¡°I will fee¡¯ your gratitude tonight, Melvin said, without his usual flirtation, and left.


    Jocelyn returned to the ward, where her father was helping her mother drink water.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez left?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Daisy remarked to Calvin, ¡°Your boss seems to treat his employees pretty well


    Calvin nodded, ¡°When¡¯t got the call, I went to ask for leave, and there was Mr. Martinez asking where i


    was heated and offering a ride. Sigh, not only did he give me a job but he¡¯s also so considerate to his


    employees. He¡¯s truly a good m


    Daisy sighed ¡°Not many bosses care for their grassroots employees these days. When I¡¯m discharged,


    we should go back to our hometown to see if we can get some specialties to give to him.


    ¡°Sure¡±


    Listening to her parents¡¯ conversation Jocelyn felt conflicted


    After evening ss, Jocelyn walked out of the school gates and saw Preston waiting


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t be crashing at your ce for supper. Preston said disdainfully I can make instant


    pasta myself.¡±


    Then why don¡¯t you head back?


    ¡°Are you alright? Preston asked with a touch of arrogance, his eyes wandering elsewhere. ¡°You look


    pale.¡±


    Tm fine Jocelyn said puzzled ¡°Are you actually concerned about me?¡±


    Preston huffed ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself if the teacher¡¯s not feeling well, how can she teach well, and how


    can we rank


    first?


    Looking at his proud demeanor Jocelyn chuckled. You like Willow too, huh?


    ¡°Who even likes her Preston slung his backpack over his shoulder nose in the air, sneering. She¡¯s just


    a phony¡±


    As long as you students clinch the top spot in our grade, Fill make sure you guys meet the goddess¡±


    Jocelyn cheered


    him on


    Preston rolled his eyes so hard ¡°Idiot he muttered and took off


    Jocelyn was bewildered.


    Why the heck was he cursing at her out of the blue? Did he even remember she¡¯s the teacher?


    Returning home, she found Melvin was out on the balcony on a phone call


    She headed to the kitchen, whipped up a pizza and brought it out just as Melvin came in.


    ¡°Do you want some? Jocelyn offered


    Melvin leaned in with his mouth open


    She picked up a slice of pizza, and guided it towards his mouth.


    He chomped down on half


    Jocelyn waited for him to finish. Thanks for today, by the way¡±


    Melvin went for the other half, chewing and talking Eat up, so you can properly thank meter


    Jacelyn fell like his head wasn¡¯t filled with brains, but with raging hormones.

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    Ignoring him, Jocelyn ate her pizza while scrolling through Twitter She noticed a post from her cousin


    Quinta, hand in hand with her new husband Damian, captioned ¡°Hand in hand with you through this life


    and into old age¡±


    Jocelyn liked the tweet.


    Quinta¡¯s new mariage seemed promising, and even if it was hasty, it seemed to affirm her belief in love


    Suddenly, the slice of pizza she had bitten into disappeared Looking up, she saw Melvin, eyeing her


    phone while chewing


    Quinta¡¯s on her second round of ¡®I do¡¯s, huh? After seeing so many marriages tank why¡¯s she lining up


    to jump into the grave? Melvin went. ¡°Marriage flops are public freaking spectacles, why volunteer for


    the walk of shame?¡±


    Jocelyn put down her phone, her appetite¡¯s gone. ¡°Marriage isn¡¯t the death of love, it¡¯s a major life


    destination. You don¡¯t have to buy into love, but don¡¯t throw shade on other people¡¯s marnages


    Melvin saw her getting riled up, snatched her te, and wolfed down her leftover pizza ¡°Don¡¯t you think


    your cousin¡¯s just ying house? Herst marriagested two years? Ditched the guy for not bringing


    home enough bacon How long you think this honeymoon phase is gonnast? She¡¯d be better off


    dating around like before, just cut and run if it doesn¡¯t work out At least then your uncle wouldn¡¯t lose


    face.


    ¡°Have you said enough? Jocelyn was furious ¡°Do you think everyone is as irresponsible as you? Yes,


    marriage doesn¡¯t guarantee a lifetime together, but it means at one point, they thought it could be!¡±


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, Forget it, why am I even talking to you about this? I¡¯m beat, you do you


    She stormed off to her room and double locked the door.


    Melvin just stared at the closed door, cool as a cucumber, cleaned up the te, then knocked


    Jocelyn, we¡¯re just hashing out our views on marriage Why the temper?¡±


    ¡°Hey, as a teacher, can you be a bit more gracious?


    Leaning against the wall, Melvin said in azy drawl, I¡¯m heading out of town tomorrow and won¡¯t be


    back till next month You sure you want me crash on the sofa on ourst night?


    Jocelyn was fuming inside


    Even though she knew his stance on love and marriage, hearing it straight from his mouth always


    stung.


    He was reminding her yet again he was not the marrying kind


    Her pride was on fire, and she was not budging an inch


    After her shower, she heard the front door close.


    She waited by her door, dead silence. Then she peeked out and found he¡¯s gone


    Suddenly, the emptiness hit her hard.


    Sleering alone that night, insomnia kicked in her. It was past 2 AM when she finally dozed off


    No sooner had she closed her eyes than the rm red


    She got up, freshened up, opened her door, and there was Melvin, giving her the smoldering look


    She had no clue when he got back.


    She tried to squeeze by, pretending he was invisible.


    Melvin grabbed her hand, ¡®Still steamed?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡± she red at him.


    ¡°Great, ive been holding onto my anger all night too¡± He picked her up and carried her back to the


    bedroomying her on the bed and pressing down on her. ¡°Let¡¯s extinguish our fires togethert


    Jocelyn struggled, ¡°Get off!¡±


    ¡°Nope. He kissed her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll bete!¡± she protested, trying to push him away.


    He interlocked their fingers, breathless, Tve seen your schedule, and you¡¯re free this morning.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless


    ¡°Chill he whispered, kissing her earlobe, his voice deep and sultry, ¡°My ne¡¯s at 8:30, so we¡¯ve only


    got two hours.¡±


    She never knew how to say no to him, ending up joining his wild ride.


    Melvin was like a wolf who¡¯s been starved for days, looking like he wanted to gobble her up bones and


    all


    An hourter, Melvin was all dressed up, looking at the flushed beauty on the bed, ¡°What do you want?


    I¡¯ll get it for you.¡±


    She¡¯s calmed down, ¡°I want something, but you can¡¯t give


    me.¡±


    Jocelyn, let¡¯s not go there, he said, tying his tie, ¡°I gotta go.¡±


    He paused at the door, came back, and nted a kiss on her forehead, ¡°Be good at home. Don¡¯t


    overthink things, okay?¡± ¡°Just go, or you¡¯ll miss your flight, she said, detached.


    He nced at his watch. I¡¯m out.


    Daisy returned from her hometown.


    They¡¯ve brought back a bunch of local goodies, half for Melvin, and half for Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn eyed the two 20-pound bags, ¡°Why so much?¡±


    These farm eggs, just a hundred. Fifty for you, fifty for Mr. Martinez.¡±


    Daisy was all excited, packed them nicely, and told Calvin, ¡°Take these to him at work tomorrow.¡±


    Jocelyn wanted to say Melvin¡¯s still away on his trip. But she dared not speak.


    Calvin agreed without hesitation. ¡°Okay.¡±


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Jocelyn, on my visit, Quinta asked if you¡¯re dating. She said she¡¯s got someone in mind for you, Daisy


    teased her suddenly


    Jocelyn was swallowing hard, ¡°Mom, no rush.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s there no rush? Margot was at the same age as you, but her child is already in preschool. That


    little munchkin¡¯s so darn sweet with your dad¡±


    ¡°Mom, there¡¯s plenty of folks over thirty not hitched, and I¡¯m just twenty-six, Jocelynined, head


    throbbing.


    Daisy sho mer a look, ¡°Whypare with others? Your dad and I are past fifty. Get married and have


    kids soon, so we can he out. Wait till we¡¯re too old, then who¡¯s gonna look after your child then?


    If yo e lucky to marry into a caring family, fine, but if not, you¡¯re in for it. You think ying daughter-in-


    law is a cak walk? With your mother-inw, you gotta pick and choose your words carefully¡±


    Jcelyn sat quietly, listening, biting her tongue.


    Daisy caught her standing there, all silent and broody, and let out a sigh. ¡°You know, your problem is


    you¡¯re shooting for


    the stars¡±


    ¡°Really though, whether a marriage rocks or sucks depends on who you¡¯re hitched to. Take Dad, for


    example. He¡¯s always got your back, which is why Grandma can¡¯t get her ws into you, no matter


    how hard she tries.¡±


    Daisy gave her a look, ¡°And where do you get off thinking you know squat about the hard times i went


    through when first marred him?¡±


    ¡°But now you are happy, right?¡± Jocelyn approached with a smile, hugging her mother¡¯s arm yfully,


    ¡°Mom, I also want to find a man who will love me like Dad loves you. So my standards are high. Good


    thingse to those who wait. I believe I¡¯ll meet the right one.¡±


    ¡°Alright, stop pestering her about getting married all the time. My daughter is young, gorgeous, and


    talented. She won¡¯t have any troublending a killer match,¡± Calvin chimed in to wrap things up.


    Daisy gave Calvin a pointed look, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re always the good cop.¡±


    Calvin just grinned from ear to ear.


    Seeing the love in her parents¡¯ eyes, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but feel envious.

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    The monthly exam results were in, and ss One has left the other eight sses in the dust


    As the head teacher of ss One, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t hide the pride on her face


    Wrench, the head teacher of ss Two, walked into the office and couldn¡¯t help but express his envy,


    ¡®Ah, Jocelyn, can¡¯t you give us a break? You¡¯re making us look bad here!!


    Jocelyn chuckled, ¡°Wrench, aren¡¯t you the math teacher for our ss? Math¡¯s top scorer in the grade


    That doesn¡¯t make


    you happy?


    ¡°Hah, that¡¯s even more irritating. We¡¯ve got the same teacher for ss two, so why such a huge gap?


    Wrench was rubbing his temples in frustration.


    The other teachersughed too


    Jocelyn had promised her students that if they ranked first in the grade, she would apply to pick up


    Willow from the airport, so with the score sheet in hand, she headed to the principal¡¯s office


    Half an hourter, Jocelyn emerged from the principal¡¯s office with a smile.


    She walked towards the ss One, where Preston happened to be standing.


    ¡°You actually applied? Preston frowned.


    Jocelyn queried. ¡°Is there a problem?¡±


    Preston took a deep breath, ¡°You¡¯ll regret it, and then he went back to the ssroom


    Jocelyn puzzled. What was there to regret?


    Since Willow had been a student here before, the leadership decided to invite her to the school to


    cheer up the


    students


    This news was even more exciting than the prospect of picking her up from the airport.


    In doing so, Jocelyn fulfilled her promise.


    After thest ss, Jocelyn approached Preston¡¯s desk, ¡°I¡¯ll treat you to ate-night snack.¡±


    Preston nced at her, ¡°Instant pasta?¡±


    Jocelyn felt like smacking the kid but held back.


    ¡°Barbecue.¡±


    Preston raised an eyebrow, ¡°I can join you for a bite.¡±


    Jocelyn rolled her eyes at him and walked away without a word.


    There were stalls outside the school; Jocelyn ordered a serving of roast beef and let Preston pick


    whatever he wanted


    Can we drink alcohol? Preston asked and received a dagger re from Jocelyn.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Preston pouted, ¡°No fun.¡±


    Jocelyn handed him a juice bottle, ¡°Students should act like students.¡±


    ¡°You only get to boss me around Preston asked, ¡°Do you think you can handle Melvin?¡±


    Jocelyn gave him a sharp look, ¡°Mind your manners, he¡¯s your uncle.¡±


    Prestore fooked at her curiously. How long have you two been together? Did he mention when he¡¯s


    going to marry you? ¡°Why so nosy Jocelyn eyed his gossipy demeanor, forgetting her teacher¡¯s role.


    Just wondering if you cannd Melvin, Preston said, nibbling on grilled meat: ¡°You seem to be the first


    woman to get


    Jocelyn bristled at his words, ¡°What do you mean ¡®get¡¯? He came over on his own, okay?¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve got skills,¡± Preston gave her a thumbs up, ¡°Keep it up, tame him, and then my mom won¡¯t


    have to worry about him anymore.¡±


    Jocelyn prodded meat in her te, her mind a whirlwind. There were questions she wanted to ask but


    was too embarrassed to voice.


    If Melvin found out, that would be mortifying.


    After finishing thete-night snack, Preston responsibly walked Jocelyn back.


    Suddenly, Preston said seriously. ¡°If you¡¯re workingte, you should have my uncle pick you up.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you notice someone watching you with bad intentions?¡± Preston gave her a look.


    Jocelynughed.


    Preston dropped Jocelyn off at her building, ¡°Call me if you need anything.¡±


    Jocelyn was stunned, Call you?¡±


    ¡°Who else? You think you can rely on my unreliable uncle?¡± Preston dialed a number on his phone.


    Then Jocelyn¡¯s phone rang.


    ¡°It is my number. Save it. Preston slung his backpack over his shoulder coolly and took off.


    Jocelyn was a bit dazed.


    Where did this cheeky kid learn this from?


    Opening the door to her apartment, Jocelyn¡¯s spirits lifted at the sight of the men¡¯s shoes at the


    entrance.


    After putting her bag away, she tiptoed to the bedroom door and upon seeing the man on the bed, she


    pressed her lips together and quietly approached the bed. Then, she lifted the corner of the nket and


    slipped in.


    ¡°Umm¡­¡± Melvinzily opened his eyes. Seeing her, he stretched out an arm to pull her into his


    embrace.


    Jocelyny on top of him, listening to his heartbeat, ¡°When did you get back?¡±


    ¡°Seven.¡±


    Tired?¡±


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    Noticing his exhaustion, Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to disturb him further. ¡°Sleep now. I¡¯ll fix you something to


    eat.¡±


    Then she attempted to climb off him.


    Melvin¡¯s arms wrapped around her back, holding her tight, ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡±


    ¡°How can you sleep like this? Jocelyn¡¯s pointed chin rested on his chest, her hand already tracing her


    favorite abs.


    He said he¡¯d be back in a week, and it had been over ten days.


    Melvin opened his eyes, saw her full of energy, her sexy Adam¡¯s apple moving slightly, ¡°Miss me?¡±


    Jocelyn blushed, her hand moving lower, and upon hearing his suppressed grunt, she knew his


    drowsiness was gone.


    it¡¯s you who missed me.¡±


    A man¡¯s thoughts and physical reactions can be separate,¡± Melvin flipped over, pinning her beneath


    him and taking control, ¡®Since you¡¯re so eager, I might as well oblige you.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart fluttered, and before things even started, waves of pleasure were already rushing


    through her nerves


    m going to take a shower,¡± she gently pushed him.


    Melvin kissed her, ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡±


    But Jocelyn insisted, and Melvin, stubborn as he was, couldn¡¯t oust her. He threw back the nket,


    picked her up, and camed her to the bathroom.


    Soon, the sound of running water filled the bathroom.


    Over an hourter, Melvin, looking triumphant, carried apletely rxed Jocelyn out of the


    bathroom andid her on the bed. He leaned down to look at her flushed and lovely face, his voice


    husky and maic, ¡°Satisfied?¡±


    Jocelyn pursed her swollen lips, shyly avoiding his intense gaze


    ¡°So, you came back just to check on my ¡®supplies?¡± Melvin leaned down to gently pinch her chin,


    ¡°There¡¯s still a little sperm left, you want to dig for it?¡±


    Jocelyn, again stirred by his words, was about to say ¡°no¡± but found herself flipped on top, her body


    pressed tightly against his.


    She was blushing furiously.


    Melvin¡¯s gaze was so intense that it was like everything he looked at caught fire. Jocelyn blushed from


    head to toe, totally unable to handle the heat in his eyes.


    Under his burning stare, she quicklyy down, ¡°Turn off the lights¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s more fun with the lights on? Melvin wouldn¡¯t budge on the lights, nibbling on her


    ear, ¡°I just love watching you


    Jocelyn buried her face in his chest, too shy to look up.


    But Melvin¡¯s hands were busy guiding her hips, his intentions crystal clear.


    The flirtatious vibe had reached its peak, and any shyness waspletely drowned out by desire.


    Jocelyn started to arch her back, getting into the groove with him.


    But then the buzzing of the phone became too loud to ignore; Jocelyn gasped, ¡°Your phone.¡±


    Melvin didn¡¯t want to be bothered, but the phone kept ringing off the hook.


    Jocelyny back on him, gearing up for round two.


    Melvin picked up the phone, eyeing the iing number that wasn¡¯t saved in his contacts. He


    answered and brought it to his ear, with his hand still caressing Jocelyn¡¯s delicate back, ¡°Hello, who¡¯s


    this?¡±


    Despite his tiredness, his voice was exceptionally husky, and unintentionally seductive..

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    Jocelyny on her bed, a restless heat coursing through her body, dissipating as Melvin left. His


    departure marked by an unexpected phone call, a first in their shared moments.


    It was the first time he¡¯d bailed on her mid-action because of a ringtone.


    Even though she didn¡¯t know who was on the other end, she could tell it was someone big deal.


    Before Melvin split, he did drop a line, ¡°Don¡¯t wait up; hit the hay early¡±


    But Jocelyn couldn¡¯t catch a wink.


    She was wondering, was it a guy or a gal who called Melvin? Was he gonna make it back tonight?


    It wasn¡¯t until half-past three in the morning that she finally dozed off.


    Sure enough, Melvin didn¡¯te home all night.


    Jocelyn was no fool, Melvin never admitted she was his girlfriend, so she had no right to grill him about


    his whereabouts.


    After three back-to-back morning sses, and no call or text from Melvin over lunch, she got antsy.


    She hopped onto his Facebook, hesitated for a sec, but still shot him a message. [Are you home


    today?]


    After sending it, she was glued to her phone screen, but no reply. Just about before her afternoon


    ss, her phone buzzed


    She checked it right before stepping into the ssroom.


    It was just one word.


    [No.]


    This had never happened before, and her woman¡¯s intuition screamed one possibility at her.


    He must be with some chick.


    But in the three years they¡¯d been together, she¡¯d never seen him give any woman the time of day.


    Where did this mystery womane from?


    Then again, maybe it wasn¡¯t about whispering sweet nothings to some dame, but rather he was


    schmoozing a client, talking shop.


    Thinking this eased her mind a bit.


    After thest ss of the day, Preston caught up with her, ¡°Jocelyn.¡±


    At school, Preston was respectful of his teachers, including her.


    Jocelyn turned, ¡°Yes?¡±


    Preston looked concerned, ¡°You and Melvin doing alright?¡±


    ¡°Watch your mouth. He¡¯s your uncle, Jocelyn didn¡¯t catch why he was poking around, ¡°We¡¯re fine. What


    about it?¡±


    Preston, hearing this, threw out an invitation, ¡°How about I treat you to dinner?¡±


    No evening ss today. School was out and everyone was free to head home.


    Jocelyn¡¯s brow furrowed, ¡°Why the dinner invite?¡±


    ¡°Irs better than eating alone¡± he replied. ¡°Will you join me?¡±


    She declined, already having ns for a celebratory dinner.


    Preston shrugged it off like it was no biggle, ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll just order some takeout.¡±


    With that, he headed back to the ssroom.


    Jocelyn felt a twinge of guilt but inviting him along would raise eyebrows among her colleagues, and


    how would she


    exin that?


    In the end, she didn¡¯t call out to Preston.


    Her colleague went all out, taking them to some swanky club that must¡¯ve cost an arm and a leg. Turns


    out her colleague¡¯s new beau was some rich kid. Loaded for sure, but his family wasn¡¯t all that cultured,


    so they put teachers on a pedestal and treated her like a queen.


    The joint was so big, you¡¯d need a guide not to get lost.


    Jocelyn and Urs, her colleague with whom she was pretty tight, walked arm in arm at the back,


    whispering, ¡°Fancy digs.¡±


    Urs was scoping the ce. ¡°First time at a posh club like this.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled along.


    ¡°Think we might bump into a wealthy bachelor here?¡± Urs sounded excited, ¡°Those cars outside


    screamed money.¡±


    Another teacher from up front stepped back, whispering, ¡°Heard Willow¡¯s here too. Wonder if we¡¯ll run


    into her and get an autograph or something.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the rush? She¡¯ll be at the school in a few days.¡±


    ¡°Not the same, man. If the students see me starstruck like them, there goes my authority.¡±


    Dinner was a parade of exquisite dishes, each seemingly worth half a month¡¯s sry.


    They opened a bottle of Lafite, a luxury beyond their usual means.


    Midway through, Jocelyn excused herself to the restroom.


    There was one in the room, but she opted for the one outside.


    On her way back, she spotted Melvin in surprise.


    Melvin was walking away from her, towards another door, and she saw a sh of a white floral dress


    brushing against his pants as he entered.


    Then the door closed.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart sank. She fought the urge to knock on that door, forcing herself back to the private


    room.


    She wasn¡¯t Melvin¡¯s girlfriend, so she didn¡¯t even have the right to catch him in the act.


    Past eleven, the group left the private room, all smiles and chatter.


    Jocelyn¡¯s gaze drifted towards the room where Melvin had been, wondering if he was still there.


    Exiting the club, everyone had a ride waiting. Jocelyn had called a car too, but it was still a good fifteen


    minutes out.


    She waited until the end, her gaze inadvertently catching sight of Melvin and a woman, who was fully


    dressed, stepping out of the club. The hem of the woman¡¯s dress was familiar. It was the one tangled


    around Melvin¡¯s legs earlier.


    The woman, masked and with waist-lerigth wavy hair, wore an apricot trench coat that billowed as she


    walked, her presence exuding an extraordinary aura¡­


    Melvin, ever the gentleman, held the door of a silver Porsche open for her. The woman took the


    passenger seat, and Melvin closed the door tenderly before circling the car to the driver¡¯s side.


    in that moment, he suddenly looked over and locked eyes with Jocelyn.


    pride flickered in his eyes, quickly reced by a hint of annoyance. Then he got in the car, which sped


    off like a terpard


    That look of his, did he think she was tailing him?


    A bitter taste rose in her throat.


    Once home, she flopped onto her bed, pulled out his Facebook, and considered asking if he¡¯d be


    coming back tonight.


    But the thought of the woman in his car made her drop the phone and pull the covers over her head.


    The next day, Jocelyn applied makeup, yet it couldn¡¯t conceal her dark circles.


    Tomorrow, Willow would visit the school as an alumna, and the principal had arranged for a few


    teachers to host an event in the indoor basketball court..


    Willow wouldn¡¯t stay long, just two hours in the moming-after all, her time was money.


    In the afternoon, her dad, Calvin, called Jocelyn toe home for dinner.


    By evening, Jocelyn was back, greeted by a table full of scrumptious dishes.


    At dinner, Calvin said, ¡°Heard yesterday that Mr. Martinez is back in town. Good thing I hauled our stuff


    over to the office today, otherwise it¡¯d been sitting around too long, which wouldn¡¯t be great.¡±


    ¡°Hope he didn¡¯t turn his nose up at it, asked Daisy.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t dodge it, but took it all, Calvin chuckled. ¡°City folks still have a soft spot for our humble


    country goods, the real deal


    Daisy finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least that¡¯s one favor repaid.¡±


    ¡°Later, I figured he took it so readily probably because his girlfriend was in the car. He didn¡¯t wanna


    mess around and waste time, so he just cut to the chase.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s food fell from her fork onto the table.


    She picked it up again, only to hear Daisy ask, ¡°Girlfriend?


    ¡°Yep, she was in his car but didn¡¯t get out. Just caught a glimpse of her profile, pretty hot. I swear she


    looks familiar.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s appetite was gone.


    The woman in the car was undoubtedly the same one she¡¯d caught a glimpse of at the club that day.


    No wonder he hadn¡¯te back He¡¯s got a new me. Or rather, not necessarily new, could be an old


    me.


    In any case, she was nothing.


    Jocelyn cabbed it back to her apartment from her parents¡¯ ce. As soon as she walked in, she saw


    that familiar bag by the entryway, the one her dad had used to pack those local goodies for Melvin.


    She changed her shoes and walked in further. The sound of the shower running made her heart heavy,


    thinking of that woman, the frustration stuck in her chest.


    Two days and a night out, and he still came back here to shower.


    What¡¯s the deal? Trying to save on his utility bill?


    Suddenly, the shower stopped.


    The door opened, and there was Melvin, with a towel around his waist, revealing his lean torso with


    droplets tracing down the muscle lines, disappearing into the folds of the towel at his impressive abs.


    She¡¯d seen that body countless times, her favorite part being his tight, powerful lower belly, sexy and


    captivating.


    Many times, in the heat of passion, she would press her face against it.


    I¡¯m back, Melvin said, reaching out to embrace her, aiming for a kiss.


    Jocelyn gently pressed her palm against his chest, turned her face away, and dodged his lips.


    Melvin kissed the air, his grip intensifying as he wrapped one arm around her tightly, pulling her close,


    her waist againstT¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    ¡°What¡¯s up? Got a bee in your bo? Melvin sidled up to her, whispering sweet nothings, the air


    between them thick with ambiguity.


    Jocelyn turned her head and forcefully pried his hand away, putting some distance between them.


    She saw a flicker of annoyance in his eyes and remembered the way he looked at her after he put that


    woman in the car the other day. It hurt like hell.


    Melvin stepped back, leaning against the wall, his expression cooling off


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked


    Jocelyn stared him down, only now realizing how little she meant to him


    He didn¡¯t even bother to offer an exnation


    She didn¡¯t want to go all harpy on him, interrogating who that woman was, or who he had been with


    during those two days and a night.


    She pointed at the bag by the door, ¡°Did my dad give that to you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Melvin nced at it nonchntly.


    So, why¡¯d you bring it here?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m here, aren¡¯t 1? Where else should I have taken it?


    ¡°You know damn well that¡¯s my dad returning a favor. Even if you think it¡¯s beneath you and don¡¯t want


    it, you shouldn¡¯t unt it in my face!¡± Jocelyn¡¯s temper red up.


    Melvin frowned. So where should I have dumped it?


    ¡°Do you despise these things that much? Are they just not worthy of your precious attention, so you


    dump them on me? Jocelyn¡¯s tone was sharp, she wanted to keep her cool, but she just couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°You¡¯re way off base. Melvin reached for her hand, ¡°Come on¡­¡±


    Jocelyn shook him off, ¡°I don¡¯t even know what my ce means to you. Sure, I like you, but I¡¯m not


    bottomless. Like this stuff, if you don¡¯t value it, toss it. Don¡¯t give it to me or unt it. It just makes us


    look like a joke!


    ¡°What are you trying to say? Melvin¡¯s face darkened too.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, ¡°I won¡¯t be the other woman.


    With one woman out in the open, one in the shadows, hoping to have it all?


    Dream on!


    Melvin scowled. The other woman?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to say much more, stepping back to widen the gap between them. ¡°I thought we


    weren¡¯t nning on marriage, just living day by day, in the moment. But now, even that¡¯s too much, so


    what¡¯s there to cling to?¡± She looked at Melvin, ¡°You¡¯ve just been ying with me, and now, I¡¯m done


    ying


    She refused to bebeled a homewrecker, a mistress, a floozy


    With not even a flicker from Melvin¡¯s eyelids, he asked, Got someone else lined up?¡±


    Jocelyn exhaled in irritation, ¡°No.¡±


    Done ying?¡±


    Melvin stared at her for a long while before turning and heading into the bedroom. He didn¡¯t even shut


    the door. He got dressed and walked out. face sour as hell.


    The door mmed shut with a bang.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, filled with nothing but frustration and disappointment


    He knew what she cared about, what she wanted to hear, but he wouldn¡¯t exin, not one bit.


    In the end, he disdained to exin because they were not even in a boyfriend-girlfriend rtionship.


    No need to retain, no need to exin, it¡¯s over just like that.


    Jocelyn had her limits, and now that they¡¯d been crossed, no matter how painful or unwilling, she had


    to cut ties.


    Otherwise, she¡¯d make a mistake.


    She went to the bedroom, yanked his clothes out of the closet, and threw them into his suitcase, her


    eyes starting to


    burn


    She hadn¡¯t finished packing when someone knocked at the door Judging by the rhythm, it couldn¡¯t be


    Melvin.


    She steadied herself and answered the door. It was Rose, her neighbor from downstairs.


    Jocelyn, did you have a fight with your boyfriend? I saw him standing down there all alone, looking


    pretty pitiful.¡±


    Jocelyn froze


    He didn¡¯t leave?


    Jocelyn had packed his things, sitting on the bed and watching the time. It had been two hours since he


    left


    Rose¡¯s words echoed in her mind, making an impact, and she couldn¡¯t just ignore it.


    After another hour, she couldn¡¯t sit still any longer and hurried down to look around. But there was no


    sign of him.


    Suddenly, she scoffed at herself.


    What was she doing?


    He had someone new, so how could he have nowhere to go? Why would he linger downstairs? He


    wasn¡¯t that attached Mocking her own foolishness, she turned to leave.


    ¡°Looking for me? Melvin stood there, putting out his cigarette in the nearby trash can, his eyes half-


    closed, with a smirk ying on his lips


    Seeing him at that moment, Jocelyn felt a sharp pain in her chest.


    She looked away and walked past him, ignoring himpletely.


    Melvin caught up and grabbed her hand just before she got into the elevator. He pulled her into the


    nearby fire escape, pinning her against the narrow corner.


    ¡°What are you doing? Let go of me!¡± Jocelyn was furious, her voice quivering.


    Melvin closed in on her, trapping her in his space, ¡°If can¡¯t bear to see me go, why didn¡¯t you stop me?¡±


    he murmured, a low growl in his throat.


    Jocelyn turned her head away, defiantly saying, ¡°You¡¯re imagining things.¡±


    Aren¡¯t you here for me?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    But Melvin just chuckled lightly, ¡°How can a teacher lie?¡±


    Jocelyn was furious.


    ug look, knowing he had her in the palm of his hand, was infuriating.


    He understood love alright he was just too damn good at it


    Knowing she loved him that¡¯s why he was so cocky.


    Sote and you¡¯re still here, not worried your girlfriend will be upset?¡± Jocelyn admitted she was


    jealous.


    Melvin frowned. ¡°My girlfriend? Isn¡¯t that you?¡±


    Jocelyn felt weak, his words dissolving all her built-up tension and imitation.


    He acknowledged her as his girlfriend! For the first time in years, he said it.


    ¡°Then who¡¯s that woman you met in the middle of the night? As his girlfriend, she had the right to ask.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Meivin backed off a bit, ¡°A friend¡±


    Jocelyn was smart A mere friend wouldn¡¯t have him rushing out like that.


    She didn¡¯t dare ask more, scared that the more she knew, the quicker her dream would end.


    Then why¡¯d you bring my dad¡¯s gift to me? She changed the subject, not wanting him to see her


    concealed thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯m staying at your ce, if not to you, then who?¡± Melvin took her hand, ¡°Let¡¯s go back to sleep.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s temper had cooled, and she let him lead her back to the elevator.


    As the numbers climbed, Jocelyn pursed her lips and asked a question that was hard for her to voice.


    ¡°If we bump into someone outside, can I introduce you as my boyfriend?¡±


    Women are like that, always pushing their luck. The inch you give them, it¡¯s like handing them a free


    pass to run wild.


    Melvin looked at her, and the look in her eyes spelled out exactly what she wanted. His Adam¡¯s apple


    bobbed slightly, ¡°What¡¯s the point of going public anyway?¡±


    The little thrill Jocelyn had felt inside vanished in a puff of smoke. She was done being led around by


    him.


    ¡°So, we¡¯re still in a rtionship that can¡¯t see the light, right?¡±

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    like to let things take their natural course. Just like when we got together, it was effortless, no need to


    force anything? Melvin consoled her rarely, ¡°Don¡¯t you think our rtionship is just night as it is?¡±


    She also got his point essentially, he didn¡¯t want to go public with their rtionship.


    The title of boyfriend and girlfriend only existed when they were together To the outside world, they


    were still distant


    Jocelyn faked an indifferent smile. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s fine Sneaking around together If we split, it won¡¯t be


    gossip fodder.¡± The elevator doors opened, and Jocelyn stepped inside.


    Melvin followed and closed the door behind them, wrapping his arms around her from behind, ¡°Tve


    never thought about breaking up with you.¡±


    Likewise, he hadn¡¯t thought about marrying her either.


    Jocelyn knew it


    She gently removed his hands and said indifferently, I¡¯m going to take a shower.¡±


    Melvin let her go, seeing the disappointment in her eyes.


    At this moment, he was also somewhat irritable


    Her recent desire for a proper status was bing more evident, and that wasn¡¯t what he wanted.


    That night, theyy in bed, distinctly separated.


    Jocelyn slept hazily, feeling a weight on her and hands roaming over her body, warmth spreading down


    from beside her


    ear


    She couldn¡¯t help but moan softly, which encouraged her stealthy partner to be more assertive.


    His dominance was tempered with tenderness in his love making, always effortlessly conquering her..


    Three years had taught him well how to please them both.


    The saying goes, lovers quarrel at the head of the bed and make up at the foot of it.


    By the time Jocelyn was panting on top of Melvin, she knew she had let her guard down.


    Melvin was puffing on a post-coital cigarette, feeling refreshed


    Jocelyn felt a twinge of regret, rested up and without a word, got up from him. Melvin silently watched


    her, his eyes following her every move.


    Jocelyn spent a good half hour in the bathroom beforeing out, still feeling annoyed.


    She didn¡¯t expect him to cater to her mood, and she didn¡¯t bother with him either.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Today, Willow was visiting the school, and there was preparation to check, after all, she was a national


    idol, a goddess, the center of attention wherever she went. The school might even get some buzz


    because of her.


    So, while maintaining the school¡¯s authenticity, it was also essential to make sure everything was


    media-proof and free. of ws thatizens could criticize.


    Jocelyn wore an ankle-length white dress with a ck zer, simple and elegant.


    Being naturally striking, she was always cautious with her makeup, hair, and clothing, never wearing


    makeup or brightly colored clothes.


    Yet even so, her bare face was considered the most beautiful in the whole school.


    Melvin stood behind her, reaching out to drape a ne around her neck.


    The cool sensation made her shiver slightly as he put it on her without asking.


    ¡°A gift from my business trip.¡± Melvin wrapped his arms around her, admiring the woman in the mirror,


    ¡°You look beautiful¡±


    Jocelyn pursed her lips stubbornly, reaching to take it off.


    ¡®Still mad?¡± Melvin grabbed her hand, turning her around to face him. Seeing the defiance in her eyes,


    he was surprisingly patient, ¡°How about I pick you up for lunch at school?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s brows furrowed, ¡°You¡¯re going to pick me up?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of misunderstandings?¡±


    ¡°What others think is beyond our control.¡± Melvin held her waist, his voice deep and slightly appeasing,


    ¡°What do you feel like eating?¡±


    Jocelyn was weak


    He was the one backing down first, still coaxing her, and most importantly, he said he woulde to


    pick her up at


    school


    That meant he wasn¡¯t afraid of people thinking he was her boyfriend


    Quiet fireworks burst in Jocelyn¡¯s heart.


    Everyone could tell Jocelyn was in a good mood.


    Urs sidled up to her, eyeing the ne gleaming on her neck, ¡°Finally seeing you wear some


    bling. Wait a sec, that ne looks familiar Oh, right, I remember Willow posted a picture of it on


    Twitter, saying she loved it but couldn¡¯t have it because the designer wanted to keep it. How did it end


    up with you?¡±


    Jocelyn touched the ne, ¡°No way.¡±


    It was amon design, nothing special about it.


    ¡°I¡¯m not mistaken. Urs even pulled up Willow¡¯s tweet.


    There was a photo, indeed, of the ne she was wearing.


    ¡°Look. Urs said, ¡°No mistake, right? How did you manage to snag something that¡¯s not for sale?


    Jocelyn was a bit stunned. She thought Melvin just bought it randomly to cheer her up, and never


    imagined it was something not easily obtained


    Boyfriend¡¯s gift, right? Urs was all gossip, ¡°With your looks, it¡¯d be a crime not to have one. When


    can we meet him?¡± Jocelyn stopped thinking about the ne.


    Thinking of Melvining at noon, her heart¡¯s little fireworks went ¡°bang bang.


    ¡°You¡¯ll meet him. Jocelyn smiled sweetly.


    At ten in the morning, Willow arrived.


    The whole school weed her warmly, even ying games together on the sports field.


    Up close, the students found Willow even more idol-worthy.


    Jocelyn stood afar, watching Willow¡¯s innocent, sweet, and approachable demeanor, and couldn¡¯t help


    but admire the true national goddess for her beauty.


    As a wornan, she truly appreciated outstanding members of her gender.


    After games and songs, time flew by


    having met their idol, contentedly returned to their ssrooms to carry on with their day.


    Willow sat down with the school authorities for a bit longer before the event concluded.


    As Jocelyn was chatting with some colleagues in the corridor, she saw Willowing out of the


    meeting room.


    Their eyes met, and Willow was the first to smile and nod. Jocelyn and the others naturally responded


    in kind.


    ¡°Jocelyn, can you walk Willow out?¡± the principal asked.


    Jocelyn naturally couldn¡¯t refuse.


    Walking with Willow from the office building to the sports field, the atmosphere was quite nice until


    Willow suddenly stopped and looked at the ne around Jocelyn¡¯s neck, ¡°Jocelyn, may I ask who


    gave you that ne?¡±


    Jocelyn was taken aback, feeling the question was a bit abrupt


    Still, she replied politely. ¡°My boyfriend.¡±


    Willow looked taken aback, then forced a smile that wasn¡¯t as genuine as before, her tone a notch


    cooler, ¡°Oh really? Your boyfriend¡¯s generous, isn¡¯t he?


    Jocelyn could tell there was a hint of something more behind her words, but she just smiled in


    response.


    ¡°I actually really love this ne too, but the designer wouldn¡¯t sell it. I even got a friend to see if


    there was any way to snag it, but no luck. There was an unmistakable hint of disappointment in


    Willow¡¯s eyes.


    Jocelyn had no words offort.


    Willow, however, showed a sweet smile. ¡°Never mind. I need to think of a good gift. Next time I see


    him, I¡¯ll have him buy it

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15


    Stepping out of the school gates, a sleek silver Porsche rolled up slowly


    Jocelyn recognized the car. It was Melvin¡¯s.


    Willow, who was about to hop in her car, paused and stared at the car too


    As the person in the car got out. Jocelyn was still debating whether to enthusiastically hug him when


    someone else beat her to it, rushing over and hugging Melvin tightly


    ¡°Why are you here? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re trying to surprise me. Willow looked up at him with a smile, her


    sweet voice tinged with a yful whine.


    Jocelyn was stunned She wasn¡¯t seeing things, Willow was hugging Melvin.


    Melvin was obviously taken aback for a few seconds too. Seeing Jocelyn¡¯s joy slowly drowning, he


    gently pushed Willow away. ¡°Mind the image


    There¡¯s hardly anyone here, no worries.¡± Willow clung to his arm again, ¡°I¡¯m so hungry. Will you take


    me out to eat? I¡¯m craving steak.


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind was a mess. She never would have guessed that Melvin and Willow knew each other,


    let alone seemed


    quite close.


    She couldn¡¯t help but think back to that night at the club, wondering if the woman who got into his car


    was Willow


    She felt there was no need to stand there any longer. Keeping up a polite smile, she said, ¡°Willow, I¡¯m


    really grateful you took time out of your busy schedule toe to the school and make the students¡¯


    fan dreamse true¡±


    ¡°No need for thanks, Jocelyn. I was a student here too, and I haven¡¯t really done much for the school,


    so I feel quite embarrassed


    Willow had a way with words. She said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for bothering you today and disrupting teaching


    time.¡±


    Polite and humble, she was hard not to like.


    ¡°Feel free toe back and visit anytime, Jocelyn offered generously.


    Definitely, Willow smiled. ¡°Jocelyn, you don¡¯t have to worry about me. Go do your thing.¡±


    Jocelyn nced at Melvin, who looked back at her indifferently.


    The two standing together were a sight for sore eyes.


    Feeling a sourness in her heart, she didn¡¯t want to embarrass herself and turned away.


    Just at that moment, as she turned, it felt like sand had gotten into her eyes, causing difort.


    She thought Melvin would call after her, but he didn¡¯t.


    She hadn¡¯t walked far when the sound of the car engine starting up behind her and mist appeared


    before her eyes


    Suddenly, she understood the look Preston had given her when she insisted on inviting Willow, and


    why he had called


    her dumb.


    And dumb she was.


    Surely no one was as dumb as her, to invite her boyfriend¡¯s ex-girlfriend to unt in front of her.


    The dumbest part was that she didn¡¯t even dare to hug her boyfriend in public as if she had stolen that


    title.


    She was increasingly feeling like a mistress, who was hidden from sight


    Jocelyn


    The low male voice from behind made her stop.


    She thought she was hallucinating.


    Weren¡¯t we agreed that I¡¯d pick you up for lunch? Why are you running off?¡± Melvin walked up to her,


    and seeing her reddened eyes, frowned. ¡°Isn¡¯t it me who¡¯s being ignored here? Why are you crying?¡±


    Jocelyn turned around, and Willow¡¯s car was already gone.


    She thought he would have left with her.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t leave?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s voice was shaky with tears.


    Melvin, with his hands in his pockets, said coolly, ¡°Jocelyn, I came to pick up my girlfriend.¡±


    Jocelyn had to admit, that word ¡°girlfriend¡± pleased her


    In the car, Jocelyn gazed out the window, feeling a bit smug despite herself


    But the thought of Willow being so close to him curdled her satisfaction with a hint of jealousy.


    ¡°What is your rtionship with Willow? Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Melvin, steering with one hand, looked cool as a cucumber.


    ¡°Friends, he said tly.


    Jocelyn pursed her lips, Just friends?¡±


    ¡°Yeah


    Jocelyn watched him for a few seconds and muttered under her breath, ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like it.¡±


    Melvin, with keen ears, looked at her, ¡°Or maybe you¡¯re hoping for a different kind of rtionship


    between us?


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t naive, friends won¡¯t hug and cuddle like that.


    Three years ago, she took advantage of his drunken state on the side of the road, and Willow had been


    overseas hustling for three years.


    Plus, that night he left for two days after a phone call and then reappeared with Willow. It wasn¡¯t hard to


    guess their past


    rtionship.


    There was really no way she could believe they were just friends.


    Knowing full well, it seemed pointless to ask further.


    Melvin took her to a beautifully decorated restaurant,plete with mountains and water, feeling like


    they were in a


    natural cave.


    The ce was bustling at noon, with people queuing outside for a table.


    Melvin said something to the waiter, who then led them inside, across a small bridge and past a


    pavilion, to a wooden door. Pushing through, Jocelyn saw several people already seated inside,


    including Willow.


    Her mood instantly soured.


    Willow¡¯s smile stiffened a bit when she saw Jocelyn, ¡°Melvin, aren¡¯t you going to introduce us?¡±


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    The two men sitting next to Willow also looked at Melvin and Jocelyn, the one in the red shirt with a


    somewhat suggestive smile, the one in the white shirt a bit surprised.


    ¡°Jocelyn,¡± was all Melvin said before gesturing for her to sit down.


    He took off his jacket, ced it over the chair back, with no intention of introducing the other two to


    Jocelyn.


    ¡°Jocelyn, I finally get to have a meal with you.¡± The man in the red shirt got up and walked over to


    Jocelyn


    enthusiastically, reaching out his hand, ¡°I¡¯m Zephyr.¡±


    Before Jocelyn could even extend her hand, Melvin pressed it down, giving Zephyr a cold look, ¡°Go


    back to your sent.¡±


    Zephyr pouted, ¡°Come on, Melvin, why so stingy? You¡¯ve kept Jocelyn hidden for so long and barely let


    her out. Now you


    t even let me have a close chat with her. That¡¯s just too much.¡±


    Willow paused again in her drinking, casually asking, ¡°Melvin and Jocelyn have known each other for a


    long time?¡±


    ¡°You should be asking if they¡¯ve been together for a long time, Zephyr quipped, eyebrows raised, his


    hand resting on Melvin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s his hidden jewel. He was scared to death that we¡¯d find out


    he¡¯s snagged a hottie.¡±


    Jocelyn felt awkward


    Only she knew that Melvin didn¡¯t introduce her to his friends because he never really nned to include


    her in his life.


    This time was indeed a surprise for her, even a bit overwhelming


    ¡°Girlfriend?¡± The guy with the somewhat frosty demeanor suddenly popped the question


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat because of his question.


    ¡°What else? Zephyr pped the man¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Would he bring her here if she wasn¡¯t his girlfriend?


    Yannick Hayden, you need to step up your game As a man, howe you don¡¯t even have a whiff of


    scandal?¡±


    Jocelyn felt a twinge of disappointment


    He did bring her to meet his friends, but he didn¡¯t acknowledge her as his girlfriend.


    Yannick brushed off Zephyr¡¯s hand, ¡°Watch your kidneys, bro.¡±


    Zephyr chuckled. Look who¡¯s talking tough.¡±


    ¡°Melvin, when did you and Jocelyn start?¡± Willow asked lightly.

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16


    Melvinzily lifted his eyelids, ¡°Since when did you be such a busybody?¡±


    ¡°Just curious, dude. If I knew you had a girlfriend, I wouldn¡¯t have called you that night.¡± Willow said


    with a chuckle, ¡°And you¡¯re tight-lipped as ever. I mean, I get it if I¡¯m in the dark, but Zephyr and


    Yannick too? You¡¯re a regr secret agent.¡±


    Read between the lines: Jocelyn doesn¡¯t make the cut to meet his pals.


    And it confirmed that he left that night because of her.


    Zephyr frowned, ¡°You two have met before? Here I thought we were all in the same boat. Willow, that¡¯s


    not cool.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Melvin for years and had no clue he had a girlfriend Just wanted to surprise him.


    Landed in the middle of the night and gave him a ring, who knew he¡¯d actually show up? I had to


    assume he was still flying solo¡± Willow exined with augh.


    Jocelyn was on pins and needles, wanting to make her escape.


    Melvin poured Jocelyn a cup of water, ¡°So, no morete-night calls unless it¡¯s an emergency, okay?¡±


    Willow¡¯s smile froze on her face.


    ¡°True,te-night calls can be quite inconvenient.¡± Zephyr said with a suggestive grin, ¡°Having a


    girlfriend changes the game, huh?¡±


    ¡°As long as you get it, Melvin ended the discussion with that.


    Jocelyn felt a tad better.


    Zephyr kept the chit-chat going so the vibe wasn¡¯tpletely dead. Willow didn¡¯t speak to Jocelyn


    again, just joked. around with the rest, reminiscing about old times.


    Jocelyn felt out of ce. Because Melvin never talked about his past.


    Melvin wasn¡¯tpletely ignoring Jocelyn, though. He helped her with food and asionally joined in


    the conversation


    ¡°Willow, you¡¯re like the nation¡¯s sweetheart now. Got a line of guys chasing you?¡± Zephyr prodded


    nosily.


    Willow took a small sip of her drink, ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°Got your eye on anyone? If not, how about giving me a shot? Zephyr teased, half-joking.


    Willow shot him a look, ¡°Ever heard of ¡®don¡¯t hit on your buddy¡¯s girl¡¯?¡±


    Zephyr¡¯s smile turned awkward, his eyes darting to Melvin who was serving Jocelyn food. Jocelyn¡¯s


    hand with the fork. stiffened.


    ¡°When did you start flirting with Yannick? Howe we didn¡¯t know?¡± Zephyr asked Willow, then


    turned Melvin, ¡°You had no idea, right?¡±


    Melvin, leaning back in his chair with a drink in one hand and the other on Jocelyn¡¯s chair, had a touch


    ofziness, ¡°First I¡¯ve heard of it.¡±


    Willow red at Zephyr, ¡°Stop stirring the pot.¡±


    ¡°Then whose girl are you?¡± Zephyr seemed a bit clueless.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t y around,¡± Willow said while sipping her drink, ¡°I¡¯ve got a goal in mind this time.¡±


    With that, the other two guys looked at Melvin, and Jocelyn also sneakily peered at the man next to her.


    The message was clear to everyone.


    Gotta admit, Willow was pretty straightforward.


    Never one to miss a beat, Zephyr sent an ambiguous look Melvin¡¯s way, asking, ¡°You¡¯re not thinking of


    getting back with Melvin, are you?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped, and she didn¡¯t dare look at either Melvin or Willow.


    She wanted out.


    The current atmosphere was suffocating.


    Melvin nced at Zephyr, ¡°Got nothing better to do than talk nonsense?¡±


    Zephyr shrugged, ¡°Just curious, man.¡±


    ¡°How do you expect Willow to answer that?¡± Yannick gave Zephyr a look, this quy seemed to be always


    missing a


    screw.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, this is going to be fun¡± Zephyr chuckled mischievously, loving the chaos.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t sit still anymore. She pretended to check her watch and said casually, ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve got


    a ss soon. I need to head out.¡±


    ¡°So soon?¡± Zephyr looked reluctant


    Jocelyn smiled, ¡°Yeah. Enjoy your meal, and let¡¯s hang out some other time.¡±


    She stood up, avoiding Melvin¡¯s gaze. She certainly didn¡¯t expect him to escort her.


    But Melvin also stood up, ¡°I¡¯ll take you.¡±


    ¡°No need.¡± Jocelyn quickly declined, ¡°You guys finally got together. Don¡¯t worry about me.


    Melvin grabbed her hand, ¡°You sure do talk a lot of nonsense.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    Once they had left, Zephyr looked at Willow, his demeanor shifting from frivolous to serious, Jocelyn


    and Melvin are quite a match. Always hiding Jocelyn and not willing to bring her to us, but he bring her


    out today. It seems like good things are on the horizon, Zephyr teased.


    ¡°People can divorce even after marriage. Until the very end, who knows who¡¯s truly suitable?¡± Willow


    countered lightly.


    Yannick looked up. ¡°Are you trying to interfere, or do you want to take him back?¡±


    ¡°He was mine to begin with,¡± Willow asserted, frowning.


    ¡°Heh, Zephyr scoffed, ¡°No use crying over spilt milk.¡±


    Willow was unfazed, ¡°If I want it, I¡¯ll go for it.¡±


    ¡°But the milk¡¯s gone,¡± Zephyr said beforeughing and looking at Yannick, ¡°Yannick, I¡¯m feeling


    nostalgic too.¡±


    Yannick suddenly gulped, looking everywhere butfortable.


    Jocelyn gently pulled her hand away and said sensibly, ¡°You don¡¯t have to drop me off, go back to your


    friends.¡±


    Melvin looked her over, ¡°You serious?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Of course.¡± Jocelyn kept her smile polite. She had to be gracious and forgiving.


    Melvin snorted, ¡°You should look in the mirror and see how ugly your smile is right now. Get in the car!¡±


    He got into the car, started the engine, waiting for her.


    Jocelyn pinched her face, wondering if her smile really looked that bad.


    On the way, Melvin drove with one hand on the wheel, the other holding a cigarette out the window,


    looking like a total bad boy.


    ¡°Stop at the next corner, please.¡±


    ¡°What for?¡±


    I want a bowl of pasta.


    Melvin frowned, ¡°Didn¡¯t you just eat?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s smile was sarcastic, ¡®The dishes weren¡¯t great.¡±


    Melvin looked at her then parked the car to the side..


    Jocelyn ordered a small bowl of pasta and sat down without waiting for Melvin.


    Melvin watched her, ¡°This good?¡±


    ¡°Delicious Jocelyn didn¡¯t even nce up.


    Melvin grabbed a fork and fished out some pasta from her bowl. After taking a bite, he put it down and


    said, ¡°Meh, it¡¯s just alright.¡±


    ¡°You know, what makes food taste good is all about the vibes andpany.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s brow furrowed again. ¡°What are you implying now?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Its no biggie Exes turning into friends after a breakup, it¡¯s normal, Jocelyn said with a grin.


    ¡°After all, who doesn¡¯t have an ex, right?


    Melvin¡¯s expression copsed instantly. You¡¯ve got an ex?


    ¡°Who do you think you¡¯re looking down on? Jocelyn polished off her pasta and wiped the corner of her


    mouth, her smile growing brighter, I¡¯m on good terms with my ex too.¡±


    Melvin tapped his fingers on the table, his peachy eyes scrutinizing her, ¡°So, your ex wasn¡¯t up to snuff,


    huh?


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t catch his drift.


    ¡°You¡¯re a tough nut to crack the first time around,¡± Melvin said deadpan.


    Jocelyn¡¯s face turned beet red in a sh, and she felt the urge to ssh the pasta right in his face.


    Melvin was quite pleased with himself. He paid the bill, ¡°Come on, we¡¯ll bete for ss if we don¡¯t


    head out now.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Jocelyn felt extremely aggrieved, wanting to say something that would make him ufortable too.


    By the time they reached the school, she couldn¡¯t think of anything to say that would sting him.


    To show her displeasure, she hopped out of the car as soon as it stopped and mmed the door


    without looking back.


    Melvin watched her go with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    Jocelyn had no ss in the evening, so she headed home, pondering what to whip up for dinner.


    Stepping out of the school, she spotted Preston waiting for a ride.


    She approached him and casually invited. Come have dinner at my ce.¡±


    Preston looked at her, puzzled. ¡°Instant pasta?¡±


    Jocelyn wanted to punch him for that. ¡°A proper dinner!¡±


    With a cheeky smile, Preston replied, ¡°I shall graciously ept.¡±


    Walking together, Preston popped the question, ¡°Isn¡¯t there something you wanna ask me?¡±


    ¡°Ask you what? Jocelyn was genuinely confused.


    ¡°About Willow


    A sparkle shed in Jocelyn¡¯s eyes, and she let out a smallugh. ¡°The celeb?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re totally ying dumb about what I¡¯m getting at, Preston was getting a bit anxious.


    ¡°Nope Everything about her is just a Google search away.¡±


    Preston was at a loss for words. ¡°You¡¯re not the least bit curious about what¡¯s the deal with her and my


    uncle?


    Jocelyn felt a twinge in her chest but shook her head with a smile. Why should I be?¡±


    Preston couldn¡¯t believe how chill she was.


    Could it be


    ¡°You don¡¯t love my uncle!


    Caught off guard, Jocelyn frowned. ¡°Where¡¯s thising from?¡±


    ¡°Why else wouldn¡¯t you care about the woman he¡¯s been hugging?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the use of caring? It¡¯s already done, Jocelyn shrugged indifferently. Whatever is going on


    between your uncle and me is just an adult arrangement. Who knows where it¡¯ll lead? Life¡¯s


    unpredictable


    Preston stopped dead in his tracks, staring at her in utter shock.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the look? Jocelyn urged him on. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving.¡±


    Preston, dead serious, said, ¡°I¡¯m even more convinced now. You don¡¯t love my uncle, he is just some


    comfort for your loneliness.¡±


    Jocelyn was tempted to knock some sense into him. ¡°You sure sound like an expert, talking about


    loneliness and


    ¡°That just shows how well you¡¯ve taught me, Preston said with a hint of smugness, his chin held high.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ve got your back. If my uncle is ying you while messing with Willow, just tell me. I might


    not be able to do anything about it, but his sister sure can.¡±


    ¡°His sister? Your mom?¡± Jocelyn inquired.


    ¡°Yeah Just so you know, we¡¯re not fans of Willow,¡± Preston said with an air of vengeance.


    Now, Jocelyn was a bit curious.


    What had Willow done to earn their ire?


    But she didn¡¯t ask


    know well that matters of the heart were personal, and what mattered most was the choice of those


    involved


    Melvin was home already.


    Seeing Preston follow Jocelyn in, he frowned. ¡°Why¡¯d you bring him along?¡±


    Preston red back resentfully.


    ¡°Leaving him to eat takeout every day, do you have no heart?¡± Jocelyn retorted as she took off her


    shoes and handed Preston a pair ofdy¡¯s slippers. ¡°Make do.¡±


    Preston, nonchnt, confronted Melvin, ¡°My mom wanted you to look after me. It¡¯s been this long, and


    I¡¯ve never had a meal you cooked.¡±


    ¡°I gave you money Melvin dered with a sense of righteousness


    ¡°Moneys no substitute for a home. Why bother giving you the credit of being a doting uncle? Preston


    grumbled, plopping down next to him.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Melvin gave him a side-eye


    Preston quickly scooted away, then yelled towards the kitchen, ¡°Hey Jocelyn, maybe I should tell my


    mom I should board with you. She¡¯d probably feel more at ease.¡±


    Jocelyn was torn betweenughter and tears.


    Not a chance!¡± Melvin cut off his hopes abruptly.


    Preston glowered at him.


    Melvin reached out as if to smack him, but Jocelyn¡¯s sharp reprimand stopped him. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare hit


    the kid!¡±


    Melvin¡¯s attractive fingers twitched a bit before he withdrew his hand.


    Preston tauntingly shook his head at him.


    Melvin shot him a deadly re, and Preston quickly ducked into the kitchen. ¡°Auntie, I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Hearing this, Jocelyn stiffened as she washed the vegetables.


    Without turning to see Melvin¡¯s reaction, she said a bit ufortably, ¡°Call me teacher.¡±


    Preston scrunched his nose and red, ¡°He is a jerk.¡±


    As teacher and student busied themselves in the kitchen, Melvin was upied in the living room.


    The sudden ring of the doorbell made Jocelyn¡¯s heart skip a beat. She quickly stepped out the kitchen,


    locking eyes. with Melvin.


    Visitors were rare here, and at this hour, it felt odd.


    ¡°Probably a neighbor. I¡¯ll check ¡°Melvin peeked through the peephole, then turned around with shock in


    his eyes Heading to the bedroom with hisptop, he said, ¡°Your parents.¡±


    Seeing Melvin¡¯s retreating back, Jocelyn¡¯s heart sank


    Preston noticed the fleeting look of loss in Jocelyn¡¯s eyes and couldn¡¯t help but feel for her.


    Before opening the door, Jocelyn tucked Melvin¡¯s shoes into the shoe cab.


    ¡°Dad, Mom, what brings you here?¡±


    ¡°We were free today and thought we¡¯d check on you. Why¡¯d it take so long to open the door?¡± Daisy


    asked. ¡°If you took any longer, your dad was about to bust it down.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t hear the bell in the kitchen.¡± Jocelyn ced slippers at their feet.


    Calvin and Daisy stepped in, only to find Preston standing awkwardly at the kitchen doorway.


    ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± Calvin curiously asked Jocelyn.


    e¡¯s a student from my ss. He¡¯s on his own, so i invited him over for dinner Jocelin exined


    to si ¡°just whip up a couple of dishes really quick.¡±


    Daisy nced around the house, sensing something off.


    Til lend a hand.¡± Daisy headed to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and immediately frowned at the


    contents. ¡°Aren¡¯t these the gifts your dad sent to Mr. Martinez at thepany? How¡¯d they end up


    here?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind exploded.


    How could she have forgotten about that?


    Calvin, intrigued by Daisy¡¯s reaction, came in and fixed his gaze on Jocelyn.


    Suddenly, Jocelyn felt like she was under siege


    Preston stood by, silently observing the awkward scenario unfolding before Jocelyn.


    ¡°Mom, Dad, I didn¡¯t really want to spill the beans, but Mr. Martinez got the stuff you sent and had it


    passed on to me. First off, he never cooks at home, and second, he thought helping you out was no


    skin off his back, so he felt kinda bad epting your gifts


    But, like, if he¡¯d said no at the time, he was worried you¡¯d think he was turning his nose up at you. So,


    you know¡­¡± Jocelyn exined with all the feels.


    ¡°I see, Calvin sighed, Mr. Martinez is one of the good guys, huh?¡±


    Jocelyn nced at Preston subconsciously, and Preston rolled his eyes in a way that only Jocelyn


    could see.


    The two shared an unspoken agreement and didn¡¯t bother to object.


    Dinner was ready, and the family of three, plus Preston, gathered around the table to eat.


    Daisy was fond of Preston, who was such a sensible and good-looking kid. She fussed over him and,


    upon hearing he lived with an uncle who neither stayed home, nor looked after him, she couldn¡¯t help


    but grumble about what kind of uncle did that


    She even told Jocelyn to keep an extra eye on the kid.


    Jocelyn nodded silently. She was just realizing that the saying ¡®like uncle, like nephew¡¯ was spot-on.


    Preston sure knew how to y the sympathy card.


    But right then, Melvin was genuinely pitiful, starving in his bedroom, not daring to make a peep, like he


    was up to no good.


    Preston was being super sly, snapping a pic of the spread on the table and sending it to Melvin,


    followed by a message saying how delicious it was.


    Melvin wasn¡¯t hungry, but seeing them enjoying a sumptuous meal filled him with an inexplicable sense


    of being abandoned.

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18


    After dinner. Daisy helped tidy up a bit and nced at the closed bedroom door,menting, ¡°Usually,


    the room door is left open for venttion. It¡¯s not good if the air can¡¯t circte.¡±


    Jocelyn, afraid that Daisy was going to open the door for her, quickly went over and did it herself.


    ¡°Yeah, I just closed it while cooking. Didn¡¯t want the cooking smell to get in¡±


    Her eyes swept the room and caught sight of Melvin, frozen in ce by her dressing table, looking like


    a deer caught in


    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    the headlights


    Just by watching his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing nervously, she could tell he was on pins and needles


    She found it both amusing and a bit heartbreaking


    It was amusing seeing him trying to make himself invisible in the corner, but it was heartbreaking


    realizing how scared he was of their rtionshiping to light.


    Their so-called rtionship only applied to the two of them; to everyone else, it was still under the


    radar.


    Jocelyn saw her parents out of the building and watched them leave. Turning back to Preston, she


    said, ¡°I don¡¯t have your address so you¡¯ll need to hail a cab yourself. I¡¯ll cover the fare.


    Preston has grown up now, right in the thick of adolescence and all the lovey-dovey stuff that goes with


    it


    Add to that the inte age we¡¯re in, kids grow up fast these days, so he was pretty clued up about the


    birds and the


    bees


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you bothered by how my uncle treats you? Preston was only now getting the picture of how little


    respect his


    uncle had for Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn smiled helplessly. ¡°We agreed from the start.


    ¡°Is this what you call dating? Preston asked, cutting to the heart of the matter.


    Jocelyn looked down, pressing her lips together, feeling a tightness in her chest.


    Preston¡¯s cab arrived. He looked at Jocelyn and sighed softly. ¡°I¡¯m off then.¡±


    Mhm. Drop a message when you get home, or call your uncle.¡±


    After Preston left, Jocelyn didn¡¯t rush upstairs. Instead, she took a seat on a bench.


    shes of her and Melvin together ran through her mind, crystal clear.


    Falling in love is a two-way street, but what she had with Melvin was a case of a one-sided crush.


    He didn¡¯t need affection; he made that clear right from the start


    And she had bravely epted that


    So now, it was her who wanted to break the rules of the game, her who wasn¡¯t content with the status


    quo


    She bent over, covering her face, feeling utterly frazzled.


    Her phone buzzed in her pocket Taking a deep breath, she pulled it out.


    It was Melvin calling.


    Hello?


    ¡°Have they left yet? His tone sounded harsh.


    Maybe because of his hide-and-seek act tonight, plus her own irritation. Jocelyn¡¯s response was


    equally frosty. ¡°What¡¯s the much? Can¡¯t I spend some time with my parents?¡±


    There was a beef pause on the other end.


    Then enjoy I¡¯m hanging up.¡±


    Jocelyn was left staring at her phone.


    She stayed downstairs for another fifteen minutes before heading up. Opening the door, she found


    Melvin munching on


    their leftovers.


    He barely nced up as she came in, not a word said.


    Jocelyn thought for a moment, then sat down opposite him. She waited until he finished hisst bite


    before speaking up, ¡°We¡¯ll probably have a lot more days like today. My folks are really poking into my


    personal life, likely to drop by unannounced now and then.¡±


    Melvin lit a cigarette, took a drag, and leaned back in his chair. ¡°So what?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of time before¡­¡±


    ¡°¡®Get to the point


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t sure if he was ying dumb or genuinely didn¡¯t catch her drift. ¡°What if they run into you


    here next time?


    How do we exin it?


    Melvin¡¯s eyes locked onto hers, a gaze that should have been filled with passion but now felt


    oppressive.


    At least, Jocelyn felt incredibly on edge.


    Somehow, even though it was his issue, why did it always feel like she was the one with the problem?


    ¡°Exin however you want, Melvin said, puffing away; the smoke created a haze that obscured his true


    feelings.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, stood up, and poured herself a ss of water. She stood opposite him and


    asked, Then why did you hide?¡±


    Melvin continued to smoke in silence


    The quietness stretched on until Jocelyn felt a surge of old grievances. Looking down at her toes, her


    eyes misted over, and soon enough, tears started to drop onto the floor.


    Melvin was quick to notice. His eyes caught a tear as it fell, and his brow furrowed. He crushed out his


    cigarette, pulled her into his arms, and hugged her tight. ¡°What¡¯s with the tears?¡±


    His lips kissed away the tears from her eyes, his hands roaming around her waist, his face buried in


    her neck, and his kisses moving up to her sensitive earlobe. He felt her shiver, then his actions growing


    bolder.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but tilt her head back, and he promptly moved his kisses down her throat.


    Before she knew it, she was straddling him, facing him.


    His face buried lower, and Jocelyn swallowed hard, feeling a tingle at the tip of her heart


    ¡°How long are we going to keep up this¡­ arrangement? Jocelyn asked, her voice trembling.


    Melvin¡¯s kisses were intense, setting her skin aze wherever he touched, stirring her emotions.


    She hated how easily he overpowered her and how she had no self-control or boundaries with him.


    Melvin didn¡¯t answer, his heavy breathing and increasing urgency spoke volumes.


    And when he finally conquered herpletely, Jocelyn¡¯s body arched back uncontrobly, losing


    herself to his rhythm


    Jocelyny t on the bed like still water, listening to the steady breathing beside her. A chill traced


    down the corner of her eye


    She turned her head to look at Melvin beside her, tracing his outline with her gaze.


    in ancient times, they said a beauty could captivate a heart


    To her he had captured her heart at first sight.


    After two years of crush and three years of love, how could she let him go?


    Today¡¯s events had once again made it clear to her he wouldn¡¯t give her what she wanted, and she


    wasn¡¯t satisfied with


    that


    One yearried, the other withheld, then how could such a rtionshipst?


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t sleep that night.


    As dawn approached, she felt him move beside her. And then a cool, soft touch pressed against her


    forehead. Her


    resolve to y it cool crumbled in an instant.


    Too often, she found herself disarmed by his little gestures.


    Ultimately, Jocelyn gave in.


    Perhaps the one who loves is always the most vulnerable


    Jocelyn never expected Willow to ask to meet her


    In the caf¨¦, Willow sat poised and elegant with her sunsses on, looking every bit a work of art,


    utterly stunning


    Jocelyn sat down across from her, and only then did Willow take off her sunsses.


    Jocelyn ordered a ss of water


    ¡°Man, if you ever got into showbiz, you could totally set the world on fire, even just as eye candy¡±


    Willow¡¯s pretty almond-shaped eyes sparkled with mischief, her innocent charm totally captivating


    Jocelyn smiled slightly not giving a hoot about the dig. So, what¡¯s up? You asked to meet for a reason,


    right?¡±


    Stiming her coffee leisurely Willow shed a coy smile. Melvin¡¯s my man.¡±


    Jocelyn blinked, a bit taken aback, but quicklyposed herself, taking a sip of water to soothe her


    throat, leaning back in her chair cool as a cucumber, Melvin¡¯s your man, or just the man you¡¯re after?


    Are you sure you got your words straight?¡±


    ¡°Are you living with him?


    ¡°We¡¯re both adults in a normal rtionship. What¡¯s the big deal about living together? Jocelyn shot


    back, unbothered


    Willow¡¯s pretty face suddenly became gloomy, her clear eyes no longer sparkling.


    Jocelyn was upfront and fearless, not worried about losing this battle.


    Ha, living together so what? He¡¯s still iming to be single in public¡± Willow continued stirring her


    coffee, looking up with a hint of scor. So, in his eyes, you¡¯re just a booty call.¡±


    It was hard to believe that such mean words coulde from a starlet known for her pure and innocent


    image


    Gotta admit, those words were like a knife, stabbing right into Jocelyn¡¯s heart, making it hard for her to


    catch her breath. She clenched her hand under the table tight, forcing herself to keep cool. She said


    with feigned indifference. In the world of grown-ups, being each other¡¯s booty call is pretty standard,


    isn¡¯t it? Who says a rtionship has to be public knowledge?¡±


    With thateback, she evened the score


    After all, Willow couldn¡¯t even get a foot in Melvin¡¯s bed.

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19


    Chatting with Willow wasn¡¯t exactly a st, and even though Jocelyn managed to w back a tiny win


    in the end, it hammered home just how flimsy and fragile a rtionship without abel could be.


    To add insult to injury, Willow had the nerve to say. ¡°The only reason you¡¯re in his bed is because I was


    out of the picture Now that I¡¯m back; do you really think you stand a chance?¡±


    Others didn¡¯t understand how Jocelyn had managed to make Melvin hers, but she held the most rity


    on the matter, she simply seized an opportunity when he was at his most vulnerable.


    After school, Jocelyn noticed a bunch of kids with rainbow hairdos hanging around the school. They


    seemed to pop up


    out of nowhere


    Middle school¡¯s when the rebel phase hits hard, and lots of kids start making some big life choices


    around that time.


    Teaching middle schoolers kinda gave Jocelyn the jitters the stress of teaching them knowledge was


    nothing.pared to shaping their young minds.


    At that age, kids are like sponges, soaking up everything from home, school, and society.


    The security guards would keep an eye outside the school gates, making sure none of the local youths


    led the school kids astray.


    Walking down the path lined with trees boasting thick trunks and lush leaves, Jocelyn caught a few of


    those punks hiding behind the trees, puffing on cigarettes, dropping dirty jokes, and sneaking peeks at


    her.


    Jocelyn usually kept it casual with her school looks often just tees and jeans, with the asional dress.


    Naturally pretty and with that schrly charm, she radiated a gentle and moving beauty.


    The punks tried to rattle her with their catcalls, but Jocelyn didn¡¯t bite, not even a nibble.


    As she neared her apartment, the soft sound of footsteps behind her set her heart racing.


    Without daring to look back, she quickened her pace.


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The footsteps picked up too, and with just about a hundred meters to go, she broke into a run, and so


    did her shadow


    Reaching the building¡¯s entrance, Jocelyn blurted out to the doorman, ¡°Someone¡¯s chasing me!


    The doorman, armed with a stun baton, rushed out and casually remarked to Jocelyn who was panting,


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that your boyfriend?¡±


    Dumbstruck, Jocelyn spun around to see Melvin in sportswear, holding a bottle of water, his puppy-dog


    eyes locked on


    her.


    He strolled over, twisted off the cap, and handed her the water. ¡°What were you running from? A ghost?


    Jocelyn nced behind him, took the water and asked, ¡°Were you the one following me?¡±


    ¡°Who else? Melvin snapped.


    Jocelyn then took a sip of water to catch her breath. She handed the bottle back and headed inside.


    You could¡¯ve called out. How was I supposed to know who was chasing me?¡±


    Melvin took a swig and followed, ¡°I was about to call you when you bolted like you saw a ghost.¡±


    Inside the elevator, Jocelyn leaned on Melvin, worn out from the sprint.


    He didn¡¯t push her away and just let her lean on him.


    Did Willowe looking for you?¡±


    Her eyes dimmed. ¡®How did you know?¡±


    ¡°What did she say to you?¡±


    She said she wants you.¡±


    As the elevator doors opened, Jocelyn straightened up and walked out.


    At the door to the apartment, she paused before unlocking it and turned to ask, ¡°Was you all that


    heartache because of her back then?¡±


    Melvin frowned slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve got an appointment in a bit.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart sank. Silently, she unlocked the door.


    Melvin headed straight for the shower while Jocelyn made some pasta.


    When the pasta were ready, he came out of the shower.


    He was wearing a ck shirt and ck pants, grabbed his car keys and headed out the door.


    ¡°Will you be back? Jocelyn asked as the door was closing.


    ¡°Not tonight,¡± came Melvin¡¯s indifferent reply.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    The door closed, and Jocelyn finished her pasta anyway.


    After washing up, she checked the time ten o¡¯clock.


    Her phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. It was a photo of Melvin and Willow.


    Willow was in a white slip dress, cozying up to Melvin, her hand covering her mouth, seemingly


    whispering something into his ear


    Jocelyn had a hunch but didn¡¯t expect Willow to make a move this fast, and Melvin to y along and


    p herself in the face like that


    Sleep was off the table, so she took a shower, slipped into a pretty dress, and headed out.


    The next day was Saturday, so no early morning for her.


    She went to a bar herself, ordering a slightly boozy drink, listening to the singer pull at everyone¡¯s


    heartstrings with his bads


    She asked the waiter to snap a pic ¨C her beautiful face smiling at the camera, her foxy eyes full of


    allure, and herzy posture like a regal Persian cat, all saying loud and clear, ¡°I¡¯m not into anyone.¡±


    She posted the photo on Twitter without a caption, tagged the location, set the privacy so only Melvin


    could see it, then went silent mode on her phone.


    Before long, her phone was buzzing off the hook.


    It was Melvin calling. But she ignored it.


    Letting the phone go wild, she sipped her drink, gracefully apuding the singer.


    After about four songs and eight missed calls, she leaned on the bar, flipping her hair, cradling her


    head in her hands, her fiery red dress making her stand out, captivating like a painting


    Melvin walked in to find Jocelyn, with those seductive eyes, admiring the singer who crooned, ¡°I¡¯ve


    given you my heart, I¡¯m your heaviest baggage¡­¡±


    Her bare shoulders shimmered in the dim light, her jawline soft and smooth, her carefully made-up face


    devilishly fetching, her lips curved in a half-smile full of charm.


    Melvin draped his jacket over her with a frosty expression. She turned around, her eyes twinkling with


    confusion. ¡°What are you doing here?¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡± Melvin grabbed her wrist and pulled her up.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t paid yet, Jocelyn said, grabbing her phone.


    Melvin threw some cash on the bar and dragged her out of the ce.


    Following him, she felt his anger and inside, she was oddly satisfied.


    Choved into the car by Melvin, she pursed her ruby lips and gazed out the window, itching to snap a pic


    and send it to


    Willow-ust to keep up with the whole ¡®do unto others¡¯ vibe, you know?


    Melvin was behind the wheel, his long fingers gripping the steering wheel, knuckles well defined. Just


    the sight of those


    hands was a feast for the eyes


    ¡°Are you done with whatever you were doing?¡± Jocelyn asked him casually. ¡°If you¡¯re still busy, you


    don¡¯t have to worry


    about me.¡±


    The thought of her eyestched onto that male singer like a siren¡¯s cali fired him up in an instant, and


    he pulled over abruptly, turning to re at her with a frosty look, his voice tinged with annoyance


    ¡°What? Was I interrupting your pleasure


    Jocelyn yed the innocent card, shaking her head ¡°Nope, didn¡¯t you say you wouldn¡¯t be home


    tonight? I figured you were tied up, so I didn¡¯t want to hold you up.¡±


    ¡°Is this how you behave when I¡¯m gone?¡± Melvin¡¯s anger was still palpable, his question was loaded


    with usation.


    Jocelyn coolly shot back at him, ¡°Can¡¯t I have fun when you¡¯re not around?¡±

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20


    The old Jocelyn wasn¡¯t like this.


    She knew Melvin wasn¡¯t into her wearing those shy clothes and he definitely wasn¡¯t a fan of her


    dolling up and hitting the bars looking like a total knockout. She knew she would¡¯ve gotten on his bad


    side over something like this


    And to sass him back? No chance


    Melvin gave her the cold shoulder, but Jocelyn stood her ground, staring right back


    This time she wasn¡¯t about to back down


    Jocelyn, after what felt like ages, Melvin finally broke the silence, calling her by her name, which was a


    rarity when they


    were together


    Jocelyn just raised an eyebrow The seductive charm of hers made it impossible for a guy to stay mad


    at her.


    Another part of him, however, gradually hardened because of her casual movement.


    ¡°Don¡¯t provoke me Melvin swallowed hard, managing to squeeze out just that much.


    Jocelyn chuckled, pursing her lips. She took out her phone, shed him a photo, and said, ¡°So it¡¯s cool


    for you to light fires, but I can¡¯t even spark a match? Who¡¯s really clueless about our rtionship here,


    you or me?¡±


    The sight of the photo darkened Melvin¡¯s expression even more.


    Jocelyn expected him to exin, but he just looked away and hit the road again.


    Huh, she scoffed, ying with her phone, zooming in and out on that photo, Willow¡¯s pretty hot, huh?


    You two look. good together¡±


    Melvin shot her a cold nce, which she tantly ignored, continuing, I wonder who snapped that


    They¡¯d send it to me Will they send it to the paparazzi? With her innocent image, a scandal could be


    bad news for her, right?¡±


    Jocelyn hissed under her breath, then turned to Melvin with mock seriousness, ¡°If they catch you in the


    frame, given her poprity, you might get dragged into the spotlight too. But hey, no sweat, right?


    You¡¯re both single and ready to mingle. It could even boost your profile


    Melvin floored it, the car speeding up Middle of the night, roads were clear, speed limit 60, but he¡¯s


    doing 120. It¡¯s easy


    when money talks


    Jocelyn was in high spirits, thinking if he didn¡¯t want her to have it easy, then nobody would.


    It was like he was punishing her by rolling down the windows. The outside air wasn¡¯t hot anymore, but


    with the car speeding, the wind was fierce, blowing her hair around like crazy.


    Nonchntly fixing her hair, Jocelyn noticed his phone light up on the dash and kindly pointed out,


    ¡°Someone¡¯s ringing


    you


    He slowed down, rolled up the windows, nced at the caller ID, then at Jocelyn who was acting like


    nothing was up. Melvin hit the speakerphone, connecting it to the car¡¯s Bluetooth


    ¡°Melvin, where did you go? Youing back or what? We¡¯re all waiting. Willow¡¯s voice rang out, clear


    as a bell.


    Jocelyn wished she could sink into her seat.


    *y without me, I¡¯m noting back Melvin replied coolly


    Jocelyn bit her lip, then let go with a soft ¡®pop¡¯.


    She swore it wasn¡¯t on purpose. But the thrill of petty revenge felt good.


    No one on the other end could hear such a tiny noise, right?


    Who who are you with?¡±


    Turns out, the other end had good ears.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t dare look at Melvin, afraid he¡¯d think she did it on purpose


    Melvin, annoyed by Jocelyn¡¯s antics but acting like nothing happened, turned off the Bluetooth, and


    brought the phone to his ear. ¡°Don¡¯t stay out toote, and get some rest¡±


    Whatever the reply was, Melvin just said ¡°Okay¡± and hung up


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t ask, and Melvin sure wasn¡¯t volunteering any info.


    They pulled into her apartment¡¯s underground garage, and Jocelyn made to get out, but he locked the


    door on her.


    She spun around, ring at Melvin.


    He loosened his tie rolled up his sleeves, looking all casual and ready for a fight.


    Jocelyn looked at that sharply defined face, the affection in his peach blossom eyes acquiring ayer of


    frost on this fiery night. Her heart was in a state of unease


    ¡°What what are you doing? Jocelyn¡¯s voice trembled as she spoke.


    Melvin silently unbuckled his belt and pulled it free.


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes went wide, her hands pressing against the window as fear of the unpredictable man in


    front of her set in. Without a word, he ignored her fear and difort, grabbed her hands, and tied


    them together. With that, he reclined the seat, and gently pushed her shoulders down.


    ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing? You Jocelyn tried to curse him, but she never was good at


    swearing, her wordscked any real bite


    Melvin leaned over her, his fingers teasing down her shoulder strap, exposing her skin. He didn¡¯t strip


    herpletely; instead, his hands roamed over the thin fabric, zeroing in on her sensitive spots.


    ¡°Melvin''¡±


    The car lights were on Jocelyn was trapped in this tight space with his face looming over her, fear and


    embarrassment flooding in.


    She was scared, scared of being seen.


    Melvin


    Jocelyn¡¯s voice broke, pleading. Please not here¡­


    Melvin didn¡¯t stop, he only used his hands.


    Jocelyn dared not make a sound. The silence around them was deafening, and she feared even the


    slightest noise.


    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    would echo.


    ¡°You sent your photo on Twitter just to get me back here, didn¡¯t you? Melvin whispered, nibbling on her


    ear, toying with her sensitive lobe, his body pressing down, showing no signs of letting up.


    Jocelyn turned away, tears streaming down. She felt humiliated


    Melvin didn¡¯t take her, but his torment was as harsh as if he had right then and there


    it was like a sudden storm, no shelter, just surrender¡­


    After an eternity, Melvin finally untied the belt, leaning over to see her tear-stained face, makeup


    smeared, eyes red with


    crying


    She looked like a rose that had weathered a storm, bent but still radiantly beautifu!


    Melvin¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed fiercely as he grabbed her hand, fussing over her dress to straighten it


    out, sweeping her hair back over her shoulders, then gently wiping her face with a darnp tissue,


    cleaning off her makeup-it was like he was apletely different person from the one who had just


    been tearing into her.


    Once she was tidied up, Melvin scooped her out of the car, his foot hooking the door shut behind them,


    and then he cammed her into the elevator, cradling her in his arms.


    Jocelyn was still sobbing, and Melvin felt a warm, wet heat against his chest, scorching his heart.


    His eyes flickered to the red marks on her wrist, his heart skipped a beat, his breathing grew heavy.


    After opening the door, Melvin carried her into the bathroom, had her stand on his feet, and turned on


    the shower. The cold water cascaded down from above, making Jocelyn shiver violently.


    Their clothes were soaked through, clinging tightly to their bodies, outlining his muscr build and her


    curves-every inch of them radiating seduction and desire.


    Melvin pinned Jocelyn against the wall, lifting her chin with his hand, gazing at her through the veil of


    water with intense eyes and a raspy voice. From now on, you¡¯re not allowed to go to a bar dressed like


    that alone Got it?¡±

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21


    In the bathroom, the sound of the water became all sultry and muffled.


    That bright red dress waspletely drenched on the floor, tangled with the ck shirt in the water.


    They seemed to be wrapped up in each other, extra clingy¡­


    Jocelyn was lying in bed, feeling like she¡¯d just had a full body massage, sort of sore but totally excited.


    She rolled over, and there was her guy, puffing away at his cigarette, looking pretty damn content.


    You know how they say couples fight like cats and dogs but make up just as quickly? Well, that was


    pretty much them to a T Melvin knew she was crazy about him, so all he had to do was show her a little


    warmth, and she¡¯d totally forget


    about wanting to dump him.


    He nced over at her stretched out his arm, and like clockwork, she snuggled up on it, casually


    draping her hand across his chest, legs all tangled up with his under the covers, basically clinging to


    him.


    She¡¯d always cuddle up to him before falling asleep, but wouldn¡¯tst long before she¡¯d roll over to her


    side.


    Melvin didn¡¯t seem to mind her weight one bit and just let her be.


    ¡°I¡¯m nning to head back home tomorrow,¡± Jocelyn said, tracing circles on his chest.


    Melvin took a deep drag of his cigarette, turned around, and stubbed it out in the ashtray, ¡°Drive


    yourself by my car.


    So, he wasn¡¯t going to give her a ride.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t have any delusions about him offering one anyway. ¡°It won¡¯t be necessary. I¡¯ll just hail a


    ride.


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Wouldn¡¯t it be handier to drive yourself?¡± Melvin nced at her, ¡°What¡¯s the point of having a license if


    you don¡¯t drive?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not the best driver.


    You¡¯ve got insurance. As long as you don¡¯t hit anyone, you¡¯re good.¡±


    Sometimes his bossiness was just too much, making her instantly want to shut up.


    She turned to face the other way, and Melvin got up to the bathroom. It was a while before he came


    back and spooned her from behind, getting all up in her neck and getting handsy.


    Jocelyn pretty much surrendered to his energy, shrugging her shoulders lightly. ¡°I wanna sleep¡±


    ¡°How long you gonna be at your folks?¡± he breathed into her ear.


    Jocelyn bit back, Just overnight.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s hand rested on her lower belly. For what?¡±


    ¡°To see Quinta.¡± Jocelyn could feel him getting fired up, and if she didn¡¯t put out that fire, there was no


    way she was getting any sleep.


    She tried to turn around, but he pinned her down.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Jocelyn knew what he was up to.


    Melvin¡¯s words sounded like he was having a serious chat, but the actions under the covers were


    getting more and


    more intense


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it a bit thoughtless, crashing at someone¡¯s ce who¡¯s just tied the knot? Huh?¡± Melvin kissed her


    shoulder, voice husky.


    Jocelyn was biting her lip, afraid her voice would betray her blush if she spoke, but he was pushing her


    to talk.


    She tried to control her voice, 1. L


    in the end, she lost the battle.


    She couldn¡¯t get a full sentence but until he bit her shoulder with a low growl, and she finally took a


    breath


    Even with the AC on in the heat of summer, underneath the covers, it was sweat city.


    Their breathing was all tangled up, and Jocelyn was genuinely out of steam.


    His energy was endless, seriously impressive


    ¡°Come back tomorrow night, Melvin¡¯s lips against her shoulder, voice low and sexy, his domineering


    tone not up for


    debate.


    On a zing hot day, Jocelyn was dressed in a high-necked sleeveless ck dress, slightly


    conservative but artsy and


    elegant


    Her long hair draped over her shoulders, giving off azy vibe, yet her delicate features were strikingly


    bright and beautiful


    Quinta saw Jocelyn and asked with a smile, ¡°Aren¡¯t you boiling in that?¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head and answered, I¡¯m good.¡±


    If it weren¡¯t for covering up the bite mark Melvin left on her shoulderst night, would she really dress


    like this?


    ¡°Damians already eating. He got some urgent work stuff, so he needs to rush over,¡± Quinta linked arms


    with Jocelyn, her face glowing as they walked into the restaurant.


    The ce wasn¡¯t crowded. Damian was standing there, wolfing down his meal. Seeing them, he called


    out, ¡°Got some emergency at work, gotta bolt after this bite. You guys enjoy.¡±


    Damian took hisst bite and really did dash off.


    Jocelyn watched Damian hurry away and asked Quinta, ¡®Why¡¯s he so busy?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate a small-town police station. They¡¯ve got their hands full,¡± Quinta motioned her to


    sit down. You weren¡¯t here, so I didn¡¯t order much. Just pick whatever you fancy.¡±


    ¡°This is plenty


    The cousins chowed down on their meals and chit-chatted.


    Jocelyn said she could tell Quinta had hit the jackpot this time because her glow was undeniable.


    Quinta got a little shy for once, Too early to tell if it¡¯s right or wrong. ying stepmom ain¡¯t easy.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got a kid? Jocelyn hadn¡¯t seen thating.


    Yeah, a son. He lives with his grandparents, starting middle school next semester Quinta¡¯s face was a


    mix of emotions talking about her stepson


    celyn knew the stepmom gig was tough, but all she could say was, ¡°Empathy¡¯s key. Treat him well, and


    he¡¯ll feel it


    Here¡¯s hoping, Quinta didn¡¯t dwell on her stuff and turned the tables on her. ¡°Aren¡¯t you gonna find


    someone? Your other seems pretty anxious. She even asked my mom if she knew any suitable guys.


    She¡¯s really worried about you.¡±


    Jocelyn just got a headache thinking about it, ¡°Does marriage guarantee happiness?¡±


    Quinta quipped, ¡°Hard to say. Some are great till they get married, and then flip a switch. Others seem


    unreliable but mature once married. It¡¯s all in how you work it.¡±


    Jocelyn pursed her lips, at a loss for words.


    Got someone in mind for marriage? Quinta was sharp.


    Jocelyn and Quinta had always been close. They used to share everything.


    But now, with their little secrets, sharing wasn¡¯t as easy.


    Melvin was her little secret


    Yeah, Jocelyn looked down, not wanting to hide it. An extra confidant might offer some advice.


    Quinta looked shocked ¡°When did this happen? Howe I had no clue?¡±


    Jocelyn spilled the beans about her and Melvin.


    Quinta was pretty chill about it. ¡°If we¡¯re talking about this dude being irresponsible, he wouldn¡¯t have


    stuck around chatting with you for so long. But if we say he¡¯s responsible, he wouldn¡¯t have let you feel


    so down in the dumps¡±


    That¡¯s exactly what Jocelyn was thinking


    ¡°Its like the old grass is always greener¡¯ situation Folks inside the fence want out, and those outside


    want in. Either way, you¡¯re left with regrets or what-ifs. Your boyfriend is likely one of those who¡¯s been


    hurt before, and part of it probably because he¡¯s just not into the whole marriage thing If it¡¯s the former,


    you could slowly help lum heal If it¡¯s thetter, better to cut ties sooner rather thanter Quinta felt a


    twinge of sympathy, ¡°Love¡¯s like that, not every romance is meant to end up with happy oues.¡±


    Jocelyn knew all too well that love wasn¡¯t a transaction ¨C you can¡¯t just hand over cash and expect to


    get something tangible in return.


    Empathy¡¯s the name of the game, but some folks just have hearts of stone.

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22


    Quinta invited Jocelyn over for dinner at her ce.


    After her divorce, Quinta snagged a tiny two-bedroom pad, but once she married Damian, they quickly


    sold it off and, with a loan, bought the current little cottage they¡¯re living in. It¡¯s one of those ces with


    stairs, right up on the top.


    floor.


    When Quinta sold the old ce, her mother had a good moan to Jocelyn¡¯s mom on the phone. She


    was like, ¡°At least the old house was mine. Now, it is sold, and they got this new one, and it¡¯s joint


    property¡¯. If things stay peachy, great, but what if it all goes down the drain?¡±


    Quinta¡¯s mother was all sighs when she talked about it


    At six in the evening. Quinta had the meal ready and called Damian. After a few words, he hung up, so


    she carried the dishes into the dining room and told Jocelyn to dig in.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Damianing back?


    ¡°A couple of work buddies roped him into fishing.¡± Quinta set the table. ¡°Forget him, let¡¯s eat.¡±


    Jocelyn always felt there was something off about Quinta and Damian¡¯s vibe, but she couldn¡¯t quite put


    her finger on it. and it didn¡¯t seem right to pry. They were newlyweds, after all, and jumping to


    conclusions wasn¡¯t cool.


    After they ate, it was already seven in the evening.


    Quinta wanted Jocelyn to stay, which made Jocelyn think of what Melvin had said before.


    For some reason, she felt a rebellious streak and didn¡¯t want to do as he said, so she agreed to stay.


    The sisters huddled on the couch that evening, watching TV and chatting, mostly about Damian¡¯s kid


    and the old folks


    back home


    It was the usual family drama. The blended family with kids alwayse with a string of issues.


    Like the ex dropping by to see her son, or the grandparents doting on the grandson. Quinta felt like an


    outsider in that house, just couldn¡¯t fit in.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t cut tiespletely, huh?¡± Jocelyn was curious.


    ¡°How can we ever cut tiespletely? That¡¯s the kid¡¯s mom. We can¡¯t just pretend she doesn¡¯t exist,


    Quinta sighed. ¡°The woman is jobless now, and hearing Damian made squad leader, she¡¯s not sitting


    still. Luckily, Damian doesn¡¯t really deal with her. He won¡¯t even pick up her calls. He says he does it to


    ease my mind, letting the kid stay with his grandparents.¡±


    Jocelyn hugged Quinta. ¡°Just be the best you can be.


    ¡°With marriages like ours, I¡¯ve gotta have a kid of my own to really cement the family together Quinta


    patted her hand. ¡°Marriage isn¡¯t some wild beast, but you¡¯ve gotta think it through before diving in. After


    all, it¡¯s an elevation of al rtionship but also the start of a whole new set of responsibilities.¡±


    ¡°A lot of divorces happen because people can¡¯t handle those responsibilities, right?¡± Seeing Jocelyn¡¯s


    dazed look, Quinta quickly added. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to scare you. There are happy marriages too. Look at


    your folks. They¡¯ve been lovey-dovey since day one, right?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s lips curled up slightly. ¡°I know. I¡¯ll think about the consequences before I decide on anything.¡±


    ¡°Your boyfriend must ve been through something, and that¡¯s probably why he¡¯s shying away from


    marriage.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s never been married.¡± Jocelyn was sure of that.


    Quinta chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s not that you have to go through marriage to see it through Could be his family


    background or other life experiences. Anyway, if you really want to get serious with him, you¡¯ve gotta


    worm your way into his heart. Once he opens up, you¡¯ll find out what¡¯s really going on.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s expression turned serious. That was just it; she hadn¡¯t cracked Melvin¡¯s code yet.


    Otherwise, why would she know so little about him?


    Jocelynis phone buzzed


    Quinta nced over and asked, ¡°Melvin


    ¡°Yep Jocelyn answered ¡°Hello?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s voice was indifferent, ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°At Quinta¡¯s


    Silence hung heavily after she spoke Jocelyn bit her lip, waiting for him to continue.


    ¡°Send me your location. And with that, he hung up.


    Jocelyn was stunned


    Quinta was curious. ¡°What¡¯s up?


    ¡°He wants my location Jocelyn was baffled ¡°He¡¯s noting to pick me up, is he?¡±


    ¡°it¡¯s eight already, and it¡¯s over two hundred kilometers away. That¡¯s a two-hour drive.¡± Quinta looked at


    Jocelyn and suddenly burst intoughter, ¡°He must love you, huh.¡±


    The word ¡°love¡± felt foreign to Jocelyn


    Apart from sleeping together, she couldn¡¯t feel Melvin¡¯s love.


    Her phone vibrated again. Melvin was prodding her for the location. Not wanting to upset him, she sent


    it.


    ¡°Wait for me¡±


    The three words were brimming with an air ofmand.


    Jocelyn was holding her phone, lost in thought.


    Quinta nudged her with a knowing smile, ¡°He seems to really miss you.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s smile was tinged with helplessness.


    Melvin said he wasing, and Quinta refused to go to sleep, eager toy eyes on the man who had


    Jocelyn wrapped around his finger.


    Before two hours passed, Jocelyn¡¯s phone rang again


    It was Melvin.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m downstairs at your building. Come down, or should Ie up?¡± he asked


    Jocelyn was shocked, he had made it in less than two hours.


    How fast was he driving?


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Quinta inquired.


    ¡®He¡¯s here, Jocelyn said.


    Quinta was also taken aback but quickly blurted out. ¡°Invite him up!¡±


    Jocelyn, thinking Melvin would be reluctant to let others know about their rtionship, and recalling his


    earlier words that might have been in jest, decided to test him by saying, ¡°Come up. She gave him the


    building and floor number, and hung up without waiting for a response.


    Now she was on edge, nervously watching the door


    Quinta, on the other hand, was brimming with excitement, standing at the door in wait.


    Soon enough, the doorbell rang.


    ¡°He¡¯s here Quinta beamed.


    Melvin gave Quinta a slight nad when he saw her. I¡¯m here to pick up Jocelyn.¡±


    ¡°You came all this way to pick up Jocelyn; how abouting on in and having a drink of water?¡± Quinta


    subtly sized up Melvin as he arrived Sure enough, he fits the bill of a posh bachelor who¡¯s all about


    dating but not settling down


    Melvin stood at the door, noticing Jocelyn sitting on the couch motionless, her almond-shaped eyes


    slightly closed Polite as ever, be said to Quinta. ¡°No wornes. It¡¯s gettingte, and we should head back¡±


    It¡¯s prettyte, so why not crash here? We¡¯ve got space, Quinta offered, trying to get him to stay.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got an early start tomorrow.¡±


    Oh, alright then ¡°Quinta could tell that Melvin was a tough nut to crack, he seemed polite but there was


    a hint of distance. She couldn¡¯t help but worry for Jocelyn, thinking she might be wasting her time on


    this guy.


    With Melvin at the door and his stance clear, Jocelyn had no choice but to follow him out


    ¡°Drive safe and text me when you get home, Quinta gently reminded them as she saw them off


    Jocelyn nodded You better head back and get some rest.


    Quinta waited until their car pulled away before heading back herself.


    Jocelyn sat there silently. At that moment, she felt like a student who¡¯d skipped ss and got caught by


    the principal, now being dragged back to school.


    She felt the pressure.


    Melvin drove in silence


    It was a long way to go and he¡¯d been driving for so long, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of quilt.


    ¡°How about we stop at the next service area, and I¡¯ll drive for a bit?¡± she suggested. After all, at this


    hour, the highway would be pretty empty, and she wasn¡¯t that scared.

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23


    Mein drove into a service area for a bathroom break after an hour¡¯s drive and then hopped into the


    passenger seat


    Jocelyn looked at him before sliding into the driver¡¯s seat


    Truth be told, she¡¯d never really driven his car before; she hardly ever gets behind the wheel.


    Makes you wonder why she even bothered getting a driver¡¯s license in the first ce.


    Sitting in the car, she studied the controls seriously, totally clueless about where to start.


    Melvin nced at her, his brow furrowing slightly at her obvious uncertainty. ¡°Can do it?¡±


    I gotta get my bearings first Jocelyn gripped the steering wheel tightly, her right foot gingerly pressing


    on the gas pedal.


    Cold as ice, Melvin said, ¡°Handbrake


    ¡°Oh.¡± Jocelyn quickly lowered the handbrake and took a deep breath, ¡°Here we go.


    Melvin watched her her face betraying a slight frown as if she was heading off to some noble sacrifice.


    He asked, ¡°You sure you¡¯re up for this?


    Totally Jocelyn felt the car move, and she knew to signal, check the mirrors, and only then elerate,


    straightening


    the wheel once the coast was clear.


    The car drove along the highway, and it felt like they were floating.


    Her grip on the steering wheel was tight, her eyes fixed ahead, not daring to wander, ¡°Keep the GPS


    on, will you? I won¡¯t


    have a clue where to exitter.¡±


    Melvin looked rxed but stayed alert to the traffic. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you when.¡±


    ¡°Okay


    Jocelyn was tense all over, hands sweaty, all her focus honed like never before.


    Approaching a big truck, she eased off the gas, checked the leftne, then switchednes and sped


    up. Suddenly, Melvin reached over and nudged the wheel, ¡°Straighten up.¡±


    Jocelyn thought she was driving straight as an arrow. What gives?


    ¡°Feeling jumpy?¡± She asked because she felt that his hand was cold when he reached over.


    Melvin kept his eyes on the road, ¡°I don¡¯t wanna die


    ¡°And yet you¡¯re cool with me driving?¡±


    ¡°Regretting it now¡±


    Jocelyn knew he¡¯d let her drive to take a breather, but now he was probably more on edge than ever.


    She guessed Melvin was genuinely scared


    He had guts, entrusting his life to her like that.


    She drove all the way to the next service area with bated breath, then willingly gave up the driver¡¯s


    seat.


    Sure, Melvin was tired, butpared to staying alive, what¡¯s a bit of fatigue?


    They finally pulled into the parking lot at half-past midnight. Melvin parked the car, turned off the


    engine, and that was the moment he truly rxed.


    Jocelyn, having dozed off in the car, was now pretty sober.


    After getting home and heading for a shower. Melvin wanted to join, but she locked him out.


    Coming out after the shower, Jocelyn saw Melvin on the phone in the living room


    A call this?¡¯s either super urgent or someone just doesn¡¯t have a clue


    be night there, Melvin said before getting ready to leave.


    Jocelyn had a bad feeling. You brought me homete at night just to leave again. What¡¯s that about?¡±


    Melvin turned to look at her, her slender figure barely concealed by the gauzy tank top, looking every


    bit the tempting, tipe peach


    You¡¯re the one who locked me out.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned slightly, walking over to him barefoot and stood right in front of him, her eyes alluring,


    ¡°You really gonna go?¡±


    No matter who was calling him, if she let him leave tonight, she¡¯d have lost.


    Melvin was being seduced by her intoxicating scent after driving five hours back and forth to pick her


    up. It wasn¡¯t just about not wanting her to stay out he missed her Missed her to the point of craving to


    unleash his desires on her.


    No other woman sparked his interest Only with her could he be like a wound up machine, willing to


    drain himself for


    her.


    But the phone rang again.


    As Melvin reached for it. Jocelyn wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him.


    The phone kept buzzing incessantly


    Jocelyn deployed all the kissing techniques Melvin had taught her over the years.


    Melvin tossed the phone aside on the sofa, scooped up Jocelyn, and carried her to the bedroom bed,


    roughly tearing away her sheeryer and climbing on top.


    Jocelyn managed to keep Melvin from leaving, though she couldn¡¯t fathom why she was so adamant


    about him not going out for a call sote.


    It didn¡¯t matter who was on the other end; she just didn¡¯t want Melvin to go.


    Melvin was exhausted, and after the third round, he fell into a deep sleep.


    Jocelyn, however,y wide awake. She nced at Melvin, propped herself up to grab his phone, and


    just lit up the screen to see who the caller was. After cing the phone back, she gazed at Melvin¡¯s


    familiar handsome face, her fighting spirit igniting within her.


    The next morning, Jocelyn was woken up by Melvin.


    Just as they were about to get intimate, the phone vibrated again. Jocelyn flipped over and pinned


    Melvin down, cupping his face to stop him from answering.


    Melvin turned his head to see who was calling, and this time it wasn¡¯t Willow.


    He held Jocelyn back and answered, ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Willow had a car identst night looking for you. She¡¯s in the ICU now.¡±


    Melvin frowned, ¡°Which hospital?¡±


    City General Hospital.¡±


    After the call, Melvin¡¯s mood plummeted.


    He pushed Jocelyn aside, got out of bed naked, and started looking for his clothes.


    Jocelyn had heard the phone call loud and clear. Willow had been in an ident.


    Let¡¯s go see her together, Jocelyn suggested, watching his hurried dressing with difort in her


    heart.


    tnight she had kept him from leaving, but clearly, he was still worried about Willow.


    Without turning around, Melvin said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to go.¡±


    Jocelyn fell silent


    After Melvin left, Jocelyn lowered her head, her hands buried in her hair, somewhat dazedly ruffling it


    before tilting her face up her eyes rimmed with red


    She got up to freshen up, and then had breakfast She slipped Into a white blouse and denim skirt, her


    hair tied with a headband, looking innocently sultry. She was a picture of beauty as she stepped


    outside.


    At a flower shop outside City General Hospital, she picked a bouquet of sunflowers before walking into


    the hospital.


    One of her student¡¯s parents was the head nurse there, and Jocelyn got the scoop on Willow¡¯s room.


    It was a private room, and the head nurse herself was taking care of her


    Jocelyn knocked, and Melvin was the one who answered the door.


    Their eyes met and Melvin furrowed his brow slightly Clearly, he hadn¡¯t expected her to actually show


    up.


    ¡°Melvin, who is it? came a woman¡¯s voice from inside, sounding surprisingly strong for someone who


    was supposedly


    in a car crash.


    ¡°Melvin mentioned your ident, so I came specially to check on you,¡± Jocelyn smiled at Melvin, then


    pushed lightly against his chest and walked inside with a bright smile.


    Willow was in a hospital gown, with a bandage wrapped around her forehead and some scrapes on her


    face, but her limbs seemed to be in good shape.


    Herplexion was rosy and didn¡¯t seem too serious


    The moment Willow saw Jocelyn, her face tightened up. But, being an actress, she managed her


    expressions well and mustered a faint smile. ¡°That¡¯s sweet of you, Jocelyn.¡±


    ¡°You okay?¡± Jocelyn asked warmly, cing the bouquet aside.


    Willow touched her forehead lightly. Really, it¡¯s nothing serious. Zephyr just made a mountain out of a


    molehill and insisted on calling Melvin toe see me.¡±


    Jocelyn caught the subtext Willow was throwing out. Basically, that Melvin¡¯s buddy and her were pretty


    tight, and also that Melvin had rushed over just because of a phone call.


    Jocelyn suddenly turned to Melvin, who was poker-faced. ¡°You ignored so many of Willow¡¯s callsst


    night. Lucky for us she¡¯s fine. Otherwise, we¡¯d both be drowning in guilt.¡±


    Most wars between two women were over a man.


    Jocelyn had never been a softie, and she was somewhat possessive of what was hers, especially her


    man.


    At least for now, Melvin was still her man, so why should she give a hoot about Willow¡¯s feelings?


    Willow had shown her true colors, all ambition and challenge, in Jocelyn¡¯s face. And how could she not


    respond when Willow had already called for war


    Melvin stared at Jocelyn¡¯s seemingly harmless, alluring face, disdainful of engaging in any rivalry


    between women,


    whether it was veiled or direct


    She needs rest Melvin told Jocelyn. You¡¯ve made your point¡±


    That¡¯s code for hit the road.


    Willow couldn¡¯t hide the smug smile in her eyes.


    See, Melvin¡¯s got her back


    Jocelyn had to admit that it stung. She stood up, boldly grabbed Melvin¡¯s hand, her fingers forcefully


    intecing with his, leaned in and kissed him, her voice dripping with seduction, ¡°Come home early


    tonight.¡±


    Having said that, she didn¡¯t wait to gauge Melvin¡¯s mood, turned around and waved at Willow who was


    ring, ¡°Get well soon, Willow. Catch youter¡±


    As soon as the door closed, Jocelyn¡¯s smile faded.


    At the door, Jocelyn bumped into Zephyr, holding a fruit basket. They locked eyes, and Zephyr was the


    first to crack an awkward smile. Jocelyn, what are the odds?¡±


    ¡°Yep Jocelyn asked him, ¡°You here to see Willow?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yeah, that¡¯s right. Zephyr, aware of the dynamic between Jocelyn and Melvin, was feeling pretty


    awkward since he¡¯s the one who called Melvin over so..


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Jocelyn smiled. ¡°Melvin and Willow are in the room right now. Maybe swing byter?¡±


    Zephyr was clueless.


    Jocelyn walked past him without another word.


    Zephyr turned to watch Jocelyn walk away Was she giving Melvin and Willow some alone time? That


    seemed awfully


    generous


    Meanwhile, Willow¡¯s eyes were misty, but her face held a contented smile.


    Melvin sat on the sofa, legs crossed, constantly checking the time, clearly impatient.


    ¡°Are you senous with Jocelyn?¡± Willow looked at him


    Melvin¡¯s well-defined fingers were sped on his thigh, his eyes indifferent. ¡°Senous? What does that


    mean?¡±


    ¡°Are you in love with her? Willow¡¯s voice trembled slightly.


    ¡°What does it have to do with you?¡±


    Willow got a bit agitated. ¡°How can it not matter to me? Back then, I did it for my career, for our future,


    so¡­¡±


    ¡°Willow.¡± Melvin cut her off, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about the past.¡±


    Willow clenched her fists. ¡°Do you love her?¡±


    Silence


    And do you still love me, Melvin?¡±


    Vellow¡¯s pressing made Melvin frown in displeasure.

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24


    Seeing his silence, hope sparked in Willow¡¯s eyes as she asked. ¡°You still have feelings for me, right?


    Otherwise, why have you never acknowledged Jocelyn as your girlfriend? You¡¯ve never even taken her


    to meet your friends. Melvin, I don¡¯t care how long you¡¯ve been with her. Can you break up with her?¡±


    Willow¡¯s eyes were filled with hope, her tone.


    pleading


    Melvin stared at her for a long while, his silence elerating Willow¡¯s heartbeat.


    Then he suddenly stood up, walked to the door, and there was Zephyr, on the other side.


    Zephyr cenpinly did not expect Melvin to open the door so abruptly, he swore he¡¯d heard nothing, just


    heeding Jocelyn¡¯s


    hint to not barge in.


    Hey, are you leaving? Zephyr called out to Melvin¡¯s retreating, aloof figure, ¡°Lunch together?¡±


    Melvin ignored him


    With a sigh, Zephyr walked into the room and asked, ¡°What were you talking about?¡±


    He jumped when his gaze fell on Willow, ¡°Why are you crying? He quickly set down the fruit basket and


    handed her a


    tissue.


    Willow took the tissue, choking up, ¡°Does he hate me?T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Huh? Zephyr was puzzled, ¡°Why would he hate you? If he did, he wouldn¡¯t be thinking about


    coborating with you.¡±


    Willow took a deep breath, ¡°But his attitude towards me¡­¡±


    Zephyr tried to soothe her, ¡°That¡¯s just how he is with everyone. Don¡¯t overthink it. And, don¡¯t rush


    things. You¡¯re back. now, and there¡¯s plenty of time.¡±


    ¡°If he didn¡¯t have another woman, I wouldn¡¯t be in such a hurry.¡± Willow sniffed, deted, ¡°That woman,


    she¡¯s been with him for three years.


    Zephyr didn¡¯t have much to say on that matter


    Friends for years, he too couldn¡¯t figure out what Melvin¡¯s deal with Jocelyn was.


    To say that he liked her, Melvin never brought her around to meet his friends, let alone share a meal.


    Yet, he¡¯s been with Jocelyn for three years, going on four.


    Even a pet cat or dog would grow on you, let alone a woman you sleep with every day.


    Who knows what¡¯s going on in his head?


    Stepping out of the hospital, Melvin instantly spotted Jocelyn by his car. No matter how in her


    clothes, she seemed to have a halo, always catching his eye.


    Jocelyn was kicking a pebble around, just wondering how much longer Melvin could hang out there.


    Shiny shoes entered her view; she looked up, right into those inscrutable eyes.


    She smiled at him and said, ¡°That was quick


    Melvin knew her game, opening the car door ¡°You¡¯ve revealed your ambitions.¡±


    Jocelyn hesitated getting into the car, then slipped into the passenger seat and shut the door, buckling


    up. ¡°Ambitions? What ambitions could I possibly have?¡±


    Jocelyn, I don¡¯t like these little games you y.¡± Melvin said calmly as he drove.


    Jocelyn gripped the seat belt tightly, taking a deep breath. ¡°I guess I¡¯m not that generous.¡±


    This is my normal social life.¡± Melvin nced at her. ¡°There¡¯s gonna be a lot more of this kind of thing to


    come. You gonna butt in every time?¡±


    Jocelyn was already feeling pretty lousy inside.


    Anyone else was fine, but not Willow.


    Willow had made it crystal clear that she was out to snag her man.


    *So what you¡¯re saying is ! should just turn a blind eye, right?¡± Jocelyn looked at him. ¡°My boyfriend is


    meeting up with a women who¡¯s not only got the hots for him but has also corne right up to my face and


    dered she¡¯s gonna steal my man, and I¡¯m supposed to act like it doesn¡¯t faze me Is that what you


    mean?¡±


    Melvin frowned tightly.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath and asked him, feeling rather dejected, ¡°In the end, I have no right to be


    jealous, right?¡±


    I don¡¯t like being controlled Melvin stated coolly Nor being followed.¡±


    Jocelyn was so mad she actuallyughed


    Suddenly, she felt like anything she said was superfluous. In the end, she had no right to question


    anything about him.


    it had always been her, reading too much into things, misunderstanding his intentions.


    Their so-called rtionship only existed when it was just the two of them.


    ¡°Fine. Pull over, please


    ¡°Don¡¯t make a scene Melvin shot her a look. You¡¯re an adult, so act like one.


    Jocelyn had already unbuckled her seat belt, her tone steady, ¡°I¡¯m perfectly calm. It¡¯s my fault. I


    shouldn¡¯t have intruded. Please pull over I¡¯m getting out


    Melvin narrowed his eyes but still pulled the car over.


    Jocelyn pushed the door open, stepped out, and walked away without looking back, mming the car


    door behind her


    Melvin didn¡¯te back home that night.

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25


    The next moming, Jocelyn headed off to school.


    During lunchtime, Urs came over with her meal, plopped down next to Jocelyn, and handed her


    phone over, saying,


    Check this out, the minute Willow¡¯s back she became the ambassador of a jewelry brand¡±


    The moment Jocelyn heard Willow¡¯s name, her food suddenly tasted like cardboard.


    She couldn¡¯t resist taking a peek and sure enough, there was Willow at the jewelry brand¡¯s signing


    event.


    But it wasn¡¯t Melvin doing the signing It was Zephyr


    Well, wasn¡¯t that convenient? With all this back and forth, it would be only a matter of time before


    they¡¯re an item. They¡¯ve got the perfect setup for a little office romance


    ¡°Something¡¯s fishy, though Even though Willow is extremely popr, it¡¯s surprising she¡¯dnd a brand


    endorsement. contract right after returning I remember the jewelrypany never used ambassadors


    before, so this exception makes me wonder if there¡¯s some undisclosed secret between thepany


    owner and her¡­¡±


    Urs muttered to herself, scrolling through thements under the video. Most of them were all


    about how stunning Willow looked Willow ys!, She deserves this¡±, ¡®The jewelry brand¡¯s got good


    taste!¡±


    And more importantly, a bunch of Willow¡¯s fans had already started hitting up the stores, snapping up


    jewelry left and right to show their support.


    Got to admit, she¡¯s kind of a big deal, Urs said, putting down her phone. She noticed Jocelyn looking


    down in the dumps and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What¡¯s up with the long face?¡±


    Jocelyn had lost her appetite. She shook her head. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s the heat. I¡¯m just not feeling hungry. You


    enjoy your meal; I¡¯m gonna head out


    Back at the office, Jocelyn clicked on Twitter¡¯s top stories and there was Willow, looking fresh as a


    daisy in a floral sundress, her hair tied up in a cute bun, her innocent features on full disy, decked


    out in the brand¡¯s bling, striking a variety of poses.


    Lying up in the hospital one day, taking endorsements the next, talk about dedication to the job.


    Melvin¡¯s really looking out for Willow by setting her up with such a sweet deal right off the bat. It¡¯s hard


    to imagine Willow not bing a sensation with this kind of


    exposure.


    With Melvin backing her, Willow¡¯s got a fast track to the top of the entertainment industry.


    Jocelyn Preston¡¯s voice came from the doorway, startling her enough to drop her phone on the desk.


    She quickly turned off her phone and asked nonchntly, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    The office was empty except for Jocelyn.


    Preston stood in front of her desk, his eyes on the phone she had flipped over on the table. ¡°You saw it,


    didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Saw what?¡±


    Willow¡¯s new jewelry endorsement


    Jocelyn shrugged it off. ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with me?¡±


    ¡°My uncle¡¯s the big shot behind the jewelry brand, Preston observed her expression carefully.


    Jocelyn smiled and said, ¡°Still nothing to do with me.¡±


    Only she knew how much she was seething underneath all that cool indifference.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Preston didn¡¯t push further, seeing she was ying tough.


    He turned to leave but then stopped and looked back. ¡°Jocelyn, how about dinner tonight?¡±


    Why


    To thank you for looking after me¡± He didn¡¯t wait for her to decline and just walked away


    After school in the evening, Jocelyn, stepped out of the school gates only to find Preston waiting under


    a tree.


    Jocelyn, he called out


    She felt a touch of exasperation. If you¡¯re hungry, I can treat you at the bistro out front¡±


    Preston shook his head, I¡¯ve got a ce in mind, it won¡¯t take long


    ¡°Preston, Jocelyn said with a hint of authority. ¡°You have ss tomorrow!¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t take that long¡±


    Prestons insistence left Jocelyn with no choice but topromise. They hailed a cab and shortly


    arrived at a fancy restaurant He strode night in and pushed open the door to a private room.


    Inside, a few folks were having a good time until they stopped abruptly at the sound of the door turning


    to look at


    Preston.


    Jocelyn felt awkward standing behind Preston, feeling like a clown showing up uninvited


    ¡°Uncle Melvin, you¡¯re eating all the good stuff without inviting me and Auntie Jocelyn? Preston


    sauntered in, unfazed by Melvin¡¯s icy stare, and called back to Jocelyn, Jocelyn,e on in.¡±


    Jocelyn really wished she could just sink into the floor


    She shouldn¡¯t have trusted Preston, and she definitely shouldn¡¯t havee with him


    Melvin¡¯s gaze fixed on Jocelyn at the doorway, lips pressed tightly together


    Willow¡¯s smile stiffened when she heard Preston call Jocelyn auntie


    Everyone present was from the jewelrypany¡¯s upper echelon, including Zephyr


    Sensing the tension, Zephyr quickly tried to smooth things over. Jocelyn¡¯s here! You just finished ss,


    right? Thanks


    for bringing Preston back. If you don¡¯t mind, why not sit down and join us for a simple meal?


    Zephyr knew Melvin didn¡¯t like airing his personal life in front of colleagues, includingpany staff. He


    wasn¡¯t about to reveal their rtionship.


    Jocelyn found the whole charadeughable.


    She just smiled faintly, ncing at Melvin, who hadn¡¯t moved an inch


    How could Zephyr have said that if he hadn¡¯t authorized it?


    ¡°No, thanks, Jocelyn declined politely. Actually, I brought Preston here to have a word with Mr. Martinez


    Preston is st that tender age, and as his guardian, you might want to pay a bit more attention to a


    teenager¡¯s physical and emotional well-being. Work¡¯s important, sure, but so is the health of a child So,


    Mr. Martinez please try to spend some time focusing on Preston, instead of leaving him to his own


    devices at home Yeah, that¡¯s about it. Enjoy your meal, I be on my way. Goodbye.¡± Jocelyn kept her


    composure throughout, her tone professional


    As far as she was concerned, every word was strictly business, and surely everyone would


    conveniently overlook Preston¡¯s use of auntie¡¯


    She nodded slightly and left with grace and poise


    Stepping out of the restaurant, Jocelyn finally caught her breath with a heavy sigh


    First thing back home, she hit up a locksmith, got the locks changed, and switched up the codes in the


    dead of night


    After a shower, she flopped onto her bed, now not even feeling the urge to cry.


    She gave her love life another hard look, and it seemed like a total joke. She couldn¡¯t figure out what


    the gained from


    she had now, or what she was even dreaming about


    ter she stumbled upon.


    It¡¯s just a detour, and we all end up at the same finish line-death.¡±


    Jocelyn left ament underneath. ¡°Every stage in life is just a transition. Only a shovelful of earth will


    be our final resting ce¡±


    Quinta shot back, ¡°What¡¯s up with you now?¡±


    Jocelyn replied, ¡°Just trying to match your deep thoughts and make me look cultured¡±


    Quinta responded with a facepalm emoji.


    Jocelyn scrolled down to the bottom and then logged out, put the phone down, and went to sleep.


    In the middle of the night her phone buzzed. She fumbled with it with a frown and answered it without


    looking at who was calling.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    Silence on the other end.


    Woken up in the middle of the night, she was miffed.


    ¡°If you¡¯re not gonna talk I¡¯m hanging up.


    ¡°Uh.. softer ah¡­¡±


    ¡±


    Sounds from the other end jolted her wide awake.


    She flicked on the light and checked the caller ID in a rush.


    There, in bold, was the name Melvin.

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26


    The heavy raspy breaths on the other end of the phone were still blending together.


    Jozeler¡¯s hands were shaking, and sleep was thest thing on her mind.


    was a hot mess, feeling like she wanted to scream her lungs out.


    Finally, she hit the record button, holding it down until the caller hung up


    She sat up in bed head hanging, her chest tight and short of breath for a long time.


    No chance of getting any more sleep.


    She watched the clock tick away, feeling like the night was dragging on forever.


    When dawn finally broke, there was a knock on the door, her head buzzing,pletely drained, and


    her phone went off


    again.


    ¡°Melvin shed on the screen. Her eyes were sore as she stared at the name, while the annoying


    knock on the door


    persisted


    After a while, she dragged herself to answer it, barefoot.


    Melvin looked awful. ¡°Changed the locks?¡±


    Jocelyn lifted her head, and the look on her face shocked Melvin.


    Eyes bloodshot, her facepletely pale, she looked like she¡¯d been through hell and back in just one


    night.


    ¡°What happened to you? Melvin frowned, reaching for her shoulder.


    Before he could touch her Jocelyn dodged like she was avoiding something filthy, the disgust in her


    eyes in as day.


    Melvin¡¯s face went cold in an instant Jocelyn, what the hell is going on?¡±


    Jocelyn took a painful deep breath, still clutching her phone, and looked him straight in the eye. ¡°Let¡¯s


    break up.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed, and the air around him turned frosty.


    ¡°Exin yourself!¡± His gaze turned icy.


    Jocelyn swallowed hard and yed the recording on her phone, that unbearable, indescribable sound


    filling their ears.


    With each listen, Jocelyn¡¯s heart twisted in agony.


    ¡°What is this? Melvin frowned, clueless


    Jocelyn forced a bitter smile and showed him the call log, ¡°3:25 AM, you called me. That¡¯s when I heard


    this and recorded it.¡±


    Melvin stared at the call log on her phone screen, then pulled out his own, finding no trace of a call to


    her at that time


    ¡°I was drunkst night, and Zephyr took me home. I didn¡¯t wake up until this morning, Melvin exined


    coolly


    ¡°Who else was there? Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to leave it murky. If he was willing to exin, she was willing


    to clear things


    Melvin frowned slightly and answered, ¡°Willow.¡±


    Jocelyn was at a loss for words


    Preston was home too, Melvin added, fire building up inside him at her mockingugh.


    Jocelyn: felt exhausted. She let her arms fall, propping herself against the door, the light went from her


    eyes ¡°You¡¯ve got


    ace Go back there. Don¡¯te here anymore.¡±


    ith that, she was about to shut the door


    Melvin braced the door with his hand and said, I told you, nothing happened between Willow and me!


    Chap 26


    ¡°So what?¡¯ Jocelyn matched his stubbornness, ¡°You and I have nothing either. If you¡¯re just looking for


    booty calls, I¡¯ll hit you up when I¡¯m in the mood.¡±


    ¡°You Melvin was about to explode


    Jocelyn pushed the door with resolve, determined not to let hirn in.


    ¡®Don¡¯t you believe me? Melvin almost snarled.


    ¡°I do Jocelyn had no energy left to argue. After a sleepless night, she was beat and needed to get


    ready for work.


    Melvin sensed her brushing him off. Being doubted and distrusted over something he didn¡¯t do really


    got under his skin.


    ¡°What¡¯s your deal? Are you really kicking me out?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got work, so no time for this nonsense. Please move, Jocelyn said firmly, about to close the door.


    ¡°You sure you want to break up?¡±


    Jocelyn was irritated, ¡°Yes¡±


    Melvin watched her, not seeing a hint of reluctance in her eyes, his brow furrowed fiercely, ¡°Jocelyn,


    you¡¯ve threatened to break up with me countless times over the years, not every time will I y the


    charmer.¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    Indeed, over three years, they¡¯d had countless breakups, mostly initiated by her, but each time he¡¯d


    sweet-talk her into forgetting why she wanted to break up in the first ce.


    But this time was different.


    ¡°Yeah, I know.¡± After all, someone else needed hispany now.


    Melvin, struck by her indifference, felt a surge of anger and wanted to m the door.


    Jocelyn asked, ¡°Is there anything else?¡±


    Melvin red at her, lips pressed tight, and then he stormed off with a push against the door.


    The moment he left, Jocelyn felt a piece of her heart ripped out, the pain almost suffocating.


    Melvin drove straight to the studio where Willow was prepping for a shoot.


    In the makeup room, Melvin¡¯s icy demeanor scared the crew.


    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Everyone cleared out except for Zephyr.


    ¡°What¡¯s got into you so early? Weren¡¯t you fine when you left?¡± Willow saw Melvin in the mirror, who


    was still so damn attractive even when pissed.


    He had matured a lot since she left. He was rich, handsome, domineering, yet passionate.


    She¡¯d asked around upon her return. Aside from Jocelyn, who¡¯d never been publicly acknowledged,


    there were no other


    women around him.


    So, she still had a chance.


    Last night was a great start.


    Melvin confronted her, ¡°Who gave you permission to touch my phone?¡±


    Willow was taken aback, ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Who else would dare touch my phone but you?¡± Melvin didn¡¯t need to think twice. That call to Jocelyn


    had to be Willow ying some misleading audio,


    Willow turned around, genuinely confused. ¡°I didn¡¯t touch your phone. What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    there was no proof that Willow used his phone to call Jocelyn, but besides her, no one else would


    Men shot Willow a frosty look and said, ¡°No one gets to butt in between me and Jocelyn, got it?¡±


    Willow¡¯s lips twitched slightly, her fingers curling into a faint fist. She pursed her red lips and managed


    to smile. 1 can tell you and Jocelyn are close. True love can¡¯t be wrecked by a third wheel.¡±


    But deep down, she didn¡¯t buy the idea that Melvin was head over heels for Jocelyn


    How much love could a guy have if he¡¯s scared to show her off to his friends, if he won¡¯t even own up


    to their rtionship?


    It¡¯s probably just a physical thing, all about sex, and nothing more.


    Willow figured even the tastiest dish would make one sick if he had too much of it. One day, he¡¯ll be so


    over it that he won¡¯t want to touch it ever again.


    So, if he wants to y with Jocelyn, let him y


    After Melvin left, Zephyr came out patting his chest, asking Willow, ¡°What¡¯s with the phone? Why was


    he so steamed up? Scared the bejesus out of me. I didn¡¯t dare to butt in


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Willow broke into a bright, unblemished smile ¡°Do you think he came over just to rub in my


    face how great he¡¯s doing with Jocelyn to get back at me?¡±


    Zephyr really didn¡¯t know what to say


    He just sort of mumbled a non answer, ¡°You had your reasons for walking away back then, and him


    having a girl now is just human nature. Don¡¯t overthink it. The fact that he¡¯s given you thepany¡¯s


    endorsement deal shows he still treats you differently.¡±

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27


    Jocelyn was totally killing it in ss today, her interaction with the students was outstanding.


    When the bell rang signaling the end of ss, Jocelyn wrapped things up. Normally, she¡¯s not one to let


    her sses run


    DVCL


    Jocelyn, you feeling okay? the ss monitor came over, looking a little worried,


    Jocelyn just smiled at her and answered. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m good¡±


    ¡°But your eyes are all red¡±


    Feeling a bit sheepish, Jocelyn admitted. ¡°Oh, I got face wash in my eyes this morning Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m


    fine¡±


    The kids¡¯ concern really boosted her mood. Heading back to her office, she found a bouquet of roses


    on her desk.


    Jocelyn, I saw these with the security guy on my way in and he said someone left them for you, so I


    brought them up,¡± another teacher exined


    ¡°Oh, thanks¡±


    Jocelyn nced at the twenty-odd roses, no note, no clue who they were from.


    She never would¡¯ve guessed Melvin, since he¡¯d never given her so much as a single bloom.


    Got an admirer, huh? Urs waltzed in after her ss and teased upon seeing Jocelyn lost in thought


    with the flowers Couldn¡¯t they at least leave a name?¡±


    Jocelyn just shrugged with a helpless grin, ¡°No idea who sent them.¡±


    ¡°Whoever sent it will definitely send flowers again. You¡¯ll figure it out,¡± Urs said as she took a seat.


    ¡°By the way, it¡¯s my birthday today. No ss tonight, so grace me with your presence for dinner, will ya?


    Don¡¯t bother with a gift. Just bring


    the fun.¡±


    Another teacher chimed in,ughing. ¡°You say that, but who¡¯d show up empty-handed?¡±


    I¡¯m serious We¡¯re all about the good times, not the formalities, Urs asked Jocelyn, ¡°You got ss


    tonight?¡±


    Jocelyn checked her schedule and answered, ¡°Nope.¡±


    Then you gottae,¡± Urs said. ¡°I¡¯ll drop the address in the chat. Everyone who¡¯s free should show


    up. It¡¯s a buffet. so as long as you¡¯re not toote, there¡¯s grub.¡±


    Jocelyn settled in, asionally ncing at the roses.


    She really couldn¡¯t guess who sent them.


    But she took a pic and tweeted it anyway. [First time getting red roses and they¡¯re from a mystery


    sender.]


    Daisy quickly replied [Someone¡¯s finally chasing after you, huh?]


    Calvin followed up on Daisy. [My daughter¡¯s a sweetheart. The guy¡¯s got good taste.]


    Jocelyn cracked a smile.


    Then Quinta popped up [Eh? Isn¡¯t it him?]


    Jocelyn¡¯s smile stiffened a bit as she dryly replied to Quinta. [Cut it out. It¡¯s over.]


    Quinta immediately messaged her. [What¡¯s ¡®over? You guys split? Why?]


    After a moment, Jocelyn clutched her phone and typed back. [Got tired of it.]


    Quints sent a thumbs-up, then added. [Out with the old, in with the new. Enjoy life]


    Jocelyn smiled again.


    Her Twitter was blowing up with 21 new messages, but she didn¡¯t check them


    She opened her textbook to prep for the afternoon ss


    After freshening up, Urs took her and a couple of colleagues to the buffet. Soon after, more teachers


    and some of Urs¡¯s friends joined.


    Jocelyn and the others got Urs a threeyer cake, which she yfully med them for wasting


    money on, but still donned a crown and made a wish when the candles were lit


    When asked about her wish, she hoped for her ss to top the finals and for her subject to lead the


    ranks.


    Everyone teased her for being so wicked, leaving no room for the others to shine.


    They had a st, eating, drinking, and chatting Jocelyn was in high spints too


    When life¡¯s fulfilling you don¡¯t have time to dwell on the crummy stuff


    Like herughter now, which was genuinely joyous


    Three hourster, they finally left the restaurant


    Everyone was as merry leaving as they were arriving. Simple emotions often hold more sincerity and


    anticipation.


    Urs, who had a few drinks, called a driver She initially wanted to drop Jocelyn off, but it was out of


    the way, so Jocelyn declined and called her own ride


    After Urs left, Jocelyn waited for her Uber.


    A sleek silver Porsche pulled up in front of her, window rolled down, and Melvin, looking grim, told


    Jocelyn to get in.


    Jocelyn had spotted his car nearby earlier but pretended not to notice.


    Even now, she nced over nonchntly as any passerby would and kept waiting.


    Her ride arrived soon after and stopped behind Melvin¡¯s Porsche.


    Jocelyn walked straight to it, got into the backseat.


    The driver signaled and drove around the Porsche.


    Jocelyn passed by Melvin without raising an eyelid, eyes fixed forward,pletely ignoring his


    presence


    The car stopped at her apartmentplex, and she got out.


    Melvin¡¯s car followed and he jumped out, grabbing Jocelyn¡¯s arm.


    Jocelyn turned coldly. ¡°What are you doing? Let go!¡±


    Melvin furrowed his brows tightly. ¡°I sent you the flowers.¡±


    Jocelyn was a bit taken aback but didn¡¯t show it. ¡°So what?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do what you¡¯re mad about, Melvin tried calling her, but she wouldn¡¯t pick up, nor respond to his


    texts. If it weren¡¯t for Preston, he wouldn¡¯t have found her.


    This woman sure knew how to throw a tantrum.


    He never liked to coddle anyone, but with yesterday¡¯s mess, he felt wronged. Like being used and


    sentenced without a crime, he needed to clear his name.


    ¡°Here or at your ce?¡± Melvin asked.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want him to find any loopholes. Just say it here.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Melvin took out his phone, yed a video with NSFW visuals and loud, unsavory sounds that


    were especially loud in the still of the night outside theplex.


    Jocelyn¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment and anger. She quickly reached to shut off his phone and


    asked, ¡°What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?¡±


    Melvin kept a straight face and asked back, ¡°Don¡¯t you think the voice sounds familiar?¡±


    Farrar my foot!


    She¡¯d never watched that kind of video!


    ¡°What are you trying to pull?¡± Jocelyn was beyond done with him.


    Melvin said, ¡°The audio you heardst night? It¡¯s straight from this video. I¡¯m squeaky clean, so don¡¯t


    go slinging mud at me. Plus, messing around isn¡¯t my cup of tea.¡±


    Jocelyn was gritting her teeth, stared him down while he kept his cool, and took a deep breath ¡°But isn¡¯t


    it a fact that some chick spent the night at your ce?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t invite her, Melvin shot back, ¡°And it wasn¡¯t just the two of us there You can check with Preston,


    for real¡±


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Right then, Jocelyn¡¯s emotions were still riding high It wasn¡¯t like she had any particr thoughts, it was


    just that his unexpected move earlier had left her feeling all kinds of embarrassed, and the jerk didn¡¯t


    even raise an eyelid.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to exin anything to me. I mean, we¡¯re clearly not cut from the same cloth, Jocelyn


    knew what was up. She had never spent a night at Melvin¡¯s ce, nor had she ever cozied up with his


    pals for a meal like Willow had


    To put it nicely, he was stashing his chick in a love nest.


    To put it bluntly, he never even thought about letting her into his world.


    Not a good fit, Jocelyn guessed.


    She took a deep, harsh breath and shed him a faux sincere smile. ¡°Let¡¯s break up. No hard feelings,


    and let¡¯s not


    make this any messier


    Jocelyn Melvin called after her.

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28


    Jocelyn stopped in her tracks, not bothering to look back


    ¡°Come on, there¡¯s a limit to making a scene.¡± Melvin was sure she was just making a scene. He had


    already exined himself. What more did she want from him?


    Jocelyn took a deep breath feeling more pathetic and ridiculous by the second.


    In his eyes, she was just being a drama queen because she wanted more Yep, to him, she was totally


    overreacting.


    And he had already stooped to coax her, so she should¡¯ve taken the hint and quit while she was ahead.


    It used to be the same old story she¡¯d get mad he¡¯d sweet talk her a bit, and she¡¯d drop it all.


    Truth be told, back then she kinda liked being coaxed by him because it felt like he actually cared, like


    she mattered to


    him


    But thinking it over now, it all seemed like just going through the motions without ever wondering why.


    She couldn¡¯t even tell if he meant any of it. Or was it just sweet talk to get her into bed and then back to


    business as usual?


    ¡°I¡¯m beat. Let¡¯s go home Melvin said, moving in to grab her hand and pull her towards the apartment


    building.


    Jocelyn stood her ground.


    Melvin turned around, his patience obviously wearing thin.


    Jocelyn gently wriggled her hand free. ¡°You should go back to your ce.¡±


    What the heck do you want? Melvin unbuttoned his cor, looking pretty ticked off.


    Jocelyn shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t want anything. I just think we both need some time to cool off. Give it


    some thought whats the point of us going on like this?¡±


    Melvin pressed his lips together and looked at her coldly without saying anything. That calm before the


    storm sent a shiver down Jocelyn¡¯s spine


    He wasn¡¯t violent, but man, he had a way of making her knees buckle with just one look.


    ¡°You sure you won¡¯t let mee up tonight? His tone was heavier now.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart was racing, each beat pounding against her chest, pressuring her to cave.


    She steeled herself Yes


    Melvin stared at her for a long moment before his lips twisted into a sneer. ¡°Jocelyn, you¡¯ve got guts!¡±


    As the door mmed with a resounding thud, Jocelyn¡¯s anxiety finally settled.


    The engine roared angrily, as if venting Melvin¡¯s rage and dissatisfaction


    Once the noise faded, Jocelyn bent over, hands on knees, gasping for air, fully aware of what her


    refusal implied.


    So that was it. She and the man she had loved for more than three years were really done.


    That night, Jocelyn slept like a log.


    She should have been crying her eyes out, tossing and turning all night like the one before, but instead,


    she snoozed right through her rm.


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t affected a bit. She went about her sses and daily life as normal. When she wasn¡¯t


    teaching, she¡¯d hang out with colleagues, grabbing a cuppa or hitting the shops, cooking at home when


    she felt like it, or dining out when she didn¡¯t, and spending weekends with her folks.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the Romeo sending you roses? Got an admirer? Did you say yes? What¡¯s he like? Give us the


    deets!¡¯ Of course, Daisy was all over her about it.


    Jocelyn was upfront. ¡°We¡¯re not for each other. I turned him down?


    ¡°Why not?¡± Daisy sensed Jocelyn was taking her love life seriously and felt somewhat reassured.


    As they prepped the veggies, Jocelyn didn¡¯t mince words. ¡°The quy¡¯s family is loaded. He¡¯s a knockout,


    driving cars worth millions, and wearing designerbels head to toe. Tell me, is that my type?¡±


    Daisy frowned at that. ¡°Sure, he¡¯s way wealthier, but it¡¯s about the person, right?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s looking for someone in his league. Me? I¡¯m a working ss I¡¯d barely scrape through his front


    door, let alone run the joint or call the shots. I¡¯d always be second best. It might look shy, but just


    thinking about the grind¡­ Jocelyn trailed off, shaking her head.


    Daisy sighed in agreement. You¡¯re talking sense. Those soap operas always show how rough it is to


    marry into wealth. And those monster-inws? Plus, look at those celebs-raking it in, drop-dead


    gorgeous, but how many are actually happy?¡±


    Jocelyn nodded vigorously. ¡°Exactly. So let¡¯s not bother with Mr. Too Good to Be True.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough We¡¯re ordinary folk and we can¡¯t expect the moon. As long as the guy¡¯s decent,


    ambitious, and treats you night, that¡¯s plenty. Marriage is about the couple, not the crowd. As long as


    you¡¯re a good match, that¡¯s what counts,¡± Daisy said earnestly, lowering her voice ¡°Marriage is a


    woman¡¯s life-changer, like a rebirth Marry the right one, and you¡¯ve got a shot at a good life Screw it up,


    and you¡¯re in for a slog. These days, young folks are different. They get married in a heartbeat or split


    just as fast if it¡¯s not working. It¡¯s all a headache. Remember Margot? She¡¯s just a bit younger than you.


    She s divorced now


    Jocelyn was taken aback. Margot had just been showing off her love life on Twitter


    Daisy shook her head ¡°Her daughter¡¯s only four, and Margot¡¯s raising her solo Do you think it¡¯s easy?


    Her mom used to be so proud, bet she¡¯s not bragging about her daughter¡¯s catch now. And in the


    countryside, divorce is a stain, all people gossip it.


    Jocelyn was only surprised about the divorce, not the old-timers¡¯ mindset, which she always dismissed.


    ¡°Mom, divorce is normal these days. Sometimes it takes a while to see the problems unfold Deciding to


    divorce is just stopping the wrong and hurt from going on. Don¡¯t get into it with the gossip, if word gets


    back to them, it¡¯s not cool, Jocelyn advised Daisy.


    Daisy huffed Since she was married, with a kid that big, why not stick it out for the kid¡¯s sake? Who


    suffers most after a divorce? The kid Look at Quinta, who was remarried. Do you think our rtives


    don¡¯t gossip? Your uncle cares about dignity, and Quinta¡¯s divorce nearly got him in the hospital. That¡¯s


    why marriage needs to be taken seriously.¡±


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve gotta square off with you on this one. A person¡¯s gotta live life feelingfy first and


    foremost. If every day feels like a grind, and you¡¯re just putting up with it for the sake of ¡®dignity¡¯, and


    then you p on the for the kids excuse to settle, isn¡¯t that exhausting? Do parents really wanna see


    their kids living in agony and torture every day?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t really have her heart set on getting married, but she caved under the parental pressure


    and the whole keeping up with the Joneses thing, so she thought of marrying Melvin


    Turns out, not rushing into it was the smart move.


    If she had managed to force Melvin into marriage, they¡¯d probably be on their umpteenth divorce by


    now


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Daisy red at Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn had never really had a heart-to-heart on this topic with her mom like she did today, but she just


    couldn¡¯t hold back anymore, ¡°Margot manages to live on her own with her kid, which shows she¡¯s


    always put the kid first, and it¡¯s very likely she divorced for the sake of the kid If two people can¡¯t make


    it work, do you think ying house can fool the kid forever? The damage that loveless parents can do


    to a child might be even greater.¡±


    Daisy couldn¡¯t out-argue Jocelyn, but still didn¡¯t agree with her, stubbornly saying, ¡°Anyway, no matter


    what, it¡¯s still better for the biological parents to be together. Back in our day, we had our share of


    scraps and squabbles, so what? Which family doesn¡¯t? Live through it, and eventually, there¡¯s less


    drama¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡± Jocelyn was exasperated, ¡°Let¡¯s just drop it, okay? But you did say one thing that¡¯s spot on


    getting married is not something to rush into. So, can you and dad justy off the pressure? I¡¯ve gotta


    make sure the rest of my life is happy before i marry someone.¡±

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29


    At that, Daisy sensed the conversation wasn¡¯t going her way. Jocelyn, let me tell you, don¡¯t you go


    looking for excuses. If a girl hits thirty without being married, she really bes the talk of the town


    Look around, all your childhood friends. are either married or having kids, and here you are, not even a


    boyfriend in sight¡±


    Jocelyn knew arguing was futile. She took out her phone, shed a grin at Daisy, Tm gonna take a call.


    You carry on.¡±


    Things were getting busler as finals approach


    Everyone was grinding away, teachers and students alike. Teachers were gunning for their sses to


    top the school while the students just wanted to ace the finals and kick back for the break.


    Jocelyn, as the homeroom teacher, had her te full.


    ¡°Did you and my uncle break up?¡± Preston popped the question while handing inte homework,


    seizing the moment. when the office was empty


    Jocelyn had already unfriended Melvin on all social media and deleted his number.


    Not sure if he¡¯s done the same, but she hasn¡¯t heard a peep from him.


    It¡¯s all water under the bridge now


    ¡°Finals are around the corner, so you¡¯d be better off hitting the books. Don¡¯t fall behindter,¡± Jocelyn


    said as she epted his homework Back to ss.


    Preston rubbed his nose, Psh, no way I¡¯ming inst.¡±


    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Out of curiosity, Jocelyn asked, ¡°So what¡¯s the goal? Rank in the ss?¡±


    Top five in the whole grade.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled at his bravado.


    A guy who had always been scraping the bottom suddenly wanted to shoot for top five in the finals?


    What a joke, right?


    But she didn¡¯t want to burst his bubble of confidence. Who knows, he might just pull a rabbit out of his


    hat.


    After all, even a fishmonger can turn into a big shot.


    ¡°Give it your best!¡± She felt a surge of pride as a teacher seeing her student so pumped.


    Preston rolled his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t act like you believe in me. Tell you what, let¡¯s make a bet. If I crack the


    top five, you gotta agree to one condition.¡±


    Feeling good, Jocelyn asked, ¡°What condition?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you when the timees, Preston kept it a secret.


    Jocelyn raised an eyebrow Alright. As long as it¡¯s nothing illegal or against the rules, I¡¯m in. And if you


    don¡¯t make it?¡±


    Preston thought for a moment, ¡°You name it. Even if it¡¯s arson or murder, I¡¯ll make it happen.¡±


    Jocelyn grabbed a workbook from her desk and smacked him on the forehead, ¡°What the heck is going


    on in that head of yours?¡±


    He didn¡¯t flinch, just fixed his hair. ¡°You can smack my face, but please, not the hair.¡±


    ¡°Enough already, get back to study At this rate, you won¡¯t even makest but five,¡± Jocelyn dismissed


    him.


    ¡°I mean it, Jocelyn¡­ can¡¯t you show a little faith in me?¡± Preston gave her a side nce, ¡°Seriously, if I


    don¡¯t make the top five, I¡¯ll do anything you ask.¡±


    ncing at the clock, Jocelyn said, ¡°Okay then. Go for it!¡±


    ¡°Do you believe in me?¡± he asked, suddenly serious.


    ¡°Of course, Jocelyn nodded earnestly, Work hard and give it your all! You¡¯re fighting for your own


    benefit.¡±


    Preston knew she didn¡¯t buy it and threw down the gauntlet, ¡°Just you wait!¡±


    After Preston left, Jocelyn shook her head with a resigned smile.


    After school, it was alreadyte at night. Jocelyn packed up and left the school. The bus stop billboard


    now showed.


    Willow endorsing jewelry in a huge, eye-catching poster.


    She was over it.


    It had been over half a month since she and Melvinst spoke. Over time, it seemed less and less of a


    loss


    Once the break started, she decided to visit her hometown for a few days, then hit up some domestic


    tourist spots to totally unwind.


    She¡¯d never really traveled solo before, always waiting on Melvin. But he was always too busy


    If he didn¡¯t go, neither did she..


    Men can be such a drag sometimes.


    Walking on the street, she noticed more punks around these days, with security and auxiliary police


    patrolling, on alert for any who might try to trick students.


    Just around the corner was her apartment when three punks stepped out, whistling lewdly. ¡°Hey, been


    watching you for days How abouting over to your ce?¡±


    Jocelyn was shocked at their audacity.


    The cops are all over this ce. You¡¯re being way too brazen, she said coolly Scram before they get


    here!¡±


    ¡°Oh, ying tough, huh? You must be a teacher there. We¡¯re poor students, so why not teach us a


    lesson at your ce?¡± one of them said, edging closer creepily.


    Jocelyn clutched her bag and stepped back when suddenly something whooshed past her ear, followed


    by a yelp.


    Turning around, she saw Preston rushing over, all fired up. ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. She was about to ask why he hadn¡¯t gone home when she saw the punks running towards


    Preston. She yelled, ¡°Preston!


    He was already scrapping with the punks.


    Without hesitation, Jocelyn called the cops and found a thick stick in the greenery.


    She swung it at the punks backs.


    ¡°Run, will you?¡± Preston yelled even as he was fighting.


    She couldn¡¯t just leave him there.


    Her jumping into the fray drew one punk¡¯s attention, who grabbed the stick and snapped it with a yank.


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Holding the broken stick, she said, ¡°I¡¯ve called the police. Leave now


    or wait


    arrested¡±


    As she finished, shing police lights appeared in the distance


    ¡°The cops are here, run!¡±


    They took off, shoving Preston on their way out.


    Jocelyn rushed to check on him, whose face now showing signs of bruising.


    ¡°Are you okay? Hurt anywhere?¡± She frantically checked him over.


    Preston frowned, ¡°I was fine until you started poking around¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    The police arrived, and after Jocelyn exined the situation, they started checking the surveince


    footage.


    Preston insisted his injuries were just minor, nothing serious enough to require police or a hospital visit


    Once the police left, Jocelyn helped Preston up. ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll put some antiseptic on those cuts.¡±


    I¡¯m okay. A little scrap never hurt any tough guy, Preston was stubbom.


    to be


    Jocelyn gave a light smack to his forehead. ¡°You¡¯re still a minor, kiddo. Hurry up, if you get a scar, you¡¯ll


    be a turn-off for thediester on. Either we head to my ce or the hospital, take your pick ¡±


    Preston was adamant, Just call my uncle and have hime gel me.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    ¡°I might be underage, but I¡¯m still a guy. You¡¯re the onlydy at your ce; it wouldn¡¯t be proper for me


    to go there,¡± Preston said, all prim and proper, ¡°I got smacked in the head just now, gotta get it checked


    out at the hospital. Exams are around the corner, so I can¡¯t afford to have any issues upstairs Just call


    my uncle, will you?¡±


    Thest thing Jocelyn wanted was to get in touch with Melvin again. She always felt like she was the


    one making all the effort, almost chasing after him.


    Seeing Preston looking all down and out, she did feel it was necessary to notify a guardian.


    She dialed that familiar number, her heart fluttering with unease, and held the phone to her ear


    The phone rang for ages, and just when she thought there would be no answer, it was picked up.

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30


    Melvin arrived


    Spotting Preston sitting on the steps with a bruised face, his backpack on the ground, and a twig


    beside him, it wasn¡¯t difficult to figure out what went down.


    He nced at Jocelyn before turning to Preston and asking, ¡°Another fight?¡±


    ¡°Someone was targeting Jocelyn. I couldn¡¯t stand by and watch, so I intervened, Preston summed up


    the situation in


    one sentence


    Melvin didn¡¯t bother looking at Jocelyn and asked Preston, ¡°Can you walk?¡±


    As Preston stood up, Jocelyn quickly reached out to help him but Melvin swatted her hand away, not


    letting her touch Preston


    Jocelyn¡¯s hand was stiff as if suddenly frozen with ice.


    ¡°What¡¯s that about, Uncle? Prestonined.


    ¡°Your leg¡¯s not broken, is it? You do really need help? Melvin shot back, his voice icy.


    Preston huffed. How do you know my leg¡¯s not hurt?¡± He lifted his right foot, hopping on the left, and


    red at him.


    Melvin knew the kid¡¯s game and pulled out his phone. ¡°Maybe I should just call you an ambnce¡±


    You


    Preston snapped to his feet, ring at Melvin before he stormed off to the car.


    Jocelyn, feeling like a fifth wheel, still felt the need to apologize to the student¡¯s guardian. ¡°Preston was


    just being a good student. He got hurt trying to help me. I¡¯ll cover the medical bills


    Melvin¡¯s tone was anything but friendly, ¡°Of course. Who else?¡±


    Jocelyn looked down, her feelings a bit fragile.


    Melvin¡¯s attitude was getting under her skin. But she tried to put herself in his shoes; any parent would


    be ticked off if their kid got hurt because of a teacher.


    But Melvin was being too blunt,cking any hint of subtlety.


    She knew why she was upset. Because Melvin had turned frosty way too fast.


    ¡°You should take Preston for the check-up and then send me the bill. I¡¯ll transfer the cash to you,¡±


    Jocelyn pulled herself together She shouldn¡¯t be over-sensitive; any attitude from him was fair game


    now.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°You¡¯re his teacher, and he got hurt because of you. So, don¡¯t you think


    you shoulde along?¡±


    Jocelyn bit her lip.


    Yes, she should


    Watching Preston in the backseat, she climbed into the car and sat next to Preston.


    On the way to the hospital, Willow called Melvin to check where he was, and he mentioned they were


    heading to the hospital.


    Once they arrived, Willow showed up wearing a ck mask, worried sick about Preston.


    Tumed out, Preston only had a few scrapes, nothing serious.


    ¡°We should probably start driving Preston to school, Willow¡¯s pretty eyes were full of concern. ¡°Finals


    areing up, and I¡¯m not swamped with work. I can take him to school until the holidays.


    Preston lifted his eyes, staring at Willow. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Willow was speechless.


    Nobody expected Preston to diss Willow like that. Those three words were a verbal siap.


    ¡°Preston, L. Willow stammered, settling on ¡°I¡¯m your uncle¡¯s friend.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯ve got no business driving me Preston was tantly dismissive, which was a real p in the


    face to Willow.


    Willow¡¯splexion soured, and she could only muster a show of strength by lowering her head,


    looking visibly


    distressed.


    Jocelyn felt like an outsider in this drama. She came to pay the bill, but Melvin ended up using


    Preston¡¯s insurance card


    instead


    ¡°Preston, get some rest at home, Jocelyn had to break into the conversation, ¡°If you¡¯re still feeling off,


    just let me know


    and take a sick day, okay?¡±


    ¡°Mhm


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna head out Jocelyn nodded politely at Melvin and Willow before heading for the door.


    While she was waiting for her ride outside, Melvin and Preston came out


    Willow was trailing behind Melvin, looking every bit like parents picking up their kid.


    Jocelyn didnt stick around to watch, but then she heard Melvin call her name


    Jocelyn


    His voice was devoid of emotion


    Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn turned to face him, asking politely, ¡°Is there anything wrong?¡±


    Melvin approached with his usual aloofness and handed her the hospital receipt. ¡°Mind transferring the


    medical fees to


    me?


    Jocelyn paused, and then took the bill. ¡°I¡¯ll do it right now.¡±


    ¡°No rush. Just tally it up when you¡¯re home.¡±


    Jocelyn figured she didn¡¯t need to do that; she could probably tell with just a nce.


    But Melvin didn¡¯t wait, already in the car


    Before getting in, Willow cast a deep, mocking nce at Jocelyn, a hint of a smirk on her face, and


    then closed the car


    door


    Back home, Jocelyn checked the bill and thought about transferring the money to Melvin.


    Opening contacts in her phone reminded her that she¡¯d deleted him; now she had to add him back to


    tell him about the


    transfer of medical fees.


    She typed his card number


    Staring at the nk screen, she hesitated before finally making the transfer.


    The notification popped up, the money was received.


    No extra words, no emojis. Just a cold transaction


    Jocelyn was at a loss for words, so she put her phone down and went to take a shower.


    Before bed, she checked her phone again ¨C no messages.


    She used to fall asleep by ten, but tonight, tossing and turning; it was eleven, and sleep was a no-


    show.


    Forcing herself to sleep, it wasn¡¯t until after midnight that she finally drifted off


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    The next day, as soon as Jocelyn arrived at school, Melvin¡¯s call came through. That familiar number


    made her heart skip a beat


    Clearing her throat, the answered withposed detachment, ¡°Hello, who¡¯s this?¡±


    On the other end of the phone, there was a brief silence, and Jocelyn¡¯s heart was pounding while she


    waited


    She had a hunch that Melvin could remember her number without even saving it. After all, over the


    three years they¡¯ve been together, even if he couldn¡¯t recite it backwards, he should at least recognize


    who it was at a nce when he saw this string of digits.


    So, Melvin surely could see through her deliberate act.


    ¡°Preston is taking a couple of days off, the voice on the other end grew even colder


    Jocelyn was momentarily stunned and a bit anxious, dropping her act in an instant, ¡°Is he still feeling


    sick? Should we get him checked out at the hospital again¡±


    Last night was pitch-ck, and those thugs weren¡¯t to be messed with; who knows, they might have


    really hurt him.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be necessary. He just needs to rest at home. Melvin added, ¡°Finals areing up, and I¡¯ve


    heard you guys have been cramming. As his teacher, shouldn¡¯t you spend some time helping him


    review?¡±


    Jocelyn opened her mouth, thinking about the bet Preston made with her yesterday. She was indeed


    worried about his grades


    But how was she supposed to help Preston review?


    ¡°I¡­ I will make sure to put together a set of key points for him


    Before Jocelyn could finish her sentence, she heard Melvin snort, Jocelyn, how likely do you think it is


    for a student to study diligently on his own?¡±

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31


    After lunch, Jocelyn called Preston outside the office.


    Preston mentioned his back was acting up a bit, nothing too serious, but his uncle insisted he stay


    home and rest.


    ¡°I told him I had finalsing up and had to study My uncle said that I didn¡¯t do well anyway and that it


    would be a waste of time to study. That kinda talk rubbed me the wrong way I told him I¡¯m shooting for


    top five in our grade; he justughed it off. So, I suggested maybe you could swing by the next couple


    of days to help me study.¡±


    After spilling his guts, Preston cautiously added, ¡°Jocelyn, could you please,e and help me review


    for a couple of days?¡±


    Jocelyn thought about Preston¡¯s pledge to get into the top five and, being a teacher, she couldn¡¯t


    exactly squash his drive. Plus, his mishap was kinda on her, so she couldn¡¯t just wash her hands of it.


    ¡°Sure, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my uncle hit the road for a trip two hours ago. No clue when he¡¯s back, but he won¡¯t be for


    at least a day or two. Preston knew what was bugging her


    That put Jocelyn a little more at ease, ¡°Send me the address, and I¡¯lle over after my sses.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know my uncle¡¯s ce?¡± Preston was surprised.


    Jocelyn chuckled, ¡°Nope.¡±


    She knew nothing about Melvin, except for his jewelry business.


    Most people bring their sweetheart home; instead, here¡¯s this big-shotpany boss, glued to her tiny


    spot, refusing to budge


    She figured maybe Melvin just wanted to avoid any messy strings if things didn¡¯t work out.


    Jocelyn felt like Melvin was always on guard, never really betting on them tost.


    Now, it didn¡¯t matter. She was kinda hung up on it, but figured she¡¯d get over it eventually.


    After her afternoon sses, she grabbed a cab to the address Preston gave her-downtown¡¯s prime real


    estate, a waterfront pad with a price tag out of most people¡¯s league.


    At the entrance, the security guard even stopped her, but once he heard she was heading to Melvin¡¯s,


    his tune changed, all smiles saying, ¡°Mr. Martinez left word. I¡¯ll take you there.¡± And with that, he


    escorted her to the elevator and swiped his card for her.


    Riding up, watching the numbers flicker, she felt the gap between her and Melvin all over again.


    Her folks were in an oldplex, her in a one-bed t. Thebined value of these two properties


    was not even equivalent to the value of the bathroom in Melvin¡¯s ce.


    The elevator dinged open on the 23rd floor right into a swanky double-door entrance.


    Preston was waiting, with a pair ofdy¡¯s slippers set out.


    ¡°These are for you. They are brand new,¡± he greeted her.


    First time at Melvin¡¯s, Jocelyn was a little nervous.


    Slippers on, she stepped across the threshold and took a deep breath.


    The living room was spacious, with eight massive ss doors leading to a huge balcony. From inside,


    you could see clearly across with zero obstructions, spotless.


    The evening breeze wasn¡¯t too hot.


    Inside, the decor screamed Melvin-ck, white, and gray tones with green nts as the only pops of


    color.


    Preston led her out onto the balcony ¡°Come check out the view.¡±


    And what a view it was.


    It almost like she could scoop up the river below. Across, the city¡¯s famous spots lit up, boats twinkling


    on the water,


    stunning.


    A sight most yearn for but only a few call their everyday.


    Jocelyn never had lofty dreams, even less now.


    For her, this was nothing but a rare indulgence, not something to wake up to.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get to revising,¡± she pulled herself away from the view,ying out some materials.


    Preston frowned at the pile, ¡°That much?¡±


    ¡°I brought other subjects too, not just English. Go through them, ask if you¡¯re stuck,¡± Jocelyn nced at


    the time, ¡°I¡¯m out by eight. Make sure you keep at it, and don¡¯t make your big talk a joke.¡±


    Preston bristled, ¡°Just you wait, I¡¯ll make it.¡±


    Jocelyn gave a lightugh. ¡°Sure.¡±


    The evening was cooler, the riverside breeze even softer.


    Darkness fellter these days; at eight, there was still a glimmer in the sky. But the city¡¯s lights made it


    a never-sleeping hub, and right in the middle, the hustle was palpable.


    ¡°Time¡¯s up. I gotta jet,¡± Jocelyn started packing up.


    Preston just nodded. As she stood, he suddenly piped up. ¡°Jocelyn, could you help me out with this


    problem?¡±


    Jocelyn put her bag down and tackled a problem with him.


    After he got it, she hadn¡¯t even straightened up when he hit her with another question.


    Back and forth, Jocelyn sensed something was off. He¡¯d been quiet for two hours before, now he¡¯s all


    questions.


    Then, the sound of a key turning.


    Jocelyn turned to see Melvin stepping inside.


    The moment she saw him, she took a sharp breath.


    She got it now. Preston was stalling.


    ¡°Uncle, weren¡¯t you on a trip? Howe you¡¯re back?¡± Preston asked loudly.


    Jocelyn eyed Preston; he didn¡¯t seem to be faking.


    Melvin, taking off his shoes and toting a bag, tossed it on the dining table while loosening his tie.


    ¡°Change of ns.¡±


    ¡°Oh.*


    Now Jocelyn really couldn¡¯t stay. She grabbed her bag again and said to Preston, ¡°Study hard. We¡¯ve


    covered this stuff in ss. If you¡¯re still stuck, ask me the day after tomorrow at school.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re noting here tomorrow? Preston caught the hint in her voice.


    ¡°No, There¡¯s an exam tomorrow, and I¡¯ll have to grade papers in the evening. Jocelyn had agreed to


    meet Preston because Melvin was out of town, but now that he¡¯s back, it wouldn¡¯t be cool for her to


    show up again.


    Preston nced at Melvin, raised his eyebrows at him as if to say, ¡°Your turn to speak.¡±


    Melvin just turned around to wash his hands, pretending not to catch Preston¡¯s meaningful look.


    Jocelyn felt the awkwardness in the air and reminded Preston, ¡°Take care. I¡¯m off.¡±


    Jocelyn, stay for dinner at least.¡± Preston followed her to the door, noticing the bag on the table filled


    with food, trying to make her stay.


    im good. Enjoy your dinner¡± Jocelyn had already changed her shoes and was stepping out the door.


    She pressed the elevator button, stepped in, smiled at Preston, and the elevator doors slowly closed.


    Preston, fuming, tumed to Melvin and demanded, ¡°What¡¯s your deal, man? Why so prickly? If you like


    her, just spill it. I¡¯m really baffled by you.¡±R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Preston!¡± Melvin called out coldly, ¡°Watch your tone.¡±


    ¡°Heh.¡± Preston rolled his eyes. ¡°Aside from your pretty decent face, I can¡¯t see what Jocelyn would see


    in you. But hey, maybe it¡¯s for the best. Now she won¡¯t have to deal with you anymore¡±


    Melvin¡¯s face darkened a bit, and Preston couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit intimidated.


    Swallowing hard, he said, ¡°I think Jocelyn¡¯s a great person. If you can¡¯t let her go, then man up and win


    her back. Otherwise, you¡¯ll be kicking yourself if she ends up with someone else.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t make it into the top five in the finals, I¡¯m sending you back to your dad,¡± Melvin said, sitting


    across from him, utterly unfazed.


    Preston instantly lost his cocky attitude. ¡°Can¡¯t you show some decency?¡±


    ¡°You were the one who broke the rules first.¡±


    Preston huffed and ripped open the takeout bag, pulling out the containers. The first one had a chicken


    leg in it, and he just grabbed it and started chowing down.

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32


    At right, Melvin stood on the balcony puffing on a cigarette, gazing at the winding rivers, and the image


    of Jocelyn¡¯s panic and evasion the moment sheid eyes on him popped into his mind.


    Talk about tough she never backed down from him.


    She¡¯d block him on Facebook and his calls in a heartbeat, and when they met, she¡¯d act like she didn¡¯t


    even know him.


    All the love he¡¯d given over the past three years seemed to have gone with the breeze


    Women are just unreasonable creatures


    He¡¯d exined himself, and she was still making a fuss about breaking up.


    Totally irrational.


    Thinking he¡¯d go sweet talk her back? As if! Not in a million years.


    He had given her a chance already It was her call to throw it away.


    Melvin finished his smoke and turned back to his room.


    Lying in bed, sleep just wouldn¡¯te


    Every time he closed his eyes, images of Jocelyn¡¯s seductive face and their steamy moments together


    flooded his


    mind


    Guys have their weaknesses, often with a hint of eroticism, and he was no exception and was just a


    regr dude.


    Missing a woman, that¡¯s just human nature.


    Unable to sleep, he dived into the bathroom for a cold shower, thinking it might extinguish the fire inside


    him, but the


    more he washed, the hotter he burned.


    Ever since he and Jocelyn got together, he hadn¡¯t taken matters into his own hands.


    It was like scratching an itch, never quite as satisfying as when someone else would do it.


    After spending over thirty minutes in the bathroom, Melvin got dressed, grabbed his car keys, and


    headed out.


    At past midnight, he rolled down the car windows and let the wind mess up his hair as he drove.


    He eventually stopped at the pier, standing by the river and smoking another two cigarettes, feeling the


    heat inside him


    cool down


    At 2 a.m., Melvin drove to Jocelyn¡¯s apartment building without really nning to. By the time he


    snapped out of it, he was already there.


    He looked up at her darkened apartment. She must be sleeping like a baby now.


    Pfft, what a heartless woman.


    Melvin floored the gas pedal, speeding down the open road. He felt just like this city shiny on the


    outside, but a little lonely under the vast night sky.


    As the fmals approached, everyone-students, parents, and teachers-was caught up in a tense


    atmosphere.


    Even the ckest students pulled up their socks on the two days of exams.


    The entire school was as silent as the grave during the exams, with Jocelyn standing at the podium


    keeping an eye out, another teacher doing the same at the back of the room.


    Once the exams were over, the first thing everyone did was check answers with their buddies.


    Jocelyn, clutching test papers, walked out of the ssroom just as Preston approached.


    ¡°How¡¯d it go?¡± she asked


    Preston was full of confidence. ¡°I¡¯m already thinking about what favor you¡¯ll owe me.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled and nodded, ¡°Wow, you did pretty good, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    The two-day finals were over, and the students had gone home for the holidays.


    The teachers were still nervously grading papers.


    No one knew whose students did well or not until the results were announced, and Jocelyn and the


    other teachers were gobsmacked.


    Preston, who¡¯d never passed before, hade in third in the grade.


    Jocelyn waspletely shocked when she saw his score.


    The other teachers checked his paper again to make sure nothing was missed, and they all exchanging


    puzzled looks.


    Once all the scores were tallied, most teachers were congratting Jocelyn.


    No surprises, her ss was top of the grade again.


    Thanks to Preston¡¯s third-ce score, they left the second-ce ss trailing by dozens of points.


    Preston wasn¡¯t surprised by the results.


    Melvin looked at Preston¡¯s report card, raising an eyebrow in skepticism.-


    ¡°No cheating?¡±


    Preston scoffed, ¡°You underestimate me. Earned it fair and square.¡±


    Melvin dropped the report card. ¡°Go make your mom¡¯s day.¡±


    ¡°Uncle, I got something to tell you, Preston sidled up to him, a mischievous grin spreading across his


    face. ¡°I made a bet with Jocelyn. if I got into the top five, she¡¯d grant me a request.¡±


    Melvin red at him, his brow furrowing.


    Preston leaned in, smirking, ¡°Pretty clever, huh?¡±


    ¡°What do you want her to do?¡±


    ¡°Be my auntie.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s expression darkened instantly, ¡°Preston, are you out of your mind?¡±


    Preston shrugged it off. ¡°I have other uncles, you know. Don¡¯t forget, my mom¡¯s got a godbrother. He¡¯s


    my uncle too. I think introducing Jocelyn to that uncle is a great idea.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s forehead twitched. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that this was his own nephew, he¡¯d really want to


    toss him into the


    river for the fish.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Preston edged closer, fearless.


    Melvin, repressing the urge to drag him out, red daggers at Preston and stood up, pointing at him,


    ¡°Pack up your stuff. You¡¯re going back to your mom¡¯s tomorrow.¡±


    Preston shrugged nonchntly, ¡°Sure. I¡¯ve already invited Jocelyn to join me. We¡¯re off anyway. I


    figured I¡¯d invite her over to our ce, and introduce her to my other uncle. Two months of summer


    should be enough time to spark something.


    Melvin massaged his temples, really wanting to toss the little rascal into the river!


    Preston, seeing his dear uncle all worked up, was in high spirits.


    ¡°i¡¯m off to see Jocelyn to share my brilliant n. I bet she¡¯ll say yes.¡± Preston spun around triumphantly


    in front of Melvin, then took off.


    Jocelyn was taken aback when Preston¡¯s request turned out to be inviting her on an overseas trip.


    ¡°You promised, so no backsies,¡± Preston cut in first


    Jocelyn sighed, ¡°Thanks for the invite, but I really can¡¯t. My parents are getting on in years and aren¡¯t in


    great health; I can¡¯t go too far. How about picking another favor?¡±


    ¡°Make up with my uncle, Preston boldly switched gears.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat, her expression awkward.


    She felt she needed to make things clear to Preston about her and Melvin. ¡°The adult world isn¡¯t as


    simple as you think. Your uncle and I, we¡¯re just not a good match. You can¡¯t force feelings. And to be


    honest, the time apart from him has made things clear. I¡¯m just not cut out for his world. It¡¯s not just


    about ipatible views on love; there¡¯s more that doesn¡¯t line up.¡±


    Jocelyn was getting real with a teenager about love for the first time, and she felt like Preston got it.


    ¡°But he still likes you, Preston said with conviction, ¡°I can feel that he still has feelings for you.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She nced down at the water in her cup, and even the calm surface


    seemed to ripple slightly


    She pursed her lips and smiled lightly. That¡¯s just your gut feeling. You¡¯re not him. How can you know


    what he¡¯s really thinking? Preston, grown-up love isn¡¯t as simple as ¡®like means together, dislike means


    split. There¡¯s a whole bunch of reasons. Even if your uncle and I kept at it, we¡¯d end up right back


    where we are now.¡±


    ¡°Because he doesn¡¯t want to get married, right?¡± Preston hit the nail on the head.


    That question had been haunting Jocelyn. She couldn¡¯t figure out why Melvin was so averse to


    marriage.


    Sure, marriage isn¡¯t the be-all and end-all of love, but it¡¯s a pretty big step down the road of a


    rtionship.


    Seeing her reaction, Preston snapped his fingers, ¡°I knew it, it had to be that. I know why he¡¯s gun-shy


    about marriage.¡±

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33


    Jocelyn¡¯s ears perked up, her heart in her throat


    Its not that she was nosy about Melvin¡¯s private life, but knowing why he was so dead-set against


    marriage would¡¯ve


    been a smallfort.


    ¡°Preston!¡±


    Right as Preston was about to spill the beans, in walked Melvin, face stormy as a thundercloud.


    The diner fell silent as the grave with Melvin¡¯s entrance.


    A few young gals got all hot and bothered at the sight of him. The guy was too handsome for his own


    good.


    Preston rolled his eyes helplessly and muttered an apologetic ¡°Can¡¯t tell ya today¡± to Jocelyn.


    She nodded, getting the picture


    Even if Preston had the guts to spill, she wasn¡¯t sure she had the guts to hear it.


    ¡°Flight¡¯s at six, pack your bags. I¡¯ll drop you off at the airport, Melvinmanded, not giving Preston


    room to argue.


    Preston was speechless, mouth agape, ending up with a forcedugh.


    Augh tinged with frustration.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    He puffed his cheeks, nodding at Melvin. ¡°Good for you!¡±


    Melvin shot him a frosty look. ¡°Want me to change your flight to three o¡¯clock?¡±


    If Preston didn¡¯t have respect for him as an uncle, he¡¯d have thrown his unfinished drink right in


    Melvin¡¯s face.


    ¡°I¡¯m out,¡± Preston said, bidding Jocelyn a reluctant goodbye. ¡°See you.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to meddle in their family drama, so she just nodded and said, ¡°Make sure to have


    fun on your break, but sneak in a bit of reading too.¡±


    ¡°Got it, Preston replied, clearly down in the dumps.


    Melvin shooed Preston into the car with a look and didn¡¯t drive off right away, waiting for Jocelyn


    instead.


    There she stood, not moving an inch.


    Their eyes met, and finally, Melvin took a few steps towards her.


    Every step he took stirred up her heart


    After all, this was the man she still loved, and her feelings were not yet severed.


    Her heartbeat raced, her breaths uneven, until he stood right before her.


    ¡°Now that we¡¯ve broken up, stop snooping around my business, Melvin finally uttered the cold words.


    That¡¯s when Jocelyn¡¯s heart settled down for good.


    She clenched her fists, feigning indifference. ¡°You ttered yourself. Your affairs mean nothing to me


    now¡±


    Determined not to crumble in front of him, Jocelyn scoffed coldly and quickly turned to walk away.


    The moment she turned, her eyes welled up.


    Jocelyn and Urs went off on a trip.


    She felt the need to clear her head, to shake off the emotional clutter.


    Hey, don¡¯t you have a boyfriend? Why not go on a trip with him?¡± Urs, having settled into her seat on


    the ne.unched into gossip mode.


    ¡°We broke up, Jocelyn revealed.


    Urs nced at her neck. ¡°Still wearing the ne, huh?¡±


    Jocelyn touched the ne. Having seen it in her drawer that morning, she hadn¡¯t nned to wear it,


    but it felt like some forcepelled her to put it on.


    She figured, since barely anyone knew the ne¡¯s backstory, wearing it on the trip wouldn¡¯t hurt.


    As long as Willow and Melvin didn¡¯t see it, it was all good.


    ¡°It means I¡¯m totally over it.¡± she said, though her voice betrayed her insecurity.


    Urs, choosing not to burst her bubble, tucked herself under the nket and sincerely said, ¡°That¡¯s


    great. This trip is perfect for a potential fling. I¡¯m up for some romance myself


    As the ne glided smoothly, Jocelyn gazed at the receding runway, her mood lifting with the sky.


    Once in the city, a hotel car came just for them. After checking in, Jocelyn changed into a pink V-neck


    sleeveless top with loose straight-leg jeans, her hair cascading down her shoulders, looking lively and


    yful, her figure both sexy and


    stunning.


    She grabbed a sun hat, put on her sunsses and a pair offy white sneakers before heading out.


    Urs couldn¡¯t help but whistle in admiration, eyes shining. ¡°You look amazing. Never seen you dress


    like this before¡±


    ¡°Gotta keep up appearances as a teacher at work, Jocelyn shot back, ¡°Haven¡¯t seen you decked out


    like this either.¡±


    Urs was wearing a strappy yellow and white polka-dot dress, her chestnut hair in a bun, oversized


    sunsses adding to her allure, I¡¯m here for a romantic adventure, so gotta dress the part.¡± Urs was


    a bundle of fun, making the trip a


    st


    After a bite in a restaurant, they strolled around nearby.


    ¡°Hey, doesn¡¯t thatdy look familiar? Urs took off her sses, looking at a woman posing among


    palm trees, with a


    crew taking pictures.


    Jocelyn recognized her instantly.


    It was Willow.


    ¡°Willow!¡± Urs recognized her too.


    Jocelyn looked up, wondering what the universe was up to, bumping into a buzzkill when all she


    wanted was a breather. ¡°Are you going to say hi? Jocelyn kept her feelings about Willow off her face.


    ¡°No, she¡¯s working. When did she get here? Talk about crazy luck,¡± Urs whispered, sneaking a


    photo with her phone.


    At that moment, Jocelyn¡¯s mood soured.


    All she hoped for was not to run into Willow for the rest of the five-day trip.


    But clearly, fate wasn¡¯t on her side.


    That afternoon, as Jocelyn and Urs lounged on the beach, Willow approached with a crowd.


    ¡°Sorry, we¡¯d like to shoot some photos here, so could you guys move?¡± a crew member approached


    them.


    Jocelyn and Urs were dumbstruck.


    Out of all the spots, did they have to pick theirs?


    Willow stood behind them, smirking with clear intent.


    Everyone waited for Jocelyn to move, but she wasn¡¯t ying that game. ¡°Sorry, but the sunset¡¯s about


    to start, and I picked this spot for the view.¡±


    No one expected Jocelyn to stand her ground.


    The staff turned back to nce at Willow, who was grinning as her phone buzzed ¡®Melvin, you here


    yet? Oh, I see you Over here!¡±


    Willow waved enthusiastically in the distance.


    Hearing that name, Jocelyn¡¯s mental defensespletely copsed.


    She grabbed her hat and stood up, saying to Urs, ¡°Let¡¯s bounce.¡±


    Urs was caught off guard by Jocelyn¡¯s sudden move but quickly scurried after her.


    Jocelyn put on her sunsses and walked briskly,pletely spacing out in the direction.


    She had no intention of bumping into Melvin, but, go figure, she inadvertently chose a path that put


    them head-to-head.


    Melvin was dressed in a white tee with a light blue shirt thrown over it, rocking ck shorts and flip-


    flops, totally nailing


    the chill beach vibe.


    He looked prettyid-back and carefree.


    Hidden behind her sunsses, Jocelyn scoped out Melvin, forgetting to watch where she was going,


    and bam, her foot found a sandpit someone had dug and she stumbled forward in a not-so-graceful


    nosedive.


    Just as her face was about to eat sand, an arm yanked her up, sparing her the sandy smooch.


    Jocelyn was mortified, her hat flying off, hair a hot mess, but at least her sunsses stayed loyal,


    barely covering her


    beet-red cheeks.


    ¡°Got eyes but don¡¯t use them? Melvin¡¯s icy voice floated down to her.


    She straightened up quickly, fumbled with her sunsses, cleared her throat, and said with feigned


    calmness, Thanks.¡±

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34


    Jocelyn was panicking, seriously considering just jumping into the sea and calling it a day.


    The most mortifying part? She was sure Willow had caught the whole embarrassing scene.


    ¡°Hey, that dude is smoking hot.¡± Urs grabbed Jocelyn¡¯s hand, constantly looking back, ¡°He¡¯s


    checking you out.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she forced herself not to look back.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Willow¡¯s boyfriend?¡± Urs pondered, ¡°She seemed pretty cozy with him.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind was a mess. She shook her head. ¡°I gotta go back.¡±


    Jocelyn, did you and that guy¡­¡± Urs frowned at her. ¡°You seem off.¡±


    Jocelyn knew she was off her game, but not because Melvin was drop-dead gorgeous or because he


    was cozying up to Willow. It was the thought of her humiliating moment earlier that made her wish she


    could turn back time and not give him a second nce.


    Without exining to Urs, Jocelyn headed back to her room and took a shower, hoping to calm her


    frazzled nerves.


    She slipped into a loose dress, with no ns to go out again.


    The hotel had a killer view. From the balcony, Jocelyn could enjoy the sea view, with a swath of


    coconut trees leading


    to the endless ocean


    The sunset was painting half the ocean red, with the other half a deep blue. It was stunning.


    Jocelyn took a photo of the view and a side-profile selfie, and posted it on Twitter with the caption:


    [Today, I feel like I haven¡¯t done this beautiful day justice.]


    When life gives you lemons, you must¡¯ve ticked off some deity on your way out.


    All she hoped for now was a smoother tomorrow.


    Urs nagged her to go out for dinner, but Jocelyn declined. Urs wouldn¡¯t have it and insisted they


    go together.


    With no other choice, Jocelyn changed into a gradient blue sundress and a delicate cardigan, and


    Urs dragged her to this amazing buffet restaurant with a great vibe.


    ¡°I¡¯ve scoped this ce out. You can eat as much as you want and whenever you want. The seafood is


    really fresh. Plus, it¡¯s a total hottie ma, Urs winked at Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn rolled her eyes, speechless.


    Urs was eyeing potential catches while picking out food,pletely ignoring Jocelyn.


    When Jocelyn saw Urs bee-lining for a blond guy, she just sighed. Since she was there already, she


    gave the food a


    once-over.


    After picking out some food, she found a corner to quietly eat.


    Jocelyn was stunning, and her entrance didn¡¯t go unnoticed.


    But sitting there, she gave off a ¡®keep out¡¯ vibe that kept the timid at bay.


    Still, there were those who couldn¡¯t resist the pull of a frosty beauty.


    A polite guy asked to sit with Jocelyn. She wasn¡¯t socially awkward, and hey, it was a buffet and seats


    were fair game. so she didn¡¯t refuse.


    After sitting down and quietly eating for a bit, he struck up a casual conversation about the food, and it


    flowed naturally from there.


    Turns out, he was a college professor


    Jocelyn was surprised. ¡°You¡¯re so young to be a professor!¡±


    just look young. Homson Whitman said with a smile, I¡¯m actually thirty-five.¡±


    Jocelyn was taken aback again. ¡°You don¡¯t look it at all. I thought you were my age.¡±


    Thanks Harrison tactfully didn¡¯t pry about Jocelyn¡¯s age.


    The atmosphere between them became livelier and they hit it off. They were unaware of how their


    harmonious atmosphere pricked at someone outside the restaurant.


    It was gettingte, and Harrison politely walked her to the hotel entrance. And they exchanged contacts


    before saying goodbye


    Urs hadn¡¯te back, off partying with the guy she just met.


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t up for hanging out alone with a guy she just met, so she returned to the hotel to get


    ready for bed.


    Just as she was about to go to sleep, the doorbell rang.


    Figuring hotel security was solid and no bad guys would boldly cause trouble here, she guessed it


    might be a staff


    member.


    Opening the door, she was hit with a wave of booze. The guy at the door was smirking at her, a bit too


    intensely.


    Jocelyn was baffled; how did he know where she stayed?


    ¡°Did you¡­ get the wrong room? Jocelyn smelled the alcohol on him and wondered how much he¡¯d had


    to drink.


    Melvin stepped forward, and Jocelyn, guard up, braced the door nervously, ¡°Which room are you in?


    Shall I call someone to take you back?


    He was clearly drunk.


    Where was Willow? Shouldn¡¯t she be keeping an eye on him?


    But Melvin just kept staring at her, sending a chill down her spine.


    ¡°Maybe¡­ I should call Willow to pick you up.¡± They were probably staying in the same room together,


    right?


    One word from her seemed to set him off. She was shoved forcefully into the room, the door mmed


    shut behind her, and before she knew it, she was pinned against the wall.


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes widened in panic. ¡°What are you doing? Calm down!¡±


    Up close, she could see his eyes were red, as if he¡¯d been provoked.


    ¡°What do you think I¡¯m doing?¡± Melvin¡¯s voice was hoarse, even angry, as he roughly tore at Jocelyn¡¯s


    dress.


    Jocelyn grabbed his hand, out of breath. ¡°We broke up!¡±


    He paused, his gaze turning fierce. ¡°Broke up? Did I agree to that?¡±


    Jocelyn was in full-blown panic mode.


    His kisses fell on her lips, pulling, biting. He muffled against her lip, his voice raspy, ¡°I won¡¯t break up


    with you! Don¡¯t even think about it!¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind was a whirlwind, her lips ached, afraid to push too hard in case he snapped and really


    bit her.


    Her arms were pinned above her head, legs forced apart, no chance to fight back.


    His kisses moved from her lips to her neck, nibbling, biting, and sucking fiercely, as if he wanted to


    devour her whole.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t dare to imagine what she must look like right now. She was like a puppet, not resisting at


    all, just letting him do whatever he wanted.


    Maybe it was her dumbstruck reaction that finally made Melvin let go. He grabbed her chin, panting


    hard, and without a nipple of emotion in his eyes, he was clearly ticked off, ¡°Don¡¯t feel a thing for me


    anymore?¡±


    It was like Jocelyn¡¯s soul had been scared out of her by his actions just moments before


    Her eyes flickered, and the pain from his bites and nips slowly brought her back to reality. Seeing the


    redness in his eyes, her los quivered. ¡°We¡¯re over.¡±


    She repeated the sentence.


    Melvin suddenly got mad, his grip tightening with his emotions.


    Jacelyn¡¯s face twisted in pain. She knew he was furious and didn¡¯t dare to speak again, simply looking


    at him calmly.


    After what seemed like an eternity, Melvin pulled her into his arms tightly, wishing he could meld her


    into his body. His voice was hoarse and slightly trembling, ¡°I didn¡¯t agree to this, so you¡¯re still mine!¡±

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35


    Melvin was totally drunkst night.


    Jocelyn had no interest in reasoning with a drunk. She just let him cling to her, knowing that once his


    buzz wore off, he¡¯d simmer down naturally.


    Deep down, she could sense that Melvin was a bit obsessive.


    She wasn¡¯t sure if his love was true, but like he said, he wouldn¡¯t let her go without his consent.


    Sometimes she even wondered if he¡¯d crash her wedding if she married someone else.


    Melvin definitely had a possessive streak. Sometimes he acted like he didn¡¯t care about her, and other


    times he came


    on super strong.


    But he never said he loved her.


    It took a while, but eventually, Jocelyn felt Melvin¡¯s emotions stabilize. Yet, his grip didn¡¯t loosen; he


    was still holding her tight


    ¡°Wanna sip some water?¡± Jocelyn asked softly, patting his back.


    At her words, his grip tightened like a startled bird, scared she might fly away.


    Jocelyn stayed quiet, silently waiting for him to let go.


    It wasn¡¯t until his phone buzzed that he finally moved.


    He didn¡¯t answer though.


    The phone went silent, then buzzed again.


    Jocelyn had a hunch about who might be calling at this hour. Since he came with Willow, it wasn¡¯t a


    stretch to guess that maybe he and Willow were an item.


    When the phone rang a third time, Melvin finally pulled out his phone, and answered the call.


    ¡°Melvin, where are you?¡± Willow¡¯s anxious voice came through.


    Jocelyn turned her head away, she was able to hear Willow¡¯s voice because it was so quiet.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Melvin asked.


    Jocelyn tried to leave, but Melvin grabbed her hand, pushed her against the wall,ing up to her and


    kissing her on the lips.


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes widened. How could he do this?


    Wasn¡¯t he worried Willow might hear?


    ¡°I went to your room looking for you. You weren¡¯t there. You drank so much tonight, and I¡¯m worried,¡±


    Willow continued, ¡°Where are you? I¡¯lle find you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Melvin hung up without another word and turned off his phone.


    He tossed the phone carelessly onto the couch, then cupped Jocelyn¡¯s face, kissing her lips tenderly.


    Jocelyn put her hands against his chest, pushing him away, ¡°What¡¯s the point of this back-and-forth?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who ditched me.¡± Melvin¡¯s fingers gently traced her swollen lips, a hint of hurt in his


    puppy-dog eyes. ¡°But I still want you.¡±


    Hearing hirmy it out so bluntly made her heart race


    Her breathing grew erratic, her mind in turmoil but still clinging to some semnce of sanity. ¡°But you


    and Willow¡­¡±


    ¡°You were my first.¡± Melvin held her face, their foreheads touching, breath mingling. ¡°I only want you.¡±


    Jocelyn had to admit those words thrilled her, easily breaching her feigned indifference like they were


    nothing.


    Even if they were just words of passion meant to release desire, she was all for it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like Willow, Jocelyn took the chance to push her luck.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t like her, don¡¯t see her,¡± Melvin kissed the tip of her nose.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to see her.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s signed a contract with mypany,¡± Melvin¡¯s hands were already exploring her waist, his


    breathing heavy. ¡°She¡¯s just a business partner.¡±


    His touch was like a branding iron, scorching her skin, boiling her blood.


    Jocelyn maintained her wits amid his teasing. ¡°But she wants you¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m yours, Melvin swallowed, his kisses trailing to the corner of her lips, licking gently, tenderly, and


    irresistibly.


    Jocelyn was thrown into a whirlwind of desire, enduring his seduction, her inner turmoil raging.


    If things kept going this way, wouldn¡¯t all her previous efforts be in vain? Everything would just reset.


    Melvin was relentless, and Jocelyn was never his match. Torn between resistance and pleasure, she


    ultimately lost to


    him.


    Because her heart was still with him.


    At night, the sea breeze flirted with the curtains, dancing like the supple waist of a woman, full of grace


    and allure.


    Heavy and restrained breaths mingled, causing flushed faces and racing hearts. The hotel bed was


    sturdy but still uttered cautious, muffled creaks.


    Maybe it was the long separation, or perhaps a deep thirst, but there was a desperation to fill the void


    in one go.


    Only when the horizon began to glow with the hint of dawn, and the towering palm trees outside


    revealed their silhouettes, did Jocelyn finally drift off to sleep.


    Melvin held her, greedily savoring the moment.


    Only he knew how addicted he was to her.


    It was the kind of addiction that tormented him when he didn¡¯t touch her, and once he did, he couldn¡¯t


    stop, as if trying to drain himself dry.


    The void of the past few weeks was finally being replenished tonight.


    Melvin held the person in his armsfortably and contentedly, closing his eyes too.


    Suddenly, Jocelyn¡¯s phone on the nightstand buzzed twice. Melvin¡¯s eyes shot open. It was a Facebook


    message from someone named Harrison, asking if she wanted to have breakfast together.


    Melvin thought of the man fromst night who seemed to hit it off with Jocelyn. He seemed polished,


    gentlemanly, and well-mannered. She looked happy with him. Most importantly, they looked like a


    perfect match.


    Had he not been there, would sparks have flown between them? Would she no longer have room for


    him when she got back?


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    That thought darkened Melvin¡¯s gaze.


    He knew the password of Jocelyn¡¯s phone and had never snooped before, but now he punched it in


    and replied to the guy that she was still sleeping.


    After sending the message, Melvin stared at the name, hovering over the ¡®delete contact¡¯ option, but in


    the end, he backed out.


    He set the phone back in ce and rolled over to fiercely kiss Jocelyn¡¯s swollen lips.


    There was a spot he had bitten the night before, now looking like a beauty mark


    Perhaps his movement was too abrupt, for Jocelyn moaned in her sleep, her eyes never opening.


    1 weren¡¯t for the fact that she was exhausted, he swore he vidi take her all over again.


    Jocelyn slept till noon. When she opened her eyes and saw Melvin¡¯s sleeping face, she seemed to


    remember their night of madness and folly.


    Her face felt slightly warm; she just couldn¡¯t seem to climb out of the hole he had dug for her.


    Slowly, she reached out and gently traced the contours of his face.


    People say love at first sight is just a surge of hormones, and for her, he was definitely a hormone


    surge.


    Our senses always manage to feed the most crucial info to our brains in a sh, which is why a pretty


    face always turns heads instantly.


    Jocelyn was no saint. She had a thing for good-looking guys. So, when it came to seizing the moment,


    she didn¡¯t


    hesitate


    Her finger reached his lips. They were so well-shaped, with clear lines, thin yet sensual. They say


    people with thin lips are often heartless. But Jocelyn fell for a guy just like that.


    Call him heartless, yet he seemed quite devoted to her.


    Call him disloyal, but he never did anything unrighteous to her.


    She didn¡¯t know what kind of mess she¡¯d be in if she fell any deeper, but she just couldn¡¯t let go. He


    was like a thorn in her heart, impossible to remove, impossible to ignore. It just stuck there, constantly


    reminding her he existed.


    Suddenly, he took her finger into his mouth. Her fingertips tingled fiercely; she tried to pull away, but he


    held on even tighter.


    Jocelyn¡¯s face grew even redder, and she whispered, ¡°Let go.¡±


    But the words came out so soft and sultry,cking strength and yet somehow coquettish.


    Melvin opened his eyes and drew her finger deeper into his mouth with a strong pull.


    Jocelyn felt electrified, her heartbeat racing, too embarrassed to even look at him.

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36


    Melvin held her hand and snuggled into her arms, ¡°Feeling all good, huh?¡±


    His breath overwhelmed her chest, and that damp, tingling sensation made her shiver all over. Jocelyn


    couldn¡¯t help but squirm a bit.


    Such a movement seduced Melvin, who restrained himself and let out a groan.


    Jocelyn froze on the spot.


    ¡°Stop alluring me! I¡¯m worried you can¡¯t handle it, Melvin whispered, kissing her neck and wrapping his


    arms tightly around her waist, trying to get even closer.


    Jocelyn stayed still and she never doubted his stamina for a second.


    Theyy in bed for a while longer until someone knocked on the door.


    Jocelyn stirred slightly, Someone¡¯s knocking.¡±


    ¡°Let them wait, Melvin hugged her even tighter.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s Urs. Jocelyn saw the light outside had already filled the room. It must be Urs who


    woulde looking for her.


    Melvin was impatient andined. Just call her and tell her you¡¯re catching up on sleep.¡±


    With no other option, Jocelyn got up to grab her phone and coincidentally saw a message from Urs


    inviting her to have lunch together.


    And she asked Jocelyn to open the door in another message.


    Jocelyn replied that she didn¡¯t sleep wellst night and would skip lunch.


    Then the knocking outside stopped.


    Urs teased. [Had a one-night stand yesterday night? Or anyone else is in your room?]


    Jocelyn was stunned and she had to admire Urs¡¯s sensitivity.


    She yed along with her words and replied. [Yeah, so it¡¯s not convenient.]


    Urs sent a smirking emoji, then told her to take it easy


    [OK]


    Jocelyn answered and ended the chat.


    Just as she was about to log out of Facebook, she suddenly saw Harrison¡¯s profile picture with his reply


    time at 7:56


    1. After reading the message, she sighed helplessly, put the phone down, andy back in bed.


    ¡°You touched my phone,¡± Jocelyn stated the fact.


    Melvin looked at her with open eyes, ¡°Got the hots for that guy?¡±


    Jocelyn raised an eyebrow and put some distance between them, ¡°What do you think of him?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s nothing special.¡± Melvin pulled her back in and buried his face in her neck, belittling that guy


    in a buzzing voice, ¡°Old man, he¡¯s got nothing on me.¡±


    Jocelyn thought he could be so shameless sometimes


    Tickled by his actions, she tilted her head, ¡°Willow didn¡¯t look for you?¡±


    tumed off my phone.¡±


    Jocelyn pursed her lips and gave him a side-eye, ¡®She must be freaking out, you noting home


    all night.¡±


    room with her Melvin knew exactly that she was jealous, ¡°She¡¯s here to shoot amercial


    You came with her?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here for work.¡±


    Jocelyn huffed, ¡°What a coincidence, huh?¡±


    ¡°You here for a fling?¡±


    Both were retorting to each other with jealousy.


    Jocelyn mockingly sald, ¡°Yeah, after getting dumped, gotta see if I can fish a new blonde. After all,


    I can¡¯t put all my eggs in one basket. Ouch¡­ Melvin, are you a biting dog? That hurts!¡±


    Jocelyn was in so much pain that dissolved into tears as she smacked Melvin on the back.


    Melvin looked up at her moist eyes without a shred of sympathy, even feeling the urge to ravage


    her again.


    Her tears made him even more excited.


    ¡°It was you who wanted to dump me, not the other way around.¡± Melvin sat up against the


    headboard, taking the issue very seriouslyR¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Jocelyn pulled the nket up to her chest, determined not to let him bite again. She red at him


    and asked, ¡°You¡¯re already with Willow, who knows what went on? Trust me, I won¡¯t cling to you.¡±


    Melvin reached for a cigarette, ready for a showdown.


    Lighting it up, Melvin took a drag and looked sideways at her, ¡°Jocelyn, I don¡¯t y the field.¡±


    ¡°Can you control yourself? Jocelyn was secretly pleased, but her words were tough.


    Melvin nced at her and asked in his hoarse voice, ¡°Can¡¯t you tell I haven¡¯t had sex for a long


    time?¡±


    Jocelyn blushed, ¡°Any man who hasn¡¯t done it in a few days is like that.¡±


    Melvin blew smoke rings, ¡°Do I need to prove it more?¡±


    He raised an eyebrow, ¡°Have another bang?¡±


    Jocelyn bit her lip, clutching the nket tightly, warning him, ¡°Don¡¯t you feel tired?¡±


    Seeing her nervous, Melvin suddenlyughed. He rxed and smoked, with his lips moist and


    sexy, ¡°Jocelyn, don¡¯t start ditching me after you¡¯ve had your fun.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t find it funny at all.


    She was getting hungry and didn¡¯t feel like lying in bed with him anymore.


    Throwing off the nket, Jocelyn grabbed her clothes and covered her chest before heading for


    the bathroom. The moment she closed the door behind her, a scream was heard.


    Melvin, startled, dropped his cigarette and rushed naked to the bathroom door. Pushing it open to


    see her standing there fine, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Jocelyn found her lips hurt and her body covered in red and


    purple kiss marks, especially her shoulders and neck in deep colors like ripe grapes scattered


    across her skin.


    Ever, she found some teeth marks!


    ¡°You¡­¡± Jocelyn was on the verge of tears.


    Melvin thought something serious had happened. He stood behind her, his hand gently tracing the


    marks on her body. ¡°Stay in your room for the next few days, don¡¯t go anywhere.¡±


    ¡°You. Jocelyn wanted to curse.


    She came to have fun. Grounding her was worse than staying home.


    Melvin said, ¡°We¡¯ll find another time for a proper vacation, and I¡¯lle with you.¡±


    Jocelyn was fuming and didn¡¯t believe his sweet nothings, turning to bite him hard on Adam¡¯s


    apple


    it was a real bite painful enough to elicit a painful groan from Melvin


    After a good second, Jocelyn let go, feeling a sense of release for her pent-up anger.


    Seeing the red mark on his throat, which wouldn¡¯t fade for a week, she felt instantly better.


    She didn¡¯t care about staying home for a few more days, but he was different. Melvin had a


    business meeting soon.


    At the thought of that, she felt much better.


    ¡°Women are poisonous, Melvin observed the mark on his throat, just slightly furrowing his brow


    without furtherint.


    Jocelyn pointed at the marks on her body. ¡°Compared to your masterpiece, these are nothing,


    right?¡±


    ¡°This is proof of my love Melvin suddenly turned sentimental.


    When Jocelyn heard those sensational words, her heart skipped a beat. He said he loved her.


    After all these years, it was the first time she heard ¡°love¡± from Melvin.


    There she stood, locking eyes with him. She was too surprised to even blink and felt half-


    convinced to his confession.


    Melvin, noticing her fixed gaze, wrapped his arms around her waist. His affectionate eyes flickered


    a hint of flirtation, ¡°What¡¯s up? My love is not enough for you?


    That¡¯s when it hit Jocelyn.


    The love he spoke of was just physical


    He loved her, sure, but it was her body he was into.


    It was never about emotional love, just physical lust.


    With that realization, a wave of disappointment crashed over her


    Suddenly sobered up, she gently pushed him away, ¡°I need a shower.¡±


    ¡°Together Melvin said as he pulled her into the shower, turning on the water without allowing her


    refusal.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t resist, letting him have his way.


    After the shower, Melvin noticed a problem: his clothes were still in his room.


    Last night¡¯s outfit was a no-go. He rang up the hotel concierge to fetch his suitcase from his room.


    Before long, there was a knock on the door.


    Jocelyn answered and her brow twitched at the sight of the woman standing behind the staff.

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37


    Seeing all those kiss marks on Jocelyn¡¯s exposed skin, Willow was green with envy, totally losing her


    mind.


    She had a hunchst night that Melvin might have been there to see Jocelyn, tossing and turning


    without getting a wink of sleep. Earlier, when she saw the bellhop heading to Melvin¡¯s room to fetch


    something, she tailed him.


    Sure enough, they were having sex again.


    Melvin spotted Willow without saying a word. He just grabbed his luggage, went into the room, and


    mmed the door right in Willow¡¯s face as if she wasn¡¯t even there.


    ¡°You¡¯re not gonna say anything?¡± Jocelyn could feel the rage brewing in Willow.


    Melvin started getting dressed, ¡°Exin what?¡±


    ¡°Last night.¡±


    ¡°Why do I owe her any exnation? She¡¯s nobody to me.¡± Melvin slipped on a white shirt and handed


    her a tie, ¡°Tie this


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    for me.¡±


    Jocelyn took it and she also had tied it for him before.


    Back then, she loved doing this. In Jocelyn¡¯s eyes, it was something a wife would do for her hubby.


    ¡°Get bellhop to change the sheets and duvetter.¡± Melvin nodded toward the nightstand, ¡°Restock


    condoms there.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s gaze followed his gesture, with her cheeks ring up all of a sudden.


    Therey the hotel¡¯splimentary contraceptives, all used up from the night before.


    Was he thinking of another round of fling tonight?


    ¡°Forget it, I¡¯ll just buy some myself.¡± Melvin said, ¡°The size was a bit small for me.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    Noticing the bite mark on his Adam¡¯s apple was impossible to hide, Melvin gave up trying.


    After tidying up, he held Jocelyn¡¯s face and nted a quick kiss on her lips, ¡°Rest up at home, order


    room service if you¡¯re hungry. I¡¯ll be back after the meeting.¡±


    He seemed to disclose all his whereabouts as a husband to his wife, all patient and tender.


    Jocelyn hummed in acknowledgment and watched him leave.


    He had barely closed the door behind him when there was a knock..


    Jocelyn, mistaking he¡¯d forgotten something, opened the door without asking.


    But it was Willow.


    ¡°Last night, were you together?¡± Willow cut straight to the chase.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡± Jocelyn shed her a smile.


    No point beating around the bush when everything¡¯s clear as day.


    Willow could see those love bites all over Jocelyn and knew how fierce was her fling with Melvin


    yesterday. She was seething with jealousy.


    Willow had hoped thating here might lead to some wonderful nights with Melvin, but he hadn¡¯t


    even stayed in the


    same room as her


    Seeing Jocelyn earlier that afternoon, she dreaded they¡¯d hook up again. The thing Willow had scared


    most happened.


    ¡°You guy¡¯s broke up, right?


    ¡°yeah. But we¡¯re both single now, so what¡¯s wrong with our staying together again?¡±


    So, what are you now? Friends with benefits? Willow sneered at her.


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t fazed, ¡°Just two singles venting emotions with interactions. We have mutual consent, so


    it doesn¡¯t matter how youment.¡±


    ¡°Heh, as a teacher who¡¯s supposed to be a role model, how can you be so¡­ unreserved?¡± Willow


    sized her up. ¡°If the parents of your students saw you like this, would they still want you teaching their


    kids?¡±


    Jocelyn darkened her face, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with normal socializing? Did I steal your boyfriend or do


    something illegal? Willow, we¡¯re both women, why be so nasty?¡±


    Willow was pissed, but she didn¡¯t have a stand to lecture Jocelyn.


    ¡°I¡¯ve told you, Melvin is mine.¡±


    ¡°I remember. But he¡¯s not yours yet.¡± Jocelyn stood her ground, ¡°When he is, if I still spend the night


    with him, then you cane to p me, instead of questioning me.¡±


    Willow clenched her teeth, livid with frustration.


    ¡°Sorry, I need to catch up on some sleep, so I won¡¯t keep you.¡± With that, Jocelyn closed the door.


    She and Melvin indeed had their quarrels, which was their own business. Now with Willow in the mix,


    even if they only wanted to have a sexual rtionship, it would not be easy.


    Urs called again, asking if she wanted to hang out in the afternoon.


    Thinking of the marks Melvin left on her, Jocelyn cursed him silently, ¡°No, I¡¯m not going anywhere for


    the next few days.¡± ¡°What¡¯s up? You feeling okay?¡± Urs¡¯s voice carried a hint of concern and


    curiosity.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. You have fun, I¡¯m just gonna chill at the hotel.¡±


    The more Jocelyn hid her secrets, the more curious Urs would be.


    Soon enough, Urs was knocking at her door.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t dodge any longer and had to open up.


    Urs¡¯s eyes went wide as she covered her mouth, You¡­ you weren¡¯t assaulted, were you?¡±


    Jocelyn was impressed by Urs¡¯s wild imagination.


    Spotting the male clothing in the open suitcase on the floor, Urs was shocked, ¡°A fling?¡±


    Jocelyn plopped down on the couch, clutching a cushion. After giving Urs the side-eye, she was not


    quite sure how to exin.


    Let¡¯s just call it a¡­ fling.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°You can just check in with luggage after a fling?¡± Urs was stunned.


    Jocelyn replied, ¡°It¡¯s convenient.¡±


    Urs was bbergasted, sizing up Jocelyn, ¡°I didn¡¯t see you as the type to be so unrestrained.¡±


    ¡°Carpe diem. Didn¡¯t you say we came here for a fling?¡± Jocelyn leaned back on the couch, ¡°Didn¡¯t you


    go out with that foreignerst night? Nothing happened?¡±


    That topic made Urs chuckle, ¡°I was hoping for something, but I gotta y it cool, you know, I got his


    number and we might make some happy memories before his leaving if things feel right.¡±


    Listening to her, Jocelyn gave her a thumbs-up, ¡°This is so like you.¡±


    ¡°But seriously, you couldn¡¯t have gotten those marks without a full night of fun, right?¡± Urs was


    curious, ¡°The guy must be fierce. How could you handle it?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t expect Urs to be so drawn into it and sighed, ¡°It¡¯s all about mutual enjoyment, nothing


    unbearable.


    Tak tak, sounds like he¡¯s got skills, Urs smirked, ¡°You always look so delicate; who¡¯d have thought


    once you drop the


    teacher act, you go wild.¡±


    ¡°Personal life has nothing to do with one¡¯s profession.


    Urs nodded, ¡°Pretty good. Students are the nation¡¯s future, so we take them seriously when


    nurturing them. When we finally get some me-time, we can¡¯t still stick to the same old script, right?¡±


    Being a ¡®role model for students¡± can sometimes feel like a straightjacket for teachers.


    Parents sometimes judge teachers based on their personal style and appearance, so they make sure


    to pay extral attention to how they dress and act at work.


    If you rocked up to school dressed like you¡¯re on vacation, you¡¯d probably drown in a sea of gossip.


    Urs didn¡¯t go out either and just ordered some food. Then, they chatted away.


    Honestly, she was dying to know what Jocelyn¡¯s romantic fling looked like. Anyone who could catch the


    eye of a knockout like Jocelyn had to be something special.


    As the sun dipped towards the horizon, there was a knock at the door.


    Urs perked up. ¡°Is that your guy? Is he back?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t know, so Urs hurried to the door with her eyes wide open.


    ¡°You, you¡­¡± Urs had seen this guy before. Wasn¡¯t he the one who helped Jocelyn up yesterday?


    Melvin nced at Urs and just gave a slight nod before walking in and asking Jocelyn, ¡°You¡¯re not


    asleep?¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh. Jocelyn, seeing Urs still standing there like she¡¯d lost her marbles, introduced her, ¡°This is


    my colleague, Urs. And this is Melvin, my¡­ friend.


    She deliberately skirted around their rtionship to avoid the misunderstanding of Urs and not to


    make Melvin think she was trying to bring him back.


    Without the title of Melvin¡¯s girlfriend, she wouldn¡¯t expect more.

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38


    Urs got the hint and buzzed off first.


    ¡°Sorry, didn¡¯t realize you¡¯d be back so early, so¡­¡± Jocelyn felt she had to clear the air, given that she


    cared about keeping their thing under wraps.


    Melvin asked her, ¡°What do you fancy eating? I¡¯ll have someone bring it over.¡±


    Jocelyn went with, ¡°Whatever.¡±


    While Melvin peeled off his jacket and dialed for food, he looked pretty sharp in a white shirt, giving off


    more gentleness.


    ¡°When do you head back?¡± Jocelyn waited until he put the phone down to pop the question.


    Melvin took a seat on the couch and patted his thigh, signaling her to hop on.


    They¡¯ve already been through the sex, so there is no need to be shy.


    Jocelyn straddled hisp, reaching for his Adam¡¯s apple, and noticed the love bite there turning a


    shade darker.


    ¡°When do you wanna head back? Melvin wrapped an arm around her waist, the other sprawled on the


    back of the sofa. With his chin tilting up, he looked both enticing and tempting.


    Jocelyn had already slipped her hands under his shirt, ¡°I was nning to y around for five days.¡±


    Melvin frowned. He was only in town for business, which would be finished in a quick three days.


    ¡°If you¡¯ve got stuff to do, go ahead,¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t hold back like some girls, asking him to stick around.


    She knew well that betterpany here didn¡¯t hold a candle to being home.


    But right now, she wasn¡¯t in the mood to head back.


    Melvin enjoyed her hands wandering under his shirt, sweeping over the marks he¡¯d left on her withzy


    eyes, ¡°What¡¯s the fun in going out with these kiss marks?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my business, Jocelyn shot back, ying the rebel.


    Melvin fished out her restless hand, ¡°You sure you won¡¯te with me?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± Jocelyn was firm in her rejection.


    ¡°Where am I gonna stay then?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not homeless, Jocelyn pointed out, ¡°No need to crash at mine anymore.¡±


    Melvin squinted, ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    ¡°Ain¡¯t it exhausting toe and go?¡± Jocelynid it out straight.


    Melvin leaned back against the sofa, ¡°You never kicked me out before, what¡¯s wrong with you now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve grown up, Jocelyn shed him a teasing, insincere smile.


    Melvin eyed her, sensing she¡¯d changed a lot this time. In bed, she was as fiery as ever, totally in sync


    with him. But her attitude was cooler and more indifferent. She seemed to just want a sexual


    rtionship with him.


    ¡°Not living together?¡±


    ¡°Yep.


    Melvin pursed his lips, finding no trace of longing or hesitation on her face, and suddenly felt uneasy.


    She was right there in his arms, yet she seemed miles away.


    ¡®What are you staring at me for?¡± Jocelyn held her face, ¡°I have something on my face?¡±


    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave, Melvin admitted, unsure what changes were in store after he left. But he could


    feel she didnt depend on him like before.


    Jocelynughed, ¡°I¡¯m that irresistible and even make you ditch work?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Melvin held her close, with his gaze falling on her lips where a bruise bloomed like a weathered


    petal, adding an exotic charm to Jocelyn.


    He leaned in, kissing her gently there. With affection and passion in his eyes, Melvin barely parted his


    lips, murmuring with utmost sincerity, ¡°I want you.¡±


    Jocelyn was seduced by that look.


    Her heart fluttered under his gaze. A few more nces seemed to get her pregnant.


    Their intimacy was stirring, tugging at her heartstrings.


    She swallowed hard, with her eyes darting away, ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡±


    Right on cue, the waiter knocked, delivering food.


    Jocelyn breathed a sigh of relief. Truth be told, she was a bit overwhelmed. Melvin was relentless with


    permanent energy. The moment she¡¯d barely recovered her strength, he wanted to have sex again.


    If this continued without a stop, she feared he might just drain her.


    A spread of seafood cooked in all sorts of waysy before her. After polishing off a few scallops with


    garlic vermicelli and sipping some rich m soup, she felt pretty full.


    Melvin picked out the lobster meat for her, ¡°Eat some more.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m kinda full.¡±


    ¡°Need to keep your strength up.¡±


    Jocelyn inhaled sharply at Melvin¡¯s earnest look.


    Just as she took the te, his phone rang.


    She instinctively thought it was Willow, but his expression said otherwise.


    After answering, Melvin darkened his face, ¡°I¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Jocelyn noted his troubled look.


    ¡°Willow was harassed and got into a fight, and now she¡¯s at the station,¡± Melvin grabbed his coat,


    ¡°Gotta check it out.¡±


    Jocelyn nodded and didn¡¯t offer toe along to see her enemy.


    Melvin paused at the door, turning back to tell her, ¡°Eat up.¡±


    Jocelyn had no reply


    Staring at the feast, Jocelyn lost her appetite but still ate the lobster he¡¯d picked for her.


    After calling the waiter to clear up, she sat alone on the balcony,forted by the sea breeze.


    She thought of calling Melvin a few times but held back.


    Letting go was a way of being kind to herself.


    Coming to terms with it. Jocelyn should seize the day, instead of fussing over an identity.


    A watched pot never boils.


    By bedtime, Melvin hadn¡¯t returned.


    She didn¡¯t toss and tum like before. When her phone tired her out, she just slept.


    The next morning, Urs sent Jocelyn a Facebook message which was a Twitter post.


    National sweetheart beat up a sleazy guyte at night, and her mystery boyfriend apanied her to


    the station.


    crutinized the content. The photo was blurry, but it was clear the woman was Willow, the man Melvin


    Seeing them together hurt her a bit.


    Jocelyn knew this was how it would y out. Maybe they would be more intimate in a car or behind


    closed doors. Her jealousy was soaring.


    [What¡¯s the deal?] Urs¡¯s voice message came through.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath and replied simply. [They¡¯re friends.]


    Urs didn¡¯t pry further.


    Checking out the kiss marks on her neck, Jocelyn found they¡¯d faded a bit. A touch of concealer should


    do the trick for her to sneak out the door.


    She slipped into some white wide-leg pants,yered a camisole under her top, and threw on a sun-


    protective shirt. Cascading her hair down over her chest made a difference in hiding the marks.


    She hit up Urs to head out.


    Urs scoped out her getup and nodded, ¡°Not bad. Nobody can tell those marks.¡±


    ¡°Come on! Where do you want to go?¡± Jocelyn was itching to clear her head to ditch the trouble.


    Urs got the hint and knew what was up.


    ¡°Far or near, Jocelyn?


    ¡°Farther. Heck, I¡¯m cool with noting back tonight.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a n.¡±


    They hailed a cab right off the curb and zoomed away from the resort.


    Once they hit the town, Jocelyn was all about snapping photos with her phone, taking Urs some


    killer shots too.


    Over food, they swapped their photo haul and picked a few gems to tweet out.


    Jocelyn dropped a pin on her location.


    But the moment her tweet went live, Melvin¡¯s call buzzed in.

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39


    Jocelyn stared at that phone number on the screen, taking some while before picking up.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m heading back, Melvin said in a deep voice.


    Jocelyn swirled the water in her cup, ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°Are youing with me?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Jocelyn said, ¡°Wish you a smooth sailing though.¡±


    There was a moment of silence on the other end, ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up from the airport when you¡¯re back.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± Jocelyn hadn¡¯t heard a peep from himst night and said with feigned ease, lips pursed,


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve gottal gear up for the next sightseeing spot, bye.¡±


    She hung up before he could respond.


    Urs was all eyes on her, ¡°No exnation?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to exin?¡± Jocelyn sipped her water, suddenly finding it a little tart, ¡°He¡¯s nobody to me.¡±


    ¡°After all you¡¯ve had sex, are you sure you don¡¯t care about him?¡± Urs was gobsmacked.


    ¡°We¡¯re all grown-ups. Since he doesn¡¯t give me a name as his girlfriend, why bother?¡± Jocelyn


    shrugged it off, ¡°It¡¯s all just


    for fun.¡±


    Urs shook her head with confusion, ¡°I don¡¯t think you two should be like this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always felt the same. But they aren¡¯t facts, are they?¡± Jocelyn gave a bitter smile, ¡°What can I do?


    Just gotta roll with it. I can¡¯t make a difference all by myself.¡±


    Urs could tell she was bummed out. She didn¡¯t know what to say tofort her, it seemed like


    nothing would help.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Jocelyn knew Urs was worried and replied with a smile, ¡°I¡¯ve epted it, so it¡¯s all good.¡±


    Urs frowned and sighed softly, ¡°Are you going to keep this up? Willow¡¯s pretty high-profile, and now


    with the media tagging him as her boyfriend. I bet the fans will not spare anything about him. I¡¯m afraid


    you¡¯ll get dragged into it.¡±


    Jocelyn had thought about it, but she figured Melvin wouldn¡¯t let things blow up..


    Without a doubt, a couple of hourster, the media reported that the guy wasn¡¯t Willow¡¯s boyfriend, but


    an old friend or a brand partner. They were just shooting an advertisement in the city and happened to


    be there to help out with a


    situation.


    At that evening, Melvin video-called Jocelyn.


    She answered.


    On the screen, Melvin was sitting in a leather chair, wearing a ck shirt. He seemed to work at the


    company.


    ¡°When are youing back?¡± He leaned back and asked her.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t know why he was asking again, she had already told him that morning.


    Getting no answer, Melvin raised an eyebrow, ¡°I¡¯ve bought you a ticket for tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°No need¡± Jocelyn said, ¡°I¡¯ve got a few more days of fun nned.¡±


    ¡°More fun than me?¡± Melvin said suggestively with a serious expression.


    Jocelyn avoided looking into his eyes, which were affectionate and tempting enough to allure her.


    Melvin swallowed, his voice husky and sexy, ¡°Come back tomorrow, babe.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to listen to him, but faced with his pleading look, she softened.


    The next day Jocelyn told Urs she was heading back, and Urs winked at her on purpose, ¡°Going


    back to patch up


    your rtionship


    Jocelyn was a bit embarrassed by her teasing ¡°Sorry, I did say I wanted to hang out a few more days.¡±


    ¡°No worries. I can have fun on my own.¡± Urs said, ¡°Want me to drop you at the airport?¡±


    Thanks Jocelyn said. Tve already called a cab.¡±


    As soon as the nended. Melvin texted her, saying he was waiting at the exit.


    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Jocelyn¡¯s mood lifted inexplicably, and she sped up, dragging her luggage toward the exit.


    You¡¯re supposed to run to see your favonte person. However, it was too crowded for that.


    She spotted Melvin¡¯s tali figure in a white T-shirt and ck casual zer at the exit His slightly tousled


    hair made him


    more sexy.


    Barely out of a scandal with Willow, he¡¯s brazenly showing up at the airport. Was he not afraid of being


    snapped by paparazzi?


    Jocelyn walked out, and Melvin naturally took her suitcase, walking side by side with her.


    His pace was fast, forcing Jocelyn to almost jog.


    He hadn¡¯t said a word since seeing her just stowed the luggage in the trunk. After Jocelyn buckled in,


    Melvin drove off from the airport.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t get his silent treatment Wasn¡¯t he the one who wanted her back?


    Not saying a word after meeting up, what was his deal?


    They had just left the airport. Suddenly, he pulled the car over.


    Jocelyn was taken aback, turning to him, ¡°You¡­¡±


    Before she could finish, Melvin had unfastened his seat belt and leaned in, pulling her in for a kiss.


    Jocelyn was breathless, with the pounding of his heart against her chest.


    Jocelyn shut her eyes reflexively as he kissed her. Until he wanted more than a kiss, she patted his


    back with a soft


    ¡°mmhm from her mouth.


    Melvin let go, his eyes now filled with longing.


    He breathed heavily, stroking her hair, with his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing, ¡°I missed you.¡±


    Jocelyn swallowed, her heart racing at his blunt admission. Facing his direct expression, she felt lots of


    butterflies flying in her stomach.


    ¡°Did you miss me or just my body? Jocelyn¡¯s breath was unstable too.


    Melvin asked, ¡°Is there a difference?


    Jocelyn shot back, ¡°Of course!¡±


    ¡°Anyway, I just missed you, Melvin said before diving in for another kiss.


    The car was too cramped. With traffic passing by, they couldn¡¯t stay there for long without attracting the


    cops.


    Melvin sat back up, and Jocelyn¡¯s clothes were a mess. Her cheeks flushed like peach blossoms in


    March, utterly


    irresistible


    ¡°Let¡¯s continue at home.¡±


    Jocelyn red at him, ¡°Do you ever think about anything serious?¡±


    ¡°I do¡± Melvin had buckled up again. ¡°A little love-making excites you and helps you do other things


    better.¡±


    Listening to his nonsense, Jocelyn rolled her eyes.


    Melvin hit the road again, ¡°Your ce or mine?¡±


    Shapter 20


    I¡¯m going home Jocelyn was not amused.


    Alright then.¡±


    Melvin didn¡¯t give Jocelyn a ride back to her ce, but headed to his own crib instead.


    As the car rolled into the underground garage, Jocelyn stared at him, ¡°I said I wanted to go to my


    ce.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s swing by mine first. I¡¯ll drop you offter,¡± Melvin got out of the car and fetched her luggage from


    the trunk.


    Jocelyn never thought one day she¡¯d be invited into his house, which seemed to step into his secret


    chamber. And now, she was walking right into his mysteries.


    In the elevator, Jocelyn felt weirdly on edge.


    Their rtionship confused her about the current vibe at this stage.


    Once inside, Melvin dumped the luggage by the door and asked, ¡°Wanna take a shower?¡±


    Jocelyn licked her lips and just looked at him without a word.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Melvin was puzzled. Holding her hand, he frowned, ¡°Feeling jittery?¡±


    Yeah, she was indeed jittery.


    Thest time she was here was to tutor Preston. But this time around, her state of mind was worlds


    apart. She felt like she was tagging along with a stranger to their home.


    ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it. I¡¯m not gonna take a shower with you,¡± Melvin thought she was freaking out about a


    joint shower, ¡°I¡¯ve got some stuff to sort out in the study.¡±


    Jocelyn wandered off to the bathroom, a bit dazed.


    For over three years, she had never set foot in his territory. At this time, she was doing the most


    personal stuff here.


    Was he¡­ trying to shake things up between them?

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40


    Fresh out of the shower, Jocelyn spotted the study door ajar. Deciding not to butt in, she strolled out to


    the balcony alone.


    The afternoon was still a bit rnuggy, but there was no direct sun here. A breeze made it quite tempting


    to justze around and snooze


    Leaning on the railing, she gazed at the river, with the bustling central business district right across


    from her.


    The two rivers merged here. Although the lights on the boats weren¡¯t on yet, there were already loads


    of tourists waiting


    at the dock


    After all these years, she hadn¡¯t checked out those famous scenic spots that topped the online charts,


    even though she was a local.


    If it wasn¡¯t for riding on Melvin¡¯s coattails, she wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to soak in such a killer


    view


    Melvin wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing her against a warm chest. Without turning


    her head, Jocelyn asked, ¡°All done?¡±


    ¡°Mhm, Melvin¡¯s chin rested on top of her head, ¡°You smell nice.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s lips curved into a smile.


    Melvin then floated the idea, ¡°Feel like hitting up the boat?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hot.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll wait till it cools off at night.


    ¡°I¡¯ve gotta head back, Jocelyn said.


    ¡°You¡¯re on break without much stuff. Why go back?¡± Melvin snaked his hands around her waist,


    bending slightly to nuzzle her face and whisper in her ear, Stay here.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t begging and just waiting for a desirable answer.


    Jocelyn cleared her throat, ¡°What if one of your buddies sees us?¡±


    ¡°No friendsing over.¡±


    Jocelyn snorted, ¡°Last time didn¡¯t someone crash at your ce? Which bed did they pass out on?


    Melvin knew she was digging up old dirt, ¡°That was an ident.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, idents are just so unpredictable,¡± Jocelyn said with a sarcastic edge, ¡°Who knows, maybe


    someone will show up drunk at your door again after dark.


    Melvin spun her around to face him. Gazing at her delicate face fixed with slight jealousy, he slightly


    frowned his brows as his arms held her close, ¡°You¡¯re gonna hold a grudge?¡±


    ¡®No grudge here. I¡¯m just stating facts,¡± Jocelyn replied with a faux-cheerful grin, ¡°Oh, and that picture


    of you and Willow looking cozy together? You guys looked pretty tight.¡±


    Melvin narrowed his eyes, while Jocelyn raised an eyebrow in challenge.


    She could let a lot slide. But since she was here now, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a little possessive and


    jealous


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you see the follow-up posts?¡± Melvin, in a good mood, decided to tease her.


    ¡°Saw it, but it wasn¡¯t from you.¡±


    ¡°Who else would post it if I didn¡¯t give the nod?¡±


    Jocelyn fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. ¡°Willow came to see me the other day. She said we broke


    up and asked if we were just sexual partners now. Clearly, she¡¯s bothered by our thing.¡±


    Jocelyn wanted to know how he defined their rtionship.


    ¡°And what did you say?¡±


    1 told her It¡¯s just a physical thing adults need. You are sexy with stamina, and we just put up with each


    other for some fun. Who cares about the name, right? As long as we¡¯re happy.¡± Jocelyn deliberately


    kept it light.


    She didn¡¯t want to hurt herself again in front of him, nor did she want him to know how much she


    actually cared,


    ¡°So our rtionship is just no-strings fun, huh? We hang when we¡¯re up for it and bounce when we¡¯re


    not, right?¡± Jocelyn looked up at him with a bright smile.


    Melvin stared into her smiling eyes, hating her rhetoric.


    Jocelyn tilted her head yfully. ¡°What¡¯s with that look? Not happy that I¡¯m being so understanding?¡±


    Melvin sealed his lips, with his gaze turning from passionate to profound.


    His silence and steady gaze unnerved Jocelyn.


    ¡°It¡¯s really hot out here¡± She avoided his eyes and fanned herself, ¡°I should get going; it¡¯s gettingte.¡±


    She shrugged off his hands and headed inside. After just one step, Melvin pulled her back into his


    arms, leaning her against the balcony railing.


    Her hair whipped around in the wind, mirroring the chaos in Jocelyn¡¯s heart.


    She clung to his shoulders, ncing down nervously, ¡°Is this railing safe? I¡¯m not looking to take a


    dive.¡± She was too young to die


    Melvin gripped her waist, So, you just want a fling with me, huh?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what you want?¡± Jocelyn felt dangerously unsecured without a safety harness, afraid he


    might lose control. and send her plummeting.


    Melvin¡¯s firm grasp at her waist pulled her closer, ¡°I invited you over to my ce; does that sound like


    just a fling? If I wanted to just have sex, wouldn¡¯t I go to a hotel?¡±


    He had a point.


    Jocelyn clutched his shirt and looked down the floor, with her voice trembling, ¡°Can we go inside and


    talk? This is too risky.


    ¡°You¡¯re just here for sex?¡± he pressed.


    ¡°No, no,¡± Jocelyn panicked.


    ¡°Then what is it?¡±


    ¡°Good physical enjoyment.


    Melvin was speechless.


    ¡±


    Seeing her face pale with fear, Melvin scooped her up and carried her into the living room. The air


    conditioning was sting. For a second, Jocelyn shivered with cold.


    After a moment, she looked at Melvin with puppy eyes and said in a shaky voice, ¡°I really should be


    going.¡±


    ¡°You said you¡¯d be out having fun for five days, and it¡¯s only been three. You¡¯ve got two more; spend


    them with me.¡± His hand cradled the back of her head. As hey on top of her, his intense gaze locked


    onto her face. He firmly said, ¡°I¡¯ll keep you entertained!¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart raced. These words sent her head spinning and her hands instinctively wrapped around


    his neck. She looked straight into his eyes, ¡°You sure?¡±


    ¡®Mhm.¡±


    Jocelyn licked her lips and lifted herself to kiss his throat.


    The moment they touched, she could feel his tough dick.


    Melvin looked down at her with desire burning in his eyes, ¡°You started this.


    H


    ¡°Yep, my bad,¡± Jocelyn admitted freely.


    His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed slightly. ¡°Then you can¡¯t me me.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, he kissed her lips.


    They were inseparable until suddenly, Melvin stopped.


    Jocelyn looked at him, dazed and confused about why he paused.


    ¡°Wanna check out the river view?¡±


    Jocelyn was perplexed


    While Jocelyn was still in a daze, Melvin scooped her up and carried her over to the huge floor-to-


    ceiling window, bracing her hands against the ss as he kissed her from behind.


    At that moment. Jocelyn felt like her blood had turned to ice.


    She wanted to turn around, but Melvin was blocking her from behind, pressing down on her hands, not


    letting her spin


    around.


    ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± Jocelyn was mortified.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Even though there were no houses opposite them and no one could actually see what they were up to,


    the very idea of doing this in broad daylight, right by the window¡­ Jocelyn couldn¡¯t quite stomach it.


    The visual shock overwhelmed her senses. She seemed to beid bare in apletely exposed spot


    and walk stark naked down a vast, public street. She was flushed with embarrassment and


    awkwardness.


    Melvin continued to kiss her shoulder, sensing her stiffness. His hand gently rested on her smooth, t


    belly from behind, his fingertips softly tracing circles. When teasing her nerves, Melvin whispered in her


    ear, ¡°Not used to this?¡±

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41


    The sky outside was a brilliant blue, and the sun was shining bright.


    Golden rays poured through the ss, nketing the two of them.


    Jocelyn¡¯s fair skin was glowing, as if she was wrapped in a silvery veil, casting a different kind of allure.


    Melvin has never held back his lust for her. If he wanted something, he¡¯s gotta have it.


    A misty look clouded Jocelyn¡¯s eyes. She nced back at him, unwilling to have sex here. With the


    current vibe tantalizing her senses, she shyly wanted to give it another whirl.


    Facing the river, Melvin and she painted a picture that would make anyone blush at their roots.


    Jocelyn never imagined she¡¯d ever do something so bold with a man. Looking at the fogged-up palm


    prints on the ss, she couldn¡¯t bear to look at that ss wall anymore.


    Lying in bed after a bath, she closed her eyes and the images flooded back, which agitated her mind at


    the thought of it. Now she got why some folks love to fling in cars and woods, with the sky as their


    nket and the ground as their bed.


    The thrill it brought was something a two-meter-wide bed just failed to deliver.


    Melvin flipped the covers and slid into bed, wrapping his arms tightly around her from behind. His


    breath tickled her ear with satisfaction and he hugged her closer, ¡°I¡¯ll take you out for some yummy


    food tonight.¡±


    Jocelyn murmured a faint response and closed her eyes.


    In her dream, Jocelyn relived the afternoon¡¯s escapades. The intense sensation awakened her all of a


    sudden. She opened her eyes to find Melvin¡¯s peach blossom eyes, half-asleep with a hint of mischief.


    ¡°You¡¯re one to me? Melvin propped himself up, looking at her with a teasing grin, ¡°You seem to have


    more lust than


    me.¡±


    Jocelyn flushed and knew her body¡¯s reactions all too well. She¡¯s got noeback to his ribbing.


    Melvin reached out to touch her face, ¡°Need me to satisfy you?¡±


    Jocelyn turned away, with her mind in turmoil. She tried to get up, but Melvin effortlessly pulled her


    back with a swift move, pinning her beneath.


    ¡°Get off,¡± Jocelyn pushed against him.


    But Melvin wasn¡¯t someone she could just push away. He gripped her wrists, leaning in close, with his


    gaze deep and passionate. His lips were just millimeters from hers, ¡°Let¡¯s burn some calories, then you


    can eat more tonight.¡±


    When she originally woke up, it wasn¡¯t dark yet. But after their shower, the night had fully taken over.


    The CBD lights were all on and the riverboats were cruising along. The river glimmered like a vibrant


    ribbon without any tackiness but its unique charm.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t dare to wear a skirt. In a white shirt and loose jeans, she had her long hair draped over


    her shoulders, covering ces not hidden by her cor.


    Perhaps it was Melvin¡¯s love that painted her face with a charming blush, her eyes and brows filled with


    the allure of a


    grown woman.


    Melvin, in a ck shirt and matching pants, looked tough and cool.


    Standing next to him, Jocelyn was gentle and radiant. Melvin, who was brooding and imposing made a


    stark contrast


    They headed to the parking lot and Jocelyn was in the passenger seat, clueless about where Melvin


    was taking her


    The city was somewhat congested at this hour with many tourists, especially during holidays when


    locals dared not


    step out


    A ten-minute drive turned into thirty, and the car finally rolled into the restaurant¡¯s underground parking.


    As they parked, they spotted Willow wearing sunsses followed by her assistant, stepping out of the


    elevator.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t expect her to be back.


    To avoid a run-in, Jocelyn stayed in the car.


    But Willow with sharp eyes recognized Melvin¡¯s car just passing by.


    She headed straight for their car, and Jocelyn watched indifferently as Willow tapped on the window.


    Melvin opened the car door right away, ¡°Are you leaving?¡±


    ¡°Just got here?¡± When spotting Jocelyn In the passenger seat, Willow soured her mood, yet she put on


    a show for Melvin, ¡°When did Jocelyn get back?¡±


    Jocelyn politely responded, ¡°Early this morning.¡±


    Willow forced a smile and turned her attention back to Melvin, ¡°Mind if we grab another drink?¡±


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you on your way out? Why drink more?¡±


    ¡°Well, I bump into you, do I? Am I destroying your date?¡± Willow chuckled lightly, ¡°Jocelyn isn¡¯t that


    petty, is she?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to get out, but staying in the car might make Willow underestimate her courage.


    She opened the door and stood by Melvin, not clinging or holding him. Jocelyn just flipped her hair,


    revealing a love bite that was crystal clear to Willow.


    Anyone with eyes could tell this fresh kiss mark.


    Willow felt a lump in her throat.


    They seemed to never restrain their lusts.


    ¡°I¡¯m cool with it, Jocelyn shrugged nonchntly


    Willow looked at Melvin.


    At the sight of Jocelyn¡¯s indifference, he said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Willow told her assistant to wait outside, and the three entered the private room.


    Invited by Melvin to order the dishes, Jocelyn looked over the menu and suddenly eximed with joy.


    ¡°Look, they have a couples¡¯ special. Let¡¯s get that.¡±


    ¡°Do as you please,¡± he said, indulging her.


    Jocelyn told the waiter, ¡°One couples¡¯ special, please,¡± and then handed the menu to Willow, ¡°Help


    yourself.¡±


    Seeing what she ordered, Willow turned irritated. Actually, at the sight of Jocelyn, she hadn¡¯t felt right.


    As a woman knowing each other, Willow definitely understood Jocelyn¡¯s intention.


    ¡°Actually, I just ate. If I hadn¡¯t run into you, I¡¯d be on my way back, Willow put down the menu, ¡°I¡¯ll pass


    on the food, just chat with you,¡± she said to Melvin.


    Willow poured the water and started talking business with Melvin, while Jocelyn got no word in.


    She sat there all chill, just listening to Willow yak away at Melvin. The two of them seemed to be getting


    along like a house on fire


    After a bit, the server brought in their meal.


    They had quite a spread for the two of them-two steaks and a couple of desserts to boot.


    The red wine was already breathing, and the server brought over a pair of sses.


    Honestly, the server found the trio at the table a little odd. He also couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Willow felt


    embarrassed like a third wheel sitting there with the couple.


    here is top-notch and has been flown in fresh every morning. Willow shifted the focus to the food on the


    table. ¡°I remember you¡¯re not big on sweets. How about I take that off your hands?¡±


    With that, she swiped the untouched dessert from in front of Melvin.


    Jocelyn felt a twinge of annoyance, ncing at Melvin. However, he didn¡¯t seem to mind, because he


    wasn¡¯t into


    desserts.


    ¡°Got any ns tonight? Maybe we should hit up Zephyr and Yannick and hang out,¡± Willow munched


    on the dessert, eyeing Melvin¡¯s wine ss, about to grab it.


    But before her hand could touch the ss, it was whisked away.


    Willow gave Jocelyn a slight frown.


    Jocelyn offered her untouched ss to Willow, ¡°Here, I haven¡¯t touched mine; it¡¯s all yours.¡±


    Willow twitched her lips and replied, ¡°No thanks. I¡¯ll stick to water.¡±


    Jocelyn smirked, sipping her wine before offering the ss to Melvin, ¡°You know you can¡¯t drive if you


    drink this.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s trick was crystal clear to Melvin, but he didn¡¯t say a word.

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42


    ¡°The steak¡¯s just meh; I can¡¯t finish it.¡± Jocelyn pushed the steak towards Melvin again, ¡°You¡¯ve burned


    a ton of calories. today. You better load up.¡±


    Melvin gave her a loaded nce as she flipped her hair and touched her neck, revealing a very


    noticeable love bite on her fair skin.


    To Melvin, this little ploy was neither here nor there. She was probably just a tad jealous of his


    interactions with Willow.


    ¡°Is this your way of beefing me up?¡± Melvin yed along, ncing at the te she pushed over. The


    steak had barely been touched.


    Jocelyn shed him a smile, ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s gonna be a long night, and I¡¯m worried you won¡¯tst if you


    don¡¯t eat up.¡±


    She felt a bit sheepish saying that kind of thing in front of others.


    But seeing Willow¡¯s face turn sour was a pretty nice bonus.


    Willow was all bark and no bite when it came to facing her.


    Melvin lifted an eyebrow, taking in Jocelyn¡¯s slightly staged demeanor. He cut up her steak and finished


    it off.


    Their little exchange had Willow on pins and needles.


    ¡°So? Are you gonna invite them?¡± Willow switched the topic abruptly.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Melvin said.


    With a smile, Willow whipped out her phone, ¡°I¡¯ll drop a message in the group chat.¡±


    Melvin didn¡¯t respond.


    [Hey, you guys free tonight? I¡¯m meeting up with Melvin for drinks. You in?] Willow sent a voice


    message.


    She didn¡¯t mention Jocelyn.


    Sipping her water, Jocelyn kept a watchful eye on Melvin from the corner of her eye as he polished off


    both steaks.


    ¡°They¡¯ve sent a location in the group, Willow reminded Melvin.


    Jocelyn caught the subtext in Willow¡¯s words. They had a small group chat, just the four of them.


    Melvin checked his phone and then called the waiter over to pay the bill.


    ¡°You¡¯ve had a drink, so ride with me, Willow said. ¡°My assistant¡¯s driving.¡±


    Melvin nced at Jocelyn, who was also looking at him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s book a ride.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    You said no driving after drinking, right? I¡¯ve had a drink, and so have you. We¡¯re not gonna push the


    car home, are we?¡± Melvin said, joking deadpan.


    Jocelyn saw Willow¡¯s expression darken, quite pleased with Melvin¡¯s performance, and she reached


    out, ¡°Hand me your phone.¡±


    Melvin stared at her but eventually pulled out his phone and handed it to her.


    Jocelyn needed Melvin¡¯s face to unlock the phone, so she held it up to him, unlocked it, and booked a


    ride. Then she slipped the phone straight into his pocket.


    It was a gesture full of intimacy and suggestive undertones.


    They weren¡¯t holding hands or hugging, but the air between them was thick with flirtation.


    To onlookers, it might seem Willow and Melvin were the ones most engaged, but only she knew she


    was the odd one


    When they got to the parking garage, the ride was two minutes out.


    Willow pointed to her car, ¡°I¡¯ll head off first then.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Once Willow drove off, Jocelyn turned to Melvin with a smirk.


    Melvin quirked an eyebrow, ¡°Feeling smug?¡±


    ¡°Just a tad,¡± Jocelyn replied, pinching her fingers together, ¡°She did that on purpose.¡±


    Melvin huffed, ¡®Don¡¯t make it too awkward for her.¡±


    ¡°Are you worried about hurting her feelings?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve still got to get along. Melvin said, spotting the ride approaching. He pulled open the back door,


    ¡°In the adult world, it¡¯s not all about lovey-dovey stuff. More often, it¡¯s about interests and connections.¡±


    Jocelyn agreed with that.


    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Human nature isplex and hypocritical. You have to pretend to get along even when you don¡¯t like


    someone.


    ¡°As long as she doesn¡¯t put me on the spot, I won¡¯t,¡± Jocelyn buckled up and looked at him, ¡°I don¡¯t


    expect you to side with me, but I hope you won¡¯t side with her either¡±


    Melvin leaned back in his seat, silent.


    The car started moving, and Melvin¡¯s phone buzzed several times.


    He checked it to find photos from Zephyr. It was a photo of a table full of drinks and Yannick who was


    looking aloof on


    the couch.


    In the group chat, Melvin wrote that Jocelyn was joining and to behave.


    Zephyr replied with a ¡°shocked¡± emoji.


    Melvin ignored him and locked his phone.


    As they arrived at the club, Melvin walked ahead with Jocelyn following.


    Suddenly, someone approached, and Jocelyn recognized the person without meaning to.


    The person also saw her and greeted her with surprise, ¡°Jocelyn.¡±


    ¡°Harrison, what a coincidence?¡± Jocelyn was equally surprised.


    ¡°I¡¯m here for a friend¡¯s birthday, Harrison smiled back, then sensed a very palpable gaze and turned to


    see Melvin looking at him icily.


    Harrison thought of the person who had replied to his messages before. It must be this man.


    ¡°Is this¡­¡± Harrison asked Jocelyn straightforwardly.


    Jocelyn hesitated, not sure how to introduce him.


    She wanted to say boyfriend, but wasn¡¯t sure if Melvin would like that.


    So she said, ¡°A friend.¡±


    Hearing that. Melvin shot Jocelyn a look.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got people waiting, so let¡¯s catch up another time,¡± Jocelyn said.


    ¡°Sure. I¡¯m here for a couple more days. Let¡¯s grab a meal¡±


    ¡°Sounds good.


    Harrison nodded at Melvin and walked past them.


    Once Harrison was out of earshot, Melvin¡¯s expression hadn¡¯t softened.


    her, staring down at her, ¡°Friend?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, met him back in the city. He¡¯s a university professor Jocelyn replied earnestly.


    Melvin didn¡¯t seem appeased by her candid response, ¡°Am I your friend?¡±


    Jocelyn blinked innocently, ¡°Then what are we?¡±


    Melvin swallowed, inexplicably irked by her Introduction of him as a ¡®friend¡¯ to that man. Before, she


    couldn¡¯t wait to tell the whole world he was her boyfriend.


    But today, in front of that man, she said he was just her friend,


    Was she signaling to that man that she was still single?


    The thought alone got Melvin all worked up. He brushed her hair aside, fingers tracing those hidden


    hickeys as he murmured low and husky. ¡°So a few hours ago, were you busy having sex with just a


    friend?¡±


    Jocelyn caught sight of his eager, ticked-off face and couldn¡¯t help but feel a thrill of delight.


    It seemed that he couldn¡¯t handle the heat either.


    She pursed her lips, turning her head to hide a smirk, but the joy bubbling up inside her was


    undeniable.


    Clearing her throat, she teased, ¡°I mean, I¡¯m not your girlfriend, am I? So how should I introduce you?¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn!¡± Melvin knew she was messing with him, but it still grated on his nerves.


    ¡°Calling my name won¡¯t do you any good. So, are you my boyfriend?¡± Jocelyn looked at him, her eyes


    alluring, twinkling with mischief.


    Melvin¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed as he red at her cocky demeanor, realizing he was totally in her grip.


    They were at a standoff when suddenly the door next to them swung open.


    ¡°Holy smokes! You two are on fire! Why don¡¯t you just head home and get it on?¡± Zephyr stepped out,


    took one look, and jumped back, then popped his head back around the corner to tease.


    Melvin shot Zephyr a look, and Jocelyn raised an eyebrow slightly, knowing all too well that she¡¯d never


    get that deration from Melvin.


    Melvin dropped his hand and shot Jocelyn a re before heading back into the room.


    ¡°Jocelyn, what¡¯s this little game you¡¯re ying?¡± Zephyr dragged his feet behind her, his face the


    picture of nosiness.


    Jocelyn chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Secret¡±

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43


    ¡°Whoa, that was not cool of you,¡± Zephyr teased Jocelyn. ¡°Melvin was clearly ticked off just now. Spill


    the beans, how did you manage to get under his skin? It usually takes a lot to ruffle his feathers.¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t believe it, ¡°Huh? His mood swings are legendary, okay?¡±


    ¡°Pfft, and you just waltzed in and turned him into Mr. Congeniality? Zephyr leaned back dramatically.


    ¡°If you say that to his face, he¡¯ll definitely give you a taste of his mood, Jocelyn joked.


    Zephyrughed, all mysterious-like, ¡°It¡¯s all you, girl. You¡¯ve got him wrapped around your little finger.


    I¡¯m telling you, he hasn¡¯t been this showy with any chick before. You¡¯re the first.¡±


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t buying it. She¡¯d seen him cozying up to a bombshell before.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t Willow the first? Jocelyn peered through the door and saw Willow settling in next to Melvin.


    Zephyr let out an awkward chuckle. ¡°Willow.. that¡¯s ancient history. You¡¯re the hot topic now. We¡¯re all


    friends here,


    don¡¯t sweat it.¡±


    Jocelyn watched as Willow leaned in close to Melvin, almost shoulder to shoulder, then strategically


    pulled back, then in again, which was a dance of proximity that seemed innocent enough.


    But to anyone watching, it was clear their connection was anything but ordinary.


    Jocelyn slipped in next to Melvin, effectively nking him with women on both sides.


    Yannick, sitting in the corner, watched the scene unfold silently.


    ¡°Hey hey, Willow,e sit by me, Zephyr beckoned as he walked in, ¡°Don¡¯t mess with their little love


    nest.¡±


    Willow red at Zephyr, ¡°Why force a pair-up when we¡¯re all single?¡±


    ¡°Single? Melvin¡¯s taken by someone, you need to watch your step, Zephyr said as he pulled Willow


    away and plopped down between her and Melvin, putting a wedge between them.


    Jocelyn was secretly grateful for his interference; she¡¯d wanted to do the same, but had been holding


    back to keep up her cool-as-a-cucumber image.


    Willow pinched Zephyr¡¯s arm hard, shooting him a re, ¡°Are you looking for a girlfriend after being


    single too long? Should I set you up?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, Zephyr was all in, ¡°You¡¯re single too; how about we just team up?¡±


    Yannick lifted an eyelid, nced at the carefree Zephyr, took a swig of his drink, and kept to himself,


    fading into the background.


    ¡°You¡¯re not my type,¡± Willow rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Your type¡¯s already on someone else¡¯s te, Zephyr hinted.


    ¡°So what if it is? Even if it¡¯s been eaten, it¡¯s got toe back up.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you grossed out by that?¡±


    Zephyr¡¯s words eamed him dagger looks from Melvin and Jocelyn. Sometimes it seemed like the guy


    was missing a brain filter. The things he said were enough to make you want to throttle him.


    Willow pinched him again. ¡°You¡¯re the gross one.¡±


    How would you know if you haven¡¯t tried me?¡± Zephyr teased, ¡°Wanna test the waters at my ce


    later?¡±


    ¡°Get lost!¡± Willow furned.


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Zephyr just grinned, ¡°Look at you getting all worked up. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re not my type.¡±


    ¡°Thanks a bunch, Willow moved away from him.


    Suddenly, Zephyr turned to the guy in theer, ¡°Yannick, how about we make do with each other?


    Yannick choked on his drink coughing up a storm.


    Jocelyn was shocked by Zephyr¡¯s joke. Since when did teasing ignore gender boundaries?


    Melvin shot Zephyr a look. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just shut up for once?¡±


    If i keep quiet, this ce would be dead, Zephyr stood up and grabbed the mic, all smiles, ¡°Gotta liven


    things up. Here, fil sing a song for everyone, called The Single¡¯s Anthem.


    Zephyr picked his song and belted it out with passion.


    True enough, with Zephyr around the mood was never dull, and they ended up ying cards.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t join, but Willow did. They yed a game that required little more than basic math, no real


    skill involved.


    Jocelyn, up for another card game? Zephyr finished shuffling and asked Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn waved him off, ¡°I don¡¯t know how.¡±


    Tsk no worries, as long as you can pay up.¡± Zephyr grinned devilishly while shuffling the cards, ¡°I¡¯ve


    lost a fair bit to Melvin earlier, gotta recoup some from you now.¡±


    Jocelyn nced at Melvin, who said. ¡°y if you want.


    Then go easy on me. Jocelyn swapped seats with Melvin.


    Yannick was out so it was Zephyr, Willow, and Jocelyn.


    Maybe it was because of Melvin, Jocelyn and Willow went against each other in this card game.


    Zephyr caught in the middle, was having the time of his life watching the drama unfold.


    After several rounds, Jocelyn was down over a hundred dors, with Willow winning.


    ¡°Proves my point, some things just can¡¯t be clung to, you lose them anyway,¡± Willow said, dripping with


    smugness.


    Jocelyn was quick on the draw. ¡°Oh absolutely, I can¡¯tpete with Willow at cards. You know what


    they say, lucky in love unlucky in gambling. If I were winning at both, that¡¯d be too much, wouldn¡¯t it?


    Willow¡¯s smug smile froze at Jocelyn¡¯seback.


    Zephyr looked from one to the other, thoroughly enjoying the women¡¯s war of words.


    Now, there was no holding back; it was a direct confrontation. And as for Melvin, the subject of their


    debate, he acted as if he didn¡¯t understand a word, stayingpletely silent.


    ¡°Melvin¡¯s the realdies man here, with all the babes fighting over him and getting jealous. Bet he¡¯s


    grinning from ear to ear on the inside Zephyr was fanning the mes, itching to crank up the heat in the


    room.


    Melvin gave Zephyr, the guy who loves to watch the world burn, a sidelong nce. ¡°Hey Yannick,


    someone tipped me off about this cool bar a while back. It¡¯s filled with top-notch options. You up for a


    little fun? Who knows, you might bump into your dream girl¡±


    Zephyr got all wound up in a second, ¡°Don¡¯t just start throwing around suggestions.¡±


    ¡°Yannick¡¯s been flying solo for ages. He¡¯s probably dying to fall in love,¡± Melvin said with a challenging


    look at Zephyr.


    ¡°Huh, since when did he want a love life? What do you say, Yannick? You in? Zephyr asked Yannick.


    Yannick, suddenly the center of attention, looked at Zephyr, who was a bit on edge, and took a sip of


    his drink, ¡°Tm


    game.¡±


    Zephyr¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of his head.


    Melvin lifted his ss to Zephyr, sporting a sly grin that was nothing short of devilish


    Jocelyn seemed to get the gist of what they were saying but also not quite. But she didn¡¯t ask.


    She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was some kind of story between Zephyr and Yannick


    Jocelyn¡¯s phone buzzed, and she checked Facebook It was a message from Harrison


    He was asking if she was free and if she wanted toe over and hang out.


    As she was about to respond, Melvin leaned in close and whispered, ¡°Go ahead; try replying.¡±


    Jocelyn looked up, straight into Melvin¡¯s threatening gaze


    She pursed her lips and murmured, ¡°It¡¯d be rude not to reply, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    Melvin just stared her down, wordless.


    Under the weight of his stare, Jocelyn caved and put her phone away.


    Willow noticed their little exchange and, after downing another drink, blurted out to Jocelyn, ¡°Hey


    Jocelyn, just how many men have you been with before Melvin?¡±


    Willow blurted out something that made everyone turn their heads to look at her.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44


    This kind of question, if asked between two super close pals in private, might be okay to slip out. But it


    was pretty clear that Willow popping the question at a moment like this was way out of line, and even


    downright annoying to people.


    Zephyr was feeling pretty awkward himself, ¡°Willow, you¡¯ve had a bit too much to drink.¡±


    But Willow kept her eyes fixed on Jocelyn, lips curling into a smirk, ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? You think he¡¯s


    gonna be yourst dude or something?¡±


    ¡°Willow, mind your words, Melvin chimed in with a frosty reminder.


    Willow chuckled, ¡°What¡¯s up? Can¡¯t we just shoot the breeze about this? What¡¯s there to hide?¡±


    Clearly, she was hell-bent on making Jocelyn squirm.


    She didn¡¯t buy for a second that Jocelyn, with all her flirty charm, hadn¡¯t been in love or had other men


    before


    Just let Melvin find out about another guy, and he¡¯d surely have a chip on his shoulder.


    Melvin, with his intense possessiveness, wanted someone all to himself.


    ¡°Willow, are you that nosy about my private life?¡± Jocelyn had seriously underestimated Willow¡¯sck of


    scruples, answering coolly, ¡°If you were a guy asking me out, maybe I¡¯d tell you your number in line.¡±


    Willow¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°Ooh, is it a tough topic for you?¡±


    Discussing a woman¡¯s love story in front of everyone like this was just gross and disgusting.


    Jocelyn was pretty put off. She really didn¡¯t get how Willow, who had managed to craft such a rational


    persona, could be so impulsive behind closed doors.


    She no longer wanted to share the space with Willow.


    Getting up, she said, ¡°Sorry, something here doesn¡¯t sit right with me. I¡¯ll be taking my leave.¡± After that,


    she didn¡¯t even bother with Melvin. She just grabbed her bag and left.


    Melvin, with a stony face, gave Willow a deep look, stood up, and said with a downcast gaze, ¡°Willow,


    you¡¯re overstepping


    ¡°Hey, Melvin¡­ Zephyr saw him leaving and rushed out after him, ¡°Willow¡¯s just drunk, man. Go easy on


    her, talk to Jocelyn, tell her not to sweat it.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes darkened, ¡°You think she¡¯s just drunk?¡±


    Zephyr tried to defend Willow, ¡°You know she¡¯s been into you for ages. It¡¯s gotta sting, seeing another


    chick by your side. all of a sudden. We¡¯ve all known each other for years, man, cut her some ck


    ¡°I¡¯ve been more than patient with her She¡¯s the one who crossed the line and didn¡¯t know when to


    stop,¡± Melvin said angrily. ¡°And another thing, whatever happened back then is water under the bridge.


    She chose to walk away, so she should¡¯ve known there was no going forward between us.¡±


    ¡°She had her reasons back then,¡± Zephyr tried to keep exining for Willow.


    Melvin replied coldly, ¡°Whether she had reasons or not, she knows best.


    ¡°Do you really have zero feelings for her now?¡± Zephyr felt bad for Willow. She had put a lot into this


    rtionship.


    ¡°Do you think this is the time to talk about this? Melvin shot back.


    Zephyr had nothing to say and sighed softly, ¡°I just think if you still had feelings for her, you wouldn¡¯t


    hurt her like this.¡±


    ¡°No feelings, Melvin said curtly. ¡°If she wants to maintain what we have now, she needs to know her


    ce¡±


    After that, Melvin left, and Zephyr feeling dejected, turned back into the private room.


    He saw Willow covering her face, sobbing. He walked over helplessly. ¡°What you said earlier was kind


    of over the line.¡±


    ¡®Why¡¯d he move on so fast? He must hate me,¡± Willow looked up, tears streaming down, choking up ¡®All


    I did was get


    stronger, so I wouldn¡¯t have to watch him have nothing and be powerless. Was that wrong?¡±


    Zephyr felt sony for her, crying like a waterfall, but he was at a loss for words.


    ¡°You left him decisively when he had nothing.¡± Yannick, who had been quiet most of the time, cut to the


    chase.


    1.1 had no choice. Willow gasped, ¡°If I knew there would be a day like this, I would¡¯ve never left him.¡±


    ¡°If he still had nothing, would you have stayed by his side?¡± Yannick asked indifferently.


    ¡°Of course!¡± Willow was firm.


    Yannick¡¯s eyes were calm, ¡°But there are no ifs. When he had nothing, it was Jocelyn who stood by


    him.¡±


    Zephyr snapped his gaze to Yannick


    How did he know?


    Willow¡¯s expression also froze.


    Jocelyn walked out of the club and strolled along the sidewalk, taking her time, waiting for Melvin.


    If he woulde after her, she felt like all the grievances she suffered from Willow could be wiped


    clean.


    She walked slowly, then suddenly her hand was grabbed.


    Turning around, the concern in Melvin¡¯s eyes flickered and was gone.


    ¡°You are walking so slow. Are you waiting for me? Melvin let go of her hand, his tone light.


    Jocelyn looked at him. ¡°You are walking so fast. Are you chasing me?¡±


    Melvin gave her a nce and shoved his hands in his pockets, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t been drinking, I would¡¯ve just


    driven straight


    home.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Jocelyn said, her voice tinged with disappointment as she looked down at her toes.


    Seeing this, Melvin steered her towards him, opening his arm.


    Jocelyn raised an eyebrow at his gesture, ¡°Not worried about being seen?¡±


    ¡°No one here knows me, Melvin replied impatiently, ¡°You gonna take my arm or what?


    Jocelyn looped her arm through his, looking for all the world like an old married couple on a stroll; their


    contentment tinged with simplicity.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    The night view in Yanova City was pretty stunning, well-known across the country.


    It was rare for Jocelyn to enjoy the night scene like this, and she found it quite rxing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take Willow¡¯s words to heart.¡±


    Jocelyn looked up at him, ¡°Are you trying to exin on her behalf?¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± said Melvin, ¡°I¡¯m just looking out for your feelings.¡±


    ¡°Thanks a bunch,¡± Jocelyn saidzily, with a hint of teasing. Then, pretending to be casual but feeling


    nervous inside. she asked, ¡°Have you slept with her?¡±


    Melvin paused, looking down at her, ¡°Does it bother you?¡±


    Just those three words were enough to send Jocelyn¡¯s emotions into a tailspin.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less if you¡¯ve slept with other women. It¡¯s just her I didn¡¯t want you to have been with.


    Jocelynid her thoughts bare without mincing words.


    After a good while, Melvin¡¯s voice finally buzzed in her ear, ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡±


    Muh?¡± Jocelyn stopped in her tracks, tilting her face up to look at him.


    ¡°I


    Melvin rifies, haven¡¯t slept with her?


    A thrill shot through Jocelyn, her eyes sparkling with delight, ¡°You haven¡¯t slept with her?¡±


    ¡°No other women, except you¡± Melvin stated, looking straight ahead without ncing at her, but


    sensing the gleam in


    her eyes.


    Jocelyn pursed her lips in a smile, her heart already doing a happy dance.


    Whether or not love was on the table right now didn¡¯t matter Even if they weren¡¯t together in the future,


    she would be his first. The woman he could never forget for the rest of his life.


    Melvin¡¯s gaze dropped to her upturned lips, unsure why he felt the need to rify this to her.


    Probably, he thought, it was to smooth over the ruffled feathers Willow had caused.


    Jocelyn was swinging his hand like a child, ¡°Aren¡¯t you gonna ask me?¡±


    ¡°Ask you what?¡±


    ¡°How many guys I¡¯ve dated before you¡±


    ¡°Huh¡± Melvin let out a dismissive chuckle.


    Jocelyn¡¯s brow furrowed, ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to ask to know the answer, Melvin said confidently.


    Jocelyn caught his drift and tiptoeing, she whispered in his ear. ¡°These days, you know, things can be


    restored


    Melvin¡¯s stride came to an abrupt halt. His earlier confidence shattered instantly because of her remark


    ¡°Does that bother you? Jocelyn saw the change in his expression and decided to twist the knife.


    Melvin stared at her, ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    Jocelyn pulled her hand away, backpedaling with a sly grin, ¡°I thought you knew the answer.¡±


    Melvin squinted, his face set in a cold expression as he advanced towards her, ¡°You better just tell me.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t quite put it into words, Jocelyn said with augh, twirling around, yful yet seductive.

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45


    Right there, under the dazzling streetlights, Jocelyn wasughing her head off, looking drop-dead


    gorgeous, while the


    guy behind her had this look in his eyes, like he was totally smitten.


    They were the picture of a couple head over heels, with her making a fuss and him chuckling along.


    Melvin had this thought bubble up: if life could always be this chill, it wouldn¡¯t be half bad.


    There was this girl selling flowers by the curb, and Jocelyn stopped in her tracks, looking back at


    Melvin.


    He strolled over and was like, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Flowers.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not even into that stuff.¡±


    ¡°How did you know?


    ¡°I¡¯ve given them to you before.


    That was you screwing up and saying sorry with flowers.¡±


    Melvin gave her the eye. So what¡¯s the asion today?¡±


    Jocelyn tilted her head up, lips pursed, Just because love.¡±


    Jocelyn was eyeing those red roses in the jar, her heart doing somersaults.


    The flower seller could totally see what Jocelyn was getting at and chimed in, ¡°Sir, why not give your


    girlfriend one? One rose for a lifetime together.¡±


    Jocelyn was all about forever and ever, but Melvin? Not so much.


    Melvin picked out a rose that wasn¡¯t all that lush and handed it to Jocelyn, then asked the seller, ¡°How


    much?¡±


    ¡°Fifty cents.¡±


    Melvin raised an eyebrow, That cheap?¡±


    The girl shed a smile, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s off-season, so prices are lower.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take them all. Melvin was feeling generous. ¡°How much for the lot?¡±


    The seller counted, ¡°Just neen left.¡±


    ¡°Wrap them up for me.¡± Melvin paid with a quick scan of his phone.


    The girl wrapped the flowers up nice and pretty, even added some extra touches, and handed them


    over to Melvin, ¡°Wishing you two forever and always.¡±


    Melvin passed the flowers to Jocelyn, who buried her nose in them. They hardly smelled at all, but to


    her, it was like heaven.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Hmph, chuckled Melvin, watching her clutch those flowers like they were a wad of cash.


    ¡°What are you ¡®hmph¡¯ about? Jocelyn red at him.


    Melvin looked at her with mock disdain, ¡°Look at you, acting like they¡¯re worth a fortune.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t argue, ¡°Second time in my life getting roses, of course they¡¯re more precious than


    money.¡±


    Hearing that, Melvinid off the teasing.


    They walked side by side, turning heads with their killer looks.


    Suddenly, Jocelyn had a thought, ¡°You got snapped with Willow before. Do you think anyone will


    recognize you?¡±


    ¡°Nah Melum wasn¡¯t sweating it. ¡°Even if they do, big deal. Everyone¡¯s got friends.¡±


    Jocelyn shrugged it off, he sure wasid back about it.


    They strolled down the street for ages.


    Out of the blue, Jocelyn stopped, stared at Melvin, tilted her head, and smirked.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind now?¡± Melvin sounded a tad impatient.


    Jocelyn bent over and rubbed her calf, ¡°Feeling a bit sore.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get a ride,¡± said Melvin, whipping out his phone.


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna. Might get carsick.¡±


    Melvin squinted at her, ¡°So, what? We don¡¯t go back; hit up a hotel?¡±


    Jocelyn took a couple of steps towards him, ¡°Carry me.¡±


    *Jocelyn, don¡¯t push it, Melvin shot her a warning nce.


    She raised her eyebrows, ¡°Or I can just head home myself.¡±


    Melvin took a deep breath, nced around, ¡°Are you really gonna make a scene?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to be embarrassed about? Jocelyn was dead set on not walking another step, hugging


    the flowers like a stubborn kid, demanding a piggyback.


    Melvin red at her, but eventually caved and stood in front of her, looking up again, ¡°Hop on, then.¡±


    Jocelyn was surprised; she was mostly joking, but he actually bent down and got ready.


    In that moment, she felt loved.


    ¡°You getting on or what? Melvin urged her, seeing she hadn¡¯t moved.


    After a beat, Jocelyn went behind him and jumped on.


    Melvin wrapped his arms around her backside, hoisted her up, and started walking down the sidewalk


    with her on his back.


    There were a lot of onlookers, all stealing nces their way.


    At first, Jocelyn thought he¡¯d be too shy to carry her, but now she was the one feeling bashful.


    She tapped on Melvin¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Put me down.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you want a lift?¡± Melvin wasn¡¯t letting go. He didn¡¯t care either way.


    ¡°Change of ns. Let me down,¡± Jocelyn couldn¡¯t handle the stares.


    But Melvin was now having a st. The more she squirmed, the tighter he held on.


    Jocelyn, cheeks ming, smacked his shoulder again, ¡°Let me down now.¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Melvin was having fun, sensing her difort, and he deliberately headed where the crowds


    were thickest.


    Jocelyn felt like she was losing dignity big time and buried her head in the nape of his neck.


    Out of sight, out of mind.


    Feeling the dampness on his neck, Melvin figured it was enough and put her down behind a tree.


    Seeing her flushed face, he teased her, ¡°Can¡¯t you handle a little attention?¡±


    Jocelyn shot him a look and pinched his waist, ¡°Bet you can¡¯t carry me all the way home.¡±


    Talk is cheap, Melvin said, unbuttoning his cor, his back drenched in sweat.


    Jocelyn reached out. ¡°Phone.¡±


    ¡°What for? Melvin frowned


    Just give it.¡±


    He handed over his phone, and Jocelyn unlocked it with a scan of his face, then snapped a selfie of


    them together


    very first.


    The lights, the passersby, the flowers, the bustling streets they captured a moment that felt like a little


    slice of happiness to her.


    ¡°Can I tweet this?¡± Jocelyn asked tentatively.


    Melvin snatched the phone back and pocketed it, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it.¡±


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t surprised; him letting her touch his phone was already a big deal.


    She was prepared, so no disappointment there.


    Melvin walked ahead as Jocelyn took out her phone, held the flowers up against his blurred backdrop,


    and made sure the roses were in focus.


    She tweeted it with the caption. [Capturing the feeling of having the whole world.]


    Jocelyn pocketed her phone and quickly caught up with Melvin Sidling up next to him, she grabbed his


    hand and interlocked their fingers without asking.


    Melvin didn¡¯t shake her off. He let her hold on. He wasn¡¯t putting up a fight anyway. If she wanted to


    hold hands, so be it.


    True to his word, Melvin spent the next two days hanging out with Jocelyn at home.


    Daisy called up Jocelyn, curious to know where she was and who had sent the flowers.


    There was Jocelyn, chilling in Melvin¡¯s living room, chatting with mom on speakerphone.


    ¡°Mom, who says I can¡¯t send myself flowers?¡± Jocelyn nced at the guy on the balcony making a call.


    Whether he heard her or not, she just wanted to throw that out there.


    ¡°You, kiddo, always ying hard to get when ites to love. Feeling the sting of being single now,


    aren¡¯t you? Oh, and Zelda from our block, her nephew is quite the catch, a good-looking chap and a


    white-cor worker, just two years older than you and single as a dor bill. How about meeting him?¡±


    Just as Daisy dropped that, Melvin walked in, catching the tail end of the conversation as he closed the


    door behind him. With his arms crossed over his chest, he took a few steps towards Jocelyn, giving her


    a look that spelled both warning and threat.


    Jocelyn grabbed her phone, feeling the pressure mounting.


    Pushing back against the stress, she replied, ¡°Who says he¡¯d even fancy me?¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t he fancy you? What¡¯s not to like about my daughter? I haven¡¯t seen a girl prettier than


    you,¡± boasted Daisy, brimming with confidence in her daughter¡¯s charms.


    Jocelyn watched as Melvin inched closer, his eyes shing a clear ¡®don¡¯t you dare¡¯ signal.

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46


    She scooted over, putting some distance between them, I¡¯m still out traveling. Let¡¯s talk about thister,


    okay?¡±


    Melvin had already plopped down next to Jocelyn. He caught the woman who seemed to be ready to


    bolt and gave her a dangerous look.


    ¡°Okay, so how about giving him your number, and you two can chat for now?¡± Dalsy was really into this.


    ¡°Ha, let¡¯s not bother for now.¡±


    Melvin had moved in close to Jocelyn, his breath on her ear, then suddenly nibbled at her earlobe.


    Jocelyn sharply inhaled.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± asked Daisy.


    Jocelyn wanted to bolt, but Melvin had already wrapped his arms around her, his hand on her face,


    gently biting her ear, sending her breathing into disarray.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Mom, a colleague is calling me out to hang out. Gotta go, we¡¯ll talk when I¡¯m back. Bye.


    Jocelyn quickly hung up and tried to push Melvin away


    But Melvin wasn¡¯t about to let her go. He pinned her down on the couch, ¡°What was that you said?


    Thinking about blind dates again, huh?¡±


    Jocelyn was feeling bold now, ¡°My family and friends don¡¯t know about you, so they¡¯re trying to set me


    up. How could I say no?¡±


    These past few days snuggled up with him felt like bliss, she even wished time would just freeze like


    this. She was well aware that the happiness she felt was fleeting.


    The most important thing was that this happiness was something she had to savor alone, quietly.


    ¡°You¡¯re a teacher, can¡¯t youe up with a good excuse? Melvin knew she was doing it on purpose.


    ¡°What kind of excuse would stop them from wanting to set me up?¡± Jocelyn looked at him, ¡°How about


    you think of one for me?


    Melvin¡¯s hand gently caressed her face, his fingertips brushing her lips, ¡°Have you ever thought about


    saying you¡¯ve got a boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d want to meet him.¡±


    ¡°But the time¡¯s not right for that, is it?¡±


    ¡°How long do we have to date before it¡¯s ¡®the right time¡¯?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s question made Melvin¡¯s fingers freeze on her lips.


    That question again.


    As long as Melvin refused to go public with their rtionship, it would always be an issue.


    Like a secret affair, even though both of them were single, Jocelyn felt like the other woman, unable to


    come out in the


    open.


    She understood Melvin¡¯s concerns-it was the fear of being tied down for life.


    Still, Jocelyn had her own worries


    Forget it, I¡¯ll clear it up with them. Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to strain the rtionship that had just started to


    improve. She had fought for so long without sess


    He was as stubborn as she was.


    So, pressuring him was pointless


    Melvin looked into her eyes, ¡°Are you upset?¡±


    ¡°Why should I be? Jocelyn shrugged it off, ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing¡±


    Her reaction today was a bit unusual, at least in Melvin¡¯s view; she shouldn¡¯t be this calm.


    Now Melvin was intrigued and sat down beside her, ¡°How would you exin it?¡±


    ¡°Just find someone with no interest in me to pretend to be in a rtionship, then break up after a while.


    No big deal, right? Rtionships end if they don¡¯t work out. The important thing is to let my family know


    I¡¯m taking this seriously.¡±


    Jocelyn really wanted to find someone who shared her matchmaking woes to face this together.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°Just find someone to pretend to be in a rtionship?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡± Jocelyn responded, ¡°Is this okay?¡±


    who are you going to find?¡±


    ¡°Definitely not you, that¡¯s for sure.¡±


    Melvin fell silent


    Melvin pinned her down again, warning her, ¡°You better handle this cleanly.¡±


    Jocelyn pouted, pointing at Melvin¡¯s face with a puzzled look, ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯ve never been clear


    about, can you exin it to me? In our situation, who exactly can¡¯t afford to be seen?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s mouth twitched.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want deeper entanglements with me, then you should brace yourself. After all, I still owe


    my parents an exnation. Jocelyn coaxed him like a child, ¡°If I can smooth things over with my


    parents, you and I can keep this underground romance going a little longer. Your happiness will be


    extended too.¡±


    Underground romance.


    The term sounded terrible, yet it had a tingling excitement to it.


    ¡°Do whatever, just don¡¯t sleep with anyone else,¡± Melvin had only one request; he just wanted her,


    that¡¯s all.


    He hoped his woman would stay clean, at least until he was ready to end things.


    Jocelyn shrugged, ¡°I can¡¯t promise that. If I meet someone fitter, handsomer, and more tender and


    caring than you, it¡¯ll be hard to maintain this with you.¡±


    As soon as she finished, Melvin¡¯s gaze turned ominous.


    Jocelyn was unfazed. It was always him causing her trouble, so she had to seize the rare chance to


    give him some


    Melvin weighed down on her, gazing at her dangerously, ¡°Say that again.¡±


    ¡°What if I said you¡¯re the only one I¡¯ll ever marry, the only one for me, would you believe that?¡± Jocelyn


    propped herself up against his shoulders, ¡°Get off, you¡¯re crushing me.¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn, behave yourself,¡± Melvin warned fiercely, pinching her chin.


    Jocelyn looked him straight in the eye, no longer joking. ¡°This could happen. I still have to get married.


    If you can¡¯t give me marriage and a family, you can¡¯t stop me from wanting them, right? I¡¯m telling you


    this now so you won¡¯t think I¡¯m fickle when I suddenly end this with you one day.¡±


    This time, she was utterly sincere.


    Melvin swallowed hard. The fact that she wasn¡¯t pushing for marriage now was her biggest


    compromise, a respect for his decisions and choices.


    But the thought of her marrying another man and being lovey dovey with someone else, soured his


    mood.


    Are you so sure someone will marry you?¡±


    T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I¡¯m not doing anything shady, it¡¯s just like being in a rtionship with you. Only it¡¯s a rtionship we


    know won¡¯t have a future Jocelyn smiled at him, ¡°How about you do me a favor and cut ties with me


    sooner, so i can have a gap to


    prepare


    romance? Otherwise, I feel a bit like a lowlife.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s fingers traced her lips, his voice deep and maic. ¡°Sure, let me know when you find


    someorie.¡±


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t sure how serious he was, but she knew he wouldn¡¯t cling to her forever.


    They just clicked. She was totally head over heels for him, and they were already a thing, yet she


    couldn¡¯t bring herself to dream about their future together.


    Jocelyn thought, ¡°I guess this is what you call stolen happiness, fleeting by nature. So, make hay while


    the sun shines, and treasure every joyous day you get.¡±


    ??? ?? ??


    Jocelyn wrapped her arms around his neck and nted a kiss on his lips, locking them in a smooch.


    She had no clue when they would go their separate ways. That was why she held these moments so


    dear.


    ¡°Do you think you could find someone who vibes with you as much as I do?¡± Jocelyn panted in his


    embrace, her hand caressing his Adam¡¯s apple, questioning him.


    Melvin, with a cigarette between his fingers, blew smoke rings, ¡°Live your life, doll. You don¡¯t need to be


    all up in my business anymore.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s hand suddenly tightened under the covers.


    ¡°Ouch.¡± Melvin pinched her waist in retaliation, ¡°Are you trying to kill me?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t care if he was hurting; her hand stayed put, ¡°Are you gonna hook up with Willow?¡±


    Melvin shot back coldly. ¡°Once you¡¯re hitched, who I¡¯m with is none of your business.

 Chapter 47

    Chapter 47


    Talking about being heartless, Jocelyn had got nothing on Melvin.


    This dude, one second he was ali lovey dovey and getting all mushy with her, the next he flipped a


    switch and acted like he didn¡¯t know her from Adam.


    Jocelyn figured she must have seriously ticked off Melvin in a past life or something, ¡¯cause why else


    would she be sticking to him like glue, knowing full well he¡¯s Mr. Irresponsible?


    When Melvin said he would hang with her for two days, he meant exactly that. Seizing the moment he


    stepped out, Jocelyn grabbed her suitcase and hightailed it back to her own apartment.


    Melvin¡¯s call wrecked her ns. There she was, ready to have a st, maybe even score some serious


    action, and one call from him just blew it all to smithereens


    At this rate, when would she ever manage to cut ties with him?


    Urs was back in town, and they met up at the cafe.


    ¡°Here¡¯s the stuff you asked for. Look at you, all rosy-cheeked and glowing. Seems like you¡¯ve been well


    watered.¡± Urs handed over the stuff to Jocelyn, teasing her.


    Jocelyn took it with a thanks, touched her face without a hint of embarrassment, and sized up Urs,


    ¡°So, any progress with that hunky foreigner? Did you get a piece of him?


    Urs made a face. ¡°Foreign guys are just too¡­¡± she shook her head.


    ¡°Too what?¡±


    ¡°Just too horrible.¡± Urs continued shaking her head, ¡°I was totally out of my depth. Halfway through, I


    just bolted.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s jaw dropped, ¡°You bolted halfway through?¡±


    With exaggerated shivers, Urs confessed, ¡°You have no idea. The moment he stripped, I took one


    look and just deted Totally deted.¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the mental image.


    ¡°I¡¯m not into the whole hairy beast thing, you know? A bit here and there is fine, but why can¡¯t they be


    clean-shaven?¡± Urs went on, ¡°All prim and proper in clothes, but naked he¡¯s like cavemen. Total


    appetite killer.


    Jocelyn thought her description was pretty on point, ¡°I mean, at that stage, couldn¡¯t you just close your


    eyes and go with it? What if he was really good in the sack?¡±


    ¡°Forget it. I thought about itter, what if Mr. One-Night-Wonder left me with a parting gift, like an STD


    or something? That would totally ruin my life,¡± Urs said, sipping her coffee to calm her nerves. I¡¯m


    just not cut out for casual flings Jocelyn suddenly realized she hadn¡¯t thought this deeply when she first


    got together with Melvin.


    Back then, she was so hot for him, just wanting tond him, make him hers, even if just for one night.


    Now thinking about it, Urs¡¯s caution seemed like a good thing. Jocelyn just got lucky she didn¡¯t end


    up with someone who¡¯d mess around.


    After saying goodbye to Urs, Jocelyn took her stuff and headed back to her parents¡¯ ce.


    She¡¯d been out and about, so she had to bring back some gifts, or else they might start getting


    suspicious.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Daisy was all earnest, trying to get her to meet the neighbor¡¯s nephew


    tocelyn t out refused, but under Daisy¡¯s mix of threats and bribes, she only agreed to a distant


    glimpse If there was a spark they¡¯d take it further. If not, forget it.


    Dessy breed to that


    Downstales, Daisy pointed out a guy chatting with Zelda near some exercise equipment. ¡°Take a look,


    how about him?


    ael young man


    Jocelyn took one look, not a bad figure but seemed pretty young.


    Mem of he and walked together people would think I¡¯d kidnapped some kid or something.¡± Jocelyn


    shook her head, ¡°I tke them a bit more mature and stable.¡±


    Dy frowned, ¡®So what if he looks young? He¡¯s older than you. Besides, don¡¯t you young folks


    nowadays like younger Boys? You¡¯ve got such an opportunity and you¡¯re passing it up?¡±


    Jocelyn gave a sheepish smile. That¡¯s everyone else, not me Just tell Zelda I¡¯m not a good match for


    her nephew,¡± and with that she spun around and dashed back inside.


    Daisy was peeved, but what could she do?


    Looking closer at the young guy, he really did seem a bit too green for her daughter.


    Well she¡¯d have to ask around some more for someone more mature and stable


    After lunch. Jocelyn went shopping with her mom.


    The weather wasn¡¯t made for strolling outside; it was way too hot. A bunch of elders, trying to save on


    electricity bills, would flock to the mall to mooch off the AC


    Jocelyn was serious about picking out some clothes for her mom.


    ¡°Jocelyn.¡±


    She turned around, and there was Harrison, smiling at her from outside.


    With his half-rimmed sses white shirt, and jeans, Harrison looked smart and stood out in the crowd.


    ¡°Harrison, Jocelyn greeted him with a smile


    Daisy was sneakily eyeing the guy, then saw her daughter heading out to greet him with that twinkle in


    her eyes.


    Harrison said. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect to bump into you here. At first, I thought I got the wrong person and was


    too scared to call


    out


    ¡°I¡¯m here with my mom for some shopping.¡± Jocelyn looked back just in time to catch her mother openly


    checking out Harrison and subtly shifted to block her view.


    Harrison nced inside. Your mom¡¯s here, too? Hope I¡¯m not intruding.¡±¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡± Jocelyn replied, ¡°We¡¯re just browsing around aimlessly.¡±


    ¡°Got some time? How about I treat you guys to something to drink?¡± Harrison, fearing rejection, quickly


    added, ¡°I¡¯m nning to leave tomorrow.¡±


    With the conversation at that point, Jocelyn had to agree.


    On the first floor of the mall, they had a caf¨¦, bubble tea shop, and other snacks.


    Daisy¡¯s eyes sparkled at the sight of Harrison, as if she were the one wanting to cozy up to him.


    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t be like that,¡± Jocelyn pulled at her mother¡¯s clothes, lowering her voice.


    But Daisy didn¡¯t mind Jocelyn and asked Harrison, ¡°So, Harrison, you¡¯re a teacher too, huh?¡±


    Yep.


    ¡°Which grade do you teach?¡±


    ¡°Mom, he¡¯s a university professor, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t stand it anymore, ¡°Can you please stop asking?¡±


    Daisy didn¡¯t register Jocelyn¡¯s plea and went on, all smiles, ¡°So young and already a professor, that¡¯s


    something. Are you marned?¡±


    Jocelyn was getting a headache. She looked apologetically at Harrison.


    With a smile, Harrison shook his head, ¡°Not yet.¡±


    Seizing the moment, Daisy pressed on, ¡°Got a girlfriend then?¡±


    ¡°Nope.


    ¡°Yo, howe such a great guy like you is still flying solo? Too picky, maybe? What¡¯s the deal with you


    young folks? None of you seem to take this seriously. And my daughter keeps thinking she¡¯s still got all


    the time in the world, totally refuses to look for a partner. It¡¯s driving us parents nuts.¡±


    Daisy sure had a way with words. She spilled the beans on Jocelyn¡¯s current status in no time.


    Harrison was a bit taken aback, he¡¯d thought the guy was Jocelyn¡¯s boyfriend.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, scared she might do something disrespectful to her parents.


    She could only offer an awkward smile.


    *Jocelyn¡¯s a catch in every way. No way she wasn¡¯t dating someone,¡± Harrison said casually, sipping


    his coffee, but his eyes were stealing nces at Jocelyn from the corner.


    Daisy snorted. ¡°If she had someone, I¡¯d throw a bash for all the neighborhood cats and dogs.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    Harrison chuckled.


    ¡°Mom, can you not throw me under the bus like that?¡± Jocelyn was at her wit¡¯s end.


    Daisy red at her. ¡°Find yourself a partner, and I¡¯ll give you whatever kind of ¡®dignity¡¯ you want.¡±


    Jocelyn put her hand to her forehead, unable to crack a smile.


    ¡°Mrs. Winslet, these things are all about fate. You can¡¯t rush them, Harrison chimed in to save the day.


    ¡°Your daughter is outstanding. The guy who gets to be your son-inw is definitely no ordinary Joe.¡±


    Gotta say, Harrison¡¯s got a silver tongue.


    Daisy gave Jocelyn a sideways look but beamed at Harrison, ¡°What do you think of Jocelyn?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s face was a picture of shock!

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 48


    If it hadn¡¯t been for her mom¡¯s friends calling her up, egging her on to fill the missing fourth spot for a


    game, Jocelyn would¡¯ve totally lost it.


    ¡°Man, I¡¯m so sorry, my mom is just¡­¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t even know how to exin it.


    Harrison chuckled shaking his head, ¡°I get it. Honestly, it¡¯s pretty much the same drill when I head


    home.¡±


    ¡°You get the marriage nudge too?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    Jocelyn let out a soft sigh, ¡°Same world, same kind of moms


    ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯m not sure if I should ask,¡± Harrison nced at Jocelyn.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°That guy the other day, he wasn¡¯t your boyfriend, right?¡± Harrison quickly added, ¡°If it¡¯s not cool to


    answer, just let it be.¡±


    Jocelyn pursed her lips, then cracked a smile, ¡°Nope, he wasn¡¯t.¡±


    Harrison frowned slightly but knew better than to pry further. He didn¡¯t peg Jocelyn as someone without


    scruples, and that dude didn¡¯t look like he was tied down. Maybe they just didn¡¯t get the parental


    thumbs up?


    After Harrison walked a bit further, his phone rang.


    ¡°Sorry, gotta take this call. Harrison answered, called out ¡®Mom¡¯, and then wore a look of someone


    being schooled. Clearly, he wasn¡¯t brushing her off, but he looked pretty helpless


    After hanging up. Harrison shook his phone helplessly. That was my mom, setting me up on a blind


    date. Looks like I¡¯ve gotta rush to it right after my nends tomorrow.¡±


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Jocelyn¡¯s mouth dropped open in surprise, and she said sympathetically. ¡°Well, then I just gotta wish


    you luck.¡±


    Harrison chuckled, ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Cause if you nail it, no more blind dates, right?¡± Jocelyn said, ¡°Only way to get some peace is to make


    it work.¡±


    Harrison nodded in agreement, ¡°Here¡¯s hoping your good luck rubs off on me.¡±


    The city was getting crowded, and Jocelyn checked the time ¨C smack in the middle of rush hour.


    Thinking Harrison was leaving tomorrow, she said, You¡¯re heading out tomorrow, so let me show you


    some hospitality. How about I treat you to barbecue?


    Harrison raised an eyebrow, ¡°Barbecue? In this heat?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s never a wrong time for barbecue, hot or cold,¡± Jocelyn nced at her phone. The reviews for


    this ce online are pretty solid. Wanna give it a shot?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    They arrived at the barbecue restaurant to find it packed.


    Luckily, they snagged a spot just as they walked in.


    Considering Harrison wasn¡¯t a local and might not handle the heat, Jocelyn ordered the barbecue with


    mild spice


    The scorching weather plus the spicy barbecue meant you¡¯d be sweating buckets with just one bite.


    Harrison, craving the spice but intimidated by the red chilies, dared to try a slice of meat on Jocelyn¡¯s


    encouragement. Instantly, his eyes teared up from the heat.


    Jacelyn quickly grabbed him a drink.


    Hanson said embarrassingly, ¡®So humiliating.¡±


    ¡°Not at all Totally normal. Jocelyn reassured.


    Wathing Jacelyn tackle the spicy meat without batting an eye. Harrison felt his addiction being


    rekindled.


    you could say he was a glutton for punishment but also a masochist for the spice.


    Not far from the restaurant, Harrison plopped down on some steps, pale as a ghost, looking rough.


    Hold on a sec, Jocelyn dashed to the pharmacy across the street, grabbed some medicine liquid, and


    handed him a bottle, ¡®Drink this, you¡¯ll feel better¡±


    At this point, Harrison would¡¯ve downed arsenic if it promised to ease the fire in his belly.


    The medicine was bitter, but it did relieve his stomach difort.


    Looking up, sses fogged up, he said, ¡°Sorry for making you take care of me.¡±


    Hearing his weak voice, Jocelyn felt truly quilty, ¡°I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn¡¯t have taken


    you to hot pot.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my own weak stomach, not on you.¡± Harrison said, bent over taking deep breaths on the steps.


    Jocelyn thought arguing now was pointless, ¡°Wanna head to the hospital just to be safe?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m better now. A night¡¯s rest and I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Harrison said, still smiling and reassuring Jocelyn as


    he leaned against the elevator wall, ¡°Looks like my stomach isn¡¯t ready to marry into your hometown


    yet.¡±


    Jocelynughed. ¡°Well, you¡¯ve got two choices: don¡¯t marry a girl from here or train your stomach


    more.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you up on that training, and you¡¯re not allowed to back out.¡±


    ¡°Deal, I¡¯ll make sure you get an iron stomach.¡±


    They reached his floor, and Harrison almost stumbled out of the elevator. Jocelyn quickly steadied him,


    ¡°You alright?¡±


    ¡°All good, all good, Harrison waved it off, Just got a bit woozy.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t let go until they reached his room.


    After swiping the card and opening the door, Harrison gently removed her hand, leaning on the door


    frame, ¡°This is good.¡±


    Jocelyn raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°If youe in, it¡¯d be inappropriate, Harrison said with a smile, ¡°Thanks for everything today. Next


    time I¡¯m here, I¡¯ll be stronger than today.¡±


    Jocelyn felt touched by his resilience and smiled back, ¡°May your stomach be as strong as your will


    next time.¡±


    Jocelyn nced at him trying to y it cool and wasn¡¯t quite sure what to say, ¡°Well, you take care, and


    hit me up if you need anything.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Jocelyn stepped into the elevator, thinking to herself that Harrison was actually a pretty decent guy.


    A true gentleman, suave, super polite, and he¡¯s got respect for women to boot. He¡¯s got all the makings


    of a catch. probably has a bunch of girls crushing on him, no doubt.


    She walked out of the hotel, phone in hand ready to book a ride, and just then, her eyesnded on that


    silver Porsche parked by the hotel entrance. The guy standing beside it had beautiful eyes, but they


    gave off a chilly vibe even in the scorching summer heat that made you shiver.


    Melvin was leaning against the car, puffing on a cigarette, the way he blew those smoke rings was


    wickedly charming and alluring, but also screamed trouble.


    Jocelyn had no idea how long he¡¯d been there, whether he¡¯d seen her and Harrison enter the hotel


    together, or maybe even before that.


    ne walked over, ¡°What are you doing here?


    Melvin turned his head, took a drag, and slowly exhaled, fixing his gaze on her with an air of


    nonchnce but deadly serious. ying detective¡±

 Chapter 49

    Chapter 49


    Jocelyn was dying to know how Melvin had figured out she was here.


    Was it just a n


    or was he tailing her?


    ¡°Sorry to burst your bubble as a detective,¡± Jocelyn said as she walked past him.


    Melvin reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her into him with a bit of force. He had a cigarette in


    his mouth, arm wrapped around her waist, squinting through the smoke like he¡¯d been hit with tear gas,


    ¡°Running off to where?¡±


    ¡°Home,¡± Jocelyn said, her hand against his chest, ¡°Bummed you didn¡¯t catch me?¡±


    Melvin knew she was miffed. He stamped out his cigarette under his shoe, ¡°How about we go upstairs


    and get a


    room?¡±


    ¡°So, who spilled the beans? Jocelyn fixed her gaze on him.


    Their conversation was all over the ce, but they got the mismatched vibe.


    A sly grin yed on Melvin¡¯s lips. ¡°Would you buy it if I said it was a coincidence?


    ¡°Yeah, right, Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, ¡°I¡¯ll believe anything you say.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit.¡±


    Jocelyn tried to wriggle out of his grasp, but Melvin wasn¡¯t having any of it.


    ¡°What are you running from, really?¡±


    ¡°Going home to sleep.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Melvin said, opening the car door and nudging her.


    Jocelyn resisted, ¡°We¡¯re not going the same way.¡±


    ¡°To my ce or yours, same endgame sleep, Melvin¡¯s eyes said it all, and Jocelyn thought he was


    crawling with eroticism.


    ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood today.¡±


    ¡°Because of that guy?¡± Melvin pinched her wrist, ¡°Jocelyn, that¡¯s bad.¡±


    Jocelyn red at him, ¡°Not sleeping with you and it¡¯s because of another guy?¡±


    ¡°What else? When a woman suddenly doesn¡¯t want to sleep with a man, nine times out of ten she¡¯s got


    someone else. on her mind,¡± Melvin put forth his theory as if it was rock solid.


    ¨C


    Jocelyn rolled her eyes, then something caught her attention a woman decked out to the nines but still


    sticking out like a sore thumb.


    She tapped Melvin¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Hey, your old me.¡±


    Melvin frowned at the mention, but the woman was giving him the eye.


    He turned just in time to see Willow getting into a low-key Volkswagen, spotting someone inside when


    the door opened.


    ¡°You didn¡¯te here for her, did you?¡± Jocelyn teased.


    Melvin looked away, pushing her into the passenger seat, ¡°Time to go home and sleep.¡±


    Jocelyn was shoved in, and he roughly buckled her in, warning, ¡°Behave.¡±


    Jocelyn stared at him.


    Melvin mmed the car door shut and walked around to the driver¡¯s side, driving away.


    There was some traffic, and they ended up next to the Volkswagen with Willow in the back. Jocelyn


    could barely make out a shouette through the tinted windows


    There¡¯s a guy with her Jocelyn reported helpfully. ¡°She didn¡¯t just pick some random dude after you


    turned her down, did she?¡±


    Melvin shot her a nce, ¡°Why don¡¯t you hop out and ask her?¡±


    Jocelyn wrinkled her nose, ¡°She¡¯s not my woman, why should 17¡±


    ¡°Is she mine?¡± Melvin shot back.


    ¡°Who knows!¡±


    Melvin huffed, ¡°Don¡¯t think this will make me forget you went into a hotel with another guy.¡±


    ?? ? ? ?


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    Melvin brought Jocelyn back to his ce and pinned her against the door as soon as they entered,


    leaning in close, ¡°What did you do with that guy? Why were you together?¡± He hadn¡¯t dared to ask inContent bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    the car, afraid he might lose it and cause an ident.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t expect him to still be hung up on that.


    ¡°We bumped into each other, then I treated him to barbecue, but he has a weak stomach. I was


    worried, so I took him back to his hotel, Jocelyn said outright. That¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°By chance?¡± Melvin didn¡¯t buy it. ¡°You didn¡¯t call to arrange it?¡±


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t the least bit annoyed by his persistent questioning and doubt.


    She just looked at him steadily, a smile slowly spreading across her face.


    Melvin narrowed his eyes, ¡°What¡¯s so funny?


    ¡°Are you jealous? Jocelyn asked.


    Melvin paused, then let her go, ¡°Are you kidding me?¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m going home. Jocelyn didn¡¯t press him and turned to open the door.


    Bang!


    Melvin held the door from behind and closed it again.


    Jocelyn found herself pressed against the door, her hands raised and interlocked above her head


    against the door by him, his voiceing from above, ¡°Next time you dare to be alone with another


    guy, watch how I¡¯ll deal with you!¡±


    His threat sounded hollow as his kissesnded on the back of her neck, nibbling like a dog.


    Jocelyn tilted her head, a bit tickled, ¡°If I were really dating another guy, do you think you¡¯d even


    notice? Ouch!¡±


    The pain on her shoulder was quickly dampened by wetness, as he alternated between biting and


    kissing, sending tremors through Jocelyn


    Melvin turned her around, his breath rough.


    His eyes were clear with intent, ¡°You better be skilled enough to keep it from me, or I¡¯ll kill you.¡±


    With that, he kissed her lips.


    Jocelyn¡¯s hands naturally climbed onto his shoulders, reciprocating his kiss.


    If something made them both happy, she had no reason to refuse.


    Clothes scattered on the floor, Melvin carried her to the couch. Just as he was about to get down to


    business, the phone on the floor rang.


    it was an insistent ringtone, grating on the nerves of the two in their moment of pleasure


    Jocelyn pushed Melvin away, ¡°Either answer it or turn it off¡±


    Melvin swallowed hard as he got up to grab his pants off the floor, fishing out, the phone with disgust.


    He nced at the


    But after rejecting the call, he saw a message on Facebook saying. [Melvin, save me.]


    He clicked in, it was a location.


    Jocelyn, hearing no phone conversation, turned to see his face change.


    ¡°What¡¯s up? Jocelyn asked, covering herself with a cushion, ¡°Something wrong?¡±


    Melvin redialed, but the phone was already off.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to step out for a sec, Melvin quickly dressed.


    Jocelyn calmly asked, ¡°Is it Willow?¡±


    As soon as Melvin heard that name, he couldn¡¯t help but frown, ¡°You go to sleep first.¡±


    No response, and that was that


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t say much more. After he left, she slowly got up, got dressed, tidied up her hair a bit,


    grabbed her stuff, and headed out the door.


    She picked up some barbecue and beer from the market downstairs from her apartment, went home,


    turned on the TV, and munched on her midnight snack solo.


    The variety show on TV was cracking her up, but even Jocelyn felt herughter was half-hearted.


    If you were to tell her Melvin had no feelings for Willow, she wouldn¡¯t buy it.


    While half-watching TV, she pulled out her phone and opened Twitter. With one refresh, she saw a


    trending topic [Willow, face covered in blood, taken away by an ambnce.]


    Jocelyn clicked in to see the picture. It wasn¡¯t very clear, but the ambnce was hard to miss.


    Scrolling down, she found there was a video, just as blurry, but she recognized another person in it.

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 50


    Out of courtesy, Jocelyn gave Melvin a ring half an hour after the whole hot search circus blew up.


    He actually picked up, surprisingly.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s up with Willow?¡± she asked, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. ¡°Saw it on Twitter.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s voice was t, ¡°Nothing serious, just a little on-set mishap.¡±


    Jocelyn was skeptical, but she wasn¡¯t about to dig for the dirt without good reason or interest


    ¡°Alright, take good care of her then.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got assistants,¡± he said, meaning he wasn¡¯t nning on ying nursemaid.


    Chomping on her skewer, Jocelyn went on, ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s got assistants and an agent, but that doesn¡¯t


    mean you can¡¯t look after her too.¡±


    ¡°Are you throwing shade?¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡± Jocelyn put the phone on speaker, grabbed a skewer with her left hand, a drink with her


    right, and took a sip. ¡°Isn¡¯t it just stating the obvious? Otherwise, why would you dash over to see her in


    such a hurry?¡±


    When there was no response, she thought he¡¯d hung up. ncing at the phone screen, the call was


    still on.


    ¡°She¡¯s the face of our jewelry line, and with new productsunching next quarter, it¡¯d be a big loss for


    thepany if something happened to her. Melvin actually bothered to exin.


    Jocelyn wondered why Melvin was so strange today.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she said, sounding totally nonchnt.


    ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°At my home, duh.¡±


    ¡°You went back?¡±


    ¡°What else? Jocelyn said. ¡°Who knew if you wereing home tonight? Better to crash at my own


    ce.


    Suddenly, Melvin hung up.


    Staring at her phone, Jocelyn was like, ¡°Okay, that was random.¡±


    Before hitting the sack, Jocelyn scrolled through Twitter again ¨C loads about Willow.


    One marketing ount imed Willow was about to join the cast and was rehearsing with another


    actor at the director¡¯s, who got too into it and clocked her with an ashtray for real.


    Another story imed Willow wasn¡¯t rehearsing at all, but was caught in ate-night rendezvous with a


    director by his wife, leading to a catfight that left her injured.


    Jocelyn was stunned by this. With a backer like Melvin, why would Willow even do such a thing?


    After all, she was dying to be Melvin¡¯s girl.


    With all the drama now, if it was the former, no big deal, but if it was thetter, how could she face


    Melvin?


    Jocelyn still thought showbiz was a mess, where the truth was elusive, and people just swallowed


    whatever was served. Good news might not spread well, but bad news definitely got worse as it went.


    But Melvin said Willow was their brand ambassador. If bad press came out, thepany, out of old


    loyalty, would surely clear her name. So, nothing worth gawking at, really.


    Sure enough, it wasn¡¯t long before a bunch of ounts started spinning the narrative that Willow was


    overly dedicated tasting on a realistic performance to convey true emotion, hence the injury


    Jocelyn read through the uniformments, totally unfazed.


    Whatever the real deal was, the online consensus was now singing Willow¡¯s praises.


    This incident was cementing her image as an inspiring goddess.


    Toward the bottom, Jocelyn spotted ament iming Willow got smacked for flirting with the


    director and getting caught by his wife. Thatment got shredded.


    Online news, true or false, who really knew aside from those involved?


    Jocelyn set her phone aside, closed her eyes, and figured Willow¡¯s injury meant Melvin would stick by


    her.


    Turning on her side, she sighed.


    This must be what first love felt like. Why else would Melvin drop everything for Willow time and again?


    Often it¡¯s the unfulfilled romances that linger the most.


    Even if they parted on good terms, the slightest thing about the other person could still tug at your


    heartstrings


    At the hospital.


    Willow had eight stitches on her forehead and looked totally deted.


    Melvin sat far off, glued to his phone, clearly antsy.


    He was about to leave when Willow, tears streaming, grabbed his hand and made him stay.


    With red, puffy eyes, she looked at Melvin, Will this leave a scar?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you trust the doctor?¡± Melvin nced at her, ¡°Stick to the diet, avoid what you must. Modern


    cosmetic medicine is advanced. What¡¯s a little scar to you?¡±


    Willow sniffled, hands sped tightly. ¡°Do you believe me?¡±


    ¡°Believe you about what?¡±


    ¡°I was just discussing the script with the director. I¡¯m new, and I¡¯m joining the cast next month, so I was


    nervous. I wanted to talk about the character, but his wife barged in and started hitting me, using


    me of seducing her husband, Willow felt wronged, ¡°But I didn¡¯t.¡±


    Seeing her teary, swollen eyes and the lips she bit to hold back her grief, Melvin suddenly remembered


    her before all this, strong and optimistic. He had never seen her cry back then.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need my belief right now, you need his wife¡¯s. Besides, you don¡¯t have to exin to me.


    Melvin checked the time again two in the morning.


    ¨C


    That woman was ying it so cool, not calling, not even texting to check in.


    She wasn¡¯t like this before. Did she really not care him anymore?


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    This thought furrowed Melvin¡¯s brow.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care how others see me; I only care about what you think. If you believe me, I¡¯m not afraid of


    anything, even if it¡¯s raining knives,¡± Willow reiterated her feelings.


    Melvin gave her a cold look, ¡°I have a girlfriend. Is it appropriate for you to say this to me now?¡±


    The pain in Willow¡¯s head was nothingpared to the ache in her heart.


    Tears streamed down her face, her lips quivered, and after a long while, she trembled, ¡°Girlfriend? Are


    you admitting she¡¯s your girlfriend?¡±


    Is there a problem?¡±


    Willow swallowed hard, in disbelief. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the guy who¡¯s always denied she¡¯s your girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°Senously? Do i have to shout it from the rooftops that she¡¯s my girl to make it official?¡± Melvin was


    running out of


    Chapte


    patience He stood up. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. You should get some rest.¡±


    ¡°Melvin Willow called out to him urgently.


    Melver looked at her with a frown. ¡°What now?¡±


    ¡°Can you stay with me? I¡¯m scared.¡± Willow was all vulnerable and cautious, a side of her that was


    rarely seen. She


    was just a littledy, one who usually hid behind a facade of toughness.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly.


    Willow looked at him, with tears misting her eyes. ¡°Please, stay with me.¡±

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 51


    Jocelyn was half asleep when the buzzing of her phone vibrating freaked her out a bit.


    She reached for her phone and answered groggily, ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Sleeping like a log?¡± The voice on the other end had a slightly creepy vibe.


    Jocelyn frowned, ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡±


    There was no answer.


    Something felt off to Jocelyn, and she forced her eyes open to squint at the screen. Seeing that


    number sent a jolt through her, and instantly she was almost awake.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± she said, still with her eyes closed, but her brain was now in full gear.


    A call in the dead of night? This dude was up to no good.


    Melvin said, ¡°I¡¯m giving you ten minutes. Get to the hospital now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sick. Why the heck would I go to the hospital? No way.


    Jocelyn! Melvin was getting ticked off.


    Jocelyn snorted, Yelling won¡¯t help. What? Expecting me toe and catch you and Willow getting all


    lovey¨Cdovey? That would be the real sickness.


    Melvin was seething.


    Why won¡¯t this woman get a clue? She used to care so much about him hanging out with Willow, and


    now she couldn¡¯t care less that he and Willow were at the hospital in the middle of the night?


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to get a little jealous, you know, like a girlfriend? Melvin was thankful he was


    young and healthy, otherwise she¡¯d have given him an aneurysm by now.


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes snapped open again, shimmering with light.


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    She pursed her lips, got the hint from his words, cleared her throat, and sounded a bit more normal,


    ¡°Girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you one more chance. Ten minutes. Now. Immediately!¡± With that, Melvin hung up.


    Jocelyn looked at the phone screen and chuckled.


    The hospital finally looked a bit more like its usual self in the dead of night¨Cless crowded, less chaos.


    Jocelyn, all perked up, headed to the ward and knocked on the door.


    It was Melvin who opened it.


    Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, but Melvin red at her, annoyed at how slow she was.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± The voice of Willow came from inside, sounding a tad weak this time.


    Jocelyn, arms filled with flowers and fruit, which was pretty thoughtful considering the time, bumped


    shoulders with Melvin and walked in, ¡°Willow, it¡¯s me.¡±


    Seeing Jocelyn, Willow turned gloomy immediately. Her gaze shifted to Melvin, standing behind


    Jocelyn, and that twisting pain in her heart returned.


    Did he call her over on purpose to embarrass her and add to her distress?


    ¡°No need to go out of your way thiste, Willow said, maintaining her politeness but with a frosty tone.


    Jocelyn set the flowers and fruit basket on the table, ¡°I was nning to visit you when the sun was up,


    but


    Melvin insisted Ie now. Sorry if I disturbed your rest.¡±


    Willow knew what Melvin was up to; he just didn¡¯t want to be alone with her, right?


    Im fine here. You can go back,¡± Willow said, ¡°It¡¯s enough that Melvin is here.¡±


    Jocelyn had to admire Willow¡¯s persistence, even in this state, she still wanted Melvin to herself.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t beat around the bush, ¡°Alright, rest up. I¡¯m heading out then.¡±


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    As soon as Willow finished, Melvin chimed in, ¡°I¡¯ll take you home.¡±


    *No need. You stay here and take good care of Willow. She¡¯s pretty pitiful all alone here,¡± Jocelyn was


    the picture of magnanimity, ¡°I¡¯ll just grab a cab.¡±


    Melvin red, ¡°I said, I¡¯m taking you home!¡±


    The more he insisted, the better Jocelyn felt.


    She had figured things out that most worries were self¨Cmade, especially in rtionships. The more she


    cared, the harder it got.


    Lately, she¡¯d lightened up, not feeling as tied down anymore, and everything seemed brighter.


    ¡°Really, it¡¯s okay,¡± Jocelyn said, staring into his brooding eyes with a gentle smile, the picture of


    understanding, ¡°I can manage on my own.¡±


    She was turning him down.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, and he dragged her out of the room, mming the door behind


    them. Willow stared nkly at the door.


    Did he really not want to be with her that badly?


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Jocelyn asked as he pulled her into the emergency stairwell. The lights flicked


    on because of their presence, and the heavy door shut, leaving them in silence.


    Melvin pinned her against the wall, ¡°What¡¯s your game?¡±


    ¡°What did I do now?¡± Jocelyn was exasperated, ¡°Isn¡¯t giving you some space okay?¡±


    ¡°Now you just couldn¡¯t care less about me.¡± Melvin was finally tasting that feeling of indifference.


    Before, if he wasn¡¯t home or was out, she¡¯d always call or text to check on him. Buttely, she


    genuinely seemed not to give a damn.


    He¡¯d been with Willow at the hospital for ages, and she was still cool as a cucumber at home.


    And now she was ready to leave just like that, generously handing him over to Willow like passing on a


    toy. Did she really get sharing on such a deep level?


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this what you wanted?¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t quite get why he was suddenly bringing this up, ¡°I mean, I


    can¡¯t exactly keep tabs on you, can I? Even if we were married, guys don¡¯t like being nagged.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that crap,¡± Melvin¡¯s grip tightened on her waist, and he growled, ¡°Keep a close eye on


    YOUR man!¡± Jocelyn blinked, then bit her lip to suppress a giggle.


    Melvin frowned, ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°Just thinking you¡¯re kind of a jerk.¡± Jocelyn reached up to touch his face, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be like this.


    Melvin grabbed her hand, ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re up to.¡±


    And what would that be?¡±


    ou want to distance yourself from me, to hook up with that guy,¡± Melvin pinched her chin, tilting it up


    slightly, each word deliberate, ¡°Forget about it.¡±


    Jocelyn found it hrious that he was getting all possessive and jealous. She hadn¡¯t noticed this petty


    side of him before.


    Leaning against the wall, she looked at him with a smirk, ¡°Do you realize you¡¯re acting just like


    someone who¡¯s fallen hard for me?¡±


    His hand on her chin stiffened, and for a moment, his eyes betrayed a flicker of panic. Jocelyn chuckled


    softly. Melvin let go of her, his words a bit forced, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m in love¡­ with you.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s cheeks flushed as she yfully pounded on his chest.


    ¡°Listen up, don¡¯t go ying Mr. Generous with me,¡± Melvin said, firmly holding her hand. ¡°y it a bit


    stingy for once and stick with me.¡±


    ¡°You really don¡¯t want to be alone with your ex, huh? Poor thing¡¯s hurt,¡± Jocelyn tried to shake him off,


    but he had an iron grip.


    Melvin¡¯s grip only tightened. ¡°Cut the sarcasm. Let¡¯s go home.¡±


    Jocelyn was dragged out through the emergency exit. He let go of her hand, then pushed open


    Willow¡¯s hospital room door, walked over, and said in a frosty tone, ¡°Get some rest. I¡¯m out.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not staying with me?¡± Willow nced towards the door.


    Melvin replied indifferently, ¡°You¡¯re a woman, so you know how petty women get. If I don¡¯t head back


    now, I might as well not have a home to return to.¡±


    Seriously?


    Outside, Jocelyn thought, ¡°ming it all on me? What a shameless move!¡±


    Willow gave an awkward smile, ¡°Jocelyn¡¯s got a tight leash on you.¡±


    Jocelyn thought to herself, ¡°If only I could lock this door from the outside, I¡¯d trap them both in there


    without a second thought.¡±


    Then she heard Melvin say, ¡°She¡¯s got a bit of a possessive streak.¡±


    Jocelyn felt like vomiting blood.

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 52


    On the way back, Jocelyn felt a bit bloated in the chest and kept throwing nces at Melvin.


    Melvin touched his face, ¡°Is there something on my face?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t tell how thick your skin is,¡± Jocelyn fumed.


    ¡°If I had spent the whole night at the hospital, you gonna tell me you wouldn¡¯t have any thoughts about


    it?¡± Melvin was cocky.


    Jocelyn snorted, ¡°Not really.¡±


    ¡°Seems like all you¡¯ve got left is a tough mouth.¡±


    ¡°By saying that, Willow¡¯s gonna see me as the enemy, right?¡± Jocelyn red at him. ¡°A woman¡¯s


    jealousy is scary stuff. You trying to get me killed?¡±


    Melvin raised an eyebrow, ¡°It¡¯s precisely because of that jealousy that I called you toe get me, so


    you can take me away yourself.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re talking nonsense.¡±


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Am I not just stating the facts?¡± Melvin challenged her. ¡°Spending a night in the same room with her,


    you¡¯re really not gonna be jealous?¡±


    Jocelyn turned her head away, ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°A teacher shouldn¡¯t be saying one thing and thinking another. Lying¡¯s not a good trait.¡± At a red light,


    Melvin stopped the car and reached for Jocelyn¡¯s chest.


    Jocelyn jumped, ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    Melvin deadpanned, ¡°Just checking if your heart rate goes up when you lie.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    ¡°Let me tell you, if Willow takes out the anger from what you said today on me, I¡¯m holding you


    responsible!¡± Jocelyn warned him.


    Melvin coolly replied, ¡°She won¡¯t do anything to you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s underestimating a woman¡¯s jealousy,¡± Jocelyn nced at the man seemingly unaware that he


    was the spark. ¡°If she didn¡¯t care about you, it might be no big deal. But obviously, she does care.¡±


    Melvin stayed silent.


    Jocelyn looked straight ahead, ¡°Let me ask you something. She came back to you and wanted to get


    back together, and why won¡¯t you agree? She¡¯s beautiful and well¨Cknown, has a great figure and a


    good rep. You two would be a power couple, a match made in heaven.¡±


    ¡°Do you really want me to be with her?¡± Melvin shot back coldly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not about what I want. It¡¯s about why you¡¯re not with her.¡±


    ¡°Why should I be with her?¡±


    Jocelyn said, ¡°Because she¡¯s dazzling, and you two are a good match.¡±


    Melvin snorted, ¡°I think I¡¯m a better match with you.¡±


    Jocelyn rolled her eyes, ¡°Be serious.¡±


    I am serious.


    Knowing she couldn¡¯t get anything out of him about his feelings for Willow, did that mean the past hurt?


    When they reached her apartment building, Jocelyn mmed the car door and prepared to leave.


    ¡°Stop right there!¡± Melvin got out of the car casually and locked it.


    Jocelyn turned around, ¡°What now?¡±


    Melvin grabbed her hand and pulled her inside.


    In the elevator, Jocelyn eyed him, ¡°You should have stayed with her at the hospital.¡±


    Melvin gripped her hand tighter, ¡°Enough.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this me showing concern for you?¡± Jocelyn lied through her teeth.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re so concerned, thenter you can take good care of me.¡± Melvin¡¯s cheeky gaze made


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart start to race. He was up to no good.


    Once inside the apartment, Melvin spotted beer bottles and used barbecue skewers on the table. He


    turned to her, ¡°Living the high life, huh?¡±


    ¡°Sure am. You¡¯d know how it feels to be left hanging if, halfway through the night, your woman


    suddenly gets a call and bolts.¡± Jocelynined sweetly.


    Now that he hade back, she had to let him know how pissed she was.


    Melvin was in the wrong. He wrapped his arms around her waist, ¡°Make it up to you?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, not interested anymore.¡± Jocelyn removed his hand and headed for the bedroom, ¡°You¡¯re on the


    couch.¡±


    She closed the door behind her, but Melvin squeezed through the crack, forcing the door open, and


    entered. Jocelyn backed away, wary, ¡°What now?¡±


    ¡°Sleep.¡± Melvin started undressing and took off his belt, his pants sliding down his long, straight legs,


    not caring about his image at all.


    Just a pair of briefs concealing the essentials, his body was an eye¨Ccatcher.


    As Melvin stripped off thest piece of clothing and headed to the bathroom, Jocelyn caught a glimpse


    of his pert, firm, sexy backside.


    Blushing, Jocelyn looked down and covered her mouth to hide her inner turmoil.


    The sound of water filled the room, and Jocelyn sighed helplessly.


    ncing at the clock, she found it was already 4:20 AM.


    She changed clothes andy down on the bed, soon hearing rustling sounds.


    The bed dipped as a warm, broad chest pressed against her back; she pretended to be asleep.


    Melvin kissed her shoulder, stirring her.


    Jocelyn acted as if she knew nothing, unresponsive and still.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a flight at 10 AM tomorrow; you sure you want to give me the cold shoulder?¡± Melvin knew she


    was faking sleep, her whole body tense.


    Jocelyn kept her eyes shut, still unresponsive.


    Melvin got tough, flipped her over, and pinned her down to kiss her lips. The passionate kiss made


    Jocelyn unable to keep up the act.


    She bit down on his tongue, her eyes wide and round.


    Melvin winced in pain, his speech muffled, ¡°Tough cookie. Let go!¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to y his game, so she let go.


    ¡°You¡¯re driving me to the airport tomorrow. Melvin spoke seriously, but his hands were up to no good.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t stay indifferent; she felt like melting, ¡°Go by yourself.¡±


    Tm away for a week, so you sure you don¡¯t cherish our time together?¡± Melvin¡¯s kisses covered her,


    light and heavy too heavy might leave marks, too light and she might go off flirting with someone else.


    Just sitting or standing there quietly, she was tempting.


    Jocelyn gasped, her body responding to his touch, ¡°I wish you¡¯d go and nevere back¡­¡±


    Suddenly, Jocelyn let out a cry.


    Melvin was clearly giving her a taste of her own medicine, his voice was hoarse with a touch of


    revenge, ¡°So if I don¡¯te back, you¡¯ll go looking for another guy?¡±


    ¡°As if you wouldn¡¯t be out there chasing other girls. Melvin¡­¡± Jocelyn¡¯s eyes were misting up. She


    clung to his back for dear life, gripping him as if she wanted to tear him apart.


    Melvin was quite pleased with her current look ¨C pissed off but clearly loving the thrill he was giving her.


    She was totally hooked on him.


    Just like he was addicted to her too.


    Melvin nibbled on her ear, whispering like a siren¡¯s call, ¡°You¡¯re the only girl for me. Just stay good, and


    you¡¯ll be the only one!¡±


    Jocelyn shrugged her shoulders, melting even further at his rare disy of sweet nothings, her whole


    body turning to putty in his hands.


    She wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes sparkled, her gaze sultry, her lips full and sexy, her


    mind a bit all over the ce as the words tumbled out, soft and coy, ¡°Melvin.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Melvin responded with passion, his whole being like a wave, crashing against Jocelyn again


    and again.


    The words Jocelyn wanted to say were lost to his movements, her hands gripping his back tightly,


    riding the waves of pleasure he brought.

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 53


    Aftering to her senses, Jocelyn was sprawled all over him, panting for breath.


    Melvin¡¯s hand caressed her back, nting asional kisses on her shoulder, ¡°What did you want to


    say just now?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You called out for me. Didn¡¯t you want to say something?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t lift her head. She wanted to say that she loved him.


    The two of them were quite something. No matter how engrossed or passionate they were, they never


    dropped the ¡°L¨Cbomb.¡±


    Every time they got it on, it was serious business. They were totally immersed in feeling each other¡¯s


    body heat, chatting too, but it was all about whether it felt good or what they craved.


    Pillow talk was about thefort of positions and the intensity, never really about the heart.


    ¡°I wanted to say, I love you.¡± Jocelyn felt like those words were stuck in her throat, she couldn¡¯t find


    peace.


    Melvin looked up at her, ¡°You want more?¡±


    Jocelyn let out a long, deep sigh. She wasn¡¯t too bummed out; it was all expected.


    ¡°Tired, wanna sleep.¡± She rolled off him.


    Melvin sat up, lit a cigarette, and seeing her back turned to him, he said, ¡°Drive me tomorrow.¡±


    ¨Ó


    ¡°My driving sucks. Maybe you should get Zephyr to take you.¡± She really doubted her driving skills,


    afraid she couldn¡¯t get him to his destination on time.


    ¡°Get up early, and drive slow.¡± Melvin was dead set on her taking him.


    Jocelynzily retorted, ¡°Don¡¯t wanna.¡±


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Melvin took a fierce drag. ¡°I¡¯ve put my life in your hands, and you don¡¯t want it?¡±


    Who asked for his life anyway?


    It would be a real hoot if he had the guts to say that when it actually came down to life or death.


    Bright and early the next day, Melvin woke Jocelyn up.


    ¡°What time is it?¡± Jocelyn, still groggy, could barely open her eyes.


    Melvin¡¯s hand was stirring under the covers, ¡°Seven o¡¯clock.¡±


    ¡°Stop it, I need to sleep some more.¡± Jocelyn tried to stop his hand.


    ¡°No more sleep.¡± Melvin whispered in her ear, his breath warm, ¡°I won¡¯t be back for a week.¡±


    Jocelyn turned her head away, annoyed, ¡°Mhm.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll miss me.¡± Melvin wasn¡¯t stopping anytime soon; he was already on top of her, kissing


    her lips, ¡°Onest time. Give it to me.¡±


    He was straightforward, not taking no for an answer, and just took her.


    Jocelyn¡¯s hand wed at his back fiercely, her throat let out an unprepared cry.


    Whether it was the rush or the thrill, it was over in just a matter of minutes for Melvin.


    Jocelyn¡¯s sleepiness was totally disrupted, and she suddenly bit down hard on his shoulder,


    while


    ot letting go for a


    Melvin just let her bite.


    Trying to leave a mark on me?¡± He asked in a husky voice.


    Jocelyn tugged at the flesh on his shoulder, her eyes filled with resentment, ¡°Were you trying to kill me


    with that rough ride?


    Melvin lifted the covers to check, and Jocelyn, embarrassed, quickly pulled them back over, ¡°What are


    you doing?¡±


    *Just checking.


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    How could he be so shameless?


    Melvin asked seriously, ¡°Does it hurt?¡±


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Jocelyn red at him.


    ¡°It¡¯s supposed to hurt.¡±


    Jocelyn knew he wasn¡¯t the tender type, but this heartlessment was a first.


    Yet Melvin seemed quite pleased with himself, ¡°It¡¯s my keepsake for you.¡±


    Jocelyn, irritated, reached out to grab him, but Melvin was quick, hopping out of bed, ¡°If you¡¯d caught


    my dick just now, I¡¯d be done for, and your fun times would be over.¡±


    ¡°My fun isn¡¯t only from you.¡± Jocelyn really wanted to throttle this man, see if he would still be so


    insensitive.


    Melvin narrowed his eyes, One carrot for one hole; I¡¯ve imed yours, others won¡¯t fit.¡±


    ¡°Shameless!¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to banter with him; she just pulled the covers over her head.


    #


    ¡°About time to get up. Melvin said, ¡°Have some breakfast, then it¡¯s off to the airport.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s muffled voice came from under the covers, ¡°Whoever loves you can drive you.


    Jocelyn, driving a car worth millions, was nervously making her way to the airport parking lot, managing


    to arrive without a hitch..


    Just as they parked, Melvin unbuckled his seat belt, ¡°Practice some more, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Jocelyn got out, mmed the car door, and handed him the keys.


    ¡°What are these for?¡±


    ¡°For you to drive when you get back.


    ¡°Parking here costs seventy or eighty for a day. Do you think it¡¯s free?¡± Melvin said, ¡°Drive it back


    yourself. Just don¡¯t hit anyone.


    day. Jocelyn rolled her eyes at the mention of parking fees, scoffing at how he could even bring up the


    few bucks a


    seemed like a microphone. Not far away, a couple was heading their way, a man carrying some


    equipment, and a woman with what


    As soon as they spotted them, the two hurried over, the woman greeting them, ¡°Hi, we¡¯re doing a street


    interview about farewells and reunions at the airport. Got two minutes to spare?¡±


    Jocelyn was indifferent; she even felt like taking part in the interview.


    ncing at Melvin, he just pulled Jocelyn behind him, stone¨Cfaced, ¡®Not avable.¡± He led Jocelyn


    towards the elevator, and seeing the two trying


    couldn¡¯t catch up.


    In the elevator, Jocelyn nced at the man¡¯s sour face, Are you camera shy or just don¡¯t want to be


    seen with me?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to film about this stuff?¡± Melvin had already let go of her hand, his eyes icy.


    Jocelyn looked down at her toes, ¡°Willow is the face of the jewelry brand, you¡¯re the boss, and you¡¯ll


    have to be in the same frame eventually. Can you avoid it then?


    Melvin gave her a nce, ¡°Don¡¯t make me leave angry


    At those words, Jocelyn¡¯s heart sank


    She admitted she was picking a fight on purpose, but she couldn¡¯t help thinking that way.


    ¡°Fine. Jocelyn had nothing more to say.


    Melvin frowned, ¡°Don¡¯t make a scene


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± Jocelyn sped her hands behind her back, lifted her face, raised her eyebrows, and smiled


    at him, ¡°I¡¯m perfectly calm.¡±


    Melvin wasn¡¯t fooled, he eyed her, ¡°Stop smiling, it¡¯s hideous


    Jocelyn was speechless


    He didn¡¯t go to the departure lounge, just stood outside with her.


    Suddenly, an idea popped up, and he awkwardly asked. ¡°You¡¯re not doing anything anyway, wanna


    come with


    me?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Jocelyn was taken aback, thinking she had heard wrong.


    Melvin turned his face away, ¡°It¡¯s nothing


    Jocelyn looked at him, a yful smile tugging at her lips, ¡°Did you just, like, ask me to join you on your


    business trip?¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t wanna go, forget I asked. Melvin didn¡¯t feel like borating.


    Jocelyn bit her lip, her mood lifting a bit, ¡°Is it still possible to snag a ne ticket now?¡±


    Melvin didn¡¯t reply, just whipped out his phone and checked, his eyebrows knitting slightly.


    Jocelyn leaned in to peek at his phone screen, and in a slightly theatrical tone said, ¡°Oh no, looks like


    there are no seats left.


    Melvin put away his phone, ¡°Guess it¡¯s just not your lucky day.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not worthy. Jocelyn said with a sarcastic twist.


    Melvin looked at her sideways, ¡°Can¡¯t you speak nicely for once?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t curse and I wasn¡¯t rude, so how was I not speaking nicely?¡± Jocelyn retorted.


    Melvin was speechless.


    After a while, Melvin asked again, ¡°Do you really want to go with me?¡±

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 54


    Jocelyn was standing by Melvin¡¯s side, pondering seriously, then replied, ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t feel like it.¡±


    Melvin turned to her, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°What am I supposed to do when you¡¯re off on a business trip?¡±


    She had thought it through. She couldn¡¯t always dance to his tune.


    You can¡¯t spoil men too much, give them an inch and they¡¯ll take a mile.


    If she came running every time when he just snapped his fingers, what would that make her?


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wanted to hang out with me?¡±


    ¡°Is that your idea of hanging out?¡±


    Tll have time for you once I¡¯m done with work.¡±


    ¡°No thanks,¡± Jocelyn cut him off decisively.


    Melvin was puzzled; she had seemed thrilled when they were talking about buying ne tickets for her


    just moments ago. How had she changed her mind so quickly?


    Jocelyn nced at the clock, ¡°You¡¯d better hurry up and go through the security check, don¡¯t miss your


    flight.¡± ¡°Are you shooing me away?¡±


    Jocelyn pulled a shocked face, ¡°Hey, what if you miss your flight? I¡¯m looking out for you, okay?¡±


    Melvin huffed, ¡°You¡¯d better be.¡±


    ¡°Or what?¡±


    Just then, Jocelyn¡¯s phone rang.


    She had a nce at it; it was a voice call from Harrison, and at that moment, she suddenly felt a bit


    guilty. From where he stood, Melvin could clearly see the name of the man calling her, his eyes


    narrowing, hooking onto Jocelyn, waiting to see how she¡¯d exin next.


    Jocelyn hung up the call right away, then texted back. [What¡¯s up? It¡¯s not convenient for me to answer


    the call right now.]


    ¡°Not convenient?¡± Melvin¡¯s voice was icy as it reached her ears, ¡°Howe?¡±


    Jocelyn shoved her phone back into her bag with a forced smile, ¡°It¡¯s too noisy here, not a good ce


    to answer the call.¡±


    Jocelyn¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, her phone pinged again.


    It was just a Facebook notification sound, but Melvin with his acute ears even caught that in the noisy


    environment.


    He said coldly, ¡°Someone¡¯s messaged you on Facebook


    ¡°Huh? No, that can¡¯t be, Jocelyn didn¡¯t even look at her phone.


    ¡°Jocelyn!¡± Melvin called her out, his patience wearing thin.


    opened Facebook. Scared that he¡¯d lose his mind, and also because she had nothing to hide, Jocelyn


    took out her phone and


    It was Harrison.


    All he said was that he had nothing much to say, just that he was heading back today and was on his


    way to the airport. He wanted to say goodbye to Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn remembered Harrison had mentioned he was leaving today.


    She was about to reply when Melvin snatched her phone.


    ¡®Hey! Give it back to me Jocelyn tried to grab it, but she was no match for his height and strength.


    Melvin, holding her phone, went ahead and deleted Harrison from her Facebook contact.


    This was something he had wanted to do for a while.


    ¡®You. Jocelyn red at him, ¡°Why did you delete my friend?¡±


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°As a man, I know very well he¡¯s got his eye on you.¡± Melvin handed her phone back, ¡°You¡¯re better off


    not keeping in touch with him.¡±


    Jocelyn was fuming. ¡°You¡¯re way out of line!¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah? You have a thing for him? You want to y around with him once I leave?¡± Melvin squinted,


    ¡°Or is he your backup boyfriend?¡±


    Jocelyn was about to explode with rage. She took a deep breath, afraid she might lose her cool and


    cause a scene right there.


    Her fists clenched tight; she couldn¡¯t suppress her anger, ¡°You¡¯re really disrespectful. You delete my


    friend just because I received a message from him. Then what about Willow calling you at midnight?


    Why did you just leave for her?¡±


    There¡¯s nothing between us.


    ¡°And that¡¯s exactly the same with Harrison and me!¡± Jocelyn was livid.


    Melvin stared her down, ¡°You said you have no feelings for that guy? Look how mad you are right now.¡±


    Jocelyn felt like she was talking to a wall. His word wasw, everyone else¡¯s was just excuses.


    She was drained and speechless.


    Sometimes, this man was just too domineering, too stubborn.


    ¡°Fine. Whatever you say goes. Have a safe trip. With that, she turned and walked away.


    Melvin nced at the time; he really needed to get through the security check.


    Looking back at her resolute departure, he cursed under his breath, and finally moved on to the


    security check. Jocelyn stepped outside and took out her phone to try and add Harrison back on


    Facebook. It would be super awkward if he messaged her but get a ¡°You are not friends with this


    person¡± response.


    Then a ck car pulled up to the curb, and the person in the passenger seat got out to greet someone


    inside. This was just a drop¨Coff area, and most people were in a hurry, just saying hello and leaving.


    Jocelyn?¡± Harrison looked at her, surprised.


    At the sound of his voice, Jocelyn immediately looked up, ¡°Oh Harrison, you were so quick!¡±


    doing here?¡± ¡°Yeah. I was in the car when I messaged you.¡± Harrison looked both surprised and


    delighted, ¡°What are you


    Jocelyn, not wanting to get into it, gave a forced smile, ¡°Just saw off a friend.¡±


    I see. Harrison checked the time, ¡°My flight¡¯s at noon, so I¡¯ve got some time. Want to have a coffee


    somewhere?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    They headed to a caf¨¦ near the airport, and coincidentally ran into the same two people from the


    underground parking lot doing interviews.


    After wrapping up with another couple, they turned to find a new subject and spotted Jocelyn and


    Harrison.


    Jocelyn and Harrison both looked gentle and intellectual, exuding a schrly vibe that made them a


    beautiful sight to behold.


    ¡°Sorry to bother you, we¡¯re doing a street interview. This episode¡¯s theme is about farewells and


    reunions at the airport. Could we take a few minutes of your time to ask some questions?¡± The female


    host didn¡¯t recognize Jocelyn and waited sincerely for their response.


    Jocelyn nced at Harrison, who had seen these street interviews before and appreciated these as a


    form of


    art.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay with me,¡± Harrison said amiably.


    Remembering Melvin¡¯s earlier annoying behavior, Jocelyn decided to get back at him and also agreed,


    ¡°Me too.¡± The camera focused on them, and the host passed the microphone, ¡°What¡¯s your


    rtionship?¡±


    Jocelyn and Harrison exchanged a nce, ¡°Friends.¡±


    ¡°So, what do you guys think is more appropriate for a farewell at the airport. A hug or a kiss?¡± Jocelyn


    didn¡¯t expect such a blunt question right off the bat.


    She replied, ¡°Well¡­ It depends.¡±


    Harrison nodded in agreement.


    Jocelyn exined, ¡°If they are a couple or lovers, a kiss would do. If just friends, a hug would be


    enough.¡± Harrison nodded again.


    ¡°The two of you seem like a perfect match. Any chance of a romantic rtionship?¡± The hostess was


    really impressed by their good looks. The man was wearing half¨Crim sses and had that schrly


    handsome vibe, looking just like a gentleman straight out of a novel.


    Thedy was stunning, too. Her features under the camera¡¯s gaze were wless. If she were in


    showbiz, even without any acting chops or talent, she¡¯d be very popr.


    Jocelyn was taken aback, ¡°Does this have something to do with your interview topic?¡±


    ¡°Totally. Couples at the airport are either parting ways for good or reuniting after a long time apart.


    There¡¯s bound to be some emotional moments.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    just friends.¡± Harrison chuckled, ¡°I¡¯d love to have a serendipitous encounter with her, but she¡¯s already


    had a boyfriend. We¡¯re


    Harrison¡¯s candid exnation won people over, and the hostess didn¡¯t investigate any further.


    After a few moremon questions, they were free to go.


    Who knew our little encounter would seem like a match to others, Harrison said, trying to ease any


    embarrassment for Jocelyn.


    their own story. Jocelyn forced a smile and shook her head, ¡°Inmon mindset, a man and a woman


    together usually have


    Harrison agreed, ¡°Your friend¡¯s already boarded the flight?¡±


    suppose so, Jocelyn replied nonchntly.


    Melvin was just insufferable. This morning, his persistence was like another personality living inside


    him, then


    he almost picked a fight with her at the aport. If he acted like this with another woman, he¡¯d probably


    have been dumped ages ago.


    It was her own damn fault, falling for such a maniac.

 Chapter 55

    Chapter 55


    Jocelyn and Harrison were chilling at a coffee shop, and Jocelyn was kind of squirming about how to


    ask for his Facebook ID.


    She had peeped his profile before, and it looked like his mobile number.


    ¡°What¡¯s your number?¡± Jocelyn asked, ¡°Let¡¯s swap our phone numbers. So it would be easier to keep


    in contact for us.


    ¡°What¡¯s yours? I¡¯ll hit you up,¡± Harrison took out his phone.


    Jocelyn rattled off her number, and in no time her phone rang.


    ¡°It¡¯s me.¡±


    Jocelyn nodded, saving his number, and then hopped onto Facebook and added him as a friend.


    Looked like he¡¯s clueless about being deleted previously.


    Sure enough, the friend request sailed through without a hitch.


    She let out a little sigh of relief.


    The two of them kept the convo light and breezy. Chilling with Harrison, Jocelyn felt like she was in her


    happy ce. His vibe was all kinds of good, like a cool summer breeze


    For a moment, Jocelyn thought Harrison¡¯s pretty dope.


    ¨C


    no stress but justfort.


    ¡°Excuse me, I need to take this call, Harrison grabbed his phone and answered. After hollering ¡°Mom¡±


    into the receiver, he was all draped in resignation.


    Jocelyn picked up on it ¨C the ssic matchmaking hustle.


    After hanging up, Harrison looked sheepish, ¡°Sorry.¡±


    ¡°I understand. At our age, getting the marriage nudge from parents is quitemon. They are out of


    good concerns, from their perspective,¡± Jocelyn totally got it.


    Harrison shook his head, an expression of helplessness, ¡°Mom¡¯s got me on lockdown. By year¡¯s end, I


    shall be at least engaged.


    Jocelyn¡¯s got sympathy for the guy; thankfully, her parents weren¡¯t breathing down her neck that hard.


    ¡°Then wish you meet your Miss Right and give your parents some peace of mind,¡± Jocelyn lifted her


    coffee for a


    toast.


    With a helpless grin, Harrison admitted, ¡°Can¡¯t deny they¡¯re out of good intentions. But finding true love


    is never easy, right? I don¡¯t want to settle because of age. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t still be single.¡±


    Jocelyn saw Harrison as this unspoiled, clear¨Csky kind of dude ¨C untainted by the mundane, steering


    clear of the peanut gallery. He had got his head in the game, living life on his own terms.


    ¡®T bet you feel the same,¡± Harrison said, eyes intent behind his sses.


    Jocelyn could rte, for sure. She raised her cup again, ¡°Yes, I do.


    Harrison cracked a smile.


    They¡¯re in the same leaky boat, it seemed.


    you next time. Nearing eleven, Harrison checked the time, ¡°It¡¯s been my pleasure to talk with you. But I


    have to leave now. See


    ¡°Parting¡¯s sweet sorrow and all that jazz,¡± Jocelyn stood up, grinned, and said, ¡°Looking forward to


    seeing you again.


    Chapter $5


    Harnson stood too, nudging his sses, and replied with a warm gaze, ¡°Same here.¡±


    Jocelyn walked him to the airport entrance and stopped there.


    Harrison took ast look back at Jocelyn as he headed to the security check.


    Jocelyn waved her hand with a smile.


    Suddenly, Harrison doubled back, facing her.


    ¡°We¡¯re friends, right?¡± Harrison asked, a bit cautious.


    Jocelyn nodded, ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡®Then¡­ Can I get a hug from you?¡±


    Jocelyn was a bit surprised.


    Is this a response to that street interview question?


    As Harrison waited, with a visible dimming behind his lenses, Jocelyn opened her arms wide, ¡°Of


    course.¡±


    They embraced, a simple act for their friendship.


    Deep down, everyone knew a goodbye might be thest.


    The world¡¯s vast, yet sometimes so small.


    Avoid a deliberate path cross, and it could be an eternal miss.


    Harrison breezed through the security check, waving to Jocelyn again. Then he¡¯s off, swallowed by the


    crowd.


    If Melvin had been gentler, she¡¯d probably be giving him a fiery farewell kiss today.


    But s, Melvin¡¯s not the warm¨Cand¨Cfuzzy type of guy.


    Later that night, the street interview videonded in Jocelyn¡¯s inbox. She watched her and Harrison¡¯s


    segment, and atst, it was their airport embrace.


    Thements below were all abuzz with ¡°What a stunning pair!¡± ¡°Are they not a couple?¡± ¡°This dude¡¯s


    a looker, got that vibe ¨C could totally y the suave viin, you agree?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t anyone think the girl¡¯s


    pretty too? Gentle and warm like a cozy light, so adorable.¡±


    Then came Harrison¡¯s Facebook message.


    [Caught the video? You¡¯re pretty photogenic.]


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    [You¡¯re looking sharp yourself]


    Jocelyn replied.


    It¡¯s unbelievable we¡¯d end up in the same frame.] Harrison mused.


    Jocelyn chuckled and replied. [Guess that¡¯s fate.)


    Harrison dropped an ¡°Mhm.¡±


    Then he added another line. [My blind date didn¡¯t go well.]


    That piqued Jocelyn¡¯s interest.


    Gossiping is human nature, right?


    {What happened? Looks or personality mismatch?]


    No sparks Could be friends, but nothing beyond.]


    found anyone who lit that spark?]


    [There is someone.)


    Jocelyn stared at the message, quickly replied, [Then go for her.]


    [She¡¯s taken.]


    Jocelyn sent over a ¡®bummed¡± emoji.


    Life¡¯s full of misses, but the real sting was fancying someone who¡¯s into someone else, and that


    someone wasn¡¯t you.


    Considering this, she thought she was on the lucky side.


    At least she was still caught up with her crush.


    Her phone screen flipped. There¡¯s that number.


    Jocelynint. Finally, this guy wrapped up his biz and gave her a ring.


    One word after his flight Landed.¡±


    And then, nothing more.


    ¨C


    She yed it cool before picking up the call, ¡°Hello, who¡¯s this?¡±


    Melvin took a sharp breath, ¡°You are doing this on purpose?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have your number saved.¡±


    ¡°Seriously?¡±


    Jocelyn smirked, ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you.


    Wow, that was a smooth talker..


    For a second, Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    ¡°Want toe visit me?¡± Melvin¡¯s voice was deep. ¡°I can snag you ater ticket.¡±


    Jocelyn was itching to go, but she couldn¡¯t. She didn¡¯t want to give him the impression that she was all


    too ready to drop everything for him.


    ¡®Nope. I promised my parents I¡¯d head home tomorrow and stay with them for a few days.¡± And that


    was the honest truth.


    On the other end of the line, silence fell,


    Jocelyn kept mum too. She couldn¡¯t juste running every time he crooked his finger, could she?


    She¡¯d wised up now.


    The deeper you nted those love seeds, the harder it would be to pull yourself awayter on.


    Melvin was a sworn bachelor, and she wasn¡¯t sure she had the chops to get him down the aisle. If he


    still wasn¡¯t looking to put a ring on it by the time she was 30, she couldn¡¯t just stick around, could she?


    She could be cool with not getting married, but what about her parents?


    As long as they were around, she couldn¡¯t just ignore what they expected.


    And even if you back up a mile, how many years can a lone wolf like Melvin keep feeling the heat for


    her? Once he loses interest in her, he¡¯s just gonna dust off his pants and hit the road, no strings to hold


    him back.


    Jocelyn too wanted to have a real romance, one that blooms and bears fruit, to spend a lifetime with


    someone. A lifetime with Melvin felt like a wild gamble, where she knew she¡¯d lose without even


    showing her hand.

 Chapter 56

    Chapter 56


    Melvin wasn¡¯t too pushy; he just wanted to wrap things up and head back home as soon as possible.


    That woman was getting a bit too full of herselftely and might just fell for someone else any minute


    now. He was thinking he¡¯d still grab a gift for her on his way back. That woman needs a little sweet¨C


    talking.. Right after hanging up, Willow sent him a Facebook message.


    (Melvin, check this out.]


    Below was a video.


    He wasn¡¯t into these short clips, but the thumbnail showed a familiar face, so he clicked with a stony


    expression.


    Thements all saying ¡®perfect match nearly drove him mad.


    The video ended with Jocelyn and some dude hugging it out like they couldn¡¯t bear to part, putting on


    quite the heart¨Cwrenching goodbye show.


    Ha, didn¡¯t even look back when she left him, now she¡¯s all lovey¨Cdovey with another guy.


    His once deep, affectionate eyes turned cold and menacing.


    Jocelyn went back to her parents¡® home.


    His father, Calvin still had work, so when Jocelyn had nothing to do, she¡¯d hang with her mom, stroll


    downstairs, and hit up the veggie market.


    ¡°Your dad told me a few days ago, that boss who visitedst time is nning to move him to some


    jewelrypany gig. Just needs to watch the monitors, no patrolling or door duty. Looks like the pay is


    better than his current job and shorter hours, more chill, Daisy rambled on.


    Jocelyn was clueless that Melvin wanted to switch jobs for her dad. Only after he¡¯d visitedst time


    when she questioned her dad did she find out thepany was nearly bust. Melvin had invested and


    became the major shareholder, saving her dad¡¯s job.


    ¡°Jocelyn, why¡¯s that new boss so keen on your dad? First, he saved his job, now a promotion and pay


    raise. Isn¡¯t it curious?¡± Daisy was skeptical. ¡°If your dad was a pretty young thing in his twenties, I¡¯d get


    it if someone fancied him, but he¡¯s an old man. How¡¯s hending such good fortune?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s gaze flickered. Of course she couldn¡¯t tell her mom the guy was into her, and she was the


    pretty young thing in question.


    ¡°Maybe he just appreciates how serious and responsible my dad is at work. Whether he changes jobs


    or not, it¡¯s up to my dad, Jocelyn wasn¡¯t for or against it.


    She just couldn¡¯t figure out why Melvin, who was so particr about keeping their rtionship from her


    family, would then promote her dad to the jewelrypany.


    Daisy waved it off, ¡°I¡¯m not fussy about it; let him decide. At his age, he shouldn¡¯t be chasing big


    money, just afy job till he retires is good enough.¡±


    Jocelyn agreed.


    The mother and daughter had just reached the building entrance when their neighbor Zelda, sporting


    freshly permed curis, approached them with a grin, ¡°I was wondering why Jocelyn wouldn¡¯t give my


    nephew a chance. Turns out she¡¯s got such a refined and handsome boyfriend. Nice catch!¡±


    Jocelyn was baffled.


    Abandoned?¡± Daisy was confused, ¡°What boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t know?¡± Zelda whipped out her phone, saying, ¡°Jocelyn, that¡¯s not cool. You said you


    were single to avoid your mom¡¯s nagging, but hiding such a catch from her?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind raced with the thought that her affair with Melvin had been exposed.


    That was impossible.


    Look, it¡¯s all over the web, Zelda showed Daisy the phone, smiling, ¡°Take a look. Isn¡¯t the future son¨C


    inw a sight for sore eyes?¡±


    Daisy took a close look, her eyes lighting up, ¡°Jocelyn, isn¡¯t that the professor?¡±


    ¡°A professor? That¡¯s quite a match, Zelda chuckled happily. ¡°So young and already a professor,


    Jocelyn¡¯s got good taste. Congrattions, Daisy, you can finally get rid of your worries


    As Daisy watched the two on the screen, she tuned out their chatter, reying the video once and once


    again. The more she watched, the more satisfied she was.


    ¡°Wow, we had no clue about this, Daisy tried to remain calm, not wanting to jump to conclusions and


    cause a stir, ¡°Let¡¯s not spread the word until they¡¯re sure, or it¡¯ll be embarrassing.¡±


    Zelda shrugged. pocketed her phone, and asked, Jocelyn, tell us the truth, is he your boyfriend?¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless. She didn¡¯t expect a random street interview would catch the attention of the


    neighborhood gossip like this.


    This was a real mix¨Cup.


    Zelda, you can¡¯t just jump to conclusion by what it seems; you have to listen to what we said. Friends,


    we are just friends,¡± Jocelyn patiently rified.


    Zeldaughed. ¡°Oh, you young folks and your airs and graces. Friends to lovers, it happens. We get it.


    Anyway, the guy¡¯s a good catch. Whether friends or more, you¡¯ve got to bring him by someday. I¡¯m


    waiting to celebrate at your wedding. I won¡¯t hold you up; off to y cards for me.¡±


    Zelda left with a grin before Jocelyn could give a detailed exnation.


    Jocelyn was deted. She looked at her mother, and Daisy was scrutinizing her too.


    ¡°Mom, Harrison and I are really just friends. Yesterday, I went to the airport to see off a friend, and I


    bumped into him. Then those street interviewers cornered us, asking questions. If you don¡¯t believe,


    you can watch the video yourselfter,¡± Jocelyn exined, feeling somewhat helpless under her


    mother¡¯s probing gaze.


    ¡°Does he have a girlfriend?¡± Daisy asked.


    Jocelyn replied, ¡°He was in such a hurry to leave because he¡¯s going home for a blind date.¡±


    Daisy¡¯s eyes lit up again, So, both unattached, why not give it a shot? Why don¡¯t you take the


    initiative?¡± Jocelyn forced a smile, ¡°Mom, can we not joke about this?¡±


    I¡¯m not wasting time joking with you. You¡¯re already for staying single so long in our neighborhood. I¡¯m


    not asking for a tall, rich, and handsome guy, just someone decent¨Clooking with good characteristics, is


    that too much?¡± Daisy was genuinely worried, ¡°Apparently I am not asking for the moon, right?¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t manage augh, ¡°Nope, not at all.¡±


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to date Harrison, but can you at least up your game and bring someone home for a


    spin?¡± Daisy wasn¡¯t usually so eager, but that video just hit her nerve.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m serious, Harrison and I are just friends,¡± Jocelyn¡¯s voice was tinged with frustration.


    straight ¡°Well, you could¡¯ve fooled me, Daisy retorted with a half¨Csmile. But seriously, we need to set


    the record


    Jocelyn finally understood why Melvin refused the interview ¨C it¡¯s a whole can of worms.


    Charter So


    Indeed, a guy with no strings attached is always the most level¨Cheaded.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Jocelyn was kind of at her wit¡¯s end, ¡°You know, I actually just met him while hanging out.


    Including yesterday, we haven¡¯t even hung out five times.¡±


    Daisy was taken aback for a second, ¡°Well, if that¡¯s how it is, then for sure, you gotta get to know him


    better. But isn¡¯t dating all about getting to know each other? Once you¡¯ve got a good grasp, you can


    move on to think about marriage. We¡¯re not rushing you to the finish line here, but you gotta give us a


    glimmer of hope, right? You don¡¯t expect me and your dad to kick the bucket without ever seeing you


    settled down with a decent family, do you?¡±


    ¡°Why mention this nonsense again? Both you and me are still young!¡± Jocelyn really didn¡¯t know what


    to say, ¡°If I find my Mr. Right, I¡¯ll bring him home without any question. I can¡¯t just nab someone if


    they¡¯re not the one, can


    1?¡±


    Seeing Jocelyn getting worked up, Daisy didn¡¯t want to push her buttons and get the opposite effect, so


    she nodded repeatedly, ¡°Alright, alright, we don¡¯t have to rush. Just keep it in mind, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Back at home, Jocelyn holed up in her room and watched that video over and over. Thements


    section was popping, most of them singing praises about her and Harrison.


    She was kinda worried. If the neighbors could see this video, what about other people?


    Would Melvin have seen it too?


    Probably not.


    With his personality, if he had seen that video, wouldn¡¯t he have called her up to give her a piece of his


    mind by now?


    Come to think of it, it¡¯s been days since hest messaged or called her.

 Chapter 57

    Chapter 57


    Melvin¡¯s week¨Clong business trip came around, and Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but give Melvin a call.


    No answer. She shot him a text asking when he¡¯d be back.


    While waiting for a reply, Jocelyn got a ring from Quinta.


    She¡¯d just arrived the train station of Yanova City.


    Jocelyn gave Daisy the heads¨Cup that she was off to pick up Quinta, and Dalsy was also surprised at


    her arrival.


    After picking up Quinta, Jocelyn was like, ¡°Quinta, you¡¯ve lost weight.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Quinta nced down at herself, ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°You definitely have,¡± Jocelyn nodded for sure, then patted her own waist, ¡°I¡¯ve packed on the pounds.¡±


    Quinta gave her a nce, ¡°You call this chubby? Do you even hit ny?¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head, ¡°Scared to step on the scale. But hey, what brought you here all of a sudden?¡±


    Quinta¡¯s vibe just dropped.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Jocelyn sensed something was off, holding Quinta¡¯s arm, and they headed toward


    the subway station together.


    ¡°I came to get a health check at the hospital, Quinta sighed, ¡°Damian¡¯s been talking about wanting a


    babytely, and it kinda freaks me out.¡±


    Jocelyn knew exactly what she was afraid of.


    Quinta had been pregnant before with her ex, but it was an ectopic pregnancy that nearly killed her.


    Any married woman would want her own kid, but after what Quinta had been through, her scare was


    totally understandable.


    Anyone would get the jitters hearing about things like nearly bleeding out on the operating table.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, just rest up today, and I¡¯ll go with you to the hospital tomorrow,¡± Jocelynforted her,


    ¡°Medicine¡¯s so advanced these days; they¡¯ll make it happen for you.¡±


    Quinta tried to smile it off, ¡°I¡¯ve talked to the hometown hospital before, and the doctor suggested IVF.


    I¡¯ve discussed it with Damian, and he¡¯s like, whatever it costs, as long as we can have a kid, it¡¯s cool.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t hee with you?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s swamped at work, couldn¡¯t get away,¡± said Quinta. ¡°I figured I¡¯d get checked first before we


    decide on IVF.¡± Jocelyn nodded, ¡°Cool.¡±


    The subway¡¯s always packed, so Jocelyn and Quinta had to stand all the way.


    Suddenly, someone was eyeballing Jocelyn, whispering her friend, and then cautiously approached to


    Jocelyn, ¡°Hey, weren¡¯t you in that street interview?¡±


    Jocelyn was taken aback, she didn¡¯t expect to be recognized from some random video.


    Sheughed it off shyly, ¡°Yeah, that was me.


    ¡°You look amazing in person. Are you sure you¡¯re not a celeb?¡± The girl was starstruck.


    Jocelyn felt awkward, ¡°Nah, just an ordinary gal


    ¦°


    ¡®But you¡¯re so pretty! And your boyfriend¡¯s a looker too, like really smart and talented! You two are a


    perfect match, the girl and her friend couldn¡¯t hide their excitement.


    Jocelyn was dumbfounded.


    Were they seriously shipping her?


    ¡°No, you¡¯ve got it wrong. We¡¯re just friends, for real,¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t expect the video to make such a


    ssh.


    ¡°Friends can turn into more, the girl was pumped, ¡°You two have to be a couple


    Finally, their stop came, and Jocelyn quickly ushered Quinta off the train.


    ¡°What¡¯s all this boyfriend talk?¡± Quinta was curious, ¡°Got a new boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Just a friend. Ran into him at the airport the other day and got into a street interview, now


    everyone¡¯s got it twisted,¡± Jocelyn couldn¡¯t believe the ripple effect.


    Quinta sensed Jocelyn wasn¡¯t fibbing. Seems like you¡¯re a good match. Oh, are you and Melvin really


    over?¡± ¡°Emm, Jocelyn really didn¡¯t know how tobel her thing with Melvin anymore.


    Broken up?


    How could you break up when you were never officially together?


    Worried about running into more subway¨Clike situations, Jocelyn just hailed a cab home.


    She quickly set Quinta straight, ¡°Don¡¯t mention me and Melvin to my mom, they¡¯re clueless.¡± ¡°Got it,¡±


    Quinta promised on the spot.


    Back at home, Daisy naturally brought up Quinta¡¯s visit, and Quintaid it out.


    All Daisy could do was assure her it¡¯d all work out fine.


    It¡¯s five o¡¯clock Calvin clocked out and came home


    H


    Dinner was ready to go, and as the family settled in, Calvin shared, ¡°Checked out thatpany today,


    pretty swanky. Their control room has its own bathroom and lounge, definitely a step up from my


    current gig. ¡°Uncle, younded a new job?¡± Quinta was intrigued.


    ¡°Yeah, my old boss wants me to join hispany, better pay, less hassle. He told me to think it over.


    So I took a peek today, and it¡¯s solid,¡± Calvin beamed, ¡°nning to make it official tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great,¡± Quinta grinned.


    ¡°Just today, I saw Mr. Martinez back in town with that big¨Ctime actress again. Reminded me of the time


    I saw her in his car. They¡¯re in and out together, probably the future Mrs. Martinez,¡± Calvin was feeling


    the gossip vibes.


    Jocelyn, on the other hand, caught the real news, Melvin was back?


    ¡°Mr. Martinez? Big¨Ctime actress?¡± Quinta asked, ¡°Uncle, where are you working now?


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s a jewelry brand, pretty fancy. That actress is Willow. She¡¯s a solid gal, pretty and talented. They¡¯re


    a good. match, Calvin was totally oblivious to his daughter¡¯s changing expression.


    Hearing this, Quinta looked at Jocelyn, who just smiled back to show she was fine.


    After dinner, Quinta followed Jocelyn to her room, shut the door, and grilled her about what she was


    really going on with Melvin. Were they truly done?


    ¡°He¡¯s with that actress, and you¡¯re not jealous?¡± Quinta couldn¡¯t fathom it, ¡°How can you just sit tight?¡±


    Jocelyn felt like there was a hollow pit in her chest, ultimately resigning to the situation, ¡°What can I do?


    You must have picked up on it from what my dad said today, he never intended to let our rtionship


    come to light rom the get¨Cgo.


    57


    ¡°What do you think, then? Just keep it under wraps forever? Be his caged bird?¡± Quinta shook her


    head, ¡°That¡¯s no good. What will you end up with? You might even get the tables turned on you by that


    woman, using you of stealing her man.¡±


    Jocelyn felt dizzy at the thought of this.


    He had said he would ask her to pick him up from the airport before his business trip, but he came back


    without a peep.


    He didn¡¯t answer calls or reply to texts. Secretly hoping it was all for a surprise, she ended up hearing


    the news that he and Willow wereing and going from thepany together.


    The most absurd part was that her dad was the one who found out.


    ¡°Jocelyn?¡± Quinta frowned, patting her shoulder, ¡°What are you nning to do?¡±


    Jocelyn bit her lip, shaking her head, ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°Giving up? Not even going to ask for an exnation?¡±


    ¡°It was never going tost with him anyway, and since he¡¯s made his choice, why shouldn¡¯t I just go


    with the flow?¡± Jocelyn took a deep breath, ¡°I¡¯m kind of over it too. The guessing, the suspicion, and the


    uncertainty, can¡¯t see any future with him.¡±


    Jocelyn bent over, covering her face for a moment, then looked up with a self¨Cdeprecatingugh,


    looking at Quinta with a bitter sigh, ¡°I don¡¯t even know how I got myself into this mess.

 Chapter 58

    Chapter 58


    The next day, Jocelyn tagged along with Quinta to the city hospital for a check¨Cup. There was a whole


    laundry list of things to get checked out, so there was no way they were gonna breeze through it


    quickly. All sorts of tests and reports consumed time to process.


    While Quinta was getting poked and prodded, Jocelyn stayed out in the waiting area.


    Only when you¡¯re actually in the thick of it will you realize just how many folks are itching to have a bun


    in the oven but can¡¯t seem to make it happen. It¡¯s mostly women flying alone here, barely a dude in


    sight.


    Jocelyn found it kind of heartbreaking.


    Having babies is a two¨Cperson gig, but somehow it always seems to fall back on thedies


    responsibility. Can¡¯t get pregnant? It¡¯s on the woman. Didn¡¯t give birth to a son? That¡¯s on her too. Kid¡¯s


    got a bad attitude? Guess who¡¯s fault that is. Bad grades? You guessed it. It¡¯s like the guys have


    nothing to do with it.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Sometimes, Jocelyn could totally get why Melvin wasn¡¯t keen on tying the knot.


    Sure, there are happy marriages out there. It¡¯s a fifty¨Cfifty shot. But who knows what your own marriage


    is gonna look like?


    It wasn¡¯t until the afternoon that Quinta got her hands on all her medical reports. One of her fallopian


    tubes was totally blocked, and the other was inmed, making it tough to get pregnant. Even if she did,


    the chances of an ectopic pregnancy were sky¨Chigh. The doctor suggested getting the tubes removed


    and going for IVF.


    Clutching the reports, Quinta sat down, trying her darnedest not to cry, but her eyes reddened anyway.


    She bit her lip, trying to fake some calm and shook her head at Jocelyn, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t truly get it, but she knew this hit Quinta like a ton of bricks.


    She gave her a gentle hug, choked up, ¡°Quinta, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s just surgery, right? I¡¯m here for you.¡±


    Quinta couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and just bawled into Jocelyn¡¯s arms.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but tear up too, with the sound of Quinta¡¯s muffled sobs.


    Hospitals are ground zero for tears. It¡¯s said that hospital walls have heard more heartfelt prayers than


    any church. People whoe here are praying for the best.


    After a while, Quinta dried her tears and let go of Jocelyn, ¡°I¡¯ll go ssh some water on my face.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Jocelyn waited by the door with Quinta¡¯s stuff.


    Suddenly, someone bumped into her, and the medical reports scattered everywhere. The person who


    bumped her seemed in a rush, muttered a quick sorry, and dashed off.


    Jocelyn was already feeling low, but what can you do in that situation? She squatted down to pick up


    the


    mess


    A pair of shiny shoes stopped in front of a report. Jocelyn reached out, picked it up, and looked up.


    The face above the shoes was not a happy one.


    Jocelyn gripped the reports tight, took a deep breath, and stood up. This was not the time for


    pleasantries. Might as well skip the hellos.


    She sidestepped, ready to find another ce to wait for Quinta.


    ¡°Gynecology check¨Cup?¡± Melvin had caught a glimpse of one of the reports but only saw the type of


    test, nothing else.


    Jocelyn stuffed everything into her bag and just gave him a smile, ¡°Yep.¡±


    Melvin squinted, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Jocelyn was polite.but distant, even taking a step back further.


    Melvin, picking up on her vibe, snorted coldly, eyeing Jocelyn, ¡°I underestimated you. You¡¯ve got quite


    the tolerance.


    Jocelyn looked at him puzzled, not getting his drift.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t there something you want to exin to me?¡± Melvin was losing his patience.


    Jocelyn frowned slightly, ¡°Exin what?¡±


    ¡°Ha. Melvin was pissed, especially seeing her innocent act. It just fueled his anger.


    No idea how she kept her cool like that.


    Suddenly, someone inside yelled, ¡°Family of Quinta! Is Quinta¡¯s family here?¡±


    Jocelyn was startled and hurried in, ¡°I¡¯m here!¡±


    ¡°Where did you run off to? She¡¯s fainted!¡± The nurse scolded Jocelyn, ¡°Hurry and take care of her.¡±


    Jocelyn rushed after the nurse to find Quinta on the emergency room bed, looking as pale as a ghost.


    ¡°Quinta!¡± Jocelyn panicked, touching her hand, which was cold.


    ¡°She¡¯s okay, just stressed out and a bit malnourished. Make sure she gets some rest at home,¡± the


    nurse advised.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Jocelyn sat by the bed, watching over Quinta. She thought she should let Quinta¡¯s husband know,


    since he was the one ought to be here after all.


    Better to say something now thanter. With such a big surgery, her brother¨Cinw couldn¡¯t possibly


    stay out of


    1. it.


    After hesitating, Jocelyn dialed her brother¨Cinw¡¯s number.


    It rang for ages before he picked up.


    ¡°Damian, it¡¯s Jocelyn.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Damian sounded even¨Ckeeled.


    Jocelyn gave him the lowdown on Quinta¡¯s situation, ¡°I mean, if you¡¯ve got the time, could you maybe


    take a day off to be with her?¡±


    There was a long silence on the other end before he responded, ¡°I¡¯m swamped at work, can¡¯t really get


    away. Jocelyn, could you please keep Quintapany? Talk her through this. Tell her not to stress so


    much. If it turns out she really can¡¯t have kids, then we¡¯ll just¡­ give up.


    Jocelyn understood his job situation and felt slightly reassured by his response.


    After hanging up, Jocelyn saw Quinta opening her eyes, ¡°Quinta, still feel dizzy?¡±


    Quinta shook her head slightly and sat up, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ?? ? ??? ? ??


    ¡°Rest a bit longer, we¡¯ll head hometer.¡± Jocelyn whispered, ¡°I went ahead and called Damian about


    your situation. He said not to stress. He wanted to be here with you, but he¡¯s tied up with urgent work.¡±


    Quinta managed a weak smile, her eyes still showing disappointment, ¡°I know.¡±


    Suddenly, Quinta looked past Jocelyn, ¡°Mr. Martinez.¡±


    Jocelyn was taken aback, remembering Melvin¡¯s still here.


    Turning around, there he was, staring at her coldly.


    Small world, huh? Bumping into him here.


    And it seemed like he wasn¡¯t about to let her off the hook easily.


    Funny, she wasn¡¯t even thinking about settling scores with him, yet here he was, acting like a debt


    collector.


    Jocelyn stood up, intending to shoo him away, and said nonchntly, ¡°I am not avable today. If you


    want to talk, let¡¯s do it tomorrow¡±


    Melvin had his hands stuffed in his pockets, squinting slightly, genuinely clueless about how she could


    act so entitled. It seemed like she wasn¡¯t the one who needed to exin herself; rather, it looked as if


    he was the one who had screwed up.


    ¡°Jocelyn, I¡¯m fine, really. Much better now. You need to talk with Mr. Martinez.¡± Quinta knew there was a


    misunderstanding between them, and if it wasn¡¯t cleared up, it would weigh on both their hearts.


    Jocelyn nced at Quinta, frowning, ¡°Talk with him? I don¡¯t think it¡¯s necessary.¡±


    Quinta mmed up, realizing it was a bad idea to try and mediate.


    Melvin watched Jocelyn, feeling a slow burn of anger inside. If they weren¡¯t in a hospital, he¡¯d definitely


    find a way to let off some steam with her.


    Seeing the situation, Quinta decided not to bother anymore.


    After resting for a bit, Jocelyn helped Quinta out of the hospital once she was sure there were no


    issues, with Melvin trailing behind them.


    Just as Jocelyn was about to hail a cab at the curb,pletely ignoring him, a ready driver, Melvin¡¯s


    voice came from behind, icy as hell, ¡°Do you think I¡¯m invisible or something?¡±

 Chapter 59

    Chapter 59


    In the car, the atmosphere was intense.


    Quinta had the urge to bail through the window a bunch of times. This dude¡¯s presence was freaking


    scary.


    No clue how Jocelyn put up with him, let alone dated him and even thought about marrying him.


    It would be a nightmare, for sure.


    Melvin was ying it cool as ice, not a word from him, and the atmosphere in the car felt like being


    trapped in a balloon sucked dry of oxygen. So freaking ufortable.


    Quinta nced at her cousin, Jocelyn, who seemed totally unbothered.


    When they hit a red light, Melvin¡¯s phone rang.


    He answered with a poker face, hooking it up to the car¡¯s Bluetooth.


    ¡°Where are you? I¡¯m already stitched up,¡± a familiar voice came through.


    Jocelyn¡¯s lips curled up a bit. She knew it! It was no coincidence; he was with Willow getting her


    stitches


    removed.


    Can¡¯t me them. If anyone¡¯s to me, it¡¯s her for showing up at that hospital.


    ¡°Heading home,¡± Melvin replied, icy as ever.


    ¡°Huh? Why¡¯d you leave? Weren¡¯t you gonna stick with me?¡± Willow¡¯s voice had that whiny charm.


    Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, gazing out the window. Seriously, she would be better off under a car than


    in this


    one.


    Quinta was holding her breath, feeling super awkward.


    ¡°Get home on your own. Bye.¡±


    No chance for a reply, he just hung up.


    Green light, and the car took off.


    That beast of a car sped up fast, leaving all the other cars in the dust. In no time, they reached the


    neighborhood where Jocelyn¡¯s parents lived.


    Jocelyn and Quinta got out. Melvin didn¡¯t, but he called after Jocelyn.


    ¡°Ten minutes. I¡¯ll wait,¡± he said. That non¨Cnegotiable tone made Jocelyn frown.


    She mmed the door shut without looking back.


    Finally away from the car, Quinta took a deep breath, ¡°His vibe is way too intense, nearly choked me


    out there.¡±


    Jocelyn admitted Melvin was intimidating when pissed, but she was ticked off too. Why should she put


    up with his attitude?


    ¡°Maybe you really should talk with him. He didn¡¯t seem all that into Willow; maybe they¡¯re just friends,¡±


    Quinta suggested, ¡®Better clear the air.¡±


    Climbing the stairs, Jocelyn muttered, ¡°Don¡¯t wanna talk. Just let it go.¡±


    Quinta watched her go.


    Jocelyn had always been a good girl in the family¡¯s eyes, but she had her own mind.


    Love is something outsiders can¡¯t fully get or feel.


    And Quinta had no ce telling Jocelyn what to do.


    15.128


    ¡°What if he just waits there?¡± Quinta was worried, ¡°Would be awkward if your dad spots him.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s face tensed at that.


    Gripping the railing tightly, she finally caved.


    ¡°Tell mom I got something on and won¡¯t be home tonight.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Quinta advised, ¡°Have a proper talk, no matter the oue, keep it graceful. If you really like


    him, don¡¯t let go easily.¡±


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Jocelyn nodded and headed back down the stairs.


    She approached the car, which was a rare sight in the neighborhood, and slid into the back seat.


    ¡°Come sit in the front,¡± Melvin said, not surprised at hering back.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t move. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna sit where someone else has been.¡±


    Melvin nced back at her, while Jocelyn looked out the window, stubborn as hell.


    The car drove off, passing Calvin who was just getting home from work on his bike.


    Calvin recognized the car. He was the head of security, surely he could tell it was his boss¡¯s car. But


    why in his neighborhood?


    He couldn¡¯t figure it out. He just pedaled on, humming to himself.


    Jocelyn saw her dad pause and look back, recognizing the car she was in.


    Her heart soured. Her aged dad was working for the owner of this car.


    Without herplicated rtionship with Melvin, it wouldn¡¯t be any wrong. But things between she and


    Melvin? It was totally a mess.


    They drove straight to Melvin¡¯s parking garage, and he locked the doors, not letting her out.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you gonna exin?¡± Melvin asked, eyeing her through the rear¨Cview mirror.


    Jocelyn met his gaze in the mirror.


    She scoffed, ¡°Me to exin? I was home waiting for your call all the time, ready to pick you up from the


    airport any second. But no calls, no texts. I even had to hear from my dad that you were back, hanging


    with Willow. Who do you think should be the exining one?¡±


    How could he even ask as if she was the wrong one?


    Melvin narrowed his eyes, Your cozy hug with that guy went viral; everyone saying you¡¯re a match


    made in heaven. Did you enjoy the praise? Did you think about how your man, me, would feel seeing


    that? If you cared about me even a bit, shouldn¡¯t you have exined right away?¡±


    Jocelyn froze. She knew it¡¯s possible for him to have seen the video. She thought he¡¯d confront her if


    he saw it, but he didn¡¯t. So sheforted herself that he might not know.


    ¡°Nothing to say now?¡± Melvin sneered, ¡°You couldn¡¯t wait to get away from me, and then you¡¯re all over


    another guy with interviews and goodbye hugs. Jocelyn, you really have some nerve.


    She felt guilty. She knew she shouldn¡¯t have, and now she was too lost for words.


    Now, any exnation seemed pointless.


    They sat in silence until Melvin pped the steering wheel, ring the horn and startling Jocelyn.


    ¡°Say something!¡± Melvin was barely holding back his anger.


    Jocelyn was frightened, eyes wide on him, thinking about bolting.


    Her hand reached for the door handle, but it wouldn¡¯t budge.


    ¡°What do you want me to say?¡±


    ¡°Exin! Melvin¡¯s eyes bore into her through the mirror.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath. ¡°Will you believe anything I say? If I say it was just a coincidence, just a


    polite gesture between friends, will you ept that?¡±


    ¡°will¡±


    Jocelyn was shock.


    Checking out Melvin¡¯s gaze, the danger in his eyes had fizzled out.


    Jocelyn thought she must have mistaken, but his expression had definitely softened up a bit.


    Melvin had already hit the car door button. He got out, then came around to the back seat and opened


    the door, reaching out his hand to her.


    Jocelyn had no clue what he was up to; his mood swing felt so sudden, and it kinda spooked her.


    While he furrowed his brows lightly, Jocelyn got out without cing her hand in his


    Melvin grabbed her hand in a sh, mming the car door as soon as she was out, then hauled her


    into the


    elevator.


    As soon as the elevator doors snapped shut, Jocelyn found herself pinned against the elevator wall by


    Melvin, who lowered his head and nted a wild, frantic and dominant kiss on her lips.


    Jocelyn was caught totally off guard. Her hands were lifted above her head, pressed against the wall,


    forcing her fingers to intertwine tightly with his


    His kisses were so intense that she couldn¡¯t breathe. Her chest heaved more and more, and the


    breaths


    bing shorter and quicker.


    Right when she was about to pass out fromck of oxygen, he let her go, leaning his forehead against


    hers and taking huge breaths.


    His sexy Adam¡¯s apple bobbed as he spoke in a husky voice, ¡°Promise me that won¡¯t happen again.¡±

 Chapter 60

    Chapter 60


    Jocelyn thought he would make a big deal out of this.


    When the elevator door opened, Melvin scooped her up and carried her straight into the apartment.


    He gently ced her on the sofa, looming over her with those peach¨Cblossom eyes full of deep


    affection and visible desire.


    Jocelyn clutched at his shirt, still trying to catch her breath.


    ¡°What about you?¡± Jocelyn wanted an exnation too.


    Melvin ran his fingers through her hair, weaving them into her soft, smooth locks, ¡°What about me?¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t even tell me you were back. Did you do that on purpose?¡±


    ¡°Yep,¡± Melvin didn¡¯t beat around the bush, ¡°I wanted to see if you cared at all. Clearly, you don¡¯t.¡±


    With that, his other hand moved to her cor and then rested on her chest. With heavy breath he said,


    ¡°Heart¡¯s still beating, so why can¡¯t I feel that you care about me?¡±


    Jocelyn was spellbound by his tempting and seductive behavior now.


    She swallowed hard, with her chest rising and falling, and felt the warmth from his palm seeping into


    her heart and making it race.


    She loved this man, for better or worse. Everything seemed insignificant when he was with her.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect things to end up like that.¡± Jocelyn thought theizens would just have augh at the


    video and move on, never expecting them toment the way they did.


    If their roles were reversed and he was caught hugging Willow, with everyone saying they were a good


    match, she¡¯d be just as livid.


    Even their usual closeness made her green with envy.


    ¡°You like him?


    Jocelyn shook her head quickly.


    Her answer made Melvin¡¯s mood lightened a bit, who came to kiss her lips and warn in a low voice,


    ¡°Don¡¯t get close to other men, you¡¯re mine.¡±


    Jocelyn melted right there.


    Maybe she was scared by him, or perhaps she felt guilty.


    ¡°You¡¯d better not get close to Willow either. She was jealous too.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡±


    After saying that, Melvin kissed her lips again, passionately and tenderly, channeling all his pent¨Cup


    emotions into her, as if tying to seek retribution.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Jocelyn surrendered to the pleasure he gave her, she was just that weak¨Cwilled.


    Just one sweet treat from him, and she¡¯d forget all the previous bitterness.


    They lost themselves in each other, oblivious to time and to the continuously vibrating and lighting¨Cup


    screen on the floor.


    In the middle of the night, Jocelyny on top of Melvin, taking deep breaths and kissing his shoulder.


    Melvin responded by kissing her forehead.


    The city lights filtered through the curtains, wrapping them in a gossamer veil of silver.


    A thin nkety over Jocelyn¡¯s waist; he delicate, fair back seemed more enticing in the dim light.


    ¡°What were you doing with Quinta in the hospital back then?¡± Melvin thought about the medical report


    he saw during the day, assuming that she went to the gynecologist; that¡¯s why he didn¡¯t intend to be


    rough earlier, instead quite restrained, but her eager responsiveness eventually made him give it his all.


    Jocelyn was a bit tired, her eyes closed, ¡°She came for a check¨Cup.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Do you know any fertility specialists with a high sess rate for IVF?¡± Jocelyn knew IVF could be


    painful, and not everyone would seed on the first try despite the money spent. Not to mention it was


    tough on people. She didn¡¯t want Quinta to suffer too much.


    Even if it was painful, once would be enough.


    ¡°I do,¡± Melvin caressed her back.


    Jocelyn looked up, her cheeks flushed and eyes sultry, ¡°Could you introduce us?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Melvin¡¯s gaze suddenly changed, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you thank me for that?¡±


    Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Just orally?¡±


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    ¡°Alright, thank me by your mouth then.¡±


    Jocelyn felt hisst sentence was redundant and a bit odd.


    What did he mean by ¡®thank me by your mouth? To be precise, it should be ¡®verbally.


    Suddenly, Melvin pushed down on her shoulders, propping himself up.


    Jocelyn, confused, was eventually pushed down to his firm abdomen and she instantly realized what


    he meant. With her face zed with embarrassment, she grabbed his hand, ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°You said it.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ Jocelyn¡¯s face turned crimson, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it!¡±


    Melvin swallowed, ¡°Breaking our promise so soon?¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t possibly do such a thing. She grabbed the nket to cover her chest and rolled out of


    bed, not to care that the man on the bed was stark naked. She gave a nce at his ever¨Cready


    manhood, blushed, and


    ran into the bathroom.


    Melvin looked down, eyebrow raised, and with a wicked smile, he let his hands rest behind his head,


    deciding. to let Jocelyn off the hook.


    The next day, Jocelyn texted Quinta with a flushed face.


    When Quinta called and asked tentatively, ¡°How are you guys doing?¡±


    Jocelyn, feeling the warmth on her back, lowered her voice, ¡°We¡¯re okay.¡±


    ¡°Yesterday Auntie asked where you went, she couldn¡¯t reach you on the phone. If I hadn¡¯t stopped her,


    they would¡¯ve called the police, Quinta¡¯s tone wasced with mirth, ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯ve made up. I¡¯m


    heading back this afternoon.¡±


    You¡¯re leaving this afternoon? Aren¡¯t you supposed to have more check¨Cups?¡± Jocelyn was concerned.


    I need to talk to Damian first and discuss things properly. Even for IVF, he has to go to the hospital with


    me,


    doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    *But your health¡­ why don¡¯t you stay and y a couple of days more? I have time, and I can keep you


    company, Jocelyn was worried.


    Quinta spoke softly, ¡°I was just too nervous yesterday, and I¡¯m really fine now. After I discuss with


    Damian and make our decision, I¡¯lle back.¡±


    Then I¡¯ll see you off,¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t try to persuade her to stay any longer, as this was indeed a big


    deal.


    Quinta teased her, ¡°Do you have the time to see me off?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s face warmed up a bit, ¡°Of course, I do. You¡¯re not leaving until the afternoon; I¡¯lle back


    then.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unnecessary. I know the way,¡± Quinta said, ¡°Now that you two have cleared up the


    misunderstandings, just be good to each other.¡±


    At that moment, Melvin was kissing her back, his voice a bit hoarse, ¡°We¡¯re free this afternoon, and


    we¡¯ll see her off.¡±


    Jocelyn turned around, ¡°You sure?


    ¡°Mhm.¡±


    Immediately, Jocelyn told Quinta, ¡°Wait for us; we¡¯ll take you to the train station this afternoon.¡±


    After hanging up the phone, Jocelyn turned around to meet Melvin¡¯s brooding gaze. ¡°Why so generous


    all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°Quinta is pretty decent, Melvin snuggled into her embrace.


    Jocelyn made a face, That¡¯s a rarepliment.¡±


    Melvin wrapped his arms around her waist, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be thanking me?¡±


    Now, the mere mention of those words gave Jocelyn the creeps.


    The idea he hadst night was downright terrifying.


    ¡°What¡¯s got you all the tense?¡± Melvin pinched her taut waist. ¡°Jocelyn, can¡¯t you think about something


    normal?¡±


    His ability to turn the tables was truly masterful.


    Jocelyn pushed him away.


    Melvin raised an eyebrowzily, his eyes sweeping across her chest, This is fun.¡±


    Jocelyn felt uneasy under his gaze. She grabbed the nket to cover herself and red at him, ¡°Then


    why don¡¯t you give me some fun?¡±


    The moment she finished speaking, Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°You want that?¡±

 Chapter 61

    Chapter 61


    Jocelyn was tormented by Melvin bright and early in the morning, feeling ufortable all over. She


    thought men really had a knack for looking spick and span outdoors but turning into beasts indoors.


    To avoid a run-in between Melvin and her mom, Jocelyn thoughtfully suggested Melvin wait for them at


    the entrance of the old. neighborhood that afternoon.


    She had to head back now.


    Melvin grabbed her hand, ¡°I¡¯m eating lunch alone?¡±


    ¡°You wannae over to my ce for lunch?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s retort made Melvin let go her hand instantly.


    Honestly, Jocelyn didn¡¯t give a hoot. If Melvin was up for it, she¡¯d happily drag him home. Clearly, he


    wasn¡¯t.


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t bummed out or anything. She knew what the deal was. If he¡¯d said yes just like that,


    that would¡¯ve been a real eyebrow-raiser.


    ¡°If you¡¯re tied up this afternoon, we can just grab a cab to the station,¡± Jocelyn gave him an out. It


    wasn¡¯t supposed to matter whether he dropped them off or not.


    ¡°I¡¯m free.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll give you a buzzter.¡±


    Just as Jocelyn was about to hop on the elevator, Melvin pulled her back-


    He wrapped her in his arms, with a rare glimpse of reluctance in his eyes.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we find an excuse to have lunch at your ce?¡±


    Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, ¡°What excuse? My dad¡¯s at work today, so no one¡¯s there to casually invite


    you over


    Melvin pursed his lips, pondering. ¡°Can¡¯t it just be that you bumped into me and invited me over by the


    way?¡±


    ¡°Hal¡± Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help butugh at the absurdity. What a genius was he to find such an excuse


    She eyed him sideways, ¡°Why so eager to eat at my ce anyway? It¡¯s not like you need to impress


    your mother-inw.¡±


    He hadn¡¯t thought about marrying her, so there was no need to make a show of it to her parents.


    If it all blew up in his faceter, it would be a real kick in the backbone


    ¡°Can¡¯t I just want to spend more time with you?¡± Melvin frowned, ¡°Starting to get fed up with me?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t buy his bull for a second; he was probably just messing around.


    She gently pushed him away, ¡°Better not show up at my ce too often. My parents are sharp; they¡¯ll


    figure it out. And if they start pushing for marriage, it¡¯ll bete for you to regret.¡±


    ¡°Not fun.¡± Melvin let her go and pressed the elevator button for her again, ¡°Kiss me.¡±


    Jocelyn thought he was nuts. He¡¯d never been like this before.


    Still, she obliged and pecked him on the corner of his mouth. Then the elevator arrived.


    ¡°Gotta run.¡±


    ¡°Hold up.¡± Melvin fished out a small box from his pocket and handed it to her.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°A gift


    Jocelyn was surprised, ¡°You got me a gift?¡±


    ¡°Heh, you think I¡¯m heartless like you?¡± Melvin blocked the elevator door, ¡°Now


    scram


    Jocelyn waved goodbye with the box in hand, ¡°Thanks a bunch.¡±


    She got in the elevator, seeing Melvin stand with hands in pockets, his handsome face all frosty, but his


    eyes fixed on her, like a big dog left at home.


    Once the elevator doors closed, Jocelyn opened the box ¨C a delicate bracelet inside.


    It sported a pink diamond, not big, but finely made and pretty. She tried it on. It was a perfect fit for her


    wrist.


    Over the years, he¡¯d been a decent boyfriend, always mindful of what girls like, bringing her gifts from


    his trips, plenty of jewelry


    too-earrings, nes, bracelets Neither piece was cheap, to say the least.


    He¡¯d always been generous with her. But what she truly wanted was never these things.


    She took off the bracelet, put it back in the box, and stepped out of the elevator.


    Back home, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t dodag her mother¡¯s questions about where she¡¯d been all night, and she


    had to lie about being calledst-minute by a colleague to check some textbooks and missing calls


    from home due to her phone being on silent.


    Daisy just wanted an exnation and didn¡¯t pry further.


    The three of them were eating lunch when Daisy kept reassuring Quinta not to overthink and not to


    stress herself out, because a good mood was key to making things happen.


    Quinta nodded, ¡°Auntie, don¡¯t worry, I have a handle on it.¡±


    But all thatforting was just for show. These days, even being of age and not married could be


    gossip fodder, not to mention being sterile.


    If a woman is found out being infertile, who knows what nasty things people might say about her.


    To im there was no pressure was simply impossible.


    Jocelyn¡¯s phone lit up.


    A Facebook message from Harrison came in.


    She nced at it. Harrison said he¡¯d struck out on six blind dates already


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but chuckle and typed back, teasing about the thriving dating market. [Six dates


    in just a few days? Wouldn¡¯t you lower the bar a bit?)


    Then, he replied that there would be no more setups.


    Jocelyn was curious, had he found someone today?


    He sent her a video clip.


    Jocelyn clicked it open and recognized what he meant at first nce.


    It was their street interview.


    This again.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± she asked, ¡°are you affected by it too?¡±


    Harrison replied that after hisst date this morning, his mom sent him the video, asking about his


    rtionship with her


    Jocelyn stared at the text, wondering what he would say next.


    The following message read. [I owe you an apology. To put an end to these pointless dates, I lied that


    you were the girl I liked and that I¡¯m pursuing you.]


    Jocelyn nearly snorted her rice up her nose.


    Blinking in disbelief, she read it again, and replied with a bbergasted.


    Harrison¡¯s call came through.


    Jocelyn stared at the iing call. While she was on her phone, Daisy and Quinta had been eyeing


    her the whole time, which she was totally unaware of.


    ¡°You done ying? You gonna eat properly or what?¡± Daisy red at her, ¡°Who¡¯s calling? Pick it up.¡±


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Jocelyn had just promised Melvin not to get too chummy with Harrison, and now there were those


    Facebook messages and phone calls.


    But they weren¡¯t in the same city, just chatting on the phone and not meeting up, that didn¡¯t count as


    getting close, right?


    She set down her fork and grabbed her phone,¡± Sorry, I¡¯ll take this call.¡±


    Seeing her walk into the bedroom and even shut the door, Daisy turned to Quinta, all confused, ¡°Who¡¯s


    she on the phone with?¡±


    ¡®T¡¯ve got no clue,¡± Quinta guessed it might be Melvin.


    In the room, Jocelyn answered the call.


    Harrison started by asking if she¡¯d had lunch, and then got to the main point.


    He was apologetic, ¡°Sorry for not asking your permission before I went ahead. But I was just saying I¡¯m


    pursuing yo


    pan out is still up in the air.¡±


    Jocelyn knew his struggle all too well because she was going through the same thing


    The only difference was that he didn¡¯t have a girlfriend. It wasn¡¯t too bad for him use her name to avoid


    those blind dates. After all, he just imed that he was chasing after her, not that she was his girlfriend.


    In contrast, she had a guy whorn she¡¯d been sleeping with for three years, but she still didn¡¯t dare to tell


    her parents she had a marriage prospect in mind and had to sneak around like a thief.


    What mattered most was that she couldn¡¯t just randomly pick someone to fend off the marriage


    pressure like he could. If she dared to try, Melvin would have her head.


    ¡°It¡¯s cool,¡± Jocelyn said. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t say I¡¯m your girlfriend, we¡¯re good. Besides, we¡¯re miles


    apart; no one is gonna know


    whether we could turn out to be a couple or not.¡±


    Harrison visibly rxed, ¡°I thought you¡¯d be mad.¡±


    ¡°I get it.¡±


    Thanks. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll never be able to make you my girl,¡± Harrison joked over the phone. ¡°If you


    need, you can use me as a shield too. Even if you go as far as saying I¡¯m your boyfriend, I¡¯m up for


    ying the part in person.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled, ¡°Hope it won¡¯te to that.¡±


    Harrisonughed heartily, ¡°Right, it¡¯s best when true loverse together. Fake just doesn¡¯t cut it.¡±

 Chapter 62

    Chapter 62


    They shot the breeze for a bit before Jocelyn jetted off.


    Daisy gave her a look of interrogation, ¡°Who were you on the phone with, acting all cloak and dagger?¡±


    ¡°Just a friend.¡± Jocelyn plopped back down and shoveled thest of her rice into her mouth.


    ¡°Are you still in touch with that Harrison guy?¡±


    Jocelyn nearly choked on her rice. She took a sip of soup to recover, and spun a yarn in her head,


    ¡°He¡¯se back home and probably hit it off with someone already. Mom, stop hounding him.¡±


    ¡®Really?¡± Daisy looked bummed, ¡°I told you, a catch like him would get snapped up in no time. You, on


    the other hand¡­ s.¡±


    Quinta shot Jocelyn a look, and Jocelyn exchanged a nce with her and looked down, staying mum.


    ¡°Auntie, Jocelyn¡¯s a catch. She could bring home any guy just to fill the bill. But she¡¯s not one to settle


    for just anyone, right? No worry, she¡¯ll definitely bring home a Mr. Perfect to meet you,¡± Quinta tried to


    put in a good word for Jocelyn.


    Daisy, looking at her daughter, was at a loss for words


    ¡°Whatever. As long as she doesn¡¯t end up all dressed up with nowhere to go.¡± Daisy stood up to clean


    up the table.


    Quinta jumped in to help


    Jocelyn sighed softly and joined in tidying up.


    When it was about time to head out, Jocelyn texted Melvin to see if he wasing.


    His call came through right away.


    She ducked to the side to answer, not wanting her mom to catch on.


    Downstairs


    Jocelyn stepped out to the balcony and sure enough, spotted his shy Porsche.


    It shocked her that he should have the nerve to park his show-off ride right outside. After lunch, how


    were they supposed to get in


    his car without making a scene?


    Can you wait at the corner instead?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too conspicuous Mom¡¯s bound to walk us out, and if she sees us getting into your car, she¡¯ll get


    suspicious,¡± Jocelyn was genuinely looking out for him.


    But to Melvin, it seemed like she wasn¡¯t as keen on him meeting her parents as she used to be.


    Melvin silently concluded that this might be a sign of her changing her tune.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say I¡¯m just a ride-share driver before?¡±


    Jocelyn got momentarily stumped that he was still holding a grudge, Whatever, if you¡¯re not worried


    about being spotted, I¡¯m not either. I¡¯ll be down in a sec


    After hanging up, she turned to see her mother still eyeing her.


    Jocelyn cleared her throat. ¡°Uh Quinta, our ride-share driver¡¯s waiting downstairs Got luck today,


    snagged a luxury car. These rich folks really have too much time on their hands, even cutting into other


    people¡¯s business.


    Finishing this, she gave a sheepish chuckle.


    Quinta had to hold back herughter.


    ¡°Auntie, I¡¯ll head out first.¡±


    Quinta dried her hands and replied. ¡°Thanks to you and Uncle for these past few days.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Daisy held her hand, ¡°Remember, if you need to check on your health,


    just stay with us Jocelyn¡¯s got her own ce, and we won¡¯t be cramped¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know Before leaving. Quinta fished out five hundred bucks for Daisy. ¡°Here, auntie, take this;


    it¡¯s just a little something


    from me.¡±


    he stuffed the money into Daisy¡¯s pocket, grabbed Jocelyn, and legged it out, mming the door


    behind them.


    apter 62


    Once downstairs, Jocelyn hurried to open the car door for Quinta. She then jumped into the passenger


    seat, mmed the door and hurried Melvin. ¡°Go, go, go!¡±


    Thinking that she might be worried about being seen by someone she knew, Melvin got annoyed a bit.


    When Daisy¡¯s figure appeared at the entrance, Quinta also urged him on.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Move, move, move!¡±


    Melvin frowned, but to avoid any hassle, he drove off, even though he was miffed.


    Daisy chased after them for a few steps before giving up.


    Moivin, ncing in the rear-view mirror at Daisy getting further away, realized it might not be what he


    thought.


    He nced at Jocelyn, ¡°Why the rush?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Jocelyn turned to Quinta, ¡°You¡¯ll need money for lots more stuff down the line.¡±


    Quinta chuckled. There¡¯s always a need for cash. It¡¯s just a small token of care. Besides, when you


    come home, you always give money to my mom.¡±


    ¡°Right now, I¡¯m the only mouth I¡¯ve got to feed, so as long as I¡¯m clothed and fed, I¡¯m cool. Not like you,


    you need money for everything.¡± Jocelyn sighed, ¡°Go talk to Damian, try to sort it out as soon as


    possible. Take the month before school starts to get all the prep work done. It¡¯s a long haul¡±


    Quinta softly acknowledged.


    ¡°If you¡¯re short on cash, just tell me. Haven¡¯t saved a ton in these past years, but it¡¯s something.¡±


    Jocelyn turned back, We re all here for you. If you need help, just holler. We¡¯ll do whatever we can.¡±


    Quinta was touched.


    Holding back tears, she nodded, ¡°I know.¡±


    Listening to Jocelyn¡¯s heart-to-heart chat with her cousin, Melvin unusually stayed quiet and didn¡¯t


    interfere.


    At the train station, Jocelyn walked Quinta to the entrance and couldn¡¯t go further.


    Before leaving, Quinta hugged Jocelyn, ¡°I¡¯m off.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Quinta let go of Jocelyn and turned to Melvin, ¡°Mr. Martinez, thanks for the ride.¡±


    ¡°No need to be so formal, just call me by my name, Melvin. Melvin wasn¡¯t exactly cordial, but wasn¡¯t


    indifferent either.


    ¡°Alright. You two head back. I¡¯ve got to catch my train.¡±


    Quinta thought about telling Melvin to treat Jocelyn right but figured that it wasn¡¯t her ce to say that.


    Everyone has their reasons, and if Melvin wanted to keep things low-key with Jocelyn, he must have


    his reasons.


    Jocelyn was already cool with it, so it wasn¡¯t Quinta¡¯s ce to meddle in their affair.


    After seeing off Quinta, Jocelyn and Melvin headed back to the car.


    Melvin started asking about Quinta¡¯s situation.


    ¡°What do you think about that guy?¡±


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°Damian.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t quite catch his drift, Why the sudden interrogation?¡±


    ¡°Just a hunch, Melvin said. ¡°If she were my cousin, I¡¯d advise her to hold off on having kids for a while.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Let me throw this at you what if one day you go for a check-up at the hospital, and the person you trust


    and love the most doesn¡¯t tag along. Would you be cool with that?¡±-


    Jocelyn pondered seriously. ¡°He¡¯s busy, I¡¯d cut him some ck.¡±


    ¡°But he¡¯s keen on having kids. To have kids is a matter of two people, not one person. No matter how


    swamped is he, shouldn¡¯t he be taking time off to be there? And given Quinta¡¯s situation, can you


    imagine the load she¡¯s carrying alone? Did it ever cross her hubby¡¯s mind that she¡¯d be shouldering all


    that pressure by herself?¡±


    Jocelyn was struck dumb.


    On reflection, what he said was true.


    A husband who deeply loves his wife should be ready to hold up the sky for her when it¡¯s falling.


    Im not to throw shade at him or anything, but his job would roli on just fine without him.¡±


    After hearing his two cents. Jocelyn also felt that Damian was really too chill about it all, like he didn¡¯t


    give a hoot about Quinta.


    She never expected such heartfelt words toe out of his mouth.


    ¡°What about you? If it was your wife and you had some super urgent stuff to handle, would you drop


    everything to be with her or let her go through it alone?¡± Jocelyn was a bit curious now.


    Melvin said nonchntly. ¡°I won¡¯t ever have a wife¡±


    Jocelyn had heard this tune before, but it still gave her a pang, ¡°I mean, hypothetically.¡±


    ¡°No such hypothetical.


    The conversation was a dead end


    Jocelyn found it all a bit pointless Leaning against the car window, she wasn¡¯t sure if she was speaking


    to him or to herself, ¡°I


    hope my husband always puts me first. Like if his mom and I both fell into the river, I hope he¡¯d save


    me first.

 Chapter 63

    Chapter 63


    People were inherently selfish. It might be a bit harsh to generalize, but Jocelyn knew all too well that


    she was pretty much cut from that cloth.


    She wanted to be her hubby¡¯s everything.


    She¡¯s even thought that if she kicked the bucket, she¡¯d want her hubby to tag along for the ride.


    That¡¯s gotta be some kind of sickness.


    On some issues, she was a bit of a fanatic, too.


    Melvin just shrugged it off and said, ¡°Are there really guys like that in this world?¡±


    Jocelyn cocked her head and eyed him, ¡°Given our current rtionship, if your mom and I fell into the


    river at the same time, who would you save first?¡±


    The second the words left her lips, you could practically see his face lose all color.


    ¡°No ¡®ifs¡¯.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned, ¡°Can¡¯t you just y along and give me an answer?¡±


    ¡°My mom¡¯s passed away.


    Jocelyn¡¯s breath hitched, and she blurted out reflexively, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    She genuinely didn¡¯t know squat about Melvin¡¯s family affairs; he never mentioned his parents, and she


    just assumed they were both hale and hearty considering he¡¯s still a young buck.


    Melvin mmed up.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Jocelyn just sat there in silence and said no more as well.


    A million questions swirled in her head, but she didn¡¯t dare to voice a single one.


    Ever since she popped that question, she could feel him wrapped up in darkness, the kind where


    there¡¯s no way to find your way


    out.


    Suddenly, a thought zipped through her mind. Could his aversion to getting married have something to


    do with his family? Was it because of his mother?


    But his sister¡¯s hitched and her kids are already growing like weeds.


    Jocelyn sneaked another nce at him. He was driving stone-faced.


    ¡°I need to swing by the office for a bit.¡± Melvin had already steered the car towards hispany.


    ¡°It¡¯s cool, just drop me off at the corner and I¡¯ll hail a cab,¡± Jocelyn said, not wanting to be a pain in the


    neck.


    Melvin didn¡¯t stop the car. ¡°Won¡¯t take long. Just hang in the car.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t feel like arguing anymore.


    They pulled into thepany¡¯s open-air lot, parked, and Melvin got on the phone without getting out


    right away.


    From the car, Jocelyn spotted her dad, alvin, at the main entrance, decked out in a security uniform.


    With hands full of bags, he used his body to prop the ss door, looking inside all smiles.


    Soon enough, Willow showed up.


    She was dolled up in designer duds In a cocky manner, she looked down her nose at Calvin with sheer


    contempt.


    They stepped outside, and whatever Willow said to her assistant, the assistant ryed to Calvin Calvin


    hurriedly turned around and was to head away when he was called back again; as he listened to the


    assistant, he nodded and smiled. Then he scurried to load stuff into a minivan parked out front. After


    stowing the gear, he dashed back into the building.


    Willow and her assistant stood by the car, their words lost on the wind, but their expressions screamed


    bad vibes.


    They were staring at thepany entrance, and the sneer on their lips was obviously directed at


    Calvin.


    Jocelyn felt her blood boiling in an instant, her fists clenching slightly.


    As Melvin finished his call, he saw Jocelyn staring daggers somewhere off to the side. He followed her


    gaze and caught sight of Calvin, empty-handed, looking like he was trying to exin the missing


    goods.


    The sopistant rummaged through a bag and said something


    Having been stunned for a second, Calvin soon stered on a smile and went over to open their car


    door for them.


    Seeing this, Jocelyn came to the end of her patience. But she couldn¡¯t blow her top


    Whether Willow was deliberately giving her dad the runaround or not, he had taken the job. If she


    stormed out now, it would only embarrass him.


    Jocelyn gripped her fists lighter, swallowing down the anger which was about to choke her, ¡°Is this what


    a security chief¡¯s job looks like at yourpany?¡±


    Melvin furrowed his brow. Without answering her, he just got out of the car and mmed the door,


    striding towards the still-Idle


    minivan.


    The folks inside it must¡¯ve seen himing because the door swung open again.


    Jocelyn watched as her dad stood in front of Melvin, all meek and respectful, and her heart twisted in


    pain.


    She knew that being a security guard was no cakewalk.


    To some, it¡¯s like you¡¯re a second-ss citizen, and there are those who¡¯ll trash-talk you behind your


    back, trampling the profession all over.


    She had seen her dad at work before. Sometimes jotting down license tes, doing rounds, or lending


    a hand when folks wereden with stuff seemed only natural. To do a favor like that was due to basic


    human decency, even if it was not for the job.


    But what she had just witnessed with Willow was different; it felt like she was deliberately treating her


    father as a ything.


    The look and gaze she gave clued her that it was Intentional


    She was sure. Willow knew he was her dad.


    Otherwise, why didn¡¯t she bother the assistant? Why would she ask a man in his fifties, nearly at the


    age of retirement, to run in


    and out?


    if they genuinely needed help, no big deal. But it was clear that wasn¡¯t the case.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to see her father at Willow¡¯s beck and call, nor to see him treading on eggshells


    with a forced grin.


    At that moment, Melvin fixed Willow with a cold stare, ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±


    *Uh? People from your brand department asked me toe fetch a few things, so I¡­.


    ¡°I mean, you¡¯ve got your assistant, why are you making my hire run errands?¡± Melvin¡¯s tone was icy.


    Willow was taken aback, realizing what he was getting at.


    Caught off guard by his reaction, sheughed awkwardly, ¡°What¡¯s the problem? Can¡¯t I have him fetch


    things for me? He¡¯s just a security guard. Is there an issue with him carrying stuff for me?¡±


    ¡°Of course, there is! Melvin¡¯s voice was even more steely.


    Willow was rattled.


    Calvin hadn¡¯t expected his boss to blow up at a big star over his issue. He tried to smooth things over,


    but when Melvin¡¯s face darkened, it was indeed intimidating.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez, Im just lending a hand, no higgie,¡± Calvin figured, the girls were always more precious,


    and an old guy like him hauling a few items was no skin off his back.


    Melvin suddenly turned to Calvin, ¡°Is she paying your sry?¡±


    Calvin was taken aback, shaking his head.


    ¡°So why are you taking orders from her? Melvin¡¯s tone had softened, but the earlier sharpness made it


    still sound pretty harsh.


    Calvin was at a loss for words.


    Melvin shot another look at Willow, who was looking pretty green around the gills, ¡°He¡¯s my hire, and I


    haven¡¯t even had him lift a finger or run an errand for me. So who gives you the right to boss my guy


    around? Pull this stunt again, and you can kiss your assistant gig goodbye.¡±


    The poor assistant was already shaking in his boots from Melvin¡¯s aura of authority, and getting called


    out like that only made him quiver more


    Willow was mortified. This was the first time Melvin had embarrassed her in front of others, not leaving


    her an ounce of dignity


    Hex time whoever asks you to fetch anything, just say no. That¡¯s not your job, Melvin then turned to


    Calvin. brought you in to manage, not to be a gofer. If anyone else wants you to do stuff, tell them to


    come to me


    Calvin¡¯s no fool. He could tell that despite Melvin¡¯s rough tone, he was looking out for him.


    He nodded eagerly, Thanks, Mr. Martinez, got it.¡±


    Melvin then strolled into thepany building without even looking back, and Calvin quickly followed


    suit.


    Willow was left behind, face turning to the color of a storm cloud, fuming with anger.

 Chapter 64

    Chapter 64


    Jocelyn had barely set foot in the house when Melvin¡¯s call buzzed in.


    She was standing in the stairwell, leaning against the wall as she answered the call.


    ¡°Where did you vanish to?¡±


    ¡°Headed home.¡±


    Melvin didn¡¯t seem surprised, and said, ¡°That sort of thing won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    Jocelyn looked up. Though she was clueless about what he had said to Willow, she wasn¡¯t in any


    position to thank him either.


    That scene she spotted before had left a nasty taste in her mouth.


    She never looked down on her dad¡¯s job, but the tangled web of rtionships had bruised her pride just


    a tad


    ¡°Mhm,¡± Jocelyn was still lost in that earlier moment, ¡°If nothing¡¯s up, I¡¯m gonna hang up.¡±


    Melvin didn¡¯t respond.


    Jocelyn cut the call short and took a moment to collect herself before heading upstairs.


    As she walked in the door, Daisy popped out of the kitchen, ¡°Did you hitch a ride with Quinta?¡±


    ¡®Yep. I did.¡± Jocelyn kicked off her shoes, looking a bit off.


    Daisy, ever so perceptive, asked, ¡°What¡¯s up with you?¡±


    Jocelyn forced a smile, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, maybe just a bit carsick, kind of queasy. I¡¯ll go lie down in my room


    for a while.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you some water.


    ¡°No need. I¡¯ll be fine after some rest.¡±


    She retreated to her room and closed the door. Immediately she hit up a friend to scout a new job for


    her dad.


    At 5:30 PM, Calvin came home.


    Jocelyn helped set the table, while keeping an eye on her dad¡¯s mood, but he seemed normal.


    During dinner, Calvin started talking about his work, ¡®Today Willow came to the office to fetch some


    stuff and asked for my help. Got spotted by my boss. Guess what happened?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Daisy asked inquisitively.


    Calvin chuckled, ¡°My boss told Willow she¡¯s not allowed to boss me around since she doesn¡¯t pay my


    wages.¡±


    ¡°Willow, the big-time celeb Willow?¡±


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yeah. s, she seemed super nice on TV, but in real life, she carries this air about her. Calvin gave a


    helpless shake of his head,


    ¡°I get it. She¡¯s a celeb, and she¡¯s bound to have an attitude. But she and her assistant, they¡¯re just too


    stuck up.¡±


    Daisy frowned, ¡°Did they give you a hard time?¡±


    ¡°Not really. I just ran a few errands for them, heard some not-so-nice remarks at first, but it all turned


    out to be misunderstandings Calvin shrugged it off with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s part of the job. Security guards,


    janitors, we¡¯re always seen as lesser in the eyes of others.


    Daisy¡¯s face darkened, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with being a security guard? They¡¯re people too, so why are they


    seen as lesser? How can they act like this? You¡¯re old enough to be their dad; can¡¯t they show some


    respect?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s drop it. It¡¯s all part of the job,¡± Calvin kept his cool, ¡°Besides, the boss had my back today, so I


    guess it won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    Daisy wasn¡¯t pleased, ¡°Yes, your boss spoke up for you today, but how long will thatst? Didn¡¯t you


    say that woman is your boss¡¯s girlfriend? If she bes the missus, who knows if she¡¯ll make things


    harder for you because of today?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s future talk. For now, I¡¯ll work as long as I can. The rest is fate.¡± Calvin was philosophical about


    it.


    Jocelyn knew her dad was just brushing it off, but at his age, being ordered around by youngsters


    surely couldn¡¯t be water off a duck¡¯s back


    She also knew the words from Willow and her assistant were more than just ¡®not-so-nice. Just the looks


    on their faces told how barsh were the words they spewed.


    Dad, maybe you should quit the security job, Jocelyn chimed in at the right moment. A friend of mine


    was just asking if you¡¯re looking for a job. Their school library needs a librarian. Interested?¡±


    ¡°That sounds great, Daisy was all for it, ¡°Yeah, take the librarian job. It¡¯s way better than working as a


    guard and dealing with people¡¯s moods


    Jocelyn was on the same page, i haven¡¯t said no yet. If you¡¯re up for it, they can sort it out straight


    away.¡±


    Calvin pondered for a moment, ¡°Nah, I¡¯ll pass. Librarian¡¯s pay isn¡¯t great, and my current job isn¡¯t too


    taxing. I just roam around and monitor things. I¡¯m the head of security, I¡¯ve got people to manage.¡±


    ¡°What do you need all that money for?¡± Daisy scowled. ¡°You turn down a cushy job for one where you


    had to put up with bullies?¡±


    ¡°Oh, what would you know?¡± Calvin shot Daisy an annoyed re, ¡°Isn¡¯t putting up with stuff part and


    parcel of any job? Even our boss got to put up with stuff. To live a life in this world, you can¡¯t expect to


    only cross paths with saints who always speak sweet nothings. I¡¯m over fifty, if I can¡¯t see that clearly,


    what¡¯s my life been about?¡±


    He looked at Jocelyn, Turn down that librarian offer. I¡¯m sticking with my currentpany. It¡¯s not right


    to quit over a bit of unhappiness, is it?¡±


    ¡°You really are. Daisy was out of words.


    Jocelyn wanted to persuade him, but knowing her dad¡¯s stubborn streak, she knew it was tough to


    sway him once he made up his


    mind.


    So, she just nodded.


    After dinner, Jocelyn stepped into the bathroom. When she got out, she overheard her mom trying to


    convince her dad, who was keeping his voice low, I¡¯m making there grands now. At my age, that¡¯s rare.


    My boss respects me. Why would I quit over a few words? Besides, Jocelyn will get married someday,


    I¡¯ve got to save up for her wedding gifts.¡±


    Thosest words blurred Jocelyn¡¯s vision instantly.


    Fighting back tears and the lump in her throat, her mood sank even lower.


    That night, Melvin video-called Jocelyn.


    She stared at the screen until he hung up.


    Then the phone rang again.


    She still didn¡¯t pick up.


    Silence fell over the phone


    Jocelyn figured he wouldn¡¯t call again.


    After a shower, there were no missed calls on her phone. She scrolled through Twitter, ready for bed,


    when a Facebook message from Melvin popped up.


    She clicked it open to find just two words: [Come down.]


    Jocelyn was taken aback, and just then, she heard a car honking downstairs


    She quickly scurried to the window and yanked the curtains aside for a peek. The silver-gray Porsche


    lurked under the dim streetlights like a beast ready to pounce, its lethal power ready to explode at any


    moment.


    Her phone buzzed again.


    Thirty seconds. If you¡¯re not down, I¡¯ll make sure the whole neighborhood can kiss their sleep


    goodbye.¡±


    His words were bossy with a hint of menace, no trace of jest in it.


    Jocelyn muttered a curse under her breath. Not daring to dawdle, she dashed downstairs in her


    nightgown, without even changing.


    Approaching the car, the window rolled down, revealing Melvin¡¯s stern face. His eyes gave her a once-


    over, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing slightly, ¡°Get in.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s toote, and I need to sleep, Jocelyn pushed back, not wanting to cave to his will.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed, his hand slowly resting on the steering wheel, ¡°Or would you rather have the


    whole neighborhoode out and see who¡¯s disturbing their peace?¡±


    Jocelyn was fuming.


    He knew exactly how to push her buttons!


    She aimed for the backseat, only to find out he¡¯d locked the back doors.


    No choice left, she had to hop into the passenger seat.


    As soon as the door shut, the car started moving.


    ¡°Where are you taking me?¡¯ Jocelyn panicked.


    Melvin, hands firmly on the wheel, replied coolly, ¡°Weren¡¯t you saying it¡¯s toote and you needed to


    sleep? I¡¯m taking you back to sleep.

 Chapter 65

    Chapter 65


    As Jocelyn just couldn¡¯t bail, she sat all resigned and quiet in her seat, not uttering a word. Even if


    Melvin was scheming to sell her off at this moment, she wouldn¡¯t say boo.


    Melvin shot her a nce. ¡°Still angry?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    ¡°Can you keep Willow from darkening yourpany¡¯s doorstep?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s brow puckered slightly. That¡¯s a separate issue.¡±


    ¡°To me, it¡¯s the same thing.¡± Jocelyn wasn¡¯t looking to pick a fight, her tone still even-keeled. ¡°She¡¯s


    doing it on purpose, harassing my dad because she can¡¯t get to you. You can¡¯t guarantee she won¡¯t


    pull another stunt like today¡¯s, so your promises are worth


    squat


    Melvin was pretty even-keeled himself today. ¡°It just happened to be your dad today, she would¡¯ve


    done the same to anyone else.¡± ¡°Coincidence?¡± Jocelyn snorted softly. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just say she


    didn¡¯t know he was my dad then?¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn, can we be reasonable?


    ¡°I¡¯m not throwing a fit or making a scene. Isn¡¯t that being reasonable?¡± Jocelyn said, ¡°Seeing how she


    treated my dad today and her smug face, I was holding back big time. I regret having not convinced


    him to reject that job at yourpany.¡±


    Melvin pulled over to the curb and turned to face her with a serious look. ¡°What do you want me to do


    to put today behind us?


    To cklist Willow from yourpany.¡±


    You re being unreasonable.


    ¡°Then forget it¡± Jocelyn unbuckled her seat belt, ready to open the door and get out.


    The locks clicked down, and Jocelyn couldn¡¯t open the door.


    ¡°What are you up to?¡± Jocelyn asked ndly.


    She looked at Melvin calmly.


    She knew her request was absurd, but she was determined to be unreasonable.


    As a daughter, was it wrong to feel for her dad?


    Willow¡¯s arrogant mug was bouncing around her head on repeat, and she was just ticked off.


    Melvin¡¯s voice was chilly. ¡°Aren¡¯t you scared of getting snatched up halfway home dressed like that?¡±


    ¡°None of your business.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to argue. Melvin eyed her. ¡°Put your seat belt on.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t go against him and fastened her seat belt. Heading outte at night dressed like this was


    indeed risky.


    The car hit the road again, pulling up to the garage under his building.


    Once parked, the door could finally be opened.


    Jocelyn got out without a word and started walking toward the exit


    Melvin caught up quickly, grabbing her hand. What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Catching a cab home.¡± Jocelyn was calm from start to finish, not giving off the vibes of making a


    scene.


    The calmer she was, the more frustrated Melvin got


    His grip on her wrist tightened. ¡°Don¡¯t push me.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t push me,¡± Jocelyn countered, locking her eyes at him, like a pissed-off cat showing her ws.


    Melvin narrowed his eyes. ¡°What do you really want?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t give me what I want, so what¡¯s the point of asking?¡± Jocelyn tried to pry his hand off. ¡°You


    know, if you hadn¡¯t shown up today, i might¡¯ve slept it off. But you just came to bother me, making us


    both miserable. It was totally pointless.¡±


    Melvin stared at her, furrowing his brow. She returned his gaze, expressionless


    Eventually, Melvin let go first.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Jocelyn rubbed her somewhat sore wrist. ¡°My dad said you had his back today, thanks for


    that. Also, it¡¯s me who can¡¯t let go, not you. So, sorry for putting you in a tough spot.¡±


    Jocelyn was polite and modest, truly apologizing for her behavior.


    ¡°I was thinking of convincing my dad to quit and find a new job, but he refused. He said you were a


    good guy and paid well.¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t look at him anymore, each word peeling backyers of their


    ipatibilities,ying it bare before her eyes.


    Look at this: her father worked in thepany of the man she liked, and that man paid her dad a


    sry higher than most, so her dad had to be all polite and respectful in front of her crush, even calling


    him ¡°boss¡± deferentially.


    And yet, this man stood proud, never seeing anything amiss.


    Sure, nothing¡¯s amiss, but that¡¯s her dad


    She admitted that she was being melodramatic.


    But she¡¯s only human, she has a heart, unable to not care about anything, to forgive everything, nor to


    be indifferent with anything.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll deal with it myself Jocelyn forced a smile at Melvin. ¡°Sorry for the hassle.¡±


    Having been holding his breath for a long time, Melvin was pushed to the edge by her sarcasm.


    ¡°Done talking?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Melvin asked, ¡°Do I carry you or hoist you back home?¡±


    Jocelyn stared him down.


    Melvin started rolling up his sleeves, looking like he was about to do something drastic.


    Jocelyn took a step back. ¡°What are you nning?¡±


    ¡°What do you think I am nning at this hour? Melvin swept her up in his arms and warned, ¡°Don¡¯t


    squirm!¡±


    Afraid of shing anyone, Jocelyn dared not move much.


    After he carried her into the elevator, she tapped his shoulder. ¡°Put me down!¡±


    ¡°Enough talk. Time to behave. Melvin looked down at her. ¡°You¡¯ve worn out my patience.¡±


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Jocelyn tried to argue, but his cold threat came. ¡°If you don¡¯t stop, I¡¯ll take you right here!¡±


    Jocelyn cursed under her breath. ¡°Beast.¡±


    ¡°Yet you still dare?


    Jocelyn shut up under his threat.


    The elevator doors opened, and Melvin, still holding her, scanned his face to unlock the door and


    kicked it open. After entering, he set her down on the couch.


    Probably fearing that she¡¯d make a run for it he sat down and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He


    then whipped out his phone and made a call, putting it on speake¡­


    Jocelyn nced at his screen; he was calling Zephyr.


    ¡°Melvin, still up at this hour? Zephyr sounded sleepy.


    Melvin said tly, ¡°From tomorrow on, if Willow needs to coborate with thepany, let them meet


    outside. She¡¯s not to step foot in thepany again


    ¡°Huh? Zephyr obviously sounded confused.


    ¡°Are you deaf?¡±


    Zephyr¡¯s voice perked up a lot. ¡°You¡¯re saying to keep Willow out of thepany? Why?¡±


    ¡®She¡¯s just the face of the brand, no need for her to be trotting in and out of the office. Give the folks in


    branding a heads-up that


    if they need her, they¡¯ll have to seek her out themselves¡± Melvin, ever so considerate, added, ¡°Got all


    that?¡±


    Uh-huh, crystal clear, Zephyr replied, though totally bamboozled. ¡°Can I ask what¡¯s driving this


    decision?¡±


    With that, he hung up the call.


    He put down his phone and turned to the woman who had heard everything yet was pretending it was


    none of her business, ¡°Happy now?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s gaze awkwardly shifted outside, her face angling away.


    His hand pinched her chin with a bit of force, turning her face back towards him. His eyes were like an


    inky ck night, not the least bit cheerful, and slightly ominous. ¡°Say it.¡±


    ¡°Say what?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s eyes darted around, not daring to meet his gaze.


    Melvin, uncharacteristically, repeated himself, ¡°Happy now?¡±

 Chapter 66

    Chapter 66


    Jocelyn was pretty chuffed with his attitude. She had to admit that he did a bang-up job


    But she still had a bit of an affectation and chinned up, not saying a word


    ¡°Are you¡­¡± Melvin, lost for words by her demeanor, just went for it and pinned her to the couch,


    leaning over to seal her lips with a


    kiss


    ¡°Mmm¡­Jocelyn patted his back.


    Melvin eased up just as she was about to speak, then went in for another kiss, even more dominant


    and fierce this time.


    His palm rested on her waist, and her thin nightie was no match for the heat in his hand. Jocelyn easily


    fell prey to him.


    Jocelyn wriggled, still putting up a fight.


    Finally, Melvin, breathing heavily, let her go, noticing her flushed face and misty eyes. His hand that


    had sneakily made its way onto her t but heaving belly, now wandering upward, ¡°Spill it, don¡¯t


    overthink.¡±


    Jocelyn was like jelly at this point, all soft and pliable.


    Her mind was still clear, though, ¡°You treat me too nice, I¡¯m scared I won¡¯t ever be able to quit you.¡±


    Then don¡¯t think about leaving Melvin¡¯s lips met hers once more.


    Jocelyn turned her head, and his kissnded on her cheek.


    Melvin frowned, none too pleased.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Be my boyfriend.¡± Jocelyn¡¯s eyes shone bright.


    Melvin paused, ¡°Aren¡¯t I already?¡±


    ¡°The kind you can show off in the daylight.¡± Jocelyn was crystal clear about what she wanted.


    Right then, she was after a solid yes.


    Pulling his hand out from under her clothes, Melvin sat aside and leaned back on the couch. He


    seemed to be another person with that indifference


    Jocelyn was used to his attitudes by now, not surprised in the slightest. But her disappointment never


    changed and grew stronger.


    ¡°I¡¯m not pushing you to marry me; I just want a rtionship above board¡± Jocelyn straightened her


    clothes, calmed her emotions, and said coolly. ¡°If that¡¯s not gonna fly, then forget it, no biggie.¡±


    Jocelyn stood up, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, you should hit the sack. I¡¯m out.¡±


    ¡°You always y this trick with me, do you find this fun?¡± Melvin suddenly looked up, fixing his gaze on


    her, ¡°Haven¡¯t we been doing fine these past three years? Why the sudden urge to shake things up?


    Can¡¯t we just have a good time?¡±


    He was ticked off


    Jocelyn knew full well that he was getting riled up.


    She looked down at him, sincerely saying, eah, it¡¯s just not doing fine for me anymore, that¡¯s why I can¡¯t


    keep this up Married or not, I need a change.¡±


    Melvin tightly knitted his brows, seeing her seriousness this time.


    She¡¯d been different in previous squabbles, not asposed as today.


    ¡°All because Willow upset your dad?¡± Melvin shot back, I handled it. What¡¯s still got you miffed?¡±


    ¡°Not just that.¡± Jocelyn was calm and collected, ¡°I know my dad has his duties with his job. Without


    Willow, there would be others treating him the same. You know what I¡¯ve always wanted. Not trying to


    pick a fight, I¡¯m just worn out, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Jocelyn smiled at him, ¡®These years with you have been great and they¡¯ll be a cherished memory. I


    want to take a break to get my head straight. You and I are different. All you need is a sexual partner


    which can be anyone, while I want to settle down.¡±


    ¡®Is it because you¡¯ve got your sights set on marriage now?¡± Melvin¡¯s face darkened, ¡°That guy gave you


    hope, and now you¡¯re using. it as an excuse?


    Jocelyn, hadn¡¯t expected him to dredge up her past with Harrison at a time like this. Who sald men with


    broad shoulders don¡¯t


    hold grudges? He remembered everything clear as day.


    She was done exining old news, simply stating. Think what you want.¡±


    Melvin narrowed his eyes dangerously and said coldly, ¡°It¡¯s yourst chance. If you walk out that door


    tonight. I¡¯ll nevere after you!


    ¡°I get it, I won¡¯te after you either. As for my dad, if you think he¡¯s not the right fit, just let him go.¡±


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, ¡°Goodnight.¡±


    With that, she touched the doorknob, triggered the door to open, and then stepped out, closing it


    behind her


    She didn¡¯t wait for Melvin to chase after her.


    She was fed up with ying cat and mouse with him.


    Her entanglement with Melvin was never going to lead anywhere.


    It had been dragged out too long, so it was time to cut ties


    Back at home, her parents didn¡¯t even know she¡¯d been out.


    Shey in bed restlessly and scrolled through Twitter, pretentiously drafting a tweet, ¡°I too long to see


    the sun, but a ck umbre has blocked out all the light.¡±


    The only attachment was a big period.


    It signaled the end of this chapter in her love.


    Jocelyn holed up at home for three days, spending all her time in the bedroom except for having lunch


    and dinner.


    Maybe she was in oppressive mood. Every time Daisy wanted to ask what was up, she restrained her


    impulse.


    Worried about Jocelyn cooping herself up, Daisy suggested she take out the trash.


    Jocelyn stepped out in a strappy dress, hair unkempt, face unwashed.


    She stepped on the trash can pedal and flung the garbage in. As she turned, she saw an elegantly


    dressed woman with grace peer around theplex. With such a polished look, she wasn¡¯t from


    around here but seemed to be searching for someone.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t pry, turning to leave


    ¡°Excuse me, the woman asked in a soft and pleasant voice.


    Jocelyn turned back, eyeing the woman.


    The woman lit up her eyes upon seeing her, walking over with evident joy.


    ¡°Are you Jocelyn?¡±


    Jocelyn blinked, sizing up the woman, who didn¡¯t ring any bells in her memory.


    ¡°Have we met?¡± she asked politely.


    The woman smiled warmly, ¡°You don¡¯t know me, but I sure know you.¡±


    Jocelyn looked puzzled.


    ¡°My son¡¯s name is Harrison, you know him, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Looking at stunned Jocelyn, the woman found her endearing and took an even greater liking to her.


    ¡°I¡¯m Elise. Elise smiled, with her eyes curving into crescents, exuding a friendly vibe.


    Jocelyn, who was bewildered, had no clue why Harrison¡¯s mom would suddenly show up here and


    seemingly searched for her specifically


    Out of politeness, Jocelyn still greeted her cordially, ¡°Hello.¡±R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°I saw that video of you and Harrison, and you looked gorgeous Elise said, her eyes sparkling. That


    boy, too, acting all mysterious. He couldn¡¯t spill the beans to us. If it weren¡¯t for his aunt catching that


    video and filling me in, I¡¯d still be clueless.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind was a total mess. What on earth was going on?


    ¡°Look, Jocelyn, don¡¯t sweat it, if you¡¯re down to be with Harrison, we can totally move to Yanova City.


    I¡¯ve already chatted with Harrison¡¯s dad about it. Since we¡¯re both retired, it doesn¡¯t matter where we


    kick back. Harrison can transfer his job, no biggie


    stepped closer and grabbed Jocelyn¡¯s hand, not wanting to let go. Her fondness for Jocelyn


    skyrocketed by the second


    Jocelyn was embarrassed and utterly baffled


    Hold up, I¡¯m not really following you here,¡± Jocelyn said, starting to panic.


    Elise exined patiently, ¡°Just have a heart-to-heart with Harrison. Whenever you guys are ready to tie


    the knot is cool with us, we¡¯re pretty chill about it. As for a house, chat it up with your family and decide


    where you¡¯d like it. We¡¯ll foot the bill as a gift to you. And if there¡¯s a car you¡¯ve got your eyes on, Just


    give Harrison a shout. We hope nothing but your cozy and lifelong marriage with Harrison.¡±


    Jocelyn was buzzing in her mind.


    Was she still dreaming, not quite awake yet?

 Chapter 67

    Chapter 67


    Jocelyn took a while to toss some trash and didn¡¯te back upstairs, so Daisy headed down to look


    for her and bumped into


    Eline.


    The moment Eliseid eyes on Daisy, you¡¯d think the way she cozied up to Daisy. Elise seemed to find


    her long-lost best friend, grabbing her hand and calling her ¡®sister¡¯.


    Anyone clueless would think they were siblings who hadn¡¯t seen each other for ages.


    Once Daisy got wind that Elise was Harrison¡¯s mom, she also released her enthusiasm, even asking


    Elise toe upstairs for a


    cha:.


    Jocelyn seized the moment to give Harrison a buzz to figure out what the heck was going on.


    Hearing his mom had made a beeline for Jocelyn, Harrison freaked and booked it to Yanova City on


    the next flight


    To get the lowdown, Jocelyn hopped a cab to the airport.


    Harrison showed up pretty quickly, looking all apologetic when he saw Jocelyn. They started chatting


    as they walked out the


    airport.


    Coming their way were two guys, and Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but slow down her pace.


    Melvin was followed by Zephyr, who raised an eyebrow when seeing Jocelyn with a clean-cut,


    handsome dude.


    ¡°Jocelyn, what a coincidence, Zephyr chimed in, making the first move.


    Jocelyn was about to just walk away, pretending she didn¡¯t know them.


    She gave a slight smile, ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Is this your boyfriend? Zephyr¡¯s grin was too annoying.


    Jocelyn paused, then shook her head, ¡°Just a friend.¡±


    ¡°Oh, just friends, huh? Zephyr chuckled, shooting a nce at Melvin who was giving them the cold


    shoulder, ¡°You guys look pretty good together and I¡¯ve fooled into thinking you were a couple.¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t be more embarrassed.


    Harrison stayed silent on the side. Piecing together Jocelyn¡¯s recent Twitter post and the current scene,


    he guessed something happened to her.


    ¡°You got a death wish or something? Melvin snapped back at Zephyr.


    Zephyr hurried after him, ¡°Nah. Don¡¯t you think Jocelyn and that guy look good together? What a match


    made in heaven. Hey, wait up!¡±


    They moved off, and Jocelyn¡¯s tense heart finally got a break. It was Melvin¡¯s appearance that had


    thrown her for a loop.


    In the car, Harrison kept mum


    Back at the apartmentplex, Jocelyn and Harrison finally had a proper talk about the whole mom


    situation.


    ¡°I¡¯ve exined to my mom that we¡¯re just friends. You know how parents blow things out of proportion


    at our age. She misunderstands that I¡¯m too shy to chase af er you. Really sorry for the mix-up,¡±


    Harrison was all sincerity.


    Jocelyn got it with some depression, ¡°Better clear things upter then. The stuff your mom said to me


    today totally floored me. If we don¡¯t set this straight, they¡¯ll be picking out wedding dates upstairs.¡±


    Harrison hesitated.


    ¡°You¡¯re single, right?¡± he asked.


    Jocelyn sensed where this was going, pursing her lips, ¡°Yes¡±


    ¡°Me too, said Harrison, ¡°We¡¯re both in the same boat with the marriage pressure. So why not make the


    best of the mistake? It will solve our problem and ease our parents¡¯ minds.¡±


    Harrison¡¯s logic wasn¡¯t lost on Jocelyn, who was also dodging the marriage bullet. If they yed their


    cards wrong to make it right, peace was guaranteed


    But shit


    Don¡¯t worry When you find someone you like, we can just split, Harrison had thought ahead about


    future scenarios. ¡°We¡¯re just helping each other out. Keep our parents happy¡±


    Jocelyn mulled over the feasibility.


    She looked at Harrison and finally nodded.


    ¡°Then here¡¯s to a pleasant coboration, Harrison smiled, extending his hand.


    ¡°Cheers to that.¡±


    Jocelyn reached out, and Harrison, ever the gentleman, only half-held her fingertips.


    Pretending to be a couple with this guy?


    Heck, even real dating would probably feelfy


    Upstairs, Elise thought her son and Jocelyn looked like a picture-perfect pair, easy on the eyes. More


    liking was heaped for this couple.


    Daisy was sizing up Harrison with that ¡®mother-inw¡¯s approving gaze. More and more preference


    came to this guy.


    Sitting together, Harrison and Jocelyn were awkward.


    The moms seemed oblivious to their difort. Instead, they thought the young couple were shy for


    being caught by their


    parents.


    Later that afternoon, when Calvin came home from work and Daisy filled him in on Jocelyn and


    Harrison¡¯s ¡®rtionship, he was pretty chuffed.


    All in all, the happy vibes were bouncing between the three adults, with Harrison ying the dutiful son-


    inw to-be. He kept Calvinpany with chatter. It was one big happy family scene.


    Of course, Jocelyn wasn¡¯t part of this. She had no idea one video could spiral into such a drama. If only


    she knew, she¡¯d have


    never agreed


    ¨C


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    But now, it did solve one problem ¨C her folks would stop trying to set her up on dates.


    Anyway, Harrison didn¡¯t work here. With a thousand miles between them, this ¡®long-distance¡¯


    rtionship seemed to make no


    trouble


    After dinner, Harrison took Elise to a hotel.


    Before leaving, Elise handed Jocelyn a well-prepared gift for meeting her.


    Jocelyn reluctantly epted it as if holding a hot potato.


    Daisy nudged Jocelyn to see them off to the hotel, and Elise, whose eyes were full of anticipation, was


    hopeful for more chit-chat


    with Jocelyn


    Jocelyn caved in, her soft heart winning out.


    The three of them took a cab, with Harrison in the front and Elise and Jocelyn in the back


    Elise marveled at morous Yanova City and reminded Harrison to keep in touch with Jocelyn, to


    check out which neighborhoods they liked for a house.


    Harrison yed along, responding eagerly to anything Elise suggested..


    Jocelyn just couldn¡¯t keep her cool the way Harrison did but felt a bit awkward anyway.


    Their parents met each other today, which means wedding bells couldn¡¯t be too far off.


    What a headache!


    Jocelyn had booked a room at the hotel way ahead of time After seeing them in their room, she was


    ready to split.


    Elise insisted that Harrison walk her out. Harrison himself was also eager to step up, while Jocelyn


    declined it.


    But to avoid disappointing Elise, she let Harrison escort her out of the hotel.


    ¡°This whole thing today, really, it¡¯s..¡± Harrison said, scratching his head in embarrassment, Thanks for


    putting up with it.¡±


    Jocelyn replied, ¡°Hey, we¡¯re scratching each other¡¯s backs here.¡±


    Harrison chuckled, That¡¯s the spirit. My mom wants to treat you guys to lunch tomorrow. Given your


    dad might be tied up at work during lunchtime, I switched it to six in the evening. Day after tomorrow,


    bright and early, Mom and 1 head back.


    ¡°Atright, Jocelyn agreed,mitted to ying her part to the hilt.


    1 can¡¯t ept this gift, here you go.¡± Jocelyn said, handing it back to him.


    Harrison nced at it, ¡°You hold onto it for now.¡±


    ¡°How can I do that?¡¯ Jocelyn shook her head, shoving it back into his hand, ¡°We¡¯re just pretending


    here, I can¡¯t take it no matter. what. Otherwise, I¡¯m out of this y.¡±


    She was adamant, so Harrison epted it.


    Harrison hailed a cab on the curb, aiming to drop Jocelyn home. Sheughed it off and declined his


    kindness. If not, they¡¯d just waste the whole night on the road and nobody would get any shut-eye.


    Finally, Jocelyn got in the cab, and Harrison watched her go from the sidewalk.


    Sitting in the cab, Jocelyn looked back to see Harrison still standing there.


    ¡®She couldn¡¯t fathom how things had suddenly gotten to this point but all felt pretty weird.


    As the car stopped by the curb, Jocelyn spotted a silver sedan parked across the street. It looked


    familiar, but she couldn¡¯t make out the license te.


    Thinking about the encounter at the airport earlier, Melvin imed to be on a business trip Maybe it


    was just another car that looked the same.


    After getting out of the cab, she texted Harrison to let him know she was home.


    As she walked into the building, the motion-activated lights flickered on. She was suddenly yanked into


    the stairwell next door and pinned against the wall with a thud.

 Chapter 68

    Chapter 68


    She was just about to scream when a creepy voice cut through. ¡°Go ahead. Might as well call down


    your mom and dad for a


    show


    In her moment of hesitation, her lips were sealed.


    The familiar taste and touch sent shivers down her spine.


    Jocelyn fought back, punching and pinching, but their difference in strength was too great. It was like


    scratching an itch through a boot without any effect


    That wild and oppressive kiss soon exhausted Jocelyn, her strength to struggle fading fast. She might


    be suffocated and her whole body went limp in his arms


    Finally the man let her go


    She took deep breaths, with her mind slowlying into sanity. Jocelyn clung tightly to the front of his


    shirt, afraid she¡¯d copse if she let go


    ¡°You¡­ Jocelyn knew who it was without taking a look Eyes red, breath heavy, she red at that


    gloomy face. ¡°You bastard¡­¡±


    Melvin cupped her face in his hands, with no trace of gentleness. His thumbs pressed under her


    eyelids. In the flickering light, his face looked even more menacing.


    Jocelyn stared back in terror, her chest heaving with fear and the struggle to breathe Swallowing


    nervously, she had no clue what he was nning to do next.


    ¡°Still making excuses? You cheated on me!¡±


    Jocelyn shivered uncontrobly when confronted with Melvin¡¯s restrained anger.


    She had never seen him so fierce before, as if she might die by his hand in the next second


    When the light came on, she saw his eyes were red.


    Trembling her lips, she managed a hoarse answer, ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Am I blind?¡± Melvin squinted. ¡°Picking him up, going home, meeting the parents, hitting a hotel.


    Jocelyn, you¡¯re quite the catch. Got your hooks in him already, waiting for an excuse to dump me,


    right?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s grip contorted Jocelyn¡¯s face.


    She swallowed hard, her fear magnifying.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± she said with a rough voice.


    ¡°Heh. Melvinughed


    Such a sneer was more terrifying than his dark face, which clenched Jocelyn¡¯s heart.


    Finally, he let go of her, his gaze piercing. ¡°So, after meeting the parents, what¡¯s next? Getting married


    or hopping into bed first?


    Jocelyn caught her breath, fighting forposure and gripping her hands tight. Looking back into his


    eyes, she hardened her


    gaze.


    ¡°Whether it¡¯s getting married or sleeping together, it¡¯s none of your business¡± Jocelyn had always


    known he wasn¡¯t someone to mess with. He had a temper and could do anything if provoked. How else


    could he have turned a jewelry brand into a top-tier name in just three short years?


    She had no doubts about his ruthlessness in business and possibly towards her as well.


    Melvin narrowed his eyes dangerously, his hands propping near and getting closer to her, ¡°None of my


    business? I won¡¯t let you make it?¡±


    Her heart raced with fear.


    ¡°Yes, I can¡¯t bear toy a hand on you, but what about him?¡± Melvin arched an eyebrow, a chilling look


    emerging in his eyes.


    Jocelyn panicked, ¡°Don¡¯t do anything crazy!¡±


    ¡°What, feeling sorry for him? Facing her nervousness, Melvin grew his fury and gently pinched her chin,


    lifting it slightly, ¡°A university professor, huh? Well-educated man. What do such people fear most? I


    should think about that.


    Jocelyn, frightened, grabbed his hand. ¡°What the hell do you want?¡±


    real my woman without consequences? Melvin removed her hand, his once affectionate eyes now filled


    with malice


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Mine is mine. Unless I give it up, nobody can take what I want.¡±


    For the first time, Jocelyn felt the full extent of Melvin¡¯s ruthlessness. She didn¡¯t doubt for a second he


    was serious.


    As he turned to leave, she rushed over and hugged his waist, blurting out desperately, ¡°Nothing


    happened between him and me. He just helped me escape from the blind date my parents set up.¡±


    Jocelyn hurriedly exined, ¡°He¡¯s not chasing me, and I don¡¯t like him.¡±


    ¡°Helped you? Even got his mom involved?¡± Melvin wasn¡¯t buying her story. ¡°Men aren¡¯t that kind-


    hearted. Would he help you if he didn¡¯t have designs on you? Or are you clear about his intention but


    didn¡¯t care and want to turn a drama into reality?¡±


    Jocelyn admitted the arrangement with Harrison was mutual, but going further was never the n.


    ¡°Lost for words? Melvin scoffed, ¡°So eager to get rid of me, all for him.¡±


    Jocelyn loosened her grip, and looking up at his menacing face, she said, ¡°I¡¯m getting married.¡±


    I¡¯m not stopping you from getting hitched,¡± Melvin squinted, ¡°What pisses me off is you trying to make a


    cuckold out of me.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t!¡± Jocelyn¡¯s denial was weak.


    ¡°I have my own judgment. You¡¯re ditching me for another man. Am I your pastime when you¡¯re lonely?


    Heh, now I see, you¡¯ve been ying me.¡±


    Jocelyn never imagined today¡¯s events would spawn such horrible thoughts in him.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got guts, Melvin dusted off his clothes, freezing his eyes, ¡°Fine. From now on, we¡¯re done.¡±


    With that, he walked away decisively.


    Jocelyn stood there, stunned. By the time she snapped out of it, he was already at his car, opening the


    door.


    She panicked. Rushing over just as he was about to close the door, she thrust her hand inside,


    narrowly getting it crushed.


    Melvin let go of the door handle and sat in the car, looking at her expressionlessly


    ¡°I¡¯ve never betrayed you while we were together,¡± Jocelyn panted, determined to protect Harrison from


    him.


    Melvin looked at her indifferently, ¡°Are you done?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go after Harrison, Jocelyn insisted, There¡¯s nothing between us.¡±


    He watched her for a moment, then coldly responded, ¡°Are you finished?¡±


    She had to make herself clear, I¡¯mpletely innocent with him.¡±


    Melvin whipped out a cigarette and lit it up, with one leg kicking out of the car, nting his foot on the


    ground. He puffed away like a total bad boy, giving her the side-eye as he exhaled a stream of smoke.


    He didn¡¯t say a word, but the silence only cranked up Jocelyn¡¯s anxiety.


    ¡°So you¡¯re dumping me, and I¡¯m supposed to just do as you say? Melvin flicked the ash off his cigarette


    and said in a voice as smooth as silk. His lip-licking was also dripped with wicked charm and vicious


    vibes.


    Jocelyn clenched her heart, totally getting the hint of his words


    She¡¯d made a tough call to cut ties with im with this mess now, Melvin was deliberately stirring the pot.


    ¡°You said once I walked out that door, you wo ildn¡¯te after me, Jocelyn remembered that much


    ¡°Right, I did say that,¡± Melvin didn¡¯t dodge the fact, ¡°But you did me dirty, so I gotta get some answers.¡±


    7 didn¡¯t!¡± Jocelyn felt helpless.


    Melvin took another drag, blew out the smoke slowly, then idly yed with the cigarette butt before


    saying, ¡°I¡¯ve got a brain. I trust my own judgment.¡±


    Jocelyn knew he was unreasonable.


    She wasn¡¯t scared of his stubbornness, but she feared he might drag innocent people into this mess.


    He was forcing her!


    Jocelyn remembered Melvin once agreed to let her go as long as she had a potential marriage


    prospect


    ¡°Yeah, right


    As if he¡¯d ever let her off the hook that easily.


    #twas she who approached him and loved him in the first ce. And now, she couldn¡¯t shake him off.

 Chapter 69

    Chapter 69


    They were at a standoff.


    A cigarette was finished, its butt hit the ground, sparks flying briefly before being snuffed out under his


    foot.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing left to say, let go,¡± he said, reaching for the car door.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to release her grip, fearing that once she did, he¡¯d go after Harrison to settle


    scores.


    They were at a tug-of-war, neither of them backing down, not physically at least. But wasn¡¯t this


    struggle over the car door also their mental tug-of-war?


    ¡°Harrison is Innocent. Jocelyn stressed again.


    Melvin looked at her intently, ¡°Your word doesn¡¯t cut it.¡±


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, ¡°I¡¯ll make it clear tomorrow to my parents that we¡¯re faking a rtionship.¡±


    Melvin stayed silent.


    Jocelyn bit back her frustration, I won¡¯t break up with you.¡±


    A flicker of amusement crossed Melvin¡¯s face, ¡°Quite the sacrifice you¡¯re making for that guy¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Jocelyn clenched her teeth, ¡°I like you, so I can¡¯t bear to let you go; I don¡¯t want us to part ways.¡±


    Melvin chuckled


    He pursed his lips, watching Jocelyn as if she were driven to desperate measures, a hint of mockery in


    his eyes, ¡°Do you realize how fierce you look right now? If you had a knife in your hand, you¡¯d probably


    stab me right here,¡± he said, pointing to his chest.


    Jocelyn did indeed wish she could just off him, but it was only a fleeting thought.


    ¡°I¡¯m going on a business trip. I hope you¡¯ve sorted things out by the time I get back. If not, I¡¯ll deal with


    it when I return,¡± Melvin said, checking the time. He couldn¡¯t dy any longer.


    Jocelyn knew hisst words were both a warning and a threat, but the only thing that gave her a bit of


    relief was that he was leaving


    ¡°Let go, Melvin insisted, looking at her hand still clinging to the car door.


    Jocelyn pulled her hand away, and Melvin retracted his foot, closing the car door.


    Just as Jocelyn was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Melvin rolled down the car window, rested his


    elbow on the frame, and


    motioned her over with a hook of his finger.


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Jocelyn sank her heart once again and walked over.


    ¡°Come closer, Melvin frowned.


    Jocelyn stepped forward again, nearly pressing against the car.


    Melvin reached out, cupped the back of her head, and pulled her into a forceful kiss.


    If time weren¡¯t an issue, he would never be satisfied with just a deep kiss.


    When he let her go, his breath was ragged, lust apparent in his eyes. His fingers gently traced her


    swollen, red lips, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing. Without warning, he went in for another attack, biting her


    neck sharply.


    Jocelyn winced in pain, pping his shoulder.


    Melvin didn¡¯t let go, soothing the bitten spot with gentle licks and kisses after the bite, incredibly tender


    and intimate.


    Jocelyn could feel his reluctance to part. She really couldn¡¯t figure him out.


    What did he actually want?


    He presented himself as magnanimous. But in reality, he had a narrow mind.


    He had made it clear he wouldn¡¯t marry her, and never said he loved her, but somehow he seemed


    unable to let her go.


    Jocelyn was startled by his reluctance to let her go.


    How could he not bear to part with her?


    Melvin released her, pleased with the mark he had left. His fingers grazed it gently.


    the astonishment in her eyes, he softened considerably, ¡°Go home and get some rest. I¡¯m off


    This time, he rolled up the window decisively and stepped on the gas. The car¡¯s engine roared through


    the quiet neighborhood.


    Watching the taillights disappear around the corner, Jocelyn slumped to the ground, her tears finally


    flowing.


    Jocelyn was gued with nightmares and dreamed of Melvin going after Harrison, stabbing him, with


    blood sttering all over


    her.


    In her dream, Melvin was like a bloodthirsty demon, lips smeared with blood, raising the knife towards


    her, challenging if she


    dared to run.


    Jocelyn woke up terrified.


    It was just after 5 a.m., still dark outside.


    She had no interest in her phone, her mind preupied with how to handle the situation.


    Just yesterday, she had agreed with Harrison but now she was reconsidering. The worst part was that


    both sets of parents had met and liked each other.


    Even if dating could lead to breakups, it shouldn¡¯t have turned upside down overnight.


    Melvin¡¯s words had given her a headache.


    In the morning. Jocelyn prepared breakfast. Daisy, surprised to see the table set, asked, ¡°Why are you


    up so early today? What happened to your neck? noticing the band-aid on Jocelyn¡¯s neck


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep, got bitten by a bug, and identally scratched it open,¡± Jocelyn said, cing the


    pasta on the table, ¡°Didn¡¯t add any chili


    Daisy looked puzzled. After all, there were no bugs in their roomst night.


    Calvin, noticing his daughter¡¯s low spirits, asked, ¡°What did Harrison and his mom say when you


    dropped them off yesterday?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, Jocelyn replied, annoyed at the memory.


    ¡°His mother is very tolerant and easy to get along with. She said that after you two get married, they


    won¡¯t live with you. It¡¯s rare to find such an understanding mother-inw, Calvin said earnestly, ¡°You


    should cherish her.¡±


    Jocelyn stared at her te of pasta, which felt like swallowing needles.


    ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯ve only known Harrison for a few days. Even if there¡¯s a spark, it¡¯s only superficial. How


    did we get to talking about marriage? Jocelyn put down her chopsticks, ¡°Don¡¯t get too chummy with


    them. Who knows when we might call it quits?¡±


    ¡°Just put in some effort, Daisy urged, ¡°You know it¡¯s just the beginning, so why not think positively?


    Harrison is a good man, treat him right


    Jocelyn seemed to be tortured in the hell.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to overthink it. Love is unpredictable. As long as you¡¯re sincere and look to the future,


    love will follow,¡± Calvin tried to relieve her pressure,forting her. ¡°We as parents only wish for you to


    find a good man to marry into and have a warm and happy home. A loving marriage is all that matters.


    Daisy nodded in agreement. The key is your attitude.¡±


    Jocelyn was at a loss for words. She had dug her own grave.


    She had no idea how long Melvin would be away. If she could get through tonight¡¯s dinner, there


    shouldn¡¯t be much trouble afterward.


    In the afternoon, Melvin called her on purpose.


    She was holed up in the bedroom, trembling hands as she looked at that string of phone numbers.


    She always felt like that guy was watching her from somewhere out of sight.


    She answered the call.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?


    ¡°Getting ready to grab some food.¡±


    Did you spill the beans?¡±


    tocelyn pulled the phone away a bit, took a deep breath, then brought it back, Ill talk about it over


    dinner.


    elvin sounded much softer, ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a couple of days¡±


    Oh? Not thrilled?


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t muster up any excitement, she really just walked right into Melvin¡¯s trap. That sweet


    deal in her imagination was a st But then she was trapped and found it hard to get out.


    She faked a smile, and kept her voice breezy. ¡°How could I not be? I¡¯m stoked. I¡¯ve got a dinner in a bit,


    gotta hang up.¡±


    ¡°Sure.


    After the call, Jocelyn took several deep breaths to get a grip, then got her outfit together before


    heading out.


    She saw the love bite Melvin had left on her neck in the mirror, still crystal clear.


    The man was doing it on purpose, troubling her life.


    After dabbing on some powder, she checked herself out from all angles and finally tied up some hair in


    a bun, leaving the rest cascading over her chest. Then she popped on a pair of bold sunflower earrings


    at the right size and height for dual coverage.


    Waiting right at the hotel entrance for them, Harrison had booked a private room. Their earnest


    treatment towards the Winslet family was pretty rare.


    Elise let them order. Both families sitting together seemed to set up a marriage arrangement.


    Jocelyn was on pins and needles. It wasn¡¯t until they mentioned the flight tomorrow at 8 in the morning


    that she breathed a sigh


    of relief.

 Chapter 70

    Chapter 70


    *Jocelyn, school¡¯s about to start in a few days for you guys, right? Wannae hang out at our ce


    for a bit? Elise asked her warmily and kindly


    Jocelyn quickly declined. Thanks for the offer, but the school sent a notice saying we should stay in


    town, ready to head back to school at any moment.¡±


    ¡°No worries, then we¡¯ll wait for next holiday¡± Elise didn¡¯t suspect and said with a beaming smile,


    ¡°Actually, my husband wanted toe over and see Jocelyn too, but something came up at workst


    minute and he couldn¡¯t make it. He told me that just by looking at you, he can tell you¡¯re a sweet and


    sensible girl. Harrison is lucky to meet you¡±


    Jocelyn felt a mix of embarrassment and guilt, not daring to look up.


    Harrison knew Jocelyn was feeling ufortable, but he wasn¡¯t in a position to say anything.


    ¡®People say it takes five hundred nces in a past life to earn a simple brush past in this one. Harrison


    and Jocelyn must have a destiny that ties them together, Daisy chimed in cheerfully


    Both sets of parents were very pleased with the other, but the two in question couldn¡¯t muster much


    enthusiasm.


    Jocelyn sweated through the meal and excused herself to the restroom outside.


    Once outside, she didn¡¯t want to go back in. The joy in her parents¡¯ eyes was something she couldn¡¯t


    bear to shatter


    She regretted agreeing to Harrison yesterday and didn¡¯t know how heartbroken her parents would be


    once the lie was exposed


    One lie needs countless others to weave it. Once started, it¡¯s impossible to stop.


    Jocelyn leaned against the wall in the corridor, in an intense mood since the night before.


    She just hoped that once Harrison and his family left, the immediate crisis would be averted.


    ¡°Why are you hiding out here? Harrison came looking for her and saw her troubled face.


    Jocelyn gave him a half-hearted smile, ¡°Just can¡¯t seem to get a word in.¡±


    Harrison stood beside her, ¡°Am I causing you trouble?


    Jocelyn smiled faintly, looking down.


    If it weren¡¯t for Melvin¡¯s threat, she wouldn¡¯t feel troubled at all.


    In that moment she looked down, her earring shifted and her hair fell out of ce, revealing a faint bite


    mark on her neck


    The light in Harrison¡¯s eyes dimmed behind his sses, and he pushed them up, ¡°If this situation is


    troubling you, I can exin. This started because of me and has nothing to do with you.¡±


    Jocelyn looked up at his sincere expression.


    His sincerity made her feel almost cruel to agree with his suggestion.


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m fickle? Jocelyn asked with a bitter smile.


    Harrison shook his head, ¡°This was all my presumption, you got dragged into this. If you think it¡¯s


    necessary, I¡¯ll clear things up This has nothing to do with you.¡±


    If it weren¡¯t for Melvin, she felt that this wouldn¡¯t be so bad.


    Ironically, it was she who had ensnared Harrison in an unjust situation


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Let them enjoy their meal today. After you guys leave, you can find a good time to talk to your


    mom, and I¡¯ll exin things to my parents too,¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t mind waiting another night and didn¡¯t


    want to upset the elders.


    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s head back then,¡± Harrison said, worried they might be missed.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    They walked back to the private room together, unaware that someone nearby had captured a photo of


    them together


    After the meal, they left the hotel together.


    Ellse held Jocelyn¡¯s hand with genuine affection, while Harrison followed behind. They chatted with


    laughter and perfect harmony


    At that moment, in the hotel parking lot, someone in a nanny van was filming this joyful scene on their


    phone.


    The previous video got taken down, but they still have a lot of followers. After posting this, the follow-up


    will h


    heated discussion,¡± Willow looked at the photos and raised an eyebrow, ¡°They really do look good


    together.¡±


    The assistant sent the photos to a marketing ount, telling them to craft a narrative, alming for


    everyone to see it as a match made in heaven. Emphasis should beid on their parents¡¯ union for


    wedding preparation.


    Jocelyn had no clue that overnight, the news about her and Harrison had blown up online, causing a


    stir like that of celebrities and even trending on social media.


    But not a single person online badmouthed her. Instead, she won all blessings, which was regarded as


    a perfect match with Harrison.


    Some even congratted them on finding true love and wished them to have children soon.


    Jocelyn was woken up by her phone ringing, squinting as she picked it up to see who was calling, she


    answered.


    ¡°Urs, it¡¯s so early.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re trending!¡± Urs eximed, ¡°When did you start dating such a catch and make it so public? If


    you guys don¡¯t tie the knot now, it¡¯s gonna be a scene¡±


    Jocelyn was confused, not having any idea what she was talking about.


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    After hanging up, she clicked on the link Urs had sent her, immediately waking up fully.


    ¡°How could this happen?¡±


    Jocelyn looked at the photos, one of which captured her and Harrison in the hotel corridor, leaving the


    hotel together. Another photo was Elise smiling and holding her hand filled with harmony.


    She panicked.


    When Melvin had called her the day before, she said she would handle it. But now things had


    completely spiraled, she didn¡¯t dare imagine Melvin¡¯s reaction.


    He probably wanted her head on a tter.


    When Harrison called, she was so agitated and didn¡¯t want to pick up anyone¡¯s calls.


    Jocelyn, you and Harrison are all over the inte again.¡± Daisy was still in good spirits as she knocked


    on Jocelyn¡¯s door, ¡°You know, the person who took these photos did a good job, you two look great


    together¡±


    Seeing her daughter sitting on the bed, grabbing her hair in frustration, Daisy rushed over, ¡°Jocelyn,


    what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    When Jocelyn looked up, Daisy widened her eyes in shock. Her daughter¡¯s eyes were red-rimmed, and


    she looked pale and distressed


    ¡°What¡¯s up with you? You sick or something?¡± Daisy was freaking out.


    Jocelyn felt like she was about to explode, and the panic was hurting her throat.


    Her voice was hoarse as she said, ¡°Mom, Harrison and I aren¡¯t really dating, we¡¯ve been pulling your


    leg¡±


    Daisy was gobsmacked.


    ¡°Because you guys were pushing us to tie the knot, Harrison and I cooked up this n to fake a


    romance. It¡¯d get his mom off his back and give you guys some peace of mind.¡± Jocelyn felt like she


    was running on empty. If she had known things would get this messy, she never would¡¯ve gone to that


    dinnerst night.


    Daisy looked at her steadily. ¡°Are you for real?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Jocelyn was totally drained and now all she could think about was how to deal with Melvin.


    She flopped down on the bed and yanked the covers over her head, ¡°Please leave, I need some alone


    time.¡±


    After a while, Jocelyn heard the door close, then she pulled the covers back to reveal her face full of


    utter despair.


    She wasn¡¯t scared of much, but the thought of Melvin going after Harrison was terrifying.


    The whole mess was blowing up online, yet Melvin hadn¡¯t dropped her a single call.


    She didn¡¯t buy that Melvin was clueless.


    No peep from Melvin was freaking Jocelyn out big time.

 Chapter 71

    Chapter 71


    Jocelyn was on pins and needles the whole day without a peep from Melvin


    Instead, thements under that ount were blowing up.


    Only then did she notice the topment was actually posted by Hamison


    ¡°Hey everyone, it¡¯s Harrison here. Just to set the record straight, it was just a regr, casual get


    together, not an engagement like some of you are making it out to be. Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions.


    Thanks!¡±


    Jocelyn knew Harrison was looking out for her. That guy had a way of being thoughtful without making


    a fuss about it.


    If it weren¡¯t for the worry that Melvin might stir up trouble, she wouldn¡¯t give a hoot about what others


    were gossiping about.


    The bigger the hoo, the more she fretted about Melvin getting ticked off


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she also chimed in with ament under Harrison¡¯s, ¡°Just a friendly


    hangout. No need to fill in the nks, haha. Your well-wishes aren¡¯t doing any favors for me and my


    boyfnend¡¯s harmony. If you wanna send good wishes, send them to me and my beau, alright? Thanks!¡±


    She was scrambling to make amends


    Thest sentence was just to soothe Melvin.


    But her reply didn¡¯t do squat to calm the storm. Some troll started a beat, using her of ying the


    field, hopping from one boat to


    the other.


    Then came the photos. There she was in the city with Melvin at a hotel entrance, her neck covered in


    love bites.


    The snapshot was taken at a tricky angle. Her face was clear as day, but Melvin¡¯s was blurry. It still


    could be told he was not Harrison though.


    Besides that photo, the troll dropped the bomb that Jocelyn was a middle school teacher.


    Theizens went ballistic in a hot minute


    One by one, they swarmed herment section, mming her for wild living style. She was said to be


    a disgrace to teachers


    The controversy just kept getting louder. What started as blessings for her and Hammson turned into a


    free-for-all on her character.


    For the first time, Jocelyn felt the full brunt of a cyber mob, which could crush a soul all of a sudden


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    She used to wonder how she¡¯d handle being in the shoes of those who faced online witch hunts. In the


    past, she¡¯d be unfazed because


    her conscience was clear


    But now, faced with the real deal, she was still clear-conscience and all, but she couldn¡¯t just brush it off


    She was scared She worried that her parents would get dragged into this mess.


    A whirlwind of gnevance, fear, anxiety, worry, and terror hit her all at once, overwhelming her like an


    unbreakable


    What was just a follow-up to a street interview had blown up into a nightmare


    The flooding insults were flying left and right. It didn¡¯t take long before Jocelyn was out


    Then came the snide remarks about her looks being too sultry for a serious teacher


    With her students in their teens and her good looks, any slight impropriety or intention to go lowbrow


    will lose students focus on their


    studies.


    Later, folks were hitting up the school¡¯s official website and demanding to dismiss Jocelyn


    Nobody saw the uproaring


    Jocelyn never imagined she¡¯d be the talk of the town, on par with inte celebs or stars


    If there wasn¡¯t someone pulling strings behind the scenes, she¡¯d eat her hat.


    As the online saga went from bad to worse, Calvin headed home before clocking out, his face as


    stormy as the neighbors¡¯ curious nces.


    Daisy was all sighs, with those harsh words stabbing her heart.


    Jocelyn, not wanting to drag her parents down, beat it back to her apartment before anyone could


    come knocking


    She almost topped getting out of the cab, mask on and all


    song¡¯s bright skies were how grim as if the heavens were about to copse


    A sudden pust, the growling thunder, and the weeping leaves seemed to resonate with her mood as


    she stumped onto the steps of a


    earby nurden, drained


    She powered off her phone, her hair whipping around in the wind, clothes rustling.


    A bolt of lightning tore across the sky on the other side of the city, and soybean like raindrops began to


    fall, spreading ripples at her feet and slowly drenching the ground


    At this time, no one was spying on her, right?


    When she went out of home those normally friendly neighbors were giving her the side-eye, and the


    driver seemed to size her up even in the cab. She felt like someone was ready to spit out ¡°shameless¡±


    at her everywhere.


    The rain was relerVess, soaking her through and through But it was the only ce she could find a


    moment of peace.


    She had no clue why she was suddenly the target of a cyber roast, or why things had spiraled out of


    control


    The streetlights reflected on the wet pavement made her look even more pitiful, as if she was the only


    one left in the world, or as if the world had cast her aside.


    Heading down, she felt her eyes burned and her throat sliced open Covering her face, she did not


    know if it was rain or tears, cold and salty


    The rain seemned to stop, but she could still hear it.


    When she dropped her hands, she saw a pair of rain-soaked shoes, her gaze slowly trailing up to see


    sleek legs in sharp suit pants.


    She knew who it was.


    When she finally saw the face, she clenched her teeth stubbornly, a surge welling up in her eyes.


    ¡°Had enough of the rain? The man¡¯s cold voice without any warmth seemed even icier against the chill


    of the rain.


    Jocelyn propped herself up by her arms. She had seen stray cats that always huddled in corners during


    the rain, filthy and forlorn.


    Right now, she was just like one of those strays


    ¡°Get up!¡± Melvin¡¯s tone was t


    Sitting still, Jocelyn swallowed hard and tightly pressed her lips, ¡°Just let me be for a while.¡±


    As soon as she finished, the man yanked her up with no tenderness, hurting her arm.


    With numb legs, she nearly copsed to her knees.


    Melvin ditched the umbre, scooping her up in his arms. His whole body instantly soaked, their bodies


    pressing together His warmth shivered Jocelyn who was too weak to struggle


    Back home, Melvin tossed her into the bathroom and stripped off her wet clothes. His one hand


    steadied her so she wouldn¡¯t fall, the other held the shower head, turning on the hot water to rinse her


    from head to toe


    ¡°nt your feet!¡± Melvin had her lean on him as he squeezed out some body wash and started


    lathering her up with bubbles.


    It wasn¡¯t the first time that Jocelyn was bathed by him However, this time he was super rough, not


    giving a damn about being gentle or treating her like a delicate flower He seemed to scrub ayer of


    skin off her


    And for the first time, he didn¡¯t y her as a toy, just genuinely gave her a bath.


    After turning off the water, he wrapped her up in a towel like a burrito and camed her to the bedroom,


    plopping her down on the bed.


    Seeing her lying there, lifeless like a doll with its spirit sucked out, Melvin didn¡¯t say a word


    He patiently blow-dried her hair before heading back to the bathroom to take his shower, which was


    quite out of his character


    Jocelyn, listening to the sound of water running, felt groggy and curled up under the covers, burying her


    head.

 Chapter 72

    Chapter 72


    Gaught in a heavy downpour with overwhelming mental stress, Jocelyn could hardly avoid catching a


    cold,


    Mer fever spiked to 40 degrees in the middle of the night


    Melvin Immediately rushed her to the hospital. After two IV drips, her fever finally broke,


    Dawn was breaking by this time.


    Different fromst night¡¯s downpour, it was a sunny day this moming


    Melvin¡¯s phone buzzed insistently. He nced at the woman in the bed before walking to the window to


    take the call.


    ¡®Is it done?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, everything¡¯s been pulled down. Also found the person who leaked the photos.¡±


    Who?¡±


    ¡°Willow.¡± Zephyr replied. ¡°What do you n to do?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes darkened, his voice cold as ice, ¡°She¡¯s been too high-strungtely, time for her to take a


    break¡±


    After hanging up, Melvin turned to see the woman had woken.


    He walked over felt her forehead. The temperature hadn¡¯t risen again.


    Just for one night, Jocelyn was bleary-eyed and deted.


    *Got any exnations? Melvin pulled up a chair next to the bed, propped up his leg, ready to grill her.


    Jocelyn turned her face away, swallowing hard. ¡°No¡±


    Her voice was raspy and far from pleasant, which clearly annoyed Melvin.


    He let out a cold chuckle. This is how you n to handle things?


    Jocelyn faced forward again, mmed up


    She didn¡¯t know what to say. Things had spiraled this far, even a mouth full of excuses couldn¡¯t stand


    up to the cyberviolence. She was


    bound to lose this battle of words


    Seeing herckluster face, Melvin¡¯s frown could ve squashed a fly


    ¡°Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re at death¡¯s door. Why bother with things you haven¡¯t done? You could¡¯ve ignored


    all the nonsense and just walk your way Melvin barked at her, kicking the bed unceremoniously. Turn


    around, look at me.¡±


    Jocelyn refused to meet his gaze


    Melvin didn¡¯t push, and said in a cool voice. Getting your life messed up over a guy you¡¯ve known for a


    few days? Have I ever embarrassed you like this in all the years we¡¯ve been together? Don¡¯t think a


    guy¡¯s good to you just because he¡¯s willing to be seen public with you. If he doesn¡¯t bring you any


    trouble, that¡¯s when he truly cares Melvin nced at her, but she didn¡¯t even bat an eyelid.


    Jocelyn had to admit, he hadn¡¯t put her in a tight spot over the years, but she wasn¡¯t naive Without


    someone pulling strings behind the scenes, this would never be possible


    Once she cooled down, it clicked. It could be an idental snap capturing them at the hotel exit, but


    what about that other time with Melvin? Waiting to release it now meant someone had been biding their


    time, ready to trash her rep


    It was a long game She even had a hunch who was stirring the pot


    It¡¯s possible for anyone to snap the hotel dining photo, but that shot with Melvin in the frame? It


    wouldn¡¯t be easy


    The guy even took the photo from a particr angle that didn¡¯t show Melvin¡¯s face. Thinking of the


    people who were possibly there, it was not hard to guess her identity


    So, thanks for the years of secret love affairs. After all, it sounds like you were protecting me, she


    finally said, her voice weak but


    culting


    Melvin didn¡¯t seem to agree with her words. ¡°Now that it¡¯s out in the public, it might not blow up like this.


    But it would undeniably cause


    trouble.


    ¡°Ha Jocelyn scoffed, giving him a side-eye, ¡°Do you even know who¡¯s behind this mess?¡±


    Melvins casually resting fingers twitched, Told you not to take those street interviews Don¡¯t you think


    you brought this on yourself?¡±


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, fearing she¡¯d lose it and throw the IV bottle at him.


    She turned her back to turn. Thanks for bringing me here You can leave now.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get snippy with me.¡± Melvin showed a rare patience, ¡°Think about who was with youst night,


    who took care of you. Don¡¯t be se


    12.308


    Compter 72


    grateful


    Jeceive fenched her teeth, the fight draining out of her


    Melvin stood up, straightened his clothes. You¡¯re smart Use your head. Don¡¯t always be looking for the


    next best thing, discontent with what you have. You can¡¯t have your cake and eat it too.¡±


    With that he left.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, fighting back tears.


    She know Melion was too smart not to know who was behind this matter. But he still chose to pin it on


    her.


    After all, his protection for Willow was his way of penalizing her for getting close to Harrison


    She had no connections, no clout, no way to overthrow the traps set for her


    Willow was entrenched in the entertainment world, weaponizing public opinion to kick her down was all


    too easy


    Jocelyn dreaded turning her phone back on, unable to face the vitriol on social media


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    She even feared the school might suspect her conduct because of this mess. A dement was one thing,


    but what if some parents demanded her fining?


    It wasn¡¯t out of the question


    Jocelyn could calm herself down, but how could she to handle all this?


    She¡¯d never been through anything like this.


    And just this once could push her into the abyss


    No wonder they said themon folk can¡¯t fight the capitalists They¡¯re just trying to make a living while


    the rich scheme for a better


    life


    In this affair, she was themoner, Willow the capitalist


    Jocelyny restless on the bed for four hours until a nurse brought her porridge at noon She mustered


    the courage to power up her phone


    The moment it turned on, messages flooded in from her parents, Hamson, colleagues, even her leader


    at school had called.


    Facebook¡¯s notifications also maxed out


    She reassured her parents with a call, then braced herself and dove into Facebook


    A notice had been posted in the school staff group


    Jocelyn clicked, heart in her throat.


    About Jocelyn Jocelyn¡¯s work in teaching is undoubtedly recognized by the school. We have done a


    thorough research on the students feedback Their parents are very satisfied with Jocelyn¡¯s work and


    there is no problem with her personalities as suggested on social media On the contrary, the students


    respect and love Jocelyn deeply Parents reported that after Jocelyn took over the ss, the students


    grades have improved and they are excelling in all areas. The school will take legal action against


    those who spread rumour about Jocelyn, for this is not only affecting Jocelyns personal reputation, but


    also discrediting the school


    Following the post, all her colleagues were lining up to give her a unanimous thumbs up


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes welled up with tears that she just couldn¡¯t hold back.


    Then out of the blue, Urs¡¯s call came through, and Jocelyn sniffled and picked it up


    ¡°Oh my goodness, you finally turned your phone on You had us worned sick, Urs¡¯s over the moon,


    ¡°Did you check the group chat? We¡¯re all rooting for you. And hey, those keyboard wamors hit up our


    school forum demanding you get the boot, saying if you don¡¯t, no one would dare send their kids to our


    school


    But the tables have turned. Someone rounded up all the students and parents you¡¯ve ever taught and


    they banded together to clear your name. What¡¯s more, some of the students parents arewyers!


    They sent those trolls a legal warming. Those loudmouths backed down so fast, it was like instant


    karma


    Jocelyn¡¯s tears kept streaming as she saw the screenshots Urs sent her, including one with a


    ¡°Jocelyn is a good teacher¡± banner surrounded by a sea of signatures


    The pics online got deleted, and even those clickbait ounts issued an apology. They didn¡¯t spell it


    out, but it¡¯s pretty clear someone was out to tamish your rep. Anyway, thankfully it¡¯s over


    Urs let out a sigh Don¡¯t sweat if anymore. A cyberstorm like this just toughens you up Isn¡¯t it exciting


    to see those haters eat their den fruit? You should¡¯ve thought. Try as you might, you can¡¯t bring me


    down, and Ili just keep shining bright.¡±


    That got augh out of Jocelyn.


    crying? Usauds asked cautiously, ¡°Knock it off, every storm leads to a rainbow. Time to hold your head


    high


    away het tears. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m good, thanks.¡±


    though¡± Urs suddenly asked her, ¡°And what about your guy? You know, your man? What¡¯s he think


    about.all


    edhe think? He¡¯s just been watching it all like it was some kinda show.

 Chapter 73

    Chapter 73


    Just for one night¡¯s time, all those hatefulments about Jocelyn vanished into thin air


    It was like waking up from a nightmare, with only the memory lingering but no actual harm caused


    But that nightmare still had etched asting mark on Jocelyn¡¯s heart


    Lying in her hospital bed, she replied to each and every message of concem. Then she opened


    Harrison¡¯s Facebook message ¨C be sounded so anions, his words brimming with worry and care


    Jocelyn texted him back to ease his mind i¡¯m fine]


    Harrison mentioned he had squared things away with his parents, admitting he had been thoughtless.


    Jocelyn knew this wasn¡¯t on Harrison. Even if it weren¡¯t for him, those out to get her would find other


    chances.


    In the afternoon, Zephyr came to visit Jocelyn with a bunch of flowers, with Yannick trailing behind him.


    Zephyr was all mboyance, while Yannick was reserve. The two of them standing together, though in


    sharp contrasts, somehow seemed inseparable.


    ¡°Hi Zephyr Hi Yannick,¡± Jocelyn greeted them, sitting up a bit straighter


    Truth be told, she wasn¡¯t tight with them. Their sudden visit today left her wandering if someone had


    put them up to it


    ¡°We heard about the stuff online, you¡¯ve been wronged, Zephyr said ¡°Luckily, it¡¯s all sorted now Don¡¯t


    dwell on it too much, what¡¯s past is past. We ve gotta move on, right?


    In a sh, Jocelyn got the point- they weren¡¯t here for a bedside visit, they were here to make sure


    she¡¯d drop the matter


    They were friends of Willow


    And Jocelyn? She was just a shadowy figure Melvin kept out of the limelight, not fit to mingle with them


    The difference in importance between her and Willow was crystal clear.


    Jocelyn chuckled, True What¡¯s gone is gone. Its not like there¡¯s anything I can do, can 17


    Zephyr looked ad ufortable


    Nobody was a fool here Certainly they could see what Jocelyn meant


    Thanks for dropping by I just caught a cold from the rainst night Everything¡¯s fine, Jocelyn shed


    them a radiant smile. ¡®Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t waste time on battles I can¡¯t win.


    Zephyr exchanged a nce with Yannick, who shot him a look


    ¡°We won¡¯t keep you from resting then, we¡¯ll take off Let¡¯s catch upter when you¡¯re better


    ¡°Sure


    Zephyr and Yannick left the room, one after the other, closing the door behind them. Zephyr patted his


    chest. I didn¡¯t say anything wrong just now, did 1?


    ¡°It depends on how she takes it, Yannick said expressionlessly That was a bit out of line¡±


    Zephyr hurried after Yannick. ¡°How was I out of line? Willow said she was about to join the cast, but


    suddenly she was reced. If it wasn¡¯t for Melvin¡¯s tricks, how could that happen? It¡¯s all settled now


    everyone steps back and we have peace, isn¡¯t that good?¡±


    Yannick was beyond reasoning with him. ¡°You know it was Melvin¡¯s doing then why did you go after


    Jocelyn?¡±


    ¡°Willow came to me, then how could I not help? I didn¡¯t say much just sussing out Jocelyn¡¯s stance. As


    long as she drops this thing, it¡¯s all good.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s never been in Jocelyn¡¯s hands to decide, Yannick looked at Zephyr with a hint of disdain ¡°You¡¯d


    best keep your nose out of others¡¯ business, or you¡¯ll end up being the bad guy to everyone


    Yannick strode towards his car, Zephyr catching up and pping a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Why didn¡¯t


    you stop me at the start then? You speak up only after I¡¯ve done it.¡±


    Yannick nced at the hand on his shoulder, flicking it off with his car key. ¡°Do you ever listen to me?¡±


    ¡°Sure, I do,¡± Zephyr slid into the car, buckled up, and raised an eyebrow at Yannick, ¡®I always listen to


    you.¡±


    Yennick was speechless.


    Jocelyn handled her own discharge and returned to her apartment


    She checked herputer for that street interview ount, but the video with her and Harrison was


    nowhere to be found now


    Typing her name into the search bar, the school web page popped up, her name and work photo listed


    under ¡®distinguished teachers¡±, along with a brief introduction.


    Thetest bulletin on the school¡¯s web page also featured her name, including the petition Urs had


    sent her, signed by parents of students students of the past, the present, and even some students


    she¡¯d never taught.


    Tears warmed her eyes again as she looked at the handwritten list.


    Her phone rang beside theputer, but she didn¡¯t want to answer, letting it ring out


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Three ringster, the man¡¯s patience had wom thin.


    With her eyes red and swollen from crying, Jocelyn shut herptop and headed to the bathroom to


    wash her face Suddenly, the door thundered as if someone was about to bust it down.


    No need to guess who it was. She went to open the door reluctantly.


    Melvin¡¯s face was as sour as if he¡¯d just fallen into a cesspit. His look of concern flipping to anger in an


    instant, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you answer my call?


    ¡°Didn¡¯t hear it.¡± Jocelyn let go of the door knowing there was no way getting rid of him now.


    She walked in, and Melvin mmed the door behind him, ¡°I thought you were dead or something.¡±


    His mouth as always, was rotten to the core.


    Jocelyn slumped onto the couch pulling her legs up and hugging a cushion, giving him a sidelong


    nce, ¡°Sorry to disappoint you¡±


    Melvin, fuming, started unbuttoning his cuffs and rolling up his sleeves.


    If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he never hit women, you¡¯d think he was about to throw a punch at any


    second.


    Seeing her indifference, Melvin charged over and pinned her down, lifting her hands above her head,


    breathing erratically, his heartbeat strong and forceful. He stared at the flicker of nervousness in her


    eyes and gritted his teeth, ¡°Don¡¯t think just because you¡¯re sick, I won¡¯t do anything to you¡±


    ¡°No way Even if I were dead, I¡¯d bet you¡¯d be the type tomit necrophilia, Jocelyn¡¯s soft, mocking


    wordspletely infuriated the


    man


    Seeing his bloodshot eyes, Jocelyn did feel a bit scared, but thinking about how Willow used to mess


    with her, there was no way she was going to back down.


    Wasn¡¯t it just because she was easy to bully? Otherwise, why would everyone pick on her?


    ¡°Are you dumb?¡± Melvin fumed, gripping her wrist so tightly it visibly reddened


    Her skin has always been wless, easily bruised with just a pinch or a little suck, leaving red marks


    behind.


    Every time they were together, he wanted to control himself, but also felt a twisted sense of


    aplishment seeing the marks on her body, as if they were proof that she belonged to him.


    Jocelyn was stubborn, not caring even if her wrist was crushed.


    ¡°When you meet a human, you speak humannguage, when you encounter a ghost, you talk ghost


    talk; and when you meet someone who¡¯s inhumane, naturally, you won¡¯t have anything nice to say.


    Jocelyn¡¯s tongue was particrly sharp today.


    Melvin felt like his lungs were about to explode with anger.


    ¡°You should learn to be grateful in life. You¡¯re a teacher, certainly you know it, Melvin threatened with


    narrowed eyes, Jocelyn, if you don¡¯t practice gratitude yourself, how can you expect your students to


    understand it?¡±


    Jocelyn hated it most when he questioned her ability to teach based on her personal life.


    Just like those online trails, using her private affairs to doubt her professionalpetence

 Chapter 74

    Chapter 74


    ¡°So what? Are you going to teach me to forget the past? Chill out, with the little clout I have, how am I


    supposed to hold anyone ountable?¡± Jocelyn locked eyes with him, ¡°Fine, Ill be grateful. I let it slide.


    Even if Willow does me dirty again in the future, I¡¯ll turn the other check for your sake, let her drag my


    name through the mud and use her clout in showbiz to steamroll me. I won¡¯t hit back. I won¡¯t talk back¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how I should teach my students, right? So-called grace means taking crap from others, agree?¡±


    Jocelyn sarcastically replied.


    Melvin furrowed his brows, ¡°What the heck are you talking about?¡±


    Talking nonsense, am 17 Jocelyn chuckled, ¡°Your bro already came by to give me a heads-up, no need


    for a third reminder.¡±


    Melvin was clueless about what she said. He let go of her hand and sat up, ¡°Who came to see you?


    What did they say?¡±


    Jocelyn justy there staying pinned under him, making no move to get up


    ¡°Was it not your doing? How would they know which hospital I¡¯m in, which room, without you telling


    them? Jocelyn wasn¡¯t afraid to burn bridges, after all, they weren¡¯t tight


    Melvin whipped out his phone and dialed Zephyr¡¯s number. As soon as it connected, he asked, ¡°Did


    you go visit Jocelyn?¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t hear Zephyrs response, but then heard Melvin say, ¡°Mind your own beeswax¡±


    With that, he hung up the phone


    Jocelyn had no interest in how these guysmunicated. She was the outsider in their circle after all.


    She rolled over to find the coziest position and closed her eyes.


    Melvin took a nce at her and pursed his lips. ¡°I didn¡¯t send them to see you.¡±


    Jocelyn just smiled, not responding


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle the Willow¡¯s wrongdoing, Melvin softened his tone, Just watch your step from now on.¡±


    At that. Jocelyn opened her eyes, looking at him with a strange, cold stare, and suddenlyughed. She


    sat up, ¡°Heh, so it¡¯s all my fault, right?


    Melvin, not wanting to set her off again, tried to be patient, I mean, just keep a good distance from


    other guys¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± Jocelyn felt like she was talking to a wall, wasting her breath and life on every extra word.


    Melvin didn¡¯t like her reaction and frowned, ¡®I don¡¯t want to talk about it anymore. Just remember to


    mind your behaviour in the future.¡±


    Jocelyn had already checked out of the conversation.


    She got up and pointed to the door, ¡°Do me a favor and close the door on your way out.¡±


    Then, she headed to the bedroom.


    She had never felt such a sh in values between she and Melvin before, nor had there been so much


    trouble. Ever since Willow came into the picture, all the things she used to ignore seemed magnified


    and unbearable with every word exchanged with him


    Melvin blocked the door as she tried to close it, wedging his foot in the frame, ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to


    mean?¡±


    ¡°I need to rest.¡± Jocelyn said, facing him squarely


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°What else?¡± Jocelyn looked incredibly fragile, her voice soft. ¡°Not allowed?¡±


    As if Melvin could decide.


    He said, ¡°I didn¡¯t sleep wellst night. Need to catch some Zs.


    Jocelyn asked him, ¡°Here?¡±


    ¡°Where else?¡± He threw the question back at her


    Jocelyn let go of the door, leaving him to his devices.


    She climbed into bed, ignoring him, turning her back without a word of wee.


    Melvin nced at her, ¡°Im gonna take a shower Dont you dare lock the door¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t reply.


    Melvin went back from the bathroom in less than five minutes, as if there were ghosts there


    Jocelyn stayed put, feeling the bed dip beside her and a warmth spreading over her


    the AC on, his body heat was inescapable.


    His arm was draped over her waist, his chest snug against her back the two nestled under the covers


    Anyone would think they were a


    picture of love.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t resist. She knew it¡¯s pointless to struggle anyway


    Melvin was content just holding her doing nothing more.


    Before long, Jocelyn heard his steady breathing


    Her eyes wide open. She was not sleepy at all


    Her excuse for sieep was just to avoid talking with him. Now that he¡¯s asleep, there was no point in


    pretending anymore.


    She barely moved when the arm around her waist tightened, obviously not letting her up


    ¡°Where you going? Melvin¡¯s breath tickled her neck, damp and tingly


    Jocelyn hadn¡¯t expected him to awake so quickly


    ¡°Hungry, gonna grab a bite¡±


    Melvin¡¯s grip didn¡¯t loosen, ¡°You can order takeout¡±


    ¡°No need¡±


    His hold got firmer, ¡°I¡¯ll ask someone to bring food up. What do you want?¡±


    Jocelyn found him overbeanng at times, totally ignoring her will


    She didn¡¯t want to indulge him, ¡°I said no need!¡±


    Her tone wasced with irritation, and she removed his hand, getting out of bed


    Melvin watched her with droopy, affectionate eyes.


    Heid there, silent, watching her leave the bedroom and close the door behind her.


    She stood in the kitchen, washing rice, cooking porridge. Watching the bubbling water, her thoughts


    were as tumultuous as the boiling


    pot


    Urs sent her a message, saying it was Preston¡¯s uncle who got those parents to sign the petition.


    Preston¡¯s uncle? That¡¯s Melvin


    Urs had no idea about Melvin being Preston¡¯s uncle since not many teachers had seen him when


    he¡¯d taken Preston to school.


    Also, my friend said that if it wasn¡¯t for someone pulling strings for you, there¡¯s no way things would¡¯ve


    calmed down so fast My friends friend in showbiz said Willow¡¯s lead role got snatched away Jocelyn,


    seriously, who¡¯s got your back? It¡¯s not that guy, is it?


    Urs¡¯s got a real knack for gossip, no less than those nosy reporters who thrive on


    misunderstandings


    As Jocelyn stirred the porndge, Urs¡¯s words caused a ripple in her heart.


    She had to admit, there was a moment when she was genuinely touched by Melvin¡¯s support


    But then she thought, if it hadn¡¯t been for him, she wouldn¡¯t have been on Willow¡¯s radar, and things


    wouldn¡¯t have escted like this.


    So he certainly should helpBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    She wasn¡¯t about to fall over herself with gratitude


    ¡°Jocelyn?¡± Urs called out again after not getting a response for a while, ¡°What¡¯s up? You still shook


    up? Don¡¯t overthink it. Both the school and our parents trust you


    Jocelyn took a deep breath and yed it cool. I¡¯m fine Thanks for supporting me


    ¡°Hey! We¡¯re all colleagues. Sure, we might butt heads now and then, but it¡¯s all friendlypetition


    Everyone¡¯s got good intentions, and you¡¯re a good girl. That¡¯s truth!¡±


    Jocelyn was lucky. Her working environment and the colleagues and leaders were all above board,


    both in thought and spint


    ¡°I¡¯m whipping up some grub. I¡¯ll catch up with youter¡±


    After hanging up, Jocelyn stared at the porridge. In the past, if she¡¯d known Melvin had done something


    for her, she would¡¯ve been over


    the moon.


    But now that feeling waspletely gone.

 Chapter 75

    Chapter 75


    Jocelyn was alurping down her porndge all by herself, totally spaced out about the dude who was also


    shacking up at her ce


    After the polished off her pomidge, she curled up on the couch to binge-watch some TV. But she


    actually didn¡¯t care what¡¯s on TV. Her mend was like, totally nk.


    When she heard the door creak open, she just instinctively nced back


    Melvin strutted out in his undies, gave her a look, and moseyed over to the kitchen to grab a ss of


    water before plopping down next to her. He casually slung his legs over the coffee table, allid-back


    and nonchnt.


    With one hand, he nursed his water, while the other just naturallynded on Jocelyn¡¯s shoulder.


    Jocelyn dodged his arm like she was dodging a bullet.


    Melvin paused, cocking his head to look at her


    Jocelyn kept her eyes glued to the TV, not even tossing him a nce.


    Neither of them was actually watching whatever was ying on the screen, they were just silently


    locked in some kind of unspoken standoff, not saying a peep to each other


    After downing his water, Melvin was gearing up to leave


    That¡¯s when Jocelyn piped up


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who rallied the parents to vouch for me, right?¡±


    Melvin settled back down snatching a throw from the couch to cover his thighs.


    He shot her a look, ¡°No need to thank me.¡±


    Jocelyn finally faced him head-on. She saw that smug look stered across his face


    ¡°Should I be thanking you?¡± Jocelyn said coldly ¡°Haven¡¯t you figured out yet that you¡¯re part of the


    problem? If it weren¡¯t for you. wouldn¡¯t be in this mess, nor would I have needed your help¡±


    Now Melvin was catching on that Jocelyn¡¯s vibe was out of his expectation


    She was ming him!


    ¡°Don¡¯t you get it? This all went south because you didn¡¯t listen to me about having that interview with


    that guy and going out for dinner together if you hadn¡¯t gotten so chummy with him, things would¡¯ve


    blown up like this? Melvin gave her a frosty look. Or are you saying if I hadn¡¯t pushed you to sort things


    out with him that day, you would¡¯ve just gone with the flow and hooked up with him?¡±


    He was a pro at turning the tables, ying the me game like a true artist


    Jocelyn wasnt in the mood to argue. ¡°Did it ever cross your mind that maybe you were just too soft on


    your old me? No, you gave her too much room to imagine things. After all, I was never your legal


    partner Yeah, if you hadn¡¯t threatened me with someone else¡¯s reputation, I wouldn¡¯t have bothered


    exining anything If I had started dating someone else, that would¡¯ve been totally normal. And you,


    you have no night to judge me


    Her gaze was unwavering. After all, you were never mine


    Melvin¡¯s eyes twitched, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say it again!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not ¡®mine, Jocelyn stated calmly ¡°Let¡¯s put an end here. It¡¯s over between us.


    She could see Melvin¡¯s chest heaving, his face darkening, and she could feel his anger brewing.


    But what could anger do, really? They weren¡¯t kids anymore, who¡¯d throw a tantrum and then go back


    to ying together.


    They were no longer at the age of quick tempers and fleeting moods


    Jocelyn had thought it over. They were just not a good match


    Even if she loved him to bits, even if she had sessfully pressured him into marriage, with their


    personalities, a divorce would¡¯ve been


    on the horizon.


    all people can just stick around for a lifetime on the so called power of love


    he was done with loving him. It had been over three years. Such a long time.


    he had hoped things would get better. But in reality, they only got worse.


    riple rtionship they had before was falling apart


    her with furrowed brows. i don¡¯t like it when you use this kind of talk to threaten me


    serious Jocelyn maintenieri


    mposure from start to finish 1 could never enter your world and stand by


    And I dont want to spend my life battling it out with other women who am into you, or wrestling with


    jealousy. If you don¡¯t love me, I won¡¯t cling to you. And that should be a good thing for you. From now


    on, you won¡¯t have to deal with anyone pressuring you into mamage. I want to have a real romance,


    find someone to settle down with, and live the ordinary life that any woman deserves.¡± If she had said


    such things in the past, it was out of spite to threaten him. But this time, she meant it after thorough


    contemtion.


    Finished? Melvin¡¯s voice had changed, eerily low and grim.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Jocelyn nodded, with an earnest demeanor, truly wanting to say goodbye to him.


    Suddenly, heughed.


    Jocelyn was all over the ce, clueless about what he was getting al


    His smile was the kind she used to fall for all cool and distant when he wasn¡¯t smiling. But when he did,


    it was like a breath of spring. warming her heart, utterly enchanting.


    Once upon a time, it was just for that fleeting smile that she had fallen head over heels, wanting his


    heart so badly that she couldn¡¯t hold back.


    She admitted she was superficial. And she had been willing to spend a lifetime to be superficial.


    ¡°Forget about it¡± Melvin stood up, yanking the throw off his waist, mming the ss down on the table


    with a thud, and shooting her a nce that could freeze hell over. ¡°This isn¡¯t over until I say it is


    Jocelyn¡¯s blood pressure skyrocketed. She held her temper in check and asked, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Easy to reel me in, but thinking of dumping me? No way Melvin marched into the bedroom and before


    shutting the door, he threw onest remark over his shoulder. Til pretend I didn¡¯t hear a thing today.


    Jocelyn¡¯s face went pale


    How could he act like this?


    She didn¡¯t want to mess with him anymore. Bursting into the bedroom, she confronted the man already


    lying in bed, ¡°Can you be more mature? You are no longer a kid


    The immature one is you¡± Melvin red at her. ¡°I won¡¯t dwell on the past, and it won¡¯t weigh on my


    mind. You¡¯d better keep your emotions in control. Think about it, whether I¡¯ve ever wronged you¡±


    Jocelyn realized that he would never let her go easily.


    No matter what she said, how much she argued, it was useless


    ¡°Besides, a smart woman would not just take a hit and shut up, even handing over her man on a silver


    tter. Instead, she would think about how to show everyone that no matter what they throw at her, her


    man is hers and no one else gets a touch


    Melvin watched her coldly. ¡°With the way you handle things like this, even if one day we really get


    mamed, we may face something even moreplicated than this, with harsher words thrown our way.


    Would you simply call it quits, throw in the towel?


    Jocelyn had to admit, he hit the nail on the head.


    Being trapped by Willow but letting her get away with it without saying a word was a real bummer for


    Jocelyn. Indeed it was intolerable. But what can she do about it?


    Willow had got way more connections and social clout than she did Plus, She didn¡¯t have any dirt on


    her to spill, barely knew anything that could put a dent in her armor How was she supposed to get back


    at her?


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes suddenly drift to the man lying on the bed, who rested with his eyes closed An idea


    came to her mind.


    Willow¡¯s Achilles heel was the dude right here Wasn¡¯t all her scheming just to win his love?


    How about turning the tables and making him cklist her instead? Wouldn¡¯t that be a juicy twist?


    Figured something out? Melvin suddenly opened his eyes, locking gaze with her


    The corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily. ¡°You know what my greatest skill is?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s clueless why she¡¯s bringing up something seemingly out of left field ¡°Great sex appeal?¡±


    Jocelyn could have strangled him hearing the answer.


    I that¡¯s your take, well, I guess it¡¯s not totally off base Otherwise, how could I make you so damn


    smitten? Jocelyn was much more unashamed now if Melvin could be such a shameless man, then


    there¡¯s no way she could outdo him by ying Miss Goody Two-Shoes


    Melvin¡¯s Npn curied into a slight, devilish smirk


    down Yellow¡± Jocelyn has thougly it through The only person who could hurt Willow the most


    Melvin squinted, ¡®I don¡¯t want to get mixed up in a catfight


    ¡°Well, then it


    i quess it also doesn¡¯t matter if I get bored with the man I¡¯ve had my fun with, right?¡± Jocelyn said


    nonchntly


    Meth fed his gaze on her, his tongue poking cheekily at the inside of his cheek. Bored, huh?¡±


    it¡¯s been over three years Time to consider a change¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t see herself as Miss Prim and


    Proper. She did want to stay with him all her life, But If that¡¯s not in the cards, she¡¯s open to swapping


    out

 Chapter 76

    Chapter 76


    Jocelyn¡¯s trashy talk made Melvin feel an urge to kill her.


    She¡¯s really getting too big for her britches now.


    Suddenly acting so rebellious, as if he¡¯s just an optional extra in her life.


    Got sick of me?¡± Melvin wasn¡¯t ticked off, just gave her an icy look


    ¡°Yeah, fed up,¡± Jocelyn taunted him, ¡°How about we just go separate ways? You hang with Willow,


    while I¡¯ll find someone else. If it works out, we don¡¯t have to stick with each other anymore.¡±


    ¡°I only wanna stay with you. Melvin could take a hit too, ¡°If you ever cheat on me, I¡¯ll kill that guy first,


    then you.¡±


    The threat wasid out so boldly. The calmer he was, the more she couldn¡¯t doubt his words were legit.


    He always had that vibe that made her believe he could walk the talk.


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t backing down either, ¡°What about you? What¡¯s with you and Willow being all cozy? Who


    should I get to off first?¡±


    Melvin narrowed his eyes, ¡°Which eye of yours saw me getting cozy with her?¡±


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    Then keep her out of my face,¡± Jocelyn was dead set, ¡°As long as you stay away from her, I¡¯ll believe


    there¡¯s nothing between you two


    Melvin furrowed his brow, while Jocelyn raised hers with a determined look.


    Jocelyn was used to it anyway, she said nonchntly, ¡°If you can¡¯t, don¡¯t bother with me. They say


    dating without aiming for mamage is just messing around. I totally get that now¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn!¡± Her name was squeezed through his clenched teeth.


    ¡°Hmm? Jocelyn¡¯s cold tone and expression finally ignited the man¡¯s fury.


    Melvin squinted. ¡°You¡¯d better just be joking. Otherwise, I¡¯ll show you I¡¯m serious either.¡±


    Jocelyn felt a chill inside, but kept up a brave front, ¡°Cool. As long as you meet Willow or hit her up


    once, I¡¯ll find a guy to y with as well. After all, you¡¯re not gonna marry me. I¡¯ll end up sleeping with


    another man anyway.¡±


    ¡°You Melvin was so furious


    Seeing his livid face, Jocelyn felt a rush of satisfaction, finally getting a leg up.


    She shed him a smile, ¡°Since you like this bed so much, you can have it.¡± With that, she turned


    around


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Home.¡±


    Jocelyn shut the door behind her, grabbed belongings and headed out


    She didn¡¯t believe Melvin woulde after her, especially when he was practically in his skivvies.


    For a guy like him, he had at least some sense of shame.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t go back home. She just checked into a nearby hotel


    She tried digging up dirt on Willow on the Inte, but the girl had been nothing but squeaky clean for


    the past two years, making it tough to find any clues.


    Besides, anything already spilled online was old news.


    Suddenly, she remembered that rumor about Willow getting smacked around in a hotel for flirting with a


    director and getting caught by his wife,nding in the hospital. But thement box was buried by


    Willow¡¯s fans.


    Finally she found thatment again after some digging and cautiously sent a private message to the


    poster


    To her surprise, that person responded quickly and even left a Facebook ID for her to add


    Jocelyn was a bit pumped, sent a friend request on Facebook and got epted almost instantly


    Getting straight to the point, she screenshotted thement and asked if it was true.


    deceive was buzzing. She immediately asked for a meet up, and the poster agreed


    Melvin, shard rely on herself


    athy talk made Melvin feel an urge to kill her.


    eatly getting too big for her bitches now.


    Suddenly being so rebellious, as if he¡¯s just an optional extra in her life.


    ¡°Got sick of me?¡± Melvin wasnt ticked off, just gave her an icy look.


    ¡°Yeah fed up locelyn taunted him. ¡°How about we just go separate ways? You hang with Willow, while


    I¡¯ll find someone else. If it works out we dont have to stick with each other anymore¡±


    only wanna stay with you¡± Melvin could take a hit too. ¡°If you ever cheat on me. I¡¯ll kill that guy first,


    then you.¡±


    The threat wasid out so boldly. The calmer he was, the more she couldn¡¯t doubt his words were legit.


    He always had that vibe that made her believe he could walk the talk.


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t backing down either, ¡°What about you? What¡¯s with you and Willow being all cozy? Who


    should I get to off first?¡±


    Melvin narrowed his eyes, ¡°Which eye of yours saw me getting cozy with her?¡±


    Then keep her out of my face Jocelyn was dead set. As long as you stay away from her, I¡¯ll believe


    there¡¯s nothing between you two.¡±


    Melvin furrowed his brow while Jocelyn raised hers with a determined look


    Jocelyn was used to it anyway, she said nonchntly. ¡°If you can¡¯t, don¡¯t bother with me. They say


    dating without aiming for marriage is just messing around totally get that now¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn! Her name was squeezed through his clenched teeth


    ¡°Hmm? Jocelyn¡¯s cold tone and expression finally ignited the man¡¯s fury.


    Melvin squinted. ¡°You¡¯d better just be joking Otherwise, I¡¯ll show you I¡¯m serious either.


    Jocelyn felt a chill inside, but kept up a brave front ¡°Cool As long as you meet Willow or hit her up once,


    I¡¯ll find a guy to y with as well After all, you¡¯re not gonna marry me lil end up sleeping with another


    man anyway.¡±


    ¡°You Melvin was so lunous


    Seeing his livid face, Jocelyn felt a rush of satisfaction, finally getting a leg up


    She shed him a smile. Since you like this bed so much, you can have it With that, she turned around


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Home¡±


    Jocelyn shut the door behind her, grabbed belongings and headed out


    She didnt believe Melvin woulde after her, especially when he was practically in his skivvies


    For a guy like him, he had at least some sense of shame.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t go back home. She just checked into a nearby hotel.


    She tried digging up dirt on Willow on the inte, but the girl had been nothing but squeaky clean for


    the past two years, making it tough to find any clues


    Besides, anything already spilled online was old news


    Suddenly, she remembered that rumor about Willow getting smacked around in a hotel for flirting with a


    director and getting caught by his wife,nding in the hospital. But thement box was buried by


    Willow¡¯s fans


    Finally she found thatment again after some digging and cautiously sent a private message to the


    poster


    To her surprise, that person responded quickly and even left a Facebook ID for her to add


    Jocelyn was a bit pumped, sent a friend request on Facebook and got epted almost instantly.


    Gelling straight to the point, she screenshotted thement and asked if it was true


    Jocelyn was buzzing. She immediately asked for a meet-up, and the poster agreed


    celyn were in high spirits


    if she couldn¡¯t count on Melvin, she¡¯d rely on herself


    I also fighillong swe Metal Gymore; it was about settling s for herneil,


    ded to the ce as instructed, where young folks wouldn¡¯t usuallye. Maybe the guy was a


    seasoned


    tom tey booked, Jocelyn saw a wontan d in a cap and mask, whose clothes suggesting her young


    age


    Jeta o biriesitant bin it was indeed the right meet-up spot


    Vip. Tam the que you want to meet the girl spoke up.


    celyn stepped in and closed the door, ¡°Sorry, I thought someone who picked this ce to meet might


    be, you know,


    Ti Uit the person coolly introduced hersell


    Pally


    gui took off her hat and mask, revealing a fresh-faced. She¡¯s a cute woman


    of a tomboy vibe, with a bob cut that added sweetness. It was pleasant just looking at her


    Have I seen you somewhere before? The girl looked somewhat familiar to her


    Ts lips curved up in a small pretty smile. Maybe on TV?¡±


    Jocelyn


    suprised but hardly thought of anyone


    Willow on a TV show before, U said, and I lost


    That exined it


    Jocelyn now understood why she knew those secrets about Willow


    L got straight to the point. Thad a shot at the top three During the top 10 to 6¡ä round, Willow spent a


    night in the producers room And I was way befund her in the next day¡¯s voles, She shoved me out to


    make it to the top six


    Jocelyn was taken aback


    With her meager


    ¡°Got any proof?


    Hope


    Jocelyn¡¯s hopes deted.


    she couldn¡¯t have gotten where she is today.¡± U scoffed, ¡°She slept her way up


    No proof, it was just hearsay Who could verify its credibility?


    U sensed her disappointment. ¡°If I had solid evidence, I¡¯d have smeared her reputation a long time


    ago. She¡¯s got a backer Any negative news against her just squashed immediately, buried before it


    spread


    It could be Melvin.


    Theard she¡¯s got several sugar daddies Otherwise, do you think she could really get this far on her


    own? U¡¯s bitterness towards Willow was unmasked


    Jocelyn inquired, ¡°So, about that hotel incident you mentioned, it wasn¡¯t an ident during rehearsal


    but a beating from a directors wife, any evidence of that?


    ¡°None¡±


    ¡°Then how¡¯d you even know about it?¡±


    ¡°Wet 1 happened to be at the restaurant under that hotel that day when I saw the director¡¯s wife


    marching some folks upstars Had no clue what the deal was at the time, but then when Willow got


    carted off by the ambnce, which reminded me This aint her first rodeo shread, you know U


    snorted with a scoff, ¡°Stuff she pulled off overseas, hardly anyone heres got the scoop So she swanned


    back in and crafted this image that everyone¡¯s just gobbling up


    She¡¯s definitely got something, snagging that jewelry brand endorsement as soon as she¡¯s back Some


    folks are whispering the got a side thing going with the big shot behind the jewels I mean, thatpany


    never needed a spokesperson before. Why does get the golden ticket, nght? if someone says they


    didn¡¯t hit the hay, anyone who knows what she¡¯s really like would justugh it off


    ewing alt this was like a punch to Jocelyn¡¯s gut


    Angie wath even a slight interest in showbiz or that jewelry brand knew that it¡¯s all green lights for


    Willow, no semper about how


    from the crowd


    Lita repreted what kind of person Willow was


    just take one persons word forit, especially when that petson


    Willow hadn¡¯t pulled this kind of stunt before, how could people spin such tall tales?


    The real kicker was, despite all the buzz, there was not a shred of hard evidence, not a single snap of


    Willow sneaking into someone¡¯s room at night.


    Obviously Willow was pretty slick with covering her tracks.

 Chapter 77

    Chapter 77


    took off st leaving Jocelyn chilling alone, mulling over how no che¡¯s been able to nail Willow with


    any dirt after all these years. If thes couldn¡¯t how could she?


    The more she thought about it, the more she felt like she was swallowing a bitter pill without a peep


    owed herself another cup of coffee, only leaving after she polished it off


    No sooner had Jocelyn stepped out of the ce than she spotted Willow¡¯s nanny van parked outside.


    As soon ce she showed up, the van door slid open.


    Willow was sitting inside, just looking at Jocelyn in silence


    Jocelyn had no clue when she arrived. Was it a fluke, or did shee on purpose?


    Jocelyn, got a minute for a chat Willow asked


    Jocelyn nced at the time, didn¡¯t shoot her down but shot a text to Melvin, and then hopped into the


    van


    As soon as the door shut, Willow cracked a smile and said. ¡°You¡¯ve got quts, indeed¡±


    ¡°Its not like youre gonna kill me. Jocelyn shot her a look, waving her phone, Texted Melvin before I got


    in, told him Willow cordially


    invited me over.¡±


    Willow¡¯s smile froze for a sec before she forced a fake chuckle, You¡¯re Melvin¡¯s darling now. Even if I


    wanted to, I can¡¯t


    ¡°So, what¡¯s up? What do you want from me? Jocelyn cut to the chase. ¡°Certainly you don¡¯t waste your


    time in small talks


    ¡°Theard about those rumors online Melvin believes I¡¯m the one messing with you, and it¡¯s making my


    work life hell, Willow fiddled with her ring ¡°So I wanted to clear the air Whatever happened online, it had


    nothing to do with me¡±


    Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, ¡°If you say it¡¯s not you, then it¡¯s not it¡¯s not like there¡¯s proof it was you,


    anyway¡±


    Willow gave her a look. ¡°But Melvin thinks it was me


    ¡°Then exin it to him Aren¡¯t you two old buddies? Besides, you¡¯re the spokeswoman of his brand. He


    should be backing you up, not screwing with your job, right?¡±


    ¡°With you in the picture, why would he listen to me? Willow red. So, could you do me a favour and


    get Melvin off my back? I¡¯m an actress Being out of sight is out of mind for my fans


    Jocelyn shrugged, ¡®He listens to me even less. You know we¡¯re not exactly besties. Maybe he¡¯s just


    worned you¡¯re working too hard and wants you to take a breather


    Cruising down the open road, Jocelyn found the van pretty roomy andly.


    Willow¡¯s silence made the atmosphere in the van a bit tense, and the assistant kept an eye on her


    noticing Willow¡¯s mood was off.


    ¡°Where are we heading, Willow? Jocelyn asked calmly, eyeing the streets


    Willow, as an experienced performer, quickly put on a smile, ¡°We¡¯ve met several times despite our


    misunderstandings and unpleasantness So, I was thinking why not have a meal together and hopefully,


    you¡¯ll grace me with your presence¡±


    ¡°Well, I can hardly decline since I¡¯m in your car now, night? Jocelyn hinted at the obligation.


    They pulled up to a swanky club where the staff rushed over to Willow¡¯s van to open the door, with the


    assistant hopping out first to pop. an umbre before Willow stepped out


    Gotta admit, celebs do have their own spectacle


    Willow waited for Jocelyn, gesturing for the assistant to cover her too


    Thanks, but no need for the fuss, Jocelyn said, unused to such pampering.


    inside, led by the staff, they were greeted by a man who seemed to be an acquaintance of Willow¡¯s


    Willow exchanged pleasantries and introduced Jocelyn to him.


    Jocelyn had no clue what Willow was up to but yed along, keeping up appearances


    The guy was young and handsome, probably someone from Willow¡¯s circle


    As they parted, he mentioned he¡¯de find Willowter, and she agreed


    Jocelyn checked her phone ¨C no reply from Melvin.


    She roided him the name of the Club, not sure what he was thinking. But she had to let him know she


    was with Willow


    the room. Willow ordered some of her stashed wine and a few snacks


    que from before showed up not long after He and Willow seemed pretty tight, while Jocelyn waited for


    the other shoe to drop


    Excuse me. gotta take a call Willow grabbed her phone, signaled them, and stepped out.


    Now it was just Jocelyn and the guy


    At first he didn¡¯t talk to her or pay much attention.


    As soon as the door clicked shut, his gaze lingered on Jocelyn, tantly eyeing her up in a way that


    made her ufortable.


    ¡°You¡¯re even hotter than Willow You should join showbiz. I¡¯d make you a star,¡± he said with cocky


    confidence.


    Jocelyn figured this dude must be some rich hotshot, considering his arrogance.


    Fiddling with her phone, she replied Indifferently, ¡°Not interested¡±


    The guy picked up his drink and sidled up next to her.


    Jocelyn scooted away, but he made his move


    ¡°Show some respect, please,¡± she said, gripping her phone and standing up, keeping a safe distance.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Stop ying hard to get With your looks, you must¡¯ve hooked up with plenty of guys,¡± he boasted,


    setting down his ss and moving in on her, ¡°Til sponsor you. Ten million a year, how about that?¡±


    Jocelyn was itching to p some sense into him Clutching her phone, her voice raised a bit as she


    backed away, ¡°I have a boyfriend¡±


    Wouldn¡¯t care if you had a husband, let alone a boyfriend,¡± he cornered her, hand on her shoulder, the


    other creeping to her waist, ¡°Nice and slim soft, huh?¡±


    Feeling like maggots crawling on her, Jocelyn was physically repulsed, fighting the urge to scream but


    afraid he¡¯d get more aggressive


    Still clutching her phone, she turned her head away from his ever-approaching breath, ¡°Is this Willow¡¯s


    idea?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so gorgeous, no need for anyone to ask me to do anything. The man¡¯s lips were already closing


    in on Jocelyn¡¯s neck.


    Jocelyn had her eyes shut tight, cursing Melvin in her mind, calling him a bastard for noting to her


    rescue.


    Bam!


    The heavy door flung open with a thudding sound.


    The man got the fright of his life, just as he turned to see who the hell had the nerve to interrupt his


    lucky moment, he caught a fist square in the face.


    The guy cursed, ¡°Fuck,¡± but before he could fight back, he was knocked down t, didn¡¯t even get a


    clear look at who it was before he was stepped on the ground


    Jocelyn was huddled in the corner, shivering uncontrobly


    She stared at Melvin in horror. His face was dark and terrifying, his eyes full of viciousness, like a


    general who had seen too much bloodshed on the battlefield.


    ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡± the man tried to lift his head to see who had the audacity to humiliate him like


    this, but he couldn¡¯t manage to


    raise it.


    Melvin¡¯s dress shoe was nted firmly on the man¡¯s face. Jocelyn had never seen him in such a


    chilling look before


    ¡°What did he do to you?¡± Melvin ignored the man but turned to Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn was frightened by his demeanor, she swallowed hard, tried to calm her nerves and said,


    ¡°Nothing much, just groped my waist¡±


    ¡°With which hand?¡± Melvin¡¯s gaze grew colder


    Jocelyn noted he wasn¡¯t armed, and she knew he was asking for a definite answer now


    She said. ¡°The right one.¡±


    Melvin let go of the man¡¯s face, squatted in front of him. He could see the rage in the man¡¯s eyes, and


    narrowed his own, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare to touch my woman?¡±


    As soon as the words fell, he grabbed the man¡¯s night hand, and with a sound of crack, a scream of


    agony followed.


    Jocelyn was too scared to move, petrified

 Chapter 78

    Chapter 78


    Meet waen¡¯t raised by a family of schrs and manners. His hostility and temper were never hidden.


    But be hadn¡¯t thrown down like this in years.


    the QUY wailing on the ground, he stood up and walked over to Jocelyn. His gaze wasn¡¯t any softer as


    he sized her up. ¡°Didn¡¯t you try to dodge?¡±


    ¡°I did Jocelyn¡¯s voice was shaky. ¡°But couldn¡¯t get away.¡±


    Then why dare youe?¡± Melvin squinted at her.


    Jocelyn was freaking out inside. How could Melvin not see right through her little schemes?


    She had done it on purpose.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you always putting your trust in Willow? Jocelyn mustered her courage. ¡°Her intentions to harm


    me have never changed.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s brows knitted together, clearly not pleased.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t bring herself to meet his eyes. She had been genuinely scared by him just now.


    That cruelty and savagery even seemed a bit bloody to her.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re trying to prove your point in this way?¡±


    ¡°What else could I do? You chose to believe her, not me Jocelyn hated to resort to this, but she saw no


    other way.


    As long as Melvin treated Willow specially, there was no chance things would ever go back to how they


    used to be between him and Jocelyn


    Melvin stared at her for a long time without speaking, his dark expression and icy stare upset Jocelyn


    further.


    The more he acted like this, the more it showed that Willow was still special to him in his heart.


    Even knowing that Willow¡¯s intentions weren¡¯t as straightforward as they seemed, he wouldn¡¯t really do


    anything to her because of their previous rtionship.


    He did have put some restrictions on Willow¡¯s job. But he could bring her back to the limelight


    whenever he wanted


    It might seem like he cared about Jocelyn, but the one he actually cared about was Willow.


    Suddenly, Melvin grabbed Jocelyn¡¯s wrist and started dragging her out. She was afraid that if she


    struggled, her wrist would be broken


    As they stumbled to the door, Willow came walking in from outside.


    ¡°Melvin?¡± Willow was surprised to see him, ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    Then she heard the pained groans from inside the room. She gave Melvin and Jocelyn a quick nce


    and hurried in


    Shocked at the scene, Willow turned and asked, ¡°Melvin, did you do this to him?¡±


    Jocelyn just watched quietly, curious to see what Melvin would say.


    Melvin looked back indifferently. ¡°Got any problem with that?¡±


    Willow rushed over, panicked, ¡°Do you have any idea who he is? His dad¡¯s working in the tax bureau


    ¡°So what?¡±


    ¡°If you hurt him like this, what if Willow left her sentence hanging, but everyone got the gist


    Dealing with certain government departments is apany¡¯s worst nightmare If you piss them off, they


    could be snooping around your business all the time.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. So that¡¯s his excuse toy hands on my woman?


    Jocelyn had been watching the drama unfold with a bit of schadenfreude, but her heart skipped a beat


    at that remark.


    Suddenly, she knew what it felt like to miss a heartbeat She was even a bit touched.


    He was incredibly cool in her eyes at that moment.


    Willow¡¯s face turned sour


    cide, youre not in her league. So just quit hanging around her Last warning: if you want to stay in the


    limelight, watch your


    Melvin didn¡¯t care a bit about Willow¡¯s feelings and walked away, pulling Jocelyn along.


    wes now following his fead, biting her lip, unable to hide her glee.


    Melvin turned and caught that glimmer of her smile


    Buy Melvin was in a bad mood.


    nstead? Jocelyn didn¡¯t know why, but seeing him angry now was kind of attractive to het


    The way he had put Willow in her ce postier made her day. Though she had been scared by his


    ferocity, now she was viewing him


    fferently. Even his anger was cool.


    Pissed off by herughter, Melvin flung open the car door and shoved her in


    Jocelyn buckled her seat belt in high spirits


    Melvin, on the other hand, was fuming as he floored the gas pedal, and the car shot off like an arrow


    The speed was so fast that Jocelyn felt a strong push against her back, making her a bit nervous


    ¡°Slow down, I¡¯m getting sick.


    Melvin sped up even more.


    Jocelyn clung to the handle, fighting the nausea as the car raced toward Riverside Avenue He took a


    sharp turn and headed straight to


    the riverside


    A sudden brake made Jocelyn lurch forward, then m back into the seat.


    Her head was spinning


    The sun was zing at this hour. When Melvin rolled down the window, the hot wind rushed in, making


    Jocelyn ufortably furrow


    her brow


    Melvin looked at her coldly. ¡°If I hadn¡¯te what would you have done?¡±


    ¡°I knew you woulde Jocelyn said calmly, getting her bearings.


    Melvin¡¯s chest tightened at her certainty, he swallowed hard. ¡°What if¡±


    ¡°There is no what if with you. Jocelyn was sure


    Melvin stared at her, his breathing suddenly quickened.


    ¡°You trust me that much?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Because I¡¯m your woman, Jocelyn tossed his words back at him


    Melvin took a deep breath. In her focused gaze, he looked away with embarrassment, his lips twitching.


    ¡°You¡¯re that confident?¡±


    Jocelyn watched his subtle expressions with a smile, ¡°Otherwise, you would¡¯ve hung up on me a long


    time ago


    Hearing her slightly triumphant tone, Melvin was outraged again when thinking of that man pressing


    Jocelyn against the corner about


    to kiss her


    He reached out pulled Jocelyn close, and bit down on her lips


    Jocelyn cried out in pain, pounding on his back to resist


    But Melvin didn¡¯t let up. Instead, he bit down harder, as if he wouldn¡¯t be satisfied until hed taken a


    chunk out of her.


    Tears sprang in Jocelyn¡¯s eyes. Melvin finally released her


    His lips were smeared with blood. He wickedly flicked his tongue across them with a devil-may-care


    attitude. His deep eyes were locked onto her with intensity. The sight of a tear rolling down her cheek


    tightened his throat Moving closer, he kissed away that single tear.


    Jocelyn reached out and pinched hard at his waist. But damn, the guy was in such good build that


    there was hardly any flesh to get a grip on.


    Meivin cupped her face and his lips parted slightly. Never try that again¡±


    All of a sudden, Jocelyn turned her head and chomped down on his hand. Melvin sharply inhaled but


    didn¡¯t struggle, letting her bite.


    Not until Jocelyn felt her teeth sinking into his skin and the metallic taste filled her mouth did she let go.


    Both of them had a thing for biting, whether in love or in hate.


    They¡¯d bitten each other just about everywhere. Lucky for them, they didn¡¯t scar easily. Otherwise


    they¡¯d be hideous to look at.


    ¡®Satisfied now?¡¯ Melvin eyed the teeth mark on his hand. She really bit the big one this time.


    But hey, she wasn¡¯t much better off, with the blood at the corner of her mouth dried up, looking like a


    blood mole.


    He gently scratched at it, and the dried blood clung to his finger.


    Jocelyn stared at him, ¡°Were you the incarnation of a dog?¡±


    Melvins replied, pulling out a Dssue to dab at her lips. He hadn¡¯t really gone to town with the biting, jus


    she left a dumpling sized bite that was bleeding-that¡¯s gonna leave a mark


    What a dog night.


    Jocyn didn¡¯t give a damn about his pain. Melvin thrust his hand in front of her face. As long as thus scar


    ys, you¡¯re mine. Behave yourself. No wandering thoughts. As long as I¡¯m in your bed at night, I¡¯m


    yours¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

 Chapter 79

    Chapter 79


    A cargo ship was chugging along the riverside, making the calm waters ripple and ssh, turning the


    peaceful scene into a wave fest


    in an instant.


    Inside a car parked on the shore, the atmosphere was sizzling hot Even with the windows up and the


    AC on, nothing could cool down the fiery passion between the man and woman.


    Jocelyn was perched on Melvin¡¯sp, kissing intensely with him, ignoring her sore lips.


    The pleasure between a man and a woman seemed to erase all pain, like a cure-all.


    She was so wrapped up in the moment with Melvin, not giving a hoot that they were outdoors or that


    they were in a car. She just wanted him, bad


    His words made her heart flutter uncontrobly


    She was determined to show the man how much she loved him.


    Since he never listened to her saying, she¡¯d show him with her actions that she was head over heels


    for him


    So in love that she could toss aside what society would judge her, ignoring the norms she once cared


    about.


    In the heat of the moment, her hand tangled in his hair She tilted her head back, responding to him with


    fierce passion.


    Melvin had never felt her this passionate, this bold, and he had to admit that her actions were making


    him more ecstatic than ever.


    The car tires dug deeper into the sand with each moment, leaving a noticeable trace.


    After a wild shake of the car, the couple inside finally came to a stop.


    Jocelyn, gasping for air, rested on Melvin¡¯s shoulder


    In the throes of passion, people do things they¡¯d never dare to normally. But a wave of embarrassment


    would hit them after, making them feel all prissy and hypocritical


    She was blushed, too shy to look up, while Melviny back and rxed. His chest was rising and falling


    with each breath, making her follow his rhythm.


    His eyes, still zed with desire, watched her with deep affection as he breathed heavily. ¡°We¡¯ve made


    up now.¡±


    ¡°Mhm, Jocelyn agreed. She was a bit drained, never realizing her back could be this sore


    Melvin¡¯s hand massaged her lower back gently, ¡°No more pointless jealousy from now on


    ¡°She said that guy¡¯s family is in the tax bureau Aren¡¯t you worried he might give you trouble for beating


    him up? Jocelyn was still a bit concerned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t evade taxes. I¡¯m all legit, then what trouble can they bring? Melvin wasn¡¯t fazed by that guy at


    all.


    Jocelyn looked at his smug face, remembering how he acted to that guy. Her fingers lightly traced his


    Adam¡¯s apple, and her eyes filled with admiration and infatuation. That was the first time I saw you fight


    someone. Not sure if it¡¯s appropriate to say, but you looked really cool¡±


    ¡°You followed Willow just to get me to clean up the mess, didn¡¯t you? Melvin caught her hand and


    brought it to his lips, ¡°Don¡¯t do anything that foolish again. I might not always make it in time¡±


    ¡°Then you should remind Willow not to mess with me, Jocelyn wasn¡¯t hell-bent on revenge anymore


    What Melvin did today was more than enough


    As long as the man she cared about cared for her in return, nothing else mattered


    The one who couldn¡¯t have him should be green with envy. So, Willow should realize that no matter


    what she did, it would only make Melvin despise her more


    Melvin gave a soft grunt in response


    She was easy to please, really. A little temper, a bit of drama, was not a big deal


    Melven liked women who were obedient and knew when to step back


    After resting by the river for a bit, Melvin got his act together and drove the car away from the waterside


    They hadn¡¯t gone for when Melvin pulled over and unbuckled his seat belt


    Where are you going? Jocelyn nced outside at the storefronts, clueless about what he was up to.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t use a condom Wait for sec; Melvin said.


    dawned on Jocelyn then he was going to buy the moming after pill.


    Valeting him head towards the pharmacy, the joy that lingered just now faded away.


    They¡¯d always been careful. Even during her safe days, he¡¯d take precautions.


    In the past few years, there were only a couple of instances where they didn¡¯t, and that was right before


    her period, which was always punctual, so he knew how to time it


    Her pedod woulde exactly the next day as expected.


    His caution could be seen as looking out for Jocelyn¡¯s health, or as him never wanting their child.


    For a guy who wouldn¡¯t even consider marriage, she never thought to ask why he didn¡¯t want kids.


    Melvin came out from the pharmacy with a small bag and headed straight for the car


    ¡®Take the pill, he said, handing her the medication and thoughtfully passing the water to her


    JJocelyn nced at the pill and swallowed it without hesitation


    ¡°Drink up the water, he brought the battle to her lips


    She took the bottle and had a few sips, then forced a smile. ¡°Relieved now?¡±


    Melvin knew from herplexion that she wasn¡¯t in the best mood. He took the bottle from her, ¡°We


    agreed on this before. It¡¯s just in case. If there¡¯s an ¡®oops¡¯ you¡¯re the one who gets hurt


    Jocelyn was tom between thanking him for his thoughtfulness and resenting him for his heartlessness.


    She took a deep breath, ¡°I know. It¡¯s fine¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Melvin didn¡¯t want to dwell on the topic, ¡®Home¡¯s a bit far, let¡¯s find a hotel to shower and grab


    some food.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good


    Jocelyn¡¯s spirits were low, listlessly staring out the car window.


    Loving someone blindly can make you lose yourself, and she was blind as a bat


    No matter how mad she got, a little gesture from Melvin would make her forgive and forget


    Even knowing he was a confirmed bachelor, knowing he didn¡¯t want kids, she still couldn¡¯t leave him.


    What a fool for love


    At the hotel, Melvin called his assistant to bring them some clothes.


    Jocelyn showered first and when she came out, Melvin had just opened the door to let in a smartly


    dressed woman carrying two bags, handing them over without a fuss.


    The woman caught a glimpse of Jocelyn, but her face didn¡¯t give anything away


    After handing the bags to Melvin, she left.


    ¡°I thought Zephyr was your assistant? Jocelyn had never seen this woman before.


    But thinking about it, she hardly knew any of Melvin¡¯s friends or colleagues, except for Zephyr and


    Yannick, and of course. Willow, whom she had recently gotten to know


    ¡°Zephyr¡¯s one of thepany shareholders, Melvin said, handing her some clothes. That was Yara


    She¡¯s been with me since thepany started.¡±


    It¡¯s the first time Melvin mentioning someone close to him.


    She took the clothes. That¡¯s quite a while back. Sounds special.


    Melvin nced at her, ¡°You¡¯re not jelly, are you?


    ¡°Not at all. After all, she¡¯s not your type, Jocelyn wasn¡¯t the slightest bit threatened by Yara


    ¡°Not my type? You think you know what I¡¯m into? Melvin was curious


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


    Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, ¡°Sure do. You¡¯re into the pure and pristine, like a delicate little white flower


    kind of girl. Like Willow!¡±


    Melvins brow furrowed


    didn¡¯t say it Jocelyn quickly nfied Preston did¡±


    Melvin narrowed his eyes. You believe his words?


    ¡°Kids don¡¯t we Jocelyn sard with a forced smile


    ther kurds might not, but hele an exception Melvin knew his nephew all too well.


    06% the ocean, Preston suddenly sneezed mightily and quickly rubbed his nose in such hot weather,


    could it

 Chapter 80

    Chapter 80


    Metvin was halfway through his shower when he suddenly dragged Jocelyn in with him.


    at was quite a while before Melvin emerged, clutching a spent woman in his arms. Heid her on the


    spacious bed andzily traced her lips with a oluttonous touch.


    Don¡¯t go home Melvin said. ¡®With bruise on your lips, you can¡¯t face your parents.¡±


    Jocelyn knew he¡¯s just looking for convenience.


    Jocelyn¡¯s voice was hoarse, I can think of an excuse to exin.¡±


    Melvin shot her a look. ¡°Come on, you¡¯re a grown-up but still living with your parents, aren¡¯t you


    embarrassed?¡±


    ¡°No matter how old we get, we¡¯re still kids in our parents¡¯ eyes They want to be with their children,


    Jocelyn argued back. ¡°Ask your own parents if you don¡¯t believe¡¯


    Melvin fell silent


    Jocelyn realized she had hit a nerve She mentioned his taboo


    She nced up at his face, his expression was not good.


    What had happened with his parents that he was so sensitive about mentioning them?


    Jocelyn felt sorry for him. She had just blurted out thatment in the flow of conversation; she hadn¡¯t


    meant to pry into his heart


    She hugged him gently and apologized. ¡°Sorry


    ¡°I need to use the bathroom, Melvin said as he gently pushed her away and got out of bed


    The door closed Jocelyn pursed her lips, her eyes darkening


    In the afternoon, Melvin dropped Jocelyn off at her apartment and didn¡¯t go up with her


    ¡°I won¡¯t be back tonight¡± Melvin said from the car, eyeing the bruise on her lip, his Adam¡¯s apple


    bobbing ¡°Get some rest early¡±


    Jocelyn nodded


    Watching his car drive away, Jocelyn was curous about what was up with his parents that made his


    emotion change so quickly


    She never pred into his family matters if it weren¡¯t for Preston transferring to her ss, she wouldn¡¯t


    even know he¡¯s Preston¡¯s uncle


    But she really wanted to know about his family, what his parents were like, and what kind of home he


    grew up in.


    However, she clearly hadn¡¯t reach the depths of his heart yet.


    She began to suspect his reluctance to marriage had something to do with his parents.


    It seemed now she couldn¡¯t fathom any further.


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


    In the following days, Melvin was busy and didn¡¯te to see her.


    With the schooldays approaching, Jocelyn also became busy Meetings and preparations for the new


    term kept her spinning like a top.


    Quinta once called her, saying she was putting off IVF for now. When asked why, she only said it was


    almost school time and she didn¡¯t have enough time


    Quinta was an elementary music teacher and the initial meetings at the beginning of a new term were


    indeed many, but it didn¡¯t seem enough to skip IVF for this sake


    Jocelyn had her suspicions. But if Quinta wasn¡¯t sharing, it wasn¡¯t her ce to probe further


    Everyone was so busy, there was no time to worry about anything else


    A couple of days before school started, Melvin called Jocelyn to help pick up Preston at the airport


    When Jocelyn asked Melvin where he was, he said he was on a business trip.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t ask where he went or when he¡¯d be back. If he wanted to tell her, she wouldn¡¯t have to


    ask


    Besides, even if she did ask, he wouldn¡¯t tell if he didn¡¯t want to


    Jocelyn went to the airport to pick up Preston. In just two months, the boy seemed to have grown taller.


    Jocelyn, you¡¯ve lost weight were Prestons first words, leaving Jocelyn a bit dazed


    smiled, call a slimming down


    weight Preston insisted on carrying his own belongings.


    dropping Preston off at Melvin¡¯s, Preston pulled out a box from his bag and handed it to Jocelyn, ¡°This


    is for you¡±


    is at Jacelyn didn¡¯t take it


    ¡°Just open it and youll see, Preston urged, lifting the box.


    Jocelyntock it. Upon opening, she saw a blood diamond bracelet inside. She wasn¡¯t a jewelry buff, but


    she knew it was pricey.


    After a nce, she handed it back. ¡°This is too expensive, I can¡¯t ept it¡±


    ¡°My mom sent it for you¡± Preston refused to take it back. ¡°She said Uncle Melvin has been a handful for


    you¡±


    Jocelyn frowned. ¡°What exactly have you told your mom?¡±


    Just that you two are in a rtionship, Preston said. ¡°Didn¡¯t you shoot that street video? I showed it to


    my mom, and she liked you so much. She said you¡¯re a good match for Uncle Melvin, and you can


    keep him on a tight leash. So, she wanted me to pass this gift on to


    you


    Jocelyn was taken aback. The street video?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That guy with you seemed okay, but my mom thinks her brother is better for you, Preston said


    ¡°Anyway, she¡¯s taken you on as a


    sister-inw


    Jocelyn was speechless


    What was he talking about sister-inw?


    ¡°I still can¡¯t ept it, Jocelyn ced the gift on the table. Your uncle and I won¡¯t work out


    Preston frowned. ¡°You don¡¯t think you can win him over?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think so.¡± Jocelyn was very self aware


    ¡°Then why are you still hanging out with him? That other guy isn¡¯t bad,¡± Preston remarked sensibly


    Jocelyn felt a bitter moment Because I love your uncle.¡±


    Preston was slightly baffled. ¡°I see. Like my dad loved my mom, but they just couldn¡¯t be together.


    Jocelyn was surprised by his words, but she didn¡¯t ask why


    ¡°If youre not willing to take it, I won¡¯t force you I¡¯ll exin to my mom, Preston was very reasonable. ¡°If


    there¡¯s no future between you, why not break it off early? You shouldn¡¯t let your best years go to the


    dogs.


    Jocelyn was at a loss for words.


    Talking about his uncle in such ways, he really resembled Melvin.


    ¡°But what if you make him think about marnage, Preston still had hope. ¡°After all, he does like you a


    lot.¡±


    Jocelyn knew Melvin liked her. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been ying¡¯ with her for so long.


    But such affection wasn¡¯t enough for him to entangle his life with hers.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t reveal these to Preston. Instead, she just told him to take good care of himself, and she


    left.


    On her way back, U sent her a Facebook message with a photo of Willow and Melvin getting out of a


    car and entering a hotel together


    Seeing the photo, Jocelyn¡¯s heart clenched painfully


    He had promised her he¡¯d try to keep a distance from Willow. But while he was away on a business


    trip, he turned out to be with Willow.


    [That dude is the boss of the jewelry brand.)


    Jocelyn felt a twinge in her heart and didn¡¯t know how to respond


    She just sent a ¡°?¡± back


    U replied instantly. [Heard that guy¡¯s got a girlfriend. If we snap a pic of them getting cozy, Willow¡¯s


    rep is gonna be trashed.]


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    Turns out she was that guy¡¯s girlfriend. But Melvin never introduced her publicly


    even if they did get a photo, how could they prove Melvin had a girlfriend?


    didn¡¯t reply to U, zooming in and out of the photo, curious about the real deal between Willow and


    Melvin


    y were not over, why not rekindle the old me?


    nothing between them, why was Mn always so endlessly amodating towards Willow?


    buck to see Preston,


    Preston was surprised to see her relum.


    ¡°Can I ask you something about your uncle?¡± Jocelyn stood at the door without entering


    Preston was confused, nodded dumbly.


    After thinking it through, Jocelyn asked, ¡°What¡¯s the real deal between Willow and your uncle?¡±


    Preston blinked. ¡°My mom mentioned they used to be together, but that was way back when they were


    young. Later, when my started his business, Willow went abroad.¡±


    uncle


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart sank.


    So, she was his first love after all.

 Chapter 81

    Chapter 81


    ¡°Why did they break up?¡±


    ¡°No clue. Mom reckoned maybe Willow thought Uncle was too broke Or maybe ¡¯cause Willow wanted


    fame, so she took off,¡± Preston Turner shrugged, ¡°I was just a kid back then, all hearsay from Mom.¡±


    Jocelyn felt as if a heavy rock was pressing on her chest, making her hard to breathe.


    Preston noticed her difort, ¡°Don¡¯t overthink II Mom says they¡¯re ancient history. And hey, Uncle¡¯s a


    peculiar guy. He doesn¡¯t reheat old soup, Most importantly, the whole family of us don¡¯t like Willow.¡±


    ¡°As long as she had chemistry with your uncle, that¡¯s enough.¡±


    ¡°No way,¡± Preston shook his head with conviction, ¡°If there were, they¡¯d be together by now. Jocelyn,


    don¡¯t sweat it about Willow Uncle won¡¯t rekindle his love for her. They¡¯re just friends at most, or maybe


    it¡¯s a business thing.¡±


    Preston¡¯s words didn¡¯t console Jocelyn


    First loves are never easily forgotten, like a flint stone burning the back of your hand, always leaving a


    scar


    Exiting the Martinez¡¯s, Jocelyn dialed Melvin¡¯s number.


    After a few rings, he picked up


    ¡°Hello¡±


    ¡°Preston¡¯s home now,¡± Jocelyn said, her voice steady


    ¡°Okay¡±


    ¡°When are youing back? Fearing he might think she was prying, she quickly added, ¡°School¡¯s


    starting. You should be there for Preston¡¯s registration


    ¡°He can handle it, Melvin replied. ¡°If you¡¯re free during the registration, could you help him out?¡±


    Jocelyn detected the underlying message: he wasn¡¯ting back soon.


    Perhaps she was silent too long because Melvin asked, ¡°Anything else?¡±


    ¡°No.


    ¡°Bye then.¡±


    ¡°Bye¡±


    The call ended with a click, leaving a hint of bitterness in Jocelyn¡¯s heart.


    With the start of school and a hectic schedule, Jocelyn had little time for sorrow, throwing herself into


    work. Without love, she found she could still manage just fine.


    U sent Jocelyn a Facebook message again.


    [Caught her! Pictures of her and that guy spending the night together at a hotel.]


    She attached five high-resolution photos. Willow leaning on Melvin as they entered the hotel, then


    heading into a room together. U had somehow managed to capture images of them inside the hotel.


    Willow in a sultry spaghetti strap nightgown and Melvin in a ck dress shirt and cks, stood by the


    French windows on the phone.


    Though there were no intimate gestures, he had stayed the night in Willow¡¯s room.


    [Looks like Willow¡¯s the other woman now. This kind of scoop could ruin her reputation.]


    U¡¯s excitement about taking down Willow shone through her message


    Jocelyn felt an unprecedented calm at the sight of these photos.


    No one could track down Melvin¡¯s girlfriend, nor prove he was taken. So the idea of Willow as the other


    woman was baseless


    Jocelyn replied. [I¡¯m out Look for something else.]


    U responded with a ¡®confused¡¯ emoji.


    ?Weren¡¯t you after dirt on Willow? Why give up now?]


    [Exhausted]


    Jocelyn messaged back before jossing her phone face down on the desk and picking up her textbooks,


    heading out of the office.


    She truly was tired.


    She


    ted Melvin, but the images of him with another woman made it impossible for her to ignore.


    She had enough of it


    Jocelyn stopped calling Melvin, But U kept sending photos of Melvin and Willow, sometimes entering


    hotels together, sometimes in the same car looking inseparable, more like a real couple.


    Jocelyn told U to stop. She no longer had the drive to target Willow


    Even if Willow did nothing wrong, Melvin had ways to keep her out of sight if he wanted to. As long as


    he didn¡¯t want to embarrass Willow, no amount of dirt could prevent him from clearing a path for her. In


    the end, her standing against Willow all hinged on Melvin¡¯s attitude.


    Clearly, she hadn¡¯t won over Willow.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    *Jocelyn, it¡¯s Friday night, mind if I crash at your ce for dinner tomorrow?¡± Preston asked in a low


    voice while handing over his homework


    School had been in session for a week, and Preston visibly seemed to have lost weight


    Melvin wasn¡¯t exactly reliable with preparing meals for Preston when he¡¯s at home Now that he¡¯d been


    gone for who knows how long. Preston¡¯s chances of a decent meal were slim.


    Jocelyn tried to stay out of it but eventually gave in and nodded.


    That afternoon, she took Preston over to her parents¡¯ house for dinner.


    Preston sure knew how to behave. He sweet-talked Jocelyn¡¯s parents, making them quite happy.


    It¡¯s said that a nephew takes after his uncle.


    But at that moment, Preston seemed nothing like his.


    He even joined Calvin Winslet for a game of chess, drawing praise from the old man.


    Daisy, aware that Preston was in town to stay with his unreliable uncle for school, felt sorry for the boy


    and told Jocelyn to bring Preston along whenever she came for dinner.


    Preston was obviously delighted. Though Jocelyn felt it was improper, she knew refusal would


    disappoint her parents.


    She couldn¡¯t keep bringing Preston home so often. Once Melvin returned, it would be out of the


    question anyway.


    She agreed just for now


    Around eight o¡¯clock, Jocelyn wrapped up Preston¡¯s final chess game and offered to sent him back.


    ¡°Look, it¡¯s Friday night and there¡¯s no school tomorrow. Let the kid stay up a bit longer. Your dad hasn¡¯t


    had such a good chess rival in ages. Let Preston stay to keep your dadpany,¡± Daisy said with a


    fondness in her voice for Preston, the well-mannered boy with clever look


    Jocelyn¡¯s brow furrowed in concern.


    ¡°How about this? Let him stay over for the night, Calvin chimed in casually.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s a great idea, Daisy pped in delight. ¡°We¡¯ve got a spare bedroom, and it¡¯s just one


    night.¡±


    Jocelyn could hardly believe how nonchntly they were offering to let someone unfamiliar stay at their


    home.


    Preston didn¡¯t seem to mind, but he noticed Jocelyn¡¯s reluctant expression.


    Just as Jocelyn was trying to find a polite way to decline, Preston¡¯s phone rang.


    He nced at Jocelyn as he checked the caller ID, ¡°It¡¯s my uncle.¡±


    A shiver went down Jocelyn¡¯s spine as she looked away.


    Preston answered the call, ¡°You¡¯re back? I¡¯m at Jocelyn¡¯s No, her parents¡¯ ce Okay, got it


    After hanging up, Preston looked dejected as he informed Calvin and Daisy, ¡°My uncle¡¯s back from his


    business trip, and he¡¯s on his way to pick me up now.¡±


    Calvin nodded, understanding the situation since Preston was not their own child.


    ¡°Then make sure youe over again when you¡¯ve got some time, Daisy said, clearly not ready to part


    with the boy


    ¡°Yeah, I will,¡± Preston responded, eyeing the unfinished game of chess. ¡°Calvin, we have to finish this


    match.¡±


    Throughout the game. Jocelyn¡¯s emotions went through a whirlwind


    Melvin hadn¡¯t called her and hadn¡¯t even mentioned he was back


    It wasn¡¯t the first time he had done something like this, and it was clear how little she mattered to him.


    Finally, as the chess, match concluded and Preston sighed, ¡°Calvin, you¡¯re too good. I lost again.


    Looks like I¡¯ll have toe by more often to learn from you.¡±


    Chapter &


    Calvin¡¯sugh was hearty and full of warmth. ¡°You¡¯re always wee here,d.¡±


    With that settled, Preston hung up as Melvin called to say he was downstairs waiting.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart raced with anticipation.

 Chapter 82

    Chapter 82


    ¡°Go and see him off,¡± Calvin said with a nce at Jocelyn.


    After pondering for a moment, Jocelyn stood up and made her way to the stairs. However, halfway


    down, she stopped.


    ¡®Til stop here. You go on,¡± Jocelyn said, her voice betraying her reluctance to encounter Melvin She


    couldn¡¯t imagine what she would say to him. It was like meeting an ex after a breakup. There was no


    way to stay cool andposed.


    Preston seemed confused ¡®Why? Don¡¯t you miss him? It¡¯s been ages since you two saw each other.¡±


    ¡°Just go Jocelyn replied. It¡¯s impossible to share her inner turmoil with Preston, who was practically still


    a kid.


    Seeing how adamant she was, Preston didn¡¯t press further and went downstairs alone.


    Leaning against the wall, Jocelyn listened and waited.


    After a long while, she heard a car pull away. As the tension in her heart eased, a sense of emptiness


    washed over her


    She went back home to prepare for the uing exams. Her workload wasn¡¯t going to ease up


    anytime soon. It was only after she sat down for a while that she grabbed her bag and hailed a cab


    back to her own apartment


    As soon as the elevator doors opened, a familiar scent of cigarette smoke hit her nostrils.


    She looked up and locked eyes with those deep, soulful eyes that she knew all too well.


    Her heart skipped a beat


    Melvin crushed his cigarette in the stand-up ashtray in the hallway and approached her, wrapping his


    arms gently around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder. He seemed to let go of all his


    strength, seekingfort in her presence.


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t sure how to respond to his embrace, so she just let him hold her.


    After a while, she felt the weight on her shoulder grow heavier, followed by the steady sound of his


    breathing.


    Was he asleep?


    How exhausted must he be?


    Unable to stand still too long, Jocelyn softly called his name, ¡°Melvin? There was no response, so she


    tapped his shoulder.


    He murmured something, his voice low and hoarse, betraying his fatigue.


    ¡°Don¡¯t sleep here, go home to bed, Jocelyn urged, helping him stand


    As he opened his eyes, he leaned against the wall, and only at this close distance did she see how


    weary he looked. Dark circles under his eyes, bloodshot scleras, and a stubbly chin.


    Frowning, Jocelyn eventually opened the door.


    Melvin went straight to the couch and copsed, appearing utterly spent.


    Jocelyn asked if he wanted a shower, but he was already asleep again.


    What could have worn him out so much? He looked like the tired heroes from the old stories, drained


    by some enchantress


    She let him be and went to the kitchen to cook some porridge for him, anticipating that he might want


    something warm when he woke


    1.


    The porridge was ready, but Melvin was still sleeping. Jocelyn worked on herputer in the living


    room, leaving him to rest on the


    couch.


    By the time she finished preparing the exam items, it was midnight. Stretching, she looked up to find


    Melvin watching her


    Startled, she asked, ¡°Hungry?¡±


    ¡°A bit, he replied.


    Jocelyn got up, her legs numb. She leaned on the table for support as she made her way to the kitchen


    and served him a bowl of porridge.


    Melvin sat up and gulped it down.


    ¡°Want more?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s erlough.¡±


    Not pressing further, Jocelyn cleaned up the bowl and put away herptop and papers. The awkward


    silence hung heavy, and she bit her Tp. You not heading back?


    Melvin raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by her question.


    The ar tumed even more awkward.


    Touching her nose and forcing a smile, Jocelyn added, ¡°I¡¯ve got a bit more work. You can rest if you


    need to


    She wasn¡¯t sure why things had be so strained. She had finished her work but right at the


    moment she didn¡¯t want to share a bedroom with him.


    Melvin, now seeming more lively, fished a small handmade box from his pocket and handed it to


    Jocelyn.


    She knew it was a gift, a gesture he made every time he came back from his travels.


    epting the box without opening it, she ced it on the table. ¡°It¡¯ste. You should get some sleep.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious? Jocelyn nced at the box. It was a hand-made box, less opulent than his


    previous gifts, but looked special


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to bring something every time. It¡¯s too much,¡± she said, suspecting it contained jewelry,


    which she seldom wore.


    ¡°Too much for you?¡±


    *Its excessive and inappropriate¡± she exined, guessing it was either a bracelet or earrings. She


    hardly wore earrings; the holes had nearly closed up.


    Melvin studied her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    Jocelyn was taken aback but quickly smiled. ¡°I¡¯m fine


    ¡°Why the formality then?¡±


    And there it was. She was being formal, not with him, but with herself.


    He didn¡¯t know what she had discovered, nor did he understand why she hadn¡¯t greeted him warmly.


    In that moment, Jocelyn seemed to be a personden with heavy thoughts, while Melvin appeared


    blissfully unaware.


    ¡°Nothing You look tired. Go take a shower. I¡¯ll finish up here and then head to bed,¡± she said, suddenly


    losing the will to exin or argue. Every time she needed to express herself that she didn¡¯t like the


    things he did, but he never took it to heart either.


    He never took her words seriously


    Acting obediently this time, Melvin headed to the bedroom for his clothes and then to the bathroom.


    Jocelyn sat outside, unable to focus. The sound of the shower was clear, and involuntary images of his


    body invaded her thoughts, stirring forbidden desires.


    She despised herself for these thoughts.


    It seemed that emotional and physical desires could be separate. Despite knowing about his


    ambiguous rtionship with Willow, it didn¡¯t stop her from craving his touch


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Thankfully, the thought was fleeting as her phone buzzed with a message from U


    [They¡¯re back The guy didn¡¯t stay with Willow. Digging up dirt on them will take some effort. But Willow


    is wild. It¡¯s possible to catch her off guard if we¡¯re careful.]


    At this moment, Jocelyn truly didn¡¯t care anymore.


    She replied: [It doesn¡¯t matter now]


    [Weren¡¯t you eager to expose Willow before?]


    Jocelyn was just about to text U that they should stop contacting each other when Melvin appeared.


    She quickly pocketed her phone, her expression cool andposed as she turned to look at him.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you in bed yet?¡± Melvin, using her pink towel to dry his hair, was decently dressed in pajamas.


    ¡°Just about to,¡± Jocelyn smiled.


    Melvin stood there, not moving. Jocelyn knew he was waiting for her.


    She got up, took her phone and went into the bedroom.


    ¡°Go take a shower,¡± Melvin urged


    Jocelyn was aware that absence makes the hearts grow fonder. He¡¯d made the effort toe see her,


    cleaned himself up andy in bed. Something was bound to happen tonight.


    After all, physical intimacy often keeps the me alive in adult rtionships. Isn¡¯t there a saying?


    Couples argue but make up by the end


    When she was showering, the thought of Willow in a sultry spaghetti strap nightgown sharing a room


    with him made Jocelyn feel


    Mreasy


    She could overlook his pre-marriage escapades. But post-marriage infidelity, even the possibility of it,


    made her stomach chur


    Though she and Melvin weren¡¯t exactly in a pre- or post-marriage situation, the principle was the same.


    She couldn¡¯t stomach a man who yed the field.


    Dragging her feet, she entered the bedroom to find him holding her phone with a serious look on his


    face.


    Chape

 Chapter 83

    Chapter 83


    Melvin heard Jocelyn¡¯s phone chirp with the low-battery warning. Rarely did he act attentively before,


    he plugged it in for her.


    A Facebook notification popped up on the screen.


    Melvin seldom pried into her personal apps. Aside from that one time he¡¯d deleted Harrison¡¯s


    Facebook, this was the second time he¡¯d touched her phone.


    But this message mentioned Willow


    Just be patient. Willow has always been a bit of a mess. With a little more patience, she¡¯ll crumble and


    her reputation will be in tatters.] Jocelyn¡¯s eyes narrowed at the sight of her phone in Melvin¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Are you checking through my phone?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re nning revenge on Willow? Melvin¡¯s gaze turned sharp as he caught sight of the previous


    photos


    Jocelyn strode over, snatched the phone from his grip and saw the message from U.


    Combined with the previous context, it was clear as day she was out to get Willow.


    She did have once harbored such thoughts.


    But then she figured Melvin¡¯s indifference towards Willow was already the best revenge of all


    The one who truly wants to take down Willow isn¡¯t me, Jocelyn protested, not wanting to be falsely


    used. ¡°I did think about it, since Willow struck at me first. But I¡¯ve given up now.¡±


    ¡°These messages are updatedtely. And you said it¡¯s not you? Melvin squinted, skepticism in his


    voice. ¡°When did you start resorting to such low-level tactics?¡±


    Jocelyn paused, a mix of shock and hurt on her face. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me?¡±


    ¡°Am I blind? Can¡¯t I see the messages on your phone?¡± Melvin¡¯s chilly stare bore into her ¡°Is ruining


    Willow¡¯s reputation so important to you? When have you ever taken my words to heart? Does it really


    need to be this borate?¡±


    Each question struck Jocelyn like a hammer blow.


    She thought she was the one who should be asking the questions.


    It was like the lead runner in a race suddenly tripped by someone from behind, both tumbling to the


    ground. Yet before the fallen could ask why, the other was already using her of being in the way.


    ¡°Yeah, I never trusted you, Jocelyn admitted, too tired to exin herself to someone who already


    convinced of her guilt.


    Seeing her acquiescence, Melvin¡¯s disappointment was palpable. ¡°I¡¯m really surprised. I didn¡¯t expect


    you to be so petty. A little jealousy can be charming, but what you¡¯re doing now was just


    ¡°Disgusting?¡± Jocelyn finished the sentence for him.


    Melvin¡¯s frown deepened


    Sinking further into despair, Jocelyn felt as though she was drowning, suffocating with the inability to


    breathe.


    ¡°Yeah, I find your ambiguous rtionship with Willow repulsive, and I hate the way how she clings to


    you. So, I wanted to dig up dirt on her, see her beloved image crumble Ideally, it could make you detest


    her, to cut her out of your life for good.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s tone was even, speaking as if stating a simple fact.


    Melvin¡¯s gaze grew darker.


    For the first time in over three years, Jocelyn saw disgust in his eyes


    Suddenly, it felt like all those years they spent together had been a waste


    ¡°Is there anything else you want to say?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s voice was light.


    Melvin, now sitting on her bed, was caught in an awkward limbo, not sure whether to stay or go.


    ¡°Regardless, these past years with you were mostly good. I wish you all the best moving forward


    Jocelyn knew their rtionship really ended this time.


    She was done clinging to a man who had never fullymitted to her.


    Even a stray dog you care for over three years would grow loyalty and affection.


    Melvin wasn¡¯t a dog. Certainly he was devoid of such feelings


    go to my mom¡¯s ce. You can take your time with your things to leave, Jocelyn offered him an out


    This time, Melvin didn¡¯t stop her.


    Joselyn grabbed a set of clothes from the dresser and walked out without a tear or a sign of


    heartbreak. The past struggles had built a foundation of strength, preventing her from crumbling now.


    Instead of going home, Jocelyn checked into a nearby hotel for the night


    The next day, she went straight to school.


    Preston kept giving her strange looks throughout her lesson


    And Jocelyn still ignored Preston¡¯s inquisitive gaze even after ss


    ¡°Jocelyn, Preston called, following her out.


    Jocelyn stopped and turned to him ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°My uncle came home in the middle of the night looking like a thundercloud,¡± Preston said, curious.


    ¡°Did you two have a quarrel?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Jocelyn replied calmly. ¡°We broke up. For real this time.¡±


    Preston was stunned. He believed her words This time the couple didn¡¯t seem to have a joke on this


    matter.


    His uncle hadn¡¯t raged when he got home, but he had drunk a fair amount. The whole house still


    reeked of alcohol in the morning.


    And Jocelyn¡¯s demeanor was tooposed void of any drama.


    They were truly over.


    Jocelyn¡¯s gentle smile reassured Preston. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even if your uncle and I are done, I won¡¯t hold it


    against you.¡±


    What worried Preston wasn¡¯t about himself though.


    ¡°Why did you break up? Was it because of Willow?¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head. ¡°Not entirely. If I must say, Willow was just thest straw. We¡¯ve had problems


    for a while, which just hadn¡¯t erupted before. It¡¯s better for us to separate so both of us won¡¯t waste time


    anymore.¡±


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


    Preston didn¡¯t quite understand.


    To him, his uncle liked Jocelyn, and Jocelyn loved his uncle. Why split up if things were fine?


    Aren¡¯t people in love supposed to stay together?


    ¡°Alright, next ss is starting. Head back,¡± Jocelyn said with a smile ¡°Mind your studies, okay?¡±


    Preston watched Jocelyn¡¯s retreating figure, scratching his head in bewilderment. From the first


    moment he¡¯did eyes on her, he¡¯d thought she¡¯d be the one to keep Uncle Melvin on his toes. She


    had a soft and harmless look, yet she¡¯d managed to leave his uncle hanging on more than one


    asion.


    Adult rtionships were indeedplicated.


    It seemed that love wasn¡¯t something the average people could easily grasp.


    Jocelyn had her routine down to a science. She clocked out of her work each evening and headed


    straight to her apartment On weekends, shed visit her parents, joining them for a hearty Sunday roast


    and a bit of shopping. If not that, she¡¯d round up a couple of pals for a day out All in all, her life was


    pretty cozy.


    It had been a month since Jocelyn and Melvin hadst spoken to each other


    asionally, she¡¯d catch a glimpse of Willow on a TVmercial, or spot her name trending on


    Twitter. The chatter was always the same: praising her dedication, her acting chops and her girl-next-


    door charm.


    But the buzz these days was all about her recent sharing on a talk show where she¡¯d dished about her


    first love


    Back in her teens, she¡¯d fallen for a guy who was the epitome of confidence and good looks. She¡¯d


    pursued him, relentless in her affections. He didn¡¯t give her any chances at first, but her courage and


    persistence won him overter. Before long, they became inseparable.


    Those were the days filled with their sweet, naive hope for the future. She believed he¡¯s the only one in


    her life. Then something hard happened to his family, and she stood by him in his darkest days. It was


    during that tough period that she truly realized how much he needed her. Later, determined to build a


    better future for both of them, she made the bold decision to go abroad and join a talent training


    programme


    As the story reached this point, the show¡¯s host, driven by curiosity, asked about her current status with


    her first love


    WBow Bashed a mysterious smile and the episode came to an end.


    knew how to keep the audience hanging

 Chapter 84

    Chapter 84


    This was the first time Jocelyn heard the past story of Willow and Melvin. Though Willow didn¡¯t go into


    detail about the family crisis Melvin had faced, Jocelyn could tell it was because of this that he¡¯d always


    indulged Willow.


    Teenage friends tuming into lovers, who could rece that?


    At least Jocelyn didn¡¯t think she had the strength to make ast stand. Being the unloved one in a


    rtionship was a guaranteed path to a shattered heart.


    ¡°Why are you still watching this?¡± Urs came over and saw the video still ying on Jocelyn¡¯s screen.


    Turn it off.¡±


    Urs was the only person aside from Preston at school who knew the whole messy story between


    Jocelyn and Melvin, though she didn¡¯t know all the details. She knew their rtionship was over.


    It was obvious a new yer Willow, had entered the game, one with a strong hand, and Jocelyn didn¡¯t


    stand a chance.


    Jocelyn closed the video and took a deep breath. I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s just for entertainment, right? It¡¯s out there


    for people to see.¡±


    ¡°If I were you, I wouldn¡¯t contribute to the video¡¯s view counts, Urs said. Though she didn¡¯t know


    much about Willow, she disliked her hypocritical look.


    Jocelyn forced a smile. ¡°Got any ns tonight? Fancy grabbing a bite this afternoon?¡±


    ¡°No ss tonight Urs nced at the clock. ¡°I¡¯m off after this one, so see youter


    ¡°Okay.


    Later that afternoon, Jocelyn and Urs walked out of school together, just in time to overhear the


    principal on a call discussing something about the school.


    Once they were outside the school gates, Urs whispered, ¡°The school¡¯s expanding. They¡¯re nning


    to build another teaching block on the west side. But there¡¯s a funding gap, and the principal has been


    running around trying to fill it.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t the school board allocate funds for that sort of thing?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Urs shook her head with a sigh. ¡°Far from enough to build a new block. Plus, another local high


    school is also expanding. Money isn¡¯t that easy toe by.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t quite grasp the intricacies, but it soundedplicated.


    ¡°Both the government and school officials are trying to figure out who can cough up the cash, Urs


    continued cautiously. There are plenty of sessful business people in town, but getting them to do


    charity work with no return is a tall order.¡±


    Jocelyn replied. ¡°As long as it¡¯s for the future of our country, there will always be someone willing to


    take on the hardest tasks.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but who knows when it¡¯ll be our school¡¯s turn.¡± Urs changed the subject of talks, and


    they drove off towards the bustling


    city center


    They enjoyed a hearty meal of hotpot and then strolled aimlessly along the streets.


    By chance, Jocelyn caught sight of a familiar figure in a nearby boutique.


    It was U


    Ever since her breakup with Melvin, U had deleted her on Facebook.


    Jocelyn had intended to tell U to stop contacting her, only to find out she¡¯d been blocked first.


    ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that Willow?¡± Urs also noticed the boutique.


    Jocelyn looked back and saw Willow holding up a dress against U, while U chatted with her,


    seemingly giving her opinion on the dress


    They seemed close.


    A flood of memones rushed through Jocelyn¡¯s mind ¨C from U¡¯s onlinement to her reaching out to


    U, then to U following Willow. Everything seemed like a deliberate setup, waiting for her to walk


    right into it


    She wondered how long had Willow been nning this trap, but she had definitely fallen into it


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Urs noticed Jocelyn¡¯s daze and gently patted her shoulder. ¡°You okay?¡±


    Jocelyn looked again at the pair.


    Willow, sunsses on and fully guarded, stepped out of the boutique with U. The chauffeured car at


    the curb had its door open.


    As they were about to get in Willow suddenly stopped and looked in Jocelyn¡¯s direction


    Pocelyn couldn¡¯t see her eyes, but she could feel her mocking gaze.


    Hapter


    Willow paused, prompting U to look over as well.


    Upon seeing Jocelyn, U acted as if she didn¡¯t know her, shifting her gaze away without a hint of


    embarrassment.


    If it was just a suspicion before that they were in cahoots, now it was confirmed then.


    It was all a trap.


    A trap set just for her.


    L¡¯s onlinement would only be dug up by someone looking for it, and she was that person.


    Jocelyn had to admit, Willow had tricked her like a fiddle.


    Shed managed to provoke all of Jocelyn¡¯s jealousy, and made her seem scheming to Melvin.


    On her way home, Jocelyn reflected on her own actions.


    The more she thought about it, the more she was impressed by Willow¡¯s cunning. It was like the tale of


    the fisherman patiently waiting for the fish, and she had taken the bait.


    If only she hadn¡¯t been so determined to expose Willow, she wouldn¡¯t have yed right into her hands.


    Jocelynughed ruefully. She truly had no one to me but herself


    Willow shared thetest on the story of her first love.


    She returned home after graduation. The boy had be a sessful young entrepreneur. Although


    he initially ignored her, he eventually gave her the most important endorsement deal for hispany. It


    was a special treatment, just for her. She knew he had never forgotten her


    Despite the misunderstandings that arose, luckily they both held on to their feelings, which remained


    unchanged.


    Willow said, ¡°I¡¯m grateful that he¡¯s still the boy I fell for. And to him, I¡¯m still his most important partner.¡±


    Jocelyn felt a mix of emotions reading this


    No matter her three-year rtionship with Melvin, the old saying held true: what¡¯s not meant to be


    yours will never be.


    Thements below the video were filled with amateur detectives specting about who the young


    entrepreneur could be


    [The jewelrypany owner, obviously.]


    As soon as thatment was posted, a chorus of agreement followed.


    Jocelyn stopped scrolling.


    She realized she couldn¡¯t keep canng about their lives. Doing so was no different from being a voyeur.


    She didn¡¯t want to be someone she herself despised.


    Seeing Preston every day at school, she treated him just like any other student, without showing extra


    concern or avoiding him.


    The calendar had flipped to the Fourth of July, and the school was abuzz with activities to celebrate the


    holiday.


    Jocelyn, as the head teacher, was run ragged. When the holiday finally concluded, she copsed onto


    her desk, exhausted.


    ¡°Jocelyn¡±


    Startled, Jocelyn snapped her head up to see Principal Fletcher stepping into the office. She quickly


    adjusted her blouse and stood, ¡°Mr. Fletcher, what brings you here?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been working hardtely, haven¡¯t you?¡± Fletcher inquired with a tone of concern.


    ¡°It¡¯s been okay.¡± Jocelyn forced a smile. Is there something you need?¡±


    ¡°Actually, there is. You know the vacant lot to the west we¡¯ve been nning for a new school building?


    I¡¯ve been tied up with that project. But, as luck would have it, an entrepreneur reached out, expressing


    interest in a chat. I thought it¡¯d be prudent to bring along a few colleagues who¡¯ve made significant


    contributions to the school, to discuss our teaching capabilities. So, I wanted to ask if you¡¯re avable?¡±


    Jocelyn hadn¡¯t expected this.


    Her first reaction was, ¡°Does this mean socializing with drinks?¡±


    ¡°No, no, not at all. It¡¯s not just you. The school¡¯s offics will be there as well. I¡¯ve spoken to the


    supervisors of other grades, and they¡¯re all on board. Principal Fletcher rified earnestly. ¡°We can¡¯t


    have any impropriety in our ranks.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled, a bit embarrassed. ¡°Sorry, I guess I jumped the gun there.¡±


    Your concem is normal and valid. Rest assured, it¡¯s purely a professional meeting, to give them a better


    picture of our school. Besides some officials from the Department of Education will be present as well


    ¡°Of course.¡± Jocelyn wouldn¡¯t dream of declining

 Chapter 85

    Chapter 85


    Principal Fletcher had sent Jocelyn the address and the time, instructing her to show up punctually for


    the meeting.


    After a full day¡¯s rest at home, Jocelyn was rejuvenated and made her way to the rendezvous.


    Upon arrival, she did see several school officials and teachers there


    The private dining room of the upscale hotel was a stark contrast to what she had imagined, which was


    bright and cheerful.


    Jocelyn and her colleagues were all present, but the guest of honor was conspicuously absent.


    Even after a ten-minute wait, no one dared to voice aint.


    Finally, the doors swung open. The quest finally arrived.


    His stature was imposing, his presencemanding he could put international male models to shame.


    d in a sharp ck suit, he exuded an air of aloofness and solitude.


    Apanying him were Zephyr, who wore a vibrant purple shirt that suggested a more approachable


    demeanor, and his assistant, Yara, whose presence mirrored his own


    All seated upants stood as he entered, weing him with smiles and ushering him to the head


    seat of the table.


    Jocelyn hadn¡¯t expected Melvin to be the one they were waiting for. A month had passed since they


    last saw each other, and now they were practically strangers


    To be precise, to Melvin, she was a stranger.


    And she felt an urge to flee.


    The leaders werevishing Melvin withpliments, engaging in topics that seemed to be the


    exclusive domain of men, with other teachers chiming in asionally.


    Jocelyn, however, remained silent.


    ¡°Say, Jocelyn, one of your students is Mr. Martinez¡¯s nephew. I remember you met Mr. Martinez when


    he came for his nephew¡¯s enrolment, Principal Fletcher suddenly turned to her.


    Jocelyn was thrust into the spotlight, and all she wanted was to escape.


    She realized now why she had been invited.


    ¡°Yes, Preston has shown remarkable improvement and ranked at the top of his ssst semester,¡±


    Jocelyn replied in a formal tone.


    Melvin hadn¡¯t nced at Jocelyn since he entered the room.


    ¡°Then it speaks volumes about the quality of your teaching,¡± Zephyr chimed in with a smile.


    Jocelyn nervously returned the smile, ¡°A teacher simply guides and mentors. The main credit goes to


    the student¡¯s own willingness and eagerness to leam.¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn is quite modest, isn¡¯t she?¡± Zephyr teased.


    Jocelyn humbly responded, ¡°Just stating the truth¡±


    ¡°Melvin, you ought to thank Jocelyn. I¡¯ve heard that Preston never even passed a test before,¡± Zephyr


    said, turning to Melvin.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart leaped


    She feared making eye contact with Melvin, a sense of unease washing over her.


    Though she had done nothing wrong in their breakup


    Melvin finally looked directly at Jocelyn, raising his ss, ¡°Jocelyn is indeed an extraordinary teacher.


    She¡¯s a rarebination of brains and beauty¡± But he wasn¡¯t toasting to Jocelyn. Instead, he drank


    alone.


    Jocelyn felt a tightness in her chest, suspecting a hidden message in his words She lowered her gaze,


    avoiding his intense stare.


    The school officials, unaware of the past between Jocelyn and Melvin, interpreted his words as praise,


    and continued to extol her virtues. Jocelyn was touted as the youngest head teacher whose innovative


    teaching methods were popr with students and whose ss consistently ranked at the top of the


    school.


    In short, Jocelyn was an exemry teacher.


    Melvin seemed indifferent, while Zephyr deftly steered the conversation away from her.


    The school¡¯s ultimate wish was for Melvin tomit to funding a new school building. But he hadn¡¯t


    mentioned a word about it.


    As the authering came to a close. Melvin and Yara left first.


    y lingered a moment, apanying the local education officials and school leaders, then nced at


    Jocelyn. ¡°Actually, Mr.


    Martinez is very keen to contribute to the cause of education. Rest assured, considering his nephew¡¯s


    top performance in Jocelyn¡¯s ss, he be inclined to do this good deed.¡±


    His gaze on Jocelyn was with implication.


    Jocelyn avoided his look, feeling tense throughout the two-hour meeting, like sitting on pins and


    needles.


    They watched Melvin¡¯s car drive away from the hotel entrance.


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s easy to say, but who knows if it will happen,¡± Principal Fletcher mused, doubtful of the


    oue.


    The education official nced at Jocelyn, then pulled Principal Fletcher aside, ¡°Why not ask Miss


    Jocelyn to have a heart-to-heart talk with Mr. Martinez?¡±


    ¡°A talk?¡± Principal Fletcher looked back at the official, suddenly catching on to the implication, and


    shook his head firmly, ¡°Our teachers are professional and decent. We can¡¯t have them engaging in any


    hical behavior¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s your mind at? I¡¯m suggesting that since Miss. Jocelyn is the head teacher of Mr. Martinez¡¯s


    nephew, and she¡¯s yed a considerable role in his academic improvement. There is a natural rapport


    between teachers and students¡¯ family. If we want someone to sponsor, we must show our sincerity.


    Just exin the importance of this matter to Jocelyn, and she¡¯ll know what to do.¡±


    Principal Fletcher frowned, theplexities of such cultural exchanges going over the head of the


    uninitiated.


    After sending off the officials, Principal Fletcher approached Jocelyn.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you a ride.¡±


    ¡°Thanks Mr. Fletcher, but no need to trouble yourself, I can just take a cab,¡± Jocelyn said, not wanting


    to impose on her superior.


    But Principal Fletcher insisted, ¡°I have something to discuss with you.¡±


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    With no good reason to refuse, Jocelyn agreed to the ride.


    In the car, Principal Fletcher shared his thoughts with her.


    ¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t be asking this, Principal Fletcher began, his gaze settling on Jocelyn with a hopeful


    edge, but with the school¡¯s expansion project on the horizon, I was hoping our staff could pitch in a bit.


    Jocelyn, you¡¯re an outstanding teacher, and I¡¯m sure you want what¡¯s best for our school, right?¡±


    Jocelyn felt like she was being buttered up, and her instinct was to refuse


    ¡°Mr. Martinez is young Preston¡¯s current guardian. As his head teacher, you¡¯ve built a rapport with him.


    Remember how Mr. Martinez even reached out to other parentsst time to clear your name?¡± Principal


    Fletcher was shrewd, not the type to miss the undercurrents of human dynamics


    But Jocelyn wanted nothing more to do with Melvin Martinez.


    She squirmed ufortably, ¡°Principal, my rtionship with Mr. Martinez isn¡¯t what it seems to be. He


    had previously asked me to keep an extra eye on Preston. Seeing the boy¡¯s grades improve was¡­


    well, it was just that.¡±


    Principal Fletcher could see her resistance. Although slightly disappointed, he knew better than to


    press the matter.


    As she stepped out of the car, he made onest attempt, ¡°Jocelyn, I really hope you¡¯ll reconsider it.¡±


    She offered a nomittal nod, her face filled with awkwardness


    Standing at the entrance of her apartment building, she drew in a deep breath.


    The thought of approaching Melvin for anything was daunting. It felt like she no longer had the courage


    to face him, regardless of the


    reason.

 Chapter 86

    Chapter 86


    On the fourth day of the long holiday, Principal Fletcher sent Jocelyn a text, inquiring about her


    decision.


    Jocelyn had given it a lot of thought. Ever since she joined the school, Principal Fletcher and her


    colleagues had been very supportive, especially during the Incidentst fall when the school had stood


    firmly behind her


    Now the school needed her help. She couldn¡¯t bear the thought of letting Principal Fletcher down.


    She replied that she would talk it over with Melvin, but she couldn¡¯t quarantee the oue.


    Poncipal Fielcher thanked her profusely, which only increased the pressure on Jocelyn.


    ? ? ? ?? ???


    She regretted saying ¡®yes¡¯ the moment she sent the text.


    She didn¡¯t even know how to approach Melvin about it. After she had broken up with him, he hadn¡¯t left


    a single thing behind, nor taken anything with him.


    He had thrown all his belongings into the dumpster below her apartment as if to show her just how


    repulsed he was by her


    Ha, it wasughable. He had turned a blind eye to everything Willow had done, and still attended


    events with her in public.


    But with Jocelyn¡­


    It¡¯s pretty obvious he didn¡¯t love Jocelyn.


    Now, she couldn¡¯t even figure out how to set up a meeting with him.


    While she was fretting, Harrison sent her a message, asking if she wanted to grab a bite since he was


    in town.


    Since the rumourst time, Harrison had only asionally liked her tweets, without any real


    conversation with her.


    Jocelyn felt that what had happened was unfair to Harrison too. They were both just pawns in someone


    else¡¯s game.


    Previously, she would keep her distance from other men to avoid upsetting Melvin, but now she was


    free to expand her social circle.


    She agreed to meet Harrison.


    They decided on a popr restaurant with light dishes. She dared not take him for anything too spicy


    after theirst adventure.


    ¡°How have you been? was Harrison¡¯s opening question when they met.


    Jocelyn smiled, ¡®Pretty good. You?¡±


    ¡°Not bad.¡±


    There was some awkwardness between them, a remnant of their past embarrassing encounter. For a


    moment, neither said anything. Then they caught each other¡¯s eyes and burst intoughter.


    ¡°Are we going to stay ridiculously awkward like this?¡± Harrison asked, adjusting his sses. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t


    we just be more straightforward as friends?¡±


    That broke the ice, and Jocelyn rxed.


    She poured him some coffee, ¡°We¡¯ve been a bit uptight, haven¡¯t we?*


    Their conversation started to flow more naturally then, and Harrison couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°How are


    things with Melvin now?¡±


    Jocelyn paused, then smiled, ¡°We split up a while ago.¡±


    ¡°Really over?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she sipped her coffee, it¡¯s over.¡±


    Harrison could tell she seemed genuinely at peace with it


    ¡°That¡¯s what life is like, right? If it doesn¡¯t work out, you move on. You¡¯re great, Jocelyn. You¡¯ll find


    someone who¡¯s a better match.


    She nodded firmly, ¡°Life¡¯s all about meeting different people, whether they¡¯re adversaries or lovers. It¡¯s


    all about how you think about them, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°d to see you think in this way


    Jocelyn looked at him, ¡°Your parents must have been upset about the previous incident.¡±


    y were disappointed more than anything, Harrison said with a shrug, disappointed in me for not being


    able to find a wife. It¡¯s always my fault in their opinion.¡±


    Em really sorry.¡±


    We not your fault it was my idea, and you ended up taking so much k for it If anyone should


    apologize, it¡¯s me Harrison felt perumaly quilty, So this meal is on me.


    Jouzhn didn¡¯t decline


    As they were eating, they overheard two girls at the next table gossiping about Willow and the jewelry


    magnate


    ¡°They¡¯re such a good match. Both so attractive, and they¡¯re each other¡¯s first love. Now both sessful


    and joining forces. People are so envious of them.¡±


    They¡¯re getting a lot of media attention. Willow talked about their past on a TV show, and the jewelry


    brand¡¯s social media ount liked it. I bet an engagement is on the horizon.¡±


    Jocelyn asionally checked Twitter and knew that Willow and Melvin were trending often. The jewelry


    company¡¯s official ount had been liking posts congratting the couple, fueling public excitement.


    There were rumors that thepany was preparing for a proposal, especially since theyunched a


    new line focused on love and marriage, with an exclusive photo shoot featuring Willow. Thepany¡¯s


    website hinted at it, lending credibility to the rumors


    Hamson noticed Jocelyn¡¯s expression change and heard the conversation too.


    He knew about her ex, the young and sessful jewelry tycoon-a man who could easily captivate any


    woman¡¯s heart


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    ¡°You okay? Harson asked openly


    Jocelyn snapped back to the present. ¡°I¡¯m fine¡±


    ¡®Just look forward, he consoled her.


    ¡°I am. I¡¯ve been ready for this. It doesn¡¯t hurt anymore¡±


    Jocelyn was truly over it


    But that man had been in her heart for so many years, like a thorn lodged deep within Pulling it out was


    bound to leave a wound


    She was waiting for the day when she could simply be ustomed to its presence.


    After all, he was a man she had once loved deeply.


    ¡°By the way, my mom urged me to yet another blind date recently.¡± Harrison changed the subject,


    hoping to lighten her mood.


    Jocelyn was curious, ¡°How did it go?¡±


    ¡°Not bad. She¡¯s a kindergarten teacher, very kind-hearted.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great. Jocelyn¡¯s face lit up, ¡°Your mom must be relieved.¡±


    Harrison shook his head, ¡°Nothing¡¯s set in stone yet. We¡¯ve only met once, so who knows what the


    future holds.¡±


    ¡°If you like her, you should make an effort, Jocelyn encouraged him genuinely, ¡°Finding someone you


    think is nice is not that easy. Don¡¯t let the opportunity slip by.¡±


    Harrison looked at her and started tough.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°You sound just like my mom,¡± he said, his eyes filled with a resigned humor, ¡°You have the same


    troubles with me, yet you can¡¯t empathize with me?¡±


    ¡°You know, the key is that you¡¯ve stumbled across someone you reckon is alright. Me? I haven¡¯t had


    that luck, Jocelyn shrugged nonchntly, her face a picture of indifference. Anyway, it¡¯s like I¡¯ve been


    spared another bout of heartache.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your type, anyway?¡± Harrison asked her. ¡°Need me to y Cupid for you?¡±


    Jocelyn fixed him with a yful smile. ¡°What are you now, my personal matchmaker like my parents?¡±


    Harrison chuckled. That shows we all care about you.¡±


    They shared a look andughed together ¨C a pure, untaintedughter of good friends ribbing each


    other, free of any underlying motives Outside, a sleek silver Porsche paused briefly before roaring off


    down the street.


    After lunch, Harrison had to dash off for a meeting, and as soon as Jocelyn got home, her phone


    buzzed with a message from the principal.


    The text detailed where and when she was to meet Melvin.


    The message sent Jocelyn into a spiral of anxiety thatsted all afternoon until the principal called her


    again. ¡°Jocelyn. I¡¯m counting on you


    That evening. Jocelyn inspected her in front of mirror over and over. She didn¡¯t want to give anyone a


    reason to question her professionalism


    She donned a crisp white blouse, ck dress cks, and a pair of ck ts. Her hair was pulled back


    into a neat bun, showcasing her delicate features. She had applied only a dab of lip gloss, steering


    clear of lipstick


    The woman in the mirror was ready for business, and no one could think otherwise


    She grabbed a zer, her purse, and headed out the door.


    The Jax dropped her off at the address the principal had given ¨C a rather posh hotel. Nervously, she


    approached the reception desk to inquire about Melvin¡¯s room. Once she had the details, she made her


    way to the private dining suites.


    The hotel was vast, and Jocelyn focused intently on the room numbers until she finally reached the


    door bearing the respectful digits She paused outside, steeling herself mentally.


    She reminded herself that this was just for business. No matter what Melvin¡¯s attitude might be, as long


    as she showed up and met the man, she¡¯d have fulfilled the principal¡¯s request

 Chapter 87

    Chapter 87


    Joenlyn muttered up all her courage, her hand poised to knock on the door, when a voice from behind


    called out her name.


    She turned and gaw Willow striding toward her dressed to the nines in designer chic


    1 thought my eyes were ying tacks on me. It really is you.¡± Willow took off her sunsses, her


    cheeks flushed with health and eyes sparkling with life. You¡¯re not here to see Melvin, are you?¡±


    Astying eyes on Willow made Jocelyn struggle to keep her emotions in check, but she remembered


    why she was here and knew that picking a figh, now wouldn¡¯t do her any favors.


    All she wanted was to get through this encounter and go home


    Cut the act, you¡¯re over. Stop parading around him to make a statement Willow said, eyeing Jocelyn¡¯s


    modest attire that still couldn¡¯t hide het natural grace.


    Truth be told. Willow was green with envy over Jocelyn¡¯s look.


    ¡°I need to talk to him, Jocelyn replied coolly


    ¡°What could you possibly need to talk about?¡± Willow scoffed with disdain. ¡°Don¡¯t you know that a good


    ex should be like the dead, and not pop up now and then like some ghoul?¡±


    Jocelyn took a deep breath meeting Willows superior sneer with an indifferent gaze ¡°I remember Willow


    was Melvin¡¯s first love, right? So. are you the ghoul you¡¯re talking about?¡±


    ¡°You ¡°Willows face tumed a shade of stormy gray as she red. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite the sharp tongue!¡±


    ¡°I could take all the things you¡¯ve done to me on the chin. But let¡¯s be frank, I grew bored of Melvin a


    long time ago. Your little drama only shows how desperate you are to cling to his coattails. You should


    be grateful for my leaving. If you want to deal with such a high-maintenance man, he¡¯s all yours,


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to settle scores with Willow, but she had been suffocating under that grudge for too


    long.


    Willow, infuriated clenched her fists, teeth gritted, ¡°Hmph, sounds like sour grapes to me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong I¡¯ve had my fill, so it doesn¡¯t bother me. Jocelyn watched her get worked up with a touch


    of pleasure. ¡°What you have now is just my leftovers¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± The door behind them suddenly swung open A cool, deep male voice cut through the


    tension.


    Jocelyn¡¯s body tensed in an instant, realizing all too well how inappropriate her words were for this


    ce, yet she had said them


    anyway


    She admitted to herself she was deliberate


    She had never feared Melvin overhearing her, but now that she actually heard his voice, her heart


    skipped a beat.


    Willow moved to Melvin¡¯s side, grabbing his arm. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe she could talk about you like that after everything you two had,¡± Willow¡¯s voice trembled.


    ¡°Even if you broke up, you could still be friends How can she refer to you as if you¡¯re some kind of


    disposable trash, tossed away without a second thought?¡±


    Jocelyn had to admire Willows act. She¡¯s not a trained actress, but her performance was convincing


    She tumed, her heart racing to face Melvin.


    Seeing him once more made her heart pound uncontrobly. She had gravely underestimated her


    feelings for him.


    She still had feelings for him, which were not something she could just pluck out on a whim:


    Melvin looked at Jocelyn with a kind of hatred in his eyes, the kind that wanted toy her alive.


    Jocelyn felt a chill run down her spine, her anxiety peaking


    ¡°Come in,¡¯ said Melvin, coldly brushing Willow¡¯s hand aside.


    Willow hesitated, ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°She just pointed at my nose and cursed me. What do you think?¡± There was no warmth, only an abyss


    in Melvin¡¯s eyes.


    Willow was also started by Melvin¡¯s demeanor. She felt Jocelyn was doomed.


    Crossing Melvin was a mistake. No good coulde from it


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too upset. And remember, Jocelyn is Preston¡¯s teacher. You need to consider that.¡± Willow


    said, ying the role of the voice of


    subtly manipting Melvin.


    vin¡¯s icy psze fired on Jocelyn, his aura as chilling as ice in the dead of winter


    angry, Willow decided not to stick around and quickly went inside


    cyn cotched her purse tightly, swallowing hard, her lips pursed as she took a deep breath, ¡°I¡¯m here


    today in the hope that you¡¯ll consider the proposal of sponsoring our school. If you could lend a hand,


    I¡¯m sure the students who graduate will be eternally grateful, and your legacy will live on forever¡±


    Melvin narrowed his eyes, his dangerous aura slowly enveloping Jocelyn.


    ¡°Always the eloquent literature teacher, aren¡¯t you?¡± he mocked. ¡°I dare not dream of gratitude. After


    all, I¡¯ve experienced firsthand the tale of the Farmer and the Snake. And it was Jocelyn herself who


    provided such a memorable lesson!


    Jocelyn¡¯s nerves were frayed, and she desperately wanted to flee.


    A moment of satisfaction now could mean a lifetime of regretter.


    His oppressive presence left her in disarray. She knew she wasn¡¯t at fault, yet she couldn¡¯t meet his


    eyes, ¡°Mr. Martinez, I won¡¯t take up more of your time.¡±


    ¡°How so? I haven¡¯t given my answer yet. Then how should you report back to the principal?¡± Melvin¡¯s


    voice, dripping with sarcasm, trapped Jocelyn¡¯s attempt to leave.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, ¡°Whether you agree or not is up to you. No one can force you into this act


    of charity¡±


    *If Mr. Fletcher knew you approached me with such an attitude, would he think you¡¯re too casual in your


    dealings?¡± Melvin¡¯s eyes bore into her. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to climb me, this big tree¡¯ to pave a way for your


    educational pursuits?¡±


    Jocelyn knew he was taking up Willow¡¯s cause


    ¡°You know I¡¯m a difficult man to deal with If you tried a little harder, I might be persuaded If I¡¯m in a


    good mood, who knows, I might just say yes,¡± Melvin spoke crudely, not with the air of a rogue but with


    the intent to humiliate her.


    So, he had heard every word she said to Willow.


    But he never once mentioned how Willow had pulled one over on her, nor did he acknowledge her


    comint about being tricked by


    Willow


    It was a selective sort of snub


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


    Put simply, Willow was his first crush. How could he bear to utter a single bad word against her? It was


    the kind of first love that stirred up both envy and jealousy in others.


    And her first love happened to be someone else¡¯s darling.


    Jocelyn clenched her jaw against the twinge of pain in her heart, feigningposure as she said, ¡°You


    and Willow are a match made in heaven You¡¯re almost at the altar, and I¡¯m not looking to tarnish my


    reputation.¡±


    Melvin scoffed with a smirk. ¡°How virtuous of you. After all, you¡¯ve reunited with yourtest beau. You¡¯d


    naturally y the blushing bride-to-be. Tell me, does he know about our little history? If it bothers him, I


    can clear the air for you.¡±


    Jocelyns mind raced, wondering what kind of twisted fate had them cross paths. She had just met


    Harrison for lunch, and Melvin had somehow caught wind of it.


    She pinched herself discreetly, replying coolly. ¡°No need to trouble you on my behalf.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes scanned her face, and he let out a derisiveugh, ¡°You¡¯re looking a bit pale these days.


    Is he not¡­ up to the task?¡±


    Jocelyn felt a tightness in her chest. She truly didn¡¯t understand him. Why did he insist on making these


    acidic remarks to humiliate her?


    After all, it was he who had grown tired of her first, he who hadn¡¯t trusted her, leading to their split.


    But now here he was, spewing these sour words to torment her.


    What was he really after?

 Chapter 88

    Chapter 88


    Jocelyn had had enough. She couldn¡¯t bear to waste another second in that ce and couldn¡¯t stand to


    exchange another word with him. It would only demean herself.


    His cold voice sliced through the tension, ¡°I would¡¯ve agreed to help if anyone elseing to me


    today.. Unfortunately, it was you!


    Her heart sank as she saw his disdainful look. And then he added three more words that cut deep.


    ¡°You¡¯re not worthy.¡±


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


    Stepping out of the hotel, Jocelyn looked up at the sky, feeling a numbness that eclipsed the pain. Over


    three years of her love, now she realized, had been misced.


    Her love was unrequited.


    She immediately called the principal, apologizing that she had done her best.


    Walking down the street, her mind felt numb. Perhaps the pain was too deep or maybe she had seen


    through it all. So the pain just wasn¡¯t there anymore


    Then her phone rang with an unknown number


    It was a call from a senior official at the Board of Education, asking if she could meet someone


    Jocelyn guessed that the principal must have spoken to the official.


    In the workce, sometimes you have to do things against your will.


    She arrived at a country club not far from the hotel and saw the official waiting for her.


    As soon as he saw her, he called out, ¡°Jocelyn, is that how you dressed for the meeting with Mr.


    Martinez?¡±


    She looked down at her attire, not seeing any problem.


    ¡°You¡¯re too conservative, the official shook his head and said, ¡°Anyway,e meet the benefactor.¡±


    Jocelyn followed him through the opulent corridors and made a turn to face grand double doors.


    Before entering, he advised, ¡°Jocelyn, make a good impression, rx. You¡¯re here to secure benefits


    for the school, to fight for a better learning environment for the students.¡±


    She nodded, not knowing what to say or what difference her presence would make.


    Once inside, the ce was buzzing with vigour.


    She instinctively wanted to leave, but the official nudged her forward and closed the door behind them.


    ¡°Jocelyn, go sit by Mr. Vance He¡¯s a phnthropist, you know, and he¡¯s looking to generously fund a


    new building for the school, the official urged her toward a man whose stomach bulged more than a


    nine-month pregnancy


    She wasn¡¯t naive; she understood the situation.


    She stood still, ¡°Maybe we should call Mr. Fletcher instead.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you?¡± the official frowned, ¡°Fletcher asked you to keep Mr. Vancepany. Don¡¯t


    you trust me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that. Such an important matter should be handled by the school leaders. I¡¯m afraid I might say


    something wrong, Jocelyn didn¡¯t budge. She didn¡¯t want to get caught in these unwritten workce


    rules or sacrifice herself.


    It shouldn¡¯t be up to a mere teacher to influence the school¡¯s future.


    Dissatisfaction marked the official¡¯s face as he stared at her, ¡°You teach literature, Jocelyn. You should


    understand the subtext¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I can¡¯t go through with it, her mood was already sour. ttery and pandering were out of


    the question.


    She apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I have to go.¡±


    ¡°Are all the teachers at the school this uptight?¡± Vance stood up, approached Jocelyn, and grabbed her


    arm, ¡°Ive seen your news online. They say you¡¯re a good teacher. But flies don¡¯t buzz around an


    uncracked egg. Surely, you have your moments, right?¡±


    Just keep mepany tonight, and I¡¯ll sign the contract with your school tomorrow¡± Vance had his


    eyes set on Jocelyn, having made this specific request


    in person, she seerned more delicate than her online image, particrly in her outfit which seemed like


    uniform seduction


    Jocelyn shook off Vance¡¯s hand, ring at the official, ¡°I thought leaders at the Board of Education are


    all decent and professional Today has been quite the eye opener.


    hot are you saying?¡± the official, as if pped in the face was livid.


    All that what youre doing today is immoral and inhumane,¡± she wasn¡¯t afraid to burn bridges now.


    You the official¡¯s face darkened.


    An Jocelyn reached for the door, Vance grabbed her waist from behind.


    She screamed in shock, then swung her handbag at Vance¡¯s head.


    ele stapped her back hard and pinned her against the wall, hissing a threat, ¡°Don¡¯t you know I can take


    your job away?¡±


    The hit loft Jocelyn¡¯s head ringing, stars dancing in her vision.


    She didn¡¯t look at Vance but at the official, ¡°Are you just going to let him do this to me?¡±


    The official avoided her gaze and turned away. ¡°You were offered a golden opportunity and you


    refused. What can I do? You need to be flexible. Make him happy, and you might get more than you


    ever dreamed of.¡±


    Disappointment washed over her, her eyes reddening, teeth clenched, she faced him, ¡°As long as I¡¯m


    alive, I¡¯ll see you behind bars!¡±


    ¡°Go ahead, I¡¯ll wait for yourwsuit Vance¡¯s mouth reeked of alcohol as he leaned in.


    Jocelyn pressed her lips shut turning her head away as darkness loomed over her.


    Suddenly, the door burst open from the outside


    Everyone inside was startled.


    The man pinning Jocelyn was thrown against the coffee table, falling to the ground with a curse that


    was cut short by a bottle smashing against his face


    Jocelyn slumped to the floor, her eyes vacant. Even as the bottles shattered on Vance, causing him to


    scream and clutch his head, she


    remained unmoved


    The room¡¯s chaos turned to cries for mercy, and when the din finally quieted, Jocelyn lifted her gaze.


    She saw Melvin holding an ashtray, ready to strike. In a sh, she grabbed his arm.


    Melvin turned. His eyes were a fierce red, sending a shiver down Jocelyn¡¯s spine.


    She reached out for the ashtray he was holding, and Melvin gave her without resistance.


    Jocelyn gripped the hefty ashtray, her gaze fixed on the man now trembling from his beatings, his pleas


    for mercy shrinking to a whisper.


    With vengeful force, she crashed it down on the hand that had dared to graze her waist.


    A ghastly scream echoed through the confined room, while the official stood petrified to the spot,


    shivering with fright


    Jocelyn struck once and once again.


    Like a cold, unfeeling automaton, she hammered down until his palm bled, and even the sound of


    bones breaking did not halt her


    Tevenge


    It was Zephyr who burst in and stopped Jocelyn, wrenching the bloodied ashtray from her grasp. He


    stared at her in disbelief, unable to fathom that she could be so merciless


    ¡°Melvin, why didn¡¯t you stop her? What if she had crippled him?¡± Zephyr, though impressed with


    Melvin¡¯s restraint, was aghast at the


    scene.


    Melvin nced at Jocelyn, whose pallor was as white as a sheet. The ferocity in her eyes was slowly


    receding, leaving behind a hollow, lifeless gaze


    Jocelyn seemed not to see him as she staggered to her feet, nearly copsing, if not for Melvin¡¯s


    steadying hand.


    Finally, she looked at him squarely.


    It was the first time Melvin had seen her like this. Her eyes were growing increasingly dark. He took


    back the ashtray from Zephyr and handed it to her ¡°If you feel it¡¯s not enough, keep going. I¡¯ve got your


    back if there¡¯s any trouble.¡±

 Chapter 89

    Chapter 89


    Jocelyn nced at the ashtray he was offering, but she didn¡¯t take it.


    Instead, she asked him tly. ¡°And who exactly are you to me?¡±


    She had just turned away when she spun back around, her gazending on the official in theer,


    who was too afraid to move. She said, each word deliberate and heavy, ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about my


    own career. But as for yours, it¡¯s finished.¡±


    With that, she left without any hesitation.


    Her face was swollen, her hair a mess, her clothes disheveled, and that¡¯s how she walked out of the


    club


    Melvin hurried after her and grabbed her hand. He frowned when he saw tears streaking her cheeks-a


    sight he hadn¡¯t witnessed earlier.


    ¡°Leave me alone, Jocelyn rasped, eyes fixed on his grip.


    Melvin didn¡¯t release her but tightened his hold


    He pulled her to his car, opened the door and pushed her inside.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t resist. She had no strength left and knew Melvin wouldn¡¯t let her go easily.


    The car drove off and stopped by the riverside momentster.


    The evening breeze was gentle. The lights from both banks twinkled. A small boat floated on the river,


    lending the bustling city a moment of tranquility


    Melvin pulled her out of the car and walked towards the river. The water reached their shins, but


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t make a sound.


    It wasn¡¯t until the water was chest-high that Melvin couldn¡¯t hold back any longer.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of dying? Melvin had been holding his breath the whole way along, thinking it had


    been let out. But her lifeless act ignited his anger all over again.


    The river water was cold. Jocelyn suddenly took another step forward and the water was now over her


    shoulders. All of a sudden, she plunged headfirst into the depths.


    Panic instantly seized Melvin.


    ¡°Jocelyn! Come back!¡±


    He dove in after her, searching frantically in the murky water.


    He swam towards her direction and finally felt her


    Pulling her to the surface, he roared at her, ¡°Are you insane?¡±


    Jocelyn wiped her face, panting heavily, staring at the man in front of her who was fuming, ¡°What does


    it matter to you if I die?¡±


    ¡°You Melvin was beyond frustrated


    Jocelyn¡¯s calmness was in stark contrast to his rage, ¡°You said I wasn¡¯t worthy, so why bother with me?


    Isn¡¯t entangle with someone you deem unworthy?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t push me, Jocelyn!¡± Melvin lost it at her words.


    ¡°I¡¯m just stating the facts, Jocelyn said, taking a struggling step away.


    Melvin caught her hand again


    Jocelyn turned back


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Melvin looked into her cold eyes and stubborn face. When did she start looking at him with such


    disdain?


    It seemed she no longer cared about him.


    degrading for you to


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you just talk? Why can¡¯t youe to me properly if you need help? Who are you being so


    stubborn for?¡± He gripped her shoulders, frustration clear in his voice, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for me today, do you


    know what would have happened to you?¡±


    His words reignited the calm fury in Jocelyn, and she violently shook off his hand, yelling back, ¡°Why


    should Ie to you? Am I that desperate? Knowing you don¡¯t love me, should I grovel like a loyal dog


    begging for your attention?¡±


    She scoffed, ¡®Or is it that Willow can¡¯t satisfy you? You just have to have a taste of me?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s veins throbbed with anger


    want you¡± Melvinshed out, ¡°I saved you today Shouldn¡¯t you be grateful?*


    red at him, tearing open her clothes in front of him, her delicate skin glowing in the moonlight,


    marred by vanous shades of


    red-whether from his or Vance¡¯s grip, it was hard to tell.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this what you want?* Her voice shook, but her tone was icy, ¡°I¡¯m repaying you. After this, it¡¯s none


    of your business even if I die?


    Melvin was livid


    Roughly cradling her face, he kissed her hard to vent his fury.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t resist. She let him do as he pleased like a doll, lifeless in his hands


    His remained affection for her was nothing more than physical desire. Once he was bored, he would no


    longer care about her.


    ¡°Is this your idea of repayment? Are you dead? Melvin, disgusted by her passiveness, released her,


    spewing venom, ¡°You¡¯re supposed to please your savior!¡±


    There was no light left in Jocelyn¡¯s eyes.


    He was humiliating her Once that was done, he would let her go


    Her fist clenched underwater, she took a deep breath and slowly lifted her hands out of the water,


    cing them hesitantly on his shoulders. Her touch was rigid and lifeless as she caressed him.


    Melvin watched her hand moving across his body in silence.


    ¡°Is that all?¡± he asked, eyes narrowing


    Jocelyn¡¯s hand froze over his heart, feeling its powerful rhythm.


    She looked at his cold face, eyes drifting to his lips. She leaned in slowly and kissed him mechanically.


    As Melvin¡¯s gaze grew colder, her hand moved again, inching lower, fingers fumbling with his belt


    buckle.


    Just as she was about to undo it, she was shoved back forcefully.


    She stared at the man.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes twitched, ¡°Not here. I don¡¯t want to catch a disease¡±


    Holding her breath, Jocelyn was unsure of his intentions. She quietly pulled her clothes back on.


    Melvin grabbed her hand and led her to the shore, then pushed her into the car.


    Both were drenched, water pooling beneath the seats.


    Autumn was setting in. The night air was chilly against their wet clothes.


    Melvin didn¡¯t care about the puddles at his feet. He sped them home and the water barely dried when


    they reached the elevator


    He nced at Jocelyn. Her face was pale with the stark imprint of a hand on it.


    Jocelyn hadn¡¯t thought to struggle. This would be thest time. She wanted no further ties or


    entanglements with him.


    Entering the apartment, Melvin stripped off his clothes regardless of her presence.


    ¡°Shall we shower first, or do you want to get straight to it?¡± Jocelyn suddenly spoke up, ¡°I¡¯m in a hurry¡±


    Melvin¡¯s pants hit the floor with a thud. A fire ignited within him. He grabbed Jocelyn¡¯s hand and pulled


    her towards the bathroom, his voice a mix of frustration and desire, ¡°Then let¡¯s make it steamy while we


    shower!¡±


    The shower head rained down upon them as Melvin peeled away her clothes and nted a fierce kiss


    upon her.


    Jocelyn stood there like a puppet, enduring all that he gave, biting her lip so fiercely that not a single


    sound escaped


    As Melvin felt her silence, his intensity grew Jocelyn¡¯s fingers wed at the wall, her lips were bitten to


    the point of bleeding But still, she did not give in to his demands.


    After what felt like an eternity, Melvin¡¯s fervor subsided. He pressed against her back, teeth grazing her


    shoulder as he whispered resentfully into her ear, ¡°Look at you. Even with your coldness towards me,


    your body sings with passion How can you bear to push me away?¡±


    A sharp twinge struck Jocelyn¡¯s heart. She braced her hands against the wall, swallowing hard before


    she found her voice, ¡°Are we even now? Is your debt paid off?¡±


    Hearing her hoarse voiceced with detached words, Melvin bit down hard on her shoulder


    Jocelyn almost didn¡¯t hold back a cry. But in the end, she managed to swallow the sound back down.

 Chapter 90

    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.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    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¡±

 Chapter 91

    Chapter 91


    Principal Fletcher hadn¡¯t specified who it was. But since he made a point of bringing the matter to her


    attention, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that it involved a certain someone.


    She tried to push the thought out of her mind, heading over to her parents¡¯ ce for dinner, only to


    overhear her dad saying, ¡°My boss has been swampedtely. I heard he¡¯s looking to take over some


    company. Rumor has it that the owner of thatpany did a number on his girlfriend, so now he¡¯s


    getting even¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s forkful of green beans ttered onto the table.


    Jocelyn, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Daisy eyed her curiously. ¡°You seem absent-minded.¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head quickly, ¡°Nothing¡±


    That Mr. Martinez is quite the character for his age, quite the savvy businessman indeed, Daisy mused.


    ¡°Being his girlfriend must be something Isn¡¯t his girlfriend that actress?¡±


    Calvin hissed through his teeth and shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s all a bit confusing now. People say Willow is


    his girlfriend, but ever since that incident, he hasn¡¯t let her set foot in hispany again.¡±


    Then they¡¯re probably not together anymore,¡± Daisy spected with curiosity. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s got another


    girlfriend on the side? These rich folks, how many of them stay true to one?¡±


    ¡®I don¡¯t know,¡± Calvin replied, serving Daisy some more food. ¡°Mr. Martinez is young and sessful,


    not to mention handsome. He¡¯s


    bound to have a lot of admirers.¡±


    Daisy nodded, ¡°Yeah, rich and handsome men are often yers.¡±


    Calvin disagreed, ¡°Not all men are like that.¡±


    ¡°Still, that Mr. Martinez doesn¡¯t strike me as the faithful type,¡± Daisy continued. ¡°If he were to be our


    son-inw, I¡¯d be worried he wouldn¡¯t


    stay put


    ¡°Wishful thinking¡± Calvin chuckled ¡°Folks from those circles are bound to look for a match within their


    own social standing. Let me tell you, the wealthier they are, the pickier they get. Our family, well¡­ we


    don¡¯t make the cut.¡±


    Listening to her parents casual conversation, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but feel that their words painted a


    stark reality of her own situation


    with Melvin.


    Once home, she did a bit of digging on Vance¡¯s Corporation and, sure enough, found news about the


    takeover and reports of Vance¡¯s bribery, tax evasion, and subsequent investigations.


    It¡¯s clear that Vance was headed for a downfall.


    Though there was a process to it, the oue was bound to be grim.


    Leaning against her bed,ptop open before her, Jocelyn thought back to Melvin¡¯s words about not


    giving her another chance.


    If that was the case why bother with all these?


    She wasn¡¯t about to thank him.


    It¡¯s Friday.


    As soon as Jocelyn¡¯s ss was over, she left immediately. Making her way from the teaching building


    to the administration block, she caught sight of Principal Fletcher and some school leaders touring the


    campus with Melvin and his entourage, including Yara and Zephyr.


    She shot them a nce before steering clear, intent on ignoring the whole scene.


    ¡°Jocelyn, Principal Fletcher suddenly called after her


    Halting in her tracks, her heart tightened. She had no choice but to turn around and face them. Nodding


    politely, she greeted, ¡°HL¡±


    She didn¡¯t even let her peripheral vision drift towards Melvin.


    Jocelyn, join us for lunch, will you? We¡¯ll be in the cafeteria. Mr. Martinez wants to try the school dining.


    Principa! Fletcher invited warmly


    The refusal was on the tip of her tongue, but with all eyes on her, declining would be a faux pas.


    Sure. Til just stop by my office first and join youter.¡±


    ¡°Alight


    Jocelyn turned and left. But her steps were neavier than usual, feeling like walking through quicksand.


    les ponner had she stepped into her office than Urs breezed in behind her:


    ¡°Jocelyn, I saw him!¡± Urs leaned over her desk, her voice hushed but tinged with excitement.


    Jocelyn calmly tidied her desk, ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡®Did he donate the academic building because of you?¡± Urs was all gossip.


    ¡®No, Jocelyn replied firmly. ¡°People like him weigh every penny they spend. Besides, he and I really


    have nothing to do with each other


    anymore.¡±


    Urs seemed to ept her seriousness, ¡°So, it¡¯s really over?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s over.¡±


    Ursuls sighed, a hint of pity in her voice. ¡°You two looked like a match made in heaven. Even if one¡¯s as


    gentle as a stream and the other as cold as ice, you stillplemented each other perfectly


    Jocelyn offered a faint smile, ¡°Appearances can be deceiving. Like an apple that looks great on the


    outside but has a rotten core.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, Urs shrugged, patting her shoulder. The old has to go before the new cane.


    Besides, that Harrison guy isn¡¯t bad, I think you two might hit it off.


    Checking the clock, Jocelyn stood up. It was time to head to the cafeteria.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got my hands full with the senior ss this year. I¡¯ll focus on teaching and let everything else fall


    into ce naturally. Off to the cafeteria, then


    ¡°Right. Urs nodded, tilting her head thoughtfully. ¡°Wait, let¡¯s go together.¡±


    In the small cafeteria, about a dozen people were seated at two long tables pushed together, each with


    their own tray of food.


    Jocelyn took a seat on the edge, poking at her rice and only half-listening to the chatter.


    Melvin¡¯s visit was a genuine inspection, offering high praise for the school¡¯s facilities, sports grounds,


    and equipment. He recognized the school¡¯s contribution to sending students into top high schools each


    year.


    The school¡¯s direct admission rates were also among the highest in its league.


    While the education authority valued such institutions, thepetition across all sectors had intensified


    in recent years. The school expenses had soared, which made finances a constant concern.


    Many schools were expanding through donations- teaching buildings, libraries, sports facilities, and so


    on.


    Education was certainly a priority, with students being the nation¡¯s future and vital for its development.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Yet, significant donations like Melvin¡¯s were notmon in the business world, where cost and return


    were always calcted in the first ce. After all, how many of them were willing to invest without the


    prospect of a return?


    ¡°This year, Jocelyns taking the senior ss, Principal Fletcher mentioned out of the blue, ¡°I remember


    her first year here, when she was also in charge of the seniors. Her ss had the most students


    epted into the city¡¯s top high schools.¡±


    Jocelyn, caught off-guard, humbly responded. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just me. The credit goes to all the teachers, as


    well as those whoid the groundwork before. Without them, I couldn¡¯t have done it alone.¡±


    ¡®Jocelyn is truly impressive for her age, Zephyr chimed in with a smile in Jocelyn¡¯s direction.


    With a forced grin, Jocelyn said, ¡°You tter me.¡±


    Throughout the meal, Melvin hadn¡¯t exchanged a single word with Jocelyn, nor had he nced her


    way.


    After lunch, Jocelyn excused herself, saying she needed to check the student dormitories, and took her


    leave early.


    The students had an hour for a nap after noon, and after her dorm inspection, Jocelyn saw Melvin


    standing under therge tree out front. His white shirt was neatly tucked into the waistband of his ck


    dress pants. His figure was tall and slender, with a slicked-back hairdo.


    Aloof, solitary and proud, he was like a painting just standing there.


    As if he was abandoned by the whole world, or perhaps as if he had never deigned to regard the world


    at all.


    Their eyes met in an upward nce, locking in a silent exchange.

 Chapter 92

    Chapter 92


    Jocelyn instinctively turned her head away, walking away immediately.


    She took a deep breath, having no idea why he was there, and certainly not thinking of the possibility


    that he might havee for her.


    Fortunately, he didn¡¯t call out to her


    Back at her office, Jocelyn finally sat down and gulped down arge ss of water. Her tumultuous


    thoughts somewhat settled.


    In the afternoon, Principa! Fletcher sent out a message in the staff group chat. In celebration of the


    sessful contract signing that day, everyone was invited to dinner. Attached was the time and


    address.


    Urs was waiting for Jocelyn after school.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you ready yet?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to go. She knew who she would encounter there.


    ¡°Almost done¡±


    ¡°Are you afraid of seeing him?¡± Urs asked, seeing right through her friend.


    Jocelyn¡¯s hand froze in ce.


    The worry on her face betrayed her inner turmoil.


    Urs ced a reassuring hand on Jocelyn¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Jocelyn, if you¡¯ve let go, then face it head-on.


    If you don¡¯t, when will you ever truly move on? Letting go isn¡¯t just lip service, it¡¯s about the heart.¡±


    Jocelyn had to admit Urs¡¯s right.


    After gathering herself, Jocelyn hopped into Urs¡¯s car and headed to the restaurant.


    As they arrived, Jocelyn saw a familiar car pull into the spot next to Urs¡¯s.


    Jocelyn instinctively wanted to avoid the man getting out from his car. But Urs grabbed her to have


    an idental face-to-face with


    Melvin.


    Urs cheerfully greeted, ¡°Hi, Mr. Martinez.¡±


    Jocelyn bowed her head, wishing she could flee.


    Urs, holding onto her hand, told Melvin, ¡°Thanks for sponsoring the school. You¡¯re such a great


    businessman.¡±


    Melvin responded coolly, ¡°My pleasure,¡± barely ncing at Jocelyn before heading into the restaurant.


    Once he was gone, Urs chided Jocelyn, ¡°You can¡¯t keep behaving like this. In such situation, you


    should be more confident to show you don¡¯t care. Look at him, he¡¯s so at ease.¡±


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    He was the man she had loved for so long. Even if she initiated the breakup, it wasn¡¯t possible for her


    to act as if their rtionship never existed or to instantly carve him out of her heart.


    Urs could see her anxiety. ¡°But you¡¯ve broken up.¡±


    Jocelyn felt a dull ache in her chest.


    Yes, they had broken up.


    If he could let go so easily, why couldn¡¯t she?


    As other colleagues arrived, Jocelyn took another deep breath and walked into the restaurant with


    Urs.


    The restaurant was luxurious, with not just a dining area but also a karaoke room and a game room.


    In the small hall, threerge round tables were set up. The leaders sat at one and the rest of the staff at


    the others.


    ¡°Sorry, there¡¯s someone more joining us shortly.¡±


    As Zephyr nced at his phone and stepped out, he soon retumed with Willow in tow


    Willow removed her sunsses upon entering. Her appearance sparked a wave of excitement among


    the other teachers.


    She greeted everyone with polite nods and smiles. When her gaze swept over Jocelyn, there was a


    slight arch of her eyebrow before she took her seat beside Melvin.


    Onde seated, Willow leaned in and whispered something to Melvin, which didn¡¯t take long for others to


    catch on to the nature of their rtionship.


    Virg kept art eye on Jocelyn, who seemed unfazed by their interaction.


    ¡°Stay calm. Don¡¯t take it to heart. Let¡¯s just enjoy ourselves,¡± Urs whispered, trying to cheer Jocelyn


    up.


    Jocelyn knew how to behave. It was just that knowing and doing were two different things.


    When Poncipal Fletcher suggested a toast to Melvin, everyone stood and raised their sses in his


    direction.


    Melvin, without putting on airs, joined in the toast and then delved into conversation with the school


    officials.


    Willow yed the part of an attentive girlfriend, even peeling shrimp for Melvin.


    After dinner, the colleagues moved to the karaoke room. And Urs dragged Jocelyn to join.


    As they sang love songs, Jocelyn eventually couldn¡¯t take it and escaped to the restroom.


    While washing her hands, the door pushed open again. It was Willow.


    Willow: sidled up beside her, pulling out her makeup kit to touch up her look.


    ¡°Jocelyn, I¡¯m with Melvin now.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s hand stopped for a moment, then sheposed herself and replied, ¡°Oh.¡±


    Willow nced at her, ¡°Him funding your school¡¯s new building isn¡¯t because of you.¡±


    ¡°Why so insecure? Jocelyn crumpled the paper towel, turning to face her with a smile, ¡°We¡¯ve broken


    up. I¡¯ve no sway over what he does or doesn¡¯t do.¡±


    Willow raised an eyebrow, applying lipstick, ¡°Then keep your distance from now on.¡±


    Jocelyn smiled faintly, ¡°Are you that afraid of him meeting me?¡±


    Tm just wary of you identally bing the other woman, Willow said, catching Jocelyn¡¯s stiffening


    expression in the mirror and srnirking, ¡°After all, I¡¯m in the public eye. My boyfriend gets attention too. If


    the paparazzi catch you with him, they might dredge up the past. Then it wouldn¡¯t just be two-timing. It


    would be¡­ homewrecking.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s expression darkened, her mood plummeting as Willow¡¯s spirits soared.


    After finishing her makeup, Willow inspected herself in the mirror, satisfied. She turned to Jocelyn and


    assessed her, ¡°It¡¯s been three years it¡¯s time you gave him back to me. So, let¡¯s consider it returning to


    the rightful owner, and you have nothing to feel uneasy about.¡± As Jocelyn passed by, she halted again,


    cocking her head to look at Jocelyn, ¡°By the way, if you want your dad to have a long run at Melvin¡¯s


    Enterprises, y it cool with Melvin. If the paparazzi snap a pic and the tabloids start talking trash, your


    dad¡¯s gonna have a tough time facing the music.


    ¡°When he¡¯s out of a job and his reputation¡¯s in the gutter, it¡¯s gonna sting, for sure.¡± Willow said this with


    the air of a well-wisher, and then left with a smile.


    Jocelyn fumed silently, clenching her fists so tight that she crumpled the paper in her hand and threw it


    into the bin.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Passing by the karaoke lounge, Jocelyn caught sight of Willow and the others, blending in like she was


    one of them. Jocelyn¡¯s eyes dimmed. She didn¡¯t bother to return.


    She texted Urs that she was heading out early.


    Stepping out of the restaurant, a gust of wind hit her. It felt like it blew away the heaviness in her chest.


    Why should she care about Willow¡¯s words?


    Urs was right. She needed to let go. Once she didn¡¯t care anymore, nobody could hurt her.


    Jocelyn, you¡¯re leaving so soon?¡± Zephyr approached her curiously.


    Jocelyn had no desire to mingle with anyone close to Melvin. She nodded slightly and left without a


    word.


    *Jocelyn, let me give you a ride¡± Zephyr called after her


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t look back.


    Watching her retreating figure, Zephyr tumed to Melvin, who had juste out, ¡°Jocelyn was pretty


    cold to me. She looked upset too.¡± Melvin spotted Jocelyn.


    She was hailing a taxi by the roadside.


    At this hour, the streets were still bustling with people and traffic. Yet there she stood, looking as if she


    was the only person in the world somewhat forlorn:


    Finally, a taxi stopped in front of ner


    ¡®You expect her to be warm-to you? You¡¯re nobody to her,¡± Melvin headed to his own car.


    Zephyr followed him, ¡°You¡¯re leaving too? What about Willow?¡±


    Melvin arched an eyebrow, ¡°Does my show need her to shine?¡±


    He had already slid into his car not keen on further conversation.


    Zephyr clung to the car window that was about to close, asked curiously, ¡°Aren¡¯t you and Willow back


    together?¡±

 Chapter 93

    Chapter 93


    Melvin stared at him like he was looking at a lunatic, ¡°You got nothing else to do?¡±


    What¡¯s her point toe if you haven¡¯t made up? Why¡¯s she here today?¡± Zephyr couldn¡¯t figure out


    what kind of game they were ying.


    Melvin Ignored him.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m just checking in on your love life, man,¡± Zephyr said as he quickly retracted his head when


    Melvin started to roll up the window, ¡°Easy, man, you¡¯re gonna give me a concussion.¡±


    Melvin didn¡¯t respond, just started the engine and drove off.


    He hadn¡¯t gone far when he saw the taxi Jocelyn had taken stopped at a red light.


    He pulled up right beside it, window down, staring at the traffic light ahead, ready to floor it the second


    it turned green. And he did, swerving ahead of the taxi and then mming on the brakes.


    ¡°What the hell, man!¡± the taxi driver yelled out, head popping out of the window, fuming.


    Jocelyn nced up and immediately recognized the car in front, even without seeing the license te.


    Maybe it was a coincidence, maybe not. But that dressing-down was well-deserved.


    The driver, still agitated, sped up.


    The taxi frequently overtook other vehicles on the freeway. Feeling a bit worried, Jocelyn suggested


    that the driver could slow down a


    bit.


    As a car approached from the right, the driver didn¡¯t decelerate. The other car was speeding too.


    Everyone seemed in a rush, jostling fornes.


    Crash!


    Jocelyn¡¯s head spun, her body mming against the car door, her head thudding against it, buzzing.


    The car came to a halt. Jocelyn straightened up, wincing with pain as she moved her shoulder. Her


    tears were about to spill.


    It was a car ident.


    Police arrived, and Jocelyn ended up at the hospital. A minor concussion and a twisted ankle. It was


    significant but not critical.


    The hospital rmended she be kept overnight for observation.


    As Jocelyny in the hospital bed, she felt like she was having a run of bad luck, with one thing after


    another happening to her.


    She didn¡¯t dare call her parents, not wanting to worry them. Instead, she called Urs to ask for a


    change of clothes and toiletries. To her surprise, Urs was still at the restaurant when she called.


    Urs arrived not long after receiving the call, but she wasn¡¯t alone. Zephyr was with her.


    ¡°Turns out Zephyr was heading out and heard you were at the hospital, so he insisted on popping in to


    see you,¡± Urs exined.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t me Urs, who had blurted it out in a rush without thinking to conceal.


    Jocelyn could only nod at Zephyr, ¡°Thanks for making the trip.¡±


    ¡°What happened to you?¡± Zephyr noticed the bandage wrapped around her right ankle, ¡°Is it serious?¡±


    ¡°Just a minor concussion. They¡¯re keeping me overnight for observation,¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t hide the fact.


    Even if she didn¡¯t tell him, he would probably find out anyway


    Zephyr could sense Jocelyn¡¯s detachment towards him, but he was grateful she didn¡¯t just send him


    away.


    After making some small talk, he left.


    ¡°He seems like a decent guy, Ursmented as she pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed.


    You interested in him?¡± Jocelyn asked.


    No. Just seems like he¡¯s got a good look, less gloomy than some, Urs shrugged, ¡°He¡¯s tight with that


    guy, birds of a feather. I don¡¯t went to get involved¡±


    Jocelyn smiled faintly, ¡®Good that you know.


    After spending some time with her, Urs let Jocelyn rest.


    Carroule leti, Jocelyn tay alone in the hospital bed, utterly bored


    was de orgy patient in the room. But the two others were fast asleep and snoting.


    Jocelyn, disturbed by the noise, knew she wouldn¡¯t fall asleep in such surroundings.


    She decided to get up. Limping slightly, she made her way out to the hallway.


    Thankfully, it wasn¡¯t too cold outside. Wrapped in her coat, she began to feel a little drowsy listening to


    the quiet night breeze.


    Just as she was nodding off, footsteps approached. Thinking it might be a doctoring for rounds,


    she opened her eyes and saw a pair of legs d in crisp suit trousers.


    For a moment, perhaps from the concussion, she forgot to look away, just staring numbly at him.


    Melvin looked down at her with an icy gaze and kept silent for a long moment before speaking, ¡°All


    alone in the hospital? No one to keep youpany? How pitiful.¡±


    His sarcasm was unwee. Regaining herposure, Jocelyn stood up to head back to her room.


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Too hasty to remember her injured ankle, also with the sudden dizziness from standing too quickly, she


    wobbled.


    A firm arm wrapped around her waist and steadied her.


    Sensing the familiar masculine scent, she found her footing and rity. Avoiding his eyes, she gently


    distanced herself, ¡°Thanks.¡±


    His hand didn¡¯t let go immediately, warmth from his palm seeping through her thin hospital gown,


    stirring ufortable feelings


    She turned slightly away, ¡°Mr. Martinez, I¡¯d appreciate it if you¡¯d remove your hand.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s hand finally retracted.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said again. Without making eye contact or any further touch, Jocelyn moved slowly


    back to her room.


    Her detachment was like a thom in Melvin¡¯s side.


    From the moment she treated him like he was invisible, she really hadn¡¯t given him a second nce.


    He swore to himself that he would make her regret it. She needed to learn that he could be even more


    heartless than her.


    He should never have listened to Zephyr ande to see her, a heartless creature who wouldn¡¯t


    recognize a gesture of goodwill, who once imed to love him all the same.


    What a joke.


    Jocelyn¡¯s head and ankle were fine. It was Urs who picked her up from the hospital.


    On the way back, Urs excitedly shared, ¡°Willow just tweeted that she¡¯s getting engaged to her first


    love.¡±


    Jocelyn paused, absorbing the news silently.


    Urs dropped off Jocelyn at her apartment and left immediately because of an uing phone call.


    Once alone, Jocelyn slumped onto her couch and absentmindedly opened Twitter.


    Her eyes immediately caught sight of the top trending topic: Willow¡¯s engagement announcement was


    taking the inte by storm.


    The buzz around the jewelry brand involved in the engagement was almost as fervent, sitting proudly in


    the top three trending spots.


    With shaky fingers, Jocelyn clicked into the thread. It was filled with congrattory messages for


    Willow. There was also a romantic subtopic touching hearts across the feed. The one you first loved is


    still by your side.¡±


    To top it all off, the jewelry brand had officially ¡®liked¡¯ the topic.


    At that moment, Jocelyn felt as if something was violently stirring inside her heart, causing her so much


    pain that she could hardly breathe.


    Her phone vibrated suddenly, pulling her back from her thoughts. It took her ages to muster the


    courage to check it.


    A text from an unknown number popped up.


    Thank you for taking care of him in the past three years. From now on, you¡¯re out of the picture.¡±


    Even without a signature, Jocelyn knew exactly who sent it.


    If Willows earlier words were a warning, this message was a tant show-off,

 Chapter 94

    Chapter 94


    The news that Willow and the jewelry brand owner, Melvin, reaching the altar spread like wildfire


    through the school where Jocelyn worked. After all, Melvin¡¯s generous donation had made him a


    celebrity, and everyone in school was murmuring wishes to perfect match, even in the hushed tones of


    the faculty lounge.


    Their love story, now blossoming into a full-blown engagement, had brought unprecedented attention to


    the jewelry brand. Sales were booming both online and in their brick-and-mortar locations.


    The marketing department was savvy. Though Melvin¡¯s face wasn¡¯t directly stered in the ads, the


    campaigns carried an air of their romance. One tagline in particr, ¡°From the day we met, I knew


    exactly which ring I¡¯d slide onto your finger¡± became a catchphrase among Willow¡¯s adoring fans.


    Her followers gushed on Twitter, ¡°Melvin must be head over heels for our girl!¡± And when the brand¡¯s


    Twitter ount liked thement, Willow¡¯s fans let out a collective squeal of delight, like groundhogs


    cheering on the first day of spring.


    Jocelyn, hearing nothing but the sharine exchanges between Willow and Melvin, initially felt a


    twinge of heartache that gradually numbed into indifference she gradually grew ustomed to it


    A weekter, the school administration called Jocelyn into the office to discuss a month-long seminar


    she was about to attend in Berry City. Other schools were sending their representatives for an


    exchange of ideas and practices. Though teaching a senior ss made the timing less than ideal, the


    curriculum had almostpleted. So taking this trip wouldn¡¯t be too disruptive. Besides, with recent


    events, Jocelyn was secretly eager to get away from this city and clear her head a bit, so she epted.


    In early November, Jocelyn arrived in the unfamiliar ce of Berry City. Here, the climate demanded a


    coatpared to the T-shirt weather back in Yanova City.


    After checking into her hotel, she ventured out to explore the vicinity. The hotel was conveniently


    located, and the school she¡¯d be visiting was one of the best in Berry City.


    Once she got familiar with the ce, she leisurely strolled the sidewalks, snapping photos to send to


    her parents. It wasn¡¯t long before she saw those same photos pop up on her father¡¯s Twitter feed.


    Strolling along the riverbank, she soaked in the night view, and her spirits were lifted. As she captured


    her journey in pictures, her gaze unexpectedly met that of a passerby.


    Jocelyn never anticipated to meet Harrison.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you wereing? At least I could have picked you up. If I hadn¡¯t had a walk


    tonight, I might never have known,¡± Harrison said, his eyes behind his sses signaling his


    disappointment.


    Jocelyn replied sheepishly, ¡°Sorry, I forgot you were here. And since I just arrived today, I wanted to


    wander around on my own.¡±


    Hamson sighed, ¡°You didn¡¯t know I¡¯m from Berry City?¡±


    Jocelyn paused, ¡°Did you mention it before?¡±


    Harrison could only apologize, ¡°My bad.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled, ¡°Do you live close by? Why were you walking the streets alone?¡±


    Harrison let out a sigh, ¡°Remember I told you I met a nice girlst time? Turns out, my mom saw her


    getting cozy with another guy


    somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°She has a boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Harrison said, ¡°They¡¯re talking marriage.¡±


    Jocelyn was confused, Then why would she go on a blind date?¡±


    ¡°Family pressure. Her parents didn¡¯t approve of her boyfriend,¡± Harrison shook his head, ¡°She was


    upfront with me, saying she couldn¡¯t defy her parents. So it was just for show. She¡¯s already stolen her


    household registration certificate and was ready to elope with her boyfriend now.¡±


    Jocelyn was impressed, ¡®What a brave girl¡±.


    ¡°She must have mustered all her courage to stand up to her parents to chase her love, Harrison


    shrugged, ¡°It¡¯s lucky to find someone you love in life. She at least has found her love and knows what


    to do. Not as aimless as us


    Jocelynughed, ¡°Well said.¡±


    With simr circumstances, they found sce in their shared plight. And they both carefully avoided


    any mention of Melvin.


    Villow was a star. With her Twitter fome, Harrison was surely in the know. His silence was a courtesy to


    Jocelyn¡¯s feelings


    Fording bendsity in a foreign city, Jocelyn¡¯s initial sense of istion faded Hamson invited her for a


    late-night shack, and she dly


    fter the meat, Hansen walked her back to the hotel. At the entrance, he stuffed his hands in his coat


    pockets, looking at her ge


    Thank you Jocelyn faced him, ¡°When I¡¯m free, I¡¯ll treat you to dinner.¡±


    ¡®Sure, Hanison agreed readily,


    Jocelyn pointed to the hotel, ¡°Goodbye then.¡±


    Bye. Harrison replied, ¡°Call me if you need any help.¡±


    ¡°I will


    Jocelyn entered the hotel lobby, while Harrison remained outside until she was out of sight before


    turning away.


    Back in his car, he opened Twitter and scrolled through the trending topics rted to Willow, reading


    through a barrage of


    conorattions. He visited the jewelry brand¡¯s official ount and left ament like a casual


    bystander, ¡°Wishing Mr. Martinez and Willow a lifetime of love and happiness.¡±


    His intentions were thinly veiled.


    Meanwhile in Yanova City, Melvin was monitoring the official ount and stumbled upon Harrison¡¯s


    comment. His eyes narrowed, remembering Preston mentioning Jocelyn¡¯s seminar in Berry City.


    And Harrison¡¯s IP was also in Berry City.


    Had they met?


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Was this a provocation?


    Melvin¡¯s hazel eyes squinted as he read Harrison¡¯sment, a silent storm brewing behind his gaze.


    Jocelyn found that staying busy made the days fly by and kept her mind off other things.


    Hamson was always on the go too. But he¡¯d make time to pick her up at school whenever he could.


    To the untrained eye, one might mistake Harrison for Jocelyn¡¯s boyfriend.


    After Jocelyn cleared the air a couple of times, the misunderstandings ceased.


    ¡°My mom knows you¡¯ve been around. She wants you toe over for dinner this weekend,¡± Harrison


    said, eager to ease any tension,


    *Just as friends.¡±


    Jocelyn did feel a bit of pressure, ¡°I¡¯m not so sure that¡¯s a good idea.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no a big deal. Didn¡¯t you have me over for dinner the other time? Harrison probed, ¡°Or is it not


    convenient for you?¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head, ¡°No, it¡¯s not that. I just don¡¯t want to impose on your mother.¡±


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t be more wrong, Harrison chuckled. ¡°My mom¡¯s been asking about you. Even if you¡¯re not


    coming in as a daughter-inw, she¡¯d be happy to have you as her daughter.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. She likes you a lot, Harrison thought about adding, ¡®Maybe you should just be the


    daughter-inw; but he feared it might scare her off.


    Jocelyn figured it wouldn¡¯t matter to refuse if Harrison didn¡¯t know she was here, or if they hadn¡¯t run


    into each other. But now that she was invited, declining would seem impolite.


    After a brief moment of thought, she agreed.


    On the weekend, Harrison picked up Jocelyn from her hotel.


    She went out the night before to buy a gift for Harrison¡¯s parents. When they passed a florist¡¯s, she


    asked Harrison, ¡°What kind of flowers does your mom like?¡±

 Chapter 95

    Chapter 95


    Jocelyn had once scrolled through the real estate listings online, where the price tags on the homes in


    Berry City were the stuff of fantasy for the average Joe.


    As they pulled up to Harrison¡¯s estate, it was immediately clear to Jocelyn that this family was either


    rolling in dough or descended from royalty. Each home in the neighborhood boasted its own private


    driveway, leading up to grand entrance ways fit for a king.


    The garden was a sprawling green canvas,rger than a football field,plete with a swimming pool,


    a decorative rockery, and a quaint gazebo that looked like it was plucked straight out of a Victorian


    novel.


    For the first time, Jocelyn truly felt the weight of the gap between the haves and the have-nots. It was


    as if an invisible yet imprable wall separated the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy.


    The car came to a rest in the garage, and Jocelyn¡¯s eyes widened at the sight of several luxury cars


    parked alongside. Although their makes were not immediately recognizable to her, their sleek designs


    and imposing presence spoke volumes of their value.


    She clutched the modest gift she had brought with a newfound sense of inadequacy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous,¡± Harrison said, helping her with her things and closing the trunk with aforting


    chuckle. ¡°If anyone should be


    nervous, it¡¯s my mom.¡±


    Still holding her bouquet, Jocelyn asked inquisitively, ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Because she¡¯s got a guest, not just any guest, but her favorite guest. Wouldn¡¯t that make her a bit


    nervous? Harrison¡¯s voice was warm and inviting as they walked shoulder-to-shoulder toward the


    house.


    Elise, thedy of the house, greeted them with an excitement that left little room for formality.


    ¡°Elise, this is for you. Harrison mentioned you¡¯re fond of sunflowers,¡± Jocelyn said, presenting her


    bouquet.


    Elise beamed, taking the flowers and grasping Jocelyn¡¯s hand to lead her inside without so much as a


    nce back at her son. ¡°Jocelyn, darling. I thought I¡¯d never see you again in this lifetime.¡±


    ¡°How could that be? Jocelyn felt her initial reservations melt away under Elise¡¯s warmth.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard from Harrison that you¡¯re here to study. A month, is it? You¡¯ve already been here a week.


    How do you like it? If you fancy it, I can have Harrison¡¯s father arrange for you to work here. How about


    that?¡±


    Overwhelmed by Elise¡¯s enthusiasm, Jocelyn could only express her surprise and gratitude.


    The idea of teaching in Berry City was a dream for many educators, given its status as a prime city at


    the heart of the country. It was not a ce one could simply move to on a whim.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t thought about it that way,¡± Jocelyn admitted truthfully.


    ¡°Mom, dial it back a bit, will you? You¡¯re going to scare her off,¡± Harrison finally intervened, cing the


    gifts on the table, ¡°This is for you


    and Dad.¡±


    Elise handed the bouquet to the maid to find a vase and clung to Jocelyn¡¯s hand, insisting, ¡°You


    shouldn¡¯t have brought anything.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure if you¡¯d like it,¡± Jocelyn confessed, her worries surfacing once more.


    ¡®I love it,¡± Elise dered without even looking at the gift.


    To avoid seeming superficial, Elise eagerly opened the gift, revealing a red shawl with a simple yet


    elegant design.


    Elise¡¯s eyes sparkled with joy as she eximed, ¡°Just wait here one moment.¡± She hurried upstairs


    with the shawl in tow, leaving Jocelyn puzzled and looking at Harrison for answers.


    Harrison simply shook his head, just as clueless about his mother¡¯s sudden departure.


    When Elise elegantly descended the staircase momentster, she had transformed. Donning a sleek


    ck dressplemented by the shawl Jocelyn had given her, she exuded grace, sophistication, and


    an amiable demeanor.


    How does it look? It¡¯s beautiful, isn¡¯t it?¡± Elise twirled before them, seeking approval.


    Jocelyn stood up next to Harrison, her eyes alight with admiration, and pped her hands in genuine


    delight, ¡°It¡¯s beautiful.¡±


    ¡°You see, when I say I love it, I truly mean it, Elise said, her eyes soft and caring as she held onto


    Jocelyn¡¯s hand, confirming her sincere appreciation for the thoughtful gift.


    Jocelyn finally understood Elise¡¯s actions. She had changed into an outfit that matched the shawl to tell


    her how amazing her gift was,


    At that moment, Jocelyn felt a deep sense of being chenshed. She could sense that Elise¡¯s fondness of


    her was not the slightest out of


    mality but from: the bottom of her heart Jocelyn was touched beyond words.


    Knowing that Jocelyn hade to visit, Keegan Whitman, Harson¡¯s father, also returned early from his


    company to meet her.


    10%, offered Hollyn a position in Berry City, echoing the family¡¯s warmth and kindness


    But despite the overwhelming sense of belonging, Jocelyn politely declined.


    The dinner they shared filled Jocelyn¡¯s heart with cozy warmth. Hamison¡¯s parents treated her not as a


    guest but as a beloved daughter, without the slightest hint of pressure or pretense.


    When it was time for her to leave, Elise suggested she stay the night, but Jocelyn, feeling it was not


    quite appropriate, insisted on returning to her hotel.


    ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s the weekend. Have Harrison show you around Berry City properly. You can eat out for


    lunch ore back here, whichever you prefer, in the evening. I¡¯ve made reservations at Bliss


    Restaurant for us, Elise said, not pressing further.


    Keegan also joined the family to send Jocelyn off. ¡°Feel free to visit us often. Harrison, maybe she


    should check out of her current hotel and stay at one nearer to our ce. Then she can join us for


    dinner after work.¡±


    Jocelyn was taken aback by the offer.


    ¡°Dad, I stay outside too, and you¡¯ve never fussed over me this much, Harrison joked ¡°Let¡¯s give Jocelyn


    some space on the weekends. After a busy week, she deserves her own downtime¡±


    Keegan considered this and agreed, ¡°Alright then, Jocelyn, join us for meals on the weekends.¡±


    ttered by their genuine affection, Jocelyn found it impossible to decline such heartfelt invitations.


    Harrison drove her back to the hotel while Keegan and Elise stood at the door, watching them leave,


    their actions speaking volumes of the warm-hearted embrace Jocelyn had received in this home away


    from home.


    ¡°Your folks are just too gracious,¡± Jocelyn said, cracking open the car window to catch her breath.


    Growing up in a family like that, no wonder Harrison was such a gentleman. ¨C


    Harrison grinned. They really took a shine to you.¡±


    Jocelyn turned to nce at Harrison. His handsome face beamed with a smile as if he had stumbled


    upon some great joy.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± She really did not know how else to respond to such warmth and fondness.


    Harrison looked at her and said, ¡°From the moment theyid eyes on you, they were smitten. Just as


    there¡¯s love at first sight between men and women, it seems my folks felt it too with you.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled ¡°Why would they be smitten at first sight with me?¡±


    ¡®Well, just as some say a mother-inw grows fonder of her son-inw with each passing nce, it


    seems my mom feels the same about her future daughter-inw, Harrison said without daring to look at


    Jocelyn directly.


    Her smile froze, she was not oblivious to the implications of his words.


    Silence fell, tinged with a touch of awkwardness.


    They amved at the hotel sometimeter, and Jocelyn said her goodbyes before exiting the car.


    Harrison got out too and called after her, ¡°Jocelyn.¡±


    She stopped and turned around


    I¡¯m single, and so are you. Do you think we could, maybe, give it a shot?¡± Harrison stepped closer. ¡°By


    ¡®give it a shot, I don¡¯t mean settle. I mean, could you give me a chance?¡±


    Just as he said, he had been struck by love at first sight, too.


    Jocelyn had always feared he would bring this up, thinking he would at least wait until the day she left.


    She was not expecting it so


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    soon.


    She was not ready.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to rush to answer. Take your time to think about it. Of course, whatever your answer is,


    I hope it won¡¯t affect the Inendship we¡¯ve started, Harrison said, giving her the space she needed.


    Jocelyn still did not know how to respond.


    Harrison pushed his sses up the bridge of his nose and grinned at her. ¡°You better head back and


    get some rest. I¡¯ll pick you up

 Chapter 96

    Chapter 96


    After returning to the hotel room, Jocelyn¡¯s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.


    Harason¡¯s sudden confession had caught her off guard.


    She had to admit, Harrison was a catch by any standard charming, from a good family, and his parents


    were weing. He was the picture perfect partner. But something was missing ¨C the spark.


    She did not feel that intense connection with Harrison.


    There was a fondness at best, but it fell short of love.


    After a shower, she flopped onto the bed, and her phone buzzed.


    It was a message from Harrison on Facebook.


    A photo popped up: a night sky sprinkled with stars.


    Jocelyn sat up and replied. [It¡¯s beautiful.]


    Harrison was typing again and soon responded. [It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve stargazed. Tonight, I looked


    up, and there they were]


    Jocelyn took it as a casual musing.


    He sent another message: [Maybe it¡¯s because of you that my night sky is so beautiful.]


    Jocelyn froze, staring at the screen.


    Hamson¡¯s tenderness and romance were something Melvin never offered. Melvin only craved her


    physically, he never shared pictures of the stars or spoke such poetic words.


    Inparison, her connection with Melvin seemed purely physical, without emotional resonance.


    Yet, she fell for his ¡°uncultured¡± ways.


    Jocelyn did not know how to respond to Harrison¡¯s messages.


    Lying in bed, she thought of her past with Melvin, the good and the bad. But none of that mattered now;


    he was back with Willow, and they might even get married.


    It was not that he did not want to marry, he just did not want her.


    Then, Jocelyn thought of Harrison.


    In just a few months, be it him or his family, they had made her feel valued, allowing her to stand tall


    and proud.


    Truth be told, he was a great guy, worthy of her time.


    To move on from an old romance, one needed a new one to fill the void.


    She felt she needed it.


    Jocelyn did not reply to Harrison. Instead, she browsed the jewelry brand¡¯s official fan page. Looking at


    thements below, her resolve strengthened.


    The next day.


    Harrison called her, waiting outside the hotel


    Jocelyn got dressed and headed downstairs.


    He stood by his car, casually dressed in a white crew-neck sweater and ck jeans. His attire was as


    clean-cut as his vibe.


    Morning, Jocelyn greeted first.


    Harrison smiled at her. ¡°Did you sleep wellst night?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°Not so much¡± His gaze was filled with her.


    Jocelyn: avoided tus eyes, knowing what he implied.


    Let go grab some breakfast.


    After having for a while Harrison parked by a cozy alley bustling with life, a slice of the everyday.


    We led hair tot diner, where the owner greeted him with a beaming smile, ¡°Hamson! What brings you


    here today? Is this your outingndh


    First time I¡¯ve seen you with ady. Thought you were off the market.¡± The owner joked.


    7 wish I were, but no such luck yet,¡± Harrison hinted.


    The owner, quick-witted, tumed to Jocelyn. ¡°Miss, Harrison¡¯s a good man. If you like him, better hold on


    tight.¡±


    Embarrassed, Jocelyn looked to Harrison.


    He yed it cool. ¡°Don¡¯t tease her. Even if she wanted to say yes, your words might make her too shy


    now¡±


    The ownerughed it off. ¡°Alright, alright, I¡¯ll stop. What are you having today?¡±


    Harrison asked Jocelyn what she fancied.


    She recognized soy milk and doughnuts, so she ordered them.


    Harrison got the same, and they enjoyed their meal with aplimentary sweet pancake, courtesy of


    the owner.


    ¡°Do youe here often?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yeah, four or five times a week,¡± Hamson replied. ¡°Is it to your liking?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s nice.¡±


    Eating her breakfast and watching the world go by, Jocelyn felt a sense of peace.


    Harrison did not bring upst night¡¯s conversation over breakfast.


    He drove her around the city, showing her the sights.


    Jocelyn sent photos to her parents. Meanwhile, Harrison sneakily snapped pictures of her.


    ¡°Would you mind taking a picture of us?¡± Jocelyn mustered the courage to ask a passerby.


    Surprised, Hamson¡¯s heart swelled as Jocelyn walked towards him.


    They stood together. Although there were no intimate gestures, a shared photo was a step closer.


    After thanking the stranger, Jocelyn peeked at the photo. It was perfect, capturing her shyness and his


    joy.


    ¡°It looks nice,¡± Harrison said, pleased.


    Jocelyn blushed a little.


    ¡°Send me a copy?¡± He requested.


    ¡°Sure.¡± After all, it was a picture of them both. She had no reason to keep it to herself.


    Jocelyn shared it, and Harrison treasured it.


    Maybe that photo was a start as the unspoken attraction between them grew.


    Harrison carried her bag, took photos for her, and she did not decline. He opened her water bottle, and


    she thanked him, taking it naturally


    The day was unfolding, and maybe, just maybe, so was something more.


    As they approached the steep incline, Harrison naturally reached out his hand to her. Without


    hesitation, she ced her hand in his, letting him help pull her up.


    Once he had her hand, Harrison had no intention of letting go.


    Hand in hand, neither of them acknowledged the silent exchange of emotions flowing between them.


    They stood atop the ancient ramparts, gazing over the sprawlingndscapes of their homnd, their


    spirits soaring.


    ¡°Jocelyn, Harrison suddenly called her name, a tone of earnestness in his voice.


    Her heart skipped a beat at the sound.


    Hamson was not looking at her, they both stared into the distance, standing between the sky and the


    earth, basking in the tranquility of the vast expanse.


    You know, they say that if you climb this ce with someone who sets your heart at ease, your wishes


    wille true.¡± He said with an ar of seriousness.


    Finally, Jocelyn tumed to look at him


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


    4. Harison did not meet her gaze as he said, ¡°I hope that saying is true


    plit on bing m the air, clear as day. The person who set his heart at ease was her


    proceditur lips together and took a deep breath. ¡°Do you know about my past?¡±


    Hanson replied. ¡°Who doesn¡¯t have a past? I¡¯m not interested in what¡¯s behind us, only in its aferad


    Jocelyn bit her lip gently, Teaning against the stone wall. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it wouldn¡¯t be fair to you.¡±


    Finally, Harrison looked at her. ¡°Do you want to start a new rtionship?¡±


    She met his gaze, momentarily lost for words.


    ¡°If you do, I¡¯m offering.¡± He said. ¡°To be honest, I was hoping for your previous rtionship to end long


    ago.¡±


    Surprise flickered in Jocelyn¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve been thinking about making our little act a reality. After all, we seem to be a better


    match,¡± Harrison confessed with a chuckle. ¡®Does that make me devious?¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head. It was not deviousness, just a touch of bittersweet intention.

 Chapter 97

    Chapter 97


    On the drive back with Hamson, the car stereo yed thetest hit, ¡°Possibility.¡±


    The lyrics were: [All the possibilities, the hopes that never came to pass. They were thoughts, and they


    were regrets.]


    Jocelyn confessed, ¡°I can¡¯t lie to you. He still has a ce in my heart.¡±


    Hamison was not surprised. He even understood. ¡°Yeah, I know.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re okay with that?¡±


    ¡°It would be a lie to say I don¡¯t mind. But what I mind more is you rejecting me because of him. I hope


    you can give me a chance and yourself one, too.¡± Harrison was calm and sincere.


    His words were solid, honest.


    Jocelyn clenched her fists tighter. ¡°If you really don¡¯t mind, then we can give it a shot.¡±


    A wave of tion surged through Harrison, and he immediately pulled the car over. ¡°Are you serious?¡±


    Jocelyn was still uncertain, but the words were out, and seeing Harrison¡¯s joyous reaction, she nodded


    vigorously. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Harrison¡¯s smile brightened, his lips pressed in an effort to contain it, and his eyes crinkled with glee.


    He resumed driving, and the music shifted to ¡°Little Sweet.¡±


    Jocelyn never expected Harrison to listen to such sugary tunes, especially at this moment.


    His mood was infectious, painting her own in shades of pink.


    They dined at Bliss Restaurant, where Harrison had initially nned to hold Jocelyn¡¯s hand to please


    his parents but feared pressuring her and refrained.


    Harrison¡¯s parents sensed a shift in their son¡¯s demeanor during the meal, a different aura between the


    two.


    However, being wise, they kept their notions to themselves, asking no questions.


    After dinner, Harrison drove Jocelyn back to her hotel.


    As the car stopped, she stepped out.


    Harrison followed.


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


    Standing at the hotel entrance, he asked, ¡°So, you¡¯re my girlfriend now, right?¡±


    Jocelyn paused, then nodded softly.


    ¡°Can I¡­ hug you?¡± Harrison was tentative.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heartbeat quickened, and she did not immediately respond.


    The next second, the light in Harrison¡¯s eyes dimmed with disappointment.


    ¡°Sure, Jocelyn finally murmured.


    Harrison, as if jolted awake, approached her with restrained excitement and enveloped her in a gentle


    embrace.


    This was their second hug.


    The first was between friends.


    This time, he held her as her boyfriend.


    Jocelyn allowed the embrace, guilt lurking for fearing she might let down his genuine affection.


    *Sleep soon, Harrison murmured, letting her go sooner than he wished, keeping it just a hug, nothing


    more.


    J


    Jocelyn always found Harrison gentlemanly andpletely respectful in his conduct.


    ¡°Yeah, you too,¡± She replied, their new rtionship still awkward for her.


    Harrison nodded. ¡°You go on up. I won¡¯t walk you to your room.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Jocelyn did not y coy, entering the lobby and ncing back to see Harrison smiling at the


    door.


    She returned the smile tenderly before turning away.


    Once inside the elevator, she messaged him on Facebook. [Get home soon.)


    (Aaready in the car Hanson replied promptly.


    (Goodnight.]


    Exiting the elevator, Jocelyn was searching for a ¡°goodnight¡± sticker when she identally bumped into


    someone.


    Apologizing and looking up, she froze upon seeing Melvin.


    She thought it was a coincidence, excused herself, and stepped aside to pass by.


    Thankfully, Melvin did not make a scene and acted as if she was invisible.


    Back in her room, unsettled, Jocelyn did not reply to Harrison.


    Sitting on the sofa, she pondered the fleeting encounter with Melvin, wondering if it was an illusion.


    There was no reason for him to be there


    After mulling it over and tousling her hair in frustration, she decided not to dwell on why Melvin was


    there.


    They were no longer connected.


    Post-shower, Harrison texted, asking if she was asleep.


    [Not yet.] Jocelyn replied.


    Harrison sent a video call, and Jocelyn epted after a moment¡¯s hesitation.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you asleep?¡± Harrison appeared fresh from the shower, in his pajamas.


    Seeing the clean, schrly handsome man on the screen, Jocelyn felt uneasy, perhaps due to the


    Melvin incident.


    ¡°Just about to,¡± She said.


    ¡°I won¡¯t keep you then. I¡¯m swamped tomorrow, might workte. Probably can¡¯t join you for dinner,¡±


    Harrison exined in advance.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. You do what you need to,¡± Jocelyn replied, valuing her independence regardless of being with


    Melvin or anyone else.


    Reluctantly ending the call after a few more words, Harrison didn¡¯t want to disturb her rest.


    Lying in bed, Jocelyn scrolled through photos of her and Harrison, her thoughts drifting to Melvin.


    She also revisited older photos, ones with Melvin, but they were never straightforward, more like


    secretive snaps.


    Melvin never wanted to go public with their rtionship, leaving them without a single proper photo


    together.


    The difference between secrecy and being openly acknowledged weighed heavily on her.


    Before hitting the hay, she did her usual scroll through Twitter and stumbled upon Harrison¡¯stest


    tweet: [My girlfriend] with a picture he had snapped of their shadows together.


    The sight sent a little jolt of electricity through Jocelyn¡¯s chest, a tingling sensation.


    This was what normal dating was like.


    This was what a normal boyfriend was like.


    No matter how Jocelyn turned it over in her mind, she was convinced Harrison was the epitome of


    boyfriend goals.


    She tapped the like button.


    Phone down, eyes closed.


    Snippets of the day spent with Harrison kept ying in her mind, but then, the ufortable memory


    of bumping into Melvin outside the elevator resurfaced.


    She rolled over, trying to stop thinking about the reason for Melvin¡¯s appearance there. Whatever it


    was, it was none of her business


    naw


    That night, Jocelyn¡¯s sleep was restless, and she even slipped into a dream she should not have had.


    In it, she was entwined with Melvin, in his ce, against the backdrop of expansive windows, in an


    intimate embrace.


    Waking up from the struggle, her body¡¯s reaction left her ashamed. She had never imagined a day


    when she would be so hungry.


    She should never have dreamed of Melvin, especially not doing what they were doing in her dream.


    ncing at the clock, it was already 5:40 in the morning.


    The first thing she did was hit the shower, trying to scrub away the shame.


    Fosshower, the thoughts faded.


    Then she decided to grab breakfast somewhere and then walk to school,

 Chapter 98

    Chapter 98


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart raced at the sight of him, a flutter she could not shake off. She bowed her head and


    held her breath as she walked past him, hoping against hope he would not suddenly call out her name


    or grasp her arm to stop her.


    Thankfully, she made it to the elevator without incident. As the doors slid open, she turned and pressed


    the button for the lobby, only to see Melvin stride confidently towards her, his aim clear he was getting


    on the elevator.


    In a moment of near-panic, Jocelyn jabbed at the close button, pressing it repeatedly in the vain hope


    that the doors would shut before he reached them. But as always, the elevator doors seemed to crawl


    at a snail¡¯s pace.


    His foot shot out, preventing the doors from closing fully, and they re-opened.


    Jocelyn¡¯s scalp tingled, and she instinctively stepped back, putting as much distance between them as


    possible.


    Her nerves were palpable, and she wondered if he could sense her tension. The moment he stepped


    in, the air seemed to thin.


    An urge to flee filled her, the small space suddenly suffocating.


    She clenched her fists, recalling Urs¡¯s advice: ¡°Stay steady, don¡¯t overdo it, don¡¯t care too much. The


    more your emotions fluctuate, the more you need to remain cool. If you can¡¯t face the past, how can


    you chase a new future?¡±


    Jocelyn pulled out her phone, flicking aimlessly through the screen, absorbing none of the content. She


    just wanted the elevator to reach the ground floor, to escape


    Her ringtone shattered the silence, making her jump. She quickly lowered the volume, her heart leaping


    as she saw the caller ID, a sense of cheating washing over her. As for whom she was ¡®cheating¡¯ with,


    she could not quite discern.


    She swallowed hard, steadying her voice before answering.


    ¡°You¡¯re up early,¡± Came Harrison¡¯s gentle voice.


    Jocelyn felt paranoid in the quiet, fearful of being overheard. She turned slightly away, whispering a soft


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Did you sleep wellst night?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡± She stuck to monosybic replies, too afraid to say more.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep a wink, Harrison said, his tone light. His morning voice was deep yet brimming with joy.


    Jocelyn wanted to confess her restless night but didn¡¯t dare.


    Finally, the elevator reached the lobby. Jocelyn exhaled deeply with relief.


    She waited for the doors to open, not rushing out ahead of Melvin. He exited first, and only then did she


    step out of the elevator.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading out for breakfast,¡± She said into the phone, her voice more cheerful now that she was free


    of Melvin¡¯s presence.


    Harrison asked her what she would eat. Jocelyn admitted she was not sure.


    Their conversation was light and casual, the kind of everyday chatter new lovers might share, neither


    feeling bored nor burdened by the simplicity of their exchange


    Stepping out of the hotel, Jocelyn had not expected to see Melvin still there, stationary as a statue.


    The sight of him still triggered a visceral nervousness. She gripped her phone tighter, saying, ¡°I¡¯m


    crossing the street. Gotta go.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    After hanging up, Jocelyn hurried her pace.


    ? ?? ?


    She was indeed crossing the street, so focused on escaping that she missed the oing right-


    turning car. Halfway across the crosswalk, the car bore down on her, but she was yanked back violently


    into a familiar embrace.


    Her heart raced, adrenaline pumping.


    ¡°Are you blind? The icy male voice snapped Jocelyn to her senses.


    Her heartbeat throbbed in her ears.


    Turning, she glimpsed his stern face and managed to choke out a ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Now, at a red light, she had no choice but to wait.


    Standing beside Melvin was unbearable, shecked the poise to appear indifferent.


    The closest confidants were now the most familiar strangers, even theck of eye contact was


    diforting.


    Each second of waiting was an eternity, and she contemted jaywalking just to end the torment.


    Green light Jocelynis steps quirkened, desperate to reach the other side, to distance herself from the


    man who could so easily stir her


    They parted like chance encounters, each going their separate way, clearly not traveling the same


    path, literally and metaphorically.


    Later, Harrison called earlier than expected and waited for her at the school gates.


    As Jocelyn exited, she saw the principal deep in conversation with Harrison. They seemed well-


    acquainted and turned to smile at her. approach.


    ¡°So she¡¯s your girlfriend, The principal remarked. ¡°Jocelyn, you¡¯re an excellent teacher. Ever consider


    staying with us?¡±


    Jocelyn smiled. Thank you for thepliment. I¡¯m on a mission, and Principal Fletcher would be


    heartbroken if I didn¡¯t return.¡±


    It was all in jest, nothing to be taken seriously.


    Harrison took Jocelyn to a cozy, intimate restaurant perfect for a date, booked and filled with couples.


    However, Jocelyn and Harrison spotted a familiar face at a table by the window. For a moment, Jocelyn


    considered leaving.


    ¡°Maybe we should try a different ce? Harrison had not expected Melvin to be there and wondered if


    he was following Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn paused, then said, ¡°No need.¡±


    She had no reason to flee at the sight of him; it would only show weakness as if she could not let go.


    Their tables were adjacent to the window, Jocelyn and Harrison facing each other and inadvertently


    facing Melvin as well.


    ¡°Do you want to switch seats? Harrison offered.


    ¡°No need,¡± Jocelyn replied, a forced smile on her lips, striving for normalcy.


    Harrison suggested she order, but Jocelyn left it to him.


    To set the mood, he ordered steaks and red wine. The table adorned with red roses. The ambiance


    was romantic, designed to quicken the pulse of lovers.


    The steaks arrived, and the waiter poured wine before retreating.


    Raising his ss, Harrison toasted, ¡°To happiness.


    Jocelyn raised hers, too, clinking it gently against his.


    Jocelyn¡¯s gaze was fixed on Harrison¡¯s face with unwavering intensity. ¡°Same here.¡±


    They were sipping on red wine and carving into juicy steaks, chatting about the highlights of their


    workday. In that moment, Jocelyn found herself forgetting all about Melvin.


    Their wine sses were soon empty, and their tes nearly cleared.


    Harrison gged down the waiter to settle the bill, but the server took a moment before approaching,


    this time bearing a bouquet of


    roses.


    For a split second, Jocelyn feared they might be from Melvin.


    ¡°These are for you.¡± Harrison took the flowers and presented them to Jocelyn.


    Relief washed over her, calming the anxiety that had suddenly peaked. She could not help but expect


    Melvin to intrude, given his history. ¡°Thank you.¡± Jocelyn enveloped the roses, their size dwarfing her


    face, and inhaled the sweet fragrance, which subtly shifted her mood.


    She quelled the flutter in her heart, casting aside unwarranted thoughts.


    ¡°Would you mind taking a photo for us?¡± Harrison asked the waiter, handing over his phone.


    The waiter, obliging as ever, took the phone.


    Harrison moved behind Jocelyn, one hand resting on the back of her chair, the other on the table¡¯s


    edge, enveloping her in a protective embrace.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath and smiled at the camera.


    ¡°Done, said the waiter, returning the phone to Harrison.


    Thanks Hamison took his phone back, reviewing the photo. Jacelyn¡¯s smile was gentle and sweet, her


    beauty unforced in the captured


    moment.


    He proudly showed the photo to Jocelyn, Looks good, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Jocelyn examined the photo, feeling her smite was stiff, her posture awkward


    But there was a sparkie in Harrison¡¯s eyes.


    She nodded, ¡°Yeah, you look handsome.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re with me. You make me look good,¡± Harrison said smoothly, taking her hand.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head home.¡±


    As Jocelyn reached for her purse, Harrison was already holding it for her.


    Harrison¡¯s one hand intertwined with hers and the other carried her bag, she clutched the roses, and


    together they strolled out of the


    restaurant.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.

 Chapter 99

    Chapter 99


    On the car ride home, Jocelyn clutched a bouquet, telling herself not to look back.


    But the moment the car pulled away, her gaze, disobedient as ever, caught a glimpse of Melvin sitting


    by the window, alone and looking rather forlom.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Sitting next to her in the backseat, Harrison instantly picked up on her mood.


    Jocelyn shook her head, withdrawing her gaze. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Harrison did not press further.


    A wise man knows when to leave well enough alone.


    When they arrived at the hotel, Harrison did something different this time. Instead of saying goodbye


    outside, he walked her to her door Standing at the threshold, Jocelyn looked down at the flowers in her


    arms. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Boyfriends giving girlfriends flowers is as natural as Thanksgiving turkey; you don¡¯t need to thank me,


    Harrison said with a hint of reluctance. ¡°I had a great time today because you made it feel like a real


    date.¡±


    Jocelyn blushed at his words She, too, had felt the flutter of romance.


    Back when she was with Melvin, everything was so secretive they could never have been this open


    about their rtionship.


    ¡°Yeah, I had fun too, Jocelyn admitted, her heart touched by his care.


    There was an awkward pause before Harrison suggested, ¡°You should get some rest¡±


    ¡°You too,¡± Jocelyn replied, swiping her key card, the door clicking open.


    Harrison lingered, not moving an inch.


    Jocelynughed softly. ¡°You should head back. Your ride¡¯s waiting, isn¡¯t it?¡±.


    He nodded but still did not move.


    Their eyes met again, and Jocelyn could not help butugh.


    ¡°Are you going or not?¡± She teased, finding him endearing in his hesitation, like a teenager in his first


    romance.


    A bit embarrassed, Harrison pushed his sses up his nose and bit his lip. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go.¡±


    Jocelyn paused.


    ¡°I just mean I don¡¯t want to go. I¡¯m not saying I want to stay,¡± Harrison quickly rified, seeing her


    hesitation. ¡°I just don¡¯t want to leave.¡± Jocelyn stepped aside,ughing. ¡°You¡¯re not new to this, are


    you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he confessed earnestly. ¡°But it feels like the first flush of love.¡±


    Jocelyn knew that feeling well-the excitement, the longing, the fear, and the desire for more.


    ¡°Got work tomorrow,¡± she reminded him, stepping back into her room. ¡°You better head back.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Harrison took a step back, understanding the night had to end. ¡°We¡¯re officially a couple, right?¡±


    Jocelyn nodded.


    Harrison¡¯s eyes, visible behind his sses, betrayed his hidden thoughts, and Jocelyn, an adult herself,


    understood him perfectly.


    She hugged the flowers tighter, feeling a nervous thrill.


    She was torn between refusing and epting what was unspoken between them.


    I¡¯m leaving, Harrison finally said, stepping back. ¡°Good night.¡±


    His retreat brought Jocelyn a sense of relief. She replied, ¡°Good night.¡±


    He took a couple more steps away. ¡°You can close the door.¡±


    Jocelyn retreated further into her room, her hand on the door frame. ¡°Get some rest


    ¡°Yesh Harrison gave her a parting smile. ¡°Close the door.¡±


    She slowly shut the door, his figure shnaking from view


    Jocelyn leaned against the closed door, releasing a breath she had not realized she was holding, her


    hand over her racing heart.


    She was shocked


    She had not expected her heart to race for Harrison.


    The next moment, her phone vibrated.


    Opening it she saw a message from Harrison on Facebook ¨C a photo from the restaurant, snapped by


    the waiter.


    Looking at their image, Jocelyn felt the joy of being in an open, honest rtionship.


    [Mind if I tweet this?) Hamison had asked


    Startled, Jocelyn knew what that meant. She did not want to leave herself any outs, so she simply


    replied. (Go ahead ]


    Soon after, she saw his tweet: (Commemorating our first date ] with the photo attached.


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


    He heart raced as she liked the post and prepared to tweet the photo herself. Hesitating, she drafted a


    caption but paused before posting. In the end, she chose to save the draft but did not post it.


    Lying on the couch and staring at the ceiling, her thoughts were a mess.


    But the image of Melvin sitting alone by the window was vivid in her mind.


    Why was he here?


    Why was he staying at the same hotel?


    Why was he at that restaurant?


    For a brief, absurd moment, Jocelyn felt like the heroine of her own story, with every man¡¯s appearance


    tied to her.


    Sheughed at herself for being so conceited.


    After herughter faded, Jocelyn opened Twitter again and posted the saved draft, [To a better


    tomorrow.]


    Her phone rang almost immediately. It was her dad. Surprised they were still up, she answered and


    was swept up in their questions.


    She did not hide the truth, openly admitting her rtionship with Harrison.


    Her parents¡¯ joy was palpable, even over the phone. Their happiness affirmed Jocelyn¡¯s choice.


    Someone approved by her parents might not be the best, but they must be good.


    After hanging up, another call came in.


    It was Preston.


    Seeing the familiar number, Jocelyn answered.


    ¡®You¡¯re really over my uncle?¡± Preston sounded shocked. ¡°Didn¡¯t he go to see you? Didn¡¯t you meet?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat but feigned calm. ¡°He came to see me?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. When he heard I say you were on a business trip to Berry City, he went there too. I asked


    Zephyr, but he said they have no business in Berry City. I figured he went to see you. Preston was


    frantic, ¡°Do you really not love him anymore?¡±


    Jocelyn dodged his question. ¡°It¡¯s nine o¡¯clock. Shouldn¡¯t you be in bed by now?¡±


    ¡°I was about to, but now I can¡¯t sleep.¡± Preston¡¯s voice was tinged with urgency. ¡°I swear, Uncle hasn¡¯t


    been seeing anyone, definitely not


    Willow!¡±


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, trying not to let the conversation affect her calm. ¡°Preston, you¡¯re a


    student, and right now, what¡¯s most important is focusing on your studies. You¡¯re about to start high


    school in half a term.¡±


    ¡°I know that!¡± Preston insisted, ready to strike a deal. ¡°Just answer this one question, and I¡¯ll go straight


    to bed¡±


    ¡°Ask away


    ¡°Do you really not love my uncle anymore?¡± He asked, his voice shaking slightly as he awaited her


    answer.


    Jocelyn gazed out the window, feeling a tightness in her chest, but her voice was resolute, ¡°Let¡¯s not


    talk about this anymore. I have a boyfriend now. Now, off to bed with you.¡±


    Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call


    it was not that she did not love him anymore; it was that she could not continue to love him.


    And now more than ever, she should not


    Her Twitter was abuzz with likes. Teachers from school, parents of students, Quinta, and old friends


    and ssmates all sent their best


    onlyn did not reply to eachment individually but sent out a nket response, Thanks, everyone, for


    the blessings


    sohod hew th wave then shother how meaCNYA DOG

 Chapter 100

    Chapter 100


    Melvin stared at Jocelyn¡¯stest tweet with such intensity that he might as well have been trying to burn


    a hole through his phone screen. Red wine in hand, his eyes shed with irritation at the sight of her


    comment thanking everyone for their blessings.


    He could not stand the thought of her happily unting her new rtionship, so hemented, ¡°Looks


    like the new boyfriend¡¯s a bit old, huh?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s breath hitched as she read thement. She wanted to block and delete him from her life,


    but instead, she chose to ignore it, letting Melvin¡¯s passive-aggressive jabs slide off her back.


    Just as she was about to close the app, she noticed he had deleted hisment. Relief washed over


    her, but it was short-lived as a knock at the door jolted her.


    Her heart raced, and her body shivered. Staring at the door, she had a feeling that it was Melvin on the


    other side. Thus, she remained


    seated, frozen, not daring to move


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Her phone vibrated again. It was a message from Melvin, [Open the door]


    Those three words were enough to convey his impatience. Jocelyn clenched her phone but did not


    respond. The knocking stopped.


    [is he there? Bad timing?] Melvin texted again.


    Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn switched off the lights, hoping to convey the message that she was not


    home.


    Melvin seemed to be giving up, the world outside falling silent.


    Then, the buzzing of her phone broke the stillness. Melvin was calling, the persistent vibration a loud


    deration of his presence, numbing her hand and unsettling her heart.


    She did not answer Instead, she tossed her phone aside, letting it ring.


    The screen stayed lit up, Melvin¡¯s persistence clear as day. He was hell-bent on causing a scene, a


    true testament to his spiteful nature.


    If Hamison were actually here, who knew what might have happened.


    The screen eventually went dark, then lit up again.


    Six missed calls, and Jocelyn did not pick up once.


    Finally, he seemed to stop. But then he reached out through Facebook.


    [Are you able to sleep tonight?] His message read.


    Jocelyn felt certain Melvin was unwell in the head. Why else would he so relentlessly try to sabotage


    her happiness? He refused to marry her, remained entangled with a past me, and now he could not


    stand her moving on.


    If that was not a sickness, what was it?


    She turned off her phone. Without a firm stance, she feared the harassment wouldst all night.


    Lying in bed, sleep eluded her.


    Preston imed Melvin hade to Berry City for her.


    What was that supposed to mean? Devotion?


    She could not fathom Melvin¡¯s motives. He was the one who said she was not good enough and that


    he would never give her another chance. And yet, here he was, doggedly pursuing her, causing a


    scene.


    The moment she agreed to be with Harrison, Melvin showed up.


    Whether it was love or not, bted affection was worth less than weeds.


    If she went back to him, she would be an idiot.


    Berry City in November was experiencing an unusual thunderstorm, booming thunder mixed with sleet.


    The weather was capricious as ever, unpredictable despite any advance warnings.


    in the morning, the streets were dusted with a thinyer of white.


    Hamson had sent her a photo saying it was the season¡¯s first snow.


    She replied with a snapshot of the snowy scene outside her hotel.


    For someone from the South, the sight of Northern snow was a thrill


    femon had promised to take her to his hometown for the holidays to see the snow that could pile high


    enough to block the front door


    She agreed.


    After breakfast at the hotel, Jocelyn headed to school.


    That evening, Elise made a special trip to pick her up for dinner at home.


    Ever since learning of Jocelyn¡¯s rtionship with Harrison, Elise could not hide her joy


    Once home, Elise and Keegan cooked dinner themselves, relinquishing the task from the usual


    household staff.


    Harrison was touched. ¡°It¡¯s rare for me to enjoy a home cooked meal from my parents. Today, I¡¯m


    basking in your light.¡±


    Jocelyn blushed at thepliment


    The dinner table was adorned with homemade dishes that could rival any restaurant in presentation


    and taste.


    Now that their rtionship was official, Elise eagerly initiated a video call with Daisy, Jocelyn¡¯s mother.


    The previous misunderstanding had been awkward for both families, but this time was different, the


    satisfaction with the young couple¡¯s rtionship was palpable.


    Jocelyn, now recognized, felt her parents pride through the screen.


    Before ending the call, Elise warmly invited Jocelyn¡¯s parents to visit Berry City, and they graciously


    epted.


    The meal was joyous, and Jocelyn felt enveloped in a profound sense of happiness.


    As they prepared to leave, Elise handed Jocelyn a beautifully crafted box.


    ¡°Thest time was premature, but now it¡¯s all proper. Consider this a weing gift.¡±


    Elise said as she opened the box to reveal a stunningly luxurious bracelet that took Jocelyn¡¯s breath


    away.


    Jocelyn might not have been an expert in jade, but she knew the value of whaty before her. The


    bracelet¡¯s lustrous green seemed almost liquid, extraordinary to behold.


    ¡°This is too valuable,¡± Jocelyn protested, overwhelmed by the gesture.


    Is there anything more valuable than you?¡± Elise insisted, slipping the bracelet onto Jocelyn¡¯s wrist.


    ¡°Look, it fits perfectly. This means you¡¯re officially part of the Whitman family.¡±


    Jocelyn was stunned, seeking Harrison¡¯s support with wide eyes.


    Harrison smiled, exining, ¡°This bracelet has been passed down through generations. From my


    great-grandmother to my grandmother, then to my mother, and now to you. It¡¯s a sign that you¡¯re


    epted as the Whitman family¡¯s daughter-inw.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    ¡°This¡­ Harrison and I have only just started dating. We¡¯re not even sure what will happen in the future.


    It really isn¡¯t appropriate for me to ept this,¡± Jocelyn stammered, the weight of their expectations


    heavy on her shoulders.


    Elise held her hand firmly, ¡°It¡¯s okay. We¡¯ll deal with the future when ites. For now, I ept you.¡±


    Jocelyn should have felt joy at being epted by her boyfriend¡¯s family, but all she could feel was


    immense pressure.


    Noticing Jocelyn¡¯s difort, Harrison gently removed the bracelet from her wrist, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t scare


    her. We can wait until we¡¯re married to give it to her.¡±


    Elise gazed at her son in surprise.


    Harrison held Jocelyn¡¯s hand, feeling the tension leave her body once the bracelet was removed. He


    squeezed her hand gently. ¡°How about we give her a generous cash gift?¡±


    Elise caught on to Harrison¡¯s drift and nced at her husband.


    Keegan was already on it, passing the envelope.


    ¡°Alright then, you didn¡¯t ept thest gift, but this time you must, Elise insisted, pushing the envelope


    into Jocelyn¡¯s hand. ¡°No backing out this time.


    The hefty envelope felt significant in weight, and Jocelyn could no longer refuse it. She epted it


    gratefully, ¡°Thank you so much.¡± We¡¯re all family here, no need for formalities, Elise genuinely liked


    Jocelyn. She was educated, kind, and gentle-a perfect match for her son.


    Leaving the Whitman residence, Jocelyn looked at the thick envelope-in her hands. She felt a bit guilty,


    frequently ncing at the man focused on driving.


    If you¡¯re thinking about giving the money back, it means you don¡¯t have faith in our rtionship.¡±


    Harrison noticed her hesitation and added. 7m in this for the long haul.


    Jocelyn paused, her heart racing because of his words.


    The things che had once longed for were nowid out before her by this man she had not known for


    long. Whether it was him or has fooly, they had given her that utmost sense of security,

 Chapter 101

    Chapter 101


    Miles from the hotel, the shing lights of an ambnce caught their eyes, signaling some sort of


    emergency at the entrance.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother walking me up,¡± said Jocelyn, clutching the cash envelope. Il take this as a token of your


    appreciation.¡±


    ¡°Sure¡± Harrison was not keen on adding to themotion ahead. ¡®I¡¯ll rest easy knowing you¡¯ve


    epted IL


    Jocelyn chuckled. Womied I won¡¯t take this seriously?¡±


    ¡°A bit Hamison confessed, the honesty in his voice unmistakable ¡°But this time, please, be serious


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


    She nodded emphatically. ¡°Yes, serious¡±


    Hisugh crinkled his eyes into gleeful crescents, his gaze pure and innocent, like a child reveling in a


    spoonful of sugar.


    ¡°I should get going¡± Jocelyn unbuckled her seat belt


    Hamison nodded, his eyes lingering on her, filled with a silent plea for her to stay.


    As she pushed the car door open, Harrison¡¯s voice halted her.


    She turned back


    Hamson¡¯s lips parted slightly, his eyes fixed on hers, a new intensity flickering within.


    Jocelyn instantly understood his unspoken desire. What would a rtionship be without a kiss?


    But suddenly, she felt a twinge of nervousness, an unfamiliar flutter in her stomach.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay¡± Harrison¡¯s voice was soft, barely above a whisper. ¡°Goodnight.¡±


    Her tension eased as she said softly. ¡°Goodnight¡±


    Exiting the car, Harrison gripped the steering wheel, watching her until she disappeared into the hotel


    before he finally exhaled and drove off


    Inside the lobby, Jocelyn¡¯s hand flew to her chest, her heart pounding against her ribs like a caged bird.


    She sank into a couch, trying to steady her breath


    The elevator dinged, and paramedics emerged, wheeling someone out on a stretcher.


    Jocelyn nced up just long enough to recognize the patient ¨C Melvin.


    Surprised, she watched until they left and approached the front desk to inquire about the situation.


    The staff exined a guest had suffered a sudden illness, and they were trying to reach his family.


    Jocelyn knew Melvin hardly had any family in town. Even if they contacted his sister, Preston, or


    Willow, none would make it in time.


    ¡°I know him, Jocelyn offered. I¡¯ll notify his family.¡±


    Grateful, the staff quickly arranged her transportation to the hospital.


    At the hospital, Jocelyn was notified that Melvin had already been rushed into surgery for acute


    appendicitis.


    Pacing the hall, she was a bundle of nerves, half an hour feeling like an eternity until the doctor finally


    appeared.


    Melvin was wheeled out, still unconscious from anesthesia.


    After settling the bill, Jocelyn sat vigil in his ward.


    Looking at the man¡¯s pale face, she felt indescribably uneasy, as if something was stuck in her chest.


    She could not fathom why he hade to Berry City, without her, he would have faced surgery with no


    one by his side


    Given his stoic facade, a heartless man like him probably would not dread such solitude


    After all, Melvin had already decided to be by himself forever


    Sitting in the sterile room, memories of their tumultuous past ¨C his dominance, intensity, and irrationality


    ¨C now seemed trivial.


    Here he was, vulnerable, unable to fend off even a p


    An hourter, Melvin¡¯s eyelids fluttered.


    Recognizing Jocelyn, confusion and then disbelief flickered across his face, like an abandoned pet


    finding a home.


    Seeing him finally awake. Jocelyn was finally relieved.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± The moment Melvin saw her, the emotions in his eyes seemed to have be


    turbulent. ¡°Get out!¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart sank at his harshness, but she swallowed the hurt, reminding herself it was she who


    had interfered.


    Trying to mask her emotional tremor, she retorted, ¡°Ring the bell if you need something I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    She had no reason to stay and get


    roared at.


    Melvin did not watch her leave


    As Jocelyn reached the door, she paused, tuming back with instructions. ¡°You can¡¯t eat anything right


    now. I¡¯ve paid for your care and hired a nurse. Also, I¡¯ve informed Preston, so he¡¯ll let Willow know


    you¡¯re ill.¡±


    Each word shifted Melvin¡¯s gaze from confusion to indifference and then to anger


    ¡°Who asked you to meddle?¡± He was funous, frustration evident though his body was frail.


    Jocelyn faced him, his rage unable to mask his pain. ¡°It¡¯smon decency to inform someone¡¯s family


    and partner when they¡¯re ill


    His retort was sharp ¡°Surprising, you can still care for me while being with someone else. Aren¡¯t you


    afraid your new boyfriend will mind you tending to an old me?¡±


    She refused to engage in such a pointless argument with a patient. ¡°Rest up,¡± she said, turning to


    leave.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare!¡± His attempt to rise was met with a sharp pain that contorted his face.


    Instinctively, Jocelyn rushed to his side, pressing him down. ¡°Are you out of your mind? Lie still!¡±


    Though his face was pale, his anger was still there, evident from the venom in his eyes


    ¡°Why do you care so much?¡± Melvin¡¯s voice was a hiss of defiance. ¡°If you¡¯ve moved on, why can¡¯t you


    let me be? Do you still love me? Why date someone else if you still fucking love me?¡±


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, released him, and stood by the bed Suppressing her heartache, she met


    his fury with a calm, steady gaze ¡°Melvin, it was you who left me


    ¡°Bullshit!¡± He retorted, the pain ring again.


    Her lips curled into a bitter smile. ¡°I have no time for this nor the desire to continue. And if you and


    Willow are back together, treat her right Don¡¯t y games, it¡¯s unfair to everyone involved.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s chest was pounding with a fury that made it impossible to tell if it was his heartache or his


    wound that was causing the pain. His lips were ashen, and his eyes-usually as soft and inviting as


    cherry blossoms were now like daggers,ced with venom as they fixated on Jocelyn ¡°Are you really


    that clueless, or are you just ying dumb?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m clueless,¡± Jocelyn nced at her watch, her tone nonchnt. ¡°You should rest. The nurse will be


    here soon. I¡¯ve got to go.¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn Agitated, Melvin burst into a coughing fit


    Seeing him nearly cough himself to death, Jocelyn could not bring herself to leave him like that.


    She summoned the doctor, who firmly advised against any form of agitation. He had just been through


    surgery and was still weak.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath. She had not been the one to aggravate him, he was doing it to himself


    Heeding the hospitals caution, Jocelyn stood by the doorway, keeping her distance.


    She had indeed meddled more than necessary. Why try to prove her magnanimity? Now she was stuck


    with a hot potato and unable to drop it and feeling the burn.


    Melviny in his bed, his gaze never straying from her


    Jocelyn leaned against the wall, arms crossed, silent


    She suspected Melvin had some psychological issues-a possessiveness bordering on the pathological.


    It seemed he could not bear her being with anyone else, even if they were not together.


    It was utterly selfish.


    He had been all lovey-dovey with Willow, and now here he was, trying to y the devoted lover to her.


    Did he want to be a double-timer?


    ¡®Come here,¡± Melvin called out to her.


    Jocelyn did not budge.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes bore into her. ¡°I¡¯m alreadypromising, he said.


    He implied it was time for her to take the hint and ept it gracefully.

 Chapter 102

    Chapter 102


    Melvin took Jocelyn for granted, and her heart grew bitter with the thought.


    For years, his presumption had made him believe that she could not leave ¨C or perhaps, he believed


    she was incapable of leaving


    ¡°This time, I¡¯m serious, Jocelyn said, her voice unwavering. She did not want to be tangled up with him


    anymore, it was an endless cycle.


    Melvin¡¯s face tumed an ashen shade of white, the blood draining as Jocelyn steeled herself, ¡°You need


    to rest¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just going to leave me like this?¡± Melvin bellowed with all the strength he could muster, his


    voice hoarse and strained.


    That sentence tore through Jocelyn, her back to him, swallowing hard. She questioned her right to care


    for him, perplexed by the mindset that allowed him to utter those words.


    ¡°Someone will look after you, Jocelyn said as she pulled the door open.


    ¡°Jocelyn! Melvin¡¯s voice followed her in a shout


    She stepped out and closed the door behind her, gripping the doorknob tightly as tears welled up and


    spilled over.


    The nurse, arriving to care for Melvin, saw Jocelyn¡¯s red, tear-stained eyes and assumed her distress


    was for the patient inside.


    ¡°Miss, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s just appendicitis, it¡¯s not life-threatening, the nurse offered kindly, but Jocelyn¡¯s


    tears did not stop


    Wiping her eyes, she stepped aside. ¡°He can be difficult. Please bear with him.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Sick folks are often cranky, I¡¯m used to it. They need a bit of coddling. Illness is stressful


    enough, we understand,¡± the nurse reassured her.


    Thank you


    As the nurse prepared to enter, she turned back to ask, ¡°Are you his girlfriend? You know, him seeing


    you might cheer him up, help him recover faster


    A pang hit Jocelyn¡¯s heart. She tried to smile casually, but it twisted into a grimace of partugh, part


    cry as she uttered, ¡°I¡¯m not ¡±


    The nurse looked puzzled as Jocelyn walked away.


    Inside, the nurse encountered Melvin¡¯s dark, intimidating gaze and felt a shiver of fear, quickly saying.


    Sir, you should keep a positive attitude after surgery. Your girlfriend was quite worried when she left.


    Her eyes were all swollen from crying


    ¡°She cried?¡± Melvintched onto that detail.


    The nurse, ustomed to various dramas, surmised a lovers¡¯ quarrel and, with a peacemaker¡¯s spint,


    added, ¡°Yes. It was heartbreaking


    to see.


    Melvin¡¯s anger subsided slightly. ¡°At least she has some conscience.


    Back at the hotel room, Jocelyn was restless and contacted Preston to see if he had informed Willow.


    His prompt reply was what she had hoped for. At least Willow would be by Melvin¡¯s side the next


    morning


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    The following day, Jocelyn went to school with swollen, red eyes, somewhat concealed by her sses.


    When asked, she deflected with random excuses


    Harrison was busy and had not reached out to her. That was for the best, his perceptiveness would


    have noticed something was off


    Jocelyn did not visit Melvin at the hospital. Having decided to move on, she intended to stick to that


    resolution.


    Two dayster, as she left school, Jocelyn spotted a striking figure: a tall woman with cascading curls,


    sunsses, a red dress, and a ck trench coat, standing out with an undeniable presence that drew


    the attention of passersby


    The woman approached Jocelyn, calling her name


    Jocelyn paused, surprised to be recognized. She did not recall ever meeting this woman among her


    acquaintances.


    You are?¡±


    The woman removed her sunsses, revealing a familiar, sharply contoured, and stunningly beautiful


    face. ¡°I¡¯m Preston¡¯s mother,


    Yasmine Martinez¡±


    Hearing this, Jocelyn¡¯s heartbeat skipped a beat. This woman was Melvin¡¯s sister.


    Why was she here? To see Melvin? But why approach her? Could it be¡­


    ¡°I came specifically to see you? Yasmine spoke, her voice as captivating as her brother¡¯s persuasive


    gaze.


    Vastine¡¯s allure was that of a sophisticated woman, intriguing but intimidating.


    Jocelyn joined Yacine at a restaurant where they ordered food.


    *I apologize for this sudden meeting, Yasmine said, scanning Jocelyn with a measured gaze that was


    intense but not ufortable.


    Jocelyn politely smiled, sidestepping the implication, ¡®No problem. Preston is doing well academically,


    he¡¯s smart and capable. With a little focus, he¡¯ll excel.¡±.


    ¡°You must realize I¡¯m not here to discuss my son¡¯s grades,¡± Yasmine said, sipping coffee and watching


    Jocelyn¡¯s reaction


    Jocelyn¡¯s hand tightened under the table, her body tensing


    Indeed, if they had met in Yanova City, it might have been about a mother checking on her son¡¯s


    progress, but here, it had to be more.


    ¡°Preston called ime, mentioned his uncle had surgery in Berry City, and suggested I visit him, Yasmine


    said inly.


    Jocelyn had expected this


    Yasmine¡¯s smile faltered. Im not worried, but Melvin. He¡¯s been


    ¡°I¡¯ve been with him for two days, expecting you might show up, but down. He won¡¯t say it, but every


    time there¡¯s movement at the door, he looks up.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s gaze fell, her emotions in disarray


    ¡°My brother has never been good at expressing himself. That¡¯s why hees across as cold and


    indifferent. But you¡¯ve been the only woman by his side all these years, the only one who made him call


    me in the middle of the night, choking up, saying you¡¯ve left him.¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn listened for the first time to someone else¡¯s ount of Melvin¡¯s


    vulnerabilities, the parts she never knew.


    ¡°Do you really have no expectations left for him?¡± Yasmine inquired, her toneced with a mix of


    concern and curiosity.


    ¡°I have a boyfriend now,¡± Jocelyn admitted, the words leaving a bitter taste in her heart.


    She knew she should not feel this way, it was unfair to Harrison


    But she could not help herself.


    After all, she had loved Melvin deeply, more than she had ever thought possible.


    Yasmine¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°What about Melvin?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s with Willow, Jocelyn responded with a hint of resignation They¡¯ll probably tie the knot soon


    enough.¡±


    ¡°Willow? She doesn¡¯t even have the chops to step into the Martinez family, Yasmine spat out the name


    like it left a bad taste in her mouth.


    Jocelyn recalled simr sentiments from Preston in the past, but Yasmine¡¯s bluntness was startling


    ¡°If he¡¯s happy, that¡¯s all that matters.


    ¡°If he was happy with her, why did he spend over three years with you?¡± Yasmine¡¯s question hit home I


    didn¡¯te here today to force a reconciliation I just want to know if you truly have no feelings left for


    him. If that¡¯s the case, it¡¯s his loss. But if not, I hope you¡¯ll consider it carefully. In this world, many can


    make your heart flutter, but there¡¯s only one who can truly make it ache.¡±


    Yasmine looked at Jocelyn earnestly I quite like you, you know. Even if today¡¯s the first time we¡¯ve met,


    that doesn¡¯t stop me from liking you¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Jocelyn responded, her politeness veiling her difort.


    ¡°I think Melvin is quite fond of you, too.¡± Yasmine shifted gears so quickly that it caught Jocelyn off


    guard


    This meal had not been appetizing for Jocelyn.


    Maybe it was because Yasmine had sought her out for this conversation, or maybe Yasmine¡¯s words


    had poked at a tender spot she had tried to ignore. And there was another reason she was reluctant to


    acknowledge deep down, she believed Melvin still had feelings for


    her.


    Stepping out of the restaurant, Yasmine asked Jocelyn, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to see him?¡±

 Chapter 103

    Chapter 103


    ¡°No.¡± Jocelyn knew that her heart had fluttered sure, but the fear of history repeating itself was


    stronger.


    What did it matter if he liked her? His kind of liking was the sort that only extended as far as the


    bedroom, and even if he did like her as a person, it was the kind that could not stand the light of day


    If they could not even be open and honest, the most basic of rtionship fundamentals, what good was


    liking someone?


    Yasmine had not expected Jocelyn to be so resolute, but she could tell that Melvin had let her down


    one too many times.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to force you.¡± Yasmine said gently. If you have truly found happiness, I wish you all the


    best.¡±


    ¡°Thanks¡± Jocelyn had a soft spot for Yasmine, who seemed more level-headed than Melvin.


    Maybe it was because they were both women, they understood each other¡¯s thoughts better.


    Yasmine smiled slightly. ¡°I even had Preston bring you a present during the holidays, but he said you


    refused. It seems that you had already considered breaking up with Melvin by then.¡±


    Jocelyn was taken aback before replying. ¡°It was just too valuable.¡±


    ¡°When ites to giving gifts to someone deserving, I never care about the price, only if the person


    matches the gift¡¯s worth,¡± Yasmine said with a tender look ¡°It¡¯s a pity, Melvin just wasn¡¯t lucky enough to


    keep you¡±


    Jocelyn could only offer an awkward smile in return.


    ¡°Are you heading back to the hotel now? Let me give you a lift¡±


    ¡°No need, I¡¯m staying quite close by. Jocelyn pointed ahead. ¡°I¡¯ll just walk.¡±


    Yasmine did not press her, ¡°Alright then¡­ Goodbye¡±


    ¡°Yep, bye¡±


    As Yasmine drove off, Jocelyn waved farewell, her smile fading as the car disappeared into the


    distance.


    She returned to the hospital to find Melvin standing by the window, his belongings packed.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    He turned at the sound of her approach, and on seeing that she was alone, his lips tightened, his mood


    clearly souring.


    ¡°Disappointed?¡± Yasmine eyed him critically I told you to keep your distance from that woman, but you


    wouldn¡¯t listen. And now, look what¡¯s happened, you¡¯ve pushed Jocelyn into another man¡¯s arms


    Melvin¡¯s brow furrowed ¡°You went to see her?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb, Yasmine huffed. ¡°I asked her. She¡¯s not going to be with you again. Just give up


    already.¡±


    Lying in the hospital for five days had taken its toll on Melvin, his frame thinner, his current


    despondency adding to his haggard appearance, eliciting a touch of pity.


    Yasmine, however, had no sympathy. ¡°Serves you right. You only appreciate what you¡¯ve got when it¡¯s


    gone, huh? That¡¯s just like you men thinking you¡¯re irreceable and acting out. And the result? Let me


    tell you, when a woman stays, she¡¯s giving you a chance. When she leaves, it means she¡¯s piled up


    enough disappointment and can¡¯t see a glimmer of hope.¡±


    Melvin maintained a cold silence, though his rapid breathing betrayed his inner turmoil.


    ¡°Men are always like this, staying quiet and acting all mysterious Women¡¯s thoughts may be hard to


    read, but at least we speak up. You think you¡¯re so charming, but you¡¯re full of it. Yasmine ranted, not


    holding back.


    Melvin, struggling to contain his anger, wore a grim expression


    Yasmine was tired of lecturing him. ¡°If you really liked her, you should¡¯ve just talked to her. Wait until


    she¡¯s married with a family, then you¡¯ll have nothing but regret¡±


    ¡°Like her? Who said I liked her? She has a boyfriend, that¡¯s all. Do you want to bet I¡¯ll get engaged


    before her?¡±


    ¡°Can you stop being so childish? Yasmine rolled her eyes.


    Melvin took a deep breath, ¡°Without her life goes on.¡±


    Yasmine just shook her head at his stubbornness.


    Jocelyn¡¯s time in Berry City hade to an end; she had to return to Yanova City.


    Hamson had taken her to his parents house for dinner the night before her departure. Keegan and


    Elise had grown so fond of her that they considered using their connections to transfer her to Berry City


    Henson knew Jocelyn would not easily leave her hometown and asked his parents not to pressure her


    The non day, Harrison drove Jocelyn to the airport. On the way, he reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t feel


    pressured. My folks just hope to see you


    more often, If you prefer to stay in Yanova City, that¡¯s totally fine. It¡¯s just a two or three-hour night I can


    visit your easily.¡±


    Jocelyn felt a warm sensation in her heart.


    Harrison was an incredibly considerate and warm boyfriend. He never put pressure on her and always


    considered her perspective.


    Being with him felt easy.


    Thanks for understanding


    ¡°You¡¯re being formal with me? Hamson chuckled. ¡°A good boyfriend should always prioritize his


    girlfriend¡¯s thoughts and never put her in a tough spot¡±


    Jocelyn smiled.


    Seeing her smile, Hamson asked. ¡°So, am I doing alnight as a boyfriend?¡±


    ¡°You are. More than alright, she admitted without a doubt.


    The sparkle in Hamson¡¯s eyes behind his sses was tender and charming.


    His slightly uptumed lips showed just how happy he was feeling


    At the airport. Hamson helped her get her suitcase out and walked her to the security checkpoint


    ¡°This is as far as I can go, he said, a hint of reluctance in his voice. ¡°If I didn¡¯t have a meeting this


    afternoon, I would¡¯ve sent you all the way home¡±


    Seeing his wistful expression, Jocelyn felt a thrill of happiness, ¡°This is far enough¡±


    ¡°Last time at the airport, you were the one seeing me off, Harrison mused with a touch of nostalgia.


    ¡°Back then, we were just friends¡±


    Jocelyn remembered that time was during her biggest blow-up with Melvin.


    She did not want to think about him anymore. Instead, she smiled and said, ¡°Time is a wonderful thing.¡±


    *So. Harrison opened his arms expectantly.


    Jocelyn understood his gesture. She did not overthink it like she used to and embraced him.


    Harrison held her tightly, his heart swelling with reluctance to let go.


    Truth be told, he wanted more than just a hug.


    When they finally parted, the intensity in Harrison¡¯s gaze only grew.


    His eyes lingered on Jocelyn¡¯s lips. Although their time together had not been long, his affection for her


    was deep and genuine.


    No man could remain unaffected in the presence of a girl he fancied, free from longing with only pure


    intentions and void of physical desires


    ¡°Can I kiss you?¡± Harrison asked after a long hesitation.


    He felt he would regret it if he let her walk away without a kiss.


    Jocelyn froze.


    She had not expected him to ask.


    She had seen it countless times in movies-the airport or train station farewells that ignite a ze of


    emotion. It¡¯s where reluctance and romance culminate in a parting kiss.


    Harrison had always been respectful towards her, considering her feelings with every step, a true


    gentleman who revered women.


    Having agreed to be his girlfriend, she saw no reason to deny him this fundamental privilege of a


    boyfriend.


    With pursed lips, she nodded ever so slightly.


    Joy flickered across Hamison¡¯s face, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.


    His hands gently grasped her shoulders, drawing closer by the moment


    Panic fluttered in Jocelyn¡¯s heart, her gaze in disarray, her pulse racing.


    For a split second, she thought about turning away


    However, she knew well the difficulty of beginnings and that it would alle more naturally after this


    first time.


    As Harrison neared, he saw her eyes tightly shut, her quiveringshes telegraphing her inner turmoil,


    her tense body causing him a slight pang of disappointment.


    His gaze wandered across her lips momentarily before he leaned in again.


    The kiss, however,nded on her cheek.


    Jocelyn blinked open her eyes in disbelief.


    Harrison teased her, ¡°What, are you disappointed?¡±


    Ho knew it was not disappointment that filled her, it was surprise.


    ¡°Step by step,¡± he said with a grin. ¡°I¡¯ve got to leave you wanting more. Next time, you owe me one¡±


    With a yful tap on her nose, his affection was unmistakable, brimming in his smile

 Chapter 104

    Chapter 104


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart, wound tight as a drum all day, finally eased as she smiled at him, a genuine, carefree


    grin ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Better head in,¡± Harrison said, hoisting her suitcase to the security checkpoint. ¡°Text me when you


    land, alright?¡±


    ¡°Yeah


    *Off you go.


    Clutching her bag. Jocelyn passed through security and nced back to see Harrison still waiting, his


    gaze catching hers. He waved.


    At that moment, Jocelyn knew if she were ever to have a boyfriend, he should be someone like


    Harrison ¨C kind, considerate, and deeply respectful, with qualities that left many in the dust


    The thought of him brought a smile to her face, a smile so deep she was oblivious to the two figures


    watching her. They saw everything. ¡°See? Without you she¡¯s got better options, Yasmine said with a


    smirk, enjoying the sight of Melvin¡¯s crestfallen face. ¡°Serves you right for being so high and mighty¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes olinted darkly They kissed¡±


    ¡°People in love kiss. And if they re sleeping together, so what? That¡¯s their right, Yasmine goaded with


    a sharp tongue.


    With each breath, Melvin¡¯s chest ached. ¡°Heh, fickle creature!


    Yasmine could not help but give him another look at the sound of his bitterugh ¡°Realized you¡¯re


    yesterday¡¯s news, have you? Well, why shouldn¡¯t she toss you aside? You¡¯re not a vintage coin,


    treasured regardless of age.¡±


    Melvin red at Yasmine, barely containing his rage.


    ¡°Staring at me won¡¯t change anything. Men, all the same, Yasmine said nonchntly, slipping on her


    sunsses, the very picture of indifference, as she walked into the departure lounge.


    The thought of Harrison kissing Jocelyn and her apparent delight made Melvin¡¯s blood boil.


    She said she had nothing with that man, so why did she start dating him so soon after they broke up?


    She probably chose toe to Berry City for a business trip because of that man!


    The more Melvin thought about it, the harder it was to swallow his anger. He made his way to the


    airport service desk.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Jocelyn settled into her window seat on the ne, pleased with the spot. She leaned over to snap a


    photo to send to Harnson, signaling she was on board.


    Suddenly, the seat beside her stirred. She looked up instinctively, her heart sinking a notch as she


    recognized the man sitting down.


    Melvin settled in, looking perfectly at ease as if he did not notice her


    Jocelyn froze, her phone vibrating ignored in her hand, her mind racing with questions. Why was he


    here, in economy no less, when he should be in first ss or business?


    She was on edge


    The coincidences were piling up too neatly


    Her phone buzzed repeatedly. It was Harrison calling.


    Jocelyn nced at the iing call, her pulse quickening, and a sense of guilt washed over her. She


    turned slightly and picked up.


    The phone was at her left ear, a defensive gesture, perhaps.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t taken off yet? Harrison¡¯s gentle voice came through


    ¡°No, not yet.¡±


    ¡°I should be able to see your ne when you do.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s curiosity piqued. ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°I sent you a picture. Didn¡¯t you see?¡±


    Jocelyn was stunned for a brief moment. She had been too distracted by Melvin to check her


    messages. Quickly, she exited the call and checked her Facebook


    There was the photo, a beautiful blue sky.


    His message read. (Gorgeous weather today. I can see your ne from here.]


    Her heart warmed at the message and photo


    Back on Inc phong, her voice was soft and affectionate. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you left yer?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t bear to.¡±


    Embarrassment tinged Jocelyn¡¯s cheeks


    The ne¡¯s inte announced preparations for takeoff and to switch off electronic devices


    Harrison understood even before she could reply ¡°Have a safe flight,¡± he said. ¡°Call me when yound.¡±


    ¡°Okay, bye¡±


    After hanging up, Jocelyn exhaled deeply, only to be startled by a scoff from the next seat. She nced


    over to see Melvin, eyes shut, mouth curled in a sneer. She wondered if he had heard her call


    But why should it matter? She was talking to her boyfriend


    As the ne ascended, her ears popped, and her hands clutched the armrests tightly. Each takeoff and


    landing was a battle against her


    nerves


    In a moment of panic, her hand brushed against the man beside her. She quickly retracted, waiting for


    the brief difort to pass.


    Once the ne leveled out, she exhaled in relief


    When the seat belt sign went off, Jocelyn unbuckled and made a beeline for the restroom, eager to


    escape Melvin¡¯s presence.


    Thus, she stood up and nced at the man, whose eyes were closed and seemed asleep. The space


    between seats was too tight, so it would be impossible for her to leave her seat without touching him.


    Jocelyn could not imagine what terrifying look he would give her if she were to wake him now.


    Thus, she settled back into her seat, her gaze fixed on the clouds outside, finding sce in the


    expanse of white fluff against the blue backdrop For moment, her mind was clear, free from the turmoil.


    An hourter, the urge to visit the restroom returned, stronger this time However, from the corner of her


    eyes, she saw Melvin stand up and walk towards the back, probably also heading to the restroom.


    Taking this opportunity, she moved seats right after he did. By the time he exited the restroom, she


    finally walked over and passed him


    by


    Being the proud man he was, Melvin only nced at her and said nothing


    Without thinking much about it, Jocelyn quickly went to the restroom and came out. She would have


    not returned to her seat at all if she was on a train. However, she would not be allowed to stand


    throughout the flight on a ne.


    Thus, she navigated her way through the narrow aisle of the airne, her eyesnding on Melvin, who


    was engrossed in his phone, his legs casually bent and resting in the path. She contemted asking


    him to move but instead chose to maneuver around him, leveraging her long, slender legs to step over


    With a gentle grip on the back of the seat in front of her, Jocelyn carefully edged past, doing her best


    not to brush against him. But the tight space betrayed her efforts, and her leg grazed his pant leg


    Melvin looked up at her briefly, causing her heart to race with a sudden flutter of panic


    Hastily retracting her leg, she managed to maintain a steady voice, ¡°Excuse me, could you please


    move a bit? I need to get through Melvin, surprisingly cooperative, spread his legs to give her room.


    Jocelyn had not expected this gesture


    Did he not realize how awkward his posture was? Did it not cross his mind that it might look improper?


    Convinced that he was doing this on purpose, Jocelyn bit her lip and stepped over him again, one leg


    now sandwiched between his To settle back into her seat, she needed to lift her leg even higher to


    clear his other leg


    Suddenly, turbulence rocked the ne, and Jocelyn lost her bnce, tumbling into Melvin¡¯sp, her


    hand inadvertentlynding in a mostpromising position.


    Her mind went nk.


    A muffled grunt escaped Melvin as Jocelyn¡¯s checks burned with embarrassment.


    The overhead announcement droned on, but Jocelyn could not process a word of it


    Frozen, she could not decide whether to move her hand or leave it there, painfully aware of their


    awkward positioning.


    Melvin¡¯s voice came through gritted teeth, low and strained, ¡°How much longer do you n on touching


    me?¡±

 Chapter 105

    Chapter 105


    How much longer did she n on touching him?


    She was not touching him!


    Jocelyn¡¯s cheeks med as she withdrew her hand, her knee still awkwardly caught between his Their


    current position was definitely not child-friendly.


    If it were not for his endless antics, would it really havee to this?


    Luckily, he seemed to have some sense of dignity because he finally shifted his legs aside, giving her


    room to scoot back into her seat. The ne had leveled out by now.


    Jocelyn sat ngidly in her seat, wishing for an escape hatch she could jump through if it existed


    She could not move, haunted by the lingering sensation on her palm, until she finally caved and asked


    the flight attendant for a wet


    wipe.


    She had nailed herself to her seat, not wanting to leave it till the flight ended.


    Once she had the wet wipe, she scrubbed at her hand like it was a grimy countertop.


    Melvin watched the whole ordeal, his eyes icing over with each wipe she took.


    Was she repulsed by him?


    It was not like she had not touched him there before. Why the disgust now?


    His expression darkened, but Jocelyn could not care less; she did not even nce his way.


    Somehow, they made it tonding.


    Jocelyn did not budge until Melvin had left his seat.


    However, he seemed content to wait, likely preferring not to shuffle out with the rest of the crowd, sitting


    still as stone.


    When he finally stood, Jocelyn followed suit, trailing behind him out of the ne.


    As soon as they hit the terminal, she quickened her pace, eager to put distance between them.


    She imed her luggage just as Harrison¡¯s call came through. She had not expected him to be so


    punctual, having nned to message


    him from the car.


    ¡°Yeah justnded Got my luggage, heading out now,¡± Jocelyn said, dragging her suitcase and looking


    towards the exit.


    Harrison did not keep her long, just a few words of caution before hanging up


    The taxi line was bustling, a sea of people and cars.


    ¡°Jocelyn Yasmine approached, calling out her name.


    Jocelyn was momentarily surprised to see Yasmine, but given that Melvin was also there, nothing


    should surprise her at this point.


    She nodded slightly, a token of civility.


    ¡°Want a nde with us?¡±


    The ¡°us¡± clearly included Melvin


    Jocelyn, remembering the flight¡¯s embarrassment, declined politely. ¡°No, thanks!


    ¡°You really that scared of spending time with Melvin? Yasmine cut straight to the point


    Jocelyn forced a smile, her silence speaking volumes.


    Yasmine let out augh. ¡°I am me, and he is he¡±


    This was true, but they were still family, and Jocelyn was not looking for trouble


    Melvin had emerged by now, his mood visibly souring at the sight of them together


    Jocelyn did not dare meet his gaze.


    A taxi pulled up just in time for her to make a break for it. The driver helped with her luggage, and she


    quickly hopped in, desperate to §±§à§â


    As the driver closed the trunk and was about to get in, the passenger door reopened, and Melvin slid in


    beside her


    The driver nced back. ¡°You guys together?¡±


    ¡°No, Jocelyn blurted out. ¡°I don¡¯t know him.¡±


    ¡°Look, buddy, ho carpooling here,¡± the driver warned Melvin.


    ¡®She¡¯s my girl,¡± Melvin stated tly.


    The driver looked to Jocelyn for confirmation.


    Her face was about to burst into mes, ¡°Im not!¡± She protested, her voice tinged with anger.


    The driver frowned. ¡°So, are you two together or not?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    The driver could tell they were connected somehow Probably a couple having a spat.


    ¡°If you¡¯re together, I¡¯m driving.¡±


    ¡°Drive¡±


    ¡°Where to?¡±


    Melvin did not go too far and gave Jocelyn¡¯s address.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    As the car started, Jocelyn realized she was trapped.


    She turned her face to the window, refusing to look at Melvin.


    He, on the other hand, was on the phone with Yasmine. ¡°Find out where Zephyr is and go back with


    him. Yeah. What can I do to her? Alright, bye


    The nde was silent, the driver asionally stealing nces at the pair in the back through the rear-


    view mirror. They looked like a good match, but the guy seemed a little hot-tempered and fierce.


    ¡°Pal, when ady¡¯s mad, you gotta sweet-talk her, not match her temper. How¡¯s it gonna work between


    you two if this keeps up?¡± The driver offered some unsolicited advice. ¡°Once you get home, check for


    some durian at the local fruit stand, or just pick up a couple of bricks from the side of the road. Not for


    throwing, mind you, just kneel on ¡¯em. If that doesn¡¯t cool her down, bash yourself with them.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s expression was a mix of disbelief and amazement.


    Melvin nced at her, perhaps wondering if she was silently chuckling.


    He retorted, Can¡¯t spoil women too much¡±


    The driver just shook his head-a hopeless case.


    When they stopped outside Jocelyn¡¯s apartment, Melvin was quick to retrieve her luggage from the


    trunk, holding onto it firmly


    Before the driver left, he pointed at some shrubbery nearby, ¡°Have a look there. If not, just snap a twig


    to take home.¡±


    Melvin cracked a rare joke. ¡°Got a belt.¡±


    The driver burst outughing and then drove off.


    Jocelyn stood there, ufortable, eyeing her suitcase in Melvin¡¯s grip. She approached, saying.


    Thanks.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to invite me up? Melvin had no intention of handing over her things.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a good time.


    ¡°Hehe. Melvin¡¯sugh was cold, and he looked down. ¡°Jocelyn, don¡¯t push your luck.¡±


    Jocelyn clenched her fists, staring at him defiantly. ¡°Im not.¡±


    ¡°I can overlook a kiss with him. But if you dare sleep with him. His eyes narrowed dangerously. ¡°My


    temper is short. You know that.¡±


    So he had seen it


    For a fleeting moment, panic set in, as if caught in an affair, doing something unforgivable to him.


    But she and he were over


    entangle with him now would be the real betrayal of Harrison.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez, it seems you¡¯ve forgotten something We¡¯re done. Over¡± Jocelyn reached for her


    suitcase, but he held it tight.


    Jocelyn forrowed her brow in frustration. ¡°What on earth are you trying to do?¡±


    hould have a word with your shiny new boyfriend about how you¡¯ve been feeling me up? Maybe I


    should just give him a ning night


    clutched the handle of her suitcase with a menacing grip


    Jocelyn¡¯s lead was pounding.


    ¡°You were all over me at the hospital. He probably has no clue.¡± Melvin¡¯s tone was thick with threat.


    ¡°Jocelyn, I¡¯m giving you an out here. You¡¯d better take the hint!¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn stared him down. ¡°You know what you sound like? Aplete thug!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re spot on. I am a thug. So, you better get wise and figure out what to do next.¡± Melvin leaned in,


    his presence enveloping her, making no effort to conceal his malicious intent. ¡°Let¡¯s not make this


    unpleasant for everyone, shall we?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡± Jocelyn was so angry her chest hurt.


    Melvin could not care less. No matter what, he was not about to let this woman get her happy ending


    with another man.


    After more than three years, he had not moved on. Why should she get to find someone new?


    ¡°Call him. Break it off, Melvin demanded forcefully.


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes reddened ¡®I won¡¯t!¡±


    Then I¡¯ll call him.¡± He pulled out his smartphone.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare go too far Jocelyn snapped, reaching for his phone.


    Melvin easily sidestepped her, holding the phone high out of reach. ¡°So, will it be you or me?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s it to you? You¡¯re practically engaged to Willow Why are you messing with me?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s voice


    trembled.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t happen,¡± Melvin repeated emphatically. ¡°I told you, there¡¯s no engagement¡±


    Jocelyn felt no joy at this revtion. Engaged or not, their rtionship was murky; he clearly had not


    forgotten his first love.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I don¡¯t want to be with you anymore.¡±


    ¡®I¡¯ll give you some time to think it over, Melvin said coldly, his eyes glinting like ice.

 Chapter 106

    Chapter 106


    They stood locked in a tense stalemate outside the apartment building, neither willing to let go.


    Seeing the unwavering determination in Jocelyn¡¯s eyes, Melvin felt a surge of anger that made his


    recent wound throb with pain.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll call Hamison,¡± he dered, and this time, he meant business.


    Jocelyn had no idea where he had gotten Harrison¡¯s number from, but as his fingers hovered over the


    screen, ready to dial, she leaped forward to snatch his phone away.


    That kind of movement was bound to lead to physical contact.


    Melvin let go of his suitcase with his right hand and wrapped it around her waist, pulling her close into


    an embrace that prevented her from jumping away


    The call connected


    ¡°If you want him to know you¡¯re here too, be my guest. Melvin¡¯s voice dripped with malice as he


    wickedly activated the loudspeaker


    function.


    Hearing Harrison¡¯s voice on the other end, Jocelyn froze, too terrified to even breathe.


    ¡°Hello? Who¡¯s this?¡±


    Harrison¡¯s voice sounded hearty and gentle, starkly contrasting Melvin¡¯s low and indifferent tone.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart threatened to burst through her chest as she looked up at Melvin with tear-glinted eyes.


    She did not want to embarrass


    herself or Harrison.


    Her lips quivered as she gazed at his Adam¡¯s apple, tiptoeing up to press a cool, light kiss upon it, a


    silent plea for mercy.


    ¡°Wrong number.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s grip on Jocelyn tightened as he ended the call and put away his phone, then gently lifted her


    chin to look at the tear that had made its way to her cheek, his eyes narrowing, ¡°Feeling that hard done


    by?¡±


    Jocelyn bit her lip, her entire body trembling, ¡°What do you even want?¡±


    Her voice shook.


    ¡°You know what I want,¡± Melvin brushed away the tear from her cheek with the pad of his thumb, a


    tightness in his chest at the sight of


    it


    This woman¡¯s heart had changed too quickly.


    She could not wait to be with another man, which irked him.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, ¡°We¡¯re not right for each other.


    ¡°What do you mean not right? If it¡¯s fun when we¡¯re together, that¡¯s all that matters. Melvin¡¯s hold


    became firmer, ¡°Have I ever mistreated you? All I ever wanted was for you to stay by my side.¡±


    ¡°You know what I¡¯m looking for, Jocelyn refused to back down any longer. ¡°And you can¡¯t give it to me.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes shed with irritation, ¡°I don¡¯t want to go over old ground.


    ¡°Neither do I Jocelyn stood her ground. ¡°You could have any woman you want with your wealth and


    power. Why cling to me?¡±


    ¡°I only want you!¡± Melvin leaned in close, his tone unyielding, his gaze intense


    At that moment, Jocelyn truly wished she could just disappear


    She stared back at him. ¡°Ultimately, you¡¯re just not done ying with me.¡±


    That¡¯s night, I¡¯m not done. Melvin did not bother to hide it, ¡°I want you.¡±


    A heavy weight seemed to press upon Jocelyn¡¯s chest, making it hard to breathe.


    She bit her lip, her eyes stinging with tears. ¡°You¡¯re about to get engaged to Willow. If you keep this up


    with me, whose reputation are you trying to ruin, mine or yours?¡±


    ¡°Did I say I was going to get engaged to her?¡± Melvin¡¯s hand slid up to her neck, his eyes lingering on


    her lips.


    Jocelyn¡¯s breath was ragged with anxiety, ¡®It¡¯s all over the inte.¡±


    ¡°So you believe everything you see on the inte?¡±


    Shouldn¡¯t 17


    De not dead yet. Why didn¡¯t youe and ask me? Melvin snapped, frustration evident in his voice.


    Jocelyn recoiled at being shouted at.


    But whether they were engaged or not was not the point. The point was that they were not right for


    each other.


    I was gettingte, and people were beginning to trickle back home. Their confrontation at the apartment


    entrance was bing


    conspicuous.


    Jocelyn did not want to create a scene.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired. I need to rest¡± she said, trying to wriggle free from his grasp. ¡°People areing home from


    work. You should go before you draw too much attention. It won¡¯t look good for you.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, ¡°Now you¡¯re worried about being seen with me? You didn¡¯t seem


    to care who saw you when you were all over that guy¡±


    ¡°Because he wants to be with me openly,¡± Jocelyn lifted her face to meet his gaze, and just for a


    moment, she found her resolve


    She had given him chances, but he had rejected them.


    He would rather be seen with Willow in the media than stand by her side upright and honest.


    For over three years, they had been like a ndestine affair, unseen.


    There was no real love between them except for sharing a bed at night and indulging in the pleasures


    of the flesh.


    It was just about finding the mostpatible partner for their lonely bodies.


    Seizing the moment he was distracted, Jocelyn pushed him away, grabbed her suitcase, and headed


    inside.


    After a few steps, she turned back and said, ¡°You can¡¯t deny me what you won¡¯t give. Melvin, is this fair


    to me?¡±


    Without waiting for a response, she entered the building, the door closing behind her.


    At that moment, something inside Melvin seemed to copse, leaving a hollow emptiness.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    He stared in the direction Jocelyn had left, a thought dawning on him: she was serious


    Jocelyn returned home, mming the door shut behind her. Dropping her suitcase, she leaned against


    the door, her tightly wound emotions finally unraveling as tears streamed down her face.


    She did not understand why or what she was crying for


    Sitting on the floor, she let herself cry for a while before her emotions started to settle.


    Her phone vibrated incessantly from inside her bag. When she checked, she saw two missed calls from


    Harrison.


    Her emotions had calmed, but her voice had not.


    With a sense of guilt, she hesitated to answer the phone.


    After rejecting the call, she sent Harrison a message on Facebook,


    [Got pulled into ast-minute meeting. Can¡¯t talk right now.]


    She despised herself for lying, for deceiving Harrison after seeing Melvin. She felt like the worst kind of


    woman.


    Harrison responded quickly with a yful ¡°I shall leave¡± meme.


    Jocelyn could not help but smile at the meme, but a wave of bitterness quickly followed it.


    She was not sure if agreeing to give it a try with Harrison was the right thing to do, she was always


    afraid of letting down his genuine feelings.


    Herplex thoughts kept her restless. She took her suitcase to the bedroom to unpack, finding


    sce in the busy work that temporarily calmed her mind.


    After putting everything away and showering, she felt more at peace


    She changed her clothes, dned her hair, and stepped onto the balcony for fresh air, hoping to clear her


    head.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart fluttered as she inadvertently caught sight of Melvin still lingering outside the building.


    What was it about him that could be so infuriating yet somehow leave her feeling guilty, as if she were


    the one at fault?


    She averted her gaze and retreated to the living room, where memories of their time together began to


    y uncontrobly.


    Anviously, she flicked on the TV, where a weekend variety show was in full swing. The host¡¯sughter


    was infectious, and the audience roared with joy. However, Jocelyn could not grasp what was so funny.


    She stared nkly at the screen, not bothering to change the channel even as it transitioned to an


    endless stream ofmercials


    I was not until her dad called, inquiring about the end of her meeting and inviting her home for dinner


    that she snapped out of her


    ¡°Meeting? What meeting?¡± Jocelyn was utterly confused.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t Harrison mention you were tied up in a meeting?¡± Her dad asked.


    It took a moment for the lie she told Harrison to resurface in her mind, realizing he had actually passed


    it on to her father.


    Stammering, she quickly concocted an excuse. ¡°Oh, yes, it¡¯s just wrapped up.¡±


    ¡°Well then,e home for dinner, Calvin suggested, not reading too much into it


    ¡®Sure.¡±


    After hanging up, Jocelyn grabbed her purse and made her way downstairs


    Exiting the elevator she feared Melvin might still be around, so she opted to slip out through a side door


    instead.

 Chapter 107

    Chapter 107


    Jocelyn had barely set foot inside her parents¡¯ home when she spotted her dad, Calvin, inspecting a


    box in the living room with a childlike curiosity.


    ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡± she asked when she dropped her bag by the door


    ¡°It¡¯s from Hamison, Calvin beamed, his eyes crinkling with delight. ¡°He wanted to buy something for you


    to bring home but feared you¡¯d be tired out So, he bought these ahead of time and shipped them here.¡±


    Her mother, Daisy, emerged from the kitchen with a te of steaming meatloaf in hand and a smile.


    ¡°Harrison¡¯s just too thoughtful. Who would¡¯ve thought you¡¯d hit it off with him in Berry City? We


    should¡¯ve given him some of our hometown delicacies.¡±


    ¡°Well, nothing is stopping us from sending some treats his way now,¡± Calvin interrupted, arranging the


    things in the box neatly before tuming to Jocelyn. ¡°See? You and Harrison must be fated to be together.


    Those meant to be together always find their way back, no matter what twists and turns life throws at


    them.¡±


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t quite sure how to respond.


    Over dinner, her parents were keenly interested in the budding rtionship between her and Harrison


    and his parents.


    She didn¡¯t hold back any details, sharing everything she could.


    After dinner, Jocelyn called Hamson, expressing her gratitude for the thoughtful array of local


    specialties he had sent her parents.


    ¡°It¡¯s the least I could do,¡± he replied. ¡°Let¡¯s see when you have a break next, and I¡¯lle over to visit


    you and your parents.¡±


    ¡°Probably not until the winter holidays, she mused.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget about the Christmas Holiday, Harrison reminded her, a hint of eagerness in his voice.


    ¡°Short as it may be, it¡¯s enough to cure the pangs of longing


    Jocelynughed shyly


    From the sidelines, Calvin and Daisy watched their daughter with growing contentment. They couldn¡¯t


    help but feel reassured.


    As parents, their only wish was for their children to find a loving partner who would cherish them and


    provide warmth andfort


    ¡°Young people today crave freedom, Calvin said once Jocelyn had hung up. ¡°But with the right person,


    freedomes naturally.¡±


    Catching her parents¡¯ knowing looks, Jocelyn teased. ¡°Stop that. You¡¯re scaring me.¡±


    ¡°Harrison¡¯s a great match for you. We knew he was reliable from the get-go. Since things have started,


    put your heart into it. As long as your hearts are together, the feelings won¡¯t change even though it¡¯s a


    long-distance rtionship, Calvin advised, his words heavy with


    emotion.


    Daisy nodded eagerly ¡°Berry City is a lovely ce. It wouldn¡¯t be so bad if you ended up there.¡±


    ¡°Mom, Dad, isn¡¯t it too early to think about that? Jocelyn admitted she hadn¡¯t thought that far ahead.


    ¡°Not at all, Daisy insisted. ¡°Dating is always with marriage in mind. It¡¯s not just for fun. Jocelyn, Harrison


    is a catch, and you should hold on tight Harrison and his parents are cultured and understanding folks.


    You won¡¯t go wrong with a family like that.¡±


    Jocelyn knew of Harrison¡¯s and his family¡¯s qualities very well.


    But fate was unpredictable.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re anxious, but these things take time, Jocelyn reassured her parents. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. A good


    match won¡¯t pass us by¡±


    Calvin and Daisy, not wanting to overwhelm their daughter, let the conversation naturally shift.


    ¡°Your aunt called me yesterday,¡± Daisy shared ¡°she said Quinta and Damian had another fight the other


    day and even wanted a divorce.¡±


    What happened this time?¡± Jocelyn asked, surprised


    ¡°It¡¯s Damian¡¯s ex-wife again. Your aunt was in tears over it,¡± Daisy said and sighed. ¡°It¡¯s a tough


    situation When Quinta started dating Damian, she knew it would be quite a challenge to be one¡¯s


    stepmother. Now she can¡¯t have her child, and Damian¡¯s mother is making a fuss.¡±


    Quinta was ready for IVF, but Damian hesitated. She wasn¡¯t the one to me¡± Jocelyn never


    understood why pre-marriage issues recurfaced to cause strife.


    ¡°its expensive.¡± Daisymented. ¡®Some spend a fortune without sess. It¡¯s a heavy burden, both


    financially and emotionally.¡±


    After leaving her parents¡¯ house, Jocelyn took a taxi back to her apartment. Her mother¡¯s words


    lingered in her mind. She realized it had been a while since she¡¯d seen Quintas tweets.


    herlife so busy, she hadn¡¯t checked in with Quinta.


    hat did mariage mean for a wortan?


    Jocelyn pondered this as she rode home.


    With those trivial things of living together, could two people truly sustain a loving rtionship?


    Quinta seemed to radiant in love and sweetened by its promise when she first dated Damian. And what


    then?


    Outside the taxi window, the sky began to weep with rain.


    ¡°It¡¯s starting to pour¡± the driver noted, breaking the silence


    The heavy rain brought Jocelyn back to the present, noticing the droplets sttering against the ss


    Soon, the streets glistened with wetness, and the rain intensified


    ¡°Man, it¡¯sing down.¡± the driver muttered before his phone rang


    Jocelyn overheard his conversation it was his wife, calling with concern


    Till go home after thisst fare he assured her loudly ¡°Go ahead and eat with our son Don¡¯t wait up Get


    to bed early. You know you ye been under the weather Alright, gotta go


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    After hanging up, he grumbled. She always has to call


    Jocelyn sensed no real annoyance in his voice Being cared for was a blessing


    As night descended, the world outside seemed lonely in the streetlights.


    Approaching her apartment Jocelyn spotted a familiar Porsche parked outside


    He had left once, yet here he was again.


    At that moment, the calm she had found at her parents¡¯ home tightened into a knot once more


    The taxi stopped, and Jocelyn took a deep breath With her bag raised as a makeshift umbre, she


    dashed into the rain and sprinted toward her apartment building


    The moment Jocelyn burst through the door, the Porsche¡¯s door opened Without daring to nce back,


    she rushed into the elevator


    Shaking the rain off her coat, she arrived home and quickly had a hot cocoa before walking to the


    balcony


    The rain was relentless, a heavy downpour that turned everything outside into a blur of white


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes involuntarily drifted downward There stood Melvin next to his car, drenched by the


    unyielding ram


    He looked so isted, pitiful even


    What on earth was he trying to do?


    Her heart fluttered. The rain showed no sign of letting up, and neithe did Melvin show any intention of


    leaving.


    Was this some quilt trip?


    What was the point?


    Suddenly, a knock on the door sent a shiver down Jocelyn¡¯s spine. She half expected Melvin to have


    come up


    But how could it be him if he hadn¡¯t moved an inch?


    She opened the door to find her neighbor, Rose


    ¡°Jocelyn, is that your boyfriend downstairs? I saw his car parked for quite a while, and now he¡¯s


    standing out there in the ram Did you two fight? Even if you fought, you can¡¯t leave him hanging out


    there like that if he catches a cold, it¡¯ll be trouble for you, Rose said.


    Jocelyn was embarrassed.


    Rose shook her head and added, ¡°Whatever it is, you¡¯ve got to sit down and work it out Problems are


    to be solved, night? Go on. Give hirm an umbre, at least, and bring him up here. If he had a fever or


    something worse, you would have even more to deal with


    Deep down, Jocelyn thought Melvin was ying the sympathy card a bit too hard putting on a show


    that was sure to tug at the heartstrings of any onlooker

 Chapter 108

    Chapter 108


    The relentless rain showed no sign of abating as Jocelyn grabbed her umbre and headed to the


    elevator.


    As she waited, her mind wandered to Melvin.


    ¡°I have a new boyfriend. What business do I have worrying about an ex?¡± she thought, ¡°And how can I


    justify this to Harrison?¡±


    The elevator arved With the hesitation causing a moment¡¯s dy, the doors closed again before


    Jocelyn could enter.


    Finally, Jocelyn called Preston, telling his mother toe and get Melvin home. She didn¡¯t leave any


    room for small talk and returned to her apartment immediately after she made the call.


    She peeked through the curtains at the figure outside from her bedroom window November had


    brought a biting cold, and the rain seemed to intensify the man¡¯s misery as if it was seeking sympathy


    for him.


    The proud Melvin was a soaked shadow of his former self, standing helplessly in the downpour


    ncing at the clock, Jocelyn realized it had been over fifteen minutes since she called Preston, but


    there was no sign of any approaching car Had his family truly abandoned him?


    She tried calling Preston again, only to be met with the robotic tone of his voicemail.


    Jocelyn frowned deeply, questioning the heartlessness of Melvin¡¯s family


    Without Zephyr¡¯s number to call for help, Jocelyn didn¡¯t know whom to turn to


    The sound of rain beating against the leaves outside and the sight of Melvinpletely drenched


    finally broke her resolve, and she picked up her umbre once more and left the apartment


    Stepping out of the elevator, a st of cold air hit her Jocelyn wrapped her coat tighter around herself,


    opened her umbre, and approached Melvin.


    He looked worse than a drowned rat, his skin pale and his


    lips colorless. His eyes, once lively, were staring at Jocelyn with a dim,


    pleading intensity


    As she drew closer, his gaze briefly flickered.


    Jocelyn held the umbre over his head, the rain pounding loudly on the fabric.


    ¡°Have you had enough of this charade?¡± she raised her voice to ensure he could hear her through the


    noise.


    Melvin¡¯s face was all with rain, and as it flowed down his cheeks and off his chin, a twisted smile


    appeared on his lips. ¡°You still care about me, he said, amusement in his eyes


    Jocelyn was speechless


    His maniptive behavior convinced her she shouldn¡¯t have given in to sentiment. His family didn¡¯t


    care, and why should she? It wasn¡¯t her ce to worry, even if something happened to him.


    ¡°Stay out here if you must Jocelyn dered, ready to leave him to his devices


    As she turned to leave, Melvin¡¯s cold hand suddenly grasped hers. His touch was icy, chilling her to the


    bone.


    Jocelyn turned back, ring at his hand. She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.


    ¡°I¡¯m cold,¡± Melvin said, punctuating his statement with a sneeze


    Jocelyn frowned. Then why don¡¯t you go inside?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m soaking wet he replied, his voice faint, perhaps muffled by the heavy rain.


    ¡°No one made you stand out here.¡± Jocelyn said, avoiding his eyes, which resembled those of an


    abandoned stray dog without a haven. Suddenly, Melvin let go of her hand and looked down. ¡°Go back


    inside. Don¡¯t worry about me,¡± he said, stepping away from her umbre.


    Jocelyn was both amused and frustrated by his antics. ¡°What¡¯s this supposed to be?¡±


    She bit her lip, gazing at him. ¡°I called Preston over fifteen minutes ago. He knows you¡¯re out here.


    Your sister probably knows, too. But they didn¡¯te.¡±


    ¡®If you got sick by standing out here, I wouldn¡¯t be responsible. So¡­ Jocelyn took out her phone. ¡°I


    might as well call your fiancee toe get you¡±


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


    She had received a message from Willow once, unsigned, but she knew it must be from her.


    Before she could make the coll, her phone was suddenly wet.


    elvin had taken it


    The message was clear.


    [Thanks for being with Melvin these three years. From now on, you have nothing to do with him.]


    Melvin scrutinized the message, his eyes narrowing. He never knew Willow had sent such a text to


    Jocelyn.


    ¡°Give me back my phone,¡± Jocelyn demanded.


    While standing in the rain. Melvin¡¯s face was wet with rainwater and he looked her in the eyes. There¡¯s


    nothing between me and Willow


    ¡°Is that so? Jocelyn shook her head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter anymore¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter? Melvin¡¯s voice hardened, and his grip on the phone tightened. ¡°You can just decide it


    doesn¡¯t matter? To you, am I just a toy you toss aside when you grow tired of?¡±


    Jocelyn thought he had lost his mind.


    She didn¡¯t want to argue it was pointless


    ¡°Give me my phone,¡± she said calmly. ¡°Stand in the rain if you want, but I won¡¯t meddle anymore. After


    all, you have nothing to do with


    me now¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s


    is words seemed to ignite a fire in Melvin¡¯s chest. He could feel that she was serious this time. She


    didn¡¯t want him anymore!


    Jocelyn wrestled her phone back and walked away without a backward nce.


    As she reached the entrance of the building, she heard a ssh behind her. Turning, she saw Melvin


    copsed on the ground.


    At the hospital, Jocelyn called Preston, but his phone was off


    Standing at the door, Jocelyn debated whether to call Willow. A momentter, she decided to let Willow


    know


    The phone rang several times before someone answered it


    ¡°Who is this?


    Td like to speak to Willow


    ¡°She¡¯s busy, the voice replied, and the phone clicked dead.


    Jocelyn called back, only to be cut off after two rings.


    She was speechless


    Inside the room, Melvin was on IVs. The doctor said his fever had spiked to 104 degrees. He was still


    weak from a recent surgery, and if his condition continued, it could be dire


    Jocelyn felt no pity thinking that he had brought this upon himself.


    She stood beside his bed, looking at the man, who appeared visibly gaunt. She wondered what could


    be going through his mind.


    She¡¯d ask a doctor to check his head for the hidden illness if she could.


    It was past ten at night. Thankfully, it was the weekend the following day.


    Jocelyn¡¯s phone buzzed with a call from Harrison, startling her. She quickly turned down the volume


    before the ring could wake the man sprawled across the bed Slipping into the hallway, she pressed the


    phone to her ear


    ¡°You up?¡± Harrison¡¯s voice came through tinged with longing


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m awake.¡±


    ¡°Can we FaceTime? I¡¯m missing you,¡± he said, expressing his feelings in the quiet night.


    A pause hung in the air as Jocelyn hesitated. Each word to Harrison felt like a betrayal now


    He caught on to her silence instantly. ¡°Bad time?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ at the hospital.


    ¡°You okay? Something wrong?¡± Concemced his voice,ing through in a rush.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay¡± Jocelyn hurried to exin. ¡°It¡¯s just a friend¡­ He had surgery recently, got caught in the rain


    today, came down with a fever, and passed out. Can¡¯t reach his family, so I¡¯m the only one here¡±


    Retief washed over Hamson on hearing she was okay. ¡°It¡¯ste. You should try to get some rest, too.¡±


    Yesh


    After a soft murmur of agreement, Jocelyn was at a loss for words.


    Guilt gnawed at her She¡¯d agreed to be Hamson¡¯s girlfriend, yet she was still meeting up with her ex. It


    was a mora! slip she couldn¡¯t justy, especially after what happened of the day. The shame was


    palpable as if the miles between them were nothing, and just the


    sound of his voice was enough to remind her of her disgrace.

 Chapter 109

    Chapter 109


    Jocelyn reluctantly retraced to the hospital room. She shouldn¡¯t be there anymore.


    Unable to contact anyone else, she hesitantly picked up Melvin¡¯s phone. It was unlocked with facial


    recognition.


    She held the phone up to his face, but it didn¡¯t unlock with his eyes closed After a failed attempt, it


    prompted her to enter a password:


    Frowning, she had no idea what his password could be.


    Locked out and unable to reach anyone, she was at her wits end.


    Noticing the IV drip was almost empty, she called a nurse to help switch it out.


    ¡°When will he wake up?¡±


    ¡°His fever¡¯s dropped a bit He should be sleeping now.¡±


    The nurse left after changing the medication and checking the IV in his hand.


    Jocelyn saw Melvin¡¯s hand resting outside the covers and moved to tuck it in. The bite mark on his


    hand hadn¡¯t faded. The scar was faint, and she wondered if it would ever disappear


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    He once said he was still her man as long as the bite mark remained.


    How ludicrous those words seemed.


    Swallowing the sourness rising in her throat, she tried not to dwell on the past. She gently called out,


    ¡°Melvin?¡± But the man showed no signs of waking


    She patted his arm ¡°Melvin?


    There was no response.


    With a sigh, Jocelyn decided to step out and try to find Zephyr¡¯s or Yara¡¯s numbers, which she would


    have to look up on hispany¡¯s website


    A weak grip suddenly held her wrist as she was about to leave.


    She turned to see Melvin¡¯s eyes faintly open, his gaze fragile.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± Jocelyn turned back, swiped his face with the phone again, and stepped back so he


    couldn¡¯t reach it.


    ¡°What are you doing? Melvin¡¯s voice was so feeble.


    Ignoring his question, Jocelyn saw the wallpaper on his main screen, and her breath caught. It was a


    photo she had taken of his back during a stroll, tweeted with a caption that felt like she had the world.


    She never expected him to have kept that photo and set it as his wallpaper. The image had shattered


    her fragileposure, her eyes brimming with tears that she didn¡¯t dare let him see.


    ¡°Give me my phone,¡± Melvin demanded, his tone weak but tinged with unease and anger. He felt like


    his secret had been exposed.


    Turning away to hide her tears, Jocelyn found his contacts and said, ¡°It¡¯s toote at night. I¡¯m calling


    someone to stay with you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone to watch over me!¡±


    But Jocelyn had already dialed Zephyr¡¯s number.


    ¡°Jocelyn! If you so much as¡­¡± Melvin¡¯s protest was cut off as the call went through, but no one


    answered.


    She tned Yannick¡¯s number next but got nothing


    It was as if they had all vanished.


    What on earth was going on?


    ¡°Jocelyn!¡± Melvin¡¯s anger was palpable, though his weakness took the edge off his voice.


    Determined, Jocelyn dialed Yara¡¯s number


    Meanwhile, at Melvin¡¯s family home, a group of people sat around, all their eyes locked on the coffee


    table where several phonesy One screen lit up with ¡°Boss¡± shing across it


    ¡°Yasmine, are we doing the right thing? Zephyr nced at the phones with dismay.


    Swirling her wine ss, Yasmine appeared unconcerned about her brother receiving IV fluids in the


    hospital


    wrong with that? You all have lousy taste,¡± she scolded Zephyr ¡°You don¡¯t see how great Jocelyn is,


    and you cozy up to Willow me tell you something. As long as frn around, Willow and Melvin won¡¯t be


    together. Make sure you¡¯re on the right side¡±


    Zeptwr and Yannick exchanged fooks, knowing to tread carefully around Yasmine¡¯s temper


    ¡°Yazmine, we¡¯re not picking sides. Willow and Melvin have a long history. There¡¯s something we can¡¯t


    control. Melvin still cares about Willow¡± Yannick ventured cautiously


    ¡°What history? There¡¯s no history Yasmine¡¯s voice rose sharply


    Zephyr shot Yannick a warning nce. If only he knew when to keep quiet.


    He hastily calmed Yasmine. ¡°Yasmine, take it easy. Preston is still asleep. Let¡¯s not wake him.¡±


    Yasmine calmed down and red at them, warning. ¡°Mark my words I don¡¯t care how close you are to


    Willow, whom I can never get along with Get out of my house if you feel sorry for her!¡±


    Zephyr stepped in to chill Yasmine and ttered. ¡°Pleasel Yasmine, we are all on your side. We¡¯ll do as


    you said¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d better sol Yasmine settled down, her eyes darting to the silent phones,


    Yara, the quiet observer, finally spoke up. ¡°If Jocelyn can¡¯t reach us, she might turn to Willow¡±


    That thought struck a nerve with Yasmine, and the wine lost its appeal


    ¡°Why does she have to be so generous?¡± Yasmine muttered irritably. ¡°It¡¯s all because of Melvin¡¯s


    foolishness, ying the victim now that he¡¯s lost his woman¡±


    Zephyr and Yannick remained silent, not daring to add fuel to the fire.


    Unable to get through to anyone. Jocelyn could do nothing but call Willow.


    ¡°Jocelyn¡± Melvin, funous, managed to sit up. He knew what she was nning to do ¡°Give me the damn


    phone back!¡±


    I¡¯ve called your girlfriend, but her assistant picked up. She said she was too busy and hung up on me,¡±


    Jocelyn exined. ¡°She might make some time for you if I called her from your phone, no matter how


    busy she is.¡±


    Jocelyn, if you dare to make that call, I¡­ His threatening words got stuck in his throat as he saw the


    faint redness rimming her eyes.


    It wasn¡¯t easy for Jocelyn, but she had to do this


    She had already let Hamson down. She didn¡¯t want to make any more mistakes


    Even if she continued to err, the answer would always be wrong. It could never be right again.


    Melvins eyes also reddened with emotion, a plea evident within them.


    Jocelyn gripped the phone tightly, fighting the odd sensation in her heart, striving to keep her voice


    steady. ¡°I can¡¯t be here with you.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Melvins Adam¡¯s apple bobbed after he asked, already knowing the answer but unwilling to


    ept it


    How could she be so heartless? He was already in such a mess, and how could she not feel pity?


    She wasn¡¯t like this before


    In the past, whenever she wanted a break up with him, all he had to do was show some affection, and


    she would light up like a kid with a new candy


    Why couldn¡¯t he win her back this time?


    Inside, he felt more panicked than he ever did in Berry City.


    Jocelyn forced a smile. ¡°Because I have to be devoted to my boyfriend now


    Her attempt at a lighthearted tone and her candid smile twisted the knife deeper into Melvin¡¯s heart

 Chapter 110

    Chapter 110


    Jocelyn stared at the name Willow¡¯ on the screen, her heart aching with every beat


    Never in her wildest dreams had Jocelyn imagined that she would be using the phone of the man she


    loved to call the person she envied and despised. The bitter irony was that Jocelyn would call her to


    look after the man she cherished deeply.


    Suddenly, the man in the hospital bed jerked upright, ripping the IV from the back of his hand. He


    staggered to his feet and lunged for the phone in Jocelyn¡¯s grasp.


    Startled by his actions. Jocelyn dropped the call as Melvin snatched the phone from her hands.


    Melvin clutched the phone tightly, sitting on the edge of the bed, panting heavily. Blood oozed from the


    puncture wound on his hand, tracing a crimson line down his arm


    In shock, Jocelyn stood frozen, uncertain of what to do next.


    Her gaze fell upon the fallen needle, and Jocelyn finally snapped out of her daze. ¡°I¡¯ll go get the nurse,¡±


    she said and hurried out of the


    TOOM


    As she left, Melvin, still d in his hospital gown and with a face as cold as ice, stumbled out of the


    room, his mind hazy but driven by the sharp pain in his chest


    Leaning against the wall for support, Melvin moved in unsteady steps


    Jocelyn returned with the nurse only to find Melvin in this wretched state. She rushed to him. ¡°What are


    you doing?¡± she demanded.


    ¡°None of your business, Melvin snapped, shrugging off her touch with a look as frosty as his words.


    Jocelyn was shoved aside, taking a deep breath to hold back her frustration. She followed him again,


    pleading, ¡°Can you stop being so stubborn? You¡¯re sick!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your concern even if I die!¡± Melvin red at her, his eyes red with anger. ¡°You¡¯d probably


    prefer it that way. Once I¡¯m gone, you can live happily ever after with him.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s brow furrowed. That¡¯s a separate issue¡±


    To me, it¡¯s the same thing.¡± Melvin scoffed. Go be devoted to him. I don¡¯t need your pretense.¡±


    The nurse, catching the tense exchange, interrupted, ¡°Whatever is going on, could you just appease


    him for now? He still has a fever. Leaving the hospital is suicide.


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind was a whirlwind of confusion.


    Once again, she reached for Melvin¡¯s hand. ¡°Can you stop this nonsense? Do you want to ruin your


    health?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care anymore,¡± Melvin dered firmly ¡°It¡¯s not like anyone else does.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless


    He was being utterly unreasonable


    Part of her wanted to harden her heart and leave him to his fate. Why should she bother herself on


    such ate night? She could walk away and wash her hands off the whole mess


    But when she saw the blood on his hand and his weakened state, her resolve melted.


    *Please, just listen, Jocelyn coaxed, her patience wearing thin.


    Melvin suddenly stopped and stared silently at her ¡°Why should I listen to you? Are you my girl? I only


    listen to my girlfriend¡±


    Jocelyn swallowed hard, reminding herself not to argue with a sick man.


    The nurse, eavesdropping, felt a mix of pity and annoyance.


    He was a grown man but acting like a child


    It was clear from their interaction that Jocelyn had dumped Melvin, and he was ying a twisted game


    to win her back


    Though, to hold onto someone, this wasn¡¯t the right way to go about it.


    ¡°Sir, you¡¯re still running a fever, the nurse intervened, unable to stand by any longer. ¡°Continuing like


    this could cause serious damage. Melvin ignored the nurse and fixed his gaze on Jocelyn


    He wanted to know how cold-hearted she could be, whether she could leave him behind.


    what if he was being unreasonable? He was determined to cling to her


    The thought of her embracing another man made his blood boil.


    knew he was being difficult. His eyes bore into her like a wild lion to poor and devour her.


    seemed to want to toy with her first.


    Turning away, Jocelyn approached the nurse¡¯s station, borrowed a pen and paper, and scribbled


    Preston¡¯s phone number. She handed it to the nurse. ¡°Please, if there¡¯s an emergency, call this number.


    It¡¯s his nephew¡¯s. You can reach the patient¡¯s sister.¡±


    And him?¡± the nurse asked, ncing at the broken man slumped against the wall, looking hot but bitter.


    Then, she asked again, ¡°Are you sure you want to leave him like that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m out,¡± Jocelyn admitted awkwardly.


    Without another word, she left.


    As the nurse went to assist Melvin, who had slumped to the floor, she couldn¡¯t help but call out to the


    departing woman. But this time, Jocelyn didn¡¯t look back.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes remained fixed on the corridor, growing dull as Jocelyn¡¯s figure went out of sight.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    The nurse helped Melvin back to his room and reinserted the IV.


    She could only pity him.


    He must have hurt that woman deeply, or she wouldn¡¯t have walked away so decisively


    ¡°I tried calling the number, the nurse mentioned gently. ¡°It was off. Do you have any other contacts?¡±


    ¡°Call her,¡± Melvin insisted stubbornly.


    The woman who just left?


    Surprised, the nurse hesitated, but under Melvin¡¯s insistent gaze, she eventually phoned Jocelyn.


    The call connected


    ¡°Hello, this is the emergency department at the hospital. Your friend isn¡¯t cooperating with his


    treatment, and he¡¯s in bad shape. Could you possiblye and talk to him?¡±


    Jocelyn sat in the back of a cab, recognizing the voice


    The rain had eased, the night was quiet, and she had had enough of it


    ¡°Let him be,¡± Jocelyn said and hung up.


    She knew Melvin¡¯s mind games well. He was sick in more ways than one, possessive and obsessive to


    the core.


    Just the thought of his reckless disregard for his life gave her a headache.


    Why hadn¡¯t she seen his true colors before?


    She needed to talk to Willow and ask her to take care of him properly.


    Back home and freshly showered, it was well past 1 AM, but sleep eluded her like a sly fox in the dark.


    She scrolled through her phone gallery until that one photo caught her eye.


    It was the selfie she had cajoled Melvin into taking, the one she had wanted to tweet, but he tly


    refused


    From the get-go, she had danced to his tune.


    Whatever he said went, and out of her love for him, she always considered his wishes, setting her


    compass by his bearings.


    But now, she was done being led around by the nose and letting him sour her mood.


    As she stared at the photo, mixed emotions surged within her. Hesitantly, she tapped on the ¡®delete¡¯


    option and then, with a flick of finality, tossed it into the trash¡¯ folder.


    One by one, she purged all the pictures of him from her phone.


    She also mustered the energy to dig out all the gifts he¡¯d given her and packed them up. With a few


    taps on her phone, she arranged for a courier to pick up the package in the morning.


    Afterpleting her purge, she sat on her bed, her gaze flitting around the room, her fingers brushing


    against the bed sheets.


    Right, the bedding had to go, too


    These sheets had felt his weight and cradled his form. They were also part of a past Jocelyn was ready


    tounder away.

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    Chapter 111


    Jocelyn rummaged through the closet, realizing he had used all the bedding. She¡¯d have to buy new


    ones when dawn broke.


    As shey down, her hand identally brushed something under the pillow where he used to sleep. A


    sinking feeling told her what it was before she saw it, Indeed, it was a box of condoms they hadn¡¯t


    used.


    He had hidden something like that behind the headboard.


    Grabbing it with disgust and disbelief, Jocelyn tossed it into the trash can. She was determined to


    purge her space of everything that reminded her of him.


    Eventually, she thought every piece of furniture would have to go


    But the problem was that he was once in this house. Everyer was a shadow of their past


    happiness.


    Slumping against the bed, Jocelyn scratched at the hardwood floor, overwhelmed. The more she tried


    to scrub away the memories, the fresher they flooded her mind like a deluge


    The joy of being with someone you love, sharing the most intimate moments, living and sleeping


    together was blissful.


    But even if she could erase all traces of him from her home, how could she erase him from her mind?


    She thought of the bite mark on the back of his hand, his words, and the way he used their photo as a


    screen photo.


    Jocelyn clutched at her chest, and her heart ached unbearably.


    The next day, a call woke Jocelyn up in the afternoon


    Squinting at her phone, she saw it was Harrison calling. She forced herself to sit up, patted her face to


    wake up, and answered


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± he asked casually


    ¡°Just napping,¡± she lied. In truth, after ate night, she had skipped breakfast and lunch.


    ¡°Did I wake you? Harrison asked cautiously.


    ¡°No, I should be getting up anyway. Jocelyn ruffled her hair, got out of bed, and drew back the curtains.


    The sunlight was almost blinding, nothing like the expected downpour.


    It was as if the old saying was true. ¡°After the stormes a rainbow.¡±


    Though there was no rainbow, the sunshine was a fresh start.


    ¡°Got any ns for today?¡± Harrison asked casually


    ¡°Til sell some old stuff and might hit a home decor store,¡± Jocelyn replied, heading to the bathroom,


    switching the call on speaker while


    she brushed her teeth.


    ¡°Thinking of redecorating?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. She didn¡¯t avoid the topic, brushing lightly.


    Harrison was silent briefly before he asked, ¡°Ever thought about moving?¡±


    Jocelyn spit out the toothpaste. ¡°Not really. I still owe on this ce.¡±


    buy it, Harrison suggested. I¡¯ll being to Yanova City for business now and then, needing a ce to


    crash.¡±


    Jocelyn paused, ¡°You¡¯re hardly here long enough to justify buying a house. A hotel works fine. There¡¯s


    no need to keep a ce empty¡±


    ¡°You live there,¡± Harrison said bluntly. Consider it the start of our life together I¡¯ll feel more secure


    knowing you¡¯re at home. It also gives me a greater sense of responsibility, reminding me I have a home


    and someone waiting for me.¡±


    Jocelyn was stunned.


    Home?


    Something she¡¯d longed for, and he wasying it out in front of her, ready for the taking if she agreed


    They were both clever enough to know what the other was thinking


    Too many shadows of that other man lingered in this house. If they were to take things further, it might


    unsettle anyone.


    Jocelyn?¡± Harrison¡¯s voice was soft, pulling her from her thoughts


    She moistened her lips. ¡°You¡¯re not in Yanova often. Let¡¯s table the house talk for now¡±


    It felt too soon for such a big step


    Morrison didn¡¯t press her. ¡°Okay.¡±


    something to do now Talkter?¡±


    After hanging up, Jocelyn stared at her reflection. Her face was devoid of a smile, herplexion not


    the best. She gondy pressed around her swollen eyes.


    After freshening up, she put on light makeup, changed clothes, and gathered the items she¡¯d nned


    to return to Melvin into a bag before heading out


    Downstairs, Melvin¡¯s car was still there. She felt something deep down when she saw his things, but


    she looked away and walked on


    She sold the jewelry at a pawn shop, not caring much for the amount, then donated the money to a


    charity focused on poverly alleviation and education


    The substantial sur surprised the charity¡¯s manager, who asked for her contact details to keep her


    informed about the students helped by her donation.


    Instead, Jocelyn left Melvin¡¯s contact. After all, it was his money. She might as well do some good with


    it


    Lighter in spirit. Jocelyn then hailed a cab to a home goods store to pick out new bedding She left the


    store with two sets, only to find Melvin¡¯s sleek Porsche blocking her path.


    She nced at it and tried to walk around, but the car door swung open, and out stepped Melvin,


    dressed in a hospital gown, grabbing


    hold of her hand.


    ¡°Let go!¡± Jocelyn was shocked by his restlessness for having driven there in his hospital gown.


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    Melvin¡¯s face, gaunt and intense, his eyes deep and foreboding, gripped her hand tightly, his recovery


    seemingly having done nothing to


    soften him.


    Withoutpassion, his grip was painful and unyielding


    He tried to force her into the car, causing a scene that drew onlookers due to his attire and the shy


    car


    ¡°Let go, or I¡¯ll scream!¡± Jocelyn protested, her belongings scattered on the ground, resisting the pull into


    the car


    Suddenly, Melvin roared, ¡°Do you even have a heart?¡±


    That shout seemed to silence the world.


    Jocelyn stared at him, terrified by the man who seemed more monster than human.


    Even though it was near evening, the area around the home goods store was bustling. Melvin¡¯s


    hospital gown was already odd, but his gnp on Jocelyn made a spectacle that was hard to ignore.


    Jocelyn cared about her dignity.


    Jocelyn watched as Melvin¡¯s eyes turned in anger, the veins nearly popping out of his temples. She


    didn¡¯t want to incite his fury further, fearing he might do something drastic. With no other choice, she


    reluctantly followed him inside.


    ¡°My stuff,¡± Jocelyn remembered, referring to the pricey bedding set she had splurged on.


    Melvin scooped it up and tossed it into the back seat, mming the car door with more force than


    necessary.


    Inside the car, Melvin was still breathing heavily. Jocelyn wasn¡¯t sure what was going on with him


    physically. She was worried he wasn¡¯t thinking straight and could spell disaster for both of them if he


    lost control of the vehicle..


    She didn¡¯t dare argue with him during the drive, hoping his mood would stabilize. She had no desire to


    share any more pain with him, physical or otherwise.


    When they arrived at the base of her apartment building, he parked the car with precision, unfastened


    his seat belt, and got out.


    He didn¡¯t forget to retrieve her purchases, striding into the building as if he owned the ce.


    Jocelyn understood his intentions well. He was nning to stick around


    Uncertain of how long Melvin¡¯s madness wouldst, Jocelyn texted Preston before she got out of the


    car, pleading with him to find some way to get Melvin out of there. She warned she wouldn¡¯t be


    stepping in to help if anything went awry.


    With a heavy heart, she exited the car and headed home, where Melvin stood waiting by the elevator.

 Chapter 112

    Chapter 112


    Standing beside Jocelyn was the ever-observant Rose, who hade earlier to remind her about


    something. When she caught sight of Melvin in his hospital gown, Rose couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Jocelyn,


    why¡¯s he still in his hospital gown? Did he bolt from the clinic? That¡¯s cilly He might be worse off if he¡¯s


    stilt sick and out and about.¡±


    Rose meant well with her concern, but Melvin stood there, stone-faced, not uttering a word, leaving


    Rose in an awkward silence.


    Jocelyn mustered a strained smile. ¡°He came to grab a few things.¡±


    Rose was no fool. After seeing Melvin caught in the rain the other day, she suspected the lovebirds had


    hit a rough patch,nding poor Melvin in the hospital.


    Ah, the impulsiveness of young love.


    The elevator door opened, and Melvin stepped out, pausing at the doorway and turning back to wait for


    Jocelyn to unlock the apartment door.


    Jocelyn had decided to clear out every trace of him, but he tried to step back into her life.


    She couldn¡¯t oust him, not with the state of mind he was in. She had no chance against his stubborn


    resolve


    Reluctantly, she opened the door, and Melvin walked in.


    Shedding the slippers he¡¯d worn from the hospital, he looked for his own in the shoe cab but found


    only hers. His slippers were


    gone


    He tumed to Jocelyn, who understood his silent question and stated, ¡°I threw them out.¡±


    Predictably, his eyes darkened with that answer.


    Barefoot, he moved to the bathroom. His cup and toothbrush were gone, as was his towel. Everything


    that was his had vanished.


    He pressed on to the bedroom, opening the wardrobe to discover that all the clothes he¡¯d left at her


    ce were missing.


    Even the bedside drawer held no trace of the condoms he¡¯d kept there for convenience¡¯s sake.


    It hit him then that she had been out shopping for bedding.


    The frustration nearly knocked the wind out of him.


    Facing Jocelyn, who stood outside the bedroom, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed with barely contained fury.


    ¡°nning to make room for your new boyfriend, huh?¡± he asked, his voice hoarse, perhaps still


    affected by his cold.


    Jocelyn knew his temper was a ticking bomb. She couldn¡¯t manage his moods, so she focused on


    keeping her steady.


    ¡°We broke up,¡± she said calmly.


    Melvin¡¯s chest heaved, and he fixed her with a steely gaze. Then, with a chilling smile, he said, ¡°As


    long as I¡¯m here, do you think you¡¯ll be happy together with any other guy?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s breath hitched. She knew he wouldn¡¯t be easy to let go.


    She managed to stay calm and said peacefully, ¡°What¡¯s the point of sticking around? To make me


    suffer? Or you can¡¯t stand it when you see I¡¯m happy with others?¡±


    ¡°You made me suffer and must suffer like I do.¡± Melvin was stubborn. ¡°You can date that guy if you


    want. I don¡¯t give it a shit Just one more person has to suffer.¡±


    Her patience was thinning. She never realized how obsessive he could be


    In another era, with any measure of power, he would have been the type to execute rather than risk


    letting an enemy go.


    Struggling to maintain herposure, Jocelyn knew that if she lost her temper, all hell would break


    loose.


    Nothing she said would matter.


    Melvin had cleared that he would drag her down if he were unhappy.


    She turned and returned to the living room, heading to the kitchen, refusing to waste more words on


    him.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    She cooked spaghetti and took them to the dining table, ignoring Melvinpletely


    He followed and watched as she ate.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t leave a bite for me? Melvin said, his tone revealing the hurt of realizing how little he


    mattered to her.


    Jocelyn nced at him. ¡°I¡¯m out of grocenes, and you shouldn¡¯t be eating this junk, anyway.¡±


    thout a word, Melvin took the te with the leftovers and downed it, crumbs and all


    deeply.


    With a greasy sheen on his lips, he swallowed, cing the te back on her. ¡°Did I ever despise you?


    What right do you have to leave


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t know how to respond. Whatever she said, he¡¯d pretend not to understand.


    She stood up to wash the dishes.


    Melvin followed and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, his hot breath on her ear as he


    pleaded, ¡°Don¡¯t leave me, okay?¡±


    It was the first time he¡¯d ever spoken to her with such vulnerability.


    The plea was so intense that it almost made her forget every grievance, nearly coaxing her to nod in


    agreement.


    As before, whenever she was upset and ready to walk away, he had a way of effortlessly winning her


    back


    But Jocelyn didn¡¯t react. She didn¡¯t struggle and let him hold her.


    Til eventually leave you,¡± she said with calmness. ¡°Melvin, I¡¯m tired Even if we keep this up, it¡¯s only a


    matter of time before it ends. Do you want me to waste my best years on you only to be cast aside


    when I¡¯m old and withered?¡±


    Her questions were soft almost like sweet nothings, yet with every word, they cut sharply. The knife she


    wielded hurt her, too.


    She felt his body stiffen behind her, a sign her words had struck his nerve.


    ¡°How many years can I count on you? I don¡¯t want avish wedding, a mansion, or a sports car. All I


    want is stability and approval,¡± Jocelyn continued, her voice steady. ¡°And you can¡¯t give me those.


    You¡¯re obsessed with my body, and when you tire of it, you¡¯ll toss me aside no matter how much I cling.


    How will I face my family and my future then? She sensed his grip loosening and took the opportunity


    to pry his hands away gently


    Turning to face him, she looked up at his pale face and smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t predict what we¡¯ll be, but I


    hope you find someone who can stand by you unconditionally. I can¡¯t. I¡¯m an ordinary person doomed


    to ordinary endings.


    Breaking up is never as smooth as butter on toast, especially when two have intertwined like the vines


    in an old garden. It¡¯s like that favorite pair of jeans you¡¯ve worn into submission. Parting with them feels


    like leaving behind a piece of yourself. But once you let go. you¡¯ll realize there¡¯s nothing to miss, just


    the space for something new


    You¡¯ve just had surgery and got caught in the rain, for heaven¡¯s sake, Jocelyn leaned against the


    kitchen counter, her hands braced on the surface. She felt calm, almost serene, a smile ying on her


    lips as she spoke, ¡°We¡¯re not kids anymore. Take your health seriously. If you end up with a chronic


    illness, you¡¯re the one who¡¯s going to suffer.¡±


    Melvin, for once, didn¡¯t interrupt or argue back. He just quietly watched and listened to her.


    Since they had called it quits, this was the first time they had interacted so peacefully.


    Jocelyn figured that Melvin was just not ready to let go and that he hadn¡¯t expected her to be so


    determined.


    The clinging on was like swallowing a bitter pill for him. After all, Melvin didn¡¯t love her. It¡¯s a peculiar


    human trait not to love something yet not want anyone else to have it, even if it¡¯s rotting away. You


    don¡¯t just discard it on a whim.


    Jocelyn understood his psyche. He was a man caught in a trap, stubbornly stuck in a corner. All she did


    was pull him out of that corner It was up to him to walk away from it.

 Chapter 113

    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


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    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

 Chapter 114

    Chapter 114


    After dropping Preston off, Jocelyn let out a heavy sigh of relief.


    On a sudden craving for a drink, she hailed a cab and made her way to a hotel bar not for from the


    campus.


    Stepping inside, she immediately regretted it. Feelingmitted by the sheer fact of her presence, she


    mustered the courage to order the lightest alcoholic beverage they had. Sipping tentatively, she looked


    up to find a familiar face seated nearby ¨C Yasrnine.


    d in a sleeveless red gown, her long curly hair draped elegantly over her shoulders. With one hand


    swirling a ss of wine and the other holding a slim cigarette, she exuded the allure and sophistication


    of a woman seasoned by life¡¯splexities. Her demeanor was intoxicatingly feminine, and yet, there


    was an unapproachable chill to her like a blooming alpine rose, beautiful but solitary.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to strike up a conversation. Maybe it was the ambiance of the bar or her own


    restless state of mind, but the idea of sharing a drink with someone familiar didn¡¯t seem too bad Setting


    aside the fact that Yasmine was Melvin¡¯s sister, she seemed like someone worth getting to know


    Before Jocelyn could make a move, Yasmine nced her way Recognizing Jocelyn, Yasmine raised


    an eyebrow and approached with a smile, taking the seat next to her ¡°Didn¡¯t peg you as a bar goer,¡±


    she said, lifting her ss in greeting.


    *Just felt like having a drink,¡± Jocelyn admitted awkwardly. ¡°I¡¯m not great with alcohol¡±


    Yasmine chuckled, eyeing Jocelyn¡¯s choice. ¡°Baileys is definitely more your speed.¡±


    Jocelyn, not versed in spirits, nced at Yasmine¡¯s ss


    ¡°Vodka.¡± Yasmine offered. Im not fond of it either, but what¡¯s the point of drinking if it doesn¡¯t make you


    feel something?¡±


    Jocelyn sensed Yasmine was a woman with stories, her polished exterior briefly giving way to a hint of


    sorrow


    ¡°Preston¡¯s transferring schools,¡± Jocelyn blurted, fishing for conversation to avoid awkwardness.


    ¡°Yes, Melvin¡¯s handling it, Yasmine replied with a soft smile, ¡°You must know why¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s fingers fidgeted with her ss, feeling unsettled.


    ¡°I wanted him to attend a prestigious private school, but Melvin insisted his choice was better back


    then. Turns out, Preston¡¯s teacher is someone his uncle is fond of.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart fluttered uncontrobly.


    This time, he¡¯s really doing it for you, Yasmine said, sipping her drink. ¡°I never knew he had someone


    special. Always feared he¡¯d end up detached from desire and emotion. He¡¯s so inscrutable, always has


    been, and it¡¯s so frustrating.¡±


    Jocelyn bit her lip, clutching her ss, lost for words.


    Yasmine observed her ¡°He must have really messed up for you to want to end things. But it¡¯s as it


    should be. Even with all the genuine feelings in the world, it¡¯s not worth it if they can¡¯t warm a man¡¯s


    heart. Our sincerity isn¡¯t cheap, why waste it on one man?¡±


    With that, Yasmine drained her ss, her smile tinged with bitterness, and signaled the bartender for


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


    Jocelyn could tell that Yasmine was here to drown her sorrows. Nothing but love troubles could bring a


    woman to such a state.


    ¡°Easy on the drink, Jocelyn said, concerned as Yasmine drank like it was water.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Yasmine waved her off. ¡°I can hold my liquor.¡±


    Seeing that Yasmine was adamant, Jocelyn dropped it. Whatever was on Yasmine¡¯s mind must be


    serious to drive her to drink like this. ¡°Who¡¯s picking you upter?¡± Jocelyn checked the time, she had


    work in the morning


    Yasmine gestured dismissively. ¡°Go if you must Don¡¯t worry about me


    ¡°How could I not?¡± Jocelyn countered, noticing several men ncing their way Yasmine was too


    attractive and too drunk to be left alone.


    ¡°I¡¯m really okay.¡± Yasmine turned, flicking her hair flirtatiously. Her eyes sparkled with a seductive


    sorrow that could unsettle both men and women.


    Jocelyn, still concerned, took away Yasmine¡¯s empty ss. ¡°No more drinking.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, really,¡± Yasmine insisted, gently removing Jocelyn¡¯s hand. ¡°If you¡¯re worried, call Melvin for


    me.¡±


    Jocelyn froze.


    Yasmine smiled. ¡°You know, you haven¡¯t really let go of Melvin. True letting go isn¡¯t like this.¡±


    Jocelyns heart was in turmoil.


    ¡°Look at me drinking alone after divorcing him,¡± Yasmine¡¯s eyes held a deste look. ¡®Because I still


    love him.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless and saw the hint of tears in Yasmine¡¯s eyes.


    At that moment, she understood Yasmine¡¯s feelings ¨C love meant that even apart, one couldn¡¯t fully


    extract the other from their heart. Even if one manages to cut them out, the scar remains, indelible.


    Yasmine, slightly tipsy, her gaze hazy, said, ¡°Please call Melvin to pick me up¡±


    Jocelyn hesitated, but Yasmine reassured her with a smile. ¡°I can still dine with my ex-husband. A call


    from me, and he¡¯d show up. Love fades, but friendship remains, right? How could we erase every trace


    of our shared past? Without deep hatred, and with a history of love, how could we bear to be


    strangers?¡±


    With that, a single tear rolled down Yasmine¡¯s cheek.


    She wasn¡¯t just talking about Jocelyn, she was talking about herself.


    Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn knew she couldn¡¯t face Melvin. She couldn¡¯t even bear the idea of being


    just friends with him.


    She feared that friendship would only leave her wanting more


    As love still lingered, the desire to maintain a fnendshipced with flirtation was strong. It wasn¡¯t a


    physical yearning, but for her, more


    of a spiritual connection.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Jocelyn finally turned down Yasmine, ¡°you should call him. Once he gets here, I¡¯ll leave.¡±


    Yasmine looked at Jocelyn with surprise. ¡°You have no feelings left for him?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t afford to,¡± Jocelyn replied with a smile, ¡°I don¡¯t want to get sucked back in.¡±


    ¡°But have you ever really been free? Yasmine pressed.


    A sudden tightness gripped Jocelyn¡¯s chest.


    With a graceful wipe of a tear from her eye, Yasmine said, ¡°Those who let go easily never loved


    deeply.¡±


    She ordered another drink, sipping and crying simultaneously


    Jocelyn sat frozen, not moving an inch.


    She couldn¡¯t pinpoint the exact sentence that paralyzed her, but it felt like she was stuck in quicksand;


    the more she tried to climb out, the deeper she sank The suffocating feeling in her chest made her


    want to fight back.


    ncing at Yasmine¡¯s ss, she signaled the bartender to pour her one too


    Yasmine did not stop her.


    Jocelyn took only a small sip and immediately felt the burn in her throat. The alcohol was strong. That


    tiny sip seemed to set her whole body aze.


    She couldn¡¯t fathom how Yasmine managed to drink it.


    With just that small sip, Jocelyn¡¯s head felt heavy and ufortable.


    ¡°I need to go back,¡± Jocelyn regretted her impulsive action. She could have walked back clear-headed


    if she hadn¡¯t taken that sip. Now the room spun with double visions.


    Yasmine waved her off, then suddenly pointed behind Jocelyn, ¡°Perfect timing! Take her home, will


    you?¡±

 Chapter 115

    Chapter 115


    Jacelyn turned around and saw Melvin¡¯s icy face.


    What was once clear now doubled and blurred before her eyes


    She rubbed her eyes, but the more she rubbed, the more the images seemed to multiply


    He turned to Yasmine and asked, ¡°What¡¯s she been drinking?¡± Melvin¡¯s frown deepened as he watched


    Jocelyn stagger her way across


    the room.


    Yasmine just pointed to the half-empty ss of wine on the bar. ¡°Your little girl¡¯s all grown up now.¡±


    Melvin nced at the drink and scowled even more when he saw Jocelyn leaning on the bar, struggling


    to make her way outside, her hands grasping for anything to steady herself.


    2 22.35 2


    Just as her fingers were about totch onto a neer to the bar, Melvin quickly wrapped his arm


    around her, pulling her close for


    support


    As he smelled the scent of alcohol on her breath, his expression turned even darker. He looked back at


    Yasmine. ¡°Are you done?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. Just get her home,¡± Yasmine dismissed him with a wave, but added sternly,


    ¡°And don¡¯t you try anything funny.¡±


    Melvin, feeling Jocelyn fidget in his arms, grunted, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in someone else¡¯s girl.¡±


    Yasmine bluntly hit him with the truth ¡°Not interested, yet you¡¯re holding her pretty tight there, aren¡¯t


    you?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s face darkened further, and after a moment, he called up Yara toe and pick Yasmine up.


    Yara, luckily nearby, arved to find Melvin cradling Jocelyn in his arms. She wondered if the two had


    reconciled, but as an assistant, she knew better than to pry into her boss¡¯s personal life.


    ¡°Take Yasmine home,¡± Melvin ordered Yara before escorting Jocelyn out


    All the while, Jocelyn squirmed in Melvin¡¯s hold. She wanted no intimate contact with any man,


    especially not her ex


    Though she was dizzy, she remembered clearly that she had broken up with Melvin. Harrison was her


    boyfriend now.


    ¡°Stop moving''¡± Melvin¡¯s low growl by her ear startled her as they stepped outside.


    A st of cold air greeted them at the door, sending a shiver down Jocelyn¡¯s spine, which oddly helped


    sober her up a bit. But the aftereffects of the wine were potent, and she felt terrible all over.


    Even though her mind was clearer, her body still felt out of control.


    With a strong push, Jocelyn tried to free herself. ¡°Please, have some dignity.¡±


    Melvin released her, and as she stumbled forward, she instinctively reached out for something to break


    her fall. Melvin didn¡¯t move to help, just watched as she grabbed onto the front of his shirt to steady


    herself.


    After regaining her bnce with a heavy breath, she patted Melvin¡¯s chest, her movements not synced


    with her still foggy thoughts. ¡°Sorry,¡± she apologized, raising her hands to show she meant no more


    contact.


    Melvin silently observed her perform this act of contrition Jocelyn turned and tentatively took a step


    down the stairs, her upper body swaying precariously before finding her bnce.


    She knew too well what Yasmine had said. She had fallen once and was still wing her way out. She


    couldn¡¯t afford to sink any deeper.


    Upon taking thest step, she finally felt like she¡¯d be okay. But in her haste, she miscalcted, and


    her foot slipped. Her eyes widened


    as she stumbled forward.


    No arms came to catch her; no hands reached out to pull her back. She met the ground face-first, her


    chin scraping against the pavement, tears springing to her eyes from the sheer pain.


    Copsed on the ground with passersby looking on, not a single person moved to help her.


    Some hesitated, but upon seeing Melvin¡¯s imposing figure watching from the steps, they backed off.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Jocelyn¡¯s chin throbbed, her palms stung and her knees ached. It felt as though her entire body was


    wracked with pain.


    ¡°ying the hero? Wouldn¡¯t it be easier to just ept help when you need it?¡± Melvin¡¯s icy voice


    floated down to her.


    That did it. Stubbornness surged through Jocelyn, but before she could muster any strength, she was


    hoisted up


    Melvin scooped her into his arms, ignoring her defiant re. ¡°Hurts, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    She bit her lip, refusing to talk to him.


    ¡°Good, he said as he walked toward his car, where the valet promptly opened the door for him.


    He settled her into the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt. Seeing her pout, he offered a grim


    plece of advice, ¡°If you try to jump but, ask yourself which man would want to marry a woman with a


    broken arm or leg?¡±


    His words silenced Jocelyn¡¯s protests.


    Melvin drove in silence, his right hand on the wheel, his left holding a cigarette.


    The cool breeze from the open window seemed to soothe Jocelyn¡¯s aches. She watched the fleeting


    landscape outside when her phone began to ring from her bag


    Gingerly wiping her bloodied palms with a tissue, she pulled out her phone. It was Harrison.


    He would call or video chat every night unless it was toote, in which case he¡¯d leave a goodnight text


    for her to read in the morning.


    Harrison was attentive, and if not for the distance, Jocelyn knew they¡¯d be even happier. But there she


    was, seated in Melvin¡¯s car, feeling guilty


    She was determined to climb out of the quagmire that was Melvin.


    After a moment, she answered the call, her voice steady. ¡°Are you done for the night?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Have you gone to bed?¡± Hamson sounded tired


    ¡°Not yet.¡± Jocelyn replied, knowing he would suggest a video call next. ¡°I¡¯m out.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not home yet?¡±


    ¡°No, I went to my parents¡± for dinner.¡±


    ¡°What did you have? I¡¯ve been craving some meatloaf and grilled fish.¡±


    ¡°We had fried chicken and risotto, along with somefort food. I brought a student home for dinner,


    and he seemed to enjoy it too.¡± Jocelyn ignored Melvinpletely, chatting away with Harrison about


    the evening¡¯s events.


    Melvin eavesdropped with a mix of envy and imitation as Jocelyn softly chatted on the phone, sharing


    the mundane details of her day with the man on the other end. Each word was a delicacy he¡¯d never


    tasted with her, even now, amidst her own troubles, she managed to infuse such tenderness into her


    voice for that man.


    Why hadn¡¯t she ever spoken to him with that same softness?


    The way she spoke, her whole demeanor, it was as if they¡¯d been in love for years, as if they were a


    cozy, old marned couple exchanging banalities that somehow sounded endearing and loving.


    To hell with their lovey-dovey crap!


    Melvin¡¯s annoyance bubbled over at her gentle whispers. He reached out and cranked up the music,


    the aggressive beats of the car stereo drowning out her voice.


    ¡°Jocelyn, where are you? What¡¯s all that noise?¡± Harrison finally sensed something was off.


    Jocelyn could hardly hear him over the din and quickly hung up the call.


    She shot a re at the source of the chaos ¨C Melvin, and swiftly typed out a text to Harrison.


    With his mood soured, Melvin drove to the hospital, mming the car door with unnecessary force as


    he got out. When he flung open the passenger door, his face was twisted into a scowl that suggested


    he was ready to bury Jocelyn then and there.


    His gaze was icy as he stared her down.


    Jocelyn clutched her phone and purse with a twinge of fear, meeting his gaze.


    Melvin leaned in, snatched her phone and purse, and tossed them into the back seat. Then, he


    scooped her out of the car


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut it!¡± Melvin snapped, kicking the car door shut and carrying her into the emergency room with an


    ice-cold expression.

 Chapter 116

    Chapter 116


    Jocelyn¡¯s chin and palms were in pretty bad shape after her tumble, and the nurse had to wrap both


    her hands after tending to the


    wounds.


    Her knees were swollen too, but thankfully, there were no scrapes or breaks in the skin.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    ¡°Keep it dry and steer clear of spicy food, the nurse instructed as she packed up her kit. ¡°Change the


    dressing once a day as prescribed.¡±


    Jocelyn peered down at her bandaged hands, frowning. How on earth was she supposed to face


    school tomorrow looking like this?


    Before leaving, the nurse turned to Melvin. ¡°You¡¯ll need to look after her until her injuries heal, or it¡¯ll get


    infected. And no showers for a couple of days. You don¡¯t want to get those bandages wet.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned, wanting to rify her rtionship with Melvin to the nurse.


    But then she figured, what¡¯s the point? It¡¯s not like it mattered. They¡¯d naturally go their separate ways


    once they left.


    Melvin, on the other hand, nodded, grabbing the medications and ncing at Jocelyn.


    She was in a bit of pain, but she could still walk, albeit stiffly


    After all the chaos, the buzz from the drinks had worn off, and she was sober.


    Reaching out, she tried to take the bag of medicine from Melvin¡¯s hand. ¡°I can manage on my own.¡±


    This time, Melvin handed them over without a fuss.


    Jocelyn took the stic bag and suddenly she was lifted off her feet.


    She let out a yelp, but Melvin had already scooped her up.


    ¡°Put me down!¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t struggle; moving hurt too much.


    Melvin carried her out into the night, where it was now quiet and empty.


    ¡°What if you fall again? Melvin made it clear he wasn¡¯t going toply with her requests.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t dare to argue, simply letting him carry her out of the hospital.


    When they reached his car, he carefully set her down and opened the door.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need a ride. I¡¯ll get a taxi,¡± Jocelyn insisted. Remembering her purse and phone were in the


    back seat, she reached for the door to grab them.


    Melvin didn¡¯t stop her this time.


    Afraid he¡¯d change his mind, Jocelyn quickly hailed a taxi and got in.


    She couldn¡¯t help but look back, seeing Melvin still standing by the roadside.


    She turned away, her emotions a tangled mess.


    At the next red light, she nced back unintentionally, only to see Melvin¡¯s car trailing behind the taxi.


    Her heart skipped erratically.


    Melvin¡¯s car followed all the way to her apartment building, keeping a safe distance, never overtaking.


    When the taxi stopped, so did his


    car.


    Stepping out, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t walk fast.


    The sound of a car door shutting made her more anxious.


    Afraid he would follow, yet part of her hoped he would.


    She must be crazy, she had already decided to move on, and she already had a boyfriend, and yet she


    was harboring feelings for another man,


    ?? ???


    She stepped into the elevator and pressed the button.


    As the elevator doors slid closed, a sense of loss washed over her.


    She wanted to p herself. What was she even thinking?


    Once home, she called Harrison on video chat.


    He answered immediately, and upon seeing her chin, he straightened up and leaned into the camera,


    ¡°What happened to your chin? Did


    Yeah I had a bit of a spill. Hurt my hands too¡± Jocelyn showed her bandaged hands to the camera. Tve


    been to the hospital It¡¯s


    en looked warned, ¡°You can¡¯t get your hands wet. Maybe you should take some time off and stay with


    your parents for a bit. They can take care of you.¡±


    to no big deal, really,¡± Jocelyn waved it off. ¡°Why are you still up?¡±


    Ive got a project i haven¡¯t finished yet.¡± Hanison rubbed his temples, his concern evident. ¡°You


    shouldn¡¯t be alone right now¡±


    im fine, really,¡± Jocelyn reassured him. ¡°I just wanted to see you, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Hamson froze, staring nkly into the camera.


    Jocelyn felt awkward under his gaze and suddenly regretted calling.


    ¡°Just wait a minute, Hamson said, grabbing his phone.


    ¡°What are you doing, Hamison?¡±


    Tm checking for flights. He was busy tapping and swiping on his phone, frowning deeper with each


    move. ¡°There¡¯s nothing avable.¡±


    Jocelyn breathed a sigh of relief, Then let it be. I¡¯m honestly okay. Had I known, I wouldn¡¯t have video


    called or told you.¡±


    Jocelyn, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Harrison suddenly apologized


    ¡°Why are you apologizing?¡±


    For not being there for you as your boyfriend. Harrison sounded genuinely regretful. ¡°I¡¯ve let you down


    and made you feel bad.¡±


    His apology made Jocelyn feel even more guilty.


    He was worried about her, and yet she was still caught up with her ex.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault Long-distance was our choice. Jocelyn¡¯s conscience pricked her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll


    take care of myself. It¡¯ste; you should rest too. Don¡¯t stay up toote.¡±


    ¡°Okay you too


    After ending the call, Jocelyn leaned back on the couch, feeling more than ever like the viin in the


    story.


    She had agreed to start with Hamison without fully letting go of her past, never trulymitting.


    And yet, Hamson was nothing but sincere.


    Before going to bed, she nced down from the balcony to see Melvin¡¯s car still parked there.


    Her heart was a mess.


    That night, Jocelyn didn¡¯t sleep well.


    The next day, she was roused by the rm, struggling to get ready with her sore knees and


    inconvenient bandages. Finally deciding to call another teacher to cover her sses, she settled back


    on the couch, nursing the bruise on her knee.


    Feeling helpless, she decided to take a rest. Having had a rough night¡¯s sleep, she took the opportunity


    to catch a few more winks.


    She didn¡¯t know how long she¡¯d slept when the doorbell rang


    Her first thought was Melvin, who wasn¡¯t there when she pecked out in the morning.


    Could it be him now?


    Peering through the peephole, Jocelyn got the shock of her life.


    Hastily, she swung the door open.


    Seeing a travel-weary Harrison step through the door, Jocelyn¡¯s eyes widened in shock


    ¡°What happened to you?¡± At first nce, however, Harrison¡¯s concern was focused on her injury; his


    eyes were filled with worry.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± she asked, ncing at the clock. It was just a little past ten.


    ¡°Can Ie in? Harrison asked her


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t think of a single reason to tum him away and stepped aside to let him through.


    don¡¯t have any men¡¯s slippers, she said. ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll grab you a pair of mine.¡±


    She had only taken a few steps whery Harrison caught her hand, bending down to examine her leg


    with a furrowed brow. ¡°You hurt your legs too!


    to nothing, Jocelyn brushed off the concern. ¡°You just wait here; Ill get those slippers for you.¡±


    ¡°Just hold on a second Harrison slipped off his shoes and stepped barefoot onto the floor, apologizing


    as he did so, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    dn¡¯t even understand what he was apologizing for before she was suddenly swept up in his arms.


    pletely stunned She had meant to insist that he put her down, but then she remembered that this man


    was her boyfriend. boytrend would naturally do. If she were to reject his help, what would that say


    about them?


    retch Hanson ced her on the couch before asking. Where are the slippers?¡±


    Jocelyn pointed toward the balcony. ¡°I washed them a few days back. They¡¯re out there drying¡±


    Hanison went out to the balcony and shipped on a pair of pink flip-flops.


    The slippers were obviously too small, his feet sticking out at the ends.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but find the sight amusing, yet she held back augh, not wanting to hurt his


    feelings

 Chapter 117

    Chapter 117


    ¡°Senately, how did you get here so fast? There¡¯s no way you could have caught the earliest flight,¡±


    Jocelyn mused with a blend of


    bally and disbelief.


    Sitting beside her, Harrison took her hand gently in his own, examining it with care. ¡°I drove here,¡± he


    stated simply.


    ¡®Drove?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s voice pitched with shock. That didn¡¯t make sense either. They were over a thousand


    miles away. Even if he had left the moment they hung upst night, that would barely be thirteen hours


    Yep. A buddy of mine had some business out this way, so we hit the road together.¡± Harrison¡¯s tone


    was casual, but his concern was palpable as he unwrapped the bandage from her hand. ¡°What matters


    is that I¡¯m here now with you.¡±


    As she met his worried gaze, a wave of guilt washed over Jocelyn. ¡°I¡¯m really okay,¡± she insisted.


    ¡°No matter how okay you say you are, I¡¯m not,¡± Harrison said softly, his fingers lightly pressing hers. ¡°If


    we were together, I¡¯d make damn. sure you never got hurt.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s lips pursed, and she looked down, unsure of what to say.


    ¡°What do you feel like eating?¡± Harrison changed the subject. ¡°You can¡¯t cook with that hand.¡±


    ¡°Surprise me.¡±


    He rose to his feet. ¡°Let¡¯s see what we¡¯ve got in the fridge.¡±


    ¡°You can cook?¡±


    ¡°The basics at least Harrison strode into the kitchen and opened the fridge. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got


    options. Give me a sec, I¡¯ll make something simple.


    ¡°Okay¡±


    Jocelyn watched him roll up his sleeves and move around the kitchen with surprising ease. He seemed


    so cultured and refined, yet here he was, cooking. He was quite the catch.


    Her thoughts drifted to Melvin.


    In over three years together, Melvin had never cooked a meal for her.


    What was she holding onto?


    Harrison put together a simple yetforting meal: baked chicken, saut¨¦ed green beans, a crisp


    Caesar sd, and even managed to toast up some garlic bread. It wasn¡¯t borate, but it was made


    with care.


    Food ready, he set the table, and Jocelyn got up to help.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you move a muscle, Harrison said with a smile, and once again scooped her up, cing her


    gently on the dining chair.


    She felt a twinge of embarrassment being carried back and forth, still adjusting to his presence in her


    life.


    Harrison dished up a te for her anddled some homemade chicken noodle soup into a bowl. ¡°Wish


    I had time to make something fancier, but we can save that for next time.¡±


    The food warmed Jocelyn from the inside out ¡°You really are something else.¡±


    ¡°Is that all it takes to impress you? A smile finally graced Harrison¡¯s lips. ¡°Wait till you get to know me


    better. You¡¯ll see I¡¯m full of surprises. Now, eat up


    As she tasted each dish, she offered genuine praise, appreciating his efforts.


    Midway through the meal, Harrison¡¯s phone rang. He took the call right there, without stepping away.


    ¡°How much? I¡¯ll wire it over. Yeah, the fine is mine to pay. Alright, catch youter. Dinner¡¯s on me when


    I¡¯m back. Bye.¡±


    Hanging up, Jocelyn¡¯s curiosity couldn¡¯t be contained. ¡°What fine?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°You were speeding, weren¡¯t you?¡± It was the only way he could have made it in time, she figured. And


    he hadn¡¯t stopped to rest, either. Busted, Harrison nodded in admission.


    Jocelyn¡¯s brow furrowed with concern


    Quickly, he thed to deflect, ¡®Eat up. You can scold or lecture me all you want after you¡¯re full.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t really argue. He¡¯de all this way to see her, cooked for her, and it had already


    happened. She didn¡¯t want to spoil the


    mood


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have more work this aftemoon?¡±


    uhad


    a good meal first,¡± he said.


    Touched it to tonight I wanted to make sure you


    Dont let me get in the way of your work.¡±


    Youre not in the way. You are the work.¡±


    With her heartbeat raced, Jocelyn avoided his intense gaze.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    If Melvin¡¯s eyes were tender and loving, then Harrison¡¯s were clear and sincere


    Faced with such an eamest look, Jocelyn felt unworthy.


    Never had she been cared for with such tenderness. Watching Harrison bustling about, a guilty warmth


    spread through her.


    *!!! run out and buy some groceries, Harrison said as he ced a ss of water on the coffee table for


    her. ¡°Stay put and wait for me, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Still, Harrison seemed hesitant to leave her alone. He sat back down and scrolled through a grocery


    app, selecting items with concentration


    Jocelyn found herself captivated by the sight of him bathed in the gentle sunlight filtering into the room,


    looking both warm and wonderful.


    ¡°I¡¯m that good-looking, huh? Harrison caught her staring after he finished his order, teasing her yfully


    Flushing, Jocelyn looked away, flustered. ¡°Did you book your return flight yet?¡± she deflected.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get to itter¡±


    ¡°What if there are no seats left?¡±


    There will be His gaze was intense ¡°If not, I¡¯ll just stay¡±


    Jocelyn swallowed nervously, fidgeting with her hands.


    ¡°You still have things to do.¡±


    Those things can wait. But you can¡¯t


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart thumped uncontrobly. Was he flirting with her?


    Sweet nothings sounded like poetry from him-elegant and refined.


    ¡°Why are you blushing?¡± Harrison¡¯s smile grew. ¡°Not used to the girlfriend title? Or is it me as your


    boyfriend?¡±


    Jocelyn looked uneasy, feeling flustered and not quite sure why.


    ¡°It just feels like a dream, she finally whispered.


    ¡°Even if it¡¯s a dream, it¡¯s a beautiful one. A dream you¡¯ll never want to wake up from,¡± Harrison


    whispered, drawing closer to her. With a gentle touch, he lifted her right hand, lightly holding just her


    fingertips. ¡°I was smitten the moment I saw you, and every time since, I¡¯ve wanted you for a lifetime.¡±


    Jocelyn was numb all over.


    Her mind was a mess, unable to find even a shred of coherent thought,pletely electrified by his


    words, leaving her mind blissfully empty.


    Seeing her dazed expression, Harrison¡¯sughter grew even more joyful. ¡°What¡¯s the matter,


    surprised?¡±


    Jocelyn was indeed a bit stunned; she had never heard such sweet nothings before


    Melvin¡¯s past remarks couldn¡¯t even be ssified as sweet nothings. They were crude at best.


    Perhaps, the way someone spoke to you really depended on how they saw you.


    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re too much, Jocelyn blurted out without thinking


    Harrison¡¯sughter brightened. ¡°Jocelyn, I¡¯m merely sharing my true feelings with you. It¡¯s not too


    much; it¡¯s heartfelt.¡±


    Jocelyn pursed her lips. He was so gentle and considerate, and his ttering words didn¡¯t repel her.


    Why was he so taken with her at first sight?


    There¡¯s an old saying that love at first sight is just lust in disguise.


    She knew the truth of that saying all too well.


    Wasn¡¯t that how she felt about Melvin at first? Believing she had lured him into her domain to relish, not


    realizing that she was the prey. falling into his abyss


    What are you thinking about?¡± Hamson gently squeezed her fingertips.


    Jocelyn snapped back to reality, feeling guilty and unable to meet Harrison¡¯s gaze. She shook her head


    ¡°I just suddenly doubted your


    Henson paused moment, then understanding her implication, he said with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s the remarkable


    women who catch the


    eyes of many men.¡±


    He was open-hearted, not skirting around her past.


    After all, being pursued by many men only proved that she had many attractive qualities. It was


    perfectly normal.


    Just then, the doorbell rang.


    ¡°That must be the delivery Quick service,¡± Harrison said as he got up and walked to the door. Without


    peening through the peephole, he opened the door


    Their eyes met, and the person outside felt a sudden tightness in his chest

 Chapter 118

    Chapter 118


    Hamson blocked Jocelyn¡¯s view as he stood at the door. When he remained silent, she inquired,


    ¡°Delivery guy?¡±


    Nope¡± Harrison¡¯s tone was even as he spoke to the person outside, ¡°Wannae in for a bit?¡±


    Melvin never expected that overnight, there would be another man in the picture.


    And not just any man, but one who seemed to own the ce


    Out of thee of his eye, he caught sight of the pink slippers on Harrison¡¯s feet clearly not his size,


    yet there they were.


    If he was wearing her stuff, things must have been moving faster than Melvin thought.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Melvin didn¡¯t hesitate, holding something in his hand as he stepped inside.


    Jocelyn had been curious about whom Hamson was talking to, but her brain short-circuited when she


    saw Melvin walk in.


    Her pupils dted, her heart nearly leaping from her chest.


    Melvin¡¯s gaze was predatory as he stared at Jocelyn He walked in with his shoes on, set his stuff on


    the table, and sat down directly across from her.


    ¡°Want something to drink? Hamson yed the gracious host to Melvin.


    Melvin cracked a smile, ¡°Don¡¯t trouble yourself. I¡¯ll help myself. I know this ce better than you.¡±


    Jocelyn wished the earth would swallow her whole. She never expected such a chaotic situation.


    And why was Melvin here again?


    Harrison showed no sign of difort, he sat down next to Jocelyn, not hugging or holding her, just


    pulling out medication from a drawer and cing Jocelyn¡¯s hand on his thigh. ¡°I¡¯ll rebandage this for


    you.¡±


    Jocelyn was stiff all over. Her hand felt like wood, inflexible.


    Harrison carefully unwrapped the bandage, frowning at the wound in her palm, ¡°Your skin¡¯s broken.¡±


    Jocelyn responded mechanically. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get it wet these next few days. I¡¯m not going back,¡± Harrison said as he dabbed the wound with a


    cotton swab, blowing gently on it, the picture of tenderness.


    His breath tickled her palm, and Jocelyn¡¯s hand instinctively wanted to pull away, overwhelmed by the


    sensation.


    But Harrison didn¡¯t give her the chance to retract


    Jocelyn was on pins and needles, especially wary of Melvin and unable to look at him.


    Yet she couldn¡¯t help but sneak nces at the man lounging on the couch across from her, a half-smirk


    on his face, as if he were an audience to a show, keenly watching the spectacle.


    Jocelyn swallowed hard, regretting calling in sick. She should¡¯ve dragged herself to school, even if it


    meant crawling, to avoid this battleground.


    ¡°Mr. Whitman, you seem quite caring, Melvin suddenly spoke.


    Jocelyn tensed up even more, if that was possible.


    Harrison looked politely at Melvin before replying, ¡°Got to take care of my girlfriend.¡±


    The air seemed to still, and Jocelyn felt as if she was suffocating. She wanted to flee.


    Melvin¡¯s gaze lingered on the clearly ufortable woman, his eyes thick with mockery. After Harrison


    finished bandaging her left hand, he moved to the right.


    The doorbell rang again.


    This time, it really must be the delivery.


    Harrison got up, and Melvin¡¯s intrusive gaze intensified.


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Jocelyn kept her eyes down, holding her breath, daring not to rx even a fraction.


    She could feel Melvin¡¯s eyes on her, prickling against her back, making her unbearably ufortable.


    Hamson brought in the delivery, exchanged the pink slippers for a new pair of men¡¯s he had bought,


    tucked the former into the shoe cab, and washed his hands before approaching Jocelyn. I only


    bought a pair of slippers this time. It was all rushed this time, sol didn¡¯t bring anything Next time Ie


    over, I¡¯ll bring some of my things.¡±


    words were for Jocelyn, but they conveyed much more.


    Joely throat was dry, she was at a loss for words.


    This was the most awkward moment in her 26 years, and she waspletely out of her depth.


    Her and was foggy as she responded to whatever he said.


    Hamson sat down beside her again tending to her right hand. ¡°Have you thought about moving? I don¡¯t


    feel this ce is very safe. The Security isx They let me in without checking Any bad guy could waltz


    right up, no?¡±


    Melvin, fiddling with his phone, smirked. ¡°You should rx. I¡¯ve beening in and out of here for over


    three years, and I¡¯ve never heard of any break-ins or murders¡±


    Jocelyn felt dizzy, unsure how much longer she could endure this breathless battleground.


    ¡°Still, I¡¯m a bit worned about her. Nowadays, society is chaotic, and people are unpredictable. By the


    time something happens, it would be toote. Harrison maintained hisposure, his voice steady.


    You think moving will make you worry less¡± Melvin scoffed, lighting a cigarette, ¡°Bad guys don¡¯t stop


    being bad just because you live in a fancy neighborhood¡±


    For the first time, Harrison frowned, ncing at Melvin, Tm sorry, would you mind not smoking in


    here?¡±


    Melvin nced at his cigarette and then at Jocelyn ¡°You pregnant or something?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment.


    ¡°Second-hand smoke is more dangerous than firsthand,¡± Harrison¡¯s face grew stern, ¡°I¡¯m sure you are


    smart enough to know that, Mr. Martinez.


    ¡°She thinks I look cool when I smoke, Melvin¡¯s eyes bore into Jocelyn, ¡°She never mentioned any


    harm.¡±


    Suddenly, Jocelyn felt a sharp pain in her stomach She couldn¡¯t tell if it was cramps or something else,


    but her face turned ghostly pale in an instant


    Melvin¡¯s gaze was fixed on Jocelyn, her changingplexion as clear as day to him.


    With a flick of his fingers, he snuffed out his cigarette, wiped his hands, and asked Jocelyn, ¡°Is it your


    period?¡±


    Finally catching on to Jocelyn¡¯s difort, Harrison reached out to touch her forehead, which was cool


    to the touch.


    ¡°Jocelyn, what¡¯s wrong? Are you not feeling well?¡±


    ¡°Do we really need to ask? She¡¯s on her period¡¯ Melvin snapped irritably. ¡°Go lie down.¡±


    As Melvin moved to scoop Jocelyn up, his hand was blocked.


    Harrison looked at him with a cool detachment. She doesn¡¯t need your help, he said, before lifting


    Jocelyn in his arms and heading towards the bedroom, firmly shutting the door behind them.


    Melvin¡¯s hand clenched and then released, his gaze lingering on the bedroom door, his eyes darkening


    ominously.


    After a while, Hamson came back out, saw Melvin still standing in the living room, and closed the door


    once more.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez, I¡¯m afraid we¡¯re not up forpany today. Harrison¡¯s message was clear: it was time for


    Melvin to leave.


    Melvin had no reason to stay, he wasn¡¯t worried about leaving Harrison alone with Jocelyn anymore.


    Judging by the time, it was a safe bet Jocelyn was dealing with her period. He could leave with peace


    of mind.


    Before he stepped out the door, Melvin nced back at Harrison and pointed to the shopping bag he


    had brought in. The durian in there might help ease her cramps.¡±

 Chapter 119

    Chapter 119


    Huddied in bed, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t fathom what Melvin and Harrison might say to each other, but she


    was certain it wouldn¡¯t be anything


    pleasant.


    What puzzled her was how Melvin could possibly remember the date of her monthly periods.


    When the door opened, Jocelyn¡¯s body slightly stiffened.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Harrison¡¯s voice filled the space


    She rxed a bit at his voice, though still not turning to him, ¡°Just the usual stuff, you know, that time of


    the month.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll run to the store Hang tight, okay?¡±


    Hamson approached the bed, concerned at the sight of her pallor.


    Lacking the energy for anything more. Jocelyn just murmured an acknowledgment


    Soon, the sound of the closing door signaled Hamson¡¯s departure.


    Only then did she allow herself to fully rx, and the pain in her abdomen seemed to ease up a bit.


    Melvin¡¯s presence had kept her on edge, and that probably was the cause of the sudden spike in


    difort.


    The encounter had been her own personal hell, terrifying to its core.


    She trusted Harrison¡¯s decency, but Melvin was like a ticking time bomb- unpredictable, capable of


    igniting any scandal with a single word


    Thankfully he had at least shown a glimmer of humanity today, sparing her further embarrassment


    A draft snuck in from somewhere, coaxing Jocelyn out of bed to check if the window had been left ajar.


    Her gaze inadvertently swept outside, where the silver car still sat. But what truly rmed her were the


    two figures beside it.


    One was Melvin, the other Harrison


    Her head buzzed, and the pain in her abdomen red again.


    Melvin leaned against the car, lighting a cigarette. Seeing Harrisoning out, he exhaled a perfect


    ring of smoke.


    Harrison, initially reluctant to engage, eventually found himself walking toward him.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez,¡± Harrison greeted, d in a crisp white shirt beneath a te-gray coat, whose rimless


    sses projected a schrly air and looked resolute


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Melvin asked casually, flicking ash.


    ¡°You and Jocelyn are done,¡± Harrison reminded him.


    ¡°So?¡± Melvin¡¯s defiance and arrogance made him a tough rival to Harrison.


    Dealing with the unreasonable was never Harrison¡¯s cup of tea.


    Jocelyn is my girlfriend now Isn¡¯t it inappropriate for you to linger?¡± Harrison was the epitome of civility,


    appealing to reason and


    emotion alike.


    Melvin chuckled, eyeing the cigarette in his hand before ncing at the upright Hamson with a


    challenging smirk, ¡°I¡¯m a businessman, a rough one. In my world, there are only two things what I want


    and what I don¡¯t. That¡¯s it. No question of appropriateness¡±


    Harrison frowned slightly.


    ¡°One is business. If there¡¯s money to be made, I¡¯m on it. The other is women¡± Melvin took a drag, his


    eyes taunting Harrison, ¡°If I want a woman, she has to be mine¡±


    The look behind Harrison¡¯s sses deepened.


    He adjusted his sses, trying to remain calm, ¡°In this world, anything might belong to someone by


    necessity, except for people.¡± ¡°You think she¡¯s yours by default?¡± Melvin shot back.


    Harson¡¯s brow furrowed, ¡°I respect her choices.¡±


    Melvin scoffed, ¡°Do I respect her enough to let her shack up with another man? I¡¯m not that noble.¡± His


    gaze lifted to the apartment, noung a slight movement of the curtain. A sly smite yed on his lips


    before he refocused on Harrison, ¡°Believe it or not, she stil!


    Harrisons expression darkened


    wn stopped into his car he threw onest barb at Hanison, ¡°She¡¯s mine.¡±


    It was both a deration and a provocation.


    The car roared away, leaving Harrison staring after it. His lips were pressed tight with his eyes behind


    the sses growing stormy.


    Harison bought back brown sugar and ginger, checking on Jocelyn before heading to the kitchen.


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t asleep at all. Her mind was a whirlwind of potential conversations between Hamson and


    Melvin.


    She knew Melvin was a troublemaker and feared what he might have said to Harrison.


    With anxiety gnawing at her, she waited.


    After a while, Harrison gently knocked and entered, bringing the warm brown sugar ginger tea to her


    bedside.


    She stirred.


    id/ wake you?¡± he asked softly.


    Jocelyn shook her head, ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep anyway.¡±


    Try some of this then. Might help you rest,¡± he suggested, cing the cup on the nightstand and


    propping her up with a pillow. Once she wasfortable, he offered the cup, ¡°Careful, it¡¯s hot.¡±


    Jocelyn reached for it, but Hamson pulled back.


    ¡°Your hand is injured. Let me help.¡± He scooped a spoonful of the warm liquid, bringing it to her lips,


    ¡°See if it¡¯s too hot.¡±


    Jocelyn felt a blush of embarrassment. She wasn¡¯t used to being cared for like this


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Back when her period difort struck, Melvin would just curl up behind her in bed with his hands


    warming her belly to ease the pain, but he was always grumbling about the hassle.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± she said, forcing her thoughts away from Melvin and focusing on Harrison instead.


    He was incredibly caring. Any woman loved by him was truly fortunate.


    ¡°Why so formal?¡± Harrison¡¯s smile was gentle, ¡°You¡¯re my girlfriend. Taking care of you is my duty.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped. The word duty¡¯ weighed heavily on her.


    She had expected Harrison to mention his conversation with Melvin once he returned. But he hadn¡¯t,


    acting instead as if nothing had happened.


    She didn¡¯t trust a word that came out of Melvin¡¯s mouth, but he never said a bad thing about Melvin to


    her. He truly epted everything about her, really took care of her like a boyfriend, with understanding


    and without prying into her past.


    ¡°What¡¯s with that stare? Harrison chuckled as he wiped a smudge from the corner of her mouth with a


    napkin. ¡°Did you suddenly realize how handsome I am?¡±


    Jocelynughed at his teasing, ¡°It¡¯s not sudden. You¡¯ve always been handsome.¡±


    ¡°Otherwise, how could I have had the guts to confess my feelings to you?¡± Harrison joked.


    Jocelyn¡¯s mood instantly brightened.


    ¡°Feeling any better?¡± Harrison was still worried about her.


    ¡°Yeah, much better,¡± Jocelyn said nonchntly, not wanting him to worry too much. ¡°The pain is only


    really bad on the first day. afterwards it¡¯s nothing. Don¡¯t fuss over me.¡±


    ¡°Girls have it tough, Harrison said with genuine sympathy.


    Warmth flooded Jocelyn¡¯s heart. Him being able to say that, he really was a caring person.


    The more she recognized his goodness, the more she felt she didn¡¯t deserve him.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got things to do, you should get going, Jocelyn urged him, really afraid that he would neglect


    important matters because of her. ¡°I¡¯m honestly fine.¡±


    *Your hands and feet are still healing. Harrison was still concerned


    t¡¯s just a minor injury. If ites to it, I¡¯ll go stay at my parents¡¯ ce tomorrow.¡±


    Let me drive you there now Harrison suggested, ncing at the time. ¡°I won¡¯t be at ease with you being


    at home alone


    Jocelyn was persuaded by his persistence. If she didn¡¯t find a ce with someone to look after her, he


    would never stop worrying.


    As the car entered my parents¡¯ old neighborhood, Jocelyn¡¯s heart tightened when she saw the silvery-


    gray car parked near the apartment building

 Chapter 120

    Chapter 120


    Jocelyn¡¯s expression twisted into aplex grimace the moment Harrison suggested driving her back


    home.


    The car came to a halt. Harrison stepped out first, then reached back in to help Jocelyn out.


    As Jocelyn¡¯s feet touched the ground, she saw Melvin stepping out of the apartment building. And in


    that very instant, Harrison scooped her into his arms.


    Caught off guard, Jocelyn¡¯s hands instinctively wrapped around Harrison¡¯s neck, her eyes slightly wide


    as she looked up at him.


    Harrison simply gazed back at her with tendemess. ¡°You¡¯re hurt, so it¡¯s not good for you to walk¡±


    Jocelyn knew exactly what he was thinking and silently consented to his behaviour


    Melvin approached them with a chilly glint in his eyes.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez, why don¡¯t you stay for dinner? Oh Harrison, when did you get here? Jocelyn, what¡¯s¡­¡±


    Calvin¡¯s voice trailed off in surprise as he saw Harrison holding Jocelyn, a look of astonishment


    crossing his face


    After all, even if their rtionship was confirmed, it didn¡¯t justify such intimacy in this setting.


    Jocelyn was embarrassed, especially since she was still in Harrison¡¯s arms; she wished she could


    disappear.


    ¡°Calvin, Jocelyn took a tumble, I came over this morning to check on her. I have to head back to work


    soon but I don¡¯t want to leave her alone, so I thought of bringing her back here for you and Daisy to


    look after,¡± Harrison exined smoothly.


    Calvin noticed the injury on Jocelyn¡¯s chin and the bandages on her hands. He couldn¡¯t help but chide


    her gently, ¡°How can you still be falling over at your age? You¡¯re just like your mother, always making


    others to worry.¡±


    ¡°What happened to Mom?¡± Jocelyn perked up at the mention.


    ¡°Your mom had a little mishaping back from shopping with her friends, got nicked by a bicycle. Mr.


    Martinez happened to be around and brought her home. Thankfully, it was just a scraped elbow,


    nothing serious,¡± Calvin exined with a tone of relief for having Melvin there


    Jocelyn was surprised. What were the odds of running into Melvin?


    Harrison couldn¡¯t help but nce at Melvin-it was oddly coincidental.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez, if you don¡¯t mind, let¡¯s have a dinner together.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Melvin answered without hesitation.


    Calvin was taken aback. His earlier invitation for dinner had been declined, but now Melvin agreed so


    readily.


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


    ¡°Then let¡¯s head upstairs,¡± Calvin said cheerfully, turning to Harrison who was still holding Jocelyn, ¡°Are


    you tired? You want me to take her?¡±


    ¡°Not at all, Harrison replied, ¡°Lead the way please.¡±


    Calvin beckoned Melvin to walk ahead, but Melvin nonchntly took Calvin¡¯s arm, ¡°Let¡¯s go together.¡±


    Calvin still hadn¡¯t get used to such contact with Melvin. It made Calvin a bit ufortable and ttered.


    After all, it¡¯s not every day that thepany¡¯s big boss would escort his wife home and treat him so


    kindly. Leading the way, Calvin and Melvin walked ahead, with Harrison carrying Jocelyn behind.


    Harrison was unaware of the employer-employee rtionship between Melvin and Calvin, and even


    less so that they had be quite familiar with each other.


    The only constion for Harrison was that Calvin seemed oblivious to the past issues between Melvin


    and Jocelyn, which also suggested that Melvin¡¯s feelings for Jocelyn might not have been as serious.


    Jocelyn had no clue what was running through Harrison¡¯s mind. She felt as though the universe was


    ying a cruel joke solely on her. She had just weathered a storm at home. And now, with two more


    people added to the mix, she dreaded how daunting the uing scene would be.


    Of course, the main person she dreaded was herself.


    Once home, Harrison set Jocelyn down on the sofa and went to check on Daisy.


    Calvin told them to sit back and rx a bit while he prepared dinner.


    Meanwhile, like a dutiful son-inw. Hamison apanied Calvin to the kitchen.


    ¡°You were talking about heading back, weren¡¯t you? Isn¡¯t it gettingte?¡± Jocelyn, eager to get at least


    one person out of the house, knew Melvin wouldn¡¯t leave if he had decided to stay. So her only option


    was to convince Harrison,


    #wasn that she wanted Harrison to leave. She was genuinely concerned about him getting back to his


    work without dy.


    Harrison poured two cups of hot water for Jocelyn and Dalsy, ¡°No worries, I can catch thest night


    out.¡±


    ¡°That busy?¡± Daisy frowned, handing the water to Melvin, ¡°Here, have some.¡±


    Melvin took the cup with both hands and thanked her


    Harrison nced at Melvin and then poured another cup of water for Dalsy. ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s a big


    conference going on, so it¡¯s a bit hectic.¡± ¡°Long-distance rtionships are tough, and they¡¯re


    notoriously unreliable,¡± Melvinmented as he sipped the water Dalsy had given him, his face


    betraying a knowing look. ¡°A colleague of mine was in a long-distance rtionship, and it didn¡¯tst


    more than a few months. The guy seemed decent enough, but behind the scenes, he was ying the


    field. He¡¯d show up once in a while to charm his girlfriend, but as soon as he left. his true colors came


    out.¡±


    Daisy listened intently, her lips pursed and brows furrowed.


    She had heard that long-distance rtionships were challenging. There was a story in her


    neighborhood about a young woman whose two-year rtionship crumbled just before the wedding


    when it was discovered that her fianc¨¦ had a child with another woman.


    As a parent, Daisy couldn¡¯t bear the thought of her child being mistreated and started to worry.


    ¡°Indeed, these things happen,¡± Harrison chimed in calmly. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m thinking of shifting my work


    focus to Yanova City, to cultivate my rtionship with Jocelyn more seriously. Living together allows a


    couple to iron out the kinks, spot problems early, and make necessary adjustments. This is an essential


    foundation for a sessful marriage.¡±


    Harrison spoke with warmth and nty, sincerity emanating from him.


    Jocelyn, seated on the couch, was internally anxious but also touched by Harrison¡¯s sincerity.


    When a man starts nning a future for two, envisioning a life together in wedded bliss, it¡¯s a clear sign


    he¡¯s serious about the rtionship Dating with the intention of marriage provides a deeper sense of


    security to one¡¯s partner.


    But Melvin, he was only ever in it for the thrills of the flesh, never once considering giving her a future


    or a home.


    It¡¯s true that a woman doesn¡¯t need a man to feel secure and settled. But when two peoplee


    together, what they crave most is the promise of staying with each other forever and forming a


    recognized and respected union, rather than an ambiguous partnership that even sitting across the


    dinner table from the other¡¯s parents, leaves them clueless about who this person is to their daughter.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart was a tangled mess of emotions. For over three years, she knew a man who never


    once considered giving her the sense of belonging she yearned for. And yet, a man she had known for


    just a few months was ready to offer her the very thing she desired


    most


    It was indeed ironic, leaving her to wonder what she had been waiting for all these years.


    She didn¡¯t look to see Melvin¡¯s expression. It¡¯s his own choice to be here. Still, it probably didn¡¯t mean


    anything to him. After all, he never nned on building a home with her.


    Daisy was profoundly moved by the conversation. The worries that had haunted her for years seemed


    to be dissipating atst.


    She was exceedingly pleased with Harrison¡¯s stance.


    ¡°Mr. Whitman seems to take matters of the heart quite seriously,¡± Melvinmented, a note of


    admiration in his voice.


    Harrison replied with a firm conviction, ¡°I¡¯ve always been serious about rtionships.¡±


    Melvin offered a faint smile, ncing over at Jocelyn, ¡°And what about you, Jocelyn? Are you serious


    about rtionships?¡±


    Caught off guard by his sudden call, Jocelyn flinched.

 Chapter 121

    Chapter 121


    Melvin¡¯s eyes twinkled with a mischievous clint, yet there was a hint of feigned innocence In his gaze


    as if he were earnestly seeking


    advice


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t just ignore him, not with her parents¡¯ feelings to consider.


    ¡°Of course,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s good. A romance where both hearts are solely for each other can trulyst. If one is


    harboring feelings for someone else while dating and professing true love, that¡¯s shameful.¡± Melvin


    spoke with the air of someone who¡¯d been around the block, ¡°I once dated a girl who wanted to step


    into marriage. But I felt the timing wasn¡¯t right, so she got mad and broke up with me. She rushed into a


    rtionship with some random guy, probably thinking he¡¯d marry her on the spot, and even took him


    home to meet the parents. But I could tell, she never really got over me.¡±


    Each word from Melvin nearly choked Jocelyn. She could read between the lines-he was taking jabs,


    exploiting the situation to embarrass her.


    He just wouldn¡¯t miss any opportunity to make her squirm


    ¡°Oh no,¡± Daisy chimed in, shaking her head, ¡°That¡¯s not right. Entering a serious rtionship without


    letting go of an ex? That¡¯s a no-go. It¡¯s unfair to the current partner if you¡¯ve still got that barrier in your


    heart.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s expression turned sour.


    Melvin¡¯s smirk grew wider. His gaze shifted between the increasingly ufortable Jocelyn and


    Harrison, who no longer seemed indifferent. ¡°Exactly. Dating with someone else in your heart is


    downright hical.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Jocelyn wanted to throttle Melvin. His mouth was so infuriatingly sharp!


    ¡°Nah, that¡¯s not okay Luckily, our Jocelyn isn¡¯t like that. Harrison is the first boyfriend she¡¯s brought


    home. I¡¯m truly at ease with them. It¡¯s fate that brought them together, and if they tie the knot, it¡¯s meant


    to be,¡± Daisy was blissfully unaware of the undercurrents swirling between the three young people and


    cheerfully said to Melvin, ¡°Mr. Martinez, when they get married, you muste and raise a ss.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s smile stiffened for a moment, as if struck by a sudden pang in his heart.


    He raised an eyebrow, eyeing Jocelyn with a look that wanted to be venomous but feared being too


    revealing. Instead, he simply touched the imprint of teeth on the back of his hand and gazed at the


    difited Jocelyn, ¡°Certainly.¡±


    The meal was a torturous affair for Jocelyn. She had no appetite.


    Daisy and Calvin were enthusiastically entertaining Melvin and Harrison. In their eyes, Harrison was


    their future son-inw. And since Melvin had visited twice already, the atmosphere was rxed.


    To Jocelyn, it seemed like Melvin and Harrison were both being sized up as potential inws.


    She mentally pped herself for the thought. Both of them, seriously? She must be losing it.


    Finally, the dinner was over. Harrison insisted on doing the dishes. The look of approval and joy in


    Daisy and Calvin¡¯s eyes was unmistakable


    After tidying everything up, Harrison nced at the clock, ¡°Calvin, Daisy, I should get going.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine, we won¡¯t keep you, Calvin stood up, offering to see him out


    ¡°No need,¡± Harrison turned to Jocelyn, ¡°Calvin, Daisy, Jocelyn is a bit incapacitated right now. Please


    take extra care of her.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll take good care of her,¡± Daisy assured him, whose satisfaction with Harrison was


    evident.


    Harrison crouched in front of Jocelyn, gripping her hand tenderly, ¡°Try to avoid getting your cast wet,


    and keep warm, especially during your period.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Jocelyn was still a bit uneasy, probably due to Melvin¡¯s prating stares


    Harrison stood and leaned in, clearly intending to kiss her


    Jocelyn tensed.


    His hands framed her, and he slowly drew closer with his eyes fixing on her lips.


    Their breath mingled, Jocelyn swallowed nervously. Her mind was in chaos, aware of Melvin¡¯s watchful


    gaze. She closed her eyes, bracing for the moment.


    Just as hes breath neared her lips, a sudden ringtone shattered the moment.


    Such interruptions always seem toe at the most critical times, a mere inch frompletion, yet it


    stopped them both.


    cuffed out his phone answering the unfamiliar number and caught Jocelyn¡¯s subtle sigh of relief.


    Rickered within turn


    ¡°The driver¡¯s downstairs I gotta go,¡± Hamison ultimately didn¡¯t resume his attempt. He pocketed his


    phone and embraced Jocelyn gently. ¡°Wait for me


    Jocelyn felt ashamed of her fleeting insecurity and fear. She stood and grasped Harrison¡¯s hand.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Harrison looked curious


    Jocelyn smiled softly. Take care,¡± and then opened her arms wide for a big hug.


    Sometimes a hug can send your heart racing more than a kiss.


    At least Harrison¡¯s heart skipped a beat from her embrace.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Harnson hugged her back tightly, his voice warm withughter Reluctant to let go, he added ¡°I¡¯ll


    bete when I get there so I won¡¯t call ¡±


    ¡°Alright, but text me. If I¡¯m still awake. I¡¯ll reply,¡± Jocelyn was now fully embracing her role.


    Harrison nodded with a smile.


    The driver honked from downstairs. After onest look of affection at Jocelyn and farewells to Calvin


    and Daisy, Harrison left.


    He wasn¡¯t womed about Melvin¡¯s presence now Jocelyn had made her stance clear


    With Calvin and Daisy around, what could Melvin do?


    Hamison left with a heart full of sweetness


    Melvin gazed at Jocelyn¡¯s look of being caught up in sweet love and narrowed his eyes just slightly, his


    face unreadable


    They sure seemed smitten with each other.


    His gaze fixed intently on Jocelyn, who deliberately dodged his look.


    Calvin escorted Harrison down the stairs, while Daisy felt a tad awkward around Melvin, considering he


    was her husband¡¯s boss Plus, with Harrison gone, why on earth was he still lingering?


    It¡¯s tough to show a guest the door without seeming rude, especially when the guest in question is a


    sessful, savvy young man like Melvin. Common sense would suggest it was high time for him to


    make his exit.


    In an attempt to break the awkward silence, Daisy offered, ¡°Mr. Martinez, would you care for some


    coffee?¡±


    Offering coffee at this hour was just clutching at straws for conversation.


    ¡°No, thank you,¡± Melvin replied, understanding the cue. He stood up, straightening his shirt, ¡°I apologize


    for imposing on you this evening.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s no trouble at all. We¡¯re actually grateful for your kindness in getting me home safe,¡± Daisy said,


    rising to see him out.


    ¡°You needn¡¯t escort me,¡± Melvin insisted, disying a sense of propriety, ¡°Please, get some rest.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have Calvin walk you out.¡± Daisy said as she reached the door, just in time to see Calvin ascending


    the stairs, ¡°Calvin, Mr. Martinez is leaving. Would you mind seeing him off?¡±


    Calvin nodded immediately, ¡°Of course, of course.¡±


    There¡¯s really no need to fuss, Melvin said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m about the same age as Jocelyn. It¡¯s almost


    embarrassing how formal you¡¯re being¡±


    At the mention of her name, Jocelyn instinctively nced his way.


    Their eyes met, and just as quickly, Jocelyn cast her gaze down, suppressing the flutter in her chest.


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all, I insist, Calvin said with a p of his hand, and the lights in the stairwell flickered


    back to life.


    Melvin nodded, ¡°Well then, I appreciate it.¡±


    After exchanging farewells with Daisy and sparing a look at the aloof Jocelyn, he departed.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone,¡± Daisy said from the doorway as she watched them descend the stairs. She let out a


    relieved sigh, returning to the couch


    and turned to Jocelyn, ¡°Jocelyn, do you think Mr. Martinez¡¯s behaviour was a bit odd?¡±


    ocelyn¡¯s heart skipped. ¡°Odd? How so?¡± she asked as her curiosity piqued.

 Chapter 122

    Chapter 122


    ¡°Something felt off about what he said today, you know? And Harrison, do they even know each other?


    Maybe it¡¯s just me overthinking, but they seemed to be at each other¡¯s throats a bit.¡±


    Jocelyn was terrified her mom would pick up on the little thing going on between her and Melvin.


    Thankfully, Melvin had always kept a respectful distance, especially in front of her parents. So hopefully


    they hadn¡¯t noticed anything amiss.


    ¡®No, not at all, Jocelyn said with feigned ease. ¡°Maybe he just speaks from experience, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Daisy seemed relieved, ¡°Well, that¡¯s reasonable then.¡±


    Jocelyn let out a sigh of relief when her mother didn¡¯t press the matter further.


    Calvin trudged upstairs, feeling a bit weary.


    Locking the door behind him, he chuckled, ¡°You know, Mr. Martinez is actually quite decent. Seems


    standoffish, but he¡¯s got a warm heart.¡±


    ¡°Calvin, did you ever feel something¡¯s not quite right? Daisy¡¯s sensitivity suddenly spiked.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart, which had just settled, leaped into her throat again. She had no idea what her mother


    might have figured out.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Calvin asked.


    ¡°Why is your boss so nice to you?¡± Daisy knitted her brows in thought. ¡°Ive been mulling it over¡­ He


    kept your job safe, gave you a promotion, raised your sry, and even brought us that expensive fruit


    basket, not to mention driving me home. Doesn¡¯t that strike you as odd?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s tension was palpable. She barely dared to breathe.


    ¡°What¡¯s so strange about that? He¡¯s just a kind-hearted guy.¡±


    ¡°But why so kind-hearted to you only? You¡¯re not one of those corporate big shots. You¡¯re just a


    security team leader Why¡¯s he treating you so special? It¡¯s a bit abnormal,¡± Daisy insisted, still puzzled.


    This left Calvin without an exnation.


    He checked the time. Let¡¯s not overthink this. If he wants to be nice, it¡¯s not like I have anything he


    could possibly want.¡±


    Daisy finally felt a bit more at ease at that. ¡°True, we don¡¯t have any family heirlooms or treasures for


    him to covet.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, so let¡¯s hit the hay. Calvin said, ncing at his daughter, who looked downcast, probably


    mulling over Harrison. ¡°Get some rest too, sweetie. Hamison said he¡¯d try to transfer to work closer to


    us. You gotta admit, the guy¡¯s got a great attitude.¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t very well tell them she wasn¡¯t fretting over Harrison.


    She just smiled faintly, ¡°Yeah, you two should head off to bed now. I¡¯m gonna get some rest too.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure your injury¡¯s okay? Daisy was still concerned. ¡°It¡¯s on your chin. What if it scars?¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t,¡± Jocelyn brushed it off. ¡°You guys should sleep. I¡¯m off to my room.


    After Jocelyn retreated to her room, Daisy frowned, ¡°Such a grown-up and still a handful.¡±


    The old couple changed for bed, and Calvin suddenly gasped. ¡°I just remembered something.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Thest time Quinta was here, Jocelyn said she¡¯d drop her at the station. Later, I saw Mr. Martinez¡¯s


    car in our neighbourhood. He wouldn¡¯t juste by with no rtives of his here Why was his car


    parked under our building?¡±


    Daisy was confused, ¡°What are you getting at?


    ¡°Do you think Mr. Martinez could being around for Jocelyn?¡±


    Daisy¡¯s face was a picture of shock, ¡°No way


    But once they entertained the possibility, everything seemed to suggest Melvin¡¯s kindness was all for


    Jocelyn. That was the only exnation that made sense of his sudden generosity toward Calvin.


    They exchanged a look and Calvin shook his head, ¡°No, it can¡¯t be. Forget it. Whatever his reasons, it¡¯s


    not our concem.¡±


    Daisy decided not to fret over it anymore


    The next day, Jocelyn¡¯s knee was less sore, her hand much better. She came out and found Daisy had


    prepared breakfast


    her day off.¡±


    het? If so, take


    Jocelyn


    picking up her bowl of oatmeal. ¡®Finals areing up. I can¡¯t afford to miss any more cleaver


    You¡¯ve been looking a bit thentely.¡± Daisy said, concemed.


    Jocelyn shook her head. Tm okay.¡±


    ¡°By the way, did Harrison call youst night?¡±


    ¡°No, I was asleep. But he texted. Got home around 11:30.¡±


    Daisy smiled, ¡®Being with Harrison is the right choice for you.¡±


    Jocelyn bit into her sandwich, her dreamsst night filled with Melvin-intimate moments and him


    pleading with her not to go. When she saw him chy, she cried too.


    And she woke up crying


    She didn¡¯t know how long she¡¯d keep dreaming of him, how she could start afresh with Harrison while


    haunted by these dreams.


    How could she be fair to Hamison? Yes, Hamison was a catch and choosing to be with him was the


    smart choice. But was she the smart choice for Hamison?


    Jocelyn¡¯s feelings were a tangled mess.


    She had agreed to be with Hamson in a moment of impulse, but feeling Melvin in her heart seemed so


    unfair to Harrison.


    After breakfast, Jocelyn took a cab to school. She wore a face mask and no longer needed bandages


    on her hand.


    Seeing Preston was a surprise, especially after Melvin said he¡¯d arrange a transfer.


    Once a new school was found. Preston could move on.


    ¡°Why are you still here?¡± Jocelyn asked him.


    Preston shrugged. ¡®How am I supposed to know what goes on in my uncle¡¯s head? He was out all day


    yesterday, came back looking sour. When I asked about the transfer, he said, Forget it.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned, what was Melvin ying at?


    ¡°But I bet he¡¯s not transferring me because he can¡¯t let go of you.¡± Preston teased her. ¡°Why the mask?


    *


    Jocelyn shook her head, but her thoughts lingered on the idea that Melvin couldn¡¯t let go of her


    ¡°Jocelyn, you know my uncle. His words might be harsh, but his heart is soft. If you go along with his


    temper, he¡¯llply with anything Preston noticed Jocelyn¡¯s expression. ¡°Do you want¡­¡±


    Time for ss now Jocelyn interrupted, knowing what he¡¯s going to say next.


    Preston pouted, his ns thwarted as the bell rang for ss. ¡°Well, whatever. You know what I¡¯m


    thinking. If dumping that guy makes you happy, then good nddance.¡±


    With a shrug, he dashed off to ss, leaving Jocelyn with her thoughts alone


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Was she happy after the breakup? Hardly.


    Taking a deep breath, she thought that Preston transferring to another school might just be a blessing


    in disguise for her. But now, Melvin canceled the transfer Then it might be a good choice to take a


    transfer herself.


    How could she ignore the constant reminders of him, the people around her who were connected to her


    past? She wasn¡¯t a saint She was a flesh-and-blood woman who could be easily swayed by her


    heartstrings.


    Jocelyn loathed this weakness in herself. On the outside, she seemed decisive. But inside, she was a


    bundle of nerves. Her actions always betrayed her inner turmoil


    At lunch, Urs offered to fetch a carry-out for Jocelyn to eat in the office, considering the bruise on


    her chin. It was hardly seen with a face mark


    But before Urs could leave, someone came knocking on the office door


    Urs nced at the doorway and nudged Jocelyn ¡°Look, a knockout¡±


    Jocelyn looked up just in time to lock eyes with Yasmine, who sauntered in with a no-name shopping


    bag and set it on Jocelyn¡¯s desk


    This stuff will help with the scars. Works like magic, she said, as if they had been friends for years


    Jocelyn shook her head ¡°I don¡¯t need it.¡±


    on¡¯t think you can¡¯t be friends with me just because I¡¯m Melvin¡¯s sister, Yasmine chided, tapping her


    fingers on the desk. ¡°Right now


    Preston¡¯s mom. A student¡¯s mom wanting to get the scoop from his teacher isn¡¯t so unusual, right?¡±


    Commened by Yasmine¡¯s persistence, Jocelyn found herself without an excuse to decline.


    Signaling to the to go ahead without her Urs nodded knowingly and left


    ters grab a bite outside Yasmine suggested, making it clear she wanted to take Jocelyn out


    Jocelyn was waty ¡°I¡¯m busy at noon. I don¡¯t have much time.


    ¡°Are you afraid I¡¯m setting you up to run into Melvin? Don¡¯t worry, I wouldn¡¯t lift a finger for that jerk. I


    know all about choosing principles over family, Yasmine said with a shake of her head. ¡°You¡¯re better


    off without him. Seriously.¡±


    Jocelyn narrowed her eyes, trying to decipher whether Yasmine¡¯s words were sincere or part of some


    borate ruse.

 Chapter 123

    Chapter 123


    Jocelyn declined Yasmine¡¯s invitation to go out for lunch, but Yasmine was insistent


    ¡°If you¡¯re noting, then I¡¯ll join you for a meal at your cafeteria,¡± Yasmine made it clear she wanted


    to have a meal with her.


    Wary of drawing attention and questions from others, Jocelyn finally gave in reluctantly.


    It had to be said, Melvin and Yasmine really were siblings. Their talent for wearing others down was the


    same.


    Yasmine casually draped her arm around Jocelyn¡¯s, ¡°Let me help¡±


    ¡°No need, I¡¯m fine,¡± Jocelyn felt weird about it. She wasn¡¯t that close to Yasmine.


    She tried to withdraw her hand, but Yasmine wouldn¡¯t let her, ¡°I don¡¯t have many friends here, and


    when Preston told me about you, I just knew we could be friends. So please, don¡¯t reject me, okay?¡±


    Her sincerity was overwhelming, making it seem like a fault to refuse her.


    Jocelyn could only offer an awkward smile and go along with it.


    Considering Jocelyn¡¯s leg injury hadn¡¯t fully healed, even though the restaurant they were nning to


    eat at wasn¡¯t far, Yasmine still decided to drive.


    The car belonged to Melvin, a sleek silver Porsche.


    Jocelyn¡¯s feelings were mixed as she sat in it


    In just a few minutes, they arrived at the restaurant. It wasn¡¯trge but was clean and well-reviewed.


    Jocelyn had been here before with colleagues.


    Yasmine helped her into the restaurant and chose a spot near the entrance to sit down.


    At this point, Jocelyn started to warm up to Yasmine a bit Yasmine didn¡¯t scorn the small diner despite


    wearing designer clothes, sitting on an old wooden bench and even pouring herself a cup of water.


    She wasn¡¯t like Melvin.


    Melvin was the type to avoid small diners, always favoring upscale restaurants. He would look down on


    street food vendors as if they were unworthy of his patronage.


    The restaurant owner recognized Jocelyn and, noticing the bandage on her chin, offered to make her


    dish with less oil and spice.


    Jocelyn let Yasmine choose the dishes, but Yasmine said she was okay with any dishes and insisted


    that Jocelyn decide for her.


    So Jocelyn ordered twobos with soup.


    Yasmine didn¡¯t mention Melvin at all but was very interested in Preston¡¯s studies, which made Jocelyn


    rx more.


    When the food arrived. Yasmine proved to be unpretentious, enjoying the simple home-cooked style


    dishes immensely.


    ¡°It¡¯s been years since I¡¯ve had a meal like this, Yasmine mused. This kind of food has the vor of life.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled, ¡°Then I guess I¡¯ve been living amid that vor all along.


    Yasmine smiled, ¡°You know, there¡¯s something to be said for the simple and ordinary.¡±


    ¡°True. As a kid, happiness seemed so simple. And now, it¡¯s simplicity that brings happiness.


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to simplify my life as well Trying to get a feel for the real world.¡±


    Jocelyn always felt that Yasmine, like their conversations, held many secrets. Divorced, with a child,


    her life was anything but simple After all, if Melvin was wealthy, Yasmine was no different


    The troubles of ordinary folks could often be solved with money


    The worries of the wealthy were beyond the imagination of ordinary people like her


    Jocelyn had no interest in prying into others¡¯ secrets. She simply believed. ¡°Living the life you want


    makes it less tiring. And a less tiring life isparatively happier.¡±


    ¡®That makes sense.¡±


    After the meal, Jocelyn paid, and Yasmine quipped with a smile, ¡°Towe you one. I¡¯ll treat you next time.¡±


    There¡¯s no need for formalities, Jocelyn wasn¡¯t keen on mingling too much with people connected to


    Melvin.


    Yachine shrugged, ¡°I don¡¯t like owing people.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll seb, Jocelyn said nomittally.


    ¡°hey hadn¡¯t ever left the diner when a minivan pulled up behind the Porsche.


    Walow stepped out with her sunsses on, and took a look at the car ahead.


    She had thought Melvin might be here when she spotted the car, but then she saw Yasmine and


    Jocelyning out of the diner,


    The flicker of happiness that appeared on Willow¡¯s face at the sight of Yasmine vanished in an instant.


    She removed her sunsses, greeting her with a measured lone, ¡°How¡¯s everything going, Yasmine?¡±


    Yasmine gave her a sidelong nce, ¡°What brings a big star like you to this neck of the woods?¡±


    *Just passing by and saw your car, thought I¡¯d say hello,¡± Willow said, not giving Jocelyn so much as a


    second nce.


    ¡°Heh, my car? You know as well as I do that this is Melvin¡¯s car, Yasmine saw right through her, ¡°Melvin


    made it clear he wants nothing to do with you, and yet you have the gall to let the media spin tales of


    you two living together Shameless¡±


    Jocelyn stood by awkwardly, surprised at Yasmine¡¯s frankness. Dislikes could often be disguised with


    politeness But Yasmine¡¯s disdain was a fastball, with no thought of sparing the other¡¯s feelings


    Willow¡¯s eyes twitched. She nced at Jocelyn, clearly ufortable with Yasmine humiliating her in


    front of someone else. But Willow had a thick skin and managed to keep her smile as normal. The


    media will write what they will, and I can¡¯t control them. I¡¯m endorsing a jewelry line. A little buzz helps


    drive both online and in store sales. Melvin should be pleased with that, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    Yasmineughed in disbelief, narrowing her eyes at Willow, ¡°Years have passed, and you¡¯re still as


    shameless as you was¡±


    Despite being insulted, Willow kept her cool, wiping her sunsses, ¡°Yasmine, though you are Melvin¡¯s


    sister, there are things between him and me that you can¡¯t possibly know all about


    Yasmine was about to explode with imitation at Willow¡¯s smug demeanor ¡°What¡¯s the deal with you and


    Melvin? Did he sleep with you, or what? Stop acting like you two have some sort of secret rtionship.


    There¡¯s a limit to ying coy, you know Just because he doesn¡¯t call you out doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s okay


    with your games You im to know Melvin so well, you should realize he¡¯sid-back about most things,


    but once you cross the line, he¡¯s not the type to let things slide¡±


    Willow¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment.


    Standing nearby, Jocelyn dared not even breathe too loudly. She always knew Yasmine wasn¡¯t Willow¡¯s


    biggest fan, but she hadn¡¯t anticipated such an open confrontation.


    What on earth had Willow done back in the day to earn Yasmine¡¯s wrath?


    And Melvin, darn it, he seemed to have this inexplicable fondness for Willow.


    Yet. Yasmines words hinted at something that did catch Jocelyn¡¯s attention: perhaps nothing


    substantial had ever happened between Melvin and Willow.


    Maybe they were just in that ambiguous space between friends and lovers.


    ¡°Thanks for the heads-up, Yasmine. But we¡¯re all adults here, and we have our own ways of interacting,


    no need for public service announcements. Willow said, slipping her sunsses back on. ¡°I¡¯ve got


    ces to be She strode off to her car.


    As Willow drove away, Yasmine red at the departing vehicle with disdain. ¡°What a piece of work, she


    muttered under her breath.


    Jocelyn felt she shouldn¡¯t even be there overhearing their exchange. Now she felt awkward.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious about why I can¡¯t stand her? Yasmine broke the silence as they headed back to the


    campus


    Jocelyn was indeed curious, but she felt it was better not to pry. She shook her head. ¡°You know the old


    saying. The less you know about secrets, the better.¡±


    ¡°Youre an interesting one. Yasmine chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯d be swimming with the fishes for


    knowing


    Jocelyn smiled back. She gazed out the car window. Her curiosity about Melvin¡¯s past and secrets


    piqued, but she no longer felt entitled to delve into them.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    What could change by knowing more?


    She didn¡¯t want any more drama.


    It wasn¡¯t just about actions. It was about mindset too


    She hoped to truly move on and give things with Harrison a real try


    Seeing that Jocelyn genuinely didn¡¯t want to know, Yasmine dropped the subject and pulled up to the


    school entrance. As Jocelyn was getting out, Yasmine asked, ¡°Jocelyn, is it okay if I call you that?¡±


    Surprised at her question. Jocelyn nodded.


    I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re truly over Melvin, but I can tell you, he¡¯s not over you. He¡¯s never been good with


    words. If you really don¡¯t want to


    hp another chance, i can understand.¡± Yasmine spoke sincerely. ¡°But he¡¯s my brother And as his sister.


    I truly hope he can be with the person no loves. So fm asking you to think it over again, to consider


    whether this is how you want your rtionship to end

 Chapter 124

    Chapter 124


    When Jocelyn had a moment to herself, she couldn¡¯t help but think about Yasmine¡¯s words. She


    admitted there was still a ce in her heart for Melvin, but she didn¡¯t want to continue on a path that led


    nowhere. A rtionship without a future would inevitably end just like it was now-unfulfilled.


    Fortunately, since thest time she¡¯d parted ways with her parents, she hadn¡¯t seen Melvin at all.


    Preston seemed to understand and never mentioned his uncle again.


    Everything seemed to be progressing in an orderly fashion. Jocelyn was convinced that time could


    indeed heal and change everything.


    She and Harrison had fallen into a routine of calling or messaging each other on Facebook daily, and


    their rtionship had started to take on a romantic tinge.


    Actually, she liked it this way. Keeping a healthy distance allowed for a richer imagination about the


    future and kept things fresh Not upying too much of each other¡¯s time and space was a fine way to


    be together


    Harrison called to say he was swamped at work and might not be able to give her much attention.


    Jocelyn urged him to prioritize his job, reassuring him that she was also caught up in her own whirlwind


    of school work, especially with finals approaching.


    Her chin wound had mostly healed. Back in her apartment, she found herself burning the midnight oil,


    prepping for review sessions. When she was busy, her mind was clear of distractions. When she


    finished her work, she was so tired that sleep came the moment her head hit the pillow.


    One day, it was a colleague¡¯s birthday and they decided to go out for dinner and karaoke to unwind a


    bit from the final intensity. After a hearty meal, they arrived at the karaoke lounge, only to bump into


    another group.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez,¡± someone recognized the man leading the other party.


    Melvin paused and turned to the caller. At first, he didn¡¯t recognize them. Upon seeing Jocelyn and


    Urs in the back, he remembered


    these were teachers from the local school.


    His gaze lingered on Jocelyn for a few seconds before he casually nodded to the man who had greeted


    him. ¡°You here for fun too?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re celebrating Hannah¡¯s birthday,¡± someone added. ¡°Care to join us for a bit of a party, Mr.


    Martinez?¡±


    Jocelyn looked down to avoid Melvin¡¯s gaze. But Urs kept whispering in her ear, ¡°He¡¯s looking at you


    again.¡±


    It had been a while since Jocelynst saw Melvin, and she¡¯d been so busy she had almost forgotten


    about him. Yet seeing him now, even just a fleeting nce can stir something she had tried to bury.


    She didn¡¯t like this side of herself.


    ¡°No thanks, have a good time, Melvin replied politely before heading inside.


    Zephyr, who had noticed Jocelyn¡¯s attempts to be invisible, caught up with Melvin. ¡°I saw


    Jocelyn,¡± he said.


    Melvin lit a cigarette and took a drag. His voice was chilly, tinged with a hint of mncholy, ¡°So what?¡±


    ¡°She seems thinner, Zephyr kept an eye on Melvin¡¯s expression. ¡°Did you take that business trip for a


    month to avoid her?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡± Melvin red at Zephyr Mind your own guy.


    Zephyr nced back at Yannick, who was a step behind. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my guy?¡±


    Melvin exhaled a smoke ring. ¡°Take a guess.


    Zephyrughed off Melvin¡¯s teasing and fell back to walk beside Yannick ¡°What did you guys actually


    do on that business tnp?¡±


    ¡°We did nothing, Yannick replied tly.


    ¡°Then why did he tell me to take care of you?¡±


    Yannick stopped and fixed Zephyr with a stare. ¡°I¡¯m not your guy.¡± With that, he quickened his pace.


    Zephyr hurried after him, draping an arm over Yannick¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Other than you, I¡¯ve got no one.¡±


    Yannick shrugged off his hand and followed Melvin into the private room with a cold face.


    Zephyr stuck to Yannick, still curious about what Yannick did during that month with Melvin But


    certainly Melvin wasn¡¯t going to tell


    Over the past month, Melvin had been working nonstop, thinking it would help him forget the woman


    who had left him heartlessly. Yet once he came back, he couldn¡¯t restrain himself from wanting to see


    her, and that eagerness was like being thirsty for two days and desperately wanting a drink of water. He


    was afraid he wouldn¡¯t be able to control it, so he asked frends to hang out with him to rx.


    gemed like fate was ying a cruel joke on hirn, picking a karaoke bar where he¡¯d run into her.


    wesn¡¯t destiny what was?


    After finishing a cigarette and downing a couple of drinks, Melvin felt restless and couldn¡¯t stay put.


    ¡°Hey, where are you going?¡± Zephyr kept a watchful eye on Melvin¡¯s movements.


    Yannick nced at the door. ¡°He¡¯s off to solve a case of lovesickness¡±


    Zephyr¡¯s face lit up with cunosity. ¡°He still hasn¡¯t forgotten Jocelyn, has he?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t just quit the most delicious meal you¡¯ve ever had,¡± Yannick sympathized deeply with Melvin¡¯s


    feelings.


    Zephyr¡¯s eyes narrowed at Yannick. ¡°And what delicious meal have you had?¡±


    Yannick gave him a sidelong nce. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Melvin stepped out of the private room and only stopped after a few steps. What was he even thinking?


    His head throbbed


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    He lit another cigarette, leaning against the hallway wall. As the ember at his fingertips flickered, his


    heart followed suit


    He¡¯d given himself a chance-if he didn¡¯t see her before he left, he¡¯d try to let her be happy.


    Just try


    But if he saw her again before leaving, he¡¯d bear the stigma of being the other man if he had to.


    Melvin smoked one cigarette after another His mood was growing more and more oppressive, nowhere


    near the rxation he¡¯de for


    Meanwhile, Jocelyn was toasting andughing with her colleagues, thoroughly enjoying herself and


    even belting out a few songs


    Her voice was beautiful. When she sang upbeat songs, the world seemed filled with joy. When she


    sang sad bads, it was as if the whole world owed her something.


    The music teacher joked that she must have studied music before.


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t hogging the microphone. She was about to put it down when someone urged her to


    sing one more.


    She knew a new song that had recentlye out, ¡°Possibility.¡±


    The moment the intro of the song hit the speakers, Jocelyn felt a weight descend upon her heart. As


    she began to sing, her chest tightened, an inexplicable wave of mncholy enveloping her.


    The lyrics in front of Jocelyn started to blur.


    She couldn¡¯t recall how she managed to finish the song. It wasn¡¯t until the room erupted in thunderous


    apuse that she snapped back to reality, her cheeks feeling oddly cold and moist


    Touching her face, her fingertips met a lone tear.


    Before turning around, she wiped her tears away. In an embarrassed murmur she said, ¡°Excuse me. I


    need to hit the restroom


    ¡°There¡¯s someone using it now,¡± someone pointed out.


    TI find another one outside¡±


    As soon as she stepped out, Jocelyn looked for the restroom. She even asked a waiter for directions.


    Finally she found the a restroom avable. But upon leaving, she was disoriented.


    Navigating by the door numbers was not helping much.


    The dim lights of the corridor made every turn look identical.


    Without paying close attention to the door numbers, one could easily lose their way.


    At a fork in the path, Jocelyn tried heading left. But after just one step, she spotted a man leaning


    against the wall, smoking a cigarette. Even in the dim light, she recognized him instantly. She knew


    right away she had made a mistake.


    As she was about to react, the man suddenly looked up and their eyes met, his gaze catching hers


    before she could look away.

 Chapter 125

    Chapter 125


    Their eyes met briefly ¨C just a few heartbeats of a moment ¨C before Jocelyn quickly averted her gaze


    and spun on her heel to leave.


    She was scared to face Melvin.


    Truth be told, he was the one who should feel sorry. But the mere sight of him made her insides churn


    with unease. She couldn¡¯t just brush it off and y it cool.


    Jocelyn hurried back to the private party room, deliberately choosing the seat in the farthest corner as if


    to hide, as though she feared Melvin mighte looking for her.


    But then she scoffed at herself for being paranoid. How would Melvin know which private room she was


    in?


    She shook her head at her own ridiculous thoughts. Maybe she was being a bit too self-involved.


    She rxed as the party around her surged with energy. A server pushed the door open, bearing a


    large tter of assorted snacks and a cooler full of beer and cocktails for thedies.


    The party-goers looked cunously at the birthday girl. ¡°Did you order an extra grub?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± Hannah replied, equally puzzled.


    The server rified. These are from Mr. Martinez. Also, he¡¯s taken care of your tab for the evening


    Everyone instantly knew who it was. They all knew there was only one Mr. Martinez in their circle.


    ¨C


    The crowd started buzzing about how much clout Hannah had, for Melvin to not only send a feast their


    way but also pick up the tab The guy was generous


    Urs nudged Jocelyn yfully, ¡°Hey, you think this is all for you?¡±


    Jocelyn forced a smile, though she wasn¡¯t sure how convincing it looked. ¡°No way. It¡¯s not my birthday.


    And even if it were, he¡¯s thest person who should be picking up my tab.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s his reason, then? Urs probed. ¡°Do rich guys just have too much money and not enough


    ways to spend it?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t have an answer. But it dawned on her that Melvin knew she was here.


    She had assumed that Melvin had moved on from her life and that she could continue her rtionship


    with Harrison without interference


    Yet, seeing Melvin again unsettled her, as if all her carefullyid ns coulde undone at any


    moment.


    Feeling uneasy, she grabbed her jacket, said a quick goodbye to Hannah and her colleagues, and


    made an early exit.


    Urs offered to apany her And Jocelyn agreed, not wanting to risk an awkward encounter with


    Melvin.


    As they exited the karaoke bar, Jocelyn spotted Melvin leaning against his car, a cigarette in hand,


    surrounded by a graveyard of stubs. He must have been waiting for a while.


    ¡°He¡¯s not waiting for you, is he?¡± Urs asked, her concern palpable


    Jocelyn took a deep breath and steered them both to walk past him.


    ¡°He¡¯sing over,¡± Urs whispered, keeping an eye on Melvin.


    Jocelyn quickened her pace.


    Urs tugged at her. ¡°Why run? He can¡¯t do anything to you The more you bolt, the more he¡¯ll think


    he¡¯s got you wrapped around his finger, that you can¡¯t shake him off.¡±


    Urs¡¯s grip halted Jocelyn in her tracks.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    The truth was, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t face Melvin. Her heart raced uncontrobly at the sight of him. Other


    than staying far away, she didn¡¯t know how to confront him head-on.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared,¡± Urs encouraged. ¡°You don¡¯t owe him money, or your life. He can¡¯t do anything to


    you. Remember, he¡¯s a jerk who wanted to have his cake and eat it. You dumped him because he did


    you wrong. You¡¯ve done nothing to feel guilty about, so there¡¯s no reason to flee.¡±


    Jocelyn knew all this, but emotions weren¡¯t swayed by logic. Otherwise, why would anyone be love-


    blinded? Why would people knowingly walk into mistakes?


    The world might run on rity and understanding, but the maze of romantic feelings defies such order


    Jocelyn was adamant


    A good ex should be like a ghost in your past, out of sight and out of mind.


    solving the problem Urs said, visibly anxious about her friend¡¯s evasion. ¡°The more you do this, the


    less likely you get


    apter


    over him unless one of you leaves the town, if he¡¯s determined, you¡¯re bound to cross paths.¡±


    Melvin had approached them and stood in front. He nodded slightly at Urs before his gaze settled on


    Jocelyn. ¡°Avoiding me?¡±


    Jocelyn frowned. ¡°Since you know, you shouldn¡¯t havee.¡±


    ¡°I need to speak with her,¡± Melvin said, addressing Urs.


    Urs, ever tactful, still warned, ¡°She has a boyfriend, you know.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes darkened, but he stayed silent.


    Releasing Jocelyn¡¯s hand, Urs said, ¡°I¡¯ll be right over there,¡± indicating she¡¯d be watching over.


    2 2 2 8


    Alone with Melvin for the first time in ages, Jocelyn felt her anxiety spike.


    Once Urs had stepped away, even breathing seemed a struggle for Jocelyn.


    ¡°Do you know why I¡¯m here?¡± Melvin asked, locking eyes with her.


    Jocelyn looked away, trying to sound indifferent, ¡°No idea¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want toe, really¡±


    Jocelyn remained silent


    Melvin, sensing her coldness, spoke with a hint of flippancy. ¡°I think we should continue what we had.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes narrowed as she finally met his gaze.


    ¡°I have a boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°So what?¡± Melvin scoffed, unimpressed ¡°You don¡¯t love him.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°Is that your excuse for not taking me seriously?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Melvin was confused by her usation.


    She bit her lip, ¡°You take me for granted because I love you. You said I don¡¯t love him, so I should just


    get entangled with you again?¡±


    Melvin furrowed his brows. ¡°Do you really think you¡¯ll be happy to be with someone you don¡¯t love,


    even if he offers you marriage?¡±


    ¡°So, I deserve to be yed by you forever?¡±


    ¡°Can wemunicate properly?¡± Melvin¡¯s irritation grew at her defensive stance.


    Jocelyn spoke in a measured tone, her voice carrying a hint of finality. ¡°I¡¯m just stating the facts. If you


    were any kind of gentleman, you¡¯d stop pestering me. I want to live my life the way I¡¯ve nned, and


    you should go live yours. We really don¡¯t need to be tangled up in each other¡¯s business anymore


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed, his thin lips pursed before he let out a low chuckle. ¡°You¡¯re right about one


    thing-I can¡¯t stop thinking about you. Because I¡¯ve realized that without you, nothing else brings me


    joy.¡±


    Watching his shameless expression, Jocelyn felt an overwhelming urge to grab a brick from the ground


    and hurl it at his head.


    ¡°My only source of fun these days is you, Melvin said with a sly grin, like a devil of the night who had


    found an amusing prey. He wasn¡¯t in a rush to devour it. He wanted to y with it until he was satisfied.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart raced with panic. She had thought the peace of the past few weeks wouldst, but it


    had been shattered all too quickly. She could tell that Melvin was serious


    Melvin watched her for a long time with a smirk as he could easily see the panic and annoyance in her


    eyes. Suddenly, he leaned in to steal a kiss from her lips.


    Jocelyn quickly dodged.


    Unfazed, Melvin reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her tightly to him, his other


    hand cradling the back of her neck. As she struggled, he pressed his lips against hers, a sensation he


    had missed for far too long.


    This was the vor he had been craving day and night.


    Jocelyn let out muffled protests, but Melvin¡¯s interest only grew. He bit her lip, and as she yelped in


    pain, he seized the opportunity to breach her defenses, conquering the territory he had longed for,


    reveling in his triumph.


    Jocelyn was a blend of fury and embarrassment, pinching him all over. To him, it was nothing but


    merely an itch. When she tried to bite his tongue, he swiftly withdrew, denying her the chance.


    Melvin worried that in her rage, she might truly hurt him.


    He observed her panting, her lips plump and tempting from his attentions, her eyes filled with anger but


    also shimmering with an


    been a long time since fre kissed you, he said, now with the upper hand, his voice softening, his eyes


    brimming with ensation His


    fingers gently traced her lips and his heart surged like the title. His gaze locked on her flustered yet


    impotent anger and his Adarn¡¯s apple bobbed with a husky voice, I¡¯ve missed you so much¡±

 Chapter 126

    Chapter 126


    Melvin was head over heels for Jocelyn, the kind of longing that haunted every waking moment and


    infiltrated dreams.


    For over three years, he had grown ustomed to herpany.


    The mere thought of her being intimate with another man set his heart aze. As if gasoline was


    poured over dry kindling, his jealousy red up the more he tried to quell it.


    His sister once said it was because Jocelyn had be a part of him, intertwined with his very being.


    Her leaving for another was like forcibly ripping a bone from his body, a wound that could never heal.


    Deep down, Melvin knew he couldn¡¯t bear to see her in the arms of another man.


    At that moment. Jocelyn didn¡¯t know if she was more angry or hurt. She shoved Melvin away violently,


    spitting on the ground and wiping her lips vigorously.


    She red at him with fury and pain. ¡°Are you insane? Can¡¯t you just stop messing with my life? I¡¯m


    done ying these games with you,


    done!*


    Urs, who had been watching from a distance, was startled by Jocelyn¡¯s heart-wrenching scream.


    Tears threatened to fall from Jocelyn¡¯s eyes as she jabbed a finger at Melvin and used, ¡°What¡¯s the


    problem with you? It¡¯s not like I didn¡¯t give you a chance. I asked if you wanted to marry me, if you


    wanted to settle down, and you said no! If you don¡¯t want to marry me, why can¡¯t you let someone else


    have me? Why are you so selfish? If you can¡¯t offer me a future, why disrupt my life?¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t hold back the tears any longer. They flowed like a torrential rain as she slowly bent


    over, crouching down and crying


    into her hands.


    Urs was concerned and was about to approach when she saw Melvin crouch beside Jocelyn and


    gently enfold her in his arms.


    From her vantage point, Urs could feel the love between them. She never understood why Jocelyn


    broke up with Melvin. It was clear they were both still in love. Such a breakup was not only torturous for


    them but also deeply unfair to the new people in their lives.


    ¡°Stop crying, Melvin murmured, holding Jocelyn close and patting her back. His voice was hoarse, and


    his eyes revealed his inner turmoil. Her sobs seemed to push him toward a significant decision. ¡°If you


    really want to get married, I¡­¡±


    ¡°Hamson!¡± Urs¡¯s urgent call snapped Melvin out of the moment, just as Harrison approached with a


    thunderous scowl.


    Melvin had barely stood up when Harrison¡¯s fist hit his face.


    The punchnded solidly, filling Melvin¡¯s mouth with the taste of blood. He touched his lip, his fingers


    coming away red


    Urs quickly pulled Jocelyn aside to safety.


    Through her tears, Jocelyn didn¡¯t immediately realize that it was Harrison who had arrived, thinking it


    might be a colleague of hers.


    But as she saw Harrison and Melvin exchanging blows, her mind cleared. Rushing over, she pleaded,


    ¡°Stop, both of you!¡±


    Harrison, driven by a fury long repressed, was not about to ease up after being provoked


    He was intent on teaching Melvin a lesson, showing that his patience had limits


    As Hamison¡¯s fists pummeled Melvin, pinning him against a wall, Melvin seemed to dete, offering no


    resistance like a beaten man.


    Jocelyn was in a hurry as she rushed over to Harrison and pulled him down, ¡°Stop!¡±


    Harrison stared at the man leaning against the wall, whose eyes and mouth were bruised because of


    his fists. He pointed at Melvin, ¡°I¡¯ve been putting up with you for a long time. She¡¯s my girlfriend now,


    don¡¯t me me if you harass her again


    Melvin wiped theers of his mouth; the backs of his hands were covered in blood. He panted


    heavily and suddenly smiled.


    Harrison¡¯s brow furrowed at his reaction. He really was insane!


    Suddenly, Melvin called out to Jocelyn, ¡°Jocelyn, I¡¯m in pain¡­, just after the words left his mouth, his


    whole body copsed softly on the ground.


    Jocelyn was so scared that her face turned pale immediately. She let go of Harrison and half knelt on


    the ground to pat Melvin¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Melvin, wake up! Melvin, don¡¯t scare me.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s worried and anxious tone made Urs frown as she listened


    Urs nced over at Harrison, who was clenching his fists, his eyes under his lenses harboring loss.


    Hanison clenched his reddened fists, quickly adjusting the emotions he had just felt in his anger. Once


    he had calmed down, he walked over and tried to pull Jocelyn to her feet. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s fine.¡±


    was so preupied with Melvin¡¯s injuries that she suddenly yelled at Harrison, ¡°Why did you hit him so


    hard? He couldn¡¯t even hack, why didn¡¯t you stop? Did you really have to kill him to make it count?¡±


    nd hovered mid air in that moment, he understood the meaning behind Melvins smug smile.


    No wonder Melvin had allowed the beating, not bothering to fight back.


    it appeared that Melvin had lost the fight, but actually Harrison was the loser in winning Jocelyn¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take it to heart,¡± Urs said, trying to mediate as Jocelyn railed against Harrison.


    It was clear that Hamson had won the fight but lost Jocelyn¡¯s heart. Urs felt a pang of sympathy for


    Harrison.


    But this confrontation had made it clear to everyone where this tangled rtionship stood


    Jocelyn called Preston to deal with his uncle.


    When Preston heard his uncle was injured, he rushed over with his mom, Yasmine, Zephyr and


    Yannick.


    Upon arrival, Zephyr understood the situation and swung at Harrson.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s quick reaction stopped Zephyr¡¯s punch.


    She stood firm in front of Harrison, her gaze sharp as she confronted Zephyr, ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±


    Zephyr¡¯s fists clenched, a storm brewing in his eyes. It was Yasmine whoid a calming hand on his


    arm. ¡°You can¡¯t hit him, Zephyr. If anything, you owe him thanks¡±


    Thank him? Zephyr was incredulous ¡°Yasmine, he beat Melvin to a pulp. How do you expect me to


    thank him for that?¡±


    Yasmine shot him a disdainful look, then turned to Preston. ¡°Help Yannick get your uncle into the car.


    This is nothing but a sideshow¡±


    Preston nced at Jocelyn before he moved to help. As he drew closer and saw the injuries on


    Melvin¡¯s face, his brow furrowed. He whispered to Yannick, ¡°How did Uncle Melvin get so banged up? I


    thought he was tough. Looking so weak in front of Jocelyn, that¡¯s just gonna cramp his style¡±


    Yannick chuckled softly. ¡°You don¡¯t get it now. But one day when you¡¯re older, you¡¯ll understand why he


    looks so ¡®weak¡¯ today¡±


    Preston¡¯s puzzled look lingered, but Yannick offered no further exnation.


    Once Melvin was settled in the car, Yasmine noticed Jocelyn¡¯s gaze following them. ¡°Youing


    along?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes returned to the present. After a moment¡¯s thought, she shook her head, ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll take him to the hospital.¡± Yasmine didn¡¯t push. She tugged at Zephyr, who was still


    eyeing Harrison with hostility, ¡°No more trouble. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    After their car pulled away, Urs sensed it was her cue to exit the scene as well.


    Pointing towards the karaoke bar, she said, ¡°I think I left something back in the booth. I¡¯ll go grab it.


    Don¡¯t wait up for me, bye.¡±


    Once Urs had left, the chaos of the night seemed to settle. Jocelyn¡¯s mind cleared considerably.


    She looked at Harrison uneasily, catching the hurt in his eyes, the kind of hurt that came from more


    than just physical pain.


    Swallowing hard, Jocelyn noticed Harrison¡¯s tightly clenched fists.


    Now she noticed that his lips were split too.


    ¡®Does it hurt?¡± she asked, nodding towards his mouth.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Harrison¡¯s response was quick and firm. He pointed to his heart, ¡°But here, it hurts even more.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s gaze fell. She twisted her fingers in self-reproach. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Sorry for what? Sorry for defending him and questioning why I had to go hard on him? Or are you


    sorry because you still have feelings


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    for him? Harrison¡¯s eyes behind his sses held the chill and disappointment she had never seen


    before.

 Chapter 127

    Chapter 127


    Jocelyn felt a tightness in her chest. She wanted to exin but found any word seemed hollow and


    Insincere.


    W to talk. Harrison said before turning away and walking towards the curb.


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


    Jocelyn trailed behind him. Her gaze fixed on his retreating back, wishing to p herself in the face.


    Hamison was her boyfriend now. Everything he did was reasonable and justifiable. Why had she


    snapped at him?


    Jocelyn was filled with regret. She caught up to him and grabbed his hand


    Harrison stopped and turned to look at her nced at her hand and gently removed it. ¡°No need to


    force it¡±


    Jocelyn felt an emptiness in her heart at his coldness.


    Hamison sat down at a roadside diner and ordered a spaghetti. He had flown for over two hours from


    Berry City to give her a surprise, never expecting such situation


    All the imagined perfect scenarios shattered in that instant.


    He knew that Jocelyn hadn¡¯t been totally in love with him. But her tant favouritism made him feel like


    a failure. He thought he could help her move on, to transfer all her feelings to him. s, that was not


    the case.


    Jocelyn sat across from him, noticing the diner owner about to sprinkle hot pepper kes on the


    spaghetti. She quickly interjected, ¡°He can¡¯t handle spicy


    The owner promptly put the pepper kes back


    Hearing the words, Harrison looked at her.


    If not for today¡¯s incident, he might have believed he had a ce in her heart. Such a reminder seemed


    to be an afterthought


    ¡°You want some? Harrison offered.


    Jocelyn shook her head, instinctively exining. Today was a colleague¡¯s birthday. We had dinner


    before hanging out. I never expected to run into Melvin. I was avoiding him, but he approached me¡­


    The spaghetti arrived, and Harrison had no intention of torturing his stomach with hot spices just to


    earn her sympathy. Pity that was sought after was neithersting nor genuine.


    Hamison listened calmly to her exnation. He could tell she was being sincere, that she really wanted


    to avoid entanglement with Melvin


    But isn¡¯t that how feelings are? If you¡¯re not together, there¡¯s always a period of entanglement. Some


    people get bored of the chase, but others are like a stubborn adhesive, impossible to shake off.


    There are usually two possibilities for this: one, the pursuer is just a troublemaker who doesn¡¯t want the


    other to be happy; or two, both parties still harbor feelings, allowing the pursuit as a way of seeking a


    chance for reconciliation


    From the start, Harrison knew Jocelyn hadn¡¯t totally let go of Melvin. Despite this, he chose to pursue a


    rtionship with her. He had been hoping for a different oue, but it was just wishful thinking.


    ¡°He pursued you, but you didn¡¯t reject him. You still love him,¡± Harrison said pointedly. ¡°If you really


    didn¡¯t, nothing he did could disturb yourposure.¡±


    Jocelyn felt as though she was gasping for air. She became uneasy, fearful of Harrison peeling back


    the walls she had built around her raw heart


    Harrison took a bite of his spaghetti and said, ¡°Let¡¯s break up.¡±


    Jocelyn was stunned, disbelieving as she looked at him.


    Harrison added some parmesan, catching her expression. Surprised?¡±


    ¡°I am really done with him,¡± Jocelyn insisted, not wanting to be entangled with Melvin anymore. But


    some things were beyond her control, which had led to the situation they were in.


    Harrison shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not saying this because of what happened today. Deep down, you know


    you still have feelings for him.¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn.¡± He still called her name gently. ¡°I understand your feelings. I knew from the beginning you


    still had him in your heart, but ! was too confident thinking I could rece him and make you fall for


    me.¡±


    Harrison looked at the spaghetti and chuckled, ¡°Spaghetti without the pepper kes isn¡¯t so tasty, but


    my stomach can¡¯t handle the spices


    Jocelyn understood his metaphor


    good for you, too, Harrison said, cing down his fork and looking at her with calm tenderness You¡¯ve


    been


    struggling too, right?¡±


    Her tears, long-held back, began to flow freely She bit her lip, fighting the urge to sob. But the tears


    refused to be contained.


    Harrison pulled out a napkin and sat beside her to wipe her tears. ¡°Let it out. You¡¯ve been repressing


    your feelings for too long.¡±


    But his words only intensified her emotions. Tears streamed down her face like a breached dam.


    Harrison wrapped an arm around her. ¡°Lean on me.¡±


    Jocelyn rested on his shoulder, crying inconsbly.


    Harrison patted her back gently, feeling the weight of her suppressed emotions that were never as


    carefree as she pretended


    Jocelyn finally confronted her inner feelings. Harrison was right. She still had feelings for Melvin and


    never reced him with others deep down in her heart.


    After a while, Jocelyn¡¯s sobs subsided.


    Sniffling, she lifted her head and saw a wet patch on Harrison¡¯s shoulder from her tears. She felt


    embarrassed, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Harrison nced at it, unconcerned. ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s just a shirt. You feel better now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡± Jocelyn sniffed, her breath visible in the chilly air.


    Harrison smiled at her. ¡°Maybe being friends again feels a bit morefortable?¡±


    Jocelyn felt terribly sorry for him.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got nothing to apologize for to me. Love has always been selfish and beyond arrangement. You


    also tried to engage positively in our rtionship, but I am just not the right one. That¡¯s why everything


    gets tangled¡±


    ¡°If things are getting all tangled up, there¡¯s no point in pushing through the mess, Harrison sighed,


    offering a bitter smile. ¡°I¡¯ve got to admit, I¡¯m really going to miss this.¡±


    Jocelyn lifted her misty eyes to meet his gaze.


    ¡°After all, I genuinely love you,¡± Harrison shrugged, a hint of resignation in his voice. Too bad you¡¯re not


    into me.¡±


    In her heart, Jocelyn thought if she had met him a few years earlier, perhaps she and Harrison would


    be truly in love for the whole life.


    ¡°Sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop saying you¡¯re sorry.¡± Harrison said as he removed his sses and pinched the bridge of his


    nose. ¡°If you¡¯re still hung up on him, then give it another shot. As long as two people truly love each


    other, they can cut through any issue.¡±


    Harrison was trying tofort her. He could sense that neither she nor that other guy could let go.


    Jocelyn shook her head. ¡°No, I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Harrison was puzzled ¡°You¡¯re not going to try again?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no future for us. Jocelyn said, taking a deep breath and forcing a smile. ¡°I can¡¯t see one.¡±


    Harrison frowned slightly before slipping his sses back on. ¡°Then focus on work when you need to,


    and rest when you should¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Jocelyn nodded vigorously. ¡°Thank you¡±


    Harrison chuckled lightly. ¡°Finally not an apology. I guess I¡¯m feeling pretty rxed now too


    Jocelyn knew Harrison had been amodating her, genuinely trying to build the best possible


    rtionship, but the problem was


    hers


    The best way to get over a rtionship was supposed to be diving into a new one, but that approach


    just didn¡¯t work for her. Not only could she not forget, but she¡¯d also end up hurting someone who truly


    cared for her.


    ¡°We¡¯re still friends, right? Harrison asked.


    Jocelyn nodded firmly. ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good enough for me. Anyway, I haven¡¯t given up on pursuing you, Hamson said with a broad


    grin. ¡°You said we were just trying things out, and maybe I was too eager. We can¡¯t rush these things.


    There¡¯s got to be a chase. I guess I was just too impatient.¡±


    Jocelyn felt even more guilty. Even now, he was still looking at himself for the problem.


    ¡°Youre a nice guy


    ¡°Stop right there,¡± Harrison quickly intervened, not wanting her to continue. ¡°I don¡¯t need a ¡®nice guy


    badge.¡±


    he friends for now Hamison settled the bill and nodded to Jocelyn. ¡®My friend, let me walk you home.¡±


    to sdrait that everting to being just friends with Harrison was indeed a relief. She no longer had to worry


    about keeping up


    the facade of having a boyfriend.


    Even though she had no intentions of getting back together with Melvin, it felt like she had shed a


    heavy burden.

 Chapter 128

    Chapter 128


    The next day at school, Jocelyn was greeted by Urs, who immediately inquired about what¡¯s going


    on after she left the previous night.


    ¡°We broke up.¡± Jocelyn said with a wry smile to Urs. ¡°But we¡¯re back to being friends now¡±


    Urs wasn¡¯t exactly surprised by the oue but was curious about another matter. ¡°Are you thinking


    of getting back together with Mr. Martinez?¡±


    Jocelyn shock her head. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Then why let a catch like Harrison slip through your fingers?¡± Urs couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°You guys


    could have dated without any issues. There was no need to let go.¡±


    ¡°I just can¡¯t get over this hump in my heart¡±


    ¡°At the end of the day, you¡¯re still hung up on Mr. Martinez, Urs said. ¡°If you love someone, be with


    him. You¡¯re miserable together and apart anyway. Why not choose to be together? There¡¯s got to be


    moments of happiness sometimes.¡±


    Listening to Urs¡¯s skewed logic, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°You might actually have a point.¡±


    ¡°Of course I do,¡± Urs retorted with disdain. ¡°It¡¯s the same with guys chasing girls. They¡¯re happy with


    the one they¡¯ve got but still checking out the market. It¡¯s all about pleasure. They don¡¯t need to wear


    their hearts on their sleeves. A few good times, a bit of a thrill, and they¡¯re set


    ¡°The thrill¡¯s the main thing, huh?¡± Jocelyn mused. Her long conversation with Harrison the previous


    night had truly shifted her perspective


    Now, she even found herself in the mood for a joke.


    ¡°So what do you think? Urs pressed. Really not getting back with him?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Haven¡¯t thought about it¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re letting go of both an old me and a new possibility? Then you shouldn¡¯t have broken up


    with Harrison. He¡¯s a great guy. You could have given it time, let affection grow


    ¡°My rtionship with Harrison was a mistake from the start. Staying with him out of obligation is not fair


    to him¡± Jocelyn sighed. ¡°Now that it¡¯s out in the open, I feel so much lighter.


    Urs shrugged. ¡°I can¡¯t tell if you¡¯re lucky or not. One great guy after another, and yet you end up with


    none.¡±


    Jocelyn just smiled. ¡°It¡¯s not about not wanting them. It¡¯s about the time I met them. Now I finally


    understand how crucial it is to meet the right person at the right time.¡±


    Urs shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ll never get it. But I¡¯m sure of one thing-if I ever find someone I¡¯m happy with,


    I¡¯m going to hold on tight. For at perennial singleton like me, finding someone is hard enough¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll find someone,¡± Jocelyn reassured her, patting her shoulder.


    As Jocelyn entered the ssroom that morning, she caught Preston¡¯s gaze. It was hard to decipher


    what his look meant.


    After ss, Preston approached her


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask me? Preston queried


    Jocelyn, packing up her things to leave the ssroom, replied, ¡°Ask you what?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious how he¡¯s doing? He got a real beating yesterday. Preston followed her. ¡°Aren¡¯t you


    worried?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re here for ss, how bad can he be?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s somewhat heartless response left Preston feeling downhearted.


    ¡°But he got beaten up because of you, didn¡¯t he?¡±


    Jocelyn stopped and looked at Preston. ¡®He didn¡¯t do it for me. After saying that, she headed


    downstairs


    In truth, she had pondered over Melvin¡¯s condition the previous night. But Melvin was no slouch. The


    fact that he couldn¡¯t defend himself against Harrison suggested it might have been intentional, perhaps


    to y the victim, to make her worry and see Harrison as the wrong one.


    When Melvin was getting pummeled by Harrison without fighting back, she had indeed been worried,


    not stopping to think it through and Tashing out at Harrison


    vin yed his cards deep-even in that moment, plotting against Harrison


    now that Jocelyn realized how halve shed been, finally seeing Melvin for what he was.


    Preston fled out, following her downstairs. ¡°Can¡¯t you just go see him?


    Jocelyn took a deep breath ¡°I can¡¯t. I have ss soon. You should focus on your studios and not


    meddle in adult affalis, especially when they¡¯re beyond your understanding. When you grow up, you¡¯ll


    see just howplex rtionships can be, far moreplicated than anything in your textbooks¡±


    Preston looked reluctant, but eventually, he left


    Jocelyn frowned slightly as she watched him walk away. She wasn¡¯t entirely indifferent to Melvin¡¯s


    injuries, but she also knew that Harrison wouldn¡¯t have seriously hurt him without good reason.


    The ¡®pain¡¯ he imedst night was likely half real, hall feigned.


    At lunchtime, Calvin made a phone call to Jocelyn.


    ¡°Jocelyn, why not invite Harrison over for dinner tonight?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean what? Hamson came looking for you, didn¡¯t he? You could have at least told us. If


    it weren¡¯t for his mom calling us, we wouldn¡¯t have even known he was here She said Harrison


    managed to transfer his job to Yanova City for you and even scoped out a house He¡¯s really gone all in


    for your sake. He¡¯s an action man when ites to love¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s mouth hung open Hanson had transferred to Yanova City?


    Why hadn¡¯t he told her?


    She hung up on her father and dialed Harrison¡¯s number.


    Harrison, busy at work, suggested to meet after she finished for the day.


    In the aftemoon, as soon as Jocelyn finished herst ss, she went to see Harrison, who was waiting


    at the school gates.


    ¡°In such a rush to see me?¡± Harrison, now in fresh clothes and a warm smile, looked at her with clear,


    honest eyes.


    Jocelyn frowned ¡°You¡¯ve transferred your job already?¡±


    ¡°Hmm. I wanted to give you a bit of a surprise, but you know how it is,¡± Harrison shrugged with a wry


    smile, ¡°life¡¯s full of curve balls¡±


    Jocelyn hadn¡¯t expected him to transfer so quickly. Ifst night hadn¡¯t gone down the way it did, maybe


    things would¡¯ve been on the upswing between them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. I¡¯m not nning on going anywhere for now,¡± Harrison said, trying to ease her


    worries. ¡°I applied to stay here for two years. After that, I might get transferred back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for all the trouble I¡¯ve caused,¡± she said, feeling a twinge of guilt


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    He shrugged it off. ¡°If you really feel sorry, then help me pick out some furniture this weekend. Found a


    nice little spot, but it needs a woman¡¯s touch. What do you say? You¡¯re not going to turn me down, are


    you?¡±


    ¡°Sure, Jocelyn agreed, finding no reason to refuse


    If it weren¡¯t for her, he wouldn¡¯t have to uproot his life. Leaving the familiar for the unknown, adjusting to


    everything new in this city.


    ¡°My parents know you¡¯re in town, Jocelyn mentioned, ¡°They want you toe over for dinner tonight.¡±


    Harrison hesitated, ¡°Do you think it¡¯s still appropriate for me to go? After everything?¡±


    Their parents were in the dark about the breakup. Things had been good, then ended suddenly. Now,


    he wondered if they could handle the truth


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it be? We¡¯re still friends, right?¡± Jocelyn reassured him. ¡°As long as you¡¯re up for it.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I am I¡¯ll be a local soon enough, so I¡¯ll be leaning on you a lot. After all, you and your


    parents are the only people I know here, Harrison joked


    But Jocelyn¡¯s quilt deepened with his words.


    That evening, Harrison and Jocelyn headed to her parents¡¯ house together.

 Chapter 129

    Chapter 129


    Calvin and Daisy¡¯s fondness for Harrison was palpable. In their eyes, Harrison had already be


    their future son-inw, and an excellent one at that.


    How many men would change jobs just because their partner asked, or move cities to be with the one


    they love? It showed a deep level of care andmitment to their daughter


    To wee Harrison. Calvin and Daisy had prepared a feast and made sure none of the dishes were


    spicy, catering to Harrison¡¯s sensitive stomach.


    ¡°Jocelyn, you¡¯ve got to treat Harrison well,¡± Daisy urged her daughter. ¡°He¡¯se all this way to be


    with you, to adapt to your way of life. Guys like him are rare these days. Don¡¯t take him for granted,


    take good care of him¡±


    The saying goes that a mother-inw finds her son-inw more endearing over time.


    Daisy, not yet a mother-inw, already treated him as if he were her own son.


    Hamson, not wanting Jocelyn to struggle for a response, chimed in with augh, ¡°Daisy, I¡¯m a grown


    man. I don¡¯t need anyone to take care of me.¡±


    ¡°Even grown men need a little looking after, Daisy responded. And don¡¯t you spoil Jocelyn too much.


    Her dad has pampered her since she was a lot. I¡¯m afraid she might walk all over you.¡±


    ¡°Mom!¡± Jocelyn was at a loss for words. ¡°Where are you going with this?¡±


    ¡°I just mean that since you two are in love and nning a life together, neither of you should spoil the


    other too much or take things too far In a rtionship, it¡¯s all about mutual understanding andProperty ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    tolerance. And don¡¯t be afraid of a little argument here and there. A good tiff shows you¡¯re really living


    life together. It would be abnormal if you never fought at all


    As Daisy went on and on. Jocelyn apologetically nced at Harmson.


    But Harrison was thoroughly engaged, nodding along and even agreeing with Daisy¡¯s points.


    In an unspoken understanding, neither Harrison nor Jocelyn revealed to the old couple that they had


    already broken up. It was to keep their parents¡¯ minds at ease and to avoid the pressure of mamage


    After dinner, Harrison joined Calvin for a game of chess..


    ¡°Not bad at chess, Calvin nodded in approval. ¡°Would be even better if you didn¡¯t let me win.¡±


    Harrison chuckled, I¡¯m not letting you win, Calvin. I just can¡¯t beat you¡±


    Calvinughed heartily. ¡°Whether you are letting me win or not, I can tell. These are the social graces


    of adulthood. The most unpredictable and inconsiderate yer I¡¯ve ever yed against has to be


    Preston, a student in Jocelyn¡¯s ss Thatd ys chess like a wild thing¡±


    At the mention of Preston¡¯s name, Jocelyn¡¯s expression shifted


    Now, Preston¡¯s name had the same effect as Melvin¡¯s-it always brought up connections.


    She was just relieved that Preston would soon be out of her sight


    Hearing the name ¡°Preston, Harrison¡¯s thoughts drifted to Melvin. He remembered Jocelyn mentioning


    that name the day before it must be someone rted to Melvin Understanding Jocelyn¡¯s feelings now,


    he had no particr thoughts about anyone connected to Melvin. ¡°Children have the most sincere


    intentions. They take everything seriously!


    ¡°That¡¯s why as we grow older, we seem to lose the simplicity of our youth As kids, we¡¯re seen as


    disobedient, but as adults, we realize that childish rebellion is nothingpared to theplexity of


    being true to oneself, Calvin mused


    ¡°Because adults think more and have moreplex emotions. Sometimes you have to be hypocritical,


    it¡¯s a way to survive Harrison added.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. Harrison. Children long to grow up, but once they do, they wish they could return to the


    simplicity of their younger days.¡± Calvin took a look at Jocelyn. Jocelyn is the only child Daisy and I


    have, and we always concern and worry about her the most Jocelyn frowned slightly, Dad, why are you


    talking about me again?¡±


    ¡°Calvin, your really don¡¯t need to worry about Jocelyn. She¡¯s outstanding and knows where she¡¯s


    headed in life. Rest assured, she¡¯ll do


    Calvin bearned at that, ¡°With you looking out for her. I¡¯m definitely at ease


    Movision just smiled


    window and felt to wa


    alicing thenugh the neighborhood, Jocelyn nced back at the two figures still watching frosty the


    They¡¯re really concerned about you, Jocelyn.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re just worried I¡¯ll never get married, Jocelynughed, half-joking. ¡°I don¡¯t know how I¡¯ve be


    this old maid¡¯ in their eyes.¡±


    Hamson empathized, ¡°It¡¯s not just their concern. It¡¯s society¡¯s pressure. I¡¯m 35 and still single. Although


    my neighbors don¡¯t gossip to my family¡¯s face, I can tell they talk behind our backs, saying something


    must be wrong with me¡±


    Jocelyn was shocked ¡°You¡¯re such a catch: how could there be anything wrong with you?¡±


    ¡°Some issues don¡¯t show on the surface, do they?¡± Harrison joked.


    Jocelyn got his point and shook her head in resignation. ¡°Society expects so much As teens, If we¡¯re


    seen with a boy, we¡¯rebeled troublemakers. As adults without a partner, we¡¯re either too picky or


    have some defect Living up to expectations is tough¡±


    Harrison looked at her as if she¡¯d seen through life¡¯s charade. ¡°You¡¯re younger than me. There¡¯s no


    need for you to be so pessimistic¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not pessimism. It just feels like there are invisible hands pushing us forward, Jocelyn said


    dispassionately. ¡°If I could, I¡¯d live a natural life. Whether marrying and having kids or not, it wouldn¡¯t


    matter Whatever happens, happens. Many say be yourself, but so far, I¡¯ve struggled to do so It¡¯s hard


    to go against the current alone.¡±


    Harrison didn¡¯t expect such depth to her thoughts. ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Why did you two break up?¡± Harrison genuinely wasn¡¯t one for gossip. He was just curious. If it¡¯s too


    personal, you don¡¯t have to


    answer.


    Jocelyn drew in a deep breath, tugging at the corners of her lips, ¡°It¡¯s exactly because of the reasons


    we just discussed.¡±


    ¡°How long were you two together?¡±


    ¡°Over three years.¡±


    ¡°He didnt propose to you?¡±


    A bitter smile crossed Jocelyn¡¯s face as she shook her head.


    It was a wait without an end in sight. Even if she couldn¡¯t let go, she wasn¡¯t about to keep ying the


    fool. To linger any longer would only sink her deeper.


    Hamson nodded, ¡°It¡¯s not just the pressure to settle down from your parents, is it? It¡¯s theck of a


    future together that¡¯s eating at you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Jocelyn didn¡¯t deny it, ¡°All I needed was a sign ofmitment.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s clear he can¡¯t let you go. Harrison sighed, ¡°He must really love you.¡±


    Jocelyn let out augh. ¡°Love? Shouldn¡¯t lovee with some sort of conclusion?¡±


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s a reason ¨C something he can¡¯t help.


    ¡°Everyone who knows about us says that. But if it¡¯s true love, why wouldn¡¯t he share his troubles with


    me? Shouldn¡¯t two people nning a life together be open and honest to each other? You¡¯ve probably


    noticed, after all these years, my parents don¡¯t even know I was with him.¡±


    Jocelyn looked up at the sky, pulling her coat tighter around her. Her gaze was a bit hollow, ¡°Actually I


    also know little about him. He never told and I never asked ¡±


    She suddenly turned to Harrison and offered a weak smile, ¡°Pathetic, isn¡¯t it?¡±

 Chapter 130

    Chapter 130


    Hamson apanied Jocelyn back to her apartment, but he didn¡¯t know how to console her.


    It¡¯s hard for an outsider to feel and empathize when it came to matters of love.


    ¡°Give it time. There¡¯s nothing that time can¡¯t heal, Harrison paused, looking at Jocelyn Intently, ¡°You¡¯re


    holding on because you still care deeply for him. If you truly can¡¯t let go, why not give it another try?


    Maybe after all this, he¡¯ll realize what he needs to do to keep you aside¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head, ¡°No, I can¡¯t.¡±


    ? ???? ?? ?????? ¨C


    Seeing her resolute stance, Hamson didn¡¯t push further ¡°Anyway, you should handle this in the way


    that feels right for you Don¡¯t overthink it. Treat him like an old acquaintance if you bump into him, just


    saying ¡®hi¡¯ and moving on. Don¡¯t force anything. Once your heart is at ease, the rest will follow.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Jocelyn smiled at him. Thanks for being here for me¡±


    ¡°If I can cheer you up, maybe I¡¯ll have a chance, right?¡± Harrison wasn¡¯t entirely joking. He hadn¡¯t given


    up.


    Now, he and Melvin were on equal footing. Though Melvin shared a past with Jocelyn, he faced a


    significant hurdle with her-a hurdle that was no issue for Hamson


    He knew what he wanted and what he could offer Jocelyn.


    What women sought was security and reliability, and he could provide that in spades.


    It was just a matter of time, and he believed she would eventually see the right choice.


    Jocelyn paused and nodded with a smile, ¡°We all have our chances


    They exchanged knowing smiles. When it came to love, nothing was certain


    Fate was half destiny and half earned.


    The next aftemoon, Harrison pulled up in a shiny new Mercedes 450 at the front gate of Jocelyn¡¯s


    school.


    When Jocelyn got his call and stepped out, she saw him leaning casually against the car, his eyes


    warm and inviting behind his sses


    ¡°Got a new ride?¡± she asked, eyeing the car with an empty licence te.


    ¡°Yeah. Since I start working here now, having a set of wheels makes life easier, Harrison said, opening


    the passenger door for her. ¡°Please.¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help butugh at his earnestness. ¡°Stop, you¡¯re making me blush¡±


    ¡°Keeping you from your day to help me with furniture shopping deserves a treat, Harrison said as he


    closed the door and took his ce in the driver¡¯s, buckling up. You haven¡¯t eaten yet, right? Let¡¯s grab


    a bite.¡±


    *Sure


    Preston watched the car drive away and dialed Melvin immediately, ¡°Uncle, your ¡®y dumb to catch


    smart¡¯ trick didn¡¯t work. You ended up the real dumb pig.¡±


    At home, Melvin touched the bruise on his mouth, wincing, ¡°What did you see?¡±


    They left together in his car Jocelyn looked happier than I¡¯ve seen her in a long time, Preston was blunt


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°Where did they go?¡±


    ¡°How could I know?¡± Preston retorted, ¡°I¡¯m done being your spy. Jocelyn is cold to me now because of


    you. As a mature man, you should figure out how to win her back instead of pulling these stunts. I¡¯m


    hanging up


    Melvin didn¡¯t get a word in before Preston hung up.


    Clutching his phone, Melvin thought about Preston¡¯s words-Jocelyn¡¯s happier than before


    What did it mean? That she was delighted to see him battered and bruised?


    wish he had been finished off?


    welver¡¯s chest was filled with a stifling rage, like an overinted balloon about to burst.


    right, Yasmine came out from her room, seeing her brother about to explode. It didn¡¯t take a genius to


    quess why.


    Mavs ned int Yasmine. ¡°You¡¯re really cohing, you know that?


    s took Ind your use n backfire? Thought getting hurt would get Jocelyn¡¯s sympathy, her attention?


    Stop being


    dramatic. It¡¯s unbing of a man.¡±


    ¡°You and your son are two peas in a pod. He teases me as a pig and you call me dramatic. Whose side


    are you on?¡± Melvin was furing ¡°My son¡¯s got a way with words. Yasmine didn¡¯t spare him any


    sympathy, ¡°But calling you a pig is almost apliment. Pigs at least have their good nature. What


    about you?¡±


    Melvin glowered, ¡°Go on with your teasing and see what happens!¡±


    ¡°What? You want to fight? Yasmine rolled up her sleeves, ready for a brawl, ¡°Do you believe I can still


    beat you up now?¡±


    ¡°Men and women of low virtue are difficult to nurture. The ancients weren¡¯t wrong¡± Melvin tried to rise


    above the squabble.


    Yasmine nodded. ¡°Right, you¡¯re the very definition of low virtue.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ Melvin¡¯s heart clenched


    Yasmine wasn¡¯t concemed with his feelings, Jocelyn¡¯s too good for you. She¡¯s beautiful, gentle and


    elegant. She should be with someone who has the charm and intellect of a university professor.


    Besides, if you¡¯re not going to marry her, why lie her down? It¡¯s not fair if you don¡¯t want marriage and


    yet deny her the chance. Don¡¯t be so selfish¡±


    Melvin took a deep breath, trying to keep his cool.


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


    He stared her down, ¡°So what marriage has brought you? Only to get divorced in a few years?¡±


    Yasmine¡¯s face darkened instantly.


    But Melvin was relentless, not caring for his sister¡¯s feelings either, ¡°Weren¡¯t you two in love once? Had


    given birth to your child at 18, and what next? Are you happy now?¡±


    He knew exactly where to aim his barbs-sharp, urate and merciless


    Trembling with anger, Yasmine stormed over and grabbed Melvin by the cor, ¡°Say that again!¡±


    ¡°Say it ten times, its all the same!¡± Melvin¡¯s harshness didn¡¯t waver. His emotions were bottled up for far


    too long, and now he couldn¡¯t hold them back any longer. ¡°If you can¡¯t guarantee you¡¯ll be together for


    life, then what¡¯s the point of getting hitched? Having kids? Isn¡¯t living in the moment a st?¡±


    ¡°Living in the moment? Then why the hell are you hounding someone else? They don¡¯t want to party


    with you anymore!¡± Yasmine knew his sore spot was tied to Jocelyn and she poked right at it. ¡°Let me


    tell you something, you¡¯ll never understand what love is. If I were Jocelyn, I would¡¯ve dumped you ages


    ago. Wasting three years with you, it¡¯s like throwing pearls to swine! You¡¯re just meant to be a lonely old


    bachelor, unwanted forever!¡±


    The siblings were at each other¡¯s throats, their faces flushed with anger, a stark contrast to their usual


    polished and untouchable


    extenor.


    Their eyes bulged with fury, as if they were ready to tear each other apart.


    Yasmine didn¡¯t coddle him, spitting out the harshest words she could find. In her eyes, he was such a


    heartless jerk that didn¡¯t deserve any care.


    Melvin was so angry he could burst into mes, his chest heaving rapidly. His eyes turned red, ¡°You¡¯re


    not afraid you¡¯ll anger me to death?¡±


    ¡°If you dropped dead from anger, then Jocelyn could finally find someone decent to love, to talk about


    marriage and starting a family with Yasmine had no sympathy for him.

 Chapter 131

    Chapter 131


    Melvin stormed out of the house after a heated argument with Yasmine. He jumped into his car, rolled


    down the windows to let the biting winter air whip through, hoping the chill might soothe his boiling


    temper.


    He drove aimlessly through the bustling city streets with a cigarette dangling from his lips. His mood


    gradually improved with each puff


    of smoke.


    Jocelyn had really caught him off guard. He remembered the night he got into that scuffle. She had


    looked so concerned, even scolded Harrison for him. But what was the deal now? She didn¡¯t even


    bother to check on him afterwards.


    What was she ying at? Was she indecisive or just in cold-hearted?


    ¨C


    As he flicked away the cigarette ash, theer of his eye caught sight of a familiar figure no, two


    figures.


    The woman he couldn¡¯t stop thinking about wasughing and chatting with that so-called professor,


    and what irked him most was the set of sheets the man was carrying. He remembered Jocelyn buying


    the same ones once before.


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


    And in Jocelyn¡¯s hands appeared to be a set of dishes.


    A surge of jealousy shot through Melvin. Were they moving in together?


    What a heartless woman, he thought bitterly He had been beaten ck and blue, and she had the


    audacity not to visit him, only to shack up with that guy right after?


    Unable to contain himself, Melvin parked his car, mmed the door with a resounding thud, and


    marched towards them.


    ¡°What else do we need? Toiletries, cups, towels¡­ Jocelyn was making a shopping list when she


    noticed Melvin approaching, his face marred with bruises, his thin lips pursed in barely veiled hostility.


    Harrison, noticing Jocelyn¡¯s sudden silence, turned his head to see her smile fade and her gaze fixated


    straight ahead.


    After cing their shopping down, he stood up and faced the direction of Jocelyn¡¯s stare. His brow


    furrowed at the sight of the man immediately.


    ¡°What a coincidence, Mr. Martinez, Harrison said, pushing his sses up the bridge of his nose,


    greeting Melvin with a calmness that


    belled the tension.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes darted to the trunk of their car, which was filled with household essentials. When he


    spotted a pair of pink slippers, his blood pressure spiked


    Seeing Melvin again, Jocelyn didn¡¯t shrink away like she used to. Perhaps being honest with Harrison


    had emboldened her. She was no longer afraid of Melvin


    Free from the ties of old affections, she felt differently, though the sight of Melvin¡¯s bruised face did


    make her wonder how he could


    bear to be seen in such a state.


    Melvin, noticing that Jocelyn no longer averted her gaze, frowned, ¡°It¡¯s not a coincidence. I came here


    to find you.¡±


    ¡°Is there something you need. Mr. Martinez?¡± Harrison gently pulled Jocelyn behind him, a move that


    nearly made Melvin explode with


    anger


    Jocelyn looked on indifferently, her eyes clearly perceiving the rage in Melvin.


    Why was he angry? Because she was with Harrison? Or because he thought she was moving in with


    him?


    What right did he have to be angry?


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t fathom what went on in Melvin¡¯s mind. Why cling to her after a resolute breakup?


    Was it all just for physical intimacy?


    ¡°I need to talk to you,¡± Melvin¡¯s gaze was fixed on Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn remainedposed, ¡°Just say whatever you have to say here¡¯


    ¡°Do you really want him to hear it? Melvin threatened.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing he can¡¯t hear.¡± Jocelyn was also testing her own resolve against Melvin¡¯s influence.


    *Fine¡± Melvin said, unashamed, ¡°I¡¯m going to pursue you.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat, her breath hitched


    Had she heard him wrong?


    Melon raised an eyebrow turning to Harrison with a provoking glint, ¡°I want her.¡±


    Hamson knew he was serious,


    ¡°And what after if you win her back? Are you nning to get married?¡± Harrison posed the critical


    question. ¡®You¡¯ve been together for


    three years without a promise. What can you offer her?¡±


    Melvin was surprised that she had shared their past with Harrison.


    i love Jocelyn, and she¡¯s the one I intend to marry,¡± Harrison rested his hand gently on Jocelyn¡¯s


    shoulder, pulling her closer,


    confronting the angry man, ¡°You¡¯re all talk. To truly love someone is to want a lifetime with her. She¡¯s


    not a ything, and she doesn¡¯t


    exist just to please you. So, what advantages do you have that would make here back to you?*


    With a scoff that Melvin read as condescension, Harrison continued, ¡°Let¡¯s go home, Jocelyn.¡±


    They left arm in arm, looking exactly like a loving couple.


    Melvin watched in silence as a sharp pain clutched at his heart


    The sky hadn¡¯t darkened yet when Melvin was already at the bar, halfway through a bottle of vodka.


    When Zephyr and Yannick amved, Melvin was totally drunk


    ¡°Dude, you¡¯re a mess, Zephyr chided, snatching the bottle from Melvin, ¡°Stop drinking! Think about


    your wounds.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes were dark, ¡°Give it back


    ¡°No.¡± Zephyr shook his head. ¡°You¡¯ll be done if you keep drinking like this!¡±


    Melvin growled. ¡°I¡¯ll count to three¡­


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother counting, Zephyr stood firm, ¡°Instead of drowning yourself in booze, why don¡¯t you go win


    her back?¡±


    Melvin was seething with rage the moment he heard Zephyr mentioning her, ¡°Damn it, she¡¯s practically


    living with that guy now!¡±


    Zephyr blinked in surprise, ncing over at Yannick with a frown, ¡°Living together?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s anger was bubbling like a pot on the verge of boiling over, ¡°Pass me the booze, now!¡±


    ¡°Just give him the drink. Yannick urged Zephyr. ¡°The guy¡¯s trying to drown his sorrows. What do you


    want to do, wait for him to start throwing punches on you?¡±


    Taking Yannick¡¯s advice, Zephyr handed the ss back.


    Melvin was knocking back the drinks like they were water, utterly consumed with the thought of Jocelyn


    shacking up with Harrison


    His mind was tormented with images of Jocelyn and Harrison picking out home essentials with


    beaming smiles, and then he imagined them entering a room together, embracing, kissing. On the


    couch, by the kitchen ind, in the bathroom, against the panoramic windows, on the bed. Everywhere


    they were logether.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes were bloodshot.


    That woman used to be his and his alone. But now another man was trying to erase the mark he¡¯d


    made on her life. And what¡¯s worse, she was letting him.


    ¡°Is this how she loves me?¡± Melvin mmed his ss down on the table with a sharp clink, full of anger


    as he turned to Zephyr, ¡°Has she really fallen for someone else?¡±


    Zephyr was taken aback.


    ¡°Look, Melvin, let¡¯s try to keep our cool, okay? Zephyr wasn¡¯t sure how to console him, ¡°Girls want a


    promise, a sense of security. You weren¡¯t offering it, but someone else was. It¡¯s not surprising she¡¯s


    made her choice.


    The words weren¡¯t what Melvin wanted to hear, but they were an undeniable truth.


    Melvin clenched his teeth and fists, the veins on the back of his hands standing out. The imprint of the


    bite mark left by Jocelyn on his hand was barely visible under the dim lights.


    ¡°If you really can¡¯t let go, why not marry her?¡± suggested Zephyr.


    Melvin suddenly fell silent.


    ¡°Marry her?¡±

 Chapter 132

    Chapter 132


    She desired a marriage, a family of her own That was a life worth living to her.


    They were usually in perfect harmony, blissful even, but whenever the topic of mariage came up,


    tension red. She would get upset, and so would he


    ¡°Seriously, if you want her back, you should just propose to her,¡± Zephyr said nonchntly, sipping his


    beer. ¡°It¡¯s just a piece of paper to certify your rtionship, after all. Nothing will be changed except that


    you are the closest to each other, the ones most responsible for each other. And most importantly, she


    will be exclusively yours.¡±


    ¡°Once you¡¯re married, no one else can butt in. She gets the stability she craves, and you get the girl of


    your dreams. It¡¯s a win-win,¡± Zephyr couldn¡¯t see why this was such a big deal. It wasn¡¯t rocket science.


    Jocelyn was ready to walk down the aisle. The key was whether Melvin was ready to take the leap.


    All it would take was a nod from Melvin, and they¡¯d be heading straight to a happy ending.


    Yannick remained silent, a thoughtful frown appearing on his face. As Melvin¡¯s buddy, he knew there


    had to be some deep-seated issues. What normal guy wouldn¡¯t want to marry the woman he loved, to


    shower her with affection like no other?


    It wasn¡¯t about the basic love just between a man and a woman. Regardless of gender, when you love


    someone, no one could separate you if you stick to each other


    Zephyr was right, the solution to Melvin and Jocelyn¡¯s rtionship just hung on Melvin¡¯s decision.


    Nursing a whiskey, Melvin¡¯s gaze was distant as he muttered. ¡°Just marry her, and that¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the alterative? You certainly don¡¯t want to see her walking down the aisle with someone else,


    do you?¡± Zephyr shook his head in disbelief. ¡°What exactly are you afraid of? is this decision really that


    hard? After three years, it¡¯s time to give her an answer. If I were Jocelyn, I wouldn¡¯t even wait a year


    before walking away.¡±


    Yannick gave Zephyr a piercing look and asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Zephyr, caught off guard by the icy stare, quickly rified, I mean, if I were Jocelyn. It¡¯s not like I¡¯d


    actually leave within a year myself.¡±


    The chill in Yannick¡¯s eyes slowly dissipated.


    Melvin¡¯s mind was reeling with the thought of marrying Jocelyn. For a brief moment, he actually


    considered just dragging her down to city hall to make it official


    But as quickly as the thought came, he began to feel a tingling sensation on his scalp. A creeping


    feeling was all over his body, his mind growing more and more chaotic. A sense of suffocation emerged


    with a cold sweat breaking out across his skin. He even felt it hard to simply breathe.


    ¡°Melvin, you okay?¡± Zephyr noticed his difort.


    Yannick reached out to touch Melvin¡¯s hand. His brow furrowed at the coldness he felt. ¡°He¡¯s freezing


    ¡°And sweating. Zephyr saw the beads of perspiration on Melvin¡¯s forehead and turned to Yannick,


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡±


    Yannick shook his head. He had never seen Melvin like this before.


    Realizing Melvin looked about to pass out, Zephyr didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°We need to get him to the hospital.¡±


    They helped Melvin into the car and sped to the hospital.


    After a quick check-up, the doctor asked, ¡°Did something frighten him?¡±


    Zephyr and Yannick exchanged nces. Frighten him? No way.


    ¡°He seems to be experiencing anxiety-induced palpitations, the doctor observed Melvin¡¯s condition,


    which seemed to have improved. ¡°I suggest a visit to a psychologist.¡±


    ¡°A psychologist?¡± Zephyr was shocked.


    Yannick looked at Melvin, who was now regaining his color, his eyes clearer but heavy with thought.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Melvin insisted and was intended to leave.


    Once Melvin stepped out, Zephyr asked the doctor uneasily, ¡°You think he¡¯s


    got psychological issues?¡±


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    The doctor nodded, ¡°He should be with these symptoms. It would be better to see a psychologist


    specifically to make a proper diagnosis


    Zephyr frowned and turned to Yannick in uncertainty, ¡°How could he possibly have a mental problem?¡±


    in their eyes. Melvin was just as normal a businessman as they were. How could he possibly have


    psychological problems?


    ¡°We should talk to Yasmine Yannick suggested. ¡°Let¡¯s go check on him.¡±


    Meanwhile, Melvin wandered aimlessly down the street. The wind was howling, passersby all huddled


    in their coats against the


    stinging rain


    The physical reaction he had experienced earlier still left him feeling chilled to the bone, though not as


    severely as before when it felt like his blood had frozen.


    He hadn¡¯t expected the mere thought of marrying Jocelyn would hit him so hard.


    When Jocelyn had hinted at wanting amitment before, his response had always been cold and


    indifferent. That was his defense


    mechanism.


    But now, even the slightest let-up had such severe side effects


    ¡°Melvin!¡± Yannick caught up with him.


    Zephyr followed in the car and rolled down the window. ¡°Melvin, it¡¯s raining. Get in.¡±


    Melvin seemed not to hear


    Yannick walked beside him. The two tall and handsome men kept drawing nces as they strode down


    the street.


    Melvin¡¯s face showed signs of the day¡¯s strain, yet it didn¡¯t detract from his rugged charm but added a


    rebellious edge.


    ¡°We¡¯ve known each other for what, five or six years? Yannick mused.


    ¡°Eight,¡± Melvin corrected


    Yannick thought for a moment, ¡°Right, eight Back then, you had nothing. Now, you¡¯re worth a fortune.¡±


    Melvin could see the drizzles in front of him clearly. Through them, he seemed to glimpse scenes from


    eight years ago.


    ¡°Back then, I was running with my brother-inw. Ha, he was just a small-time crook A wry smile


    touched Melvin¡¯s lips as he remembered his youthful follies.


    Yannickughed, ¡°I remember I just bought a new cell phone, and you and your brother-inw


    cornered me in an alley, demanding money. But he had some conscience though. At least he left me


    some money for a cab ride home.¡±


    Melvin chuckled along, the sound mingling with the whispering rain.


    ¡°Man, I remember this one time, your brother-inw and you were getting roughed up by some thugs.


    My cousin and I happened to walk by and gave you a hand.¡± Yannick¡¯s expression darkened as he


    spoke, ¡°Those lowlifes scattered like roaches when the police showed up. Even though it was you guys


    taking the hits, you bolted so fast when you saw my cousin in his policeman suit.¡±


    Melvin paused, his eyes carried a hint of sympathy as he looked at Yannick.


    ¡°After my cousin saved you he got called away on duty. Yannick continued, ¡°He didn¡¯t say much before


    he left, but we all knew he was sent on a mission. It¡¯s been 8 years with no message from him. My


    uncle and aunt have pretty much given up hope. Yannick patted Melvin on the shoulder. My cousin¡¯s a


    policeman And if he¡¯s gone, he went out a hero. But I¡¯ve got a feeling he¡¯s still out there. A stand-up


    guy like him, I bet he¡¯s got a guardian angel looking out for him.¡±


    Melvin just nodded, ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s gotta be ¡±


    ¡°You know, we¡¯ve known each other for years, but I still don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve been through. I¡¯ve


    asked, but you never spill the beans, Yannick quickly changed the subject, ¡°What¡¯s the deal with


    today¡¯s situation? What¡¯s going on with you?¡±


    Melvin swallowed hard, eyes downcast, and remained silent.


    Yannick furrowed, ¡°Is it because of Jocelyn?¡±

 Chapter 133

    Chapter 133


    Melvin¡¯s lips quivered slightly as he took a deep breath, bracing himself for the familiar feeling of


    suffocation that seemed imminent.


    ¡°You¡¯re not marrying Jocelyn, not because you don¡¯t love her, nor because you don¡¯t want to be with


    her. You have your concerns, right?¡± Yannick had figured it out. ¡°Zephyr said that marrying Jocelyn


    would solve all your problems, but that¡¯s when your symptoms started showing up. So, the reason you


    don¡¯t want to get married lies right here.¡±


    The numbness crept over Melvin¡¯s body again as his lips trembled more and more visibly. His gaze


    was growing dimmer.


    Worned he might have stirred Melvin up again, Yannick tried to soothe him, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to talk


    about it, I won¡¯t ask. But I know you really love Jocelyn. If you can¡¯t give her marriage, at least you


    should tell her how much you love her. Besides marriage, you can give her everything else. She¡¯s


    emotional, but rational too. She¡¯ll understand


    ¡°What she wants most is marriage, Melvin said, his voice shaking.


    Yannick sighed softly. ¡°For many women, marriage is their most cherished dream. It¡¯s like a secret code


    binding you to the one you love for life. She wants to marry you because you¡¯re the one she wants to


    spend her life with¡±


    Melvin felt a sharp pang in his heart. He had always known Jocelyn¡¯s love for him.


    From the moment she brought him home and from the way she looked at him, he knew this girl had


    feelings for him.


    He had seen her before, back when he was a sessful businessman invited to give talks at her


    school. She was beautiful and dazzling. Her features delicate and charming, yet she exuded an aura of


    refreshing purity.


    He thought, such a beautiful girl must have plenty of admirers.


    It was just a fleeting encounter. He hadn¡¯t thought much of it, let alone that one day, their lives would


    intertwine.


    The rain was getting heavier.


    Zephyr ignored the impatient honking from the cars behind him. Thankfully, the traffic was light at the


    moment. He quietly followed the them and suggested again, ¡°It¡¯s pouring, get in the car.¡±


    Melvin stopped and said to Yannick. ¡°You guys go ahead. I want to walk alone.¡±


    ¡°The rain is getting worse.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    Yannick didn¡¯t follow this time.


    ¡°Why did you let him walk away? It¡¯s pouring, and he¡¯s hurting, both body and soul, Zephyrined.


    Yannick nced at Zephyr, who immediately fell silent.


    In the car, Zephyr drove obediently but couldn¡¯t help himself asking, ¡°What did you guys talk about?¡±


    He wasn¡¯t far, but not close enough to catch their conversation.


    ¡°Do you know what the most tormenting thing in the world is?¡±


    Zephyr frowned, ¡°Being broke?¡±


    Yannick gave him azy look, Two people in love, but unable to be together¡±


    That statement silenced Zephyr, turning him solemn.


    Jocelyn was helping tidy up at Harrison¡¯s ce, getting things in order. Harrison had cooked dinner and


    they shared their first meal in his new home


    ¡°Melvin definitely won¡¯t be able to sleep tonight, Harrison said with a chuckle.


    Thinking of the look in Melvin¡¯s eyes when he saw them together, Jocelyn just sighed, ¡°His feelings for


    me are just an unhealthy obsession.


    ¡°When a man likes a woman, he naturally wants to possess her,¡± Harrison felt there was nothing wrong


    with that ¡°If he doesn¡¯t even fee! possessive, it¡¯s doubtful how much he really likes her.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Jocelyn nced outside the window, ¡°It¡¯s raining.¡±


    ¡°Quite fitting¡¯


    Understanding the subtext of Harrison¡¯s words, Jocelyn smirked, ¡°He¡¯ll be fine.


    were him, id definitely find a ce to drink, Harrison said, understanding the male psyche. ¡°His beloved


    woman going home with other man-if he can sleep tonight, that would be a real surprise¡±


    ¡°So what? Jocelyn shrugged nonchntly, feigning indifference, ¡°He deserves it.¡±


    Hamson looked at her with admiration but also a hint of mockery, ¡°You¡¯re clearly worried, yet you


    pretend to be at ease. You¡¯re just putting on a brave face.¡±


    ¡°Not at all, Jocelyn denied, ¡°My rtionship with him really doesn¡¯t need to continue. I¡¯m serious this


    time.¡±


    Yeah, I believe you,¡± Harrison replied with a meaningful nod.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t know how to exin to make him believe, and eventually gave up on trying to assert her


    resolve.


    ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I should go,¡± Jocelyn grabbed her purse after dinner.


    ¡®I¡¯ll walk you out.


    ¡°No need, you still have to clean up. The transportation here is convenient. I¡¯ll just hail a cab,¡± Jocelyn


    declined, ¡°I¡¯m off, bye¡±


    But Harrison still followed her out.


    ¡°I won¡¯t send you home, but at least let me see you off to the lobby.¡±


    Harrison hailed a taxi by the curb, ushered her in, and watched the car merge into the traffic before


    retracting his gaze


    The light in his eyes extinguished in that moment.


    Jocelyn kept saying she wouldn¡¯t get back with Melvin. Maybe that was true, but it didn¡¯t mean she


    didn¡¯t love him anymore.


    Like Hamson, who had agreed to be just friends. In reality, he wanted to use that status to get closer to


    her, to weave his life into hers.


    Loving someone isn¡¯t something you can turn off just because you say so. Some things are easy to let


    go of, some are hard


    Jocelyn hadn¡¯t noticed the intensity of the rain when she got out of the cab. But under the streetlight, it


    was clear how heavy it poured.


    She hurried back to her apartment, shaking off the rainwater from her coat and arranging her hair


    quickly, then entered the elevator.


    Watching the changing numbers of the elevator, she texted Harrison to let him know she was safe.


    Harrison replied very soon, telling her to rest up


    Jocelyn smiled and sent back a message wishing him the same.


    Being friends with Harrison again felt reallyfortable. Even still with another man in her heart, she


    could finally get rid of the guilt she once felt for Harrison


    She admitted, Melvin was still in her heart. Indeed, she hadn¡¯t let go of him, and even starting a new


    rtionship couldn¡¯t rece the space he upied in her heart. She didn¡¯t want to be unfair to


    Harrison.


    As the elevator doors opened, her gaze lifted, and the smile on her lips froze instantly.


    Melvin leaned against the corner, an aura of disarray clinging to him like a second skin. His eyes were


    shut gently, his long legs stretched out, and his clothes appeared heavy and sodden from the rain.


    His leather shoes were stained with sshes of water and splotches of mud, a testament to the harsh


    weather he had braved. Mud also clung to the hem of his trousers.


    His hair was a tousled mess, strands sticking out at odd angles, making him look like he had been


    through a whirlwind. Bruises mottled his face in shades of blue and purple, presenting an image of a


    once-dapper gentleman now fallen on hard times. To an outsider, he could have been mistaken for a


    man who¡¯d been mugged and left with nowhere to turn.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart ached for him. But at the same time, she was furious.


    Who exactly was he trying to impress with this outlook?


    Approaching him, she gave his shoe a light kick


    Melvin¡¯s eyes slowly flickered open. Upon seeing the woman¡¯s indifferent expression, his heart sank.


    He swallowed hard, and when he spoke, a warm, abnormal heat rose from his throat, ¡°You¡¯re back.¡±


    His voice was hoarse, a telltale sign of a cold setting in.


    Jocelyn genuinely thought Melvin had a ir for the dramatic, always managing to transform himself


    into this unrecognizable state. With a feigned look of despise, she asked, ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    1 just wanted to see if you¡¯de home tonight, Melvin replied, his gaze fixed on her, a subtle smile


    ying at theers of his eyes His deep voice carried a hint of smugness, ¡°d you didn¡¯t stay over


    at his ce.¡±

 Chapter 134

    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

 Chapter 135

    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 ¨C 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.

 Chapter 136

    Chapter 136


    Jocelyn and Urs had decided on the rural school where they nned to teach as volunteers. They


    were just waiting for the winter break


    Melvin hadn¡¯t shown uptely, while Jocelyn was too busy with finals to think about anyone else.


    After thest mock exam, Preston caught up with Jocelyn in the hallway. ¡°Hey, Jocelyn,¡± he said with a


    solemn look, ¡°I won¡¯t be around


    next semester¡±


    Transferring? Jocelyn replied, a note of surprise in her voice.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°To another city, or just a different school in Yanova City?¡±


    Im heading abroad¡± Preston¡¯s tone was matter-of-fact. ¡°Mom¡¯s taking me.¡±


    Jocelyn nodded. ¡°Sounds exciting¡±


    ¡°It was cool knowing you Preston tried to sound grown-up. ¡°Would¡¯ve been better if we became family¡±


    Hearing this, Jocelyn didn¡¯t get angry anymore. She just smiled Family is all about fate.¡±


    Preston nodded, agreeing. About my uncle don¡¯t worry, Im not here to persuade you to make up with


    him. I just mean, if he¡¯s really not worth it, then forget him. Find someone worthy of your love That¡¯s my


    mom¡¯s advice, too.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart sank, but she epted the counsel. ¡°Don¡¯t worry I will¡±


    you


    feel like


    After finals, Jocelyn packed her suitcase quickly, waiting for the graded papers to be returned so she


    and Urs could head to the rural school to teach.


    The night before they were set to leave, Yasmine asked Jocelyn out for dinner


    Yasmine mentioned she and Preston would be leaving tomorrow. It seemed right to meet up onest


    time, as there was no telling when they¡¯d see each other again.


    After a moment¡¯s thought and knowing it was a sincere invitation from a student, Jocelyn agreed.


    Besides, Yasmine had promised that Melvin wouldn¡¯t be there.


    Jocelyn zipped up her parka and took a cab to the cozy little farm-to-table restaurant Yasmine had


    picked out.


    Preston was waiting by the entrance when she arrived.


    The kid had great manners, Jocelyn thought. Despite his rocky start, he was a quick learner and his


    grades reflected his willingness to put in the effort


    Jocelyn, Preston called out.


    ¡°Why are you waiting outside? Aren¡¯t you cold?¡± Jocelyn asked with concern.


    Preston patted his chest ¡°Built tough. I¡¯m good.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled


    Following Preston inside, she found Yasmine had reserved a private room for them. The greeting was


    warm, like meeting an old friend After ordering. Yasmine offered Jocelyn a drink, but she declined,


    citing the early start the next day.


    They chatted about nothing and everything,ughing and bonding in a way that made Jocelyn feel


    Yasmine could have been a great friend if she weren¡¯t Melvin¡¯s sister.


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    After dinner, Jocelyn gave Preston some parting advice about getting along at his new school and not


    butting heads with others. Preston nodded, then joked, ¡°You¡¯re more of a mom to me than my own.


    Yasmine gave her son a yful swat on the head ¡®Watch your words, kid. This is your teacher. Show


    some respect¡±


    ¡°I respect Jocelyn plenty. Only person in school I actually listen to, Preston quipped, fixing his hair after


    Yasmine¡¯s ruffle. ¡°Mom, how many times have I told you not to mess with my hair?¡±


    ¡°So what if i do? Yasmine teased, reaching out to ruffle it again.


    Preston dodged with augh, but then his gaze fixed on something-or someone-ahead. ¡°Uncle¡± he


    eximed.


    His shout drew everyone¡¯s attention


    Melvin, too, with the fully geared-up Willow beside him She met their gazes squarely without flinching


    however, was watching Jocelyn protectively. Her disdain for Melvin was barely concealed.


    Melven approached them. ¡°What are you guys doing here?¡±


    ¡°Having a farewell dinner with Jocelyn,¡± Preston said with his usual bravado. He cast a disdainful


    nce at Willow ¡°Uncle, what happened to your taste? You¡¯re hanging out with all kinds of people


    now?¡±


    Melvin frowned. ¡°Watch your tone.¡±


    ¡°I speak my mind. Preston retorted, his dislike for Willow as evident as his mother¡¯s


    Willow¡¯s expression was invisible with a musk on her face, though her eyes apparently grew colder.


    She studied Jocelyn, then nced at Yasmine. It was clear Jocelyn had a way of winning over even


    those who disliked her most.


    Melvin¡¯s face hardened ¡°Apologize to Willow.¡±


    Preston scoffed, turning away.


    ¡°Preston, apologize now!¡± Melvin insisted.


    ¡°Why should he?¡± Yasmine chimed in. ¡°He¡¯s not wrong. You¡¯ve been told to stay away from certain


    people, but you never listen. Look at what you¡¯re stuck with now.¡±


    The tension was palpable, and Jocelyn felt it was time to leave.


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve got to run, she said as she pulled out her phone. ¡°Yasmine, thanks for the dinner. If you¡¯re


    ever back in Yanova City, I owe you


    one.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll hold you to that Yasmine replied with a genuine smile.


    Take care, Preston, Jocelyn added. ¡°Listen to your mom and take good care of her.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± he assured her with a serious nod


    As Jocelyn left the restaurant, Yasmine tousled Preston¡¯s hair one more time. He sighed and fixed it,


    and they watched Jocelyn disappear into the night


    Ignoring Melvin and Willow, the trios interaction unfolded with an air of finality


    After bidding farewell, Jocelyn hailed a cab from the curb. Without a backward nce at the man who


    had once meant so much, the vehicle arrived and she offered Yasmine and Preston onest smile and


    wave.


    It was only when the taxi had disappeared into the distance that Yasmine¡¯s smile faded, her gaze


    turning icy as she fixed it on Melvin. ¡°Birds of a feather,¡± she muttered. ¡°Now that everyone¡¯s gone, you


    do whatever you please.¡± With that, she took Preston¡¯s hand and they left as well


    Tears brimmed in Willow¡¯s eyes. ¡°After all these years, Yasmine still dislikes me so much. I really don¡¯t


    understand why she hates me.¡±


    Melvin spared her a nce, detached. Let¡¯s go eat,¡± he said, striding ahead without waiting for her.


    Scrambling after him, Willow persisted, ¡°Melvin, can¡¯t you talk to Yasmine for me? We¡¯ll be seeing a lot


    of each other. I don¡¯t want every meeting to be so unpleasant.¡±


    ¡°Exin what?¡± Melvin shot back.


    ¡°I left back then to better myself, for our future. It wasn¡¯t because I thought you were broke; I just


    wanted to contribute to our future when I could,¡± Willow pleaded, her voice thick with unshed tears.


    ¡°You won¡¯t have many future encounters with them. No need for exnations,¡± Melvin replied in a


    frosty tone.


    Willow¡¯s brow furrowed ¡°But she¡¯s your sister.


    ¡°Yes, she¡¯s my sister. But you are just a spokeswoman for my jewelry brand, and there won¡¯t be many


    asions for you two to meet With that, Melvin stepped into the diner.


    Willow stood rooted to the spot, confused and hurt.


    What was he implying? He had broken up with Jocelyn. Wasn¡¯t he supposed to want to be with her


    now?

 Chapter 137

    Chapter 137


    The next day, Jocelyn and Urs hit the road in Urs¡¯s trusty SUV, bound for the rural vige where


    they would be volunteering.


    After three hours on the freeway and another hour on country roads, the path deteriorated into a bumpy


    trail. It was a dirt track riddled with potholes, making their vehicle jolt and jar with every dip.


    Thankfully, Urs had a steady hand at the wheel. Despite the bone-rattling ride, they eventually


    reached the vige outskirts. Yet, the journey wasn¡¯t over. They still had to navigate the final stretch to


    get to the heart of the vige


    The vige secretary was already waiting for them, along with a crowd of curious onlookers The


    children and seniors stared at the two women with a mix of astonishment and bewilderment, as they


    couldn¡¯t fathom why such charmingdies woulde to their backwater to teach


    The secretary guided Jocelyn and Urs to themunity center and gave them a rundown of the


    local situation


    The vige¡¯s poption barely topped fifty-six souls, half of whom were elders, with a handful of kids


    and a smattering of women in their forties and fifties-mostly empty nesters and housewives left behind


    when the able-bodied men headed out to seek work elsewhere


    ¡°We used to have a little schoolhouse here, the secretary exined, ¡°but it fell into ruin as folks moved


    away. The ones who could afford it sent their kids to the town school, a good two-hour walk. Everyone


    who could leave did, and those who stayed¡­well, they were the ones who couldn¡¯t afford any better.


    We¡¯ve had volunteers before, but they¡¯ve all moved on. Now, the few kids left range from toddlers


    ying in the mud, to fifteen, who dropped out early to help at home¡±


    ¡°I took it upon myself to teach the kids of age.¡± he continued, the weariness evident in his voice. ¡°I


    couldn¡¯t let them grow up without hope Right now, I¡¯m teaching nine of them, all about eight years old.


    The secretary truly wanted to make a difference, but his reach was limited since resources were so


    scarce


    ¡°You see the conditions we¡¯re living in. the secretary said, looking at the two young teachers who came


    to help voluntarily. ¡°I thought I¡¯d show you around the vige for a couple of days. If it¡¯s too rough for


    you, think of it as a little adventure before heading back.¡±


    He didn¡¯t want to build up the children¡¯s hopes only to dash them again.


    Jocelyn and Urs agreed, but their intent wasn¡¯t to inspect the environment to decide whether to stay


    or go. They wanted to get to know the vigers and understand their lives better.


    ¡°We brought some supplies, they said, ¡°some food for the vigers. We¡¯d appreciate your help


    distributing it¡±


    The back of the SUV was filled with milk cartons, backpacks and books, with more supplies on the way


    via delivery


    After sharing a modest meal at the secretary¡¯s home, Jocelyn and Urs were taken on a tour of the


    vige. The cobblestone pathways wereid by the vigers for easier travel, and the clustered houses,


    many with moss-covered yards and closed doors, spoke of long absences.


    They distributed milk, oil, and rice to childless homes and backpacks and books to those with children.


    By the end of their rounds, dusk was setting in.


    The secretary settled them into a tidy house recently vacated by a family who¡¯d left to work elsewhere.


    It was a clean and cozy space, surrounded by neighbors who could provide a sense ofmunity


    Once the secretary left, Jocelyn and Urs sat in silence. The day¡¯s experiences weighed heavily on


    them. They exchanged nces. eyes filled with a mix of helplessness and resolve Their hearts had


    ached earlier that day when a little girl had looked up at them and. shyly asked, ¡°Unah said you¡¯re here


    to teach us. Is that true? You won¡¯t leave us, right?¡±


    Unah was the vige secretary.


    That night, sleep came slowly for Jocelyn and Urs as the trivial wornes of romance and affection


    seemed so distant inparison. Jocelyn regretted the time wasted with Melvin when she could have


    been doing something more meaningful like this.


    They didn¡¯t leave. They stayed true to their words.


    They converted an abandoned house into a makeshift ssroom, just needing one spacious room with


    enough desks for the children. At first, the kids were nervous and restrained. But they were eager


    leamers.


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    Jocelyn employed aid-back teaching style, and by the end of each lesson, the children wereughing


    and ying around her. Their affection was pure and simple. One day, a shy boy approached Jocelyn


    with a gift wrapped in a stic bag, something like potato For you, Jocelyn,¡± he said


    the epted it, feeling the warmth in her hands. ¡°Is this baked?¡±


    my grandma made it for you in the stove. It¡¯s really sweet


    celyn med gratefuly ¡°Thank you¡±


    campered away with flushed cheeks.


    Sitting on the front steps, Jocelyn unwrapped the gift¨Ca roasted sweet potato-and took a picture for


    Twitter with the caption, ¡°Nothing warms the heart quite like this.¡±


    Biting into the sweet potato, she savored the taste that was as sweet as the act of kindness itself.


    A few dayster, the secretary excitedly shared news that outsiders were considering building a road to


    the vige and exploring agricultural opportunities to help lift themunity out of poverty


    ¡°That¡¯s great! Urs beamed.


    The secretary tempered his excitement with caution, citing past disappointments. But Jocelyn was


    optimistic, Someone wille through for us


    Urs agreed. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll see progress and people will return home to their families¡±


    The secretary¡¯s eyes sparkled with hope at their words.


    Soon after he left to meet the potential benefactors at the vige entrance.


    While the vigers buzzed with anticipation, Jocelyn and Urs stayed behind, teaching the children a


    music lesson in the courtyard.


    The vige was cradled by mountains on all sides. When you sang, the sound seemed to wrap around


    you like a rich tapestry of surround sound, both resonant and ethereal.


    Jocelyn had a great voice, and she taught the kids a song called ¡°Youthful Dreams of the West


    The children sang with such fervor, their voices carrying the grand melody and the majestic simplicity of


    the lyrics. Their song rose through the mountains, their youthful tones striking with a resounding


    strength and a tenacity that belied their age. In their voices was the undeniable spirit of defiance


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but sniffle as she listened to their singing.


    They were young, but weren¡¯t their hearts filled with dreams just the same?


    Urs, moved by their passion, quietly wiped away the tears on her face.


    Jocelyn knew Urs shared her sentiment. These children might once be ignorant, yet they too


    harbored dreams and aspirations


    Unable to resist. Jocelyn joined in the chorus. Her voice mingled with theirs, echoing through the


    woods, infusing this once somber vige with boundless hope.


    Not far away, a man stood tall beneath a sturdy oak. His deep-set eyes, reminiscent of twilight skies,


    fixed on the slender woman whose voice exuded a powerful force. He swallowed hard, feeling


    something fill the void of his heart that had been empty for far too long.

 Chapter 138

    Chapter 138


    There was a girl who couldn¡¯t take her eyes off something just over Jocelyn¡¯s shoulder. When their


    gazes met, the girl pointed behind Jocelyn.


    Puzzled, Jocelyn tumed around, only to see nothing there.


    As school was about to let out, Uriah came to find them. His face was beaming with a joy he couldn¡¯t


    hide. ¡°Jocelyn, Urs, the vige¡¯s throwing a potluck tonight. You should bothe.¡±


    ¡°You look like you¡¯ve struck a deal, Jocelyn surmised that nothing made Uriah happier than someone


    willing to invest in their vige.


    Uriah nodded with a smile. ¡°Indeed, we have.¡±


    ¡°Congrattions!¡± Jocelyn said cheerily. The vige¡¯s going to keep getting better.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Unah agreed with conviction. ¡°It will.¡±


    After he left, Jocelyn and Urs packed up their things. Urs mused, ¡°Wonder who¡¯s got such a kind


    heart.¡±


    ¡°Whoever it is, if they can improve the situation here, that¡¯s all that matters. But you know, the


    beginning is always the hardest part. I just hope they¡¯re serious and not just putting on a show, getting


    everyone¡¯s hopes up only to let them down.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see tonight,¡± Urs joked about sizing up the mysterious benefactor.


    Jocelynughed. ¡°To get rich, build roads first. If they can manage that, it¡¯ll be a great start.¡±


    Urs sighed, ¡°True. The road outside is practically impassable when it rains, and that old stone bridge


    at the entrance to vige looks like it¡¯s seen better days. I fear it might notst much longer


    ¡°And seriously, surrounded by these hills, I¡¯ve been wondering what could actually boost the economy


    here,¡± Urs added, knowing that a real physical economy was crucial for a vige so behind the times


    Jocelyn understood her concerns. ¡°If we get the chance tonight, we¡¯ll ask around. A person willing to


    come here and put money into road building certainly has some ns for development¡±


    ¡°Right¡±


    They finished packing and returned to their temporary home, where the smoke from the vige hall¡¯s


    preparations wafted invitingly through the air. The weather was nice with the sun shining and not as


    cold as the days before.


    With the holiday season just around the corner, the vige was livelier than usual. Children paraded


    around in new clothes sent from parents far away, their faces glowing with satisfaction


    Jocelyn, wrapped in a cozy down jacket and wearing handmade warm wool slippers, took Urs¡¯s


    hand and headed to the vige hall together


    From a distance, Jocelyn could see a green SUV parked outside the vige entrance, its tires caked


    with mud a testament to the difficulty of the journey it had undertaken. This must be the vehicle of their


    generous visitor.


    At Uriah¡¯s house, everyone was contributing to the feast, bringing out the best food they could offer,


    determined not to disappoint their guest.


    Despite being poor, the vige folk wouldn¡¯t let anyone eat poorly.


    Jocelyn sat on small stools and joined thedies in picking vegetables while Urs helped stoke the


    fire.


    Everyone was busy, aware that the guest they were hosting might change the fortunes of their vige.


    Tables were set up in the courtyard, covered with stic to keep the wind at bay


    The food was ready, and now they just awaited the arrival of their benefactor.


    Uriah¡¯s wife went to fetch the guest. Before long she entered the courtyard followed by her husband


    and a tall man in a ck overcoat and crisp suit pants His presence was like a colorful bead dropped


    among in ones, distinctly striking.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t believe her eyes as the man walked in, and Urs nearly squealed in surprise. She


    kept ncing at Jocelyn, tugging at her sleeve, ¡°Why is he here?¡±


    Jocelyn wanted to know just as much.


    Why?


    Urich seated Melvin at the head of the table, then quickly called Jocelyn and Urs over. In their eyes,


    Jocelyn and Ursuta were also honourable guests to their vige.


    Jocmyn felt rooted to the spot, unable to move.


    stunned by the turn of events, Urs whispered encouragingly, ¡°Don¡¯t freak out.¡±


    wasn¡¯t scared. She was just shocked.


    She took her seat at the far end of the bench with Urs beside her.


    Uriah, the vige secretary, and other officials all sat with Melvin, Jocelyn and Urs, while the rest of


    the viges wisely chose other


    tables to dine at.


    Uriah started the evening with a toast of tea instead of wine, weing Melvin and thanking Jocelyn


    and Urs for their contributions to the vige¡¯s children.


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    The atmosphere lightened as the shy kids began to y andugh together, filling the space with a


    comforting harmony.


    The vige hadn¡¯t buzzed with such life in a long time.


    Jocelyn ate quietly, listening as they discussed the vige¡¯s situation and Melvin¡¯s ns for


    sponsorship.


    ? ? ? ? ? ?


    Melvin agreed that fixing the roads was a priority. With good transportation conditions, everything else


    would follow.


    Uriah nodded fervently, as road repairs were costly to be a top priority.


    Melvin, brimming with chansma and seriousness, was now irresistibly captivating in people¡¯s eyes


    As they discussed potential projects, Jocelyn and Urs ate their meal in silence


    Throughout the dinner, Melvin didn¡¯t say a word to Jocelyn, not even a casual greeting.


    After over two hours with darkness settling in, the meal finally ended.


    Jocelyn and Urs wanted to help clean up, but the vige¡¯s women insisted they rest and leave the


    cleanup to themselves.


    Reluctantly, Jocelyn and Urs departed.


    When they left. Melvin was nowhere in sight Probably he had been back at the vige hall with the local


    officials for further discussions


    ¡°Why¡¯s he here? Urs was still trying to wrap her head around it.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t have a clue either.


    There were so many rural areas around. What were the odds he¡¯d end up here?


    ¡°Do you think he followed your steps? Urs ventured a guess.


    Without a second thought, Jocelyn shook her head, ¡°No way.¡±


    Never mind the state of their rtionship, the only people who knew she wasing here were her


    parents. She hadn¡¯t even told Harrison.


    Maybe it really was just a coincidence?


    For all they knew, Melvin might have just wanted to do some charity work, so as to give back to the


    community?


    ¡°Hey look, that¡¯s him.¡± Urs stopped in her tracks, nodding toward the figure ahead.


    There, on the narrow path they had to take to get back home, stood Melvin. Tall and lean, his presence


    was somehow entuated by the stark daylight that lent him an air of detachment.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath and tightened her grip on Urs¡¯s hand, ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s obviously here for you, Ursmented, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to talk to him?


    ¡°What¡¯s there to talk about?¡± Jocelyn genuinely didn¡¯t think there was anything left to talk with him.


    Urs didn¡¯t push it further. Arm in arm, they started walking towards Melvin


    They would have to pass right by him since the path was too narrow for anything else.

 Chapter 139

    Chapter 139


    Urs sidestepped with an apology, ¡°Excuse me.¡±


    Melvin gave her room to pass, though his gaze lingered on Jocelyn instead.


    Seeing Jocelyn passed by without a word, her indifference was clear.


    When they climbed the stone steps, Melvin tumed back, ¡°Jocelyn?¡±


    She paused, took a deep breath and turned around withposure, ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Got any ns for tomorrow? I¡¯m new around here Mind showing me around?¡± Melvin asked in a soft


    voice, almost pleading.


    Jocelyn considered for a moment before replying, ¡°I¡¯m busy tomorrow. Anyone in the vige can be a


    better quide.¡±


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Melvin epted the rejection with a simple ¡°Alright¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great. Jocelyn nodded and continued on her way.


    Back at their ce, Urs couldn¡¯t help but give her a thumbs-up, ¡°Well done.¡±


    Jocelyn just smiled, ¡°Just being honest¡±


    ¡°Why do you think he¡¯s really here to invest the vige? Urs mused as she took off her jacket. ¡°Other


    than fate bringing you two together, I can¡¯t think of any other reason. But they say there¡¯s no such thing


    as coincidence. It¡¯s all orchestrated.¡±


    Urs eyed Jocelyn. ¡°If he really came for you, and he¡¯s willing to invest in this vige for you, wouldn¡¯t


    that impress you?¡±


    Changing into her slippers and filling her kettle with water, Jocelyn replied, ¡°It¡¯s not for me. He¡¯s a


    businessman. Profites first. Besides, given our breakup, why would he do anything for me? It¡¯s just


    unreasonable.¡±


    ¡°But there¡¯s no profit in sight.¡± Urs argued. ¡°He would have to pour in a lot of money before seeing


    any payback. I¡¯m not being pessimistic, but this vige is tough. With no young folks around, just the


    elderly and kids, what can they really do?¡±


    Urs wasn¡¯t optimistic about the vige¡¯s future.


    Jocelyn shared her sentiments but still clung to hope, ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. As long as someone wants to


    revitalize the countryside, change wille.¡±


    ¡°I hope so


    Jocelyny in bed and couldn¡¯t help thinking about Melvin and his conversation with the vige officials.


    She believed that Melvin genuinely wanted to help.


    Both she and Urs were curious-was Melvin¡¯s arrival a coincidence, or was it because of her?


    Turning sideways to stop the flow of thoughts, she realized that she had never truly understood Melvin.


    The countryside was serene at night, everything asleep under the starry sky.


    The next day before dawn, the vige rooster started to crow, waking everyone up.


    Jocelyn and Urs followed a simple routine here. Go to bed by nine and get up at six


    Their neighbor, May, would bring breakfast to them-a bowl of oatmeal with toast, sometimes pancakes


    or boiled eggs.


    As the year-end festive time approached, the vigers weren¡¯t so busy. They¡¯d gather around the


    communal fire pit, warming their hands and chatting away


    Lately, the talk of the vige was the handsome outsider who looked better than any movie star. The


    ladies¡¯ eyes sparkled whenever Melvin was mentioned. A handsome and wealthy man with a kind heart


    was the dream match for everyone


    At noon, Jocelyn and Urs were roped into the vige gossip. The vige secretary¡¯s wife, Yvonne,


    said with a knowing smile, Jocelyn, that Mr. Martinez knows you, doesn¡¯t he?¡±


    Jocelyn was startled, nearly dropped the nuts in her hand.


    Sheughed it off, ¡°No, we¡¯re not acquainted.¡±


    Their sharp eyes didn¡¯t miss much.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯re acquainted now I heard that he¡¯s still single. Jocelyn, why don¡¯t you give it a


    shot?¡¯ Yvonne¡¯s suggestion set off a chorus ofughter.


    Jocelyn¡¯s smile tumed awkward.


    ra paced in. ¡°Yvonne, why not suggest I have a chance with him? Don¡¯t I look pretty enough?¡±


    Yvonneughed. Urs, you¡¯re gorgeous, but he¡¯s not looking your way. Last night at dinner. I noticed


    him ncina


    The true


    Jocelyn grew increasingly ufortable.


    ¡°i was sitting right next to Jocelyn How can you be sure he wasn¡¯t looking at me?¡± Urs joined in the


    banter.


    Wohne spitted out a seed shell and shook her head, ¡°I trust my eyes. They don¡¯t lie.¡±


    Jocelyn had to admit, the vigers were really perceptive. But she couldn¡¯t sit there any longer, afraid


    her feelings might show.


    ¡°Y¡¯all keep chatting I¡¯m going for a walk Jocelyn stuffed her pockets with nuts and hurried away


    Urs almost followed but then sat back down.


    Considering Melvin had asked Jocelyn outst night and she¡¯d declined, Urs reasoned it might be


    inconvenient if she tagged along.


    Urs knew Jocelyn hadn¡¯t let go of her feelings for Melvin Her refusal was just for show


    For two people with unspoken affection for each other, fate would surely intervene


    By the vige pond, Jocelyn saw Unah and Melvin descending the opposite hill and heading her way


    ¡°Jocelyn!¡± Unah spotted her and called out


    Caught off guard, Jocelyn could only smile and wait for them to approach.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some urgent business at the vige office. Could you keep Mr. Martinezpany for me?¡±


    Uriah was genuinely in a rush


    Jocelyn nced at Melvin, noticing his coat dotted with bits of straw and his shoes caked in mud.


    He was indeed here on serious business


    She nodded, ¡°Sure¡±


    Thank you,¡± Unah said before hurrying off


    Holding nuts in her hand, Jocelyn felt awkward to eat them alone, so she offered some to Melvin, ¡°Want


    some?¡±


    Melvin smiled, taking a few nuts from her palm, You seem to be quite at ease here.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely Jocelyn¡¯s voice had lost its edge of tension now.


    Melvin was shelling the nuts but not eating them. He casually asked, ¡°Whye all the way out here?¡±


    ¡°Just an act of kindness Jocelyn was leading the way on a narrow path. On one sidey the pond and


    crond, and on the other were a few plum trees


    If not careful, one could easily tumble into the pond.


    Behind her, Melvin chuckled softly, ¡°I thought you were out here to clear your mind¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s got me so troubled that I need to clear my mind?¡±


    ¡°Does your professor even know you¡¯re out in a ce like this? Isn¡¯t he worried? Melvin cracked


    another nut with an air of nonchnce Jocelyn frowned and came to a stop.


    Melvin, not noticing in time, bumped into her


    Jocelyn¡¯s footing on the uneven ground gave way with the collision, and her body tilted perilously


    toward the pond


    Her hands iled, trying to reach for a tree branch to grasp


    Melvin caught her in one swift move, pulling her into his arms and circling her waist tightly with his other


    hand.


    Both of their hearts were pounding heavily because of the ident, a wave of relief washing over them


    as they were finally able to stand still.


    Once she regained herposure, Jocelyn pushed him away and nced down to see a scattering of


    nut shells on the ground.

 Chapter 140

    Chapter 140


    The air between the two was undeniably weird


    Jocelyn turned on her heel, catching a glimpse out of the corner of her eye to see the pond¡¯s surface


    rippling. Was it because she¡¯d just slipped on a rock, or had a clod of earth hit the water?


    Melvin didn¡¯tment but merely asked. ¡°Got any more nuts?¡±


    She fished a handful out of her pocket passed them to his outstretched hand without looking him in the


    eye.


    He continued shelling nuts as if nothing had happened just now


    Truth be told. Jocelyn had no idea what she¡¯d nned to show him. They just strolled along the pond¡¯s


    edge.


    ¡°Jocelyn, Melvin called.


    She turned.


    ¡°Hand.¡±


    She held out her palm and he dropped a few shelled nuts into it


    Melvin dusted off his hands. ¡°You still haven¡¯t answered my question.¡±


    She met his gaze, confusion clear in her eyes


    ¡°How does your professor let youe out here?¡± He probed again.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat such a sour note in his voice.


    ¡°Your professor? Was that really necessary to address Harrison in this way?


    She turned back and munched on the nuts, ¡°What¡¯s there for him to worry about? We¡¯re both teachers,


    and he understands.¡±


    ¡°Huh, he remarked sarcastically, ¡°A real gentleman schr then.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned at his bizarrepliment.


    She followed the path, Melvin at her heels.


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t hee with you?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got his work


    ¡°Work matters more than his love for you?¡±


    The conversation made her ufortable.


    If it weren¡¯t for the fact that there was nothing serious between her and Harrison, she might have


    thought Melvin was trying to stir trouble, or that he was jealous


    N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    But his words were inconsequential for her now


    ¡°We re both quite clear about our responsibilities. Besides, loving someone is about prioritizing. Mature


    rtionships don¡¯t need to be overly clingy Instead, they require giving each other space. That was


    Jocelyn¡¯s ideal kind of romance.


    Melvin chuckled at that, but Jocelyn didn¡¯t turn to see why.


    ¡°His love is really rational


    She didn¡¯t reply.


    Their conversation was disjointed, yet like that of old friends. It seemed harmonious if you set aside


    their past


    ¡°When are you leaving? Jocelyn asked.


    ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°After the winter break.


    Melvin frowned, ¡°Not going back for the festival?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Heughed again, ¡°Jocelyn, I just can¡¯t understand your romance with him.¡±


    She frowned back, turning to face him. ¡°So?¡±


    He always brought Harrison into it; how sour could he get about him?


    ¡°Going off on this teaching trip, he¡¯s okay with that. Even not going home for Christmas and not


    meeting his parents, he doesn¡¯t care. Are you two really dating? And shouldn¡¯t lovebirds want to be


    together all the time?¡± His eyes suddenly grew intense. Like we used to


    be


    Thatst phrase sent a wave of heat across Jocelyn¡¯s face.


    Melvin leaned against a nearby tree, unconcerned with getting dirty as he scrutinized her, ¡°Don¡¯t you


    two¡­ have needs?¡±


    Jocelyn wanted to shove him into the pond.


    How shameless of him to just say whatever he wanted.


    ¡°He¡¯s not like you¡­ She stopped mid-sentence, realizing it was inappropriate now.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with it? Don¡¯t you think when you love someone, you want to be with him every second?


    If you¡¯re really in love, you could be glued together 24/7. His words, amid the nature around them,


    sparked an odd sentimentality.


    She swallowed hard, unable to meet Melvin¡¯s gaze.


    He was somehow serious yet not straight-talking while flirting, and it threw her off bnce.


    She had came here for peace, to sort out her thoughts, but his presence turned everything upside


    down.


    He had a way of unwittingly plucking at her heartstrings, causing her to lose herposure with just a


    touch


    ¡°It¡¯s getting chilly. I¡¯m heading back. She didn¡¯t want to stay with him any longer. In fact, she was afraid


    to Continuing this way, all her efforts would be for naught


    Melvin shrugged off his jacket, draping it over her shoulders.


    Even knowing it was an excuse, he yed along.


    His scent enveloped her as the garment came close. She quickly removed it and handed it back, ¡°I


    don¡¯t need it.¡±


    He took it, watching her hastened departure, a smug smile curving his lips, Jocelyn, you don¡¯t love


    him.¡±


    Her mind was buzzing at his words. She quickened her pace and left him behind.


    What did it matter to him who she loved? Why did he have toe here to tease her?


    She senously suspected he had followed her to this vige. He was too purposeful.


    Back in her room, she burrowed into her bed. Urs breezed in and perched on the edge of her bed


    with a mischievous grin, ¡°What were you two doing up in the hills?¡±


    ¡°Talking nonsense, Jocelyn red.


    ¡°I saw you twoing down the trail, one after the other,¡± Urs raised an eyebrow, ¡°So? Did you


    make out?¡±


    ¡°No! Jocelyn protested.


    ¡°What a pity Urs settled on a stool, ¡°I heard he¡¯s leaving today.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped, feigning indifference, ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°What if he really came for you? What would you think? Urs was curious.


    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking Jocelyn said, though she felt a flicker of uncertainty.


    ¡°Oh well,¡± Urs sighed dramatically, eyeing Jocelyn, I had a whole story in my head. A repentant bad


    boy seeking to win back his girl, sparing no expense to follow in her charitable footsteps, walking the


    path she walked, doing the things she wanted to do. How touching.¡±


    Jocelyn rolled her eyes.


    Melvin was gone. The vige secretary and officials saw him off.


    They said, the road construction would begin after Christmas. This time, it was for real.


    After the Christmas celebrations, the vige was abuzz with the promise of a concrete n that would


    soon beid out. Once evaluated.


    a project aimed at lifting themunity out of poverty and towards prosperity would be set into motion


    There was a fresh sense of hope in the air.


    On Christmas¡¯s Eve, Jocelyn and Urs decided to stay in the vige.


    After calling their families to assure them all was well, they joined the vigers in the preparations for


    the big feast.


    For Jocelyn, this was the first time she experienced the rural holiday spirit. The vige was small, but


    the sense of togetherness of people made it feel incredibly festive


    Suddenly, the children burst into excited shouts from the entrance of the vige. ¡°He¡¯s back! He¡¯s


    back!*


    Cunous, Jocelyn wondered who it was.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez only left two days ago; howe he¡¯s back again?¡± someone muttered, equally curious.


    Mr. Martinez? Melvin?


    Jocelyn was surprised. Why were the kids so excited about Melvin? And why had he returned so soon?


    The entire vige converged at the entrance to see Melvin pulling up in a pickup truck, the bed loaded


    with goods.


    Food, drinks, clothing, necessities, and of course, fireworks essential for the celebrations.


    Zephyr came with Melvin and, upon seeing Jocelyn, paused before breaking into a radiant smile,


    ¡°Jocelyn!¡±


    Jocelyn offered an awkward smile and nodded in greeting


    As everyone pitched in to unload the truck, Zephyr found a moment to sidle up to Jocelyn. ¡°I knew


    there had to be a reason for Melvin¡¯s sudden bout of generosity. It¡¯s because of you, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Jocelyn turned away from Melvin, who was still busy with the supplies, and asked in disbelief, ¡°For


    me?¡±


    ¡°What other reasons could be?¡± Zephyr chuckled ¡°You¡¯re probably the only one who can make him


    willing to empty his wallet¡±

 Chapter 141

    Chapter 141


    After thest box was hauled in, Zephyr was ready to head out the vige kids, who had taken quite a


    liking to him, clung to his clothes, pleading for him to stay


    But Zephyr had to get back to his family for the holidays ¨C there was no chance he could linger.


    Unah tried to hush the children and turned to ask Melvin, ¡°Is Mr. Martinez leaving too?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not going anywhere, Zephyr said with a grin, ncing over at Jocelyn, who was trying to be


    invisible among the crowd. ¡°His sweetheart¡¯s here. How could he possibly leave?¡±


    His voice was so loud that Jocelyn could hardly ignore.


    Jocelyn¡¯s face turned tomato red immediately and she quickly turned away.


    Uriah was shocked, not sure who Mr. Martinez¡¯s sweetheart could be. He recalled overhearing some


    gossip from the womenfolk that there was definitely something brewing between Mr. Martinez and


    Jocelyn ¨C their chemistry was off the charts.


    But he wasn¡¯t too concemed with romances. Mr. Martinez¡¯s willingness to uplift the vige was all that


    mattered to him.


    As Zephyr drove off in his SUV, the holiday feast was ready.


    The setup was simr to Melvin¡¯s first visit, with five or six tables. But tonight the atmosphere was


    buzzed with excitement. They had prepared a lot for the feast.


    Each table wasden with hearty dishes, served in humble style with no fancy ting. The aim was


    simple: a bountiful meal to fill


    everyone up.


    Outside, the kids yed with sparklers while Melvin and some of the vige officials moved the


    fireworks to a dry field, setting off two boxes before dinner.


    The fireworks whooshed into the sky and burst into a short-lived yet mesmerizing disy that left


    everyone awe-struck.


    Every face was turned upwards, watching the sky painted with colors, each expression unique.


    A little girl sped her hands together and whispered a wish, ¡°I hope my mom and dade home


    soon.¡± Her voice was low, devoid of any particr emotion, yet brimming with feeling.


    Urs sighed, touched by the girl¡¯s simple and heartfelt wish.


    Jocelyn watched the fireworks, pondering how many of them were silently missing family members who


    worked far from home.


    But that¡¯s life. And that¡¯s the challenge of adulthood. There¡¯s often no choice for adults.


    ¡°Melvin, what¡¯s your wish?¡± the vige¡¯s oldest boy, Yuri, asked, unafraid to question him.


    Melvin nced toward a woman standing on the other side, gazing at the fireworks, and wondered


    about her wish.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have wishes,¡± he told Yuri.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Wishes need actions toe true. That,¡± Melvin nodded toward the fleeting fireworks, ¡°is just for


    watching


    Yuri nodded in agreement, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right.¡±


    After the fireworks, everyone gathered around the tables for the holiday feast.


    The festive mood was high. Those who drank alcohol had their fill, and those who didn¡¯t sipped on


    sodas. The children, encouraged by the adults, started dancing and singing together. Later, they all


    joined in on a new song they¡¯d learned, ¡°The Voice of Youth.¡±


    Jocelyn pped along and led the children in singing. Their voices were powerful and moving, though


    a few of them were off-key.


    They didn¡¯t watch any televised gs, but this was far more joyful.


    The vige¡¯s elder women sang ancient bads filled with longing, while other women bashfully


    crooned old love songs, yearning for their husbands


    2 F F F 35 * *


    The crowd egged on Jocelyn and Urs to sing. A child imed Jocelyn had the best voice.


    Unabashed, Jocelyn chose not a love song but an anthem, ¡°Boundless Land¡±. Its grand lyrics and


    melody weaved hopes of peace and prosperity, casting the brightest hopes on the small vige.


    Melvin couldn¡¯t take his eyes off Jocelyn. He hadn¡¯t really heard her sing before.


    The other day when he watched her teach the children singing, he saw the sparkling mour around


    her.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Now, with her effortess grace and captivating presence, she inspired everyone, convincing them that


    better days were in the near


    ¡°Melvin, do you like Jocelyn?¡± Yuri asked, sitting beside him.


    Melvin raised an eyebrow and took a sip of his drink, ¡°Is that a problem?¡±


    ¡°No problem. Not just you, I like Jocelyn too.¡±


    Melvin shot him a threatening look. But Yuri grinned, ¡°Jocelyn is beautiful, well-educated, kind-hearted


    and gentle. Everyone in the vige likes her.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got some taste.¡¯ Melvin remarked with a hint of pride.


    ¡°I saw you two at the pond that day, Yuri whispered, ¡°You were hugging.¡±


    Melvin frowned, not expecting anyone to have seen them.


    As If he¡¯d uncovered a great mystery, Yuri¡¯s smile widened, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I haven¡¯t told anyone. You and


    Jocelyn are a good match ¨C both good-looking and well-suited.¡±


    Melvin hummed, his gaze returning to Jocelyn, ¡°I agree.¡±


    ¡°But does Jocelyn actually like you?¡± Yuri probed


    Melvin¡¯s frown deepened.


    After Jocelyn finished her song, apuse filled the air.


    Urs followed with a song of her own, and everyone¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight.


    Uriah received a call and stood up, whispering something to the vige head before stepping out.


    People wondered where they were off to.


    Yvonne spected, ¡°No idea. Looks like they¡¯ve gone to pick someone up.¡±


    ¡°On such a festive night, who could it be?¡± everyone mused.


    It wasn¡¯t long before Uriah and the vige head returned with a guest.


    A suave and schrly-looking man, with rimless sses, exuded an air of gentility.


    The crowd was curious why did all these refined men keep showing up in their little vige?


    Jocelyn never expected Harrison toe.


    And when Melvin saw Harrison, his face darkened instantly.


    ¡°How did you get here?¡± Jocelyn greeted Harrison with warmth, unafraid to let others know they were


    acquainted.


    Harrison¡¯s gaze lingered on her, etched with concern. ¡°Sneaking off here without a word to me. If it


    hadn¡¯t been for your dad¡¯s slip of the tongue, I¡¯d still be in the dark about your journey.¡±


    Her dad had mentioned it?


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind raced-had Melvin also learned of her whereabouts from her father?


    ¡°It was ast-minute decision. I didn¡¯t n on telling anyone.¡±


    At that, Harrison¡¯s eyes darted to Melvin.


    Understanding his implication, Jocelyn quickly rified, ¡°I suspect he found out the same way you did-


    from my dad. I swear, I never told him directly.¡±


    ¡°I trust you.¡± Harrison¡¯s tone carried a hint of dejection. ¡°It¡¯s just that I¡¯m a step behind him once again.¡±


    Jocelyn knew what he was implying. She feigned confusion and chuckled. ¡°The best dishese to


    those who wait. The Christmas dinner has barely started, and there¡¯s plenty of food to go around.¡±


    The crowd observed the warm exchange between Jocelyn and Harrison with puzzlement


    Could it be that this genteel man was Jocelyn¡¯s boyfriend? Then what about Mr. Martinez, who had


    earlier gazed at Jocelyn with such tenderness?


    The group instinctively saved a seat right next to Jocelyn for Harrison, casting asional nces at


    Melvin.


    Melvin¡¯s expression had taken on a tinge of wistfulness.


    The most curious part was, even though they weren¡¯t all seated at the same table, a mere nce was


    enough to take in the scene.


    The situation was growingplicated.


    After holding his tongue for what felt like ages, Yuri finally ventured, ¡®Melvin, you¡¯re not trying to y the


    homewrecker and steal someone¡¯s girl, are you?¡±

 Chapter 142

    Chapter 142


    Melvin¡¯s mood had been super good, as buoyant as a bird gliding through the heavens. But when


    Harrison arrived, it was as if his wings had been clipped, and he plummeted to earth without waming.


    Witnessing the animated conversation between Jocelyn and Harnson, their faces alight with smiles and


    that glearn in their eyes when they looked at each other, Melvin¡¯s appetite vanished.


    Everyone had somehow gotten the idea that Hamson was Jocelyn¡¯s boyfriend, so they treated him with


    all due courtesy.


    Wonne even went so far as to arrange for Harrison to stay at the house where Jocelyn and Urs were


    living. It was a spacious ce In her mind, a long-separated couple deserved a proper space to


    rekindle the me.


    Jocelyn was petrified at the arrangement.


    Harrison, with a smile, reassured, ¡°Jocelyn and I have always been close. A few days apart won¡¯t


    change anything.¡±


    ¡°If you feel like I¡¯m in the way, I could always crash at Hazel¡¯s ce, Urs also chimed in with a smirk.


    Jocelyn red at her. Urs knew full well that Jocelyn and Harrison were just friends, yet here she


    was, fanning the mes.


    Hearing the words, Hazel¡¯s grandmother warmly invited Urs to stay over.


    The knowing looks everyone gave Jocelyn and Harrison were enough to make anyone squirm.


    Jocelyn was at a loss for words, unsure how to untangle the misunderstanding.


    But Harrison was unfazed, ¡°Since you¡¯re so concerned about me and Jocelyn, we wouldn¡¯t decline your


    kindness.¡±


    Jocelyn was stunned. Her gaze locked on Harrison in disbelief.


    Melvin¡¯s expression grew darker with a storm brewing in his eyes.


    Urs was all agog with excitement and relished the unfolding drama.


    The scene was irresistibly fun.


    After dinner. Jocelyn began to clear the table. Harrison pitched in as ever the eager helper.


    ¡°What do you want to do by saying that?¡± Jocelyn muttered under her breath.


    Harrison followed her close, ¡®Shouldn¡¯t we give him a little nudge?¡±


    ¡®Stop it,¡± she hissed.


    ¡°He¡¯s followed you all the way here. If I hadn¡¯t shown up, wouldn¡¯t he think our rtionship wasn¡¯t


    serious? Then he¡¯d keep hounding you. Now the most important thing is to rattle him. Once he¡¯s rattled,


    you¡¯ll get the oue you¡¯re looking for.¡± Harrison spoke as if nning a strategic y in a game, all


    for the sake of Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn sighed in resignation, ¡°Hey, aren¡¯t you afraid of blowing this out of proportion?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a problem. He¡¯s not your boyfriend anyway. You shouldn¡¯t worry about his feelings too


    much. Men like him need a push Harrison pressed. ¡°Or is it that you feel for him?¡±


    ¡°Of course not. Jocelyn retorted instantly.


    ¡°Then let it be, Harrison concluded. ¡°In his eyes, we¡¯re dating. Any overreaction on your part will only


    raise suspicions.¡±


    Jocelyn, thinking it over, decided to let it rest


    Their whispered exchange seemed to Melvin like the intimate murmurings between lovers, who were


    eager for closeness.


    Once the cleanup was done, Jocelyn and Harrison naturally found themselves seated together as the


    clock crept towards midnight. The vige¡¯s secretary, Uriah, rallied everyone to set up the leftover


    fireworks, nning to light up the sky with a bang.


    Harrison volunteered to help.


    Urs sidled up to Jocelyn, nudging her shoulder conspiratorially, ¡°Can it get any more lively than


    this?¡±


    Quit stirring the pot. Jocelyn grumbled as she was upset about the current situation.


    She hade for peace of mind, why did Melvin and Harrisone as well?


    tars geinned. It¡¯s always more fun to watch the drama unfold from the sidelines.¡±


    busty rolled her eyes.


    you thank if you and Hanson end up in the same room tonight, wall he be able to sit still? Urs


    nced towards Melvin.¡±


    Well he deny the walls?¡±


    Fireworks exploded and firecrackers popped, lighting up their slice of the sky.


    The festive atmosphere and cheer washed away Jocelyn¡¯s upset. She whipped out her phone to


    capture the cheerful moment and


    shared it with her parents.


    Such a spectacle was rare in the city.


    ¡°Make a wish,¡± Urs urged, pulling Jocelyn¡¯s hand together as they both sped their hands and


    gazed up at the brilliant disy Even knowing that wishes didn¡¯te true on their own, it was still a


    beautiful hope to hold onto.


    Jocelyn wished for peace across thend, health for her family, and that all her dreams mighte to


    fruition. She feared requesting too much, lest the heavens be overwhelmed


    Harison sidled up to her, ¡°What did you wish for?¡±


    ¡°Everything¡± Jocelyn smiled.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a picture for my parents, Harrison suggested, pulling out his phone. ¡°They were asking


    about me. If they didn¡¯t know I was here with you, they¡¯d be upset I wasn¡¯t home for the holidays.¡±


    Thinking back to the dinner when Harrison¡¯s parents had sent her well-wishes and a big gift, Jocelyn


    felt a twinge of quilt.


    She epted the gift but swiftly gave it back to Harrison.


    He didn¡¯t refuse, butter sent her a small present for good luck, which she epted.


    ¡°Urs, snap a picture of us, will you? Jocelyn asked.


    Urs took the phone, ¡°Cuddle up, you two.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned.


    But Harrison naturally slung his arm around her waist.


    Jocelyn tensed up instinctively, feeling a bit uneasy.


    ¡°Rx, Harrison whispered soothingly, ¡°You¡¯ll look stiff otherwise.¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn eased into the pose.


    ¡°Smile. Lean in Perfect! You look great, Urs coached, her voice booming as if to ensure people


    around knew they were posing together, ¡°Look at the lovebirds¡±


    Jocelyn only wished she could sew Urs¡¯s mouth shut.


    Urs Mashed a mischievous grin. Clearly she enjoyed the moment very much.


    From a close distance, Melvin watched the couple with a mixture of irritation and envy. The man had


    his arm snugly wrapped around the woman¡¯s waist and their bodies pressed close in an affectionate


    embrace.


    They weren¡¯t even trying to hide it.


    The thought of them spending the night together set his temper aze like the fireworks crackling


    overhead, ready to burst.


    After snapping the photo, Urs handed them the phone, ¡°What do you think? Could pass for a


    wedding wee sign, couldn¡¯t it?¡±


    Jocelyn shot her a re that could have melted steel. Could she not add fuel to the fire?


    Melvin had good ears. He caught the word ¡°wedding.¡±


    Were they really rushing into marriage?


    A tightness gripped his chest. The evening¡¯s meal felt like it hadn¡¯t gone past his throat but was stuck in


    his heart.


    it¡¯s great Hamson was clearly pleased with the photo. ¡°Urs, it¡¯s a good thing you¡¯re a teacher. If you


    were a photographer, someone would be out of a job.¡±


    Urs beamed, ¡°Ohe on! With such a handsome man and beautiful woman, it¡¯s hard to take a bad


    shot.


    Hearing thatment, Jocelyn could only roll her eyes.


    While Urs and Harrison wereplimenting each other, Jocelyn felt an invisible tension nearby.


    Her gaze unintentionally met Melvin¡¯s, and she quickly looked away.


    That look of his was fierce, as if he wanted to devour her.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath to calm herself down, and turned to watch the fireworks.


    It was almost one in the morning before the group dispersed.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Urs left with Hazel, ying her part by giving Hamison and Jocelyn some space. The charade was


    in full swing.


    Harrison picked up his stuff and followed Jocelyn to her ce. Once inside, he quietly shut the door


    behind them.


    chapter


    ¡®He was following us,¡¯ Harrison whispered.


    Jocelyn hadn¡¯t noticed, but she couldn¡¯t help wanting to peek outside.


    ¡°Don¡¯t, Hamison cautioned. ¡°Let him stew a little.¡±


    Im afraid hell lose it,¡± Jocelyn admitted, genuinely worried that Melvin might be driven mad in such


    situation.


    Harrison just stared at her without any words.


    Feeling ufortable under his gaze, Jocelyn asked, ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to hurt him, do you?¡± Hamison understood why Jocelyn was anxious at that moment.

 Chapter 143

    Chapter 143


    Melvin stood in the yard. His gaze was fixed on the glow seeping through the window. Were they


    locked in a passionate embrace?


    Right then, he felt an overwhelming urge to smash the door.


    ncing around, he spotted a brick by the fence, gripped it in his hand and ascended the steps to


    stand before the green-painted iron gates. Clenching the brick, he took several deep breaths until the


    lights inside the room went out.


    In an instant, his breath caught in his throat. His heart plunged into darkness.


    They were together!


    2 GB E F F 3 0 9


    The reality was right in front of his eyes!


    With fingers clenched too tightly, the rough edges of the brick grated painfully against his skin.


    A sinister gleam flickered in his eyes as he raised the brick. But in the end, he hurled it onto the road


    beyond the gates. The dull thud echoed loudly in the quiet of the countryside.


    Inside, Jocelyn sat on a stool with her eyes glued to the outdoors, genuinely fearing that Melvin might


    burst in with weapons


    The noise confirmed that her fears were unfounded. Her heart, which had been in her throat, finally


    settled back into ce.


    It took a while before Harrison uttered, ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡±


    Jocelyn exhaled a long breath, ¡°I was really scared he¡¯de in and start a fight with you.¡±


    ¡°If he actually had barged in, no matter how much you liked the guy, I would¡¯ve told you to drop him,¡±


    Harrison said, turning the light back on, ¡°Stop overthinking it. The guy needs to be hung out to dry. You


    gotta push him to find out what he¡¯s really about.¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to push him. Forcing him to do what he¡¯s unwilling to do goes


    against the flow of nature. A melon forcefully twisted off its vine is never sweet. I don¡¯t like putting


    people in tough spots.¡±


    ¡°You both haven¡¯t let go of each other. Isn¡¯t it painful to act like this?¡±


    ¡°It takes time,¡± Jocelyn knew that she couldn¡¯t simply forget someone she had deeply loved so long.


    She wasn¡¯t lying to herself. She was trying to persuade herself to move on.


    Harrison knew she was trying hard to let go of Melvin. As an observer, he thought it was tough.


    How long would these two continue to entangle, he wondered.


    ¡°It¡¯s already three in the morning. We should rest,¡± Harrison said as he checked the time, ¡°I need to


    leave early tomorrow. There are rtives back home I still need to visit during the holidays.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t havee. It¡¯s such a long trip.¡± Jocelyn always felt he shouldn¡¯t havee so far.


    Harrison took off his sses, ¡°If I hadn¡¯te, how would we have provoked him?¡±


    Jocelyn just sighed.


    So, he hade all this way to ruffle Melvin¡¯s feathers.


    ¡°Alright, get some sleep. I¡¯ll make do right here, Harrison settled into a chair, pulling out a thick down


    jacket from his bag and draping it over himself.


    ¡°How can I let you do that? You take my room, and I¡¯ll sleep in Urs¡¯s,¡± Jocelyn insisted. ¡°It gets cold


    in the mountains at night. Without any heating, you¡¯ll definitely catch a cold by morning.¡±


    Under Jocelyn¡¯s insistence, Hamison relocated to her room.


    Nerther of them got much sleep that night. And someone sat by the fish pond until dawn.


    The next morning, Harrison and Jocelyn visited the vige chief¡¯s house to have doughnuts for


    breakfast. They were both tired from staying upte and emotionally drained from Melvin¡¯s antics,


    which was evident in Jocelyn¡¯s weary expression.


    Although the vigers were conservative, they couldn¡¯t help but give Jocelyn and Harrison curious


    nces. Their looks conveyed a message that all adults understood.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t feel like exining anymore.


    Hamson greeted everyone with polite enthusiasm. He thanked the chief for having prepared the


    doughnuts for them.


    Take a picture for me, Harrison handed his phone to Jocelyn, ¡°I want to show my parents.*


    Jocelyn took the phone and stapped a photo of him with the doughnuts.


    Harrison checked the picture and smiled, ¡°You¡¯ve got a pretty good photographic skills, and then sent it


    to his family group chat


    You two are so lovey dovey,¡± Urs approached with a sly smile, ¡°Did you have a good sleepst


    night?¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless. Urs knew exactly what was going on, yet she still joked about it.


    ¡°Delightful, Hamison replied.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Urs couldn¡¯t help but make yful gestures at Jocelyn, hinting that perhaps their staged act had


    turned into something real.


    Jocelyn had given up on exining.


    ¡°Hey, Mr. Martinez!¡± Uriah suddenly called out loud, ¡°Where have you been?¡±


    Everyone turned around.


    Vin appeared disheveled as he approached from a different path. Upon seeing Jocelyn and Harrison,


    his eyes fixated on them with a rigid stare


    Jocelyn was unaware of his internal struggle from the night before, but his current look made her


    ufortable.


    ¡°Come have some doughnuts,¡± Uriah beckoned.


    Instead of reaching for the food, Melvin walked straight towards Jocelyn.


    Startled by his icy gaze, she took a step back.


    Harrison quickly stood up and positioned himself protectively in front of Jocelyn, looking at Melvin


    warily.


    The tension was palpable to the onlookers.


    Just as Uriah was about to intervene, Melvin turned back and entered the house.


    ¡®That scared me to death, Urs was patting her chest.


    Jocelyn had also been frightened. Not so much of what Melvin might do to her, but the possibility of a


    scandal.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Harrison asked Jocelyn.


    She shook her head.


    Harrison reasoned, ¡°He must have been irritatedst night.¡±


    Jocelyn felt that it was best to avoid provoking him further-angering him could lead to an unpleasant


    oue for everyone.


    After finishing their breakfast, Harrison checked the time, ¡°I have to leave.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Jocelyn said, ¡°I¡¯ll walk you to the entrance of the vige.¡±


    ¡°Great¡±


    Before leaving, Harrison handed out some small gifts to the vige elders and children. It wasn¡¯t much,


    but the act of kindness mattered


    Upon departure, the vigers gave him some homemade smoked ham, which he graciously epted.


    Rural folks were sincere and kind-hearted. When they offer you something they value, refusing it would


    hurt their feelings, as if you looked down on them. epting it happily would make them happy too.


    Some even went out to their fields to bring back several heads of cabbage, cing them in his car.


    Harrison bid his farewells to the vigers one by one. And the folks were considerate as ever, giving


    him and Jocelyn some space they


    needed.


    ¡°They¡¯re really kind, Harrison remarked, ncing at the fully filled trunk of his car. ¡°With all these


    veggies, we¡¯re set for weeks


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ll be okay driving back alone?¡± Jocelyn asked with concerns. The journey was a long


    haul.


    Harrison closed the truck and joked. ¡°Or you coulde with me to my ce. What do you say?¡±


    Jocelyn gave a smile back, ¡°I still have work to wrap up here.¡±


    As if you¡¯de even if you were done, Harrison said with a knowing look.


    She didn¡¯t deny it, but still said, ¡°Why not? I should visit your family when I get the chance¡±


    ¡®Then don¡¯t stay away too long. Let me know when you¡¯re heading back to the city. If book your flight.


    Harrison offered merrily. ¡°You could even bring your parents over for a few days. Everyone¡¯s got some


    downtime over the holidays.¡±


    I would have been a perfect arrangement if they were indeed in a rtionship.


    Not wanting to dampen tus spints, Jocelyn replied, ¡°Sure. I n it out.¡±


    Hampson¡¯s eyes sparkled with anticipation, it¡¯s a date then


    as time allows, Jocelyn added, securing her tape route.


    *Fair enough Hamson replied, understanding her implication without pointing it out.


    In the distance, a sleek ck SUV approached.


    Curiosity piqued, Jocelyn watched as Unah and the chief rushed over in a flurry of excitement.


    ¡°Who¡¯s this now?¡± she inquired.


    ¡°It¡¯s some big-shot celebrity,¡± the secretary replied breathlessly.


    A sudden jolt of rm struck Jocelyn.


    Could Urs¡¯s loose lips have actually called it? Was this small-town scene about to get a Hollywood


    twist?

 Chapter 144

    Chapter 144


    The anival of Willow in this sleepy little vige had Jocelyn convinced the world had gone mad.


    Draped in a pristine designer down jacket with wless makeup, Willow was a stark contrast to the


    rustic surroundings.


    The vige chiel was unfamiliar with the faces of celebrities. He had just been informed via telephone


    that a star was visiting their vige. Oblivious to who she was, he felt obliged to wee her.


    He had seen on TV how celebrities would visit rural areas and experience the simple life for a few


    days. In turn, they would promote local development.


    The vige chief thought it rather fortuitous that a star had taken an interest in their little vige. Word


    would get out, and the exposure could only be beneficial.


    When Willow caught sight of Jocelyn, the surprise was mutual. Willow hadn¡¯t expected to find Jocelyn


    here, but she quickly pieced together why Melvin might have sought refuge in such backwoods retreat.


    ¡°Jocelyn, what a coincidence!¡± Willow greeted, masking the awkwardness with her tone.


    The vige head was baffled.


    Jocelyn knew this celebrity?


    Jocelyn merely nodded slightly, showing no interest in engaging further.


    Willow¡¯s gaze shifted between Jocelyn and Harrison, a knowing look in her eyes. ¡°So you two lovebirds


    finally nested. Congrattions.¡± Despite being polite by nature, Jocelyn wanted nothing more than to


    drop all pretenses of civility where Willow was concerned.


    Harrison, aware of Jocelyn¡¯s distaste for the woman, chose to ignore her.


    Willow¡¯s face stiffened at the snub. She hastily changed the topic, adopting an air of delight as she


    spread her arms wide, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. ¡°Ah, the air¡¯s so fresh here. No wonder


    Melvin ran off to this ce.¡±


    The vige head was taken aback. Another acquaintance of Mr. Martinez¡¯s?


    It seemed like everyone from the city knew each other.


    To be precise, ever since Jocelyn and Urs had arrived, the vige had been buzzing with activities.


    So, the catalyst was Jocelyn and Urs?


    No, it was primarily Jocelyn.


    Willow shed a smile at Uriah. ¡°Sir, could you show me to Melvin, please?¡±


    Uriah could hardly decline. Guests, especially celebrities, were to be treated with respect for the sake


    of the vige¡¯s future.


    As Willow¡¯s assistant scurried behind her carrying her bags, Harrison expressed his concern for


    Jocelyn. ¡°Can you handle her on your own?¡±


    Jocelyn was unfazed. ¡°As long as there¡¯s no brawl, I can handle everything.¡±


    Seeing Harrison¡¯s worry, Jocelyn patted his shoulder. ¡°Rx, she¡¯s too concerned with her image to


    make a scene. Plus, Urs¡¯s here. She¡¯s got my back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not worried about a fight. It¡¯s her and Melvin¡­¡± Harrison trailed off, but Jocelyn understood his


    concern.


    The fear was that Willow might cling to Melvin, making things ufortable for Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it. Even if that were the case, it might be a good thing. It¡¯d help


    me move on faster, right?¡±


    Harrison considered her point and found some logic in it.


    ¡°You sure you¡¯re okay?¡±


    ¡°Im fine. Jocelyn affirmed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, even if she does stir up some drama, she¡¯ll have to keep her


    cool. It¡¯s actually better if she¡¯s here. She can take Melvin off my sight, and I¡¯ll have more peace.¡±


    Harrison really didn¡¯t want to leave her alone, but he hadmitments back home he couldn¡¯t break.


    ¡°Go on, get going. Jocelyn urged, opening the car door for him. ¡°Stop dawdling.¡±


    With reluctance, Harrison lingered at the car door with his gaze lingering on Jocelyn. Suddenly, he


    released the door and pulled her into a light embrace.


    Jocelyn, almost unsteady from the force of his hug, just smiled. ¡®Don¡¯t make it sound so final. It¡¯s not


    like we won¡¯t see each other again,


    ? want to take you home, Harmson¡¯s voice was husky, his arms tightening around her. He meant it


    Jocelyn patted his back. ¡°I have to stay here for a month. If I left now. I¡¯d disappoint the kids and break


    my promise.¡±


    Harrison knew it was just a wishful thought to whisk her away.


    ¡®The next time you do a volunteer teaching stint, let me know,¡± Harrison said with aining look,


    ¡°Don¡¯t let me be thest to find


    out


    Melvin hade to the vige earlier than he did, and that one step behind made Harrison feel like he


    had missed out on so much.


    ? ?? ?? ? ?? ?


    Jocelyn softly agreed, understanding his concern.


    Reluctantly, Hamison let go of her Looking into her bright eyes, he yeamed to take her away from that


    other man forever. But could he take her heart as well?


    In a fit of pettiness, Harrison secretly hoped something would happen between Melvin and the star to


    help Jocelyn move on.pletely.


    ¡°Call me if you need anything,¡± Harrison reminded Jocelyn before finally saying, ¡°I¡¯m off¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    As he started the car and closed the door, his gaze still remained fixed on her.


    Jocelyn stepped back and waved goodbye.


    With a deep breath, Harrison fired up the engine. ¡°I¡¯m going now.¡±


    *Safe drive, Jocelyn smiled back. ¡°Let me know when you get home.¡±


    The car pulled away. Jocelyn stood by the roadside, watching until it disappeared from view.


    Harrison, ncing at her through the rear-view mirror, felt the urge to return for her growing stronger.


    He didn¡¯t want her to be untrustworthy or force her into anything. With resolve, he hit the gas and sped


    up.


    Out of sight was out of mind, he thought


    Jocelyn stood there until the car was no longer visible, then turned to walk back.


    Urs came running down. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you have him stay longer? With that woman here, can you


    really handle it alone?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. She doesn¡¯t bother me, Jocelyn was unfazed. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a walk up the mountainter.¡±


    ¡°Is that to avoid them or to give them a chance?¡± Urs couldn¡¯t stand Willow¡¯s pretense. That


    woman¡¯s eyes betrayed disdain for the rustic setting, unwilling to sit on a wooden stool yet feigning


    approachability.


    Jocelyn gave a nonchnt shrug, ¡°I just want to embrace the great outdoors.¡±


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Urs couldn¡¯t quite figure out if Jocelyn had truly gotten over Melvin and his dalliance with that other


    woman. But Jocelyn seemed genuinely lighter in spirit now.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t sleep wellst night, right? Why not catch some Z¡¯s and then we can hit the trail after


    lunch?¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a good idea Jocelyn felt the fatigue weighing on her.


    She didn¡¯t bother stopping by Uriah¡¯s ce again and headed straight for her own quarters instead.


    Curled up in bed and snuggled into the nkets, she closed her eyes. Before long, she drifted off to


    sleep.


    The winter chill made the warmth of the bed all the more inviting.


    In a hazy state of half-sleep, she thought she heard someone push open her bedroom¡¯s door.


    3 F = 2 F¨²


    Assuming it was Urs, she didn¡¯t bother to check and simply turned over to resume her slumber.


    Time passed.


    Eventually, Jocelyn stirred awake.


    She reached out for her phone. At the moment she grasped it, she jolted upright.


    ¡°What are you doing in my room?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s eyes locked onto Melvin, who was seated by her bed. She


    felt a shock go through her.


    Melvin was perched on a chair with his long legs propped up awkwardly. The small piece of furniture


    could barely contain him. It was an image of difort and inappropriateness.


    His gaze held a tumult of emotions, swirling as if unsure of the right sentiment to start their


    conversation.


    He had rehearsed several openings on his way in, though their history hardly called for formalities.


    It wasn¡¯t until after she had spent the night with another man that he felt the need for a conversation


    starter, something to ease the


    ansion yet address the issue at hand


    he gets to share your bed, and I can¡¯t even step into your room?¡± Melvin¡¯s voice was hoarse.


    Jocelyn frowned, his calm delivery of such a charged statement indicated he had mentally prepared for


    this moment.


    She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves and maintaining an even tone, ¡°Why are you here?¡±

 Chapter 145

    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.


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


    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.

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    Chapter 146


    Leaning against the rough bark was ufortable, but Jocelyn didn¡¯t resist. She remainedposed,


    ¡°What exactly do you have in mind?¡±


    ¡°If I said I want to marry you, would youe back?¡± Melvin¡¯s voice was choked as if he was


    swallowing stones, which made it hard for him to speak smoothly.


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind exploded like a firework. She thought she must have misheard. She stared at Melvin in


    disbelief.


    Melvin¡¯s chest was heaving with rapid breaths. Hisplexion turned an unnatural shade of pale.


    Jocelyn had to admit, his words stirred her unsteady heart.


    Suddenly, a fineyer of sweat broke out on Melvin¡¯s forehead. His lips were paled. He clutched his


    chest with his knees buckling. He Jeaned against the tree for support. His breathing was short and


    labored.


    Sensing something was wrong, Jocelyn reached out to steady his shoulder, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Melvin felt a crushing pressure in his chest and an urge to vomit.


    ¡°Melvin?¡±


    His face was pallid, and his breaths were erratic.


    When Melvin looked up, his eyes were red-rimmed. Trying to fight against the difort, he hoarsely


    asked again, ¡°Marry me, will you?¡± After he spoke, he suddenly pushed her away and doubled over to


    retch.


    Jocelyn was startled and concerned. Not bothering to think about the reasons, she rushed to pat his


    back, ¡°Do you feel ill? Did you catch a cold or eat something bad?¡±


    He hadn¡¯t eaten anything that morning, so he vomited nothing.


    After a while, he calmed down a bit.


    Propping himself up on his knees and bending over, he gasped for air.


    ¡°Feeling any better?¡± Jocelyn was frightened.


    Melvin was dizzy. After a moment, he slowly looked up. Seeing her worried face, he felt a bit more


    settled, ¡°Let¡¯s head down the hill.¡±


    Jocelyn quickly agreed, ¡°Can you make it down?¡±


    ¡°Help me.¡± Melvin extended his hand.


    She took his hand and walked ahead, then paused, ¡°Maybe we should rest a bit more.¡±


    ¡°Alright


    With nowhere to sit, they leaned against the tree.


    Melvin propped up his legs, tilted his chin up and closed his eyes. Hisplexion had returned slightly,


    but he still looked pale.


    Jocelyn¡¯s thoughts raced back to his proposal, felt like there was a deer bouncing around in her heart.


    For years, he had never said anything like this.


    She was touched and surprised, feeling like after a long wait, she finally got what she had longed for.


    But his reaction left her puzzled.


    After a long while, Melvin opened his eyes and saw confusion in her gaze. He stood up and said, ¡°Let¡¯s


    go.¡±


    Jocelyn was lost in her thoughts. She hadn¡¯t noticed him awake.


    ¡°Feeling better?¡°


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    She led the way again and reached her hand to help him.


    Melvin took a nce at it and ced his hand in hers, letting her hold it gently.


    Climbing a hill is easy, whileing down is hard.


    Jocelyn walked carefully, while Melvin held her hand back to make sure she was cautious.


    They descended in silence, neither of them bringing up the proposal again.


    At the foot of the hit, Willow was waiting in an upset look, especially upon seeing their joined hands.


    ¡°Melvin, Willow called out.


    Melvin let go of Jocelyn¡¯s hand and said, ¡°I¡¯m going to rest for a bit


    Jocelyn nodded.


    He looked unwell and indeed needed some rest.


    ¡°Melvin¡¯ Willow tried to follow.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°He¡¯s not feeling well. Don¡¯t disturb him.¡±


    That infuriated Willow, who turned on Jocelyn, ¡°What are you ying at? Clinging to one man in the


    morning, and now you¡¯re all over Melvin. Should I call you fickle or shameless?*


    Jocelyn, understanding Willow¡¯s feelings, replied, ¡°It¡¯s nothing to do with you.¡±


    ¡°Sure, you¡¯re quite something. And you¡¯re a teacher? Willow scoffed, ¡°With your scandalous personal


    life, I wonder how you manage to teach.¡±


    Jocelyn thought of the past incident with U and their scheme against her, ¡°nning to trick me


    again?¡±


    ¡°Scared?¡± Willow sneered, ¡°Don¡¯t you have any shame?¡±


    ¡°What should I be afraid of? Jocelyn smiled faintly, ¡°But I advise you to stop the behind-the-scenes


    maniptions. Sometimes, too much scheming can expose your own characters. Remember, your


    innocent facade might crack, revealing your true, malevolent nature.¡± Willow¡¯s face turned sour. She


    hissed, ¡°Do you think Melvining after you means he wants to be with you? You¡¯re just a ything


    he¡¯s not done with yet. Don¡¯t think that you have any hold over him.¡±


    *Thanks for reminding. Melvin chased me, and you¡¯re chasing Melvin,¡± Jocelyn said with a sarcastic


    smile, ¡°Who¡¯s really the shameless one?¡±


    Willow¡¯s eyes bulged with rage.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to waste her time. She had simply responded because Willow had provoked her.


    She left Willow standing there and went to the vige clinic to get some cold medicine for Melvin. She


    also asked for a cup of water from a neighbor and got a bowl of porridge, intending to take it to Melvin.


    Melvin had chosen to stay in the rest area of the vigemittee building, where it was quiet.


    The door was unlocked, and Jocelyn walked in.


    Melviny on a small wooden bed, looking cramped. Seeing him still furrowing his brow in his sleep,


    her heart sank.


    She set everything down and touched his forehead. It wasn¡¯t hot.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes flickered open because of that touch.


    Caught off guard by his gaze, Jocelyn¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, ¡°I brought you


    some porridge and got you some cold medicine from the doctor.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t keep up the facade in front of him.


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


    Perhaps she used to be able to face him withposure, to ignore him even. But now everything was


    different after he had proposed


    to her.


    The moment he uttered those words, she felt as if her true self had been exposed.


    Loving someone can sometimes be blind, humble, and utterly without boundaries.


    Jocelyn carried the pomidge to the bedside and handed it to him.


    Melvin had already sat up, leaning against the headboard. His gaze was fixed on her. ¡°You¡¯re taking


    care of me?¡± he rasped.


    His voice was hoarse, carrying an unintended sensuality that was utterly captivating.


    Jocelyn pursed her lips, feeling slightly uneasy under his gaze. ¡°Just eat,¡± she urged.


    Melvin caught the fleeting look in her eyes, the hint of pink in her ears. He took the bowl from her hands


    without another word.


    The porridge was gone before long. Jocelyn reached out to take the empty bowl: ¡°Make sure you take


    your medicer,¡± she said and was about to leave.


    Melvin didn¡¯t call out to stop her.


    As she reached the doorway, a tightness gripped Jocelyn¡¯s heart. Unable to resist, she tumed back.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes remained on her, as if he had been anticipating her nce.


    With must look back. Jocelyn realized it wasn¡¯t she who had a hold on Melvin-it was Melvin who had a


    firm grip on her


    Those words you said on the hiking trail.. were you serious? Jocelyn asked, feeling a sh of


    embarrassment like a woman afraid of remaining unwed, clutching at dreams to make them reality.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes flickered, but he didn¡¯t respond to Jocelyn immediately.


    in that brief hesitation, Jocelyn felt her heart being torn apart. She stood her ground, not ready to leave


    just yet, still looking at him.


    As she felt herself sinking deeper into an abyss, on the brink of suffocation, Melvin¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple


    bobbed slightly, and his lips parted:

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    Chapter 147


    Melvin¡¯s words seemed to stick in his throat, unspoken.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart, which she had painstakingly patched together, shattered once again.


    She forced a smile, ¡°It¡¯s okay, I understand. Rest up. I¡¯m off.¡±


    This time, she left without any hesitation.


    It was her own fault, really. Too confident of herself.


    Words unspoken for more than three years were likely to be blurted out just out of impulse.


    And now, not even that impulse seemed worth it.


    Hope is for dreaming, not necessarily for achieving.


    Jocelyn went back to shelling peanuts with the vigers, listening in as they gossiped. She didn¡¯t think


    about Melvin anymore. She wouldn¡¯t


    As dusk settled, a beam of headlights illuminated the vige hall.


    Uriah came in a run, ¡°Mr. Martinez has headed back to the city.¡±


    Jocelyn paused in her shelling, just as Urs came in and mentioned, ¡°Willow left with him.¡±


    Jocelyn just smiled. ¡°Good for them. A bit of peace returns to the vige finally.¡±


    After dinner, Jocelyn caught up with her parents over a video chat. Afterward, Harrison called, saying


    he¡¯d been driving non-stop and was only a few hundred miles from home.


    Jocelyn thought he was driving too fast.


    Harrison didn¡¯t ask about Melvin or Willow. They chatted idly for a while before hanging up.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Urs asked her.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jocelyn fiddled with her phone, looking puzzled.


    Urs gave her a knowing look. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t put on an act for me. You¡¯ve been off since you came


    back from the hike, and with him leaving overnight if there¡¯s nothing going on, I¡¯ll eat my hat.¡±


    Jocelyn shrugged. ¡°There¡¯s nothing going on between us.¡±


    ¡°Are you really okay?¡± Urs had a hunch that Jocelyn¡¯s calm was a facade.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. We¡¯ll be back in a few days. Let¡¯s focus on catching up with the lessons.¡±


    Seeing that Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to talk, Urs dropped the subject.


    As long as Jocelyn wasn¡¯t falling apart, she could weather the storm.


    Jocelyn went back to her room.


    In truth, the next few days were light on lessons, with asional tutoring for the kids.


    Five dayster, Jocelyn and Urs prepared to return to the city.


    The vigers came to see them off, filling Urs¡¯s car to the brim with gifts.


    Before they left, Yuri approached Jocelyn. ¡°Hey, Jocelyn, Melvin left in such a rush, I didn¡¯t get to see


    him off. Could you tell him when I¡¯m of age, I¡¯d like toe work for him?¡±


    Jocelyn blinked. ¡°Didn¡¯t you take his number?¡±


    ¡°I did, but my grandma washed my clothes and forgot to take the note out Lost the number,¡± Yuri spoke


    in a low voice.


    Jocelyn wrote down Melvin¡¯s number again. ¡°If possible, keep learning as much as you can. Education


    isn¡¯t the only way forward, but it won¡¯t hurt to have some knowledge when you head to the big city.¡±


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Melvin said the same. Don¡¯t worry, Jocelyn, I¡¯ll hit the books.¡± Yuri smiled earnestly ¡°When I start


    working in the city, I¡¯ll treat you, Melvin, and Urs to a meal.¡±


    Urs teased, ¡®Look at that, i¡¯m included too.¡±


    Yor blushed and bowed his head. ¡°You¡¯ve all been so kind to our vige. Grandma said we must repay


    you.¡±


    Forget about repaying us. Take care of yourself and your grandma. Things will get better, Jocelyn


    encouraged him.


    Yun nodded vigorously.


    After saying goodbye to everyone, Jocelyn and Urs headed back to the city.


    The road was rough but they knew it well by now. It didn¡¯t seem so bad


    *This road will be much better once they fix it up, Urs said ¡°Uriah mentioned they¡¯ll start right after


    the holiday.¡±


    Jocelyn gazed out the window, watching as the houses became sparse and the road wound between


    towering mountains. With such stunning scenery and pure air, she was rxed.


    ¡°Yeah


    ¡°School¡¯s starting soon. Got any ns before then?¡±


    I might need to visit my aunt and uncle with my parents. How about you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m clueless. My mom set me up on a blind date, so I¡¯ll see if I should go or not.¡±


    They made it back to the city just in time for lunch.


    Jocelyn invited Urs to stay for a meal. But her parents called her home, so she didn¡¯t stick around.


    After dividing up the vigers¡¯ gifts, Calvin and Daisy carried them upstairs and quizzed Jocelyn on her


    vige life until the meal ended, with conversation still flowing.


    That afternoon, after a nap, Jocelyn found Calvin gone.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Dad?¡±


    ¡°Off to his chess game,¡± Daisy replied, sitting in front of the TV. ¡°Oh, I forgot to tell you. Your dad¡¯s


    company had a raffle, and he won the first prize-a whopping twenty thousand.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned. ¡°First prize? That much?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Daisy beamed. ¡°Lucky him. He¡¯s thinking of buying you a car for easier travel when you¡¯re


    home.¡±


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t thinking about cars. It just seemed odd that her father had won so much.


    ¡°Everyone at hispany got something, right?¡±


    Daisy paused. ¡°I assume so. They couldn¡¯t just give it all to one person.¡±


    That assume left too much to the imagination.


    Jocelyn was starting to have her doubts.


    If everyone¡¯s getting a windfall like this, you¡¯ve gotta say the boss is loaded and likes to y by his own


    rules.


    When Calvin got back, Jocelyn asked about the lottery and the year-end bonus. Calvin paused for a


    moment before saying. ¡°Oh, that prize? Yara snagged it for me. When I went to draw, she just handed


    me a card randomly. It turned out to be the jackpot. As for the treats, I got them the day after the


    holiday, covering thest shift. Yara handed them to me. I figured she wouldn¡¯t have just given


    something to me alone, so I brought it back home.¡±


    Yara.


    Jocelyn nced at her father¡¯s innocently puzzled face and knew this wasn¡¯t just out of good luck, nor


    was it something everyone


    received.


    ¡°Dad, you should probably return that bonus,¡± Jocelyn suggested. Since the food had already been


    eaten, they might as well y ignorant. But the money was too much.


    Calvin furrowed his brow. ¡°Is there a problem?¡±


    ¡°Twenty thousand dors, don¡¯t you think is too much?¡± Jocelyn simply stated, hoping to prompt her


    father to think more deeply about


    the issue.


    Daisy walked out of the kitchen just in time to hear Jocelyn mention the twenty thousand.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± she asked curiously.


    Jocelyn looked at her parents, befuddled. She understood their perspective. They saw it as prize


    money, the result of luck. Besides, they had no clue about the tension between her and Melvin. So of


    course, they wouldn¡¯t suspect anything untoward.


    For a moment, Jocelyn was at a loss for words on how to exin the impropriety of keeping the money

 Chapter 148

    Chapter 148


    At night, Calvin and Daisyy in bed, wide awake and unable to sleep at all.


    ¡°Calvin, Daisy¡¯s voice broke the silence, ¡®did you ever ask your colleagues if they also get so many


    holiday bonuses?¡±


    Calvin pondered for a moment before replying, ¡°I didn¡¯t ask. Yara made a point of telling me that


    discussing sries is a taboo at thepany, Apparently, it¡¯s the same with the holiday bonuses.¡±


    Daisy exhaled sharply. ¡°I guess it¡¯s not unusual for bigpanies to have such rules. But what do you


    think Jocelyn is really worried about?¡±


    ¡°She probably thinks the bonus was too generous.¡¯


    ¡°It definitely was,¡± Daisy agreed, then added thoughtfully. ¡°If that assistant hadn¡¯t given you the raffle


    ticket, she would have been the one to win the big prize. Do you think she¡¯s feeling unbnced?¡±


    Calvin furrowed his brow, ¡°When she told me I¡¯d won the grand prize, she made it clear that the bonus


    would be deposited directly into my payroll ount. She didn¡¯t seem unhappy about it.¡±


    The old couple pondered over Jocelyn¡¯s words, sensing something off about the situation.


    What kind of luck was this? How had it fallen into theirp?


    Daisy pressed her fingers against her temples, ¡°My eyelids are twitching fiercely.¡±


    ¡°Do you think our previous guesses make sense?¡± Calvin stroked his chin. ¡°Mr. Martinez and Jocelyn¡­


    but, they couldn¡¯t possibly know each other, could they?¡±


    The only possibility Calvin could think of was far-fetched, yet he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there


    was something between his daughter and his boss.


    ¡°Maybe we should ask Jocelyn directly?¡± Daisy felt increasingly uneasy about the whole affair.


    ¡°It¡¯s toote now. We¡¯ve got to head back to the countryside tomorrow. We can ask her on the way.¡±


    Calvin settled back down. ¡°After what Jocelyn said, I feel like that money is burning a hole in my


    pocket. We should retum it when we find the right moment.¡±


    Daisy agreed as shey down, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s too much. A couple thousand might be reasonable, but twenty


    thousand? No boss in their right. mind gives away that much without reason. Once you¡¯re back at work,


    you should return it.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    They sighed deeply, finally closing their eyes to sleep.


    The next day, Jocelyn prepared an early breakfast, then hailed a cab to the train station to buy tickets


    home.


    As Jocelyn purchased her ticket, she spotted Yara at the adjacent self-service kiosk.


    After getting her own ticket, Yara turned and greeted Jocelyn with a friendly nod.


    ¡°Jocelyn, are you¡­¡± Yara noticed the ticket in her hand.


    ¡°Heading home.¡± Jocelyn inquired about Yara¡¯s destination before getting to the point. ¡°Miss Yara, I


    wanted to ask about something. Is the grand prize and holiday gifts my father received normal for every


    employee in yourpany?¡±


    Yara appeared unfazed. ¡°Is there a problem? Our raffle is fair and square. As for the holiday bonus,


    everyone gets roughly the same. Just with a few exceptions.¡±


    The words ¡°few exceptions¡± were certainly curious.


    ¡®Did he ask you to do so?¡± Jocelyn cut to the chase.


    Yara smiled, ¡°Allpany expenses and payouts need the boss¡¯s approval before we proceed.¡±


    ¡°So, it was him.¡± Jocelyn¡¯s suspicion turned into a sardonicugh. ¡°What is this? Compensation?¡±


    Jocelyn, it really was just your father¡¯s good luck, Yara said, her voice faltering slightly as she nced


    at the time. ¡°Sorry, I have to go. Let¡¯s catch upter. Bye.¡±


    Yara hurried off. Unwilling to press further, Jocelyn made her way back to the waiting room.


    ¡°Was that Yara?¡± Calvin had sharp eyes.


    ¡°What did you ask her?¡±


    Nothing much


    Calvin exchanged a meaningful nce with his wife before asking, ¡°Jocelyn, be honest with us, are you


    acquainted with Mr. Martinez?


    I am As Jocelyn adw their expressions change, she added, Preston is his nephew¡±


    Calvin was taken aback ¡°Really**


    Yes.¡±


    Daisy pieced together another theory, ¡°Could it be that Mr. Martinez wanted you to keep an extra eye


    on his nephew, but didn¡¯t want to give you a direct benefit, so he gave your father instead?¡±


    Calvin also felt this was a usible exnation


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t reveal her situation with Melvin, thinking it best if they arrived at this conclusion


    themselves.


    ¡°If so, we should return that money, Jocelyn said solemnly.


    ¡°Yes, of course, it must be returned. Calvin agreed, feeling suddenly enlightened. ¡°You¡¯re a noble


    teacher Regardless of your students¡¯ performance, you must treat everyone equally and educate them


    well.¡±


    ¡°Right


    With a usible excuse in hand, the atmosphere lightened considerably as they traveled.


    Upon arriving in the small town, Jocelyn¡¯s uncle picked them up. He was warm and weing, taking


    them back to a bustling household where Auntie and Quinta were busy in the kitchen. Daisy and


    Jocelyn offered to help.


    Auntie insisted the kitchen was too crowded. So she sent Quinta to keep Jocelynpany while she


    and Daisy had a much-needed


    chat.


    ¡°Mom just needs someone to talk to. Now that Daisy¡¯s here, she¡¯s got an ear for her woes, Quinta said,


    leading Jocelyn to her room.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Damian? Jocelyn inquired.


    Quinta¡¯s eyes dimmed. ¡°He¡¯s on duty.¡±


    That busy? Jocelyn prodded. ¡°Can¡¯t he take time off?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s been home less and less, Quinta said with a strained smile. ¡°He came home for dinnerst night,


    then left early the next day.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned slightly ¡°Did his family and your parents have dinner together?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Had had dinner out together,¡± Quinta mentioned. ¡°That night, his son and ex-wife joined us too.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s frown deepened at the mention.


    ¡°Why was his ex there?¡±


    ¡°Sounds like his parents are still holding out hope for a reunion,¡± Quinta said with a resigned chuckle.


    Jocelyn felt a knot of irritation in her stomach. ¡°Are they nuts?¡±


    Quinta shrugged nonchntly, ¡°Well, they did share a life for over a decade. There¡¯s bound to be some


    leftover affection. Plus, with me still not having a baby, his parents probably have their own ideas.¡±


    ¡°No matter what his parents think, it¡¯s what he wants that matters. If he¡¯smitted to you, he should


    be proactive and get the check-ups done. If he¡¯s not into it, he should at least spare you the


    awkwardness you might face. Bringing his son over for dinner is one thing, but the ex-wife too? What¡¯s


    that about? Pretending they¡¯re the picture-perfect family and you¡¯re the outsider?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s blood


    boiled at a mere thought of it.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Quinta took her hand and tried to calm her down, ¡°Don¡¯t get so worked up. I¡¯m okay.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about being worked up. I just want to know where he stands, Jocelyn took a deep breath.


    ¡°Does he still want to be in this rtionship?¡±


    Quinta nced nervously outside, not wanting to upset her parents, ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    Jocelyn knew she was being overly emotional. But the act of Damian inviting his ex-wife to dinner was


    too much to tolerate.


    Dinner was called from outside. Without further discussion, Jocelyn and Quintaposed themselves


    and joined the others.


    Everyone steered clear of any conversation that could sour the mood. After the meal, they all went out


    for a stroll.


    Jocelyn¡¯s family nned to head back to the city two dayster.


    Before leaving, they did bump into Damian. He seemed amiable enough, not at all like someone


    indecisive.


    Quinta had told Jocelyn once that if things got too hard, they could always get a divorce


    Jocelyn was shocked by Quintas bluntness at the time.

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    Chapter 149


    After all, it was her second time around the block.


    To walk away and start over would mean a third attempt at matrimonial bliss.


    A second marriage aiready takes guts, and the thought of facing the social pressure thates with


    another divorce was daunting.


    Young people might not think much of it, but for parents, the weight of such matters is no small burden.


    Jocelyn thought Quinta had a pretty carefree take on life. If things weren¡¯t working out, there was no


    shame in calling it quits. But the general consensus was to make do, to try and stick it out, and to


    promote reconciliation over separation.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t press the issue, just said, ¡°Do whatever feels right for you.¡±


    Quinta nodded.


    As they got into the car, Jocelyn recalled something Quinta had said before whether you¡¯re married or


    single, you¡¯ll regret anyway.


    It¡¯s kind of addictive, really. When you¡¯re single you long for partnership. And once hitched, you pine for


    solitude. In truth, if two people are happy together, that¡¯s all that matters. If not, parting ways isn¡¯t the


    end of the world.


    If a rtionship is solid, it doesn¡¯t need the crutch of marriage. If it¡¯s not, marriage would just be a


    shackle for both parties.


    It seemed that she was no longer that keen on marriage.


    In the car, Daisy whispered to Jocelyn, ¡°Your aunt told me Quinta and Damian are on the rocks again.¡±


    Jocelyn stayed silent with her head bowed.


    ¡°What is all this toil for? Daisy shook her head, ¡°Your uncle¡¯s all about keeping up appearances. He¡¯s


    been teaching his whole life, working hard to see Quinta seed professionally. But now her


    marriage¡­¡±


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s got their own destiny,¡± Calvin chimed in, with not much else to say.


    ¡°Mom, tell Auntie to rx. Quinta¡¯s an adult. She knows how to manage her own marriage. What¡¯s


    meant to be will be, and there¡¯s no use forcing things,¡± Jocelyn said.


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Calvin agreed. ¡°Everything¡¯s in fate¡¯s hands.¡±


    Daisy interjected, We raise our kids hoping they¡¯ll find their happy lives. A good marriage is like a


    second birth for a woman. When our timees, we want to leave this world knowing they¡¯re settled.¡±


    ¡°Mom, marriage shouldn¡¯t be the yardstick for a woman¡¯s happiness. As long as she¡¯s happy and has


    no regrets, that¡¯s what counts. You two just enjoy your lives. Don¡¯t impose yourselves so many worries


    and pressure.¡±


    Daisy frowned, ¡°But we raise our children with the hope that they¡¯ll build a happy family themselves. It¡¯s


    an instinct.¡±


    I understand. But if it¡¯s not there, why force it?¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to argue. But the unspoken


    pressure from her parents was palpable. ¡°People make their choices, pick their paths. If they¡¯ve chosen


    to be together, they should work on it. Do you think Quinta¡¯s meless in her marriage? They say it


    takes two to tango. Damian¡¯s hardly home, still entangled with his ex. Isn¡¯t it because Quinta hasn¡¯t


    given him a child?¡±


    Jocelyn felt a tightness in her chest, ¡°Mom, shouldn¡¯t a husband who loves his wife spend more time


    comforting her when she¡¯s struggling with infertility, rather than neglecting her and keeping ties with his


    ex? Isn¡¯t that disrespectful and unfair to Quinta? Quinta has tried long to have kids, but Damian wasn¡¯t


    cooperative at all. What could she do? He was aware of her health issues before they married, and


    now he acts like she¡¯s


    the one at fault. Who¡¯s really the problem here?¡±


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t hold back her anger anymore.


    Daisy¡¯s expression darkened.


    Calvin quickly intervened, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s stop arguing.¡±


    Daisy red at Jocelyn and turned away, giving her the cold shoulder.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, knowing she might have been too harsh. But she truly disliked the


    implication that the woman was always to me for marital issues.


    It was as if any problem between a couple was the woman¡¯s fault.


    Jocelyn fell silent.


    Jocelyn, Calvin tried to change the subject, ¡°have you and Harrison been on the outs? Haven¡¯t heard


    you two on the phone or even mention himtely.¡±


    Daisy moved a bit, clearly eavesdropping, yet pretending not to.


    Jocelyn was caught off guard by the sudden shift to her personal life.


    ¡°No, both of us have been busytely. Not much time for daily calls.¡± Jocelyn said, ¡°He did suggest


    taking you guys to Berry City before the school year started, but I figured it would be too rushed. Maybe


    we¡¯ll n it for a long weekend or some other holiday.¡±


    ¡®That¡¯s good, Calvin rxed a bit. He came looking for you during the holidays, and that¡¯s when I found


    out you hadn¡¯t told him about your volunteer teaching in the rural areas. He spent the holiday with you


    there and was very thoughtful to us, brought lots of goodies after he came back. Harrison seems like a


    really good guy. You must treat him right.¡±


    Jocelyn looked down and didn¡¯t respond.


    ¡°Jocelyn, did you hear me?¡± Calvin pressed as she remained silent.


    She nodded reluctantly, ¡°Yeah.¡±


    When they reached their stop, Jocelyn dropped her parents off at home and headed back to her own


    apartment.


    That evening, Urs had arranged to meet up for dinner and share the hrity of hertest blind date.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe how vain this guy was. He plunked his BMW keys on the table right away and


    apologized for beingte, saying he¡¯d just been at the bank for a ¡®big withdrawal¡¯ that needed an


    appointment. Honestly, I just wanted to roll my eyes at him.


    Okay, let us spare him if he was really busy. But then he kept checking his phone during the dinner and


    said, ¡®Sorry, doing business is like this. We hardly get any time off, not like you teachers with your


    modest sries and easy schedules. Plus, you get long breaks when you have kids I swear, my head


    was buzzing when I heard that.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    And then, herees the kicker. He said as he set down his phone and began toy out his demands,


    ¡®My time is precious. And if I¡¯m out here dating, it¡¯s all about swift decisions. Let¡¯s just get our cards on


    the table.¡¯ He proceeded, ¡®If we tie the knot, we gotta do a prenup to sort out our assets. I¡¯ve bought a


    house, but it¡¯s mortgaged up to the rafters. Naturally, the house is mine and I wouldn¡¯t let you pay for


    that debt. I¡¯ll give you a monthly allowance of two-hundred dors for living expenses, which should


    cover everything you need. You¡¯ve got plenty of vacation days, so it¡¯s perfect to keep my parents


    company. You can take them on a little trip and J¡¯ll foot the bill. Just be sure to keep all the receipts,


    including the bus tickets. That¡¯s what he said night in the first date.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s brows furrowed tighter as she listened.


    Urs took a swig of her beer and shook her head, continuing with dramatic ir, ¡°By that point, I was


    totally


    15-09


    turned off. I cut him off and said I wasn¡¯t thinking that far ahead. First dates are about whether there¡¯s a


    spark or not. Then he has the nerve to ask, ¡®So, you¡¯re saying I don¡¯t strike your fancy?¡¯ Ha! I told him


    politely but frankly that he wasn¡¯t possibly to be my type.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled.


    ¡°After that, I didn¡¯t let the guy pay the bill for me. We went Dutch and I left as fast as I could,¡± Urs


    scoffed with a smirk. ¡°I just can¡¯t believe it! Some people think they¡¯re all that because they¡¯ve got a


    little cash? Typical self-conceited guy!¡±


    Jocelynmented, ¡°Well, it¡¯s all rtively speaking, isn¡¯t it? He¡¯s not the worst out there.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t catch my eye anyway,¡± Urs dismissed him entirely.


    ¡°Not handsome enough? Jocelyn probed.


    ¡°Not handsome at all. If he had the looks of someone like Melvin or Harrison, maybe I¡¯d give him a


    chance and see if I could work my magic on him,¡± Urs remarked bluntly.


    Jocelyn smiled briefly, ¡°Yeah, I get you. Attraction oftenes first, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    Urs perked up at that, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you fell for Melvin¡¯s charm first.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Jocelyn admitted with candor, ¡°But then, as they say, charm isn¡¯t always reliable.¡±

 Chapter 150

    Chapter 150


    Jocelyn and Urs were deep into a heart-to-heart talk about the tricky business of love, the kind that


    unfolds when the wine flows freely and the night grows long. Theyughed and cried over memories,


    shared stories. about past flings and long-lost loves, especially Jocelyn¡¯s history with a guy named


    Melvin.


    It seemed he upied a pretty big space in her heart.


    As the buzz of alcohol set in, Urs nudged Jocelyn. ¡°Do you still carry a torch for him?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I suppose so,¡± Jocelyn admitted, her gaze growing distant. ¡°But I can¡¯t love him like that


    anymore.¡± Urs shook her head. That¡¯s tough, honey.¡±


    Jocelyn propped her head on her hands, her thoughts spilling out as freely as the wine. ¡°I don¡¯t want to


    marry anymore. There¡¯s nothing good about it.¡±


    ¡°Is it because of him?


    ¡°No,¡± Jocelyn replied, cupping her face, her eyes a touch ssy. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ pointless.¡±


    Urs countered. Marrying someone you¡¯re head over heels for makes all the difference. I haven¡¯t


    found my Mr. Right yet. But when I do, I¡¯m dragging him down the aisle


    Jocelyn just smiled wistfully. She¡¯d entertain the idea too, if only her man was willing too.


    As they babbled on, a car swerved near them. Then it circled back and parked at the curb.


    Zephyr and Yannick stepped out and walked over. They were an odd pairing-Zephyr in his ck puffer


    jacket, Yannick in white. Together, they looked like they belonged in some trendy fashion spread.


    Jocelyn nced at them and quipped, ¡°Are you two out for a date?¡±


    There was an awkward pause from Zephyr, and a frown flickered across Yannick¡¯s face.


    ¡°A date? Urs echoed, her attention now on the two men. They were easy on the eyes-one like the


    warmth of summer, the other the cool of winter. One was a bit bashful, the other a touch aloof. Both of


    them were a visual treat, indeed.


    You¡¯re tipsy, Jocelyn, Zephyr remarked in a half-amused and half-worried tone.


    Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    She was usually soposed. This was another look of her they rarely saw.


    Herugh was like a melody, a flirtatious sparkle in her eyes. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve had a few.¡±


    Concerned she might blurt out something inappropriate, Zephyr offered, ¡°It¡¯ste, and you¡¯ve been


    drinking too much. Let us drive you home.¡±


    ¡°Urs, who do you want to escort you? Jocelyn turned to her friend.


    Urs was actually pretty sober. She just waved her hand dismissively Tll call a cab


    ¡°Oh.¡± Jocelyn shrugged ¡°Then I¡¯ll hail one too No need for a chaperone.¡±


    Zephyr exchanged a nce with Yannick, wondering, ¡°Should we insist on driving her?¡±


    ¡°What do you think? Yannick shot back.


    ¡°if only Melvin were in town, we could just call him.¡± Zephyr muttered, shooting another concerned look


    at Jocelyn, who was still reaching for her drink


    These two women could really stir up trouble if they kept at it. If Jocelyn weren¡¯t the apple of Melvin¡¯s


    eye. Zephyr wouldn¡¯t bother


    After a moment¡¯s thought, he sat down opposite them and kept a watchful eye. Yannick stood by in his


    protective posture, deterring any unwanted attention


    Zephyr discreetly filmed a video of Jocelyn and Urs and sent it to Melvin with a simple question:


    (Should we step in?]


    Melvin¡¯s reply came the next second,


    Where are you?]


    Zephyr shared his location and quipped: [You¡¯re not even here, why ask?]


    The conversation ended there.


    Just a few minutester, a sleek silver Porsche pulled up to the curb.


    Yannick looked on in surprise.


    ¡°Melvin Zephyr called out


    The women were startled by the shout. From Urs¡¯s side she could see the man emerging from the


    car, but Jocelyn had to turn around.


    Melvin approached with a stern expression. He was dressed in a ck overcoat. His gaze locked on


    Jocelyn as he drew closer.


    Jocelyn met his stare, but her smile faded as she turned away to avoid further eye contact.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you go abroad? When did you get back? Zephyr asked curiously.


    An hour ago, Melvin replied. His attention briefly shifted to the empty beer cans by Jocelyn¡¯s seat, a


    frown creasing his brow.


    Zephyr decided to leave them to it. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re here, we¡¯ll head out.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    With a nod to Jocelyn, Zephyr and Yannick took their leave.


    As they drove away, tension enveloped Jocelyn. The buzz from the booze was not enough to drown


    out the awkwardness of the moment.


    ¡°My ride hase, Urs said as she checked her phone. ¡°Do you want to¡­


    ¡°She¡¯s with me, Melvin interjected.


    Urs nced at Jocelyn, who remained silent.


    ¡°Alright then, I¡¯m off Urs stood up and was about to pay for the bill.


    ¡°It¡¯s on me. Melvin offered.


    Urs raised an eyebrow appreciatively. Thanks.¡±


    Before she left, Urs whispered to Jocelyn, ¡°Life¡¯s short, have your fun.¡±


    Jocelyn just cast her a look.


    Urs nodded at Melvin and walked away.


    ¡°Are you done drinking?¡± Melvin asked.


    Jocelyn had half a beer left but didn¡¯t take another sip.


    ¡°Ready to go?¡± he asked again.


    She got up to settle the tab.


    Melvin caught her hand.


    Without a fuss, she shrugged off his hand and started for the door.


    Melvin followed and caught her wrist again. ¡°I¡¯ll take you home.¡±


    He opened the car door, not pushing her but just waiting.


    I don¡¯t want to ride,¡± she said, her first words to him that night.


    ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll walk,¡± Melvin conceded and shut the car door.


    They began the trek back to her ce, about five miles away. They walked in silence.


    They were both lost in their own thoughts, the night stretching before them like an untold story.


    Last year, the same scene had unfolded, back when things were better between them-or at least,


    Jocelyn thought they were better than now.


    Another year had passed, almost four in total.


    Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and turned around. She locked eyes with him. ¡°What do you


    mean?¡± she challenged.


    Melvin gazed back at her, his hazel eyes stirring with emotion and his lips quivering slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve gotten


    used to you,¡± he admitted.


    Jocelyn let out a derisiveugh. ¡°Great, then let¡¯s head to a hotel.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s brow furrowed in displeasure.


    ncing around, Jocelyn pointed towards an inn down the street. ¡°How about a room for a couple of


    hours?¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn!¡± Melvin¡¯s voice was a low growl, tinged with anger.


    ¡°You¡¯re all about living for the moment, right? I¡¯m down with that.¡± She slipped her hands into her jacket


    pockets, adopting a flippant demeanor. ¡°We can have a bit of fun, enjoy the night, then go our separate


    ways. No strings attached. Sounds good?¡±


    His eyes were stormy now. His anger was apparent.


    Jocelyn raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Isn¡¯t this what you want?¡±


    ¡°Do you have any idea what you¡¯re talking about? Melvin¡¯s voice was tight, his stare piercing.


    ¡°Of course I do.¡± She danced on the spot, pouting and widening her eyes dramatically, even belching


    slightly for effect. ¡°You just want something that¡¯s no longer in your control, right? You¡¯re chasing the


    thrill of the chase. But now, you¡¯re stuck at the point where you can¡¯t have what you want. So, the


    forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest, doesn¡¯t it? I¡¯m making it easy for you, Melvin. We¡¯ll have our fun,


    then go back to our lives. You won¡¯t have tomit, and I¡¯ll relish the peace. It¡¯s a win-win. Isn¡¯t that


    what you¡¯re after?¡±

 Chapter 151

    Chapter 151


    Melvin¡¯s blood boiled at Jocelyn¡¯s words..


    Gripping her hand, he marched her towards the inn she had pointed out. Reaching the reception desk,


    he pped down his driver¡¯s license and demanded, ¡°Room for two, now!¡±


    The inn owner was a middle-aged woman with a kindly face She was clearly taken aback by his fury.


    Her concerned gaze shifted to Jocelyn, whose scent of booze was faint but noticeable. She couldn¡¯t


    help but ask, ¡°Honey, are you¡­ are you sure about this?¡±


    Jocelyn shed the owner a wobbly smile, ¡°Yeah.¡±


    The owner was uneasy Something seemed unnatural, especially with this man who didn¡¯t look like any


    regr Joe, bringing a girl to a ce like this. And the aggression in his stance was terrifying.


    After registration, the owner handed over a key card and told them the room number.


    With Jocelyn in tow, Melvin stormed upstairs. Finding the room, he swiped the card and the lights


    flickered on.


    As he turned and pinned Jocelyn against the wall, leaning in to kiss her, she closed her eyes. But her


    tense body betrayed her reluctance


    Melvin inhaled deeply and crashed his fist against the wall behind her. She shuddered at his reaction.


    Her eyelids were fluttering.


    ¡°Who the hell are you trying to punish here?¡± Melvin growled through clenched teeth.


    Slowly, Jocelyn opened her eyes to meet his rage, ¡°You said it yourself, living for the moment, right?¡±


    Silence hung heavily as Melvin struggled with a surge of bile in his throat. Looking into her clear eyes,


    he had an overwhelming urge to ravage her.


    The standoff continued until Melvin finally released her.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart, which had been hammering in her chest, slowed. ¡°Changed your mind? Then I¡¯m


    leaving,¡± she said coolly and pushed him away.


    She opened the door and stepped out. Her buzz hadpletely gone.


    Melvin hadn¡¯t stopped her, which meant he was well sober. They both perfectly knew that forced


    affection brought no joy.


    Descending the stairs, Jocelyn encountered the baffled owner.


    ¡°That was quick?¡±


    With a nonchnt smile, Jocelyn quipped, ¡°He couldn¡¯t cut it.¡±


    The owner was speechless.


    The handsome young man who seemed quite robust, couldn¡¯t cut it?


    What a pity, she thought.


    Melvin ground his teeth in anger as he heard Jocelyn¡¯sment,.


    Jocelyn had already left the inn. Melvin mmed the key card on the counter, ¡°I want my deposit back!¡±


    The owner quicklyplied, but couldn¡¯t resist asking, ¡°Sweetle, I know a great therapist. He might


    help with your¡­ situation.¡±


    Melvin shot her a venomous look, ¡°Mind your own business.¡±


    ¡°Hey, you.¡± The owner muttered as Melvin stormed out, ¡°Kids these days, can¡¯t handle the truth, huh?¡±


    Outside, Melvin caught up with Jocelyn. She turned to see him dark as a thundercloud ¨C no man takes


    kindly


    to insinuations about his prowess.


    Despite the embarrassing scene, Jocelyn felt oddly refreshed.


    ¡°You get a kick out of humiliating me?¡± Melvin fumed.


    Her step was light. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Jocelyn spared no thought for his feelings, ¡°Melvin, do you find this amusing? It¡¯s a torture for both of


    us, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s good, Melvin shot back, unabashed. ¡°You make my life hell, and I¡¯ll make yours hell¡±


    ¡°Destined to be alone together?¡±


    ¡°With me, you won¡¯t be alone.¡±


    She chuckled, ¡°That almost makes sense.¡±


    ¡°Unless I¡¯m dead, you¡¯ll never get rid of me. Forget about marrying anyone else.¡± His intentions were


    bare and unapologetic.


    Jocelyn paused. That¡¯s pretty shameless.¡±


    ¡°What I can¡¯t have, nobody else will,¡± Melvin stated inly.


    ¡°So you mean if we can¡¯t be lovers, we¡¯ll be enemies. Fine. I¡¯ll go away as far as I could, satisfied?¡± she


    said matter-of-factly.


    Melvin scoffed, ¡°I¡¯ll find you wherever you go. You¡¯ll never have peace.¡±


    She felt suffocated by his words, not doubting for a second he meant them.


    ¡°So, I might as well die,¡± Jocelyn countered, not backing down.


    Melvin¡¯s brow furrowed, ¡°Say that again.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, if I can¡¯t escape, the only way out is death,¡± Jocelyn said. ¡°You can¡¯t control whether I live or


    die, can you?¡±


    He snorted, ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve. You¡¯d throw away your life for me? And what about your parents?¡±


    She kept walking, tone even, ¡°I can¡¯t look out for them if you¡¯re haunting me, making our lives


    miserable. In the end, whatever happens to my family, it¡¯s all your fault.¡±


    They bickered like kids, unable to escte but unable to let go either.


    ¡°Then stay with me,¡± Melvin stopped and shouted, ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, and you¡¯ll be fine too.¡±


    Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Jocelyn halted, the pain in her chest growing with his words. She turned to face him and cast a sad


    smile. ¡°Let¡¯s just leave it at this.¡±


    ¡°At this? What¡¯s this?¡± Melvin didn¡¯t understand.


    She nced at the space between them, continued, ¡°At this distance. If you want me to live well, we


    can say h when we meet. If I¡¯m a thorn in your side and you want me miserable, I¡¯ll oblige¡±


    ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡± he barked.


    Smiling faintly, Jocelyn replied, ¡°Melvin, you can¡¯t just harass me because I love you. I¡¯m not after a


    fling -1 want a lifetime. Call me old-fashioned, but I want to marry the man I love, to be his wife through


    thick and thin, in sickness and in health. I want to be the closest person to him.¡±


    ¡°But I wasn¡¯t even a girlfriend to you. Have you ever considered what I meant to you during all these


    years? Jocelyn wasn¡¯t crying. Her voice was calm and steady


    Love is a tangled web, isn¡¯t it? It wraps around you because it¡¯s full of emotion. You can¡¯t escape


    unless you let go of your feelings.


    She felt that Melvin had never understood. He had no idea what he truly wanted. To him, she had


    be like an old sweatshirt, worn butfortable. And when that sweatshirt was suddenly slipping


    away, it was panic that gripped him, not loss.


    But she had seen the light. Since she couldn¡¯t have what she wanted, she decided it was no use


    clinging to a unachievable dream.


    Sure, she couldn¡¯t just snap her fingers and erase him from her heart, but she was determined. As long


    as she kept trying, she would seed one day.


    Watching Melvin, she was speechless and lost. She gave a small shrug and a chuckle. ¡°You see, you


    don¡¯t even know what I am to you, do you? Back then, I swooped in when you and Willow were apart


    for a break. Now that she¡¯s back, it¡¯s time for you to go back to her. What¡¯s stolen neversts. Really,


    I¡¯ve had more than my fair share of luck. I should be content.¡±


    ¡°Melvin, let me go,¡± Jocelyn¡¯s voice was soft, with a gentle plea woven through it, ¡°I¡¯m just an ordinary


    woman, longing for a simple and ordinary life. There¡¯s no need for us to be entwined in this mess any


    longer. Don¡¯t you think so?¡±

 Chapter 152

    Chapter 152


    Jocelyn exuded a sincere sense of weariness.


    Melvin felt increasingly uneasy. She had said those words several times, which essentially meant she


    was truly tired of his persistence.


    But he wasn¡¯t willing to give up on her!


    ¡°Well, then you¡¯ll have to wait for my funeral,¡± Melvin dered, not caring if she would hate him for it.


    This was the truth in his heart.


    Unless he was six feet under, he wouldn¡¯t give up on her.


    A sharp pang tightened in Jocelyn¡¯s chest as she looked at him incredulously, but his gaze was


    unfathomably deep. ¡°You¡­¡±


    Melvin¡¯s phone rang. He nced at the caller ID before answering.


    ¡°Dr. La¡±


    Jocelyn only heard him address the caller before he turned away. But he clearly kept the conversation


    private. Doctor?


    The callsted barely two minutes before Melvin hung up


    Seeing that Jocelyn hadn¡¯t left, he felt a wave of relief.


    ¡°I¡¯ll drive you home.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need a ride from you, Jocelyn replied with a hint of defiance.


    Melvin frowned. ¡°Do I really need to force you?¡±


    Jocelyn was afraid of him. She knew he was capable of anything when riled up-it was just a matter of


    whether he wanted to or not.


    Considering thete hour and the long walk home, she finally agreed in reluctance.


    They returned to his car. As they drove off, Jocelyn noticed his grave expression. She couldn¡¯t help but


    think about that mysterious phone call.


    ¡°Is someone sick?¡± she finally asked.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Who?¡±


    A doctor¡¯s call at night was rarely good news. For rtives, such calls were dreaded, often bringing


    nothing but bad tidings.


    She didn¡¯t want to pry. But it seemed callous if she didn¡¯t ask about it.


    ¡°No one.¡± Melvin kept his eyes on the road. His voice was even.


    Taking the hint, Jocelyn fell silent.


    The car stopped in front of her apartment building. Thanks, she said as she got out.


    Uncharacteristically, Melvin stayed in the car without a word


    As Jocelyn closed the car door, her neighbor Rose happened to be taking out the trash and spotted


    them.


    ¡°Hey, howe your boyfriend didn¡¯te up with you?¡± Rose asked.


    Jocelyn wanted to exin they weren¡¯t together anymore but feared a lengthy exnation, so she


    simply said. He¡¯s got things to do.¡±


    I haven¡¯t seen him around for a while, Rose mentioned as they entered the elevator. ¡°I thought you two


    might have broken up.¡±


    Jocelyn offered an embarrassed smile.


    Once home, Jocelyn went to bed directly.


    Melvin¡¯s words nagged at her-he wasn¡¯t joking, and his stubbornness was something she had never


    anticipated. Clearly, if he didn¡¯t let go, any future rtionships she might have were doomed.


    As the new semester approached, Jocelyn got busier, especially as a senior ss teacher with


    mounting pressures.


    Daisy had nothing better to do in her own house, so she offered to tidy up Jocelyn¡¯s apartment after


    getting Jocelyn¡¯s permission and the keys.


    Jocelyn had kept her ce clean usually, despite her busy schedule. But she rarely cooked, leaving the


    fridge either full of spoiled goods or empty.


    Daisy decided to buy groceries and prepare some homemade toast to stock the fridge, ensuring


    Jocelyn always had something to eat.


    Entering the building with her hands full, Daisy called out to hold the elevator. It was Rose inside.


    Thanks, Daisy said, appreciating the help.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen youst time,¡± Rose remarked as they rode up. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite the


    grocery haul for Jocelyn there.


    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s gearing up for new school term, so I thought I¡¯d help stock her up,¡± Daisy chirped. ¡°You


    know how it is with youngsters-always too busy to eat properly, resorting to takeout or instant noodles.


    But none of these is nutritious¡±


    Rose nodded in agreement. Then she mentioned, ¡°I¡¯ve noticed Jocelyn¡¯s boyfriend hasn¡¯t been around


    much recently.¡±


    Daisy perked up at this. Had Harrison been a frequent here? That sounded good for them. She simply


    smiled, ¡°He¡¯s back to his parents¡¯ during the holiday. Suppose he hasn¡¯t been back yet.¡±


    ¡°Her boyfriend isn¡¯t local, is he? He should be back now. I saw her boyfriend send her back a few days


    ago, but he didn¡¯t go upstairs. Rose said, ¡°Her boyfriend is really handsome and rich. I see they¡¯ve


    been together for so many years. When do they n the wedding?¡±


    They were in a rtionship for years?


    ¡°I thought Jocelyn and Harrison have only been dating for a few months, Daisy mused.


    ¡°Oh, are you sure? I¡¯ve seen them together in and out for over three years.¡± Rose seemed surprised.


    Daisy was even more baffled. Over three years? Why hadn¡¯t Jocelyn mentioned before?


    The elevator doors opened, but Daisy was no longer in a hurry to leave. She asked Rose for her


    opinion on Jocelyn¡¯s boyfriend, ying the concerned mom.


    Rose was always ready for a chat. ¡°I get you. My kids don¡¯t live with me either.¡± Rose said, ¡°Your son-


    inw is very handsome, better looking than those male stars on TV. And he is very rich. I remember


    my daughter said that the car he drives is worth several million. However, the other day, they should


    have had a quarrel, and the young man was downstairs in the rain for a long time.¡±


    Daisy was even more puzzled.


    Rose had that seasoned look of someone who was experienced and sensitive. She wasn¡¯t shy about


    sharing her wisdom with Daisy. ¡°You¡¯ve got to put the screws to them. It¡¯s been nearly four years. It¡¯s


    high time she made an honest man out of him. What¡¯s the point of just dating forever? You ought to


    urge them to tie the


    kat A woman¡¯s prime doesn¡¯tst forever. Unlike men, if they¡¯ve got the dough, they can always snag


    someone younger. But it¡¯s different for us women You need a family to feelplete.¡±


    Daisy¡¯s mind glossed over the unsolicited advice. She was too busy plecing together that the young


    man Rose described definitely wasn¡¯t Harrison.


    it was someone else.


    School hadn¡¯t officially started yet, and Jocelyn wouldn¡¯t be spending her evenings there for too long.


    So Daisy did what she had to do. She called her daughter and insisted with a rare gravity in her voice,


    that Jocelyne home that evening. They needed to talk


    The seriousness caught Jocelyn off guard. It had been years since her mother had spoken to her with


    that tone Concerned, she hailed a cab straight from school to her parents¡¯ house. The moment she


    stepped through the front door, she was met with the stern, almost usatory stares of her mom and


    dad, as if she were a suspect and they were the detectives.


    Feeling uneasy. Jocelyn took off her coat and ventured, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Are you guys fighting?¡±


    But that didn¡¯t seem quite right. If her parents were quarreling, her mom would never be sitting so close


    to her dad.


    No, this was definitely something about her.

 Chapter 153

    Chapter 153


    Jocelyn sat uneasily in her chair and waited for the trail. Her parents¡¯ piercing gazes felt like weights


    pressing down on her. Despite unaware of the reasons of her parents¡¯ irritation, still she knew that


    politeness might mitigate whatever wasing.


    ¡°Mom, Dad, is there anything you want to ask me?¡± Jocelyn ventured, breaking the thick tension in the


    air.


    She couldn¡¯t cope with the awkwardness anymore, which was nothing but a waste of time. She decided


    to end it, the sooner the better.


    Her mother, Daisy, asked in return with sharply. ¡°Do you even have to ask if we want to talk about


    something?¡± Jocelyn frowned in confusion. She truly had no clue what she¡¯d done wrong.


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    ¡°Can I get a hint?¡± she asked, her voice small.


    ¡°Jocelyn, you¡¯ve really outdone yourself this time. You are a teacher a decent person! How could you


    mess with two men at once? And Harrison bless his heart he was so steady and kind. If you don¡¯t fancy


    him, just leave him alone rather than give him false hope.¡±


    The word ¡®mess caught Jocelyn¡¯s attention. But what?


    ¡°Mom, when have I ever been involved with two guys at once? I¡¯ve never betrayed Harrison.¡± Jocelyn


    was genuinely puzzled by the unreasonable usation.


    ¡°You¡¯re still y dumb? If I hadn¡¯t run into that neighbor of yours today, I¡¯d never have imagined you¡¯ve


    been hooking up another man for nearly four years. You are already dating Harrison, but you still let


    that man send you home. Tell me, Jocelyn, what¡¯s going through your head? No wonder you remain


    unmarried and not interested in Harrison. You¡¯re never satisfied!¡±


    Daisy¡¯s irritation was palpable. The idea that Jocelyn had kept a boyfriend a secret for over three years-


    especially from her own parents-was infuriating.


    Jocelyn felt her heart race. She hadn¡¯t expected that her mother got mad for this.


    Melvin often stayed at her ce. Although they avoided running into others, it still happened. Rose, her


    neighbor, had seen Melvin a few times and knew he was Jocelyn¡¯s partner.


    Before her fallout with Melvin, Jocelyn had been adamant about keeping her parents away from her


    ce. unless she was there. She had managed to keep the rtionship a secret for over three years.


    After the break-up, she thought her parents would never suspect anything as Melvin had moved away.


    Unfortunately, she forgot about her neighbor.


    Nor did she ever imagine her neighbour and parents would coincidentally be talking about men.


    Biting her lip, Jocelyn watched her parents¡¯ mix of worry and anger. She needed toe up with a


    good exnation. Luckily, they didn¡¯t know that the mysterious man was Melvin.


    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m an adult. Dating is normal¡± Jocelyn began her rational defense.


    ¡°Yes, dating is normal. What burns me up is that why haven¡¯t you mentioned him in over three years?¡±


    Daisy was still hung up on the secrecy. She had been persuading Jocelyn to find a steady man and


    settle down, while thetter kept refusing with good excuses of work and fate. Now Jocelyn was in love


    and even the neighbors knew But she, Jocelyn¡¯s parent, didn¡¯t even have a clue.


    Jocelyn was calm. ¡°I didn¡¯t mention him because it wasn¡¯t serious enough to bring home to you¡±


    ¡°And where is he now?¡±


    ¡°We broke up.¡±


    ¡°When?¡±


    ¡®Before I even met Harrison.¡±


    Daisy remained skeptical. ¡°Then why did someone see him dropping you off justst week?¡±


    ¡°We parted as friends. It¡¯s no big deal to give a friend a lift home, right?¡± Jocelyn attempted to lighten


    the mood with a joke. ¡°He didn¡¯t evene upstairs.¡±


    ¡°Be serious.¡± Daisy didn¡¯t rx for a second. ¡°I heard that he was rich. What did he do? And after all


    these years, why hasn¡¯t he met us? You should have brought him to us after a few years of dating,


    even if it wasn¡¯t leading to marriage. And who ended it?


    The questions made Jocelyn ufortable; she knew the answers but hated being reminded of her


    naivety during those years.


    ¡°Because it was uncertain, I didn¡¯t want to worry you.¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn, tell us the truth. Was he married?¡± Daisy¡¯s heart tightened with the question. She had but only


    one assumption based on what she learned from the neighbor and how Jocelyn kept the man a secret.


    That was her worst fear her daughter might have caught in an immoral rtionship. It didn¡¯t matter who


    Jocelyn was in love with, but she had to make sure that her daughter wasn¡¯t involved in anything


    morally degraded. Years of secrecy, it all seemed too suspicious.


    Jocelyn was a bit stunned. That was what they worried about?


    ¡°Mom, Dad, you raised me. Don¡¯t you know what kind of person your daughter is? Are you really that


    unsure about your upbringing? Jocelyn moved closer and took their hands. ¡°I swear, I¡¯ve done nothing


    immoral. We were both single, fell hard and fast, and broke up amicably.¡±


    Daisy believed her daughter and felt a wave of relief ¡°If it was love at first sight, why did you split?¡±


    ¡°It just wasn¡¯t right. Jocelyn muttered, eyes downcast


    Was it his idea?


    Jocelyn shook her head. ¡°Mine.¡±


    Daisy frowned and about to probe further when Jocelyn¡¯s father, Calvin, intervened. ¡°Enough grilling.


    Are we eating dinner tonight or not? Come on, let¡¯s get cooking.¡±


    Calvin ushered Daisy into the kitchen and closed the door firmly behind them.


    ¡°Stop pressing her. Can¡¯t you see she¡¯s hurting? Calvin said gently. He was a careful person, and he


    noticed the forlorn look Jocelyn tried to hide.


    Daisy nced at Jocelyn, still slumped on the couch, and sighed. ¡°But what about her and Harrison?


    Were they serious? She used to y along just to keep us off her back. I hope she¡¯s not faking it


    again.¡±


    As Daisy stewed over her daughter¡¯s love life, the scent of roast chicken and mashed potatoes began


    to fill the air. It was time to focus on dinner, but the lingering questions about Jocelyn¡¯s heart would


    remain, like an unsolved mystery waiting for its next chapter.


    ¡°Can¡¯t be. Harrison even transferred his job to be closer to us, and he bought a house and everything.¡±


    Calvin said, shaking his head. ¡°Let¡¯s not bring up the past anymore, alright?¡±


    ¡°You have no idea how shocked I was when I heard she had a boyfriend for over three years. I¡¯m


    terrified that she¡¯s not bringing him around because there¡¯s something shameful about their


    rtionship. Daisy sighed again. ¡°If they¡¯ve been together for so long, why it wouldn¡¯t work out?¡±


    ¡°Forget about it. If it¡¯s meant to be, they¡¯ll find their way back to each other. If not, no amount of forcing


    will keep them together. Calvin tried to console his wife. ¡°Love¡¯s a tricky thing, no one can predict it


    On the way home, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t stop pondering her parents¡¯ words.


    Harrison was the kind one could safely and peacefully settle down with. Don¡¯t miss out on the right one.


    Fortune came in fleeting moments. If one missed it, they¡¯d be gone for good.


    it was the same with men.


    There would always be one great guy in your life. If you couldn¡¯t hold on tight and cherish him, he


    would end up with someone else.


    You must look ahead. Those not meant for you would drift further away. Even If you cross paths again,


    your hearts would have been miles apart, too distant to ever return to that moment when they first


    skipped a beat.

 Chapter 154

    Chapter 154


    She lingered at the foot of the apartment building and sat on a bench rather than immediately


    ascending the


    stairs.


    Pulling out her cell, she scrolled through Twitter and a tweet from the vige assistant, Uriah caught her


    eye It was good news: their vige was getting a road upgrade. The construction team had already


    scoped out the area and charted out the new route with the goal of having driveways essible within


    six months.


    The town¡¯s development n also had an Intriguing proposal ¨C nting apple trees.


    Every fall, they¡¯d harvest the apples and arrange for buyers toe directly to purchase the fruits, so


    that the locals wouldn¡¯t have to sell by themselves.


    More importantly, apany proposed to build a processing nt nearby. It promised to provide jobs


    for many in the area.


    Though it was just a n, it represented a beacon of hope for everyone.


    At that moment, Jocelyn felt a surge of respect for Melvin, the man making it happen.


    Regardless of his reasons or motivations, his actions spoke volumes, and she couldn¡¯t help but give a


    thumbs-up to his post before heading upstairs.


    The day before the school year kicked off, Harrison invited Jocelyn to dinner.


    He had been back in Yanova City for a while but had been too swamped to meet up until now.


    After picking her up, he suggested, ¡°How about we invite your parents along?¡±


    Checking the time, Jocelyn replied, ¡°They¡¯ve probably had dinner by now.¡±¡±


    ¡°Just ask.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    She called her mom, Daisy, who confirmed they¡¯d already eaten and, knowing Harrison was the one


    who¡¯d invited Jocelyn out, reminded her daughter to enjoy hispany.


    Her parents genuinely liked Harrison, so much that they wished he¡¯d marry her right away.


    ¡°They¡¯re really setting us up for some alone time, huh?¡± Harrison joked, unsurprised.


    Jocelyn sighed with a mix of frustration and amusement. ¡°They really like you.¡±


    ¡°If I didn¡¯t have to consider your feelings, I¡¯d definitely be part of your family by now.¡± Harrison quipped.


    Jocelyn chuckled, ¡°What, nning on being the son-inw who moves in?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡± Harrison said carelessly. ¡°My parents are anxious too. They¡¯d probably pay someone to


    take me off their hands,¡±


    ¡°The universal plight of parents.¡± Jocelyn mused. ¡°Seems like there are plenty of folks not rushing to


    marry. It¡¯s as if staying single is some kind of crime.¡±


    ¡°Well, you know how it is. Life¡¯s all about settling down and carrying on the family name.¡± Harrison


    understood, ¡°But honestly, I do like the idea of having a family. A wife, a kid, a cozy little trio it all


    sounds pretty blissful.¡±


    ¡ª


    Jocelyn sensed his genuine longing for marriage and imagined he¡¯d be a terrific husband and father.


    His future wife would be happy with him.


    Just hearing you talk about it sounds lovely.¡± she admitted.


    ¡°Too bad nobody¡¯s creating that happiness with me.¡± Harrisonmented with a hint of sadness.


    Jocelyn knew what he meant but simply responded, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll find the right person.¡±


    Harrison offered a wistful smile, ¡°Hopefully.¡±


    They arrived at an upscale bistro and were shown to their reserved table. It was a rare asion ¨C their


    first dinner out this year


    As they settled in and ordered, Willow and U were guided to a nearby table. Jocelyn¡¯s mood soured


    as she saw them


    U had carved out her niche in the entertainment circle, with her sweet looks and a touch of boldness


    that made her quite likable.


    Now that they were seated together, the reason for their friendship became clear their simr vibes


    were undeniable.


    U, unperturbed by guilt, greeted Jocelyn with bold familiarity.


    ¡°Jocelyn, out with your boyfriend, I see.¡± Willow interjected with a pointed look at Harrison. ¡°You two


    should consider a sequel. I bet lots would love the story of lovers reunited.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s distaste for Willow was as intense as finding a fly in her soup, which ruined her appetite


    completely. ¡°Sorry, miss, but we don¡¯t appreciate interruptions.¡± Harrison said, diplomatically showing


    her the door. Willow, usually unustomed to such rebuffs, was irked but kept herposure. ¡°Sir,


    you better keep an eye on your girlfriend. After all, she and my boyfriend have some unresolved


    issues.¡±


    Jocelyn felt her chest tighten with indignation.


    How could Willow be so shameless?


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be keeping tabs on your own boyfriend?¡± Harrison shot back sharply. ¡°Or wait, he¡¯s not


    really your boyfriend, is he? You like to im status, but does he even acknowledge it?¡±


    His sarcasm hit a nerve. Willow¡¯sposure slipped and her anger revealed.


    Melvin had never dered his affection to her, much less confirmed her as his girlfriend. Willow


    sometimes imed the title when out and about, and unless Melvin was present, she rarely corrected


    misunderstandings. But she dared not when he was there.


    Her and Melvin¡¯s true rtionship was a sensitive topic, known only to those privy to the inside story.


    ¡°My rtionship with Melvin is none of your business, and not being his girlfriend doesn¡¯t change a


    thing. He chose to be with me, in the end.¡± Willow retorted, refusing to concede. ¡°Jocelyn, since you¡¯ve


    found someone new, please keep your distance from Melvin. You¡¯re a educator, you should understand


    what ethics are ¡±


    Jocelyn fought the urge to ssh the contents of her ss across Willow¡¯s brazen face.


    ¡°Only a woman with no self-worth would confront her man¡¯s ex with threats. It just shows how much


    less you. are than me¡± Jocelyn snapped, no longer willing to y nice. ¡°You talk to me about ethics ¨C


    do you even have any?¡±


    Willow shattered at those words. Taking a deep breath and feigning ease, she said, ¡°Less than you?


    Please! We both know I hold a special ce in Melvin¡¯s heart that you could never fill. Besides, you


    were the past, while I am the present.¡±


    Willow seemed to have finally found her moment to strike back at Jocelyn, her smirk as proud as a


    peacock in full bloom.


    Jocelyn and Harrison shared a look of mutual disgust. It was clear that some people just couldn¡¯t grasp


    the concept of grace or decency.


    Harrison stood up, taking Jocelyn by the hand, and grabbed her coat and purse. ¡°Even fancy


    restaurants get


    flies, it¡¯s disgusting. Let¡¯s go home for the meal.¡±


    Jocelyn had no desire to share the same air with Willow any longer and allowed Harrison to lead her


    away.


    Just as they reached the entrance, Melvin walked in by some twist of fate.


    His gaze instantly fell on their intertwined hands, the unmistakable sign of two lovers.


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    His heart clenched tight.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez, you¡¯re just in time to take care of your girlfriend. She¡¯s been buzzing around like a fly


    everywhere, which has really killed the appetite.¡± Harrison said, deliberately putting Willow in an


    awkward spot. ¡°By the way, ¡®I heard from yourdy here that you two might be tying the knot soon.


    Make sure to invite Jocelyn and me. We all know each other, and we¡¯d love to be guests at your


    wedding, to witness your happiness and give everyone peace of mind.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t really buy Willow¡¯s story, but the fact that Willow dared to say such things meant that


    Melvin had given her some kind of promise.


    Otherwise, how could Willow be so bold?


    Truth be told, she felt inferior to Willow.


    At least, Willow could be openly with Melvin. Despite how unreliable the tabloids were, they managed


    to give off the illusion to many that Willow and Melvin were the real couple.

 Chapter 155

    Chapter 155


    The air was heavy around Melvin as he stood brooding in the corner of the diner. His dark mood was


    twofold. First, the sight of Harrison and Jocelyn, hand in hand, made it clear they were bounded,


    leaving no room for doubt Second, Harrison¡¯s words rang in his ears, suggesting he was going to marry


    Willow? Melvin¡¯s gaze shot towards her, cold as ice, making her fidget ufortably.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here Jocelyn said, eager to leave the suffocating atmosphere. She tugged at Harrison¡¯s


    hand, and he willingly followed.


    Exiting the diner, the couple left a trail of awkward silence that enveloped the room, with every eye


    turning toward Melvin.


    Willow, hesitating, approached Melvin and pretended to be calm. ¡°What brings you here? I just bumped


    into Jocelyn and her boyfriend. They seem to be very in love and inseparable. I bet they¡¯ll get married


    soon.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes were like deep wells of danger, cold and silent. Willow¡¯s heart raced at his gaze-not with


    excitement, but with fear. She knew he was no longer the simple, trusting boy he once was; this Melvin


    commanded a certain wariness


    ¡°Your future¡¯s at stake. Don¡¯t mess it up over a whim.¡± he said coldly before walking away.


    Willow, her heart tight, hurried after him. ¡°Melvin, what do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re human, and you understand perfectly well.¡± He reached his car and opened the door.


    She clung to the door and panic set in. ¡°What did she tell you?¡±


    ¡°What do you think she said?¡± Melvin shot back, his eyes like daggers. ¡°I¡¯m warning you, stop the


    games. If you don¡¯t want the endorsement deal. I¡¯ll find someone else.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything! And I won¡¯t give away the deal even if I don¡¯t get paid.¡± Willow protested, her voice


    shaking even as she denied wanting to drop the endorsement.


    Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Melvin narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her.


    Swallowing hard, she continued, ¡°Melvin, I came back to help you. I want to stand by you. I was your


    most trusted, remember?¡±


    ¡°Forget the past,¡± he said, staring at her fingers on the door. ¡°Don¡¯t overestimate your importance.¡±


    With that, he mmed the door shut, indifferent to the possibility of hurting her hand.


    As the car drove away, Willow¡¯s heart shattered. She watched him leave and gritted her teeth with tears


    in her eyes


    U emerged and stood behind Willow. ¡°Do you love him that much?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    ¡°Then go for it. U urged ¡°Men can¡¯t resist a woman who offers herself. They¡¯re ves to their desires


    Sleep with him, better yet, record it. Leak it online, stir the media, put pressure on him. He¡¯ll surrender


    for hispany¡¯s sake.¡±


    Willow frowned. ¡°That could backfire.¡±


    ¡°Then make sure it doesn¡¯t. U advised. ¡°Love requires pursuit and a bit of cunning Sometimes you


    must be ruthless to get what you want. Don¡¯t you want to make any change? It is your chance now.


    She¡¯s with that man. and Mr. Martinez is single. Though notpletely ethical, it always works when


    you take advantage of his lonely time.


    Though the idea of scheming against Melvin had crossed Willow¡¯s mind, she feared the consequences.


    She couldn¡¯t be sure she would get what she wanted in the end. If otherwise, there would be absolutely


    no more chance for her and Melvin. She needs a thorough n and quite amount of courage to


    seed.


    ¡°What if it works out?¡± U fanned the mes of her indecision. ¡°Even if he gets angry, what does it


    matter? Just pray you get pregnant. Then he can¡¯t escape. You¡¯ll have his child, he¡¯ll be yours, and


    everything will be


    worth it.¡±


    Willow felt swayed.


    She took a deep breath and mused, ¡°What if I seed?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. U encouraged. ¡°If you fail, you¡¯re still the same movie star and nothing changes. If you


    seed, you be Mrs. Martinez, and you get both himself and his fortune. How good would that


    be!¡±


    Willow took another deep breath. She considered U¡¯s words and found them agreeable.


    Harrison took Jocelyn to his ce, grilling simple steaks and opening a bottle of wine a cozy evening


    in.


    ¡°Maybe we should skip the wine.¡± Jocelyn suggested, noting thete hour.


    ¡°Afraid of what might happen? Harrison teased with a smile.


    She chuckled. ¡°I still have to get home.


    ¡°A little wine is good for ady.¡± he poured just a bit. ¡°It won¡¯t get you drunk. Just sets the mood.¡±


    Jocelyn relented while she trusted Harrison. After all, she wouldn¡¯t get drunk with a few sips of wine.


    They enjoyed steaks and wine, and their conversation flowed more freely than in any restaurant.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Harrison asked suddenly.


    ¡°About what?¡± She looked puzzled.


    About what that actress said.¡±


    Oh, that. It didn¡¯t bother me. What she said or what happened between her and Melvin, those were not


    my concern anymore


    ¡°I think Melvin doesn¡¯t love her at all. Maybe she¡¯s just deluded.¡± Harrison watched Jocelyn¡¯s face.


    ¡°Would you say yes, if, hypothetically, Melvin proposed to you?¡±


    Jocelyn paused, then continued cutting her steak. ¡°There are no ¡®ifs.¡±


    Changing tack, Harrison ventured, ¡°What if I proposed to you?¡±


    Jocelyn nearly dropped her cutlery, staring at Harrison in shock and surprise, speechless at the


    thought. Harrison caught a glimpse of her startled expression and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle ¡°Scared


    you, huh? Jocelyn quickly took a sip of her red wine and tried to steady her nerves. ¡°You really


    shouldn¡¯t joke like that ¡°You know I¡¯m not much for jokes Harrison said, his tone shifting back to


    seriousness. I stand by every word I


    say


    Jocelyn¡¯s breath hitched. Her emotions swirled uncontrobly.


    She was at a loss for words and even contemted making a swift exit.


    ¡°There¡¯s no pressure, Jocelyn. If the dayes when you¡¯re ready to marry, just let me know. If you


    can put up with me, I¡¯m yours.¡± Harrison said with a casualness that belied the weight of his words.


    Jocelyn looked at him with a mix of emotions.


    Harrison adjusted his sses with a gentle push. His gaze sincere. I mean it. Whenever you¡¯re ready.


    I¡¯m here. But no pressure, okay? If you¡¯re not into it, we can keep things as they are¡­ friends to hang


    out, I guess.


    He raised his ss with a smile, gesturing for a toast


    Jocelyn hesitantly lifted her ss to meet his. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    As dinner came to an end, Jocelyn prepared to leave.


    Having had a few drinks, Harrison didn¡¯t insist on walking her out, afraid of what he might do under the


    influence a convenient excuse to keep his feelings in check.


    He called her a cab, noted the license te, and watched her sit down. ¡°Call me when you get home.¡±


    ¡°Will do.¡±


    As the car drove away, Jocelyn saw him still standing there.


    Even a heart of steel might be moved by Harrison¡¯s disy of affection.


    Jocelyn had to admit, his words had stirred something within her, but she wouldn¡¯t hastilymit to


    anything just to soothe a fleeting pang of heartache.


    She couldn¡¯t trample on someone¡¯s genuine feelings, not when they deserved respect.


    She owed it to herself, and to him, to be responsible.

 Chapter 156

    Chapter 156


    Jocelyn called Harrison to let him know she was safe as she returned to her apartment.


    After a shower, her phone began to buzz incessantly.


    She nced at the caller ID. It was not a saved contact, but she knew every digit by heart.


    It was past nine, and she let the phone ring out until silence took over.


    Lying in bed, insomnia held her captive.


    She checked her phone, and it was nearly midnight.


    She got up for a ss of water when a faint noise by the door caught her attention.


    ¡Á ? = ¡À ? ? 10 F = 3 F


    Heart pounding, she set her ss down and tiptoed to the peephole. All she saw was a pair of shoes.


    The owner was presumably leaning against the wall.


    The scene reminded her of Melvin.


    It wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d pulled something like this.


    What madness had struck him tonight?


    The only surprise was that he¡¯d only called, not knocked.


    She leaned against the door but didn¡¯t open it.


    Yasmine Martinez had left Yanova City with Preston Turner. Zephyr was probably the only one she


    could call now.


    After some thought, she dialed Zephyr¡¯s number.


    The phone rang a long while before someone answered.


    ¡°Hello?¡± The voice was husky. It was not Zephyr¡¯s.


    ¡°Is this Mr. Hayden? I¡¯m Jocelyn,¡± she ventured.


    ¡°Uh, yeah, it¡¯s me.¡± Yannick Hayden responded.


    Without wondering why Yannick had answered Zephyr¡¯s phone, she said, ¡°Could you pleasee and


    take Melvin back? He¡¯s lying outside my door.¡±


    Yannick sounded surprised. ¡°He¡¯s at your ce again?¡±


    The way he used ¡®again¡¯ was subtle.


    Jocelyn rubbed her temples and sighed, ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°You really don¡¯t care about him anymore?¡± Yannick asked suddenly.


    Jocelyn paused, and then managed a bitterugh. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s been trying hard, you know.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°I mean, if you haven¡¯t let go, please maybe give him a chance. By that you¡¯re giving a chance to both


    of your futures.¡± Yannick said unusually earnestly, ¡°He¡¯s just got a sharp tongue, but he truly loves you.¡±


    Her heart raced; a tempest tossing waved inside her


    She replied looking down and fidgeting with her fingers, ¡°Juste get him.¡±


    Clearly, Yannick hadn¡¯t expected her to be so resolute.


    ¡°He didn¡¯t knock, right? If he¡¯s not harming, just leave him be. He¡¯ll leave when he sobers up ¡± Yannick


    advised. ¡°It¡¯ste. Get some r¨¦st. Bye


    The call ended abruptly.


    Jocelyn stared at her phone, then peered through the peephole again. He was still there.


    With a harpened heart, she pretended nothing happened and returned to her bedroom. She shut the


    door and tried to sleep under


    covers.


    But-leep eluded her.


    She restlessly tossed in bed and eventually sat up. She stared angrily at the bedroom door, then flung


    off her nkets in a fury. She went to the living room and put her hand on the doorknob. She took a


    deep breath and opened the door.


    Melvin was slumped against the wall, eyes closed, seemingly asleep.


    He seemed worn out. His brow furrowed with unknown thoughts.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t intend to invite him in; if he wanted to sleep here, so be it.


    Out ofpassion, she fetched a nket from her room and covered him. That was all she would do.


    Their eyes met as she adjusted the nket. He was awake, or maybe he never slept.


    Their gaze locked, and she felt somehow nervous.


    Melvin smiled at the nket. ¡°You got a heart.¡±


    Jocelyn stepped back to the door. You¡¯re awake. Go home!


    ¡°Did I bother you?¡± He didn¡¯t move, instead pulling the nket up to his neck, eyes on her. ¡°Don¡¯t mind


    me.¡±


    Jocelyn thought he was crazy.


    He had his own ce yet came to sleep on her doorstep. Who was this performance for?


    ¡°Have you no shame?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t put shame on you¡± Melvin closed his eyesfortably. ¡°Don¡¯t disturb me.¡±


    Jocelyn was at her wits end with his stubbornness.


    She went inside and closed the door firmly.


    She would as well be a fool if she got back to him out there again!


    She kept tossing in bed until 2 a.m. and finally slept. Fortunately she didn¡¯t need to rise early next


    morning, so he slept until past


    ten.


    After freshening up, she wondered about the man outside. Had he left? What would the neighbors think


    if they saw him sleeping in the hallway?


    She dressed and stepped outside. No one was there, not even the nket.


    He was gone.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t fathom Melvin¡¯s antics. She had breakfast and headed to school.


    That evening, she heard faint sounds by the door again.


    Peering through the peephole, it was a repetition of the previous night. The only difference was Melvin


    had brought the nket himself.


    Jocelyn decided he¡¯d lost his mind.


    For five days, Melvin slept at her doorstep under that nket without disturbing her.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    School resumed, and Jocelyn¡¯s work kept herte. As she left work, she saw Melvin¡¯s car parking


    nearby. He didn¡¯t greet her, but the car followed at a distance when she walked home.


    Back in her apartment, she expected Melvin to follow, but he didn¡¯t.


    She waited until midnight, but no sounds came from the door.


    She looked through the peephole, and the hallway was empty.


    Feeling a mix of relief and emptiness, she went to her room, hoping to avoid insomnia. But restless


    dreams gued her and vanished upon waking.


    Her phone¡¯s urgent vibration startled her-it wasn¡¯t Melvin, but Zephyr.


    ¡°Hello?


    You need toe to Melvin¡¯s ce, right now!¡± Zephyr sounded desperate.


    Confused, Jocelyn asked, ¡°What happened?¡±


    Don¡¯t ask questions, just hurry up.¡± Zephyr urged again, his voiceced with urgency. ¡°If you don¡¯t


    come now. someone¡¯s going to


    the


    sosad tacalun awake. Har sleepiness vanished in an instant. She knew it was inappropriate to rush


    out like this, but she couldn¡¯t help herself. She grabbed her coat and halled a cab to Melvin¡¯s ce,


    dialing Zephyr as she went to ask his whereabouts.


    No sooner had she hung up than a dark green sedan rolled up. Its headlights shed briefly as a


    signal. The car pulled up beside Jocelyn and Zephyr called out, ¡°Get in.¡±


    There was no time for questions. Jocelyn yanked open the back door to find Melvin gasping for air, his


    face flushed with fever. His jacket was off, leaving him in just his shirt its top buttons ripped open in his


    struggle to breathe. Even from a distance, Jocelyn could feel the waves of heat radiating from his body.


    ¡°What happened to him?¡± she asked, rm edging her voice.


    Some lowlife tried to strong-arm him into submission. He resisted and called me to get him out of


    there.¡± Zephyr exined, ncing at the two of them in the rear-view mirror. ¡°Jocelyn, you should know


    Melvin¡¯s got a loyal heart.¡±

 Chapter 157

    Chapter 157


    Zephyr helped Melvin into the elevator. Melvin leaned against the wall, his eyes alight with an


    unmistakable desire. When he caught sight of Jocelyn, a wave of emotion flickered across his gaze.


    ¡°Jocelyn, I¡¯ll leave him in your capable hands. I¡¯ve got some things to take care of¡± Zephyr said,


    dashing out just as the elevator doors began to close.


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You¡­¡±


    Zephyr sprinted out and called back, ¡°Jocelyn, don¡¯t be scared.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    Now alone with Melvin in the confined space of the elevator, his restlessness seemed to grow. He


    gripped cor, and it looked like he wanted to rip it open.


    Jocelyn frowned, wondering what had gotten into his head. Shouldn¡¯t he be taken to a hospital?


    The elevator doors opened. Melvin stumbled out. Jocelyn hesitated, but before she could decide,


    Melvin turned back, reached out, and pulled her after him.


    She resisted, ¡°I¡¯m not your¡­ Mmph¡­¡±


    His cool lips silenced her protests, pressing her against the wall. His kiss was domineering, forceful,


    and full of conquering intent


    an expression of unrestrained impulse.


    In that moment, all Melvin could think about was having her.


    Jocelyn pounded on his shoulders to no avail. He was too far gone, oblivious to her struggling.


    It had been so long since they had been this close. Jocelyn¡¯s mind was in turmoil, fearing she¡¯d


    sumb to his intensity. What did that make her?


    Melvin¡¯s mind was disturbed, but he wasn¡¯t senseless. He could feel her resistance and knew how


    unwilling she was. Her struggles only made him feel worse because she had never denied him before.


    After a long moment, he rested his forehead against her shoulder and panted. His arms wrapped tightly


    around her. ¡°I¡­ feel awful.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s breaths came fast. Her lips were numb, and her brain momentarily starved of oxygen.


    Her back pressed against the cold wall, and she found herself at a loss for words.


    It was her fault. She couldn¡¯t me him entirely.


    If she had really been determined, if she had ignored whatever Zephyr said, none of this would have


    happened.


    Ultimately, it was her own problem.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the hospital. Jocelyn said calmly and didn¡¯t push him away.


    Melvin ced her hand over his heart. His breath was hot on her ear. ¡°Can you feel it? My heartbeat.¡±


    Through the thin fabric of his shirt, her palm felt his rapid, pounding heart. It unsettled her.


    ¡°Jocelyn, I want to give you everything Melvin¡¯s husky voice invaded her ear and scattered her


    thoughts.


    Her own heart raced erratically, more chaotic than his.


    His whispers captured her sensitivitypletely.


    Melvin¡¯s fingers pinched her waist. His lips approached her earlobe and kissed it gently. His voice was


    hoarse with pleading. ¡°Don¡¯t reject me, please.¡±


    The plea tugged at Jocelyn¡¯s already wavering resolve. The shields she had built around her heart


    were so fragile and easily toppled by him.


    Her love for him had never changed; her feelings for him couldn¡¯t be retracted but only deepened with


    each day.


    Some things in life can be nned and controlled, but not emotions, which are inherently chaotic.


    She had tried hard, yet she couldn¡¯t let go of him.


    Alber efforts seemed futile now. She felt useless- unable to remain indifferent, still harboring feelings for


    him. She let doves her guard and indulged herself.


    Her love for him was a cycle of resistance and return.


    ¡°Marry me, will you?¡± Jocelyn was persistent too. She cradled his face, looking into his eyes that


    burned with passion. She would ept it, even if it was a rash promise for him, even if it was just to


    cate her.


    Melvin¡¯s lips parted slightly. His eyes brimmed with emotion.


    His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed. ¡°Yes, I will.¡±


    The response she yearned for took her by surprise, filling her with delight and satisfaction. Her lips


    curled into a smile.


    Their gaze locked onto each other¡¯s lips. They tentatively closed the distance with a kiss. Like parched


    earth weing rain, they were unstoppable, each longing to melt into the other.


    Spring had arrived. New life sprouted from the once-barren branches, and the silent earth now


    speckled with fresh green shoots. Everything marked a new beginning, a new cycle.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    The river view was as beautiful as ever. Tonight, a few stars peeked curiously at the world below, as if


    they had witnessed something shy. They closed its eyes for a while, then sneakily opened them again.


    The spacious bedroom was filled with the scent of love. Each corner shadowed with the memory of


    their embrace, therge windows adorned with the imprints of their intertwined hands¡­


    When two people love each other, if both hold the other in their heart, persistence from one would


    easily lead to surrender from the other.


    Jocelyn was the one who easily surrendered.


    Lying next to Melvin, utterly exhausted, she found herself wide awake.


    She looked at the man beside her, who had already fallen asleep, probably due to the effect of the


    drugs.


    She touched his face gently and traced his features, his lips. Remembering his affirmation, her heart


    swelled with joy.


    Dawn was breaking when Jocelyn finally fell asleep.


    Thankfully, it was the weekend. No work meant she could sleep soundly after the night¡¯s exertions.


    When she awoke again, the warm sunlight streamed into the room, bathing her in a gentle glow.


    Melvin was no longer by her side, but she noticed a ss of water and some pills on the bedside table.


    After a few seconds of confusion, she took the pills.


    She got out of bed, opened the bedroom door, and heard Melvin¡¯s voice from afar. It sounded like he


    was on the phone.


    She didn¡¯t listen to what he was saying and proceeded to freshen up. By the time she returned, Melvin


    was waiting in the bedroom


    Both were now fully conscious. But Jocelyn felt an odd, almost guilty awkwardness.


    It almost felt like adultery, something you realize it shouldn¡¯t have happened when you were clear-


    headed.


    Or perhaps, she was the only one who felt that way.


    *Clothes. Melvin pointed to the fresh setid out on the bed. ¡°Get dressed. I¡¯m taking you out for meal.¡±


    Last night¡¯s outfit was a no-go for Jocelyn; it was time to ditch the threads. She clutched the clothes


    and headed for the bathroom to change when Melvin snagged her wrist, ¡°What are you even hiding


    from?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not hiding, I just Jocelyn pursed her lips. A hint of hesitation was in her voice, ¡°Maybe you could


    step out for a sec?¡±


    Melvin narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. ¡°You never used to mind changing in front of me.¡±


    Silence hung in the air as Jocelyn stood frozen.


    Melvin released her hand and conceded, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait outside.¡±


    Once he stepped out, Jocelyn quickly locked the door


    ¨C


    no chances taken, especially not with Melvin.


    From the other side, his voice carried through the door. ¡°Really, Jocelyn? Locking the door?¡±


    She knew better than to trust him ¨C better safe than sorry.


    Sipping into her new outfit, she checked herself in the mirror. Thank goodness it wasn¡¯t summer,


    picking an outfit would¡¯ve been


    whole other ordeal.


    so unlocked. Melvin stood there, arms crossed, leaned against the frame, and eyed her new look. His


    hand reached out Tufany


    Jocelyn dodged instinctively.


    ¡°What are you ducking for?¡± Melvin frowned. ¡°Come here.¡±


    ¡°What do you want?¡± She asked on guard.


    His arm wrapped around her and pulled her in close. ¡°What¡¯s done is done. What else could I possibly


    do now?¡± His other hand brushed her hair aside, revealing the love bites on her neck-his own


    handiwork


    Jocelyn knew exactly what amused him as she caught his smirk.


    That smug look was definitely too much.


    Melvin unted the bite mark on the back of his hand, almost proudly dering, ¡°You¡¯re mine, and


    always will be.¡±

 Chapter 158

    Chapter 158


    Today was a day Melvin could hardly wipe the proud grin off his face.


    He drove to an exclusive club that he frequently visited. Upon arrival, he chivalrously opened the car


    door for Jocelyn. He reached out his hand to her as she hesitated slightly, peering at him with


    uncertainty.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Melvin grasped her wrist firmly. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Why do you bring me here?¡±


    ¡°To meet someone.¡± he replied, shutting the car door and tightening his grip on her hand.


    He used to avoid holding her hand, as if he wanted to distance himself from any association with her


    and was afraid of being seen together.


    Jocelyn started at his hand. She sensed a subtle change in their interaction. Even though it was a


    minor shift, it stirred something quite different within her.


    Melvin held her hand firmly all the time as they got in. The staff greeted him as they passed, and he


    responded with a particrly cheerful demeanor.


    Door opened, and they were greeted by dazzling lights.


    Jocelyn was taken aback by the sight of the man sitting inside. She even thought of pulling away from


    Melvin.


    ¡°Why pull away?¡± Melvin inteced their fingers assertively and guided her to sit opposite Harrison. His


    possessiveness was evident as he pulled Jocelyn down beside him.


    Harrison noticed their intertwined hands. A hint of sorrow shed behind his sses, but he quickly


    smiled and said, ¡°Seems like we don¡¯t have to pretend anymore.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned and was puzzled as to why Melvin had arranged to meet with Harrison.


    ¡°I called Mr. Whitman first thing this morning.¡± Melvin announced. ¡°He¡¯s fully supportive of us getting


    back together.¡±


    So, was that who Melvin was calling in the morning?


    Jocelyn looked at Harrison. Even though they had broken up, she still felt a twinge of guilt.


    ¡°Of course, I support it. If two people still have each other in their hearts, then being together is the best


    oue.¡± Harrison remarked with a smile.


    ¡°What a true schr you are, always so insightful.¡± Melvin poured Harrison a drink. ¡°We must treat Mr.


    Whitman to a meal today to express my gratitude.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good¡± Harrison epted with grace.


    It was then that Jocelyn realized she didn¡¯t possess the open-mindedness of these two men.


    When Melvin stepped out to take a call, Jocelyn and Harrison were left alone in this private room.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Jocelyn apologized.


    ¡°Why apologize?¡± Harrison chuckled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why, but I just feel the need to say sorry to you.¡± Jocelyn was at a loss herself. What was


    initially a matter between her and Melvin now seemed to have unfairly dragged an innocent party into


    the fray.


    ¡°There¡¯s no love affair between us, and you haven¡¯t cheated on me. What¡¯s there to be sorry for?


    Harrison spoke with nonchnce. In fact, I¡¯m happy for you. You finally know what you want.¡±


    Jocelyn bit her lip. ¡°He said¡­ he wants to marry me.


    Harrison¡¯s heart clenched. He felt something being ripped from his body, a departure so permanent it


    seemed it could never


    return..


    was like gambling. He held his best cards, waiting to st Melvin and turn the game around. But


    Jocelyn made a favor for Melvin, which let him win instantly


    Harrison kept hisposure and faked to be collected. Isn¡¯t that a good thing? Your wish is granted.¡±


    But somehow still feel uneasy.


    ne you afraid he won¡¯t keep his promise?


    Jocelyn shook her head. ¡°It feels like I coerced him into it, not that he willingly agreed


    Harrison frowned slightly andforted her, ¡°How can you think that way? If a man makes a promise,


    he¡¯ll surely keep it. Don¡¯t overthink it. He brought you to meet me today, and It showed he¡¯s taken


    action. Besides, even an outsider like me can feel how much he can¡¯t let you go. If a man doesn¡¯t want


    to let go of a woman, the best way is to keep her by his side, legally.


    ¡°Proposing might have been said in the heat of the moment, but it must have been heartfelt. After all,


    it¡¯s a big deal, as significant as life or death¡± Harrison continued to reassure her. ¡°He¡¯s also a man of


    passion, and he does not promise lightly. Please trust him and trust your feelings. Regaining what was


    lost only makes it more precious because no one wants to experience loss again¡±


    Jocelyn took a deep breath. She cherished that moment of regaining what she once lost, as if she had


    the world in her grasp. once more. Yet, she feared it was all an illusion, a fleeting happiness that might


    vanish.


    Melvin walked in and sensed the subtle atmosphere. He wasn¡¯t concerned about what Harrison might


    have done to Jocelyn; they must have had a conversation.


    ¡°Let¡¯s eat.¡± Melvin said. ¡°Andter, call your parents. I¡¯ll join you for dinner tonight.¡±


    Jocelyn was shocked and stared at him in disbelief.


    Melvin raised his eyebrows slightly. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why that look?¡±


    Jocelyn swallowed hard, her heart pounding.


    Harrison smiled softly, but his own heart ached with each beat.


    A serious man can indeed be fearsome.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    If this couldn¡¯t give Jocelyn a sense of security, then nothing could.


    Harrison didn¡¯t linger after the meal was finished. The way Melvin looked at Jocelyn was enough to


    unsettle him, let alone witnessing their intimate interactions.


    No wonder Jocelyn loved this man. Though domineering and with a seemingly bad temper, his tender


    gaze was disarming.


    A suitor like him could never sit calmly in front of a couple, of his beloved and her man, and watch their


    overt and covert disys of affection.


    The best course of action for Harrison was to leave.


    Jocelyn rode with Melvin in his car. She waited for him to bring up the past and confront their ruse with


    Harrison. But he remained silent on the matter.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got some time; let¡¯s hit the mall and pick up some gifts.¡± Melvin suggested.


    ¡°Are you really going to meet my parents?¡± Jocelyn was still struggling with the reality of it all.


    Melvin furrowed his brow. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to?¡±


    ¡°Why suddenly meet them?¡±


    ¡°Suddenly?¡± Melvin didn¡¯t see it that way. ¡°Isn¡¯t it standard to meet one¡¯s partner¡¯s parents?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s mind was stuttering today, glitching at every thought.


    First, there was the almost defiant confrontation with Harrison, and then the impending meet and greet


    with her parents -a milestone untouched in three years.


    EF


    This sudden change in his behavior felt almost surreal to her.


    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Jocelyn asked him. ¡°My parents found out I had a boyfriend for over three


    years, and they know we broke up. Are you ready to meet them now?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely.¡± Melvin insisted, driving steadily. ¡°I can¡¯t stand the thought of you with anyone else.¡±


    Jocelyn clenched her fist slightly, a shameful pleasure of joy pulsing through her.


    At the mall, while Melvin was busy shopping, Jocelyn stepped outside to call Daisy, asking her to whip


    up something delicious for the evening and to expect a very important guest-her boyfriend.


    Daisy was curious about this ¡°important guest,¡± but Jocelyn left it at that and hung up.


    She returned to the store and found Melvin picking out gifts. She felt a sweet warmth in her heart.


    So this was the feeling of introducing a loved one to family.


    bought loads of stuff which filled up the car.


    fast time over. Jocelyn remarked, eyeing the pile of purchases.


    ¡®But it¡¯s the first time as your boyfriend.¡± Melvin replied. ¡°Got to make it official.¡±


    ¡°Nervous?


    ¡°A bit.¡±


    Suddenly, Jocelyn chuckled.


    Melvin looked at her, puzzled, ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°Just realizing you¡¯re human after all.¡±


    Melvin frowned. ¡°Is that an insult?¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head, lips pursed. ¡°Not at all.¡±


    Melvin grabbed her shoulders and pinned her gently against the car, the pose charged with intimacy,


    ¡°Then what do you mean by that?¡±

 Chapter 159

    Chapter 159


    Jocelyn cleared her throat, looking at the bustling street around them. ¡°You know, with so many people


    around, you might want to consider keeping up appearances.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about appearances,¡± Melvin countered, his gaze challenging. ¡°When have I ever been less


    than


    human?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying you¡¯re not human. It¡¯s just¡­ even the most confident of men feel a bit jittery meeting


    their girlfriend¡¯s parents for the first time.¡± Jocelyn¡¯s hand rested against his chest. ¡°You¡¯re pretty down-


    to-earth right now. That¡¯s apliment, by the way.¡±


    Melvin snorted. ¡°Or aint?¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dare.¡±


    He gently took her chin in his hand. ¡°I¡¯ve forgiven you for cozying up to Harrison, for the photos, for


    meeting his parents, and even for that overnight stay. Can¡¯t you be a little more generous?¡±


    So that was it. He¡¯d been waiting for the right moment to bring it up all along.


    Jocelyn red at him. ¡°I¡¯ve been with you for more than three years. Can¡¯t you see through my feelings


    for you? Don¡¯t you have trust in me?¡±


    ¡°Do you trust me, then?¡± Melvin¡¯s eyes dropped to her lips, which were pursed in frustration. His voice


    turned husky. ¡°Can you take me to your parents?¡±


    Jocelyn bit her lip. She tried to y it cool, but Melvin was already leaning in close.


    His lips hovered a mere breath away from hers.


    ¡°Yep,¡± was all she managed in response.


    At that sound, Melvin captured her lips with his own.


    In the midst of the public square, he ignored the stares of passersby and savored her taste.


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart raced as she was utterly aware of his transformation.


    A kiss like this? Unthinkable in the past. Even holding hands had been out of the question.


    While she rejoiced in his change, a question nagged at her.


    Why this sudden shift?


    ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Melvin asked, noticing her eyes open.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Jocelyn shook her head.


    Melvin pulled her into his embrace and opened the car door. ¡°Let¡¯s head home.¡±


    As Jocelyn settled into the passenger seat, she watched Melvin buckle her in with care. It felt like him,


    yet not


    him.


    This man must truly have a masochistic streak, she thought. He was finally doing all the things she had


    once. hoped for, but now it seemed out of character.


    Just as Melvin was about to drive, a nanny van blocked their path. The woman who stepped out was


    shaded by sunsses. But it was still recognizable to those who knew her.


    ¡°What are you going to do, Melvin?¡± Willow¡¯s voice was seething with anger, even behind her dark


    lenses.


    Melvin¡¯s expression soured at the sight of her. ¡°Get out of the way!¡±


    Willow stepped closer to block his way, and caught sight of Jocelyn in the car.


    ¡°Why is she in your car?¡± she hissed.


    ¡°None of your business.¡± Melvin didn¡¯t mince words with those he disliked, regardless of their gender.


    ¡°She¡¯s with that guy, and you¡¯re still¡­¡± Willow turned to Melvin. ¡°Were you with herst night?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s face darkened with fury. He red at Willow. ¡°If you don¡¯t want your career to tank, you¡¯d


    better back off. Don¡¯t push me.¡±


    ¡°Are you so heartless?¡± Willow ripped off her sunsses, livid. ¡°She has a boyfriend, and yet you sleep


    with her. Who¡¯s the shameless one now?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me expose your notorietypletely,¡± Melvin warned, his eyes menacing. ¡°You¡¯ve crossed


    the line.¡± Willow faltered, fear seeping into her defiance. She knew better than to provoke Melvin any


    further. In showbiz, she couldn¡¯t stand without his support.


    Taking a deep breath, she red at Jocelyn in the passenger seat. ¡°Do you really think he¡¯ll marry you?


    Don¡¯t delude yourself. You¡¯re just afortable pair of shoes to him, ones he can¡¯t bear to part with but


    worth nothing.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s brow furrowed.


    Melvin mmed the car door and cut off Jocelyn¡¯s view of Willow.


    As Willow retreated, unnerved by Melvin¡¯s advance, Jocelyn watched silently.


    ¡°I don¡¯t hit women, but that doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t beat bitches.¡± Melvin threatened, ¡°Don¡¯t you push me,


    you know better than me who will be more embarrassed if your nasty tricks are exposed to the public!¡±


    Willow¡¯s chest squeezed with panic and she was quivering in his enraged gaze.


    He was right. There was no way she could stand up to him.


    Melvin¡¯s threatening gaze was ultimately something Willow couldn¡¯t carry. There was no way for her to


    restrain her fear and terror in front of him.


    Once Melvin was back inside, he floored the gas and sped away.


    Jocelyn saw Willow copse against her van, barely keeping her bnce.


    Turning back to Melvin, she noted his grim expression.


    ¡°What happened?¡± she asked lightly. ¡°Did she try to force herself on youst night and fail?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You got lucky,¡± Melvin replied, a hint of humor returning to his voice.


    Jocelyn chuckled softly. ¡°Guess I should thank her then.¡±


    ¡°You should thank me.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°For being consistent with you.¡±


    Her heart fluttered. She gazed out the window to hide her smile.


    Willow¡¯s words did sting, but Jocelyn cared more about the actions of the man beside her.


    He was trying to change himself, and that was good enough.


    They pulled into her parents¡¯ neighborhood and parked. Melvin didn¡¯t get out immediately. Jocelyn


    unbuckled her seat belt and looked at him curiously. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a bit nervous.¡±


    Sheughed. ¡°You know, you¡¯re my dad¡¯s boss. He¡¯s the one who should be nervous to meet you.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s voice was light. ¡°But brace, yourself. If they give you a hard time for keeping our rtionship


    under wraps for three years, don¡¯t take it personally.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to have my back,¡± Melvin admitted in an anxious tone.


    He was the boss in hispany. But when it came to Jocelyn¡¯s family, he was the one who should be


    obedient


    and submissive.


    ¡°Stern and tough as you, how could you really need my help?¡± Jocelyn teased as she opened the car


    door and stepped out.


    She nced up and found her parents gazing down from the balcony.


    For a fleeting moment, a knot of anxiety tightened in Jocelyn¡¯s stomach.


    She knew all too well how much her parents adored Harrison. What was worse, she hadn¡¯t yet told


    them that her rtionship with Harrison was a no-go.


    Now, bringing Melvin home was bound to throw them for a loop.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got more exining to do than you,¡± Jocelyn muttered, without a hint of schadenfreude.


    Melvin¡¯s brow furrowed slightly.


    Meanwhile, Calvin and Daisy caught sight of that familiar car pulling up. They saw their daughter


    Jocelyn stepping out, followed by Melvin. Their minds just stopped cold.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that supposed to be Harrison? Why is sheing back with Mr. Martinez?¡± Daisy was baffled.


    Calvin shared her confusion, but the smile he¡¯d seen on his daughter¡¯s face told him that their previous


    suspicions might not hold water.


    Especially when Melvin began hauling out bags upon bags from the trunk, which was the spitting image


    of a son-inwing over to visit ¨C loaded with gifts. They were both stunned.


    Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What on earth is Jocelyn up to?¡± Daisy¡¯s brows furrowed, her face a mix of concern and disapproval.


    ¡°We¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± Calvin said, his face a mask ofposure.

 Chapter 160

    Chapter 160


    As Jocelyn led Melvin upstairs, her heart was anything but light. All she could think about was that he¡¯d


    agreed to meet her parents as her boyfriend, and that made her happy. But she¡¯d forgotten one critical


    piece ¨C whether her parents would share in her joy.


    Standing at the door, she took a deep breath and nced back at Melvin.


    Melvin hadposed himself. He encouraged her to knock.


    She tapped on the door. It took a while for Daisy toe and open it. She wanted to smile but couldn¡¯t


    when she saw Melvin, ¡°Mr. Martinez.¡±


    ¡°Mom,¡± Jocelyn lingered on the doorstep, hesitant to enter.


    Daisy eyed them both, ¡°Come in.¡±


    Melvin strode in quite naturally with his hand still entwined with Jocelyn¡¯s. He could feel the shock in


    Calvin and Daisy¡¯s gaze. ¡°I apologize for the abrupt visit today.¡±


    Calvin¡¯s warmth towards Melvin was no way to find, and the eagerness to please his boss was notably


    absent this time.


    He nced at their joined hands and simply said to his daughter, ¡°Jocelyn,e here.¡±


    The atmosphere had dropped a few degrees. Jocelyn walked over.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk with her in my room,¡± Daisy said, pulling her daughter into the bedroom and closing the door


    behind them.


    Calvin and Melvin were left alone in the living room.


    Melvin put down his gifts and maintained decorum. This was his first time meeting Jocelyn¡¯s parents as


    a boyfriend, and it seemed moreplicated than he¡¯d anticipated.


    ¡°Mr. Martinez, have a seat,¡± Calvin said.


    Melvin moved to sit down and replied, ¡°Melvin is fine, sir.¡±


    Calvin handed him a cup of coffee. As a father, he naturally hoped his daughter would find a good


    match.


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    But as a father, he wasn¡¯t keen on the idea of her being with Melvin.


    From what he could tell, the man who had dated Jocelyn for over three years was no other than Melvin.


    A man they¡¯d never seen in all that time. He didn¡¯t believe this was someone ready tomit to a


    lifetime with his daughter.


    Even now, presenting himself as a boyfriend, it seemed more like fear of losing her to another man


    than love.


    That wasn¡¯t love. It was possession.


    Meanwhile, Jocelyn confessed to Daisy that she and Harrison had never been an item. They had tried,


    but there was no spark between them. They just couldn¡¯t make the leap to lovers. And Harrison was


    well aware of her rtionship with Melvin.


    ¡°You really are¡­¡± Daisy was at a loss for words.


    ¡°Mom, I love him,¡± Jocelyn stated firmly, ¡°I want to be with him, to marry him.¡±


    Daisy rolled her eyes in frustration, taking a moment before asking, ¡°And him? Does he love you? Does


    he want to marry you? Don¡¯t tell me he does. If he really wanted to, he wouldn¡¯t have made you wait for


    over three years, nor would he havee to meet us only now!¡±


    ¡°Mom, he has his reasons,¡± Jocelyn defended Melvin, ¡°Besides, isn¡¯t he here now?¡±


    Daisy shook her head, ¡°You¡¯re missing my point. If a man truly wants to start a family with you, he


    wouldn¡¯t


    have waited so long to show up. Tell me, how often has he visited us? And each time, hasn¡¯t he acted


    all high and mighty? if he truly loved you and wanted to be part of a family with you, wouldn¡¯t he treat


    your family as his own? Now that I think about it, his previous visits might have been for you. But look


    at your father. He¡¯s been tiptoeing around him, afraid of offending him. But what about Melvin? He


    takes it all for granted.¡±


    She firmly stated, ¡°You two are not right for each other. I don¡¯t approve of your rtionship,¡±


    Jocelyn had expected some resistance, but not this vehemently.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you the ones who wanted me to marry someone I love? Now that I¡¯ve brought home the man I


    love, and we n to marry, why don¡¯t you approve? Yes, he runs a bigpany, but doesn¡¯t that show


    his abilities and talents? You can¡¯t reject him just because he¡¯s capable and sessful.¡±


    Jocelyn grasped her mother¡¯s hands, ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve been with him for years, and I know what kind of man


    he is.¡±


    ¡°Then tell me, what kind of man is he?¡± Daisy challenged.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­¡± Jocelyn paused, ¡°He¡¯s hardworking, ambitious, and he has a big heart. He supports charities


    and does. good deeds. Isn¡¯t that the kind of man you¡¯d like?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s all very good,¡± Daisy said seriously, ¡°But that¡¯s not the kind of good I need to know.¡±


    ¡°Mom¡­¡±


    ¡°The only thing I need to know is, does he treat you well?¡± Daisy shook her head, ¡°But you haven¡¯t said


    whether he treats you well.¡±


    ¡°Of course, he treats me well,¡± Jocelyn replied eagerly, ¡°Why else would I be with him?¡±


    Seeing her daughter¡¯s desperation, Daisy realized the deep attachment Jocelyn had for Melvin. Yet, as


    a mother, she didn¡¯t feel he was the man her daughter should entrust her life to.


    ¡°No matter what you say, I don¡¯t approve,¡± Daisy stood her ground.


    Tears welled in Jocelyn¡¯s eyes, ¡°It¡¯s been so hard for me and him to finally get back together. Can¡¯t you


    make it work?¡±


    Daisy frowned at her, ¡°Listen to yourself. You ¡®finally got back together¡¯? Jocelyn, a woman doesn¡¯t


    have many sets of three or four years to waste. How can you be so sure that this time, you¡¯ll be with


    him for a lifetime? And with his background, the kinds of people around him, do you really think he¡¯d


    value a family like ours? The wealthier they are, the more they seek equals in marriage. Yes, you two


    are in love day by day, but have you considered whether his family approves of you?¡±


    ¡°The disparity between families can also affect a couple¡¯s rtionship. Do you know his family well? Do


    you know what his parents are like?¡±


    Daisy¡¯s barrage of questions left Jocelyn speechless. She didn¡¯t really know Melvin¡¯s family. She had


    only learned by chance that his mother had passed away.


    All she knew was that he had a divorced sister and a fifteen-year-old nephew.


    ¡°I¡¯m marrying him, not his family,¡± Jocelyn took a deep breath, ¡°As long as he loves me, as long as


    we¡¯re happy, that¡¯s all that matters.¡±


    Daisy looked at Jocelyn, shaking her head with empathy, ¡°You¡¯ve got it all wrong, sweetheart. Marriage


    has never been just about two lovers. It¡¯s about theing together of two families. Jocelyn, you¡¯re


    oversimplifying things.¡±


    Jocelyn felt a deep-seated frustration pressing down on her. She wasn¡¯t ready to give up, ¡°Even so,


    how do you know our marriage would be a mistake?¡±


    ¡°Mistake or not, we can¡¯t say for sure. But I don¡¯t want to gamble with your lifetime on the oue,¡±


    Daisy said with heartfelt concern. ¡°You were right about one thing. Your dad should never have taken


    that job. He treated us well, but the burden of his kindness is just too much.¡±


    With a sigh, Daisy continued, ¡°I¡¯m going to talk to your dad about quitting his job. But I have a feeling


    he¡¯ll resign even without me mentioning.¡±


    Womed that Jocelyn might be too stubborn to listen, Daisy added, ¡°Jocelyn, someone who truly loves


    you wouldn¡¯t stand to see you hurt, not even a little. What about his fling with that Hollywood starlet,


    doesn¡¯t that sting?¡±


    Jocelyn pursed her lips tightly. ¡°There¡¯s nothing going on between them.¡±


    ¡°Maybe there isn¡¯t, but you can¡¯t guarantee there wouldn¡¯t be other women around a man like him,¡±


    Daisy said, grasping Jocelyn¡¯s hand earnestly. ¡°You need to think carefully about whether you and he


    are on the same page.¡±

 Chapter 161

    Chapter 161


    Melvin showed up at the family horne with a new identity, and everyone¡¯s attitude toward him shifted


    like the


    wind.


    Despite not embracing this new version of him, Daisy invited him to stay for dinner out of politeness.


    The meal was a tense affair, with the air thick enough to cut with a knife.


    After they had finished eating, Calvin and Daisy didn¡¯t insist on keeping Jocelyn back. She was an


    adult, after all. They could only advise, but not dictate.


    Once they had left, Daisy turned to her husband. ¡°Your suspicions were spot on. He was after Jocelyn


    right from the start when he first visited.¡±


    ¡°Did you make it clear to her?¡±


    ¡°As crystal. But whether she¡¯ll listen is another story.¡± Daisy sighed, ¡°If she¡¯s been sneaking around with


    that man for three years, she must be smitten. You didn¡¯t see the way she talked to me today. She¡¯s


    determined to be with him.¡±


    Calvin frowned deeply, ¡°I¡¯m quitting my job tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s for sure.¡± Daisy¡¯s face lined with worry. ¡°Why can¡¯t she just stick with Harrison? He¡¯s such a


    good man ¨C educated, polite, and his parents are nice too. I can¡¯t fathom what she sees in that other


    guy.¡±


    Daisy had previously referred to him respectfully as Mr. Martinez, but now she couldn¡¯t even bring


    herself to say Melvin¡¯sst name.


    Calvin let out a heavy sigh. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. If I had listened to Jocelyn and not taken that job, none of this


    would have happened.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, if they¡¯re still attached at the hip, it won¡¯t keep them apart. They¡¯ll find a way to be together.¡±


    Daisy settled into the couch, restless at an hour when she should have been asleep.


    On the ride back, Jocelyn stayed silent.


    Melvin drove in equal silence.


    Once they reached her apartment building, Melvin parked the car. Undoing his seat belt, he asked her,


    ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Your parents clearly disapprove of me. Under these circumstances, what¡¯s on your mind?¡± Melvin was


    direct.


    Jocelyn paused, then asked, ¡°And what about you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll prove to them that I¡¯m better for you than Harrison could ever be.¡± Confidenceced his voice.


    Jocelyn¡¯s anxiety eased a bit with his promise. Ultimately, her parents¡¯ opinions didn¡¯t matter as much


    as what Melvin thought and did.


    His attitude reassured her that she hadn¡¯t made a mistake.


    ¡°My dad will definitely quit,¡± Jocelyn stated. ¡°If he does, don¡¯t offer to keep him on.¡±


    Melvin nodded. ¡°Yeah, he really shouldn¡¯t be working for me anymore. I¡¯ll find him something else.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother.¡± Jocelyn cut in. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t take it anyway.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t be involved directly.¡±


    ¡°But he¡¯ll know if ites from you. Let him find something on his own.¡± She didn¡¯t want her parents


    burdened


    by the situation.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Melvin didn¡¯t push further.


    They sat in silence in the car for a bit longer before Melvin asked, ¡°Can I move back in?¡±


    ¡°Maybe not.¡± Jocelyn pondered seriously. ¡°My parents have known I¡¯m with you, so they¡¯ll be dropping


    by. It¡¯d be too awkward.¡±


    ¡°They need to see us living together to understand we¡¯re serious,¡± Melvin countered. ¡°Or you could


    move in with


    me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s even worse.¡± Jocelyn shook her head. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t approve of it.¡±


    Melvin understood. ¡°So, we¡¯ll have to date secretly?¡±


    ¡°Is that so bad?¡± Jocelyn turned to him, thinking hard. ¡°We¡¯ve been sneaking around for years; isn¡¯t that


    familiar to us?¡±


    ¡°What sneaking around?¡± Melvin feigned innocence. ¡°That was all about the thrill.¡±


    Jocelyn shrugged. ¡°Let¡¯s call it a thrill then.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care, I¡¯m staying over tonight.¡± Melvin was already stepping out of the car.


    Jocelyn followed, ¡°Not tonight, I¡¯m tired.¡±


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to do anything.¡± Melvin wrapped his arms around her waist. ¡°Just sleep.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t believe his bluff, but she couldn¡¯t resist his closeness. Back home, Melvin scooped her


    they tumbled onto the couch.


    Their kisses were fervent and unyielding until Melvin¡¯s phone rang.


    Jocelyn instantly lost interest, eyeing his phone suspiciously.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so paranoid.¡± Melvin pulled out the phone and waved it in front of her. ¡°See for yourself.¡±


    Jocelyn saw the caller ID: Dr. La.


    She¡¯d heard this name before.


    Melvin gestured towards the balcony. ¡°I¡¯ll take this outside.¡±


    Jocelyn nodded.


    As long as it wasn¡¯t Willow, it didn¡¯t bother her.


    up


    and


    She idly scrolled through Twitter, and her interest piqued by a trending headline: Jewelry Brand Drops.


    Willow as Ambassador ¨C Former Lovers Turned Foes, The End of an Era.


    Below were countless tweets about Willow.


    Jocelyn delved deeper, reading about spection on why the jewelry brand CEO had ended their


    contract with Willow less than a year in. Weren¡¯t they the picture-perfect couple?


    Some guessed Willow¡¯s entanglements were too messy that her boyfriend disapproved, so they broke


    up.


    Others suspected a third party caused the brand to cut ties with Willow.


    Opinions varied wildly, and each person had their take.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t care what the media said. Looking at the man outside on the balcony, she felt a tinge of


    satisfaction.


    This was his first step away from Willow.


    At least, for this one step, Willow couldn¡¯t unt herself in front of her anymore.


    Willow probably never anticipated that her schemes would backfire, inadvertently rekindling Jocelyn


    and Melvin¡¯s rtionship.


    Jocelyn felt triumphant, as if she had won decisively in a battle of wits.


    After a while, Melvin came back.


    Seeing the smile on her face, he sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her. ¡°What¡¯s got you


    so happy?¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t bother with secrets and handed her phone over to him, ¡°You and Willow called it quits,


    huh?¡± ¡°Yep.¡± Melvin didn¡¯t dwell on Willow. He took away her phone and set it on the table. Then he


    scooped Jocelyn up in his arms, ¡°Time for bed.¡±


    Her arms wrapped around his neck, Jocelyn teased, ¡°You said we¡¯re just going to sleep!¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Melvin whispered, nipping yfully at her ear, ¡°the medicinest night were so strong that I


    almost couldn¡¯t hold back with you.¡±


    His husky, sensual voice sent a blush to Jocelyn¡¯s cheeks and sent her heart into disarray.


    Gentlyying her on the bed, Melvin leaned over her slowly. His fingers tenderly traced her cheek and


    swept across her flushed lips, his gaze filled with emotion, ¡°I think I¡¯ve got another round in me.¡±


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    A mischievous smile curled on Melvin¡¯s lips as he dipped his head, softly pressing his lips to hers.


    Electricity seemed to surge through Jocelyn¡¯s body, her heart racing and her breaths growing heavy


    and ragged.


    Their hands intertwined, lifted above her head. He kissed her again and again, on her lips, her chin, her


    neck¡­. Winter clothing proved to be an inconvenience, a bit too muchyering. He lifted her again,


    peeling off her sweater, and came back down to her.


    The room was devoid of air conditioning or heating.


    The initial touch was a bit cold, but as he drew closer, the chill vanished as if it were the sultry heat of a


    summer day, leaving them both breathless and perspiring.

 Chapter 162

    Chapter 162


    Willow¡¯s break-up with the jewelry brand CEO was the talk of the town, turning her into the punchline of


    the industry jokes. All her talk about ¡°first loves,¡± ¡°exes reuniting,¡± and ¡°bing better to deserve him¡±


    now seemed utterlyughable.


    The connections she had thanks to Melvin were now in question. People started to wonder if they


    should keep cooperate with her after the brand announced the termination of her contract.


    Showbiz is harsh like that. At the slightest hint of trouble, everyone watches which way the wind blows.


    ¡°It¡¯s all your fault, U, for giving me such lousy advice. Look where it got me!¡± Willowshed out at


    U, venting all her frustration on her.


    U remained calm. ¡°You never really loved him, so what¡¯s the big deal if you lost him?¡±


    Willow red at her. ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°If you really loved him, you wouldn¡¯t have slept your way to the top,¡± U fired back bluntly. ¡°Drop the


    act. No more pretending to be the lover in distress.¡±


    Fuming, Willow snapped, ¡°Keep your mouth shut about me in public, will you?¡±


    U smirked. ¡°He¡¯s just a jewelry brand CEO. You shouldn¡¯t have waited for him like some kind of saint.


    Remember that haute couture designer who gave you his card? You turned him down before, but now¡¯s


    the perfect time to call him. For a woman, building her own career is what counts.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just worried I won¡¯t make it big and won¡¯t be of any use to you,¡± Willow retorted, aware of U¡¯s


    motives.


    The entertainment industry is never clean. Everyone¡¯s hands get dirty in some way or another. It¡¯s just


    a matter of who¡¯s less filthy.


    ¡°We¡¯re all in this circle together. More friends, more paths,¡± said U. ¡°You ought to realize by now that


    you can¡¯tpete with Jocelyn. If Melvin considers you a friend, that¡¯s already saying something.¡±


    Willow¡¯s face twisted with anger.


    ¡°He didn¡¯ty a finger on you even after all that, which clearly shows how little he feels for you. Really,


    stop pining for someone who¡¯ll never be yours. If you can¡¯t put down your pride, then aim for someone


    even bigger than Melvin. In this world, nothing¡¯s more useless than love.¡±


    With a final nce at Willow, U stood up. ¡°Think it over. As far as I can see, no matter what you do,


    that man will never be yours. I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    After U left, Willow hurled a cushion to the floor in a rage.


    3 4 5 4


    U¡¯s words were too sharp and too cutting.


    And yet, what she said was the truth.


    Willow had fancied herself Melvin¡¯s beloved. But in reality, she was nothing to him.


    And Melvin¡¯s actions now were a p in her face. It was all because of that woman!


    Calvin had resigned from his job, and the neighbors started asking questions when they noticed he


    wasn¡¯t going to work. They seemed friendly and concerned on the surface, but behind closed doors,


    who knew what gossip they spread?


    Especially when Calvin had brought home so manypany perks during the holidays, everyone was


    envious. Some even asked him for a referral, but got to know that thepany wasn¡¯t hiring.


    To the neighbors, it seemed as though Calvin didn¡¯t want them to seed, hence he didn¡¯t help.


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Now that Calvin had lost his job, those who couldn¡¯t enjoy the same benefits were secretly gloating.


    ¡°Why¡¯d you quit such a good job? If I were you, I¡¯d never resign unless they kicked me out,¡± the next-


    door neighbor insinuated that Calvin was let go.


    Calvin bristled internally. No one liked to feel inferior.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t that they didn¡¯t want me. I chose to leave. They even offered me a raise as I left. Honestly,


    even if they made me CEO, I wouldn¡¯t stay,¡± he retorted.


    ¡°Calvin, you¡¯re blowing smoke. Why would such a bigpany offer that to you?¡± the neighbor


    chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s not like thepany is your son-inw¡¯s.¡±


    Calvin frowned, nearly blurting out that it was his son-inw¡¯spany. But he held back.


    That was no son-inw material in his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got other things to do,¡± Calvin said, turning to head home.


    A Mercedes pulled up, and both Calvin and the neighbor stepped aside.


    Harrison poked his head out. ¡°Hi.¡±


    Seeing Harrison, Calvin¡¯s mood brightened instantly. ¡°Harrison!¡±


    Harrison parked the car, greeted the neighbor with a nod and hefted a box from the trunk. ¡°This is a box


    of grapefruit from my mom¡¯s orchard. She and her friends picked them this morning, and we had them


    flown in right away.¡±


    Calvin¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°That¡¯s really thoughtful of her.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s head inside.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    As Harrison and Calvin walked away, the neighbor watched them and muttered to apanion,


    ¡°Calvin¡¯s got a good daughter, and her boyfriend¡¯s a catch.¡±


    ¡°I remember seeing another man with Jocelyn a few days ago. Who¡¯s the real boyfriend?¡± the


    companion wondered.


    ¡°There¡¯s no other guy. It¡¯s been this one. He¡¯s been over to Calvin¡¯s cest year, and I think their


    parents have met already,¡± the neighbor said, eyeing the building where Calvin lived. ¡°I don¡¯t know what


    kind of luck it is, but Calvin¡¯s daughter turned out quite the beauty.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, but you know, Calvin and his wife were lookers in their youth too.¡±


    ¡°It all depends on who she marries. A good marriage means a life without worries, but a bad one¡­¡±


    The neighbor pursed his lips and shook his head, ncing at Calvin¡¯s apartment building before


    walking away.


    Calvin didn¡¯t care what others said. He warmly weed Harrison in and told his wife to prepare a few


    extra dishes for dinner.


    Daisy was overjoyed to see Harrison, greeting him with open arms. After the pleasantries, she


    remembered Jocelyn had not chosen Harrison. Her mood dipped again.


    ¡°Calvin, call Jocelyn and tell her toe home for dinner. Just her, remember,¡± Daisy instructed


    pointedly.


    Calvin understood his wife¡¯s meaning.


    He


    gave Harrison an awkward smile, then dialed Jocelyn¡¯s number. He didn¡¯t mention Harrison, just


    passed on her mother¡¯s dinner request, emphasizing she shoulde alone.


    Harrison wasn¡¯t sure what was going on but sensed something odd about Calvin and Daisy¡¯s behavior.


    As dusk settled over the city, Jocelyn hailed a cab home from school and dialed Melvin¡¯s number to


    inform him she¡¯d be dining at her parents¡¯ ce.


    ¡°A family dinner and no invite for me?¡± Melvin¡¯s voice carried a hint of hurt.


    ¡°Nope,¡± she replied simply


    ¡°Guess they¡¯re not exactly fond of me, right?¡±


    Even without seeing him, Jocelyn could easily picture Melvin¡¯s disappointment etched across his face.


    Teasing him, sheughed, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Is this a taste of your own medicine from back when


    you yed hard to get, and now you can¡¯t keep up?¡±


    ¡°I never yed hard to get with you. If anything, you were the one keeping me at arm¡¯s length,¡± Melvin


    retorted, his mind sharp as ever.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying I was the one out of your league?¡± Jocelyn shot back quickly.


    Melvin pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. ¡°Are you still on about that? It was you who had


    the hots for me first. I was just lying low, letting you climb your way to me however you wanted.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s cheeks flushed a bright red, grateful that the cab driver couldn¡¯t overhear their banter.


    ¡°Stop talking nonsense,¡± she hissed under her breath.


    Melvin let out a chuckle, then sighed. ¡°I need to figure out a way to get them to ept me.¡±

 Chapter 163

    Chapter 163


    Jocelyn hadn¡¯t expected that the issue would weigh so heavily on her mind. The more she worried, the


    more it showed how much she cared.


    Sincerity is always the key,¡± Jocelyn said earnestly. ¡°Why not just be sincere?¡±


    Melvin fell silent for a moment. ¡°How do I do that?¡±


    Jocelyn was at a loss for words.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got it.¡± Melvin suddenly said, as if a light bulb had gone off in his head.


    ¡°How?¡± Jocelyn was curious.


    ¡°Juste over after dinner. I¡¯ll be waiting at my ce,¡± Melvin teased.


    Jocelyn was speechless.


    After hanging up the phone, Jocelyn really wanted to know how Melvin nned to win over her


    parents.


    She parked her car in the neighborhood and spotted Harrison¡¯s vehicle, which made her hesitant.


    After paying the taxi fare, she walked upstairs. The door was ajar, and she could hear theughter and


    chatter inside, as carefree as a family gathering. Her frown deepened.


    If Melvin saw this scene, he¡¯d be furious.


    ¡°Mom, Dad, Jocelyn called out.


    ¡°Come in,¡± Daisy greeted her, her tone neutral. She rxed slightly when she saw Jocelyn was back


    alone.


    Jocelyn knew her parents had their reservations, but she hadn¡¯t expected them to be so cautious.


    ¡°Why are you free to drop by today?¡± Jocelyn asked Harrison.


    ¡°My mom sent some grapefruits over and asked me to bring them to you,¡± Harrison replied casually.


    ¡°Grapefruits? Already ripe now?¡± Jocelyn was genuinely curious,


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Harrison said. ¡°Try someter.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Daisy popped her head out from the kitchen. ¡°Jocelyn,e help me with the dishes.¡±


    Jocelyn rolled her eyes. Harrison chuckled and stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll help out.¡±


    Calvin didn¡¯t object.


    During dinner, Calvin and Daisy treated Harrison far better than they ever did to Melvin. It was as if


    Harrison was a dear son returned home, while Melvin was the forgotten stepchild.


    ¡°Harrison,e over more often, and don¡¯t bother to bring anything.¡±


    After dinner, Daisy continued to shower Harrison with affection.


    ¡°Sure. I¡¯m working here now, so I¡¯ll be over to visit you often. Just don¡¯t get fed up with me,¡± Harrison


    said with a


    smile.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± Daisy said warmly. She genuinely liked Harrison. If only he could be her son-inw.


    How wonderful that would be.


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    But her ungrateful daughter just couldn¡¯t see the gem right in front of her.


    With this in mind, Daisy couldn¡¯t help but cast a couple of extra nces at Jocelyn.


    Sensing her mother¡¯s sharpening gaze, Jocelyn tactfully said, ¡°Mom, Dad, I¡¯m heading out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll walk you,¡± Harrison chimed in.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be off then.¡±


    ¡°Take care and drive safe.¡± Daisy¡¯s face lit up with warmth as she spoke to Harrison, her enthusiasm


    unmatched even by her own daughter.


    Once they were downstairs, Jocelyn let out a sigh of relief.


    As Harrison buckled up and noticed her demeanor, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s up? I sensed some tension


    between you and your parents during dinner.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve introduced Melvin to my parents,¡± Jocelyn rested her head on her hand, the weariness seeping


    through her voice.


    Harrison paused, then drove off, ¡°Not looking good?¡±


    ¡°Pretty awful,¡± Jocelyn admitted, ready to vent. ¡°Good thing Melvin didn¡¯te today. If he¡¯d seen what


    went down, he¡¯d drown in jealousy.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I should visit less often then,¡± Harrison said as he drove out of the neighborhood. ¡°Are you


    heading to your ce or his?¡±


    ¡°Mine.¡±


    Harrison¡¯s grip on the steering wheel rxed slightly. ¡°Melvin¡¯s willingness to meet your parents means


    he¡¯s serious about you. He¡¯s taking on things he wouldn¡¯t normally for your sake. Give him some time.


    He¡¯ll figure it out.¡±


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t so sure, especially with Harrison setting such a high benchmark before. It seemed


    unlikely her parents would ept Melvin.


    ¡°Trust him,¡± Harrison reassured her. ¡°Your Mr. Right will clear any obstacle for your happiness.¡±


    Jocelyn hoped so. She had thought that getting past Melvin would lead to a happy ending, but she


    hadn¡¯t anticipated her parents bing the stumbling block.


    It left her wondering how Melvin would handle it.


    When they arrived at her apartment, Jocelyn unbuckled her seat belt.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee,¡± Harrison stayed in the car. ¡°I won¡¯t walk you up.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Jocelyn closed the car door and waved goodbye.


    Harrison drove off without lingering.


    As he turned the corner, another car approached from the opposite direction. Its headlights were


    blinding.


    In the brief moment their paths crossed, the drivers recognized each other.


    Harrison saw Melvin, and Melvin saw him.


    The cars passed by, but Harrison¡¯s expression turned ice cold.


    Having just entered her apartment, Jocelyn was surprised by the elevator doors opening again.


    She turned to see Melvin stepping out.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Looking for you.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I text you I wouldn¡¯t being over tonight?¡±


    Melvin took her hand and led her inside. He ushered her to the couch and sat on the coffee table,


    ready for a


    confrontation.


    Jocelyn frowned, calcting the time. It was highly likely he had run into Harrison.


    ¡°Harrison was at your parents¡¯ too?¡± Melvin¡¯s mind raced.


    3 925 2


    Jocelyn pursed her lips and nodded.


    Melvin¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°They didn¡¯t want me there, so they could set you up with Harrison.¡±


    ¡°They might not have epted you yet, but they wouldn¡¯t y matchmaker knowing I¡¯m with


    someone,¡± Jocelyn took his hand. ¡°Harrison and I are just friends.¡±


    ¡°You may see him as a friend. But does he see you the same way?¡±


    ¡°Of course. We¡¯repletely frank with each other.¡±


    Melvin gripped her hand tightly, ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust you. It¡¯s him I¡¯m wary of. I¡¯m a man too. I know


    what¡¯s going through his head.¡±


    ¡°So what should I do?¡± Jo looked at him, a hint of frustration in her gaze. ¡°All I can offer you are my


    words that he and I are just friends. Beyond that, I¡¯m at a loss for how to prove to you that I¡¯m telling the


    truth.¡±


    Melvin knew the problem wasn¡¯t with her. It was Harrison who was a formidable rival.


    After all, Jocelyn¡¯s parents had taken quite the shine to Harrison.


    He furrowed his brow and sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. His mind was


    racing for a way to turn the tide in his favor.


    If Jocelyn¡¯s parents didn¡¯t approve of their rtionship, it would only make things more difficult.


    Troubled love was a real headache.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Jocelyn asked, seeing his silence. ¡°Getting cold feet?¡±


    Melvin tightened his grip on her shoulders and snorted, ¡°Not a chance.¡±


    Jocelyn pressed her lips together and smiled. ¡°You¡¯re pretty determined.¡±


    Melvin felt like she was taking pleasure in his predicament and suddenly pinned her down on the


    couch. ¡°Feeling smug?¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡± Jocelyn struggled to keep a straight face, ¡°I just never expected you¡¯d be so troubled over


    parental approval.¡±


    ¡°If it were anyone else, do you think I¡¯d care?¡± Melvin vented his frustration with a fierce kiss on her lips,


    not releasing her until she winced in pain.


    Jocelyn shot back just as fiercely, ¡°If it were anyone else, I¡¯d be married by now.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s gaze darkened instantly. His hand gently encircled her neck, his thumb sliding up, tilting her


    head back. ¡°Thinking of someone else?¡±


    In his grip, Jocelyn seemed to be at his mercy.


    But she was far from intimidated, her heart pounding as she threw down a gauntlet. ¡°I¡¯ve set a deadline


    to be married by thirty. I¡¯m twenty-seven now. You still have time to figure something out.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s brows knit together. His eyes were a tumultuous sea of emotion.

 Chapter 164

    Chapter 164


    The weather was warmer in recent days, and the elderly residents of the old neighborhood were


    making the most of it. They gathered downstairs, engrossed in a variety of leisure activities. Some


    yed chess, others engaged in card games. A few rallied at tennis, while several groups danced.


    Underneath the shade of an old oak tree, a crowd had formed. All of their eyes fixated on a chessboard


    where an intense game was unfolding..


    One of the yers, visibly frustrated and unsure how to turn the game around, sighed repeatedly. He


    cast a nce at the young man sitting calmly across from him, determined not to be beaten again.


    He had already lost five times in a row.


    ¡°Hey, Calvin, get over here!¡± someone suddenly yelled out. ¡°Come give Lucas some backup. He¡¯s been


    getting crushed the whole afternoon.¡±


    Everyone turned their heads toward the voice.


    Calvin just returned from the grocery store on his bicycle. Hearing his name, he pulled over and


    propped his bike against a nearby fence. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Some hotshot kid has shown up and he¡¯s ying chess like a cold-blooded shark, not giving Lucas a


    moment¡¯s breath. Around here, you and Lucas are pretty evenly matched, but we can¡¯t seem to figure


    out who¡¯s the top dog. Today¡¯s the day to settle it ¨C beat this young man and you¡¯ll be crowned the


    chess king of our block.¡±


    Curious, Calvin made his way through the crowd. ¡°Who around here could possibly outy Lucas?¡±


    When he reached the inner circle and caught sight of the young man facing Lucas, his brow furrowed.


    Wasn¡¯t this the boyfriend of Jocelyn, his former boss, Melvin?


    Upon noticing Calvin, Melvin stood up as a sign of respect. ¡°Hi.¡±


    ¡°Do you two know each other?¡± Lucas asked, intrigued.


    Calvin¡¯s face was stern. ¡°No.¡±


    Melvin was silent, a hint of difort in his pause.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you know him or not. Come on, Calvin! I need you to get revenge for me.¡± Lucas


    stood and pulled Calvin down into his seat. ¡°I¡¯ve never beaten this guy.¡±


    ¡°No respect for your elders,¡± Calvin remarked dryly, eyeing Melvin,


    Lucas countered, ¡°You can¡¯t be too respectful in a game. Sure, we¡¯re ying for fun, but the spirit of


    competition is important too. If he lets me win, where¡¯s the fun in that? Nowadays, young people are


    too deferential. They make us old folks feel good, but it waters down our skills as well.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. There are no kin in battle.¡± someone else agreed.


    Lucas, eager to get on with it, urged Calvin, ¡°Come on, will you y? If you beat him, I¡¯ll hand over my


    title of chess king that I¡¯ve held for years.¡±


    Calvin snorted. ¡°Sounds like I need you to hand it over. I used to beat you when I was working. Now


    that I¡¯m retired, I can defeat you in minutes. You¡¯re just a sore loser.¡±


    ¡°Enough talk. You just beat him and I¡¯ll concede,¡± Lucas was getting impatient.


    Reluctantly, Calvin sat down and took a moment to assess Melvin.


    Melvin was all business, not the type to patronize the elderly.


    That made sense ¨C back in the office, his presence was something few could stand up to. It¡¯s


    understandable though, given that he was the boss of a bigpany. Without a strong demeanor, how


    could he run the


    business well?


    Calvin wondered if Jocelyn could handle being married to such a man.


    The chess game began with Calvin moving first.


    Melvin started off strong, ying swiftly as if without a second thought.


    Calvin, on the other hand, was deliberate, always nning several moves ahead.


    20 F 29


    The two yed in silence. The onlookers were equally quiet.


    About ten exchangester, the tide of the game began to show.


    ¡°Calvin, he¡¯s gunning for your king,¡± Lucas couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, with excitement in his voice.


    Calvin frowned. ¡°A true gentleman neverments during a game.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just worried you¡¯ll lose!¡± Lucas was anxious.


    Melvin nced at Calvin, who was deep in thought and hesitating to move.


    Neither rush came from Melvin, nor reminders and concessions.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Move the knight,¡± Lucas couldn¡¯t contain himself.


    Calvin shook his head. ¡°If I move the knight, he¡¯ll advance his pawn and it¡¯ll be game over.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean a loss?¡± Lucas was frustrated.


    Calvin looked at Melvin who was unfazed. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a loss.¡±


    ¡°Ah, one more round Calvin,¡± Lucas was hooked and desperate to beat Melvin.


    Turning to Melvin, Lucas asked, ¡°Kid, how are you so darn good?¡±


    Melvin reset the pieces. ¡°Learned a bit when I was younger.¡±


    ¡°Must¡¯ve been a master,¡± Lucas mused.


    Calvin and Melvin went on to y four more rounds, but Calvin lost each time.


    Melvin showed no mercy, leaving Calvin thoroughly defeated.


    It wasn¡¯t until Daisy noticed Calvin¡¯s bike at the base of the tree and approached to see Calvin and


    Melvin deep in their game that the atmosphere shifted. ¡°Calvin, what time do you think it is? Aren¡¯t you


    coming home to cook dinner?¡±


    Calvin and Melvin, both too stubborn to admit defeat, ignored her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t interrupt. I¡¯m about to win,¡± Calvin said, his heart racing with the prospect of finally checkmating


    Melvin.


    The final match was tense for Calvin.


    Melvin remained calm, and as soon as he ced his piece, Calvin swiftly moved his ¡°cannon¡± to


    Melvin¡¯s ¡°king¡±. He was exuberant, ¡°I finally won a round!¡±


    ¡°Did you really win?¡± Lucas leaned in with an incredulous face and asked Melvin, ¡°Did you just let him


    win?¡±


    The mere suggestion of ¡°letting win¡± irked Calvin.


    Melvin replied, ¡°No, I miscalcted that move.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, if he was going to let me win, he would¡¯ve done it ages ago,¡± Calvin stood with a hint of victory


    in his posture. He looked at Lucas, ¡°What do you say? Ready to acknowledge defeat?¡±


    ¡°Fine. You¡¯re the chess king,¡± Lucas conceded.


    Hearing Lucas¡¯s words, Calvin was proud of his new title.


    Chapter To


    ¡°Melvin, it¡¯s gettingte, why don¡¯t you join us for a simple dinner at my ce?¡± Lucas invited warmly.


    ¡°I¡¯d love to learn more about your chess strategies.¡±


    Lucas¡¯s invitation was sincere,


    Upon hearing Lucas¡¯s offer to Melvin, Daisy and Calvin exchanged a nce, each with a furrowed


    brow.


    In a small town like theirs, the fact that the Lucas had a thirty-year-old daughter, Luna, who was still


    flying solo, was practically well-known to all. If Lucas caught wind of a bachelor within a five-mile


    radius, you could bet your bottom dor he¡¯d be scheming to set him up with Luna, all under the guise


    of neighborly hospitality.


    Melvin was just about to reply, when Calvin cast him a freezing look, ¡°What are you waiting for, an


    engraved invitation to dinner?¡±


    Melvin stood there, mouth agape.


    Completely baffled, Lucas eyed Calvin, ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you, Calvin? What are you saying?¡±


    Calvin wasn¡¯t about to admit that Melvin was Jocelyn¡¯stest beau-not in front of this crowd. Doing so


    would be tantamount to giving their blessing to the rtionship.


    ¡°Why do you speak to Melvin in such tone?¡± Lucas was getting riled up. ¡°Luna¡¯s back in town today and


    she¡¯s been itching to learn how to y chess. Melvin¡¯s got some skills at the game. Why not let the


    young folks mingle a bit?¡±


    Daisy rolled her eyes. She had called it from the start.


    Melvin, on the other hand, kept his lips sealed. He was secretly happy with the turn of events.


    ¡°Call Jocelyn, tell her toe home for dinner.¡± Daisy¡¯smand was directed at Melvin, who smiled


    in response and promptly took out his phone.


    He apologized to the somewhat perplexed Lucas, ¡°Thanks for your kind offer, sir. I¡¯ll make sure Jocelyn


    and I swing by for a game of chess when we get the chance.¡±


    Lucas¡¯s jaw hung open as Melvin dialed Jocelyn¡¯s number, giving him a grateful nod. ¡°Daisy wants me


    to tell you toe back for dinner. Yeah, Calvin¡¯s gone all out with the groceries¡­ Of course, I¡¯m here


    too. Yep, it¡¯s an official invite from your parents.¡±


    As Melvin trotted off following Daisy and Calvin, Lucas was left puzzled.


    Someone leaned in and whispered, ¡°Are you lost in the sauce, Lucas? That young man belongs to the


    Winslet¡¯s!¡±

 Chapter 165

    Chapter 165


    Jocelyn hightailed it out of ss and hailed a cab straight home as soon as the ss ended.


    Her mind racing with worry that Melvin might be getting picked on.


    When she got home, she found Melvin and her dad engrossed in a game of chess. The


    atmosphere was surprisingly congenial. Her mom was bustling around the kitchen,


    Jocelyn was a bit confused.


    Catching Melvin¡¯s eye, he cocked an eyebrow at her, a smug glint in his gaze,


    Jocelyn frowned and made her way to the kitchen.


    As soon as she closed the door behind her, she felt her mother¡¯s re sharp as a knife,


    She started helping with the vegetables as a dutiful daughter but couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Mom,


    what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on? You¡¯re the one who¡¯s been so keen on himing over,


    aren¡¯t you?¡± Daisy snapped back without hiding her irritation.


    Jocelyn swore she just wanted her parents to ept Melvin, but she never expected them to


    invite him over for dinner so soon.


    ¡°That clever man of yours,¡± Daisy continued with sarcasm, ¡°charmed his way into our


    neighborhood chess club, yed a few games with the old dudes, including that Lucas


    Johnson. Your father happened to walk by after getting groceries so they called him over. Lucas


    lost the chess game but became fond of Melvin and invited him over for dinner. Melvin is such a


    businessman, huh? They don¡¯t say much, but they sure know how to wrap people around their


    fingers.¡±


    Jocelyn pursed her lips. ¡°It¡¯s not like you guys have to entertain him.¡±


    ¡°Entertain him? Watch him go have dinner at someone else¡¯s house?¡± Daisy red. ¡°The


    Johnsons have been trying to find a match for their thirty-something-year-old daughter. Now


    here¡¯s Melvin, strutting into that perfect opportunity.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t even like him. If he fancies Luna Johnson, wouldn¡¯t that suit you just fine?¡± Jocelyn


    teased.


    Daisy put down her spat and reached out as if to tap Jocelyn¡¯s forehead, but Jocelyn


    dodged.


    ¡°Let me tell you, don¡¯t get too smug. We invite him for dinner not because we like him; it¡¯s


    because we don¡¯t want the Johnsons to have the upper hand. And you better be smart about


    this. Don¡¯t do anything you shouldn¡¯t.¡± Daisy hinted, urging Jocelyn not to cause a scandal.


    ¡°I¡¯m well aware of our boundaries.¡± Jocelyn assured her.


    ¡°What were you thinking, really? Consider this: who¡¯d make a better husband, Melvin or


    Harrison? Harrison¡¯s such a catch, and you just let him slip through your fingers.¡± Daisy


    lamented, still holding a torch for the one that got away.


    Jocelyn focused on the vegetables. ¡°Harrison¡¯s great, but we¡¯re just friends. Compatibility is


    about the right time and ce.¡±


    ¡°Stop with the nonsense.¡± Daisy huffed and was clearly frustrated. ¡°And don¡¯t spend his money


    before you¡¯re married, or his family might use us of being gold diggers.¡±


    ¡®Got it.¡±


    Throughout the three years with Melvin, apart from the polite gifts, Jocelyn hadn¡¯t really spent


    his money. Daisy rubbed her chest and shot Jocelyn another stern look. ¡°You really know how


    to give me a heart attack, don¡¯t you?


    Things will work out. I¡¯m not out to upset you.¡± Jocelyn soothed her. ¡°Don¡¯t stress yourself out;


    I haven¡¯t


    brought home a total disaster.¡±


    ¡°I might be a bit more at ease if you hadn¡¯t kept secrets.¡± Daisy said, her chest tight with worry as she


    put down her utensils. ¡°You finish up here.¡±


    Jocelyn opened the door to let her mother out.


    As soon as Daisy left, Melvin offered to take over, ¡°I¡¯ll help her out.¡±


    No one told him it wasn¡¯t necessary, so he entered the kitchen and closed the door behind him.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Jocelyn asked, ncing back at her parents in the living room. ¡°What¡¯s the


    deal. today?¡±


    Melvin rolled up his sleeves and began to chop vegetables alongside her. ¡°Just creating a chance


    encounter.¡±


    Jocelyn had never seen him cook before. He was deft with the knife and sliced the vegetables even


    better than she did.


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    She watched him work.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Melvin asked, noticing her gaze.


    ¡°You cook?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t I seen you do it before?¡±


    ¡°Being served by others is where the joy¡¯s at.¡±


    Jocelyn felt an inexplicable surge of happiness at his words.


    She stole a few nces at him and asked, ¡°How many more secrets are you hiding?¡±


    ¡°Secrets by definition are not meant to be known.¡± Melvin said softly. ¡°And those that are hidden usually


    bear pain.¡±


    Jocelyn paused and processed his words. He had never shared such things with her.


    A burnt scent wafted from the pot, snapping her back to the task at hand.


    He was right; secrets weren¡¯t meant to be shared carelessly.


    As she pondered, she wondered if his previousmitment-phobic statements were the result of some


    hidden


    pain.


    She didn¡¯t dare to probe further. As he said, there was pain, and pain shall not be revealed recklessly.


    He was changing, though, and maybe all he needed was a little more time. She believed that he would


    eventually open up to herpletely.


    Dinner was served: four dishes and a soup.


    Melvin took the initiative to serve the soup, while Calvin and Daisy¡¯s expressions remained as stern as


    before, much like thest supper they shared.


    Melvin¡¯s phone rang half through the meal.


    ¡°Excuse me for a moment.¡± he said apologetically and stood up to take the call.


    Jocelyn caught the name ¡°Dr. La.¡±


    ¡°A doctor?¡± Daisy picked up on it as well, eyeing Melvin¡¯s silhouette on the balcony. She turned to


    Jocelyn and asked, ¡°Is someone in his family sick?¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Daisy frowned. ¡°You mean to say you don¡¯t even know if there¡¯s an illness in his family?¡±


    Jocelyn kept her head down and continued eating, afraid to delve into his family affairs.


    Calvin caught Daisy¡¯s eye and shook his head, signaling her to drop it.


    Soon Melvin returned to the table.


    ¡°Someone sick at home?¡± Daisy couldn¡¯t contain her curiosity.


    Melvin paused, then shook his head. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°But it sounded like a doctor called.¡± Daisy pressed, sensing Melvin wasn¡¯t being entirely


    forthright.


    ¡°Hm.¡± Melvin simply acknowledged, not offering more.


    Daisy wanted to ask more, but Calvin intervened and offered her more food. ¡°Let¡¯s eat, or the


    food will get cold.¡± Daisy shot Calvin a look but ultimately held her peace.


    Jocelyn breathed a deep sigh of relief after leaving her family.


    The past few days, every dinner back at home had been a high-pressure affair. Not a single one


    had been easy.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you, is there anything wrong at home?¡± Jocelyn was genuinely


    curious. ¡°That doctor has phoned you several times now.¡±


    Melvin drove along and replied nonchntly, ¡°Just consulting on a few matters. No one¡¯s sick.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Jocelyn sensed that wasn¡¯t the whole truth.


    There¡¯s a rule of threes: Mom had asked once, then she had asked once; and if it wasn¡¯t


    answered, the topic was off-limits.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got an early flight tomorrow, so I won¡¯te over to your ce.¡± Melvin said as he drove


    towards her apartment. ¡°I should be back by evening if everything goes well.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t pry into his affairs, just like before. If he wanted to share, she¡¯d listen; if not, she


    wouldn¡¯t push.


    After all, she didn¡¯t understand his job anyway. There was no need to ask if he didn¡¯t want to


    talk about it.


    Upon reaching the apartment building, Jocelyn unbuckled her seat belt.


    ¡°Wait a second.¡± Melvin called out.


    Jocelyn turned towards him. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    Melvin reached out and pulled her closer ¡°Give me a kiss.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled.


    Melvin¡¯s kiss didn¡¯t involve taking a breath. Jocelyn¡¯s head was almost dizzy with the kiss.


    After a long while, he finally let her go. ¡°Goodnight.¡±


    ¡°Goodnight.¡±


    Jocelyn stepped out of the car and stood by the curb to wave at Melvin.


    He gestured for her to go ahead, waited until he saw Jocelyn enter the building and the light in


    her room turn on, and then he drove away.

 Chapter 166

    Chapter 166


    It was the dead of night. Jocelyn¡¯s phone buzzed with urgency on her nightstand. It was Daisy, her


    voice a cocktail of panic and fear, setting Jocelyn¡¯s heart racing.


    Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, she fumbled for her jeans, grabbed her keys, and hailed a cab to the


    hospital,


    ¡°Mom!¡± she gasped, bursting through the ER doors to find Daisy beside a makeshift bed in the hallway.


    Calvin, her father,y there weakly with an IV dripping life back into his veins. ¡°What the hell


    happened?¡±


    ¡°It was out of the blue, honey.¡± Daisy managed between sobs. ¡°He woke up shivering, drenched in


    sweat, looking as pale as milk. He kept saying it¡¯d pass and didn¡¯t want toe here. Then the


    doctors¡­they said it¡¯s a heart attack.¡±


    Calvin, now sedated, was less in pain but still a worrying shade of gray.


    ¡°What did the doctors say?¡± Jocelyn asked, her eyes scanning the chaos of the ER-families huddled in


    grief, the relentless beeping of machines-it was overwhelming.


    ¡°They were talking about a surgery.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s do it.¡± Jocelyn said with a resolve that left no room for doubt.


    Daisy wiped away her tears. ¡°The doctor came by, asked us to sign the consent forms. I didn¡¯t


    understand half of what he said, so I called you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to them.¡± Jocelyn said, her voice steady but her mind racing. She needed to hurry up to save


    her


    father¡¯s life.


    She cornered a nurse, who told her the doctor would exin everything shortly.


    Standing beside her father, Jocelyn¡¯s eyes welled up despite her best efforts to stay strong.


    ¡°How are you feeling, Dad? Does it still hurt?¡± she asked, her voice barely a whisper.


    ¡°It¡¯s better now,¡± Calvin replied weakly.


    Jocelyn fought back tears as she saw the toll the night had taken on her father. She quickly turned


    away, not wanting to cause him any more concern.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a minor surgery.¡± she reassured both her parents. ¡°They caught it early. He¡¯ll be alright.¡±


    Daisy tried to hold back her tears, but the floodgates were barely holding.


    Soon enough, the doctor arrived and exined that Calvin¡¯s arteries were blocked in three ces and


    cut off blood flow to his heart. The solution was to ce stents to reopen the pathways.


    ¡°Is it going to be a big operation?¡± Daisy asked nervously.


    ¡°It¡¯s minimally invasive.¡± the doctor assured Daisy when she asked about surgery. ¡°No need to cut him


    open. We¡¯ll do it with localized anesthesia, but he¡¯ll need to be in the ICU afterward.¡±


    Daisy looked to Jocelyn and her voice choked, ¡°We¡¯ll do it, please.¡±


    In times like these, it was best to follow the doctor¡¯s lead. No one knew better than them.


    ¡°How soon can we do it?¡± Jocelyn asked. Urgency crept into her voice.


    ¡°Finish the IV. Then sign the consent form when the nurse brings it. After that, we¡¯ll schedule the


    surgery.¡± the doctor said and then moved on.


    The consent form arrived swiftly. Jocelyn read it carefully and then to Calvin, who nodded, ¡°Sign it.¡±


    With the paperwork done, all that was left was the waiting-the longest part.


    Jocelyn suggested Daisy get some rest, but she wouldn¡¯t budge. Instead, Jocelyn fetched a couple of


    stic


    stools so they could sit beside Calvin.


    Exhaustion finally overtook Daisy, and she dozed off leaning on Jocelyn. Jocelyn, eyes fixed on the


    medicines,


    didn¡¯t dare miss a beat.


    Suddenly, a hand weighed on her shoulder. She turned to find Melvin, whose face was etched with


    concern.


    ¡°How¡¯d you know toe?¡± Jocelyn asked, surprised.


    ¡°I saw Calvin¡¯s name on the surgery board.¡± Melvin whispered, careful not to wake Daisy. ¡°No private


    room?¡±


    Jocelyn shook her head, ¡°We¡¯re lucky to have even this. Some people are out in the waiting area.¡±


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Melvin frowned and stood up, ¡°Wait here.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Jocelyn asked, gripping his hand.


    ¡°To see if I can pull some strings.¡±


    Connections are everything, especially in times of crisis. It¡¯s not what you know, but who you know.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t stop him. She too wanted the best for her dad.


    Melvin returned shortly, just as the doctor announced they were ready to proceed with the surgery.


    Melvin took the bills without a second thought. Jocelyn didn¡¯t argue and thought she¡¯d pay him back


    later.


    As Calvin was wheeled away, Jocelyn and Daisy took their ce outside the operating room. The


    minutes stretched into an eternity when the hospital director, Wesley, a friend of Melvin¡¯s, appeared.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Wesley said, having already spoken to the hospital staff. ¡°The patient will have the best


    care and a private room after the surgery.¡±


    Melvin thanked him and exchanged a grateful handshake with Wesley. In times like these, it was the


    little acts of human kindness that kept hope alive.


    Wesley shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s okay. But given the patient¡¯s condition, he¡¯ll need to be in the ICU for a few


    days. You have only two fixed hours a day to visit.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°Anything you need, give me a call. I¡¯ll arrange what I can.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, I appreciate it.¡±


    Melvin didn¡¯t want to bother the man any longer. Once Wesley had left, he turned to Jocelyn and Daisy


    and reassured them, ¡°Calvin¡¯s in the hands of the best cardiologist around. He¡¯s in good care.¡±


    Jocelyn had been holding up well; she was convinced her father would pull through.


    It was Daisy who had been on edge. But her anxiety finally eased after seeing Melvin had pulled some


    strings with the hospital director.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Daisy managed, her gratitude outweighing her usual reserve.


    ¡°Think nothing of it.¡±


    Melvin nced at Jocelyn. It was half-past four in the morning. He whispered, ¡°Maybe we should get


    Daisy back home?¡±


    ¡°She won¡¯t leave.¡± Jocelyn knew her mother¡¯s concern for her father was too great. ¡°We¡¯ll wait until my


    dad¡¯s out, and then we might persuade her.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    Melvin seemed prepared to wait with them.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got that trip early in the morning, don¡¯t you?¡± Jocelyn reminded him. ¡°You better get going.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll send Zephyr in my stead.¡± There was no way Melvin could leave now.


    ¡°Are you sure it won¡¯t be a problem?¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to impose. ¡°My dad has got me. He¡¯ll be


    alright.¡±


    Melvin took her hand. ¡°In times like these, you need a man by your side. And that man can only be


    me.¡±


    Jocelyn looked up at him, her eyes suddenly misty, tears threatening to spill. She had to admit that his


    presence wasforting.


    The moment he arrived, for some reason, it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, as if


    someone had taken a share of the invisible burden she¡¯d been carrying.

 Chapter 167

    Chapter 167


    The lights in the operating room were on, and hearts outside were held aloft in worry.


    Suddenly, the door swung open. A nurse emerged, clutching a critical condition notice for the family to


    sign.


    Daisy was nearly faint with anxiety, but it was Jocelyn who steadied her hand enough to scribble the


    signature. Undergoing emergency surgery for a heart attack was risky business, so signing the critical


    condition notice was to be expected.


    Thankfully, Calvin¡¯s surgery was a sess; he was awake when they wheeled him out.


    They only caught a glimpse of him before he was whisked away to the ICU, beyond their reach.


    The doctor handed Jocelyn a list of essentials to buy.


    Melvin took the list from her. ¡°Stay with Daisy. I¡¯ll go get these.¡±


    Watching him hustle, Jocelyn felt a sense of relief washing over her.


    By the time everything was ready, dawn had broken.


    ¡°Are you sure this won¡¯t affect your work?¡± Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but worry.


    Melvin nced at the time. ¡°Zephyr should be on his way to the airport by now. It¡¯s fine.¡±


    Daisy had already questioned Jocelyn. She was aware that Melvin was supposed to be on a business


    trip, but he¡¯d put everything on hold for the old man.


    It was impossible not to be moved by such a gesture.


    Especially in moments of vulnerability, when someone lends a hand, it¡¯s hard not to soften.


    ¡°Daisy, there¡¯s nothing more we can do here for now. Why don¡¯t you head back and get some rest? You


    cane back and see him during visiting hours this afternoon.¡± Melvin insisted, concerned about


    Daisy after the long night.


    Jocelyn agreed, ¡°Mom, let Melvin take you home. I¡¯ll stay here ande to pick you upter.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± Daisy said. Her eyes glued to the ICU door, and the worry never leaving her


    gaze.


    ¡°Mom, you need to rest.¡± Jocelyn firmly stated. ¡°Staying here won¡¯t help. Go gets some sleep ande


    back refreshed. Dad will only be in there for three or four days before moving to a regr room. That¡¯s


    when you¡¯ll be busy taking care of him. I¡¯ll hold down the fort here, so don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Finally, Daisy conceded with Jocelyn¡¯s persistent coaxing.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take Daisy home.¡± Melvin said, eyeing Jocelyn with concern for her reddened, sleep-deprived eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯lle backter to keep youpany.¡±


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Jocelyn remained on guard outside as Melvin escorted Daisy away.


    The first couple of days were fraught with unstable factors. Whether the stent would adapt or be


    rejected, they


    were all still under observation.


    Jocelyn was praying silently for everything to move in the right direction.


    After dropping Daisy off, Melvin brought back breakfast for Jocelyn. They ate together outside the ICU.


    ¡°Thanks for this.¡± Jocelyn said. Shecked appetite, but she had to eat to keep her strength up.


    Melvin wiped a crumb from her lip. ¡°I¡¯m your man. It¡¯s what I should do.¡±


    A smile flickered across Jocelyn¡¯s face. ¡°Sorry for the hassle.¡±


    Don¡¯t talk like that.¡± Melvin said with a hint of seriousness. ¡°While we¡¯re on the subject, I need to talk to


    you about something.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me right away?¡± Melvin¡¯s stare was fixed on her. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t found out, would you


    have kept it to yourself?¡±


    Jocelyn paused, then exined, ¡°It waste, and I thought I could handle it.¡±


    ¡°If you were on your own, you might not tell anyone. But I¡¯m your boyfriend, shouldn¡¯t I share some of


    the responsibility?¡± Melvin felt she was wrong not to inform him.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, ¡°Okay, I didn¡¯t think it through.¡±


    Melvin huffed lightly, ¡°Learn from your mistakes, I forgive you.¡±


    Jocelyn asked, ¡°But how did you know my dad was in the hospital?¡±


    ¡°Yara has a friend who came down with acute gastroenteritis. She brought that friend to the hospital


    and saw you buying stools. She wanted to check on you, but she couldn¡¯t leave her friend, so she


    called me.¡±


    Jocelyn was surprised by the turn of events.


    ¡°Enough of that. Calvin will be fine.¡± Melvin reassured her and wrapped his arms around her. ¡°Don¡¯t


    worry. I¡¯m here.¡±


    Jocelyn, whose nerves had been taut all night, finally rxedpletely and leaned against Melvin.


    She recalled the moment she had received the call from her mother. She still felt a surge of panic from


    that.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired.¡± she whispered. Her voice was weary.


    Melvin leaned against the wall. His arms circled her waist. ¡°Lean on me and rest.¡±


    As her mind grew heavy, Jocelyn soon fell asleep in his embrace.


    Melvin held her without moving an inch.


    About an hourter, someone from the ICU called out for ¡°Calvin Winslet¡¯s family,¡± which startled


    Jocelyn


    awake.


    ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡± she asked frantically.


    ¡°The patient is doing well, and we can allow a family member to visit for half an hour at two o¡¯clock this


    afternoon. You should rest now ande backter. But I suggest you stay close by, just in case we


    need to


    call.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Jocelyn agreed. ¡°I¡¯m not going back.¡±


    The nurse returned.


    Melvin took Jocelyn¡¯s hand and led her towards the elevator.


    Jocelyn frowned. ¡°Where are you taking me?¡±


    ¡°To a nearby hotel to rest.¡± Melvin replied, knowing she¡¯d be anxious if they went too far. ¡°There¡¯s a


    modest ce next door. Not the best condition, but it¡¯ll do. There¡¯s no ce to rest in the hospital, and


    you can¡¯t keep going like this.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°No buts. It¡¯s only a few steps away even if the hospital calls. Trust me, I¡¯ll keep an eye out.¡± Melvin


    was determined to get her some rest-food and sleep were non-negotiable.


    Jocelyn reluctantly entered the hotel with Melvin.


    After checking into a room, he sat her down on the bed and pressed her down gently. ¡°Get some


    sleep.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to sleep, but, exhausted from the emotional strain, she couldn¡¯t resist and drifted off


    as her head hit the pillow and with Melvin by her side.


    Melvin watched the girl sleep and sighed with relief.


    He covered her with a nket and then quietly slid out of bed.


    Jocelyn was afraid she might miss a call, so she had cranked up the volume on her cell phone.


    Suddenly, the screen lit up in the dark room. Before a single note of her ringtone could escape,


    Melvin¡¯s hand dashed to silence it and pressed the volume all the way down. He saw the caller ID, and


    his first instinct was to disconnect the call.


    He cast a look at the sleeping figure on the bed. She remained undisturbed.


    Clutching the phone, he tiptoed out and gently closed the door behind him before answering.


    ¡°Hello.¡±


    His voice was a low, frosty surprise to the caller.


    ¡°Is Jocelyn there?¡± Harrison¡¯s voice was steady.


    ¡°She¡¯s asleep.¡± Melvin replied tly. ¡°How can I help you?¡±


    Harrison wasn¡¯t in the mood for small talk with Melvin and answered, ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°Then do me a favor and don¡¯t call her for no reason. Even if there¡¯s an issue, I¡¯d appreciate it if you


    didn¡¯t call her.¡± Melvin¡¯s voice was icy. ¡°After all, she¡¯s my woman.¡±


    His words were not just a deration, but a warning shot across Harrison¡¯s bow, a clear reminder to


    keep his distance.


    Harrison was in his car and ready for the drive to the university. He removed his sses upon hearing


    Melvin¡¯s im.


    He massaged his temples, and his normally gentle eyes now shed a predatory fierceness reserved


    for a worthy rival.


    With a single hand polishing his lenses, his lips curled into a slight smirk, ¡°You and Jocelyn aren¡¯t


    legally married yet, are you? I believe that still gives me the right to pursue her.¡±

 Chapter 168

    Chapter 168


    Harrison¡¯s words were like throwing down the gauntlet to Melvin.


    He had always suspected Harrison would not let go easily, but he never expected him to be so brazen


    about it under the current circumstance.


    Melvin nced back at the closed door and a sardonic smile yed on his lips. ¡°You¡¯re just wasting


    your time.¡± ¡°I¡¯d spend a lifetime for the pursuit of my love.¡± came the lofty response.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. If Harrison were in front of him spewing that nonsense, he¡¯d give


    him a beating he¡¯d never forget.


    After hanging up, Melvin took a deep breath to calm his irritation.


    This Harrison guy obviously harbored ill intention to Jocelyn.


    Just as he was about to head back to his room, Daisy called for Jocelyn.


    ¡°Daisy, Jocelyn¡¯s resting. We¡¯re just across from the hospital at the hotel¡­ Don¡¯t worry, the hospital will


    call if anything happens. Please take some rest, and I¡¯ll pick you up this afternoon to visit Calvin. Yeah,


    okay.¡±


    With the call ended, Melvin didn¡¯t feel the slightest bit tired.


    Feeling needed was like being the axis on which the world spun.


    Concerned that Jocelyn might be hungry, Melvin called Yara to order some food and deliver them first


    to the hotel and then to Daisy¡¯s. He also asked her to eat together with Daisy before bringing Daisy


    over to the hospital.


    Everything was arranged perfectly.


    No sooner had Yara brought the food than Jocelyn woke up.


    Melvin urged her to eat something before heading back to the hospital.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Yara¡¯s picking up Daisy. Have your meal and rest a bit, then we¡¯ll be set.¡± he reassured


    her.


    Jocelyn nodded and asked if there had been any calls from the hospital.


    ¡°None.¡± Melvin hesitated before adding, ¡°Harrison called you.¡±


    Jocelyn was taken aback. ¡°Did you tell him about my dad being in the hospital?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Melvin replied, opting not to burden her with Harrison¡¯s words. There was no need.


    She was his. Her heart was his. Harrison was barely a blip on his radar.


    ¡°Good.¡± Jocelyn sighed in relief.


    ¡°You are afraid he¡¯d find out it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already got enough people worried. No need to add another to the list.¡± Jocelyn genuinely didn¡¯t


    want to trouble anyone else even with a mere visit, which she felt was an imposition.


    Melvin nodded. ¡°Right, no need to involve outsiders.¡±


    That word ¡°outsiders¡± made Jocelyn nce at him.


    He was truly childish to y such petty games at a time like now.


    After they ate, Jocelyn and Melvin headed to the hospital. By one o¡¯clock, Yara had brought Daisy over.


    They waited outside the intensive care unit for the nurse to call them in for a visit.


    When the nurse arrived, Daisy went in..


    Jocelyn and Melvin peeked through a small window into the ward. Calvin wasid on the bed and


    surrounded by medical equipment. The room was so soundproof that they couldn¡¯t hear a thing.


    Daisy wiped away tears as she spoke to Calvin.


    The ICU was a daunting ce, filled with machines and the thin line between life and death.


    Someone mentioned that three patients had been wheeled out in just half an hour.


    The pressure was immense for those inside; a person talking in the morning could be gone by


    afternoon.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t bear to look at the grieving faces or face the struggles between life and death


    anymore.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Melvin pulled her into his embrace. He soothingly stroked her back and whispered, ¡°Calvin¡¯s going to


    be okay.¡±


    She nodded against his shoulder.


    After three days in the ICU, Calvin was moved to a regr room. He lost weight in that short time.


    Jocelyn had taken four days off work; but as a teacher of a graduating ss, she couldn¡¯t leave her


    students for too long.


    ¡°You get to work. I¡¯ll help Daisy here.¡± Melvin reassured her, like a balm to her worries.


    They had hired a nurse, but Daisy knew her husband was a proud man who disliked being fussed over


    by strangers. So, without a nurse, she took care of him herself.


    Calvin was a solid man, and Daisy, though spirited, couldn¡¯t manage his weight alone.


    Initially, Calvin had a catheter while confined to bed, but once he started on liquid food and the catheter


    was


    removed, he needed to use the restroom.


    Melvin helped out and ordered specially prepared meals suitable for recovery. He took such good care


    of Calvin and Daisy that onlookers assumed he was their son.


    One day, a fellow patient who was about to be discharged passed by Calvin¡¯s room and saw Melvin


    entering with a thermal box. The patient knocked and followed him in.


    ¡°Your son is so devoted. I¡¯ve seen him running around here non-stop these days.¡± the patient said,


    looking at


    Melvin with clear admiration.


    Calvin and Daisy exchanged a startled nce, then shook their heads. ¡°He is not our son.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Then who is he?¡± the patient was intrigued and inquired.


    Calvin and Daisy felt a twinge of embarrassment. They had been so against Melvin and Jocelyn¡¯s


    rtionship, and now here he was, more devoted than a son.


    NU A FE !


    ¡°Actually, he is my boyfriend.¡± Jocelyn interjected, having arrived just in time to catch the conversation.


    The patient turned to see Jocelyn approaching Melvin with a smile and slipping her arm through his.


    ¡°This is my boyfriend, Melvin.¡±


    ¡°So, he¡¯s the future son-inw,¡± the patient chuckled. ¡°What a blessing. Not every child has such filial


    respect these days.


    Jocelyn beamed a smile.


    Meanwhile, Calvin and Daisy felt aplex mix of emotions. They smiled awkwardly.


    After the patient left, Jocelyn checked on her father, who the doctor said could be discharged in a few


    days.


    Ive got no sses today. You should head back early.¡±


    Knowing Melvin had been busy and it was already a hassle to have him at the hospital, Jocelyn was


    mindful not to take advantage of him anymore. He was her chosen partner indeed, but that didn¡¯t mean


    she could


    09:25


    show him no consideration.


    ¡°Yeah, you go on home now,¡± Dalsy said, giving Melvin the nod to leave.


    Daisy had been watching him these past few days, taking note of everything he did. It wasn¡¯t lost on


    her.


    She and Calvin still couldn¡¯t approve that he¡¯d kept the rtionship with Jocelyn on the down-low, but


    the guy didn¡¯t really have any serious ws.


    Melvin seemed aloof as if he didn¡¯t need anyone; but deep down, Melvin was attentive and careful.


    In the past few days, the director of the hospital and a couple of cardiology experts had been dropping


    by frequently to check on Calvin¡¯s condition. If it hadn¡¯t been for Melvin¡¯s connection, who would have


    the time toe by for a visit as regrly as much?


    Just moments ago, when Melvin brought in food, he received a call to handle some business at the


    office.


    He told Jocelyn, ¡°Give me a call if you need anything. I¡¯lle over once I¡¯ve sorted things out.¡±


    ¡°No need toe back. You go and get some rest.¡± Jocelyn insisted with sincere care.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Melvin said his goodbyes to Calvin and Daisy and then hurried off.


    Once the door closed, Daisyid out the food on the table. Looking at the nutritious meals, she sighed,


    ¡°We really do owe him a lot these past few days.¡±


    Jocelyn walked over to see the three servings of food.


    Melvin hadn¡¯t eaten his share before leaving, so it naturally became Jocelyn¡¯s.


    ¡°He may seem a bit too aloof, but he¡¯s a good guy.¡± Jocelyn admitted. She was genuinely surprised and


    touched by Melvin¡¯s actions over thest few days.


    Previously, he had not wanted her friends and family to know about him, which went hand-in-hand with


    his reluctance to get married.


    But now, he had truly stepped up for her sake.


    Daisy kept her head down and ate quietly for a while before finally saying, ¡°We mean no offense, as


    long as he truly cares for you and doesn¡¯t let you suffer. I¡¯m not saying this just because of how he¡¯s


    been taking care of your dad these days. What¡¯s most important is that we could see how much he


    loves you.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Jocelyn acknowledged their concerns and felt a weight relieved in her heart. She promised


    her parents, ¡°We¡¯re going to be just fine.¡±

 Chapter 169

    Chapter 169


    Calvin was finally checking out of the hospital, and Melvin was the one who hade to pick him up.


    Instead of heading straight home, they decided to grab a bite at a local diner.


    It wasn¡¯t until they arrived that they discovered Uncle Hank, Aunt Mae, and Quinta were all there too.


    Quinta revealed that it was Melvin who had called them, inviting them over for the weekend. He had


    even arranged & ride for them, knowing they might have trouble getting there.


    These thoughtful arrangements genuinely touched Calvin and Daisy.


    Daisy had called Uncle Hank when Calvin fell ill, and although he had wanted to visit right away, Daisy


    insisted it wasn¡¯t necessary. After all, there was no real danger, and they could visitter when things


    settled down.


    But now, with the siblings reunited, there was a palpable sense of relief.


    Melvin got the waitstaff to start serving up a feast ¨C dishes rich in vor and aroma, including a few


    special selections made just for Calvin¡¯s pte.


    Uncle Hank and Aunt Mae watched Melvin¡¯s careful arrangements with appreciative eyes.


    Melvin excused himself to take a phone call, and that¡¯s when Aunt Mae couldn¡¯t help butpliment


    him, ¡°Jocelyn, you¡¯ve got great taste. Such a considerate and sensible boyfriend.¡±


    Although Daisy had already epted Melvin by heart, still she didn¡¯t show it on face. ¡°You can¡¯t tell.


    People change after marriage.¡±


    Quinta lowered her head when Daisy said that.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Jocelyn quickly nced at her mother, and Daisy immediately realized her mistake. ¡°Quinta, darling, I


    didn¡¯t mean you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Aunt Daisy. You¡¯re not wrong,¡± Quinta said fully at ease. ¡°Rtionships could only be tested


    by time. People can pretend for a while, and it¡¯s true that some show a different face before and after


    marriage. It¡¯s better to take more time to see before making any promise.¡±


    Daisy looked at Jocelyn and sighed, ¡°At the end of the day, it¡¯s their lives. They make their choices,


    walk their paths, and face their consequences.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Aunt Mae chimed in, ¡°Young folks these days don¡¯t see marriage as a life-or-death matter like we


    did. They prioritize feelings. They split or divorce at the slightest discord whenever it doesn¡¯t feel right.


    Not like our times ¨C we married and we stuck it out.¡±


    Every parent wishes for a happy marriage for their children. But times change and society evolves, and


    young people are more open-minded and less inclined to stick to unsatisfactory marriages. So why fret


    over something out of your control? As long as they¡¯re not wearing themselves out, let them be.


    1 think this Melvin is really good. He¡¯s mindful and caring.¡± Aunt Mae praised again, ¡°Jocelyn, hold on


    tight to a


    man like that.¡±


    Jocelyn smiled, ¡°I am holding on and not letting go.¡±


    As she turned, she saw Melvin standing at the entrance and looking at her with a gaze full of love.


    He must have heard her words.


    Melvin took his seat next to Jocelyn and exined, ¡°Actually, it¡¯s me who can¡¯t let go of her.¡±


    Quinta got it, and so did Calvin and Daisy


    Both of them were holding tight. Their journey was full of twists and turns, but still, they ended up


    together.


    ¡°So when are you two getting married?¡± Aunt Mae asked. Her curiosity was piqued.


    Melvin¡¯s demeanor shifted uneasily at the mention of marriage.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to pressure him. They¡¯d had their share of arguments about marriage and even


    broke up over it once. Now that they had reconciled and he had softened his stance, she didn¡¯t want


    her family to push the issue so soon after.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take Quinta¡¯s advice and give it a few more years.¡± Jocelyn said, intertwining her fingers with


    Melvin¡¯s under the table, giving him a reassuring squeeze.


    Daisy sensed Melvin¡¯s difort with the topic. A man who avoids talking about marriage is not


    someone a parent can easily trust their daughter with.


    ¡°That¡¯s wise.¡± Aunt Mae agreed. ¡°Take your time. You¡¯re still young, no rush.¡±


    ¡°Young?¡± Daisy jumped in ¡°She¡¯s twenty-seven this year, and she¡¯ll be hitting thirty in a couple of years.


    People at her age already have kids! Marriage is about whether you want to spend your life together.


    Ten years of dating can be a waste if marriage isn¡¯t in the picture.¡±


    The conversation started to unsettle Jocelyn, and she could feel Melvin¡¯s mood darkening.


    ¡°A responsible person would offer their partner a home.¡± Daisy continued. ¡°Marriage is what makes it


    official. Jocelyn, you¡¯re not getting any younger. Don¡¯t get caught up in this ¡®single life¡¯ phase. One day


    when you¡¯re in your forties, you might want to marry and have kids, but it¡¯ll be toote.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned slightly. Daisy¡¯s words inadvertently dragged. Quinta back into the conversation.


    But Quinta brushed it off. She sensed the tension in the air and tried to defuse it with augh, ¡°Aunt


    Daisy, Jocelyn and Melvin are good together. Marriage is just a matter of time. No need to worry.¡±


    Daisy was about to respond when Calvin interrupted.


    ¡°Let¡¯s eat before the food gets cold.¡± He served Daisy some food with a meaningful nce, then said


    casually, ¡°Let¡¯s leave the young ones to manage their own affairs.¡±


    Uncle Hank nodded in agreement, ¡°As long as they don¡¯t regret it, that¡¯s what matters.¡±


    With that, the topic of Jocelyn and Melvin¡¯s future was dropped.


    Jocelyn squeezed Melvin¡¯s hand apologetically.


    Melvin rxed.


    The rest of the meal went smoothly, except for the initial tension. Melvin called Yara to take everyone


    home. She came with a spacious minivan that took everyone but Melvin and Jocelyn.


    ¡°Sorry about all that.¡± Jocelyn said once they were in Melvin¡¯s car, apologizing for the earlier difort.


    Melvin drove on. ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Were you nervous?¡± Jocelyn asked, looking at him.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Melvin retorted with the stubbornness of a mule.


    Jocelyn was baffled. ¡°Are you scared of getting married or something?¡±


    Clutching the steering wheel, Melvin kept his eyes on the road and did not immediately respond to her


    probing question.


    Impatience got the better of Jocelyn. She pursed her lips and straightened herself in her seat.


    As they waited for the traffic light to turn from red to green, she ventured, ¡°If you¡¯ve never thought about


    marriage¡­¡±


    Without warning, Melvin took a sharp right turn instead of going straight.


    ¡°You¡¯ve taken the wrong turn.¡±


    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t.¡±


    Jocelyn was clueless about where he was leading them, and she dropped the subject.


    The car came to a halt in front of a gship jewelry store.


    ¡°Get out.¡±


    Jocelyn was confused, but she stepped out of the car.


    Melvin took her hand and led her into the jewelry store. They headed straight to the counter. ¡°Show me


    yourtest women¡¯s engagement rings.¡± he said with urgency.


    The saleswoman was startled by Melvin¡¯s fervor but remained professional. She presented the rings


    and borating on their designs and the significance behind them.


    Melvin wasn¡¯t all that interested in the details. He gently touched Jocelyn¡¯s ring finger, picked up a ring,


    and slid it onto her finger without hesitation.


    Jocelyn too was startled by his bold move.

 Chapter 170

    Chapter 170


    ¡°How about it? Do you like it?¡± Melvin asked with his voice remarkably steady.


    Jocelyn gazed at the ring on her finger, feeling neither the rush of excitement nor the flutter of joy that


    she had expected.


    She should have felt happy.


    After all, this was something she had been waiting for, a token she had longed for.


    And now, as he sipped the ring onto her finger himself, it was supposed to be a dreame true.


    But the joy just wasn¡¯t there.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Jocelyn looked up at him, utterly confused.


    Melvin took a deep breath and caressed the diamond ring. ¡°I¡¯ve never given you a ring before. This is


    the first time.¡±


    She looked down; the diamond was massive and sparkled brilliantly.


    Yes, it was the first time he had given her a ring.


    ¡°This is how I feel.¡± Melvin said, holding her hand a little tighter with a trace of uncertainty in his eyes.


    ¡°Do you ept?¡±


    There was no proposal, just a man desperately trying to convey his attitude.


    But somehow, it felt more significant than the traditional ¡°will you marry me¡±.


    Jocelyn had never imagined him getting down on one knee; it just didn¡¯t seem like something he would


    do.


    He probably was the only man in the world who could slip a ring on a woman¡¯s finger with such urgency


    and a hint of dominance.


    Jocelyn took a deep breath and met his gaze. ¡°I ept.¡±


    Melvin¡¯s tense expression rxed at her words.


    After paying for the ring, they walked hand in hand into the bright sunshine outside. It was a beautiful


    day.


    The diamond on her finger caught the light and dazzled.


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Honestly, Jocelyn felt a sense of security with him.


    But this ring was the icing on the cake. Things were looking up.


    As they drove away, they didn¡¯t notice the car parking across the street.


    Inside the car, Willow watched them emerge from the jewelry store hand in hand. Her eyes were filled


    with envy and almost madness.


    Her assistant understood the situation, dashed into the shop, and quickly returned to the car.


    ¡°They bought a diamond ring.¡± the assistant reported.


    Willow clenched her fists. Her pretty eyes were swirling with hatred.


    Melvin had bought Jocelyn a ring!


    Were they really going to get married?


    ¡°Willow, let¡¯s go. Ken is waiting for you.¡± the assistant reminded her cautiously.


    Willow¡¯s social standing had taken a hit ever since she lost Melvin¡¯s connection. She used to be fawned


    over and courted for her perceived future status, but now she had been publicly humiliated by Melvin


    and became a joke in her circle.


    She had to regain her footing, climb higher, and show Melvin what he missed by abandoning her!


    Also, despite her preference for his money and status, she couldn¡¯t let go of Melvin¡¯s good looks and


    physique. He was the man of her dreams. He had everything she wanted.


    She just hadn¡¯t expected that he had found another woman and she was left out in the cold when


    everything was supposed to go well as she expected.


    No, even if she couldn¡¯t have Melvin herself, she wouldn¡¯t let Jocelyn have an easy time of it.


    Melvin dropped Jocelyn off and then left for other business.


    Jocelyn returned her home feeling a bit sheepish; the more she tried to hide, the more likely she was to


    be discovered.


    ¡°Wow, look at the size of that diamond!¡± Quinta was the first to notice, grabbing her hand in awe. ¡°How


    many carats is that?¡±


    Jocelyn bit her lip and was embarrassed. ¡°I¡¯m not sure, actually.¡±


    ¡°Definitely didn¡¯te cheap.¡± Quinta remarked, admiring the ring. ¡°Did he just buy it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Jocelyn admitted with a shy smile.


    Quinta gave her a yful nudge. ¡°He proposed?¡±


    That was a tough one for Jocelyn to answer.


    Sort of.


    But strictly speaking, it didn¡¯t exactly seem like a proposal.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. The thing is, when a man gives a woman a ring, it means he wants to marry you.¡±


    Quinta said, hugging Jocelyn¡¯s shoulder reassuringly and turning to the still stunned Calvin and Daisy,


    ¡°Aunt, Uncle, you can rest easy now. That ring isn¡¯t just for show. I bet we¡¯ll be nning a wedding


    soon.¡±


    Jocelyn blushed and looked down. The joys she had been suppressing now burst forth.


    ¡°It is wonderful news.¡± Aunt Mae agreed with a beaming smile. ¡°Jocelyn getting married means we¡¯re


    getting old.¡±


    ¡°Auntie, it¡¯s not certain yet.¡± Jocelyn interjected, happy but not wanting to make a fuss before things


    were official.


    The engagement wasn¡¯t set in stone as Melvin hadn¡¯t explicitly confirmed, and Melvin¡¯s family hadn¡¯t


    even met her parents yet.


    Although there were no more parental arranged marriages, it was still important to know a little about


    his family background.


    Seeing the ring on Jocelyn¡¯s hand, her mom, Daisy, felt somewhat reassured about Melvin¡¯s previous


    nonmittal attitude.


    ¡°There¡¯s no rush. We¡¯ve got to meet his parents before moving forward with wedding ns.¡± Daisy said


    rationally. ¡°We can¡¯t just think about marriage without even having met his family. Our Jocelyn never


    lack better choices.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. There¡¯s a proper process and etiquette that must be observed.¡± Aunt Mae concurred. ¡°We


    need to meet his parents and see what they¡¯re like. You can tell a lot about a person by meeting their


    parents.¡±


    Jocelyn thought for a moment before adding, ¡°His mother¡­ she¡¯s no longer with us.¡±


    Silence fell upon the room at her words.


    ¡°Gone? Was it an illness or an ident?¡± her aunt asked casually.


    Jocelyn shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°How can you not know anything?¡± Daisy frowned. ¡°What kind of rtionship have you had these past


    years?¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s head hung in the face of the interrogation.


    Aunt Mae quickly interjected, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t say this, but no mother-inw isn¡¯t always a bad thing. There


    are always conflicts between mother-inw and daughter-inw. Without a mother-inw, there¡¯s less


    trouble.¡±


    ¡°Mom, you can¡¯t say that outside.¡± Quinta warned her mother. ¡°Sure, there are many conflicts, but


    remember, the mother-inw is the mother of the person you love. That could really hurt someone¡¯s


    feelings if they heard you say that.¡±


    Aunt Mae knew her words were improper, but she was too stubborn to back down. ¡°I¡¯m just telling it like


    it is. Sure, it¡¯s not nice to hear, but it¡¯s the truth. If you luck out with an easy-going mother-inw, fine.


    But if you get one like yours, tell me, how can you live a peaceful life?¡±


    Quinta frowned, clearly not wanting to continue this line of conversation.


    ¡°Let¡¯s drop it. If marriage is on the cards, we need to get the full picture of the family first. Don¡¯t just


    jump into it without knowing where you stand.¡± Daisy looked sympathetically at Jocelyn.


    Her thoughts inevitably drifted back to Harrison.


    After all, Harrison¡¯s talents, family background, upbringing, and personality all pointed to a very happy


    household.


    The happiness of a well-adjusted family does rub off on the children. At the very least, things like


    temperament and disposition would probably not be too far off the mark, given the environment they¡¯re


    raised in.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t they say he started his ownpany at a young age? Muste from good stock. Even with


    his mom passed away, that doesn¡¯t change things.¡± Aunt Mae tried to reassure Jocelyn. ¡°Your parents


    just want the best for you. Maybe it¡¯s time to bring it up with him. You two have been together for a


    while now, and honestly, you¡¯re at the age where marriage is the next step. Better to get things settled


    sooner rather thanter, just to put your parents¡¯ minds at ease.¡±


    Any joy that Melvin had brought Jocelyn was gone after this heavy conversation.


    She nodded with her spirits dampened, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll think about it.¡±

 Chapter 171

    Chapter 171


    That night, Jocelyn cooked dinner at home, but Melvin didn¡¯t show up.


    He had been practically living at the hospital the past few days. So he must have left a backlog of work


    piling up at the office.


    Melvin mentioned he¡¯d booked a hotel for her uncle¡¯s family. They could check in anytime.


    Aunt Mae couldn¡¯t stop praising him, ¡°He¡¯s so thoughtful.¡±


    After dinner, Jocelyn drove Uncle Hank and the others to the hotel. It was conveniently close to her


    parents¡¯ home.


    Once they were settled in, Quinta walked Jocelyn out.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Quinta approached, concerns in her tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°You and Melvin are finally back together. Don¡¯t bottle things up. Talk to him if there¡¯s misunderstanding


    between you. You know, silence only makes things worse,¡± Quinta said, holding Jocelyn¡¯s hand gently.


    ¡°As I can see, he¡¯s trying to make things right.¡±


    Jocelyn felt weighed down. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I think his family situation might not be as picture-perfect as we


    imagined. And I¡¯m not talking about money.¡±


    ¡°I get it,¡± Quinta said with a knowing look. ¡°Because he hasn¡¯t opened up, you¡¯re left in the dark, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Listen. Your parents never cared about wealth but only your happiness. A person¡¯s family background


    matters indeed, but the person himself matters more, right?¡± Quinta tried to reassure her.


    Jocelyn knew this, but she sensed that Melvin was hiding something-secrets that might have


    everything to do with his reluctance to face marriage.


    ¡°Come on, stop worrying,¡± Quinta patted her shoulder and nced outside. ¡°Look, he¡¯sing.¡±


    Jocelyn turned to see Melvin¡¯s car pulling up.


    ¡°Talk to him about your parents¡¯ wishes when you get a chance. He should be prepared,¡± Quinta


    whispered. ¡°If you two are in this for the long haul, you¡¯ve got to face these issues sooner orter.


    There¡¯s no running away.¡±


    Melvin stepped out, nodded at Quinta in greeting and asked, ¡°Everything settled?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jocelyn calmed her nerves and turned to Quinta. ¡°Get some rest. I¡¯ll pick you guys up for a fun


    day out tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother. We¡¯re heading back tomorrow morning. Look after your parents and get yourself some


    rest.¡± Quinta said with a smile, patting Jocelyn¡¯s shoulder and waving at Melvin. ¡°Take her home, will


    you?¡±


    Melvin nodded, took Jocelyn¡¯s hand and left.


    On the drive back, Jocelyn asked if he¡¯d been swamped with work.


    Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s manageable,¡± Melvin replied, ncing at the ring on her finger. ¡°Getting used to it?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    He took her hand, touching her ring finger.


    She looked at the ring and chuckled, ¡°Feels a bit heavy.¡±


    Melvinughed and held her hand tighter. ¡°If we weren¡¯t in a rush, it would¡¯ve been bigger.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯d have to walk around with my finger held high all the time,¡± Jocelyn joked.


    He found that amusing too.


    They were really happy in that moment, as long as the word ¡°marriage¡± wasn¡¯t mentioned.


    ¡°Go to my ce. It¡¯s weekend tomorrow,¡± Melvin said, not giving her other choices and steering the car


    towards his house.


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t mind.


    Their rtionship was out in the open now. It didn¡¯t matter where they went to.


    Once in the elevator, Melvin couldn¡¯t resist kissing her passionately. His urgent breath left Jocelyn a bit


    overwhelmed.


    /


    She gently pushed him away, leaned against the wall to catch her breath, and nced up at the


    camera in the corner. ¡°It¡¯s filming.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Melvin said, burying his face in her neck and sucking gently on her skin.


    A soft moan escaped Jocelyn, and that was all Melvin needed. The elevator doors opened, and he


    can¡¯t wait to carry her toward his apartment.


    ¡°Shower? Melvin whispered, kissing her earlobe.


    Her breath hitched, and she whispered back, ¡°Yes¡±


    They headed to the bathroom together.


    The sound of water echoed off the tiles, mixed with their heavy breathing-a deep longing and fierce


    desire unleashing between


    Their silhouettes ovepped on the frosted ss, each yearning to give themselves entirely to the


    other


    Afterward, Melvin carried Jocelyn to bed, holding her close and kissing her forehead gently. He let out a


    contented sigh


    ¡°Thinking about marriage?¡± his deep voice rumbled in her ear.


    Jocelyn was almost asleep when his words jolted her awake.


    She looked up at him, making out his features even in the dark, and said, ¡°I want to marry your


    She had always wanted to marry, but it was his asional questioning of its necessity that gave her


    pause.


    Melvin intertwined his fingers with hers, his gaze intense in the darkness.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Jocelyn stiffened. Her body was freezing.


    She tried to sit up to see if he was joking, but Melvin held her head down. As shey back in his arms,


    she could hear his hearte was erratic.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious,¡± he said, hugging her tightly. ¡°Let¡¯s get married.¡±


    His firm resolve echoed in the darkness.


    Jocelyn was overwhelmed by emotions, as if she had witnessed two of life¡¯s most beautiful moments in


    a single day.


    She held back her excitement and asked, ¡°Are you


    serious?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Melvin¡¯s voice was low but serious. ¡°Let¡¯s go for registration first, and we can have the wedding


    ceremonyter, okay?¡±


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t even thinking about the wedding at the moment. It didn¡¯t really matter to her whether


    she had a wedding ceremony or


    not.


    What she craved was the man before her.


    To be with someone she loved was the most important celebration, not needing a marked date or a


    prescribed routine to dere the joyousmencement of their shared life. Such ceremonial fanfare


    held no allure for her


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jocelyn murmured, without a trace of resistance.


    Her love for this man had spanned an eternity. Her desire to be his wife was unwavering


    Marriage was her deration to the world that he was her man, her partner for life.


    Melvin wrapped his arms around Jocelyn with an intensity that seemed to want to fuse her into his very


    being


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Jocelyn suddenly tapped his shoulder. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s breath quickened, not with the heat of desire, but with an emotion quite different.


    Suddenly, he pushed her aside, swung his legs off the bed and strode to the bathroom.


    Confused, Jocelyn flicked on the light and followed him to the bathroom door. ¡°Melvin?¡± she called out.

 Chapter 172

    Chapter 172


    Melvin answered from the inside, but he didn¡¯te to the door right away.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s voice carried a mix of concern and impatience.


    After a few moments, Melvin finally opened the door.


    He looked like he had just sshed water on his face. He went to pour himself a ss of water to


    drink.


    Jocelyn followed, sensing something was off. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± Melvin set the ss down and wrapped his arms around her waist. ¡°Let¡¯s head to bed.¡±


    Once they were in bed, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t shake her concern. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Or maybe I should prove it to you again?¡± He yfully rolled on top of her.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t handle his teasing and immediately dodged.


    Thankfully, Melvin was just scaring her for fun and didn¡¯t go any further,


    ¡°Sleep.¡± He kissed her forehead gently and patted her like one would soothe a little baby.


    Exhausted both physically and mentally, Jocelyn soon drifted off to sleep under his calming touch.


    Listening to the steady breathing of the woman beside him, Melvin was wide awake.


    It was a while before he slowly disentangled himself from her and stealthily got out of bed to head to


    the study, closing the door behind him.


    Then, he made a call.


    ¡°Dr. La, my heart palpitations acted up again.¡±


    Jocelyn slept in until past ten the next morning. It was a deep and satisfying slumber.


    When she awoke, Melvin was already out of bed. She found clothesid out for her in the closet, from


    underwear to outerwear.


    She chose a casual outfit and went to freshen up.


    Noticing there wasn¡¯t a towel, she opened the cab and found a tiny white bottle that looked like it


    held medicine, but with nobel to identify its contents.


    She hesitated but decided not to touch it, cing it back where it was.


    After washing up, she stepped out to find no one in the living room or the kitchen.


    ¡°Melvin?¡±


    She searched every room but couldn¡¯t find him.


    Returning to the bedroom, she grabbed her phone to call him. There was a message from an unknown


    number, which piqued her curiosity.


    It contained several photos of Willow and Melvin, clearly taken together.


    Even though Melvin wasn¡¯t looking at the camera, was evident that he was okay with the photos being


    taken.


    There were several pictures of them together. They were not overtly intimate, yet still revealed a special


    bond between them.


    Jocelyn ignored the message, not bothering to delete them. She knew it was from Willow.


    She called Melvin, who answered promptly.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± Jocelyn asked.


    ¡°At the office,¡± Melvin replied. ¡°Give me ten minutes, and I¡¯lle to pick you up for lunch.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Jocelyn sat in the living room, browsing through the photos sent by Willow again.


    Melvin¡¯s eyes in the past didn¡¯t carry the shadows they did now.


    1


    What had happened to cast such darkness over him?


    Jocelyn zoomed in on Melvin¡¯s face, pondering the depth of his past rtionship with Willow. It was a


    pity, she thought, that Willow¡¯s inability to ept Melvin¡¯s current attitude had likely destroyed what was


    once unique between them.


    Letting go of her phone, she touched the ring on her finger. Whatever Willow sent didn¡¯t matter


    anymore. Melvin had promised their


    12-071


    marriage.


    Not overly superstitious, Jocelyn still liked to consult the calendar for a good day to register their


    marriage.


    As she browsed dates, the sound of the front door indicated Melvin¡¯s return.


    She looked up as he entered.


    ¡°It¡¯s a bit chilly outside. Better put on a coat,¡± Melvin suggested.


    Jocelyn quickly fetched a thick coat and hurried toward him.


    They left together, with Melvin inquiring what she felt like eating. Jocelyn searched local eateries online


    and suggested a new bistro nearby.


    Melvin agreed.


    After parking, they walked into the bistro together. Two more people entered when they were about to


    be shown to their table.


    One was Harrison, the other was someone Jocelyn didn¡¯t recognize.


    sping Melvin¡¯s arm, Jocelyn¡¯s presence seemed to sting Harrison a bit.


    ¡°What a coincidence,¡± Harrison greeted them withposed civility.


    Jocelyn worried Melvin might read too much into the encounter, responding politely, ¡°We saw online


    that this bistro was newly open ande to give it a try.¡±


    ¡°We too,¡± Harrison said, his expression tightening briefly at the sight of Jocelyn¡¯s ring.


    ¡°Care to join us, Harrison?¡±


    Melvin made no extra gesture to irk Harrison. Jocelyn¡¯s close hold was irritating enough.


    Harrison declined. ¡°No, thank you.¡±.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll take our seats,¡± Melvin said amicably.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    After a slight nod to Harrison, Jocelyn followed Melvin to their table.


    Their table was right next to Harrison¡¯s, which made for an awkward proximity.


    Melvin paid no mind to Harrison and let Jocelyn take the lead in ordering.


    Yet it was Jocelyn who felt the least at ease. Her rtionship with Melvin was open and honest, but she


    was aware of Harrison¡¯s feelings for her. This encounter made her feel strangely ufortable.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Melvin asked, taking her hand. ¡°Feeling uneasy?¡±


    Jocelyn was struck by how perceptive he was.


    ¡°No,¡± she lied, lowering her head to read the menu.


    Harrison seemed to ignore them, engrossed in conversation with his colleague.


    Once the food arrived, Jocelyn ate as fast as she could, eager to escape from this ce.


    Melvin seemed to genuinely like the dishes, taking his time as if he were savoring every bite.


    At the neighboring booth, Harrison and his colleagues were deep in conversation, punctuated by the


    asionalugh as they enjoyed their burgers and fries.


    ¡°I need to use the restroom,¡± Jocelyn said, feeling a bit restless.


    Melvin nodded.


    Once Jocelyn stepped out of the oddly tense atmosphere of the diner, she took a deep breath of relief.


    Upon exiting the restroom, she spotted Harrison standing there as if waiting for someone,


    When he caught sight of her, his gaze locked onto her almost immediately.


    ¡°You here for¡­?¡± Jocelyn gestured vaguely towards the bathroom behind her, scrambling for some sort


    of small talk.


    Harrison cracked a smile. ¡°You seem to be avoiding me today.¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not it,¡± Jocelyn rushed to deny before trailing off.


    Harrison waited patiently for her to concoct an excuse.


    As she stumbled over her words, the kindness in his eyes behind his sses was evident, mixed with a


    hint of amusement. ¡°You got what you were seeking, and it¡¯s great. We¡¯re still friends, and you should


    share the good news with me. There¡¯s no need to feel


    awkward.¡±


    In front of Harrison, Jocelyn realized how narrow-minded she had been.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she apologized for her earlier pettiness.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to be sorry about? If you¡¯re avoiding me, it means you feel quilty,¡± Harrison consoled her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. We were just testing the waters. It¡¯s not like we were truly an item.¡±


    Taking a step closer, Harrison gently rested his hand on her shoulder. ¡°ce no pressure on yourself.


    We¡¯re friends, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jocelyn nodded, reassured.


    Harrison withdrew his hand. His gaze fell once more on the ring on her finger. ¡°So¡­ when can I expect


    to toast to your wedding?¡±


    Harrison¡¯s candid remarks lifted the weight off Jocelyn¡¯s shoulders.


    She felt his sincere wishes for her happiness.


    After all, Harrison knew how much she loved Melvin and how hard her journey to this moment had


    been.


    ¡°We¡¯re nning to register first. The wedding celebration will followter,¡± Jocelyn didn¡¯t hide their


    ns.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Harrison nodded thoughtfully. ¡°That¡¯s good. It¡¯s already a big step for him to decide to marry you. He


    surely won¡¯t let you down.¡±


    Touching the ring on her finger, Jocelyn¡¯s face lit up with a sweet, blissful smile.


    As if drawn by an unseen force, she looked up and saw Melvin standing in a distance. Her heart


    skipped a beat, fearing he might misunderstand the situation. But he was smiling confidently, reaching


    out his hand to her.

 Chapter 173

    Chapter 173


    Harrison watched as Jocelyn sauntered over to Melvin, who gazed at her with a look so tender that it


    could melt butter. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and as they turned to leave, Melvin shot a


    triumphant nce back at Harrison. His smirk was a silent taunt, proudly proiming his ce by


    Jocelyn¡¯s side.


    They slipped out of the bistro and went back into the car. Once the engine hummed to life, Melvin¡¯s


    curiosity got the better of him. ¡°What did you tell him?¡±


    ¡°Not much,¡± Jocelyn said with a shrug, ¡°just that we¡¯re better off as friends.¡±


    Melvin chuckled, steering onto the road. ¡°Friends, huh? That¡¯s just an excuse to keep someone on the


    back burner.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s eyes twinkled with mischief. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Scared he¡¯s gonna steal me away?¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± Melvin scoffed. ¡°I was here first. Why should I be scared?¡±


    She smirked, her lips curling in amusement. ¡°Quite confident, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Who else would you want when you¡¯ve got me?¡± he retorted.


    ¡°Well, what if you dump me one day?¡± Jocelyn quipped with a teasing pout. ¡°I can¡¯t be expected to pine


    for you forever.¡±


    Melvin frowned, ¡°Why would I ever let you go? Unless you don¡¯t want me.¡±


    Jocelynughed off his charm. ¡°But mark my words, if you ever dare to dump me, I¡¯m not the type to


    revisit old mes.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Melvin said, gripping her hand with an intensity that brooked no argument. ¡°You¡¯re the only


    one for me.¡±


    Jocelyn loved these cheesy lines.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be friends with him,¡± Melvin said abruptly. ¡°When a guy wants to just be friends¡¯ with a girl he


    couldn¡¯t have, he¡¯s usually lying in


    wait.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just not give him the chance?¡± Jocelyn teased, eager to see him squirm. ¡°Besides, you


    have Willow as a ¡®friend.¡¯ Why should I stop making friends?¡±


    That was an old score waiting to be settled.


    Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Melvin scowled, ¡°There¡¯s nothing romantic between Willow and me.¡±


    ¡°But she¡¯s got a thing for you,¡± Jocelyn stood her ground. ¡°With all the history you two have, if you can


    manage to keep it tonic, surely Harrison and I can be friends without an issue.¡±


    Melvin nced at her, finding her too cheerful and obviously enjoying the difort she was causing


    him.


    ¡°It¡¯s not the same.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s it different?¡±


    ¡°Men have primal desires, and mine are for you alone,¡± Melvin dered, as if asserting his fidelity to


    Jocelyn meant downying himself as a beast of sorts.


    Jocelyn burst intoughter. She still had her arguments ready. ¡°Desire doesn¡¯t discriminate between


    men and women. Otherwise, Willow wouldn¡¯t do that thing to you.¡±


    Melvin fell silent.


    ¡°Makes sense, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Jocelyn loved to see him at a loss for words.


    After a moment, she spoke again, ¡°Wait ¡¯til we get home. I¡¯ve got something to show you.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Melvin¡¯s bravado had deted.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see. Don¡¯t want it to distract you while driving,¡± she replied calmly.


    Melvin couldn¡¯t fathom what she had up her sleeve.


    Back at her apartment, Melvin watched her expectantly. ¡°What did you want to show me? It isn¡¯t some


    kinky surprise, is it?¡±


    ¡°Sort of. It¡¯s a st from the past,¡± Jocelyn said as she sat down on the couch and patted the space


    next to her. ¡°Come, have a look.¡±


    Melvin sat down beside her, his face a picture of skepticism.


    Jocelyn handed him her phone, which disyed a message thread. Melvin¡¯s brows furrowed as he


    read through it.


    ¡°How about that? Isn¡¯t she ambitious?¡± Jocelyn¡¯s chin rested on his shoulder, smirking at the photos.


    ¡°You two do make a cute couple.¡± Melvin made a move to delete the message.


    Jocelyn snatched the phone back. ¡°Why delete it? It¡¯s part of your youth. It¡¯s a treasure to keep.¡±


    Melvin took a deep breath, his gaze locking with Jocelyn¡¯s nonchnt expression. He pressed her back


    onto the couch with firm resolve. ¡°Willow and I are just friends.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I believe you,¡± Jocelyn replied, surprisingly agreeable.


    But Melvin sensed something amiss. ¡°We were just neighbors when they moved in next to us.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯ve known each other for ages. Must be close friends of childhood.¡±


    Melvin exined in a suppressed voice ¡°No, we were both adults when we first met.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so it¡¯s ate-blooming friendship, Jocelyn nodded. ¡°I get it.¡±


    Melvin felt she understood, yet she wasn¡¯t letting the issue go.


    ¡°Adults know how to develop romance out of friendship, Jocelyn added with a sh of mocking in her


    eyes.


    Melvin was left speechless.


    Jocelyn had conjured up a whole drama in her head, entertained by her own imaginings.


    ¡°Don¡¯t frown. I truly do understand. She¡¯s into you, but you¡¯re not into her,¡± Jocelyn rified. ¡°That¡¯s


    why I truly get it.¡±


    Melvin looked at her suspiciously.


    Jocelyn smiled, her hands framing his face. ¡°You¡¯ve seen it yourself. She sends me pictures of you two


    from time to time to annoy me. Imagine if an old me of mine kept sending you pictures of us back in


    the day. Would you be cool with that?¡±


    Jocelyn wasn¡¯t being unreasonable. She was just making a point.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even get me started. You get worked up over a few words I talked with Harrison, Jocelyn


    continued. ¡°You¡¯re handsome, I¡¯m pretty. It¡¯s normal for people to be attracted to us. As long as we


    maintain boundaries and don¡¯t cross lines, I think it¡¯s not worth sweating over. What do you think?¡±


    Melvin¡¯s eyes narrowed as he tried to read her true intentions.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that, I¡¯m dead serious,¡± Jocelyn said as she caressed his face. ¡°But, grown-ups


    gotta have boundaries, babe. You need to have a word with Willow, tell her to stop messing around. I


    love you. Unless you push me away, I¡¯m not letting go.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s sudden deration tightened Melvin¡¯s throat. He was deeply moved, and all the words he


    had in his mind condensed into a single word, ¡°Okay.¡±


    With that, he leaned down and kissed her lips tenderly.


    Step by step, he invited her to a dance of intertwining breaths andughter with him.


    After what felt like an eternity, Melvin finally broke the kiss. Looking at her plump lips, he couldn¡¯t resist


    taking another taste. His nose brushed against hers, and his husky voice was wrapping around her like


    velvet, ¡°I am yours, and yours alone.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart clenched, a sensation of delightful suffocation took over her.


    She couldn¡¯t help but wrap her arms around his neck. Her cheeks were burning as she whispered in his


    ear, ¡°Honey¡­¡±


    At that word, Melvin lit up like a fuse. A rush of blood roared through his veins, like an electric current


    zipping from his feet to his heart, then shooting up to his head before cascading down all over him. He


    was enveloped in an indescribable tingling sensation.


    No longer able to contain himself, he picked her up and made his way to the bedroom. Heid her


    down and hastily undid her clothes. He gave out a maic whisper, ¡°I need you¡­¡±

 Chapter 174

    Chapter 174


    It seemed that their sweet whispers today had struck a chord unlike any other. Jocelyn and Melvin were


    more passionate than ever in their lovemaking.


    They explored each other with an intensity that was both fervent and tender, their synchronized breaths


    painting the room with an electric excitement. They kept the lights on, basking in the glow that


    illuminated every expression, every contour of pleasure that crossed their faces.


    Jocelyn was surpased by how much she reveled in the brightness of the room. It was far from the


    veiled intimacy of darkness. It was a raw exposure that tantalized every sense, an addiction that was


    hard to quit.


    Melvin, ever so controlled, never crossed the final threshold. Each time she thought they were at the


    brink, he would rein it back, though never at the expense of her ecstasy.


    He whispered huskily into her ear, ¡°You¡¯re all mine¡­¡±


    That sultry voice sent shivers down her spine. She clung to him, murmuring coyly and breathlessly,


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    It was as if a mighty army poised for battle had finally received its orders. What followed was a


    relentless onught, unstoppable and utterly consuming until there was nothing left but surrender.


    The sheets were drenched.


    Exhausted to the bone, Jocelyn felt as though Melvin had melted her very skeleton.


    Melvin wrapped his arms around her from behind, his breath hot against her ear, his presence an


    intoxicating warmth.


    His hand gently rested on her abdomen as he asked in a gravelly voice, ¡°Is your perioding soon?¡±


    With her eyes closed, Jocelyn counted the date and then nodded, ¡°I think so.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like that.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The condom. Even the thinnest barrier is still a barrier.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t want to talk about it.


    But she couldn¡¯t deny the truth in his words. The sensation was indeed different.


    Perhaps because they were so consumed by each other, they fell asleep without bothering to clean up.


    Jocelyn had to attend school the following day.


    Thankfully, it wasn¡¯t like the first time. Even after a wild night, she was still able to get out of bed.


    After a refreshing shower, she approached the still-sleeping Melvin and smiled, leaving a kiss on his


    lips.


    Just as she turned to leave, Melvin caught her hand, his eyes bleary with sleep. ¡°Where are you off to?¡±


    ¡°Work,¡± Jocelyn nced at the clock. ¡°Let go of my hand, I¡¯m runningte.¡±


    Melvin held on, ¡°When will you be back?¡±


    ¡°By noon,¡± she patted his hand. ¡°Stop it, I really have to go.¡±


    Reluctantly, he released her, ¡°Lunch together?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll have to be quick.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Bye now.¡±


    ¡°Bye.¡±


    Hey there and hugged her pillow, watching her with watery eyes.


    Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help butugh as she closed the door behind her, ¡°You don¡¯t do pitiful well.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not an act, I really am,¡± Melvin¡¯s morning voice wasced with a husky bubble, irresistibly sexy.


    She pressed her lips together, holding back a smile, ¡°Whatever.¡± With that, she shut the door.


    Melvin chuckled to himself. He decided to catch a few more winks, but the stickiness on his skin was


    too much. He went for a shower and changed the sheets. Once done, he was no longer dozy. He


    settled into the living room and dialed Willow¡¯s number.


    Willow was taken aback by the unexpected invitation from Melvin. She dressed with care before


    heading out.


    Melvin had chosen a quaint little caf¨¦, a pet project of their mutual friend Zephyr. The ce was infused


    with the delicate aroma of


    Chapte


    coffee and antiquity, though seldom frequented.


    In such a fast-paced city, running a caf¨¦ like this was akin to a yful hobby.


    When Willow arrived, the coffee was already brewing.


    Melvin asked the server to leave them be, preferring to pour the coffee himself.


    A piano yer was employed by the caf¨¦. The sound of music added a touch of elegance to the


    atmosphere.


    ¡°Why did you want to meet?¡± Willow asked, barely containing her excitement.


    Melvin handed her a cup of coffee, ¡°I can forget what you did to mest time and take it as a sign of


    your true feelings.¡±


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Willow¡¯s smile faded as she stared into her cup.


    Her eyes downcast, conveying a sense of sorrow, ¡°You know I¡¯ve always been sincere about my


    feelings for you. Yet, you still chose to hurt me.¡±


    Melvin regarded her coolly, ¡°We¡¯ve known each other long enough, no need for pretenses.¡±


    Caught off guard, Willow looked up in disbelief.


    Melvin sipped his coffee, appreciating Zephyr¡¯s taste. The vor lingered pleasantly with a subtle


    sweetness to savor.


    ¡°I¡¯m grateful for the time you stood by me when my family was in trouble. You left when I was at my


    lowest, and I could understand,¡± he said seriously. ¡°I was fond of you when we were younger, but that


    was all it was. Had you stayed during my darkest days, perhaps things might have been different. But


    clearly, we were not meant to be together.¡±


    Willow furrowed her brow, attempting to justify herself, ¡°I left with the hope of making something of


    myself, so I could help you.¡±


    Unmoved by her exnation, Melvin stated tly, ¡°I don¡¯t care about the reasons. Today I just want to


    remind you not to disturb Jocelyn, and to stop sending her those messages. If you cherish the


    memories of our youth, don¡¯t use them to harm others.¡±


    Willow¡¯s face contorted with difort. She hadn¡¯t expected Jocelyn to show Melvin the messages


    she sent.


    ¡°What you¡¯ve done is of no use.¡± Melvin stated inly.


    Willow¡¯s joy of meeting Melvin vanished and was reced by the sting of his words.


    Melvin was done sparing her feelings. From the moment she drugged him, he saw no reason to


    preserve her dignity.


    He poured another cup, his gaze fixed on Willow, ¡°I only terminated your contract with my brand. You¡¯re


    free to pursue other endorsements. I haven¡¯t used my influence to cklist you, which is more than


    generous, considering your wrongdoings. If you keep harassing Jocelyn, don¡¯t me me for not


    reminding you.¡±


    His tone was light, but the implication heavy.


    Willow sensed his seriousness. With Melvin¡¯s current status, he could easily ruin her career.


    ¡°Do you love her that much?¡± Willow asked, clutching her heart with the most painful question, yet the


    one she needed to hear the most.


    Melvin didn¡¯t want to discuss his rtionship with Jocelyn, especially not with someone like Willow.


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business,¡± Melvin said tersely, putting down his coffee cup and rising from the table.


    His gaze dropped to meet hers, cold and warning. ¡°Don¡¯t push me; Willow. I¡¯m sure you can¡¯t handle


    the consequences.¡±


    With those final words, he strode out of the caf¨¦.


    Willow remained seated, she felt a pang of pain clutched at her chest.


    She felt the full force of Melvin¡¯s disdain, as if he had grabbed her dignity and thrown it to the ground,


    trampling it beneath his feet.


    And all these were only for that woman.


    The sound of the piano continued to fill the space, its notes poignant and rich. It was a piece that


    deserved undivided attention, capable of soothing the most troubled soul with its celestial harmony.


    But Willow¡¯s mind was too agitated to appreciate the music.


    Despite her resentment, her current standing and status didn¡¯t allow her the luxury of confronting


    Melvin. She felt an oppressive frustration building up inside her, with nowhere to vent and no one to


    turn to. She had no choice but to swallow her bitterness alone.

 Chapter 175

    Chapter 175


    At noon, Melvin picked up Jocelyn for lunch before dropping her back off at school.


    ¡°What time do you get off work tonight?¡± he asked as she was getting out of the car.


    Jocelyn pondered for a moment, ¡°Probably around 6:30.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not up for craziness tonight,¡± she reminded him. ¡°I have to proctor exams tomorrow.¡±


    She had been dozing off in ss all day today.


    Melvin¡¯s lips curled into a smug smile, ¡°I¡¯m just introducing you to some folks, then you can head home


    and hit the hay.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned, ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± he said, enjoying the suspense.


    Knowing she was pressed for time and he was ying coy, Jocelyn let it go.


    That night, when she finished her work, Jocelyn walked out of the school gates with Urs.


    Urs spotted Melvin¡¯s car and chuckled, ¡°He¡¯s been quite the show-offtely.¡±


    Jocelyn grinned, ¡°A bit, yeah.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m curious, what did you do to make him change his mind so suddenly?¡± Urs teased, eyeing the


    modest ring on Jocelyn¡¯s finger. ¡°It might be small, but it¡¯s the thought that counts.¡±


    Jocelyn didn¡¯t care about the size of the ring. Given the rush of that day, it was already more than


    enough.


    ¡°I honestly have no idea.¡±


    ¡°I bet it¡¯s the pressure,¡± Urs joked. ¡°With a catch like Harrison chasing after you, he must be


    anxious.¡±


    Whether it was Harrison or something else that spurred Melvin on, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t tell. All she knew


    was that she was happy now.


    There¡¯s no greater joy than being with the one you love.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯m off. See you tomorrow,¡± Jocelyn said as she noticed Melvin getting out of the car and


    waved goodbye to Urs.


    ¡°See you,¡± Urs replied, waving to Melvin as well before heading to her own car.


    Melvin wrapped his arm around Jocelyn¡¯s waist, ¡°What were you two gossiping about?¡±


    ¡°Nothing much. Just that you¡¯ve been quite sensibletely.¡±


    ¡°Sensibletely?¡± Melvin opened the car door for her. ¡°Aren¡¯t I always sensible?¡±


    Jocelyn buckled her seat belt, ¡°Sure, keep telling yourself that.¡±


    Melvin shut the car door and settled into the driver¡¯s seat, ¡°So, where exactly have I beencking in


    sense?¡±


    ¡°Nowhere at all,¡± Jocelyn said, not in the mood to banter.


    ¡°Evasive,¡± Melvin said as he started the car.


    ¡°Best not to argue,¡± Jocelyn replied.


    Melvin huffed, ¡°Is that all women talk about? Men?¡±


    ¡°What else?¡±


    ¡°What specifics?¡± Melvin¡¯s curiosity piqued.


    ¡°And what do you men talk about when you¡¯re together? Women?¡±


    ¡°We talk about work, investments, but not women.¡±


    Jocelyn rolled her eyes, not buying a word of it.


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    They pulled up to a private club, and Melvin led her inside with a firm hand on her back.


    Jocelyn loved the feeling of being led by him. No need for introductions, yet everyone knew where they


    stood.


    This kind of public disy was new to them. Their intimacy had always been private ¨C just between


    them or in the dark.


    As they entered, the lively chatter inside came to a sudden halt. Silence ensued. Among the crowd,


    Jocelyn recognized two familiar faces, Zephyr and Yannick. ¡°Melvin, Jocelyn,¡± Zephyr raised a ss to


    them. ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting so long.¡±


    Jocelyn was perplexed.


    Melvin pushed the ss away, ¡°No drink for me. I brought you all together to introduce her. This is


    Jocelyn, my girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hear it, guys! Greet thedy!¡± Zephyr encouraged.


    On cue, the group chorused a jovial ¡°Hi, Jocelyn!¡±


    Jocelyn was taken aback. Looking to Melvin, she felt like she was in a dream.


    ¡°Why are you staring?¡± Melvin¡¯s arm held her tightly. ¡°They¡¯re greeting you.¡±


    Tears pricked Jocelyn¡¯s eyes.


    She knew this introduction meant she was truly entering Melvin¡¯s world.


    After years of waiting, it was finally happening.


    She felt the warmth in her eyes and a flutter of nervousness, wondering if she should hand out gifts


    now that it¡¯s the first time they met.


    Fumbling in her purse, she said sheepishly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t bring anything.¡±


    The room erupted inughter.


    ¡°Jocelyn, don¡¯t make it wrong. How could we let you bring gifts to us?¡± Zephyr quickly interjected.


    ¡°Boys, where are your gifts for our guest?¡±


    One by one, they brought out bags of all sizes and ced them before Jocelyn.


    Overwhelmed, she clung to Melvin¡¯s hand, not knowing what to say.


    ¡°Leave the gifts here. Zephyr, drop them off at my ceter. Have fun, guys. We¡¯re heading out,¡±


    Melvin said, pulling Jocelyn away.


    ¡°But we just started getting to know her,¡± Zephyr protested.


    ¡°She¡¯s got to rest for tomorrow¡¯s exam duty,¡± Melvin replied.


    epting the exnation, Zephyr backed off, ¡°Come back after you drop her off, then.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Melvin said, escorting Jocelyn out. ¡°Have a good time. Put it on my tab.¡±


    Without looking back, they left.


    Inside, everyone was just as dazed.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s enjoy ourselves,¡± Zephyr told the group. ¡°Melvin bringing Jocelyn here means he sees us


    as family. Remember now, if you ever upset Melvin, you¡¯ve got an extra lifeline now.¡±


    They all nodded in understanding.


    Zephyr sat down next to Yannick, who had a cigarette dangling from his lips. Snatching it, Zephyr took


    a drag and offered his drink.


    Yannick nced at him, uninterested.


    Zephyr frowned.


    Reluctantly, Yannick epted the drink.


    ¡°He¡¯s dead serious, man.¡± Zephyr let out a sigh as he watched from afar, an envious tone in his voice.


    ¡°Good for him, breaking down


    those walls.¡±


    Yannick didn¡¯t respond. He just swirled his ss slowly.


    Blowing smoke rings into the air, Zephyr mused, ¡°I envy that kind of love. The kind that¡¯s not afraid to


    shine in the daylight.¡±


    Yannick¡¯s swirling motion halted, and he turned to look at Zephyr. His eyes revealed a depth of


    unspoken thoughts.


    Jocelyn had the sweetest dream that night.


    In that dream, Melvin was standing at the altar, dressed in a sharp suit. His gaze was filled with tender


    affection.


    And there she was, in a pristine white wedding dress, walking down the aisle with a bouquet of roses in


    her hand.


    He reached out for her, and she ced her hand in his.


    A spotlight shone on them, and he leaned in to kiss her and whispered, ¡°Mrs. Martinez.¡±


    The rm clock buzzed.


    Jocelyn had to wake up from the beautiful dream.


    The moment she opened her eyes, there was Melvin¡¯s face hovering above her, a mischievous smile


    ying on his lips, ¡°What dream had you smiling so?¡±


    embarrassment.


    ¡°You just kissed me,¡± Melvin pointed to his own lips, grinning. ¡°See, they¡¯re still wet.¡±


    Jocelyn was skeptical.


    Melvin persisted, ¡°What was it? A steamy dream?¡±


    Jocelyn red at him, ¡°I need to get up for work.¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t te!! me, I won¡¯t let you up,¡± Melvin said, yfully pinning her down.


    Jocelyn tried to push him off but she couldn¡¯t.


    Melvin made it clear he was hell-bent on finding out what her dream was about.


    With a sigh, Jocelyn gave in, ¡°I dreamed we got married.¡±

 Chapter 176

    Chapter 176


    Jocelyn had already left for work.


    Melvin stood on the balcony and took a drag from his cigarette,


    He had made promises, promises that needed to be kept.


    A knock at the door pulled him away from his thoughts. He strode over to answer it.


    Yara handed him a small bag, ¡°This is from Dr. La, your medicine.¡±


    Melvin took it.


    ¡°Are you heading to the office today?¡±


    He pondered for a moment, then shook his head, ¡°Got some things to handle, won¡¯t make it.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll be off.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    After swallowing two pills from the bag, Melvin grabbed the rest and headed out, tossing them into his


    car¡¯s locker.


    He made a stop at the grocery store, filled his cart to the brim, and then drove to Jocelyn¡¯s parents¡¯


    ce.


    As Daisy was about to step out for some shopping, she was startled to see Melvin standing at her


    doorstep with bags of groceries. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ring the bell? You scared the daylights out of me.¡±


    ¡°I was about to, Daisy.¡± Melvin grinned, ¡°Brought some stuff over, nning on cooking dinner here


    tonight.¡±


    Daisy frowned, puzzled by his behavior.


    But she couldn¡¯t turn away someoneden with groceries, so she let him inside.


    Melvin greeted Calvin, who was lounging in the living room with the TV remote. After setting down the


    bags, Melvin inquired about Calvin¡¯s health over the past few days.


    ¡°Much better, though still not quite right,¡± Calvin admitted, visibly thinner after his illness.


    ¡°The doctor said it¡¯s normal at first, and it¡¯ll improve with time.¡± Melvin replied.


    Calvin nodded, ¡°I know. Got a follow-up appointment tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll drive you,¡± Melvin offered.


    ¡°No need, it¡¯s a short walk from here.¡± Calvin didn¡¯t want to impose, ¡°You¡¯ve got your own business to


    manage, don¡¯t worry about me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all,¡± Melvin insisted. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    Unable to argue, Calvin relented, ¡°We¡¯ll see tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Daisy, why don¡¯t youe keep Calvinpany? Leave dinner to me tonight.¡± Melvin rolled up his


    sleeves and made his way to the kitchen.


    Watching him head into the kitchen, Daisy asked Calvin in a hushed tone, ¡°What¡¯s he up to?¡±


    ¡°No idea,¡± Calvin shrugged, ¡°Let him be.¡±


    Daisy settled next to Calvin, trying to ignore Melvin¡¯s existence, yet her gaze kept wandering to the


    kitchen, ¡°Looks like a silver spoon kid. But he can cook, huh?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter where he¡¯s from. Everyone¡¯s gotta eat,¡± Calvin replied, unconcerned. ¡°He seems aloof,


    but his heart¡¯s kind.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about his heart, I just worry about Jocelyn marrying into his family to be mistreated.¡±


    Daisy had no real issue with Melvin, but she always believed in well-matched marriages. She feared


    that Melvin¡¯s wealth and business acumen might make Jocelyn, a mere teacher, seem undervalued by


    the affluent.


    ¡°Jocelyn loves him, and he loves her. That¡¯s the key. If they¡¯re thinking marriage, they¡¯ll need to


    consider these issues themselves.¡±


    Calvin¡¯s stance was clear, ¡°His family¡¯s attitude towards Jocelyn will depend on Melvin¡¯s treatment of


    her. As long as he doesn¡¯t let her down, nobody will make her feel inferior.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s easy to say, but him¡­¡± Daisy still harbored doubts about Melvin.


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it,¡± Calvinforted her. ¡°Jocelyn chose him, and we should support her. If she ever


    feels wronged, we¡¯ll step in.¡±


    With a heavy sigh, Daisy epted.


    Before she knew the depth of Jocelyn and Melvin¡¯s rtionship, she hadpared Melvin with


    Harrison once. She always felt Melvin wasn¡¯t right for her daughter


    Melvin sent Jocelyn a message, asking her toe home for dinner after work.


    He even sent a video to show her that he was cooking at her parents¡¯ house.


    Jocelyn was surprised when she saw the video.


    What was he up to?


    She hurried home after work.


    Entering the house, she was greeted by the aroma of a delicious meal.


    ¡°Mom, Dad,¡± Jocelyn greeted her parents, who sat on the living room sofa like queen and king. Then


    she turned to see Melvin donning


    her mother¡¯s apron, masterfully handling the kitchen like a chef. She was astounded.


    Stepping into the kitchen, Jocelyn couldn¡¯t help but give him a thumbs-up, ¡°Impressive.¡±


    ttered, Melvin¡¯s chin lifted in pride.


    ¡°You can actually cook? Did the sun rise from the west today?¡± Jocelyn teased, inching closer with


    curiosity.


    Melvin hummed, ¡°Didn¡¯t my cookery prove enoughst time? No need to show off unless the asion


    calls for it.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s the asion today?¡± she asked, intrigued.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough,¡± he replied with a hint of mystery.


    ¡°Always with the secrets,¡± Jocelyn pouted, though her heart fluttered with joy.


    She might not have tasted his cooking before, but the fact that he was here busy in her parents¡¯


    kitchen, must have meant something special.


    Her heart swelled with happiness as she watched him cooking.


    ¡°Why are you staring at me like that?¡± Melvin caught her admiring gaze.


    ¡°You look handsome,¡± she confessed. ¡°A man who works hard is attractive, but a man who cooks is


    even more so.¡±


    Melvin squinted yfully, ¡°Feels like a trap.¡±


    Jocelyn patted his shoulder, ¡°You¡¯ll be taking care of my meals from now on.¡±


    Melvin knew there was a catch in her words.


    ¡°No problem,¡± he chuckled, leaning in to whisper, ¡°but there¡¯s a price to pay for my cooking.¡±


    Jocelyn was well aware of his intentions and scoffed, ¡°You¡¯ve had your share of my cooking before,


    haven¡¯t you?¡±


    Melvin raised his eyebrows in mock surprise and gazed at her.


    Her cheeks turned flushed under his stare, and she red back.


    ¡°Why re at me? It wasn¡¯t my idea,¡± he teased, leaning closer. His voice was sultry, ¡°Jocelyn, you¡¯re a


    bit naughty, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Jocelyn clenched her teeth and sneakily pinched Melvin¡¯s waist.


    Melvin chuckled, seemingly unfazed by the gesture.


    The pair lingered in the kitchen, and Daisy nced back at them briefly before quickly refocusing her


    attention.


    Calvin said with a smile, ¡°Look at them, how happy they are.¡±


    Daisy sighed. Though she still had some doubts, she knew there wasn¡¯t much she could do.


    As long as her daughter was happy, that was what mattered.


    Melvin had prepared an entire spread of dishes, keeping them light and healthy for Calvin¡¯s sake, yet


    withoutpromising on vor.


    These were simple home-cooked meals, but they were still a feast for the senses.


    Melvin brought out a small bottle of wine, pouring some for himself. Then he served freshly squeezed


    juice for Calvin, Daisy and Jocelyn.


    Standing up with his ss raised, he toasted, ¡°Calvin, Daisy, I¡¯d like to propose a toast to you.¡±


    Jocelyn was puzzled by his actions What was he up to today?


    After sipping his wine, he poured another ss and said, ¡°Jocelyn and I have known each other for four


    years, and we¡¯ve been together for nearly as long I¡¯m sorry for keeping it from you for so long.¡±


    With that, he downed another ss.


    Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Pouring yet another, he continued. ¡°I want to ask Jocelyn to marry me.¡±


    At this revtion, Calvin and Daisy exchanged bewildered nces,pletely taken aback by his


    announcement.


    Although they had discussed marriage, Melvin¡¯s sudden

 Chapter 177

    Chapter 177


    Calvin¡¯s hand, poised to pass the mashed potatoes, hesitated and withdrew when he heard Melvin¡¯s


    words. He nced at his wife, whose expression wasn¡¯t nearly as jubnt as one might expect at the


    prospect of their daughter being proposed.


    The air seemed to thicken with an ufortable silence.


    Jocelyn could feel the awkward tension, as still and daunting as a calm before the storm. She was at a


    loss for words, searching for a way to break the ice.


    Melvin¡¯s announcement had blindsided everyone.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying you want to marry Jocelyn?¡± Daisy finally managed to articte,


    Jocelyn¡¯s heart hammered in her throat. She caught Melvin¡¯s eye as he sat down. His expression was


    grave. ¡°Yes,¡± he confirmed.


    ¡°Well then, tell me about your family. Any siblings? What does your father do?¡± Daisy questioned


    bluntly.


    She remembered Jocelyn mentioning that Melvin¡¯s mother had passed, so she tactfully steered clear of


    that subject. But his father was still around, right?


    After all, if their children were to marry, it was customary for the parents of both sides to meet formally,


    Daisy wasn¡¯t one to pry into her daughter and Melvin¡¯s rtionship. But when ite to marriage, she


    couldn¡¯t ignore the importance of knowing the groom¡¯s family background. Love was love, but marriage


    wasn¡¯t child¡¯s y.


    With lips pressed together, Jocelyn found herself without a voice in the conversation.


    Under the table, Melvin¡¯s hand clenched into a fist.


    Sitting next to him, Jocelyn could feel his difort and tension. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was the topic of


    marriage making him nervous or something else.


    ¡°I have a sister who¡¯s divorced, with a son named Preston. You¡¯ve met him before,¡± Melvin¡¯s voice


    dropped, the weight of the moment palpable. ¡°Our family is small. With us, Jocelyn won¡¯t have to worry


    about maintaining an intricate web of rtives.¡±


    Deliberately, Melvin ?kirted around Daisy¡¯s question about his father.


    Jocelyn sensed that his parents were a taboo topic for him, something he was reluctant to discuss.


    Fearing her mother might press further, Jocelyn forced a smile and suggested, ¡°Mom, Dad, let¡¯s eat,


    Food¡¯s getting cold.¡±


    She sent covert nces to Daisy, pleading with her eyes to drop the subject for now.


    Daisy was never an unreasonable parent. She relented, ¡°Let¡¯s eat. We¡¯ll talk about thister.¡±


    The meal proceeded with a strained atmosphere. Jocelyn kept praising the deliciousness of the dishes


    in an attempt to ease Melvin¡¯s difort. She even roped her parents into the chorus ofpliments.


    Calvin yed along, ensuring the conversation didn¡¯t freeze over entirely.


    When dinner ended, Melvin offered to help clean up. But Daisy waved him off, carrying the tes and


    bowls to the kitchen herself and signaling for Jocelyn to assist.


    The moment the kitchen door closed, Jocelyn knew her mom was about to talk to her..


    ¡°Do you really want to marry him?¡± Daisy¡¯s inquiry was direct..


    Without any pretense, Jocelyn admitted, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t approve,¡± Daisy stated firmly as she washed the dishes.


    ¡°Mom, why are you objecting again?¡± Jocelyn was baffled. ¡°Didn¡¯t you agree before?¡±


    Daisy nced at her daughter, ¡°I agreed on your dating with him, but not marrying him. How long have


    we been informed about your rtionship? How can you talking marriage without truly understanding


    each other? Don¡¯t even think about it.¡±


    Jocelyn felt deted. ¡°But didn¡¯t you want me to find someone to settle down with? Now that there¡¯s


    someone ready to marry me, why won¡¯t you agree?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I want you to find someone to settle down with. But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll agree to just anyone


    who proposes,¡± Daisy replied heatedly ¡°Have you even met his family? We do like his nephew, but


    what about his father and his sister? Marriage means bringing two families together for a proper


    discussion¡±


    ¡°You think I should just agree because he says he wants to marry you?¡± Daisy¡¯s voice rose with


    emotion. ¡°Even in my eagerness to see you married, I won¡¯t lose sight of these important details.


    Marriage is about joining families rather than individuals. How can wemit to a family we know


    nothing about?¡±


    Jocelyn frowned as she realized she hadn¡¯t considered any of this She wanted to know more about


    Melvin¡¯s family, but she also felt that some secrets might be better left uncovered


    That¡¯s why she chose not to ask.


    She just wanted Melvin, nothing more than to be with him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think we¡¯re being unreasonable. When you¡¯re a parent, you¡¯ll understand why I disapprove,¡±


    Daisy softened her tone. ¡°We¡¯ve never cared about wealth, but only about the values and environment


    someonees from. A good upbringing doesn¡¯t guarantee perfection. but it says a lot about


    character. You saw how he supported us when your dad was sick, and that was indeed touching. But


    Jocelyn, marriage isn¡¯t a matter of days or months. It¡¯s amitment for years.¡±


    ¡°Think about his sister who raises a child alone, and then think about Quinta. Is she happy with her in-


    laws? Marriage is never just about two lovers. It inevitably involves their families too.¡± Daisy spoke with


    conviction, ¡°I¡¯d rather you marry into a simple but harmonious family.¡±


    Understanding her mother¡¯s concerns, Jocelyn knew their worries were reasonable.


    Yet, she truly wanted to marry Melvin.


    Leaving the house, Jocelyn felt a heavy weight on her heart. She nced at Melvin, who remained


    silent all the way downstairs.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ll talk to my mom,¡± she said as they got into the car. She held his hand firmly, ¡°They¡¯re just


    not aware of how long we¡¯ve been together. The sudden proposal might seem too rushed to them.¡±


    Melvin patted her hand gently. ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you upset?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Melvin took a deep breath. ¡°I haven¡¯t done enough to earn their trust, to make them feel secure in


    giving you to me.¡±


    Jocelyn looked at him, her heart aching. After all this time, his brave step forward hadn¡¯t paid off, and


    she could sense his disappointment.


    Holding her hand tighter, Melvin assured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Let¡¯s head home.¡±


    The drive was quiet, filled with Jocelyn¡¯s sense of loss and concern for Melvin¡¯s feelings.


    Upon arriving at her apartment, Melvin didn¡¯t stay the night.


    ¡°Go sleep and don¡¯t overthink,¡± he said, standing at the door and kissing her forehead. ¡°Goodnight.¡±


    Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Goodnight.¡±


    As she closed the door behind him, Jocelyn hoped Melvin wasn¡¯t overthinking it as well.


    Melvin shut the door with a soft click and strode to the elevator. His expression was etched with a


    newfound gravity.


    Upon returning home, he poured himself a ss of whiskey and stepped out onto the balcony. The city


    lights was twinkling from afar He dialed a familiar number.


    ¡°Dr. La,¡­¡± His voice trailed off, barely above a whisper, ¡°I just botched a marriage proposal.¡±


    The night was so still that the voice on the other end seemed almost tangible, professional yet


    detached, ¡°But the rejection from her parents didn¡¯t weigh you down, did it? It¡¯s more like you¡¯ve been


    relieved of a burden, right?¡±


    Melvin didn¡¯t want to admit it, but a breath of relief had indeed escaped his lungs.


    ¡°Given your current state, it¡¯s not the best time for you to be starting a family.¡±


    Taking a deep breath, Melvin countered, ¡°I¡¯ve entertained the notion of marriage. If it really came down


    to it, I¡¯d be able to manage, right?¡±


    ¡°The thing is,¡± the voice reasoned, ¡°the obstacles to marrying her aren¡¯t just your psychological factors


    but also external forces from her parents. Perhaps it¡¯s best to let things unfold naturally.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to disappoint her,¡± Melvin confessed, the image of Jocelyn¡¯s crestfallen face weighing on


    his heart.


    Dr La offered her analysis, ¡°Right now, it¡¯s not about your unwillingness but rather her parents¡¯ck


    of trust in handing her over to


    m


    you. Don¡¯t force it let it be. You¡¯ve improved significantly. Rushing things won¡¯t do any good. Patience is


    a virtue, as the saying goes. You understand that, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Keep taking your medication on schedule. You¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°Thanks¡±


    After hanging up, Melvin¡¯s fingers instinctively grazed the bite mark on the back of his hand. He wasn¡¯t


    keen on marriage, yet for Jocelyn¡¯s peace of mind, he was willing to take that leap

 Chapter 178

    Chapter 178


    Jocelyn was fiddling with the ring on her finger, Her mind was a whirl of troubled thoughts.


    ¡°What¡¯s up? You¡¯ve been looking like you¡¯ve got the world on your shoulderstely¡± Urs leaned


    against the office desk, her gaze fixed on her friend. ¡°Isn¡¯t that an engagement ring? And doesn¡¯t your


    guy pick you up and drop you off every day? What could possibly be making you this unhappy?¡±


    Jocelyn leaned back in her chair, a sigh escaping from her lips. ¡°He went to talk to my parents about


    marrying me a few days ago, but my mom didn¡¯t agree.¡±


    Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Urs¡¯s eyebrows drew together in a frown. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t she agree?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all happening too fast. Plus, they haven¡¯t met his family.¡± Jocelyn twisted the ring around her finger,


    her expression tinged with sadness. ¡°I know what my parents are worrying about, but it¡¯s like¡­ he¡¯s


    finally ready to marry me, but now it¡¯s my parents¡¯ turn to throw a wrench in the works. It¡¯s just¡­¡±


    She shook her head in disappointment.


    Urs pondered for a moment before speaking, ¡°You know, Calvin and Daisy do have a point. In the


    old days, families would have to check the horoscopes before tying the knot. Now that you¡¯re talking


    marriage, it¡¯s pretty reasonable for both sides¡¯ parents to sit down and have a serious meeting.


    Anyhow, it¡¯s a sign of good faith from the groom¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°He lost his mom long ago. And his dad-well, he never talks about him,¡± Jocelyn confessed, her


    frustration evident. ¡°Now we¡¯re stuck at this impasse, and I just don¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    ¡°If he really wants to marry you, he¡¯ll find a way to win over Calvin and Daisy,¡± Urs said with a


    mischievous glint in her eye. ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve got a couple of ideas that could solve your problem.¡±


    Jocelyn¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°What are they?¡±


    ¡°First, you could get pregnant before the wedding.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s out of the question!¡± Jocelyn dismissed the idea without a second thought.


    Urs frowned. ¡°What¡¯s so wrong with


    h it? You¡¯ve been in love for years. It¡¯s perfectly normal to have a child.¡±


    ¡°Surely these days, it¡¯s not a big deal to have a kid out of wedlock, but it can¡¯t be taken as a calcted


    move to pressure your parents.¡± Jocelyn had never considered using such a tactic.


    ¡°Alright, scrap that idea. How about this: just get your marriage registered secretly. Then keep your


    rtionship going as usual. Over time, once there¡¯s proof that your rtionship is solid, they¡¯lle


    around.¡±


    Jocelyn frowned at Urs. ¡°Why do you alwayse up with such¡­ underhanded schemes?¡±


    ¡°Jocelyn, you¡¯re a literature teacher. You can¡¯t just throw around words. This isn¡¯t underhanded. It¡¯s a


    way to prove your future happiness.¡± Urs spoke with conviction. ¡°To be the wife of the man you


    love, a little cunning can¡¯t hurt, right? Besides, if you believe that getting married will truly make you


    happy and give your parents peace of mind, then it¡¯ll be a shining moment in your life.¡± Urs winked.


    ¡°Happiness is something you¡¯ve got to fight for yourself.¡±


    Jocelyn still found Urs¡¯s suggestions unreliable.


    Register secretly?


    She didn¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea.


    But then again, it seemed less sinful than getting pregnant out of wedlock.


    If she went down that route, not only would it be an affront to her parents, but she also couldn¡¯t bear the


    thought of bringing a child into the world with ulterior motives.


    The idea of secret registration now upied Jocelyn¡¯s thoughts.


    Melvin apanied Calvin to his check-up and then joined him for a game of chess.


    For half a month, Melvin was a constant presence at Jocelyn¡¯s parents¡¯ home, so much so that all the


    neighbors knew him as Jocelyn¡¯s boyfriend.


    His frequent visits raised questions about when the wedding would be.


    Standing beside Calvin, Melvin remained silent as Calvin simply smiled, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll let you know


    when it¡¯s time.¡±


    ¡°You better do it soon. The longer you wait, the more likely it won¡¯t happen. No offense, but I know a


    couple who had their marriage registered for years without a wedding. They talked about tying the knot


    last holiday, but guess what? They split in the end!¡±


    Calvin¡¯s smile stiffened at the mention, but Melvin seemed unfazed.


    ¡°Anyway, once it¡¯s settled, they¡¯ll both have peace of mind,¡± the neighbor added with a chuckle.


    ¡°Jocelyn¡¯s at the right age for marriage.


    Tie the knot this year, have a baby next. You and your wife will be ying with your grandchildren in no


    time¡±


    Calvin did long for grandchildren, but he heeded his wife¡¯s advice. Melvin seemed decent enough, but


    they knew nothing about his family background,


    ¡°Children will have their own fortune. Everything has its process and timing,¡± Calvin reassured with a


    smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you won¡¯t miss out on our wedding toast.¡±


    After a short chat, Melvin reminded Calvin to take his medicine, and they left. The neighbors gossiped


    about the future son-inw of the Winslets, praising Melvin¡¯s good looks, kindness, and wealth.


    ¡°Jocelyn¡¯s a catch herself. Pretty, well-educated, and with a decent job. She¡¯s got her pick of men.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s pushing thirty, though. That pick of men¡¯ has an expiration date. If she¡¯s got a good man on the


    line, she¡¯d better secure her status before he slips away.¡±


    As hey in bed that night, Calvin couldn¡¯t help but think about the neighbors¡¯ words. Finally he asked


    Daisy, ¡°Be honest, what do you think of Melvin?¡±


    ¡°What I think doesn¡¯t really matter,¡± Daisy turned to face him. ¡°What are you getting at? You want


    Jocelyn to get hitched to him that quickly? I¡¯ll tell you now, that¡¯s not happening. We haven¡¯t met his


    family. And without a clear understanding of his background, I won¡¯t agree to their marriage.¡±


    ¡°But it seems like he and Jocelyn are really in love.¡±


    ¡°Love is not enough. Look, it¡¯s all about respect. If we rush to marry Jocelyn off, what will his family


    say? That our daughter was so desperate to marry that we didn¡¯t even require a proper meeting


    between the parents? That¡¯ll do no good to Jocelyn.¡±


    As theyy in the darkness, both knew that the path to their daughter¡¯s happiness was fraught with


    complications.


    Daisy tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She sat up and sighed, ¡°Of course I want our daughter to


    marry someone she loves. I mean, if it were just Melvin on his own, that¡¯d be one thing, but he¡¯s got


    family. Just letting Jocelyn go off with him like this doesn¡¯t sit right with me.¡±


    ¡°I understand your worries,¡± Calvin said, equally troubled. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s something going on with


    Melvin¡¯s family, something he doesn¡¯t want to get mixed into all this. I worked at hispany for a


    while, and I never heard a peep about his family matters.¡±


    ¡°Even if there is something special going on, shouldn¡¯t he at least be upfront with us? We¡¯re reasonable


    people,¡± Daisy shook her head, lying back down and turning away. ¡°Anyway, we need an exnation.


    I¡¯m not letting my daughter rush into marriage with him like that. I¡¯ll sleep now.¡±


    Calvin nced at his wife in silence. Then, with a sense of resignation, he reached over to turn off the


    light.


    On the weekend, Jocelyn came home without telling her parents.


    Seeing her daughter arrive alone, Daisy asked, ¡°Why are you by yourself?¡±


    ¡°What else?¡± Jocelyn said with a teasing smile. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m craving some shrimp scampi. Could you


    whip some up for me?¡±


    Daisy gave her a strange look, ¡°If you wanted some, why didn¡¯t you just buy it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m no good at picking them out. I¡¯m afraid of getting ripped off,¡± Jocelyn said, trying to butter her up.


    ¡°You go buy them, please.¡±


    Daisy had no reasons to decline. She stood up to grab her shopping bag, mumbling, ¡°Back without


    notices and wanting shrimp scampi. But it¡¯s eleven already. I don¡¯t even know if there will be any for


    sale.¡±


    Jocelyn chuckled, ¡°There should be some left.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯reing with me,¡± Daisy red at her.


    Jocelyn shook her head, ¡°I¡¯m a bit tired. How about Dad goes with you?¡±


    Without waiting for a response, she called out, ¡°Dad, can you go to the store with Mom?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, Calvin replied without hesitation, shutting off the TV and heading for the door.


    As the old couple descended the stairs, Daisy felt something was amiss, ¡°What¡¯s with her sudden


    craving for shrimp scampi?¡±

 Chapter 179

    Chapter 179


    Jocelyn was curled up on the couch seemingly asleep when Daisy and Calvin returned home.


    She tiptoed to the kitchen with Calvin, shut the door behind them and began to prepare lunch.


    ¡°Do you think you might be overthinking this?¡± Calvin nced back at his daughter, lowering his voice.


    ¡°Maybe she just really craves your shrimp scampi.¡±


    Daisy sighed, ¡°It¡¯s just that her visit today fell so abrupt, and so did her cravings.¡±


    ¡°Then tell me, what seems off to you? What could she possibly be up to?¡± Calvin trusted his daughter.


    Suddenly Daisy jumped, wiped her hands and hurried to the bedroom.


    She returned after a while, taking another peek at her still sleeping daughter before slipping back into


    the kitchen.


    ¡°What were you doing?¡± Calvin couldn¡¯t figure out what she was up to all day, always so jittery.


    ¡°It just hit me what felt strange.¡± Daisy whispered to Calvin, ¡°I was afraid she¡¯de back to quietly


    take her birth certificate. Thankfully, it¡¯s still there.¡±


    Calvin rolled his eyes, ¡°You¡¯re really overthinking this.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like she hasn¡¯t done such things before,¡± Daisy knew her daughter well. ¡°You didn¡¯t see her


    face the other day when I disagreed.¡±


    ¡°She wouldn¡¯t,¡± Calvin had faith in his daughter.


    ¡°She better not, Daisy rxed only after checking. ¡°It¡¯s better to stick to the rules.¡±


    Seeing his wife so suspicious, Calvin just shook his head helplessly and kept silent.


    By the time the meal was ready, Jocelyn had woken up.


    ¡°Check with Melvin if he wants to join us for dinner,¡± Daisy¡¯s tone was brusque.


    Jocelyn was already seated at the table, ¡°He won¡¯te. He¡¯s meeting with clients today.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s so young and already running such a bigpany, not to mention his other ventures. Truly


    impressive,¡± Calvin was quite fond of Melvin, who was indeed an aplished young man.


    All parents hope to have such a talented child in their family.


    Jocelyndled some soup, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not easy for him.¡±


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s hard. Running a small food stall is challenging, let alone a bigpany,¡± Calvin


    understood the difficulties.


    ¡°Once you¡¯ve set up apany, you¡¯ve got no choice but to keep it going. After all, so many


    employees rely on him for their livelihood,¡± Jocelyn nced at her mother who wasing out of the


    kitchen, ¡°The vige where I taught as a volunteer is getting roads built now. Soon, every household


    will be essible, and it will make their life much easier.¡±


    ¡°Melvin invested this project, right?¡± Calvin mentioned, ¡°I heard about it at work. It¡¯s a significant


    investment. Getting a return on that will take many years.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not looking for a return,¡± Jocelyn rified, ¡°He just wants to help with poverty alleviation as his


    way of giving back to the society.¡±


    Calvin nodded appreciatively, ¡°That¡¯s very noble.¡±


    Daisy listened withoutment.


    After dinner, Jocelyn left.


    ¡°I checked, and they really have started the construction. The government is paying attention to the


    project too. It even made the news,¡± Calvin showed Daisy an article.


    Daisy nced at it, saying indifferently, ¡°Doing what you can is how you umte good karma. If I


    had money, I¡¯d give back to the society too.¡±


    ¡°Because you have a kind heart,¡± Calvin smiled, ¡°You and Melvin both do,¡±


    ¡°Are you won over by him?¡± Daisy was sharp, catching the implication in his words.


    Calvin quickly denied, ¡°What? I¡¯m just stating the facts.¡±


    I¡¯m telling you, Calvin, don¡¯t muddy the waters here, Daisy warned.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t. Isn¡¯t itmon that a mother-inw finds her son-inw more and more agreeable over time?


    Howe it doesn¡¯t apply to you?¡± Calvin feigned confusion.


    Daisy snorted, ¡°They also say a father thinks no man is good enough for his daughter. Why are you in


    such a hurry to marry her off?¡±


    He couldn¡¯t hold on to his grown daughter. ¡°It¡¯s not about rushing her into marriage. She wants to marry


    the man she loves. If we stop


    her, wouldn¡¯t that break her heart? Besides, they¡¯ll be in the same city with us anyway. She cane


    home for meals anytime. What¡¯s the problem?¡±


    Daisy red at him, ¡°So you¡¯re indeed won over by him.¡±


    Calvin didn¡¯t want to argue, so he stayed silent.


    ¡°A man whose family hasn¡¯t met us formally is trying to whisk my daughter away! Don¡¯t even think


    about it,¡± Daisy was firm, ¡°If he doesn¡¯t follow proper traditions, I won¡¯t agree to their marriage.¡±


    Calvin knew his wife wanted the best for their daughter and said no more.


    If Melvin truly loved Jocelyn and wanted to marry her, he would surely do right by her.


    In the evening, while Jocelyn was preparing her lessons and waiting for Melvin, she received a call


    from him.


    ¡°I won¡¯t being over tonight.¡±


    ¡°Why? Are you still busy at work?¡± Jocelyn set down her pen and asked.


    There was a pause on Melvin¡¯s end before he said, ¡°No. Willow attempted suicide. I¡¯m dealing with it.¡±


    Jocelyn was startled, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her? Where is she? Do you need my help?¡±


    Melvin remained silent.


    Feeling his mood, though slightly disappointed, Jocelyn spoke considerately, ¡°Then you take care of it.¡±


    She had wanted to say ¡°take good care of her¡±. But she didn¡¯t want to seem petty, so she tried to act


    indifferent and unconcerned.


    ¡°I have to hang up now,¡± Jocelyn said, feeling stifled.


    ¡°Wait,¡± Melvin stopped her, ¡°I¡¯ll give you the address. Take a cab over.¡±


    The flicker of annoyance in Jocelyn¡¯s heart vanished instantly.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    She stood up quickly, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    Arriving at the address Melvin provided, she saw many media crews around. They were likelying


    for Willow.


    Celebrities may


    shine in front of cameras, but their lives are not as free as ordinary people¡¯s. Any incident quickly


    bes public fodder, generating clicks and attracting scrutiny.


    Whether the feedback is good or not, they have to endure it.


    Celebrities seem to earn money easily, yet the psychological pressure they bear behind the scenes is


    unimaginable.


    The give and take in life are seldom perfectly bnced, but one would hope the disparity isn¡¯t too vast.


    Working in the showbiz, you¡¯ve got to have nerves of steel.


    Jocelyn dialed Melvin, filling him in on the chaos brewing outside the building.


    After a short while, Melvin made his way downstairs. He took Jocelyn¡¯s hand and led her away from the


    prying eyes of the media.


    ¡°What happened? Why would she attempt something like that out of the blue?¡± Jocelyn couldn¡¯t hide


    her concern. ¡°Is she okay now?¡±


    ¡°We caught it early. She¡¯s fine,¡± Melvin assured her as they stepped into the elevator, but his


    expression was somber.


    Sensing his mood, Jocelyn tightened her grip on his hand.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Melvin looked at her, puzzled.


    ¡°You¡¯re really worried about her, aren¡¯t you?¡± It wasn¡¯t hard for Jocelyn to tell that Melvin was


    concerned for Willow.


    Melvin didn¡¯t deny it. ¡°We¡¯ve got no bad blood between us. If I can help save her, that¡¯s what I¡¯ll do.¡±


    ¡°I get it,¡± Jocelyn nodded, understanding. ¡°When someone familiar is in trouble, it¡¯s natural to feel


    shaken.¡±


    A few years back, a neighborhood kid who used to tease her all the time suddenly took his own life.


    When she heard the news, she cried her eyes out.


    They weren¡¯t rted by blood, but the memories of him calling out to her cheerfully as he passed by


    her house were enough to break her heart


    Considering Willow and Melvin¡¯s past rtionship, even if they were nothing more than acquaintances,


    it was enough to stir emotions.


    ¡°Thanks for understanding,¡± Melvin said, opening up a bit. ¡°Her assistant and Yara are with her.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Jocelyn finally rxed.


    Had Melvin been alone with Willow, Jocelyn might have had her doubts. But now she felt reassured


    that there was nothing more to


    worry about.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!