SWNOVELS Chapter 200
Everyone knows the drill.
If people could achieve everything they want, there would be a lot fewer broken hearts in this world.
Melvin sat in silence.
Layla frowned. "It's not that you won't marry her. Now the key is she doesn't want to marry you. You've got to treat this like a regular breakup. Love's a dance-sometimes you're together, sometimes you're not. It happens."
"If I hadn't stood her up that day, we would've tied the knot, and I'd never have let her go," Melvin said, his voice heavy with regret.
Layla agreed, but added, "But you need to think about the real issue in your mind - the one you've got locked up inside. It is like a time bomb in your relationship. It could blow up any second even if you were together."
Melvin traced the bite mark left by Jocelyn on the back of his hand, lost in thought.
"Go socialize with friends more. Don't stew in your own juices," Layla suggested, glancing at the clock. "My next appointment was canceled. How about grab a bite together?"
"No, thanks." Melvin stood up. "I should get going."
Layla didn't push it. "Try to get some sleep tonight. And don't skip your medicine. If you need anything, give me a call."
"Will do."
Melvin left.
He drove to Jocelyn's new place, the one she moved to just to put space between them-a clear sign she was cutting him out for good.
He knew her apartment number and the floor she was on, but he never went up.
Her room was dark. Either she was out or already asleep.
He parked on the street and sat staring at the darkened window.
Sleep was a stranger to him lately. When he did manage to nod off, it was only for minutes at a time, but it felt like hours. The fatigue was bone-deep, but his mind refused to shut down. Dr. Layla said it was mental stress that caused by his excessive desires.
But all he wanted was Jocelyn.
And that one simple desire had become an insurmountable chasm.
He never thought his inner turmoil would land him in such a mess.
A taxi pulled up. Jocelyn got out and disappeared into the building.
Melvin's throat tightened as he watched her go. He wanted to run after her, beg her not to ignore him.
But he stayed in the car smoking, occasionally glancing up at her window.
When her light finally went out, he put out his cigarette.
He reclined his seat and lay there, facing her apartment, and closed his eyes.
Exhaustion took over him. For the first time in recent days, Melvin slept soundly.
The next morning, Jocelyn headed out to her early class and noticed the familiar car. It looked like it had been there all night. She couldn't see inside but carried on to school, a hint of confusion in her steps. After class, Quinta called to say she'd arranged lunch with Melvin and asked if Jocelyn wanted to join.
Jocelyn declined.
At the school cafeteria, Jocelyn ate alone while Quinta texted that Melvin looked much thinner.
Jocelyn didn't respond.
After a post-lunch nap, Quinta texted again-they were done.
"You guys aren't going back today, right?" Jocelyn called her.
"We're heading back. Damian's got a business trip tomorrow."
"You sure you can handle all this back and forth?" Jocelyn was worried. "You're pregnant, and it can be exhausting."
"It's fine," Quinta assured her. "I had a present prepared for Melvin, but he wouldn't take it. It made me feel awkward." Jocelyn pursed her lips. "If he doesn't want it, let it go."
"I... never mind, it's your business," Quinta hesitated. "Just take care of yourself. Gotta go, we're catching a cab to the station. Bye." "Bye."
The call ended, but Jocelyn felt far from relieved. Her life seemed disconnected from Melvin's, yet she felt their paths crossed every day.
Back at home that afternoon, Daisy mentioned Quinta. "She shouldn't fuss about thanking that man so promptly. Pregnancies are delicate early on, and all this travel..."
"She knows her limits," Calvin chimed in. "Don't stress her out."
"I'm just concerned," Daisy insisted. "She struggled to conceive for long. Now what she needs most is rest."
"And your aunt, Mae, too, bragging about her daughter's pregnancy as if it's everyone's business. You know, 'hide it for three months, not four.' She should know better," Daisy sighed. Calvin tried to explain. "She's just happy. The village talked down on Quinta for not being able to conceive. Now, it's like she's proving them all wrong."
"I get it, but you can't ignore old wisdom," Daisy sighed again. "I just hope for a happy ending."
Some things science can't explain often drift into the realm of the mystical.
That very night, Quinta miscarried.
Jocelyn took the next day off and rushed to see her.
Damian was a shadow of himself outside the hospital room.
"Damian, what happened to Quinta?" Jocelyn asked in worries.
Damian just looked at her but remained silent.
Inside the room, Aunt Mae was in tears. Quinta was a pale, ghostly figure on the bed.
"Aunt Mae, Quinta," Jocelyn called out to them.
Quinta barely stirred at the sound of her name.
The moment Quinta laid eyes on Jocelyn, tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She bit her lip, her chin trembling ever so slightly as she fought to keep her emotions in check.
Jocelyn rushed over to her. "You were fine yesterday, what on earth happened?"
With red-rimmed eyes and a typically meek demeanor, Aunt Mae flashed a look of resentment and glanced cautiously towards the door. She said with a choked voice, "It's all because of Damian's ex-wife who can't seem to stay out of our lives."
Jocelyn's brows knit together, a full picture of the incident already forming in her mind.
"Did his ex-wife give you trouble again?" Jocelyn asked. "I thought she hadn't been around to cause a scene for a while?"
"It was her brother. Drove his car straight at Quinta. When she dodged, she twisted her ankle and..." Aunt Mae couldn't finish her sentence without wiping away tears.
Fury bubbled up inside Jocelyn. "That's practically attempted murder!"
"No, it was a loss of control, an accident," Quinta said quietly, her voice laced with irony.
"Yeah, right. Who's spinning that tale?" Jocelyn spat, feeling a weight on her chest.
Quinta gave a pointed look towards the door. "With an accident like this, there are bound to be investigations."
Jocelyn's anger flared, pacing the room in a tempest. "Is this the kind of resolution he's giving you?"
"What other choices do I have?" Despair filled Quinta's eyes. She choked out, "Jocelyn, I regret it all."
"Quinta..." Jocelyn sat down beside her, gripping her hand gently. She hurried to reassure her, "Don't think about anything right now, just focus on getting better. Medical science is so advanced these days, you'll recover soon and then you can try again."
Quinta slowly shook her head. "I want a divorce with Damian."
Jocelyn was momentarily stunned. Quinta's revelation was both unexpected and yet, somehow anticipated.
"It was a mistake from the start. I was too naive to see the writing on the wall. Life has taught me another lesson, proving that sometimes, you shouldn't go against advice from other people."
The bitterness in Quinta's eyes was palpable as she looked at Jocelyn, her whole being emanating frailty. This weakness was not merely physical. It was also the toll of emotional strife. Jocelyn's heart ached with empathy.
"I won't try to convince you otherwise. As long as you've thought this through, just go ahead," Jocelyn understood Quinta's feelings. Quinta was really disappointed this time.
Sometimes, people can overlook problems, forgive heartaches and dismiss them again and again. But eventually, disappointment would accumulate until there's no more room left to endure. That's when you know it's time to end.
"Mom, I'm sorry," Quinta turned to Aunt Mae, remorse in her voice, "for letting you down."
Aunt Mae, tears streaming down, replied, "Silly girl, what your father and I care about most is your happiness."
"From now on, just do what you want and live the life you desire," Aunt Mae soothed her daughter with a gentle pat.
"Yeah, let's all move on," Jocelyn joined in, encouraging Quinta.
Quinta nodded, "Now, there's nothing left to trouble me."
"Jocelyn, I need a favor. I want to divorce Damian, and he's sure to make it difficult," Quinta's gaze hardened, "You know more people than I do. Could you help me find a reliable lawyer? All I want is my share of the house. I paid the down payment by selling my old place, I don't want anything else, just what's rightfully mine."
"Exactly, Jocelyn, help Quinta out," Aunt Mae concurred. "Damian is a civil servant with more clout than us. If we don't get someone formidable, I'm afraid he might try to buy them off. Plus, his whole family are troublemakers. No average lawyer will do."
Jocelyn considered seriously, "I'll do my best."
"Maybe reach out to Melvin," Quinta suggested hesitantly, "I know you'd rather not involve him, but I don't want to lose."
Jocelyn froze.
She hadn't expected Quinta would suggest she contact Melvin.
"Quinta, you know the situation between Melvin and me. We have no connection anymore," Jocelyn said with a hint of helplessness. "Don't worry, I'll try my best to find you a good lawyer."
After a moment of silence, Quinta replied, "I'm sorry, Jocelyn. I just want to cut ties with Damian quickly, to settle this once and for all."
"I understand," Jocelyn wasn't upset with Quinta. "Rest up now. You need to be strong for the battle ahead."