The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 135

"Melvin must be having a lousy year," Yasmine mused aloud as she glanced at the man hooked up to an IV drip. "Otherwise, why would he keep landing himself in the hospital?"

Jocelyn remained silent, her thoughts unreadable.

"Why did you let him in?" Yasmine nodded towards Melvin, who was receiving fluids, and questioned Jocelyn.

Jocelyn's eyes, filled with concern, never left the feverish man. "Couldn't bear to turn him away."

A smirk tugged at Yasmine's lips. "Because you still have feelings for him?"

Jocelyn never denied her affection for Melvin.

"Maybe you should give him another chance," Yasmine suggested, vouching for Melvin. "Why put yourself through this misery?"

Jocelyn met Yasmine's gaze calmly. "And what happens after I give him that chance?"

Yasmine paused, her gaze shifting to the man who was lying on bed. He was such a puzzle – unwilling to commit, yet entangling Jocelyn in his ambiguous advances. Eventually, even the deepest affection could be worn down to nothing.

His antics were just a crutch, leveraging Jocelyn's lingering feelings.

Once those feelings faded, Melvin would be no more than a puff of smoke.

"I won't advise you anymore." Yasmine's smile was tinged with resignation. "We're both women. I totally understand you. If you don't care for him, don't pity him. If something like this happens again, stay away or call me."

Jocelyn nodded.

Yasmine glanced at the clock. "You should get some rest. It's late."

"Alright."

Yasmine sat by the bed, sighing as she looked at Melvin's gaunt figure. After a while, he stirred awake and mistook Yasmine for Jocelyn.

"You're up?" Yasmine offered him water, noting the fleeting disappointment in his eyes. "Don't tell me you're not happy to see me?"

"Where is she?"

Yasmine checked the time. "Do you have any idea what hour it is?"

Melvin's lips were dry, his face set in a grimace.

"You can't keep doing this. Why disturb her? She's happy now with a boyfriend who cherishes her. Bothering her like this is unethical. And even if she did come back to you, what could you offer her?"

For the first time, Yasmine spoke with earnest gravity. "I'm a woman too. I know what she wants. Three years is more than just time. It's the youth and effort she's given. If you can't promise her a future, let someone else do it. What you're doing isn't love. It's being a pest."

Melvin clenched his fist, struggling to contain his emotions.

"Hey, your IV's back-flowing," Yasmine exclaimed upon noticing blood at the site of Melvin's infusion, her voice laced with alarm. "Are you sick or something?"

His eyes reddened, a storm of emotions brewing within him.

Seeing him like this, Yasmine's heart softened. "I never asked you, why don’t you proposed to her if you really love her so much?"

Melvin's expression suddenly darkened with anger and fear.

Yasmine's brow furrowed. "Is it because of our father...?"

"Shut up!" Melvin's outburst cut her off.

She had struck a nerve. She never imagined that old wound had become his demon.

"He's been repenting every day for years. I visited him recently. He wanted me to tell you that he's sorry. He's sorry for everything."

"I’m not the one he should apologize to!" Melvin's anger was palpable.