SWNOVELS Chapter 180
Jocelyn didn't pry into the reasons behind Willow's attempt to suicide. Alongside Melvin, she arrived at Willow's apartment and rang the bell. It was Willow's assistant who opened the door, though her reluctance to let Jocelyn in was palpable the moment she saw Jocelyn.
"Mr. Martinez," the assistant began, her voice strained with concern, "Willow has just managed to find some peace. If she sees someone she doesn't want to right now, I'm afraid it might set her back." The unspoken message was clear: Jocelyn was not welcome.
Melvin's gaze was cold as he stared down the assistant. "In that case, I guess there's no need for me to come." With that, he reached for Jocelyn's hand, ready to leave.
"That's not what I meant..." The assistant's voice cracked as she hurried to stop them. "Mr. Martinez, it was the thought of you that calmed Willow down. Please, don't go."
Melvin glanced at her sharply. "And you think I'll leave my girlfriend out here in the cold?"
The assistant's face showed a flicker of resentment, yet the fear of Melvin leaving won over. "Come in, both of you."
Jocelyn was pleased with Melvin's actions. It was the simple affirmation she needed.
Once inside, they were greeted by Yara in the living room, who nodded at Jocelyn in acknowledgment.
"How's the situation?" Melvin asked her.
"The press got wind of the scandal. I've made calls to keep the story of Willow leaving that director's room under wraps, steering the news in a more favorable direction," Yara explained, though her expression betrayed her struggle. "This one's a bit more complicated, though."
Melvin furrowed his brow. "How so?"
"The director's wife caught them red-handed with her friends. They've got video. This is going to be tough to cover," Yara admitted with a hint of defeat.
Jocelyn understood the whole story.
Willow's entanglement with the director had been caught by the director's wife.
So, the earlier scandal about her wasn't just gossip. It was real.
"The director's wife is known for her ferocity in the showbiz. A leading actress once flirted with her husband, and lost her major endorsements soon after. Now she's barely visible in the showbiz, occasionally selling products on live streams or doing promotional gigs. Her once bright future in the limelight was ruined."
Yara turned to Willow's assistant. "Who thought it was a good idea for her to cozy up to that director?"
The assistant squirmed, barely managing to say, "It was... Ulla who made the connection."
At the mention of Ulla, Jocelyn wasn't surprised.
"No wonder," Yara scoffed. "Willow had been fooled. If it was such a brilliant move, why didn't Ulla go herself?"
The assistant lowered her head in shame.
"Is there any way to turn this around?" Melvin asked.
"Hardly," Yara replied. "Best case is for her to leave the scene, maybe go abroad. Staying in the showbiz is almost impossible for her now."
Melvin looked towards the bedroom, then told Willow's assistant, "Inform Willow of the situation. Let her decide."
Without a choice, the assistant hurried into Willow's bedroom.
After a few minutes, she came back timidly. "Willow would like to see you, Mr. Martinez."
Melvin's brow creased slightly.
Jocelyn encouraged him with ease, "Go ahead. See what she has to say."
Jocelyn wasn't the least bit worried about Willow swaying Melvin, not with the scandal blowing up as it had. Willow's overnight with another man, caught by his wife, left no room for competition in Jocelyn's eyes.
Besides, with so many witnesses around, what could possibly happen?
With Jocelyn's permission, Melvin went inside.
As soon as the bedroom door closed, Yara watched Jocelyn closely for any sign of unease. But Jocelyn was remarkably composed this time, even offering Yara a confident smile.
Yara's respect for Jocelyn grew. Her grace was indeed rare.
Moments later, Melvin came out and asked Jocelyn to enter.
Confused, she approached.
Taking her hand, Melvin led her into the bedroom.
Lying on bed, Willow's complexion was ghostly. Her right wrist was bandaged. A faint red stain was visible against the white gauze.
Jocelyn looked to Melvin for answers.
"Before I left for overseas, I thought Melvin would be mine," Willow said, her voice breaking the tension.
Melvin frowned at her words.
Jocelyn was taken aback.
Ignoring Melvin's glare, Willow focused on Jocelyn and continued. "But I'm clear on one thing. I left him because I thought he was broke."
Jocelyn listened quietly as Willow continued.
"After building a life abroad and learning of his success, I came back." Willow's gaze softened as she looked at Melvin. "But by then, you were already by his side. And I couldn't get close anymore." Melvin's voice was laced with resignation. "What's the point of saying all this now?"
Willow managed a pale smile, her eyes lingering on their clasped hands and the ring on Jocelyn's finger. "I got lost along the way and missed out on a lot. In my rush to reach the top, I ruined everything I'd worked for."
Her eyes were rimmed with tears.
Jocelyn understood Willow's regret but knew it was too late for her.
"If I had stayed, if I hadn't pursued this path and remained by your side, Melvin... could there be possibility of us together?" Willow's voice was laden with sorrow.
The intensity of the question was enough to make Jocelyn consider offering her hope.
"No," Melvin replied flatly.
Jocelyn stared at him, surprised by his blunt response.
Willow took a deep breath, her laugh tinged with heartache as her tears finally fell. She wiped them away briskly. "I understand."
"You can't stay in the country right now. You'd better head overseas to lay low for a while. There's a way to live without being a celebrity, without becoming a shadow of yourself. Death won't solve any problems. It'll just give people more ammo to throw at you." Melvin was rational, "What I can do for you is to help you with the paperwork to get out of the country. As for the rest, including the damages you'll owe for breaking contracts because of this mess, I can have my lawyer negotiate for you. But you'll have to cover the settlement yourself."
Willow slowly closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "Thank you."
She didn't open her eyes again, as if she couldn't bear to see them any longer.
Melvin, not lingering, took Jocelyn's hand and turned to leave.
"Jocelyn."
Melvin and Jocelyn both looked back.
Willow pursed her lips, offered Melvin a slow smile, then turned to Jocelyn, "Jocelyn, I apologize for what I did to you in the past."
Jocelyn was shocked to hear her apology.
"That's all water under the bridge."
"You're a good person," Willow said. "I know you love Melvin. So please, always love him, no matter what."
Jocelyn found her words weird. She glanced at Melvin, whose expression was cool, showing a hint of impatience.
"You don't have to ask. I'll love my man till the end." Jocelyn tightened her grip on Melvin's hand, not as a promise to Willow but as a declaration of her commitment to Melvin.