SWNOVELS Chapter 266
Everyone in their circle knew the truth-that Zachary and Yasmine's split was just a bump in the road of their love story. After all, their bond was too strong to be easily severed, and the presence of their little
boy, Preston, only tied them closer together.
It was a known secret that Zachary hadn't been hit by Melvin. He just needed some space and checked himself into a hotel.
"When will Yasmine forgive him?" Jocelyn couldn't help but worry for Zachary.
Melvin shrugged it off, "She'll come around when she's ready."
Jocelyn rolled her eyes, her words falling on deaf ears.
"Are we really going?" Melvin's mood was as gloomy as the overcast sky.
"They called to invite us, and we said yes. Can we really bail now?" Jocelyn was already dressed, pushing him to get ready. "Hurry up."
"I don't want to see him," Melvin grumbled, clearly not thrilled.
Jocelyn nudged him towards the closet. "Come on, man, they tied the knot before us. Can't you be a bit more gracious? Or what, you feeling insecure in front of him?"
At that, Melvin spun around, wrapped his arms around her waist, looking into her eyes with a smirk, "Insecure? Me? Tell me, darling, in what universe am I less than him?"
"I don't think you are. But it's you who doesn't want to go," Jocelyn said, prodding his chest playfully. "So, what exactly are you insecure about?"
"I just don't want to see him." The mere thought of Harrison, the man who had nearly married Jocelyn, made Melvin's blood boil. What if he still harbored feelings for her?
Jocelyn held his face gently, "Mr. Martinez, remember, you're my lawfully wedded husband now. Protected by law. Show some confidence, will you?"
She let her fingers dance across his cheek as he watched her intently. "Be honest with me-did you ever have feelings for him?"
Her eyes narrowed, "You sure you want to ask that?"
"So the answer is yes?" Mel frowned.
"Someone didn't appreciate what he had when he had me. Then someone else did, and I surely knew how to choose," Jocelyn raised an eyebrow. Asking such a question was like looking for trouble. And she was more than willing to tease him.
Mel took a deep breath, his arms tightening around her. "So you fancied him that much?"
"He's handsome, a perfect gentleman, and we're both educators. Why wouldn't I fancy him?" As she watched his expression darken, she couldn't help but feel amused.
Melvin leaned in, their foreheads touching. "Between him and me, who do you fancy more?"
Jocelyn knew he was desperate.
If she didn't sweet-talk him now, they wouldn't be leaving the house today.
"I married you, didn't I? So obviously, I fancy you more." She pinched his waist playfully. "Mr. Martinez, can you be any more childish? The man who shares my bed every night is you. Aren't these questions a bit redundant?"
Melvin seemed pleased, though he tried to play it cool with a low hum, "Who knows if you've ever had regrets."
"Regrets about what?"
"Regrets about letting him go."
Jocelyn realized Melvin's insecurity ran deep-he was still worried about an impossibility.
She spoke seriously, "We should only have this conversation once at home. If Ursula hears about this, she'll start worrying too."
She soothed him, "From the start, you've been the only one I've loved. What happened with Harrison was nothing. And in my heart, you're the best, incomparable."
She held his waist, swaying gently like she was soothing Euston. "Really, you're the best in my world."
She couldn't help but laugh at her own words.
No matter how old they are, everyone likes to hear sweet nothings..
Melvin gave her a look, his eyes twinkling with laughter, his demeanor softening significantly.
"Still not happy?" Jocelyn tilted her head up, planting a kiss on his chin. "How about now?"
Melvin's lips curled into a smile, though he tried to maintain his cool facade.
Jocelyn resigned herself to his pride and stood on her toes to kiss him.
He turned his head, and she missed.
"Melvin!" Jocelyn glared playfully.
He crouched slightly, sweeping her up in his arms, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist, her arms around his neck.
"Now you can kiss me," Melvin said, leaning in.
Jocelyn was annoyed by his little airs, but she also adored him for them.
The Melvin she had now made her very happy.
They should have left an hour ago, but they were late because of their little spat.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Harrison and Ursula were already there.
Glowing like a blooming rose, Jocelyn walked in on Melvin's arm and immediately spotted Harrison and Ursula.
Ursula stood to greet them, and they approached.
"You two look like you had a fabulous honeymoon," Jocelyn said, taking a seat across from Ursula, with Melvin across from Harrison.
Ursula presented a gift with a smile, "Here's a little something for you."
"Thanks," Jocelyn said, accepting the gift with a grin.
"Open it up, see if you like it." Ursula urged.
"No matter what it is, I'll love it," Jocelyn said, pulling out a fancy pink fountain pen from the box.
"This..." Jocelyn examined the pen, not quite an expert on such items.
But Melvin knew better.
"This is custom-made," he recognized instantly. "It's very thoughtful."
Ursula smiled, "Yeah, Harrison happened to know the master craftsman, so he had it made specially for you. I thought you would really like it."
Jocelyn was taken aback. Custom items were usually expensive, but what mattered most was the thought behind them.
Holding the pen, she suddenly felt its
weight-both physically and
emotionally: After all the effort to pacify Melvin before leaving home, she wondered how he'd feel to
swnov
Harrison's personalized gift for her now.
"Why is there more?" Jocelyn quickly put the pen back in its place and picked up another small box.
Ursula gestured for her to open it, "This one's from me."
Jocelyn looked at the couple, "You two are quite the pair, giving gifts separately like this."
"Everyone has different tastes," Ursula said with a smile.
Jocelyn opened the box to find a delicate black tourmaline bracelet. She chuckled, "This bracelet is pretty intricate."
"It's for good luck," Ursula explained. "I wasn't sure what to get, so I went with something meaningful."
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"Thank you both. I really love them." Jocelyn immediately slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, placed the pen back in her bag and handed it to Melvin to keep safe.
Harrison watched Jocelyn, his emotions a tangled mess ever since he found out she had just married Melvin.
He knew he shouldn't harbor other thoughts, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he had missed out on something, a regret that lingered stubbornly.
"Melvin, you have no idea how viral
the video of your love message for Jocelyn has gone abroad. It's
everywhere. Jocelyn's the envy of
everyone now. So many people are saying they want to marry you. It's so romantic, and you, so lavish," Ursula said lightheartedly, her face always wearing a smile.
Melvin responded coolly, "I'm a loyal man. They might want to marry me, but even in the next life, they won't stand a chance."
Ursula laughed, then she turned to Jocelyn with envy, "No wonder you're so smitten with him, always carrying a torch. There's a reason for it, after all."