SWNOVELS Chapter 177
Calvin's hand, poised to pass the mashed potatoes, hesitated and withdrew when he heard Melvin's words. He glanced at his wife, whose expression wasn't nearly as jubilant as one might expect at the
prospect of their daughter being proposed.
The air seemed to thicken with an uncomfortable 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 articulate.
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 relationship. But when it came to marriage, she couldn't ignore the importance of knowing the groom's family background. Love was love, but marriage wasn't child's play.
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 discomfort 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 relatives."
Deliberately, Melvin skirted 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 glances 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 this later."
The meal proceeded with a strained atmosphere. Jocelyn kept praising the deliciousness of the dishes in an attempt to ease Melvin's discomfort. She even roped her parents into the chorus of compliments. Calvin played 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 plates 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 glanced at her daughter, "I agreed on your dating with him, but not marrying him. How long have we been informed about your relationship? How can you talking marriage without truly understanding each other? Don't even think about it."
Jocelyn felt deflated. "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 we commit 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 someone comes 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 a commitment 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 glanced 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." "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 glass of whiskey and stepped out onto the balcony. The city lights was twinkling from afar. He dialed a familiar number.
"Dr. Layla, ..." 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. Layla offered her analysis, "Right now, it's not about your unwillingness but rather her parents' lack of trust in handing her over to 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?"
"I do."
"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.