SWNOVELS Chapter 224
Melvin's declaration had left Jocelyn reeling. She couldn't help but wonder just how deep his love ran for her to make such a decision. Some words, once spoken and heard, can't be ignored as if nothing ever happened.
They both fell silent.
"Oops!" Euston suddenly slapped the play mat and tipped his head back as if teasing them both.
Watching Euston's adorable antics, Jocelyn sometimes wished he was her own child.
She mused that a woman doesn't really need a man in her life. Having a child of her own would suffice.
She couldn't bring herself to look at Melvin or respond.
Stepping onto the mat, she knelt down and leaned in to play with the little one. "What's the matter, huh? Looking for someone to play with?"
Euston giggled, clutching Jocelyn's hand and snuggling closer.
Melvin knew Jocelyn didn't know how to respond to him, and he wasn't about to hang around shamelessly.
As the door closed behind him, Jocelyn didn't look back. Her smile faded, and her eyes reddened.
"I don't know how to answer him," she spoke to Euston, waggling a toy in front of him. "What do you think, huh?"
Euston pounced on Jocelyn, reaching for the toy.
Jocelyn let him clamber over her. "Your dad is brave and loyal, doing everything to get your mom back. That must be true love."
"I guess I don't have the courage to love again," Jocelyn sighed.
Wasn't that the truth?
Ever since she understood romantic love, she had only ever loved one person, and it had never worked out.
As night fell, Yasmine called Jocelyn to say she had to make a trip abroad and couldn't watch the kid anymore.
Jocelyn knew Yasmine had her own family to visit. Yasmine was a divorced woman with a child. She couldn't neglect her own kid, especially during the festive season. Wishing Yasmine a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year," Jocelyn told her not to worry about things here and take care of her own business.
Yasmine suggested, "If you need help, you could ask Melvin. He's a lone wolf, after all. He could be a very good babysitter."
Jocelyn agreed verbally, but she didn't feel right imposing on Melvin.
In the middle of the night, Jocelyn's phone buzzed.
Seeing the unknown number, she thought it must be Castiel.
"Hello?"
"Jocelyn, if I can't make it back next month, please hand over Euston to my parents. Tell them I'm sorry for letting them down," Castiel's voice was weak. Jocelyn straightened up anxiously. "What's happened to you?"
"This place is really dangerous," Castiel gasped, "I've been selfish. I came for Hermia, neglecting my parents and the child. But Jocelyn, I won't regret making this trip even if I die." Panicked, Jocelyn responded, "Stop talking nonsense. Euston can say 'daddy' and 'mommy' now. You and Hermia have to come back safe!"
Breathing erratically, Castiel said, "Euston really likes you, you know. If you don't mind, let him be your son."
"Stop it! Where are you? What's happening? Hello?" But Jocelyn's questions went unanswered.
No matter what she asked, there was no response from the other end anymore.
Jocelyn was beside herself with worry, clueless about what to do next.
Perhaps it was her loud voice, or maybe Euston sensed something was wrong, the child started crying.
Jocelyn picked up Euston and paced the room, soothing him, thinking of how to help Castiel.
But without knowing where in the South Myst region Castiel might be, what could she do?
"Daddy..." Euston suddenly uttered.
Jocelyn comforted him, "Honey, your daddy and mommy are going to be okay. Don't cry, be good."
However, Euston's cries grew louder, intermittently calling out 'daddy'.
Feeling overwhelmed, Jocelyn remembered Melvin.
Wasn't he the one who had managed to snap a photo of Castiel and Hermia? Then he must know where they were and what their situation was, right? Throwing caution to the wind, she called Melvin. It was in the middle of the night; she was unsure if he would even answer.
After a few rings, his sleepy voice came through.
"Hello?"
"It's me." With the child still crying, Jocelyn's voice was frantic, "I need a favor..."
She heard some noise on his end, the sound of a door perhaps.
Before she could finish, she heard Melvin say, "Open the door."
Jocelyn was confused.
"Come downstairs and open the door," Melvin repeated.
It finally clicked for Jocelyn.
Without stopping to wonder why Melvin was outside her door, she carried Euston downstairs and opened it.
Euston, still crying, reached for Melvin as soon as he saw him.
Melvin naturally took the child into his arms. Euston clung to Melvin's neck and his sobs subsided to soft whimpers.
Jocelyn was astonished.
Was it just because he had looked after Euston for a day that he could soothe him so easily?
"What's wrong?" Melvin asked, holding the child.
Jocelyn spilled everything about Castiel's potential trouble.
"Can you please help find Castiel?" Jocelyn pleaded with urgency.
Melvin's demeanor shifted from sleepy to alert at her distressed state. Why had he ever thought she would call at this hour if she was missing him?
He replied calmly that contrasted her panic, ready to take action.
Melvin's icy demeanor was unmistakable, and Jocelyn knew that seeking him out with her troubles might not be the most considerate move. But she had no other options.
What mattered most was that he had the means to find out where Castiel was and what kind of trouble he might be in.
Euston, nestled quietly in Melvin's arms, seemed oblivious to the tension.
"Why should I bother looking for him?" Melvin asked, his arms still wrapped protectively around the little boy.
Jocelyn felt a chill run down her spine at his indifference. She clasped her hands tightly, "He's Euston's father."
"And that should concern me how?" His voice was merciless.
Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn knew she couldn't afford to be confrontational. She softened her voice, "Euston's right here in your arms. His dad's in danger. Can't you help him out, for his sake, for the bond you share with him?"
Watching Jocelyn plead for Castiel, a man she once chose over him. It ignited a fire of resentment in Melvin.
"You really have no clue, do you? Ever since I found out about you and that guy, I've wished he'd disappear for good." His gaze was cold and detached, "I need to show you what marriage is all about. Let's see if you end up regretting your choices!"
Melvin was furious that she had so easily married someone else.
For a moment, Jocelyn wondered if Castiel's absence could be Melvin's doing. But then she realized that despite his animosity toward her, it was unlikely he would resort to endangering another person's life for revenge.
"You wouldn't," she said confidently, not allowing his words to sway her.
Melvin squinted at her, "Why the sudden faith? You think I wouldn't do something drastic to get back at you?"
The more he insisted, the more Jocelyn felt assured.
"It's not sudden trust. It's just that I know you understand the gravity of certain situations," she said calmly, "Castiel isn't your enemy. There's no need to taint your hands over a grudge against me."
"You're right, I have no business getting blood on my hands for your sake. But right now, his fate isn't in my control," Melvin fixed her with a steady look, "So, am I free to... simply look the other way?"