SWNOVELS Chapter 199
Daisy snapped, slamming her fork down and standing up to point an accusing finger at Calvin. "You're just spoiling her rotten! I'd like to know what you plan to do for her when you're an old man!" With a huff, she stormed off to the bedroom and slammed the door.
"Mom!" Jocelyn called out after her.
Calvin waved his hand dismissively, a frown creasing his brow. "Leave her alone. Let's just eat."
"Dad, I'm sorry," Jocelyn said, her voice heavy with guilt. "I didn't mean to cause you and Mom any worry."
"Forget about it. If you want to get married, do it. If you don't, then don't," Calvin said as he served her some mashed potatoes, adopting a more comforting tone. "Look, sweetie, make sure whatever choices you make are what you want. Settling for less is never the answer."
Jocelyn felt a rush of gratitude for her father's understanding.
"Jocelyn, be honest," Calvin said, looking her in the eye. "Are you still hung up on Melvin?"
Jocelyn's fork paused in mid-air as she stared at her plate, prodding it idly. "I'll get over him," she murmured.
"Ah, relationships of modern days are beyond me," Calvin sighed. "Back in the day, if two people clicked, that was it-they were together for life. Your mom and I didn't exactly marry for love. But the moment I met her, I knew I was in it for the long haul. Sure, we've had our share of fights and disappointments, even moments when we thought about calling it quits, but we pulled through. Life's full of too much to take in, too much that doesn't go your way. Just follow your heart. So long as you live without regrets, that's what counts. Anyway, it's your life. No matter what decisions you make, your mom and I will support you." He continued, "Just remember one thing-never settle for less, and never live with regrets."
"Thanks, Dad," Jocelyn said, touched by his genuine words.
Life for Jocelyn continued without much change.
She went to work every day, lived her life well and got on harmoniously with the new teachers and new students. Everything felt effortlessly comfortable.
Harrison had stopped bothering her as frequently. After all, they'd agreed to be just friends. Friendships also needed their boundaries.
She wondered how he'd explained it to his parents because they too had stopped calling and texting her.
In the midst of her peaceful days, there was a piece of good news: Quinta's IVF had been a success, making her the family's treasure. She was being pampered like a delicate flower at home.
Her husband, Damian, started coming home more often, and Quinta's parents-in-laws were treating her with newfound respect.
Everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of this precious little life.
"We really should thank Melvin," Quinta told Jocelyn over the phone. "If he hadn't spoken up for me, the doctors might not have taken my case so seriously."
Pregnant at last, she felt indebted to Melvin.
Jocelyn reassured her, "It's doctors' duty to do so. You don't want to make it sound like they're not professional."
"You know that's not what I mean. Doctors have to spread their attention among so many patients. They can't just focus on one person. This isn't a favor you owe it's me and my husband who are indebted. I just wanted to let you know that once things settle down, we're planning to invite Melvin over for dinner to thank him in person. I'm just giving you a heads up, so you won't feel awkward when the time comes." Quinta had made up her mind and was simply informing Jocelyn in advance.
Jocelyn knew she couldn't dictate this matter, nor did she have the right to stop Quinta from repaying a favor.
"If you've both decided, what can I say? It's your business, and I won't get involved."
"You don't need to. Just give me Melvin's number and I'll contact him in a few days."
Jocelyn pursed her lips, hesitating. "I don't have his number."
"Come on, I know you. You've memorized his number in heart. You don't even need to keep it on your phone." Quinta chided. "Don't push yourself too hard to forget. The harder you try, the deeper you'll remember. Keeping his contact information and still staying unaffected-that's when you'll truly have moved on."
Feeling cornered, Jocelyn had to admit that Quinta was right.
Some things might disappear on the surface but were still deeply rooted in her heart.
She sent Melvin's number to Quinta.
Those digits were like the heartbeats on a monitor, each one sending her emotions into a tumultuous spike.
After work, Jocelyn joined Ursula for a shopping spree followed by a casual dinner. When Ursula excused herself to visit the restroom, Jocelyn waited outside, leaning against the wall and browsing her phone. Suddenly, a shadow approached.
Looking up, surprise flickered in her eyes.
"Jocelyn," said Layla, who was calling out to her.
Jocelyn arched an eyebrow. "You are...?"
"I'm Layla, Melvin's therapist," Layla introduced herself with ease.
Jocelyn tensed slightly but nodded politely. She hoped Ursula would return quickly.
Layla sized her up, "I've seen you a couple of times before. You really are quite beautiful."
Being complimented on her looks by another woman felt like high praise indeed.
Jocelyn humbly thanked her. "Appreciate it."
"Don't you want to ask anything?" Layla didn't leave immediately, seeming genuinely interested in chatting with Jocelyn.
Jocelyn paused, "Ask about what?"
"About Melvin."
"I think that's none of my business," Jocelyn replied, finding Layla's curiosity somewhat amusing. She shouldn't have stopped to talk to her, but now she had engaged in this odd conversation. What was Layla's intention?
"Aren't you curious why he left suddenly the night before your registration of marriage?"
"He told me he was sick."
Layla pushed her glasses up, a smile playing on her lips. "And the reason?"
Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn didn't particularly wish to continue this conversation.
She didn't know what Dr. Layla was up to, but she certainly didn't get a good vibe from her.
"Dr. Layla, you're a professional therapist. Certainly you know patient's confidentiality is important, don't you? Discussing your patient's problems with me, isn't that a breach of ethics?" Jocelyn's tone was edged with a hint of steel.
Layla hadn't anticipated such a strong reaction from Jocelyn, "I'm not unethical, Jocelyn. Don't you think he deserves a chance to explain himself before you write him off entirely?"
"If he wanted to explain, he wouldn't need you to play messenger," Jocelyn retorted, uncertain whether she was being overly suspicious or if this woman really had no reasons for sharing so much with her. "Sometimes, there are things he might find difficult to tell you. Everyone has their secrets, and if he's keeping quiet, there must be a reason." Jocelyn was perplexed, failing to grasp Layla's intent, "So, what's your purpose here? Are you trying to tell me his secrets on his behalf?" "I'm just saying he's got his reasons. He deserves a chance," Layla insisted earnestly. "If you knew what he's been through, you'd forgive him." Jocelyn was speechless at Layla's approach and no longer wished to engage.
Thankfully, Ursula emerged, clutching her stomach, "I don't know what I ate, but my gut is killing me."
"Let's head out then." Jocelyn linked arms with Ursula, sparing Layla not another glance as they left.
"That woman back there..." Ursula, always a beat behind, glanced back at Layla.
Layla's words had tainted Jocelyn's mood considerably.
"She's a piece of work."
"What did she say?" Ursula inquired.
"Drop it. Are you up for a stroll, or should we head home? Is the pain that bad? Do we need to swing by a clinic?"
"Let's just go home. I feel like I could hurl any minute."
After Jocelyn and Ursula had left, Layla drove back to her studio.
Melvin was waiting in her office.
"Been here long?" Layla shrugged off her coat and made some coffee.
"About fifteen minutes."
She placed the coffee before him, "Sorry, I ran into Jocelyn at the mall and got caught up chatting with her."
Melvin's hand trembled slightly as he reached for the cup.
Observing his reaction, Layla took a sip of her coffee and watched him with a hint of amusement, "I tried to broach the topic of your condition with her. But unfortunately, she wasn't interested in your plight." Melvin's gaze was darkened as he fixed it on Layla, "You're a doctor."
"I am," Layla said with a smile, "and she reminded me of my ethical duties, too."
Melvin regarded her coldly.
Layla set down her cup, "I wouldn't divulge your personal matters. I was merely testing the waters. If she truly cared for you, she would have inquired further. I even offered to spill the beans, but she didn't bite. Melvin's expression grew increasingly grim.
"So, you shouldn't shoulder such a heavy burden," Layla continued, "Your insomnia is getting worse, and it's due to the guilt and stress of hiding something from her. But look at it from another perspective, she clearly doesn't care about your illness or your troubles. She's not as invested in you as you think. There's no need for you to carry that weight anymore.
Not getting married isn't your fault. Live life the way that makes you happy without conforming to someone else's expectations. Don't disrupt your own life plan for the sake of others."
Having said her piece, Layla crossed her legs and watched Melvin in silence.