SWNOVELS Chapter 204
"I didn't see him at all," Jocelyn exhaled deeply, "His doctor opened the door, said they were gearing up to head to Angel City for treatment. Might be a year or two." Quinta felt increasingly uneasy as she listened, "Stay with that doctor for a year or two?"
"For treatment."
Quinta was at a loss for words.
Jocelyn held Quinta's hand, "I'm fine. Now, I don't have any emotional baggage. Once I'm rested, I'll head back. Live well, make friends, and start new dating."
"Right." Quinta squeezed her hand, "As for men, if they're gone, they're gone. The next one will be better."
Jocelyn laughed.
"I envy you. You pick things up and put them down so easily, never caring about what society thinks. You live a clear and free life." Jocelyn opened her eyes and looked at Quinta, "Life throws a lot of hurdles in our way, but we still manage to live well, right?"
"Of course. First and foremost, we've gotta keep ourselves happy, then our loved ones will be happy too. As for other people's opinions, they don't matter."
Quinta stroked her face, "Leave the legal stuff to me, let Damian play his games-I'll play along. If he doesn't let me go peacefully, I won't make it easy for him either. The things he's done-if they come out, he won't just lose his job, he might even end up behind bars. So, what do I have to fear about? If he's ruthless, why should I be considerate? If he wants to avoid a scandal, he should know what to do." Quinta lay down too.
"Yeah." Jocelyn hugged Quinta, snuggling close, "Quinta, I want to sleep."
"Sleep then." Quinta patted her shoulder, "It's alright, everything will get better."
Jocelyn knew things would get better.
All the unresolved feelings and frustrations would seem insignificant in the days to come.
She would only laugh at herself for wasting time on these self-consuming matters when she could've spent it on something better.
Jocelyn was at ease now. She slept soundly and dreamlessly.
Jocelyn had lunch at her uncle's and then headed to the station to buy a ticket back to the city.
Life went on as usual, and Jocelyn knew Melvin had gone abroad.
The new CEO of his jewelry company was Zephyr now.
Zephyr came to see Jocelyn at school once, dressed in a flamboyant floral shirt, as eye-catching as a peacock. "Sis-in-law," Zephyr greeted.
Jocelyn frowned in correction, "Zephyr, watch what you're saying. If you keep that up, what will people think of me?" "Melvin really went for treatment." Zephyr didn't care about the correction, "He told me to check on you before he left." Jocelyn found it more absurd by the second, "Check on me for what? To see if I'm upset? Or to gauge my reaction?" "Don't say like that," Zephyr tried to explain, "His condition got really bad."
"Was is my fault?" Jocelyn asked in return.
Zephyr frowned, "Yes and no."
"Because I wanted to marry him, I pressured him into a breakdown? The problem existed before me. Even if it wasn't me, there would have been someone else who made him what he is now." Jocelyn looked at Zephyr, "I tried hard, but clearly fate wasn't on our side, nor did it favor a union between us."
Jocelyn continued, "Please tell him to focus on his treatment. If he ever meets someone like me again, not to let her down. I once said I'd be married before thirty. It's a shame that the man I marry won't be him."
Zephyr didn't expect her to be so detached, "You can just let go of him?"
"I'm not a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, what can't I let go of? He can't expect me to wait around for him forever." Jocelyn shook her head, "I've waited long enough." Jocelyn didn't want to continue the conversation. Waving a goodbye to Zephyr, she headed straight home.
Jocelyn received a text message that evening.
It was from an unknown number, but the content made it clear who sent it.
[There are two years left until you're thirty. The man you marry will definitely be me.]
Jocelyn licked her lips lightly, unsure where Melvin's confidence came from, or what right he had to say such things.
She didn't respond, setting her phone aside to prepare for her lessons.
Zephyr came looking for Jocelyn again in a few days.
"Jocelyn, it's my birthday today."
Jocelyn found him odd. What did his birthday have to do with her?
"Oh," Jocelyn said, "Happy birthday."
"Let's have dinner together." Zephyr suggested, "It's Friday, you should be free tonight."
"Sorry, I have plans." Jocelyn declined.
Zephyr frowned, "With who?"
"I don't think that's any of your business." Jocelyn gave Zephyr a sidelong glance, sincerely thinking he needed a head check too.
"Melvin specifically told me, you should be included if there are any events." Zephyr said, "You may give up on him, but he hasn't given up on you."
...
Jocelyn had nothing to say.
Luckily, Ursula came out in time and called to Jocelyn, "Jocelyn, they've already reserved a spot, dinner starts at 6."
Jocelyn turned around and gave Ursula a grateful look, "Then we should head over now."
"Yeah." Ursula joined her side, eyeing Zephyr, "Zephyr, you've been looking for our Jocelyn quite a bit these days. Hope you're not getting ideas now that she's single." Zephyr was taken aback, "Don't spout nonsense. She's my sister-in-law!"
Ursula linked arms with Jocelyn and asked curiously, "Sister-in-law? Who's your brother then?"
"His brother's dead." Jocelyn didn't give Zephyr another glance, pulling Ursula away with her.
Zephyr shouted after their retreating figures, "Jocelyn, are you cursing Melvin to death?" Jocelyn didn't look back.
"What's the deal? He runs off with another dame and leaves a watchdog for you?" Ursula rolled her eyes so hard they could have tumbled out of her head. "Could he be any more pathetic?" Jocelyn muttered, "He's lunatic."
"Anyway, I've got a date with Harrison Whitman."
Jocelyn stopped dead in her tracks, staring at Ursula.
Ursula was quick to clarify, "It's not for you."
She suddenly giggled, a touch of shyness in her smile, "It's for me."
Jocelyn frowned, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Isn't it obvious? You and he are done. So I figured, why not step up to the plate and take a swing?" Ursula's eyes danced with mischief. "You're not gonna hold it against me, right?" Surprise was all that Jocelyn felt, not a hint of resentment.
She had practically suggested Ursula to chase after Harrison, and now here she was, finally getting a clue. Impressive.
Jocelyn couldn't help but throw her friend a thumbs-up, "Nicely done."
"I was just as shocked when he agreed," Ursula admitted, blushing.
"That means there's a spark there, you know." Jocelyn thought for a moment, then backtracked, "Hang on, if you're seeing him, what am I tagging along for? Uh-uh, I'm not going to be the third wheel." Ursula grabbed her hand, "You have to come with me."
"What am I, your chaperone?" Jocelyn shook her head. "It's your date, not mine. I can't be there, it'll be awkward."
"Oh please, go with me. Or else I'll be the one squirming," Ursula pleaded.
Jocelyn was at a loss for words, "Look, Ursula. You're the one chasing the guy. You've already taken the brave first step, can't you muster just a bit more courage?"
Ursula stomped her foot in frustration, "I'm scared!"
Jocelyn was speechless.
She told Ursula earnestly, "I really can't go. You're putting me in awkwardness. Besides, aren't you afraid I'll cramp your style?"
"Not at all."
"Well, I am." Jocelyn was adamant, "You better head out on that date alone, and I'll go hunt for my new dates."
"You're really not going to be there with me?" Ursula was on the verge of tears.
Jocelyn was unmoved, "Nope."
With Jocelyn pushing her to go, Ursula had no choice but to venture alone to the rendezvous.
Jocelyn gave her an encouraging gesture, wishing her the best.
Deep down, she thought Ursula and Harrison might actually hit it off. He was reliable and insightful, while Ursula was spirited and courageous - they could be a great match.
"Jocelyn."
Jocelyn hadn't noticed the car beside her. It was from Yannick Hayden.
"Would you do me the honor of joining me for dinner?" Unlike Zephyr, Yannick was all polished manners.
His features were sharp, with piercing eyes that made him stand out in any crowd.
Jocelyn was clueless about what he and Zephyr were up to.
"If I don't go with you, are you just going to keep tailing me?" Jocelyn cut to the chase.
"Yes." Yannick's response was earnest.
Taking a deep breath to avoid cursing him out, Jocelyn reluctantly got into his car.
She settled into the passenger seat without asking where he was taking her to.
Yannick wasn't much for chit-chat. Once she was in the car, silence fell.
Then his phone rang.
"Hello." Yannick listened intently.
Jocelyn assumed it was Zephyr on the line.
But then she heard Yannick say, "She's with me. Yeah, I'll take care of her... Okay, bye."
"Melvin?" Jocelyn inquired.
"Yep." Yannick added, "He was worried you'd get lost, so he asked us to keep an eye on you."
Jocelyn scoffed, "If Zephyr did that to you, would you forgive him?"
Yannick's face tensed up.