The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 195

Jocelyn sat quietly, waiting for his explanation.

After all, even murder requires a motive.

Melvin took a sip of his coffee. Jocelyn's calmness only added to his unease.

"I'm sick," Melvin said.

Jocelyn didn't even bat an eyelid, "Yeah, I know."

Melvin was taken aback and looked up at her, "How do you know?"

"You're so averse to marriage, and I've overheard you talking to Dr. Layla quite often. I figured it must be an illness," Jocelyn explained matter-of-factly.

Melvin swallowed hard.

Jocelyn's gaze remained steady on him, "If it was such a struggle, you shouldn't have agreed to it in the first place. Giving me hope and throwing yourself into the fire. But I should thank you for walking away before we had any papers signed – it saved me some embarrassment."

"Now that I know, I won't force you," Jocelyn said softly, so faint it seemed almost ethereal, "Anything else?"

"I do want to marry you," Melvin's voice was hoarse, "I didn't plan on running away. I couldn't control myself that night. That's why I went to Dr. Layla."

"Okay," Jocelyn acknowledged, letting him know she understood.

Melvin took a deep breath, "I wanted to be in the best shape for you. I didn't want you to worry, so..."

His words trailed off as Jocelyn's piercing eyes held him silent.

"Fear of worrying me, so you chose to disappear. Phone off, no messages. How long has it been? And now you come with explanations – am I supposed to act as if nothing had happened?"

Jocelyn laughed.

That laugh sent Melvin into a panic.

"I get what you're aiming for with this explanation, hoping I'd forgive you," Jocelyn nodded emphatically, "Yeah, I will."

Melvin couldn't believe it, but joy overwhelmed him, "You really forgive me?"

"Of course." Jocelyn saw the joy in his eyes and understood what made him so happy, but she didn't want to be fooled again. "But there's no future for us."

The joy in Melvin's eyes was shattered.

"Why?"

"That's a question you shouldn't have asked," Jocelyn said with a light smile, though her eyes betrayed her sadness, "Don't make it hard for me, or for yourself."

Melvin clenched his fists.

Jocelyn cast a fleeting glance at the time on the wall, her tone solid as marble, "I'd rather you didn't bother my parents anymore. They are getting old and can't handle much. If you manage to make yourself scarce, the neighbors might just let the whole incident fade into oblivion, and my parents could pretend it never occurred. But if you continue to cause a scene, you're simply providing the locals with juicy gossip fodder."

"So, even if I want to register for marriage with you now, you wouldn't want to?” Melvin asked, somewhat urgently.

"Yes,” Jocelyn’s response was a swift and sharp dagger, her eyes unyielding, "Some foolhardy acts are better left as a one-time ordeal."

Jocelyn stood up, "Take care," she said, departing the coffee shop without even a goodbye.

Melvin didn't follow her. He just watched Jocelyn's retreating figure, realizing from the moment she turned away that she was utterly disappointed.

"You’ve given up?" Yasmine walked in from outside, her gaze filled with sympathy. She stood behind him and gently squeezed his shoulder, "Did you clear things up with her?"

Melvin touched the bite mark on the back of his hand, the one left by Jocelyn. He was not ready to give up, but he didn't know how to win her back.

Keep forcing her?

After all the hurt, did he still expect her to be with him?

Melvin felt like a madman.

"Sis, it hurts here." Melvin pointed to his chest, eyes red-rimmed.

Yasmine looked at her grown brother, reminiscent of when he was a child crying about a pain, and she couldn't help but feel for him.

"Do you want a hug?"