SWNOVELS Chapter 192
Harrison escorted Jocelyn upstairs, and as he did, he couldn't help but notice the pallor of her cheeks.
He had seen the car, too.
It was Melvin's, unmistakable after several encounters.
The reason for Jocelyn's distress wasn't hard to guess.
What had transpired between her and Melvin was a mystery to him, but it was clear their relationship had hit a snag.
"You okay?" Harrison asked, concern lacing his voice.
Jocelyn realized her emotions were betraying her and shook her head. "I'm fine."
"Sure you're gonna be alright alone?"
"I'll manage." She clutched the item he handed her. "Thanks for this."
"Please don't be so formal with me," Harrison knew when to step back. "Get some rest, and let's catch up over dinner sometime."
"Sure."
But Jocelyn was far from okay.
After Harrison left, she shut the door, her mind replaying the scene over and over.
Melvin had shown up!
After months of silence, Melvin had finally reappeared.
Jocelyn's emotions were in turmoil; she couldn't keep her composure.
She had told herself if he ever came back, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her react. But she was already in disarray, and he wasn't even in front of her yet. She didn't want to know why he had vanished without a trace, without a call, without a message. But part of her was desperate for answers.
The conflict was torturous.
She wanted to act indifferent, unbothered.
But she was human, vulnerable to her emotions, unable to remain unaffected.
Whatever his reasons, she was determined not to forgive him.
With that resolve, she finally showered, changed into fresh clothes, and lay down in bed.
It wasn't long before her phone rang. It was Ursula.
"I've got news that'll knock your socks off. Melvin called me asking for your number." Ursula sounded stunned.
Jocelyn tensed up. "Did you give it to him?"
"No way." Ursula's voice was firm. "After all your warnings, I kept my lips sealed."
Jocelyn exhaled in relief. "Good. Keep it that way."
"He also asked where you're living now. I didn't tell him, of course. But what if he asks someone else?" Ursula's concern was palpable. "Or goes straight to your folks?" The thought gave Jocelyn pause.
She wasn't worried about Melvin approaching her parents because they were also so disappointed in him that they couldn't possibly reveal her information to him.
After hanging up, Jocelyn called Harrison, expressing a sudden interest in a getaway to Berry City.
Harrison read between the lines but played along, booking flights and picking her up.
Jocelyn packed lightly, got in Harrison's car, and they headed for the airport.
"Are you avoiding him?" Harrison finally asked in the departure lounge.
Jocelyn saw no point in denying it. Harrison wasn't a fool.
"Not exactly avoiding. I just don't want to see him."
Harrison looked at her. "Can you tell me what happened between you two?"
She took a deep breath. It wasn't something she often discussed.
"I was supposed to meet him to get our marriage license. He never showed." She fidgeted with her fingers. "No explanation, just gone."
Harrison had his suspicions, but hearing it from her made it real.
No woman could easily tolerate such a thing.
"Now that he's back, maybe he wants to explain," Harrison ventured carefully. "Don't you want to know why?"
"I don't." Jocelyn inhaled deeply. "No reason could justify him leaving me behind."
Harrison fell silent, knowing Melvin had sought help from a renowned psychologist abroad. The details were sketchy, but clearly, it wasn't for anything trivial. "Let go of him, and in doing so, let go of the pain," Harrison advised gently.
Jocelyn nodded. "I'll try."
As the plane took off, Jocelyn gazed out the window at the city lights below, her thoughts drifting far away.
They arrived in Berry City around eight in the evening.
Keegan Whitman and Elise were waiting outside the airport, which surprised Jocelyn. She wondered when Harrison had told them.
Elise greeted Jocelyn with open arms, holding her hand with such warmth that onlookers might have mistaken her for family.
"I'm so glad you're here. Harrison should've told us sooner; I would've prepared something." Elise linked arms with Jocelyn, leading her towards the parking lot.
Jocelyn felt awkward and looked back at Harrison.
He was talking to his father a few steps behind them, but upon meeting Jocelyn's gaze, he smiled warmly, his demeanor reminiscent of a boyfriend bringing his girl home to meet the folks, completely untroubled by any impropriety.
Jocelyn was reserved, uneasy, and a little annoyed.
She felt Harrison had overstepped by making arrangements without her consent.
Then she remembered that she had imposed on Harrison first. He hadn't had a chance to explain to his parents, so now they were simply playing along to keep them happy.
Deciding to let it go, she let Elise's enthusiasm wash over her.
When they reached the car, Elise presented her with a bouquet of flowers hastily bought from a roadside florist. "I didn't have time for a proper gift, but I hope you like these." It was a gesture of ritual, the warmth of a welcome.
Clutching the flower bouquet, Jocelyn's heart was a tangled mess of emotions as she gazed into Elise's kind eyes. The tenderness in them made it impossible for her to shatter the moment. "I love them, thank you," Jocelyn managed to say, playing along with the unfolding scene.
Elise smiled and said, "We should be thanking you for coming! Let's have dinner and then you can get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, we'll hit the town for some shopping." "Sounds great."
Elise's fondness for Jocelyn was palpable, and so was the importance the family placed on her presence.
After dinner, Elise wanted to have Jocelyn stay at their family home, but Jocelyn insisted on staying in a hotel, and with Harrison's backing, Elise reluctantly agreed.
Elise couldn't fathom why Jocelyn would prefer a hotel when there was a perfectly good guest room at their house.
Harrison, trying to bridge understanding, said, "She's just not used to all this. Our hospitality can be overwhelming."
With that, Elise let the matter rest.
Yet, the family still sent Jocelyn to her hotel, with Keegan going to great lengths to ensure the manager guaranteed Jocelyn's safety before they could leave with peace of mind.
On the car ride home, Elise asked Harrison, "How far along are you with Jocelyn? When can you officially propose?"
Harrison nearly choked on his own breath.
"Mom, thank God you didn't say that in front of her. That would've been too—"
"Too what?" Elise pressed. "Are you serious about her? She's a catch. Can't you step it up and bring her home? You're thirty-five, almost thirty-six. If you keep dragging your feet, you'll be a bachelor at forty." Harrison pinched the bridge of his nose, removing his glasses. "Mom, everything has its own pace. When the time's right for marriage, it'll happen."
"I'm just afraid if you keep dragging this out, she'll slip away," Elise fretted.
"If she's meant for me, she'll be mine regardless. If she's not, keeping her close now won't change that," Harrison reasoned. "Everything will work out for the best."
"You're right, son," Keegan agreed, nodding. "Some things shouldn't be rushed; they need to progress gradually. We can't be too overbearing; it might put pressure on Jocelyn."
Elise frowned. "But I want her to know how much I like her. Should I just be cold and distant?"
"It's not about being cold," Keegan explained. "It's about maintaining an appropriate distance. What if, just what if, she doesn't want to marry Harrison? Could our enthusiasm be burdensome?" Elise turned her gaze back to Harrison. "Did you do something to hurt Jocelyn?"
Harrison looked back, innocence etched across his face. "I didn't do anything."
"Then why wouldn't she want to marry you?" Elise asked.
Harrison was silent.
How could he tell her that Jocelyn's reluctance had nothing to do with wrongdoing, but everything to do with the simple and heartbreaking fact that Jocelyn just didn't love him?