The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 200

Everyone knows the drill.

If people could achieve everything they want, there would be a lot fewer broken hearts in this world.

Melvin sat in silence.

Layla frowned. “It's not that you won't marry her. Now the key is she doesn't want to marry you. You've got to treat this like a regular breakup. Love's a dance—sometimes you're together, sometimes you're not. It happens.”

“If I hadn't stood her up that day, we would've tied the knot, and I'd never have let her go,” Melvin said, his voice heavy with regret.

Layla agreed, but added, “But you need to think about the real issue in your mind - the one you've got locked up inside. It is like a time bomb in your relationship. It could blow up any second even if you were together.”

Melvin traced the bite mark left by Jocelyn on the back of his hand, lost in thought.

“Go socialize with friends more. Don't stew in your own juices,” Layla suggested, glancing at the clock. “My next appointment was canceled. How about grab a bite together?”

“No, thanks.” Melvin stood up. “I should get going.”

Layla didn't push it. “Try to get some sleep tonight. And don't skip your medicine. If you need anything, give me a call.”

“Will do.”

Melvin left.

He drove to Jocelyn's new place, the one she moved to just to put space between them—a clear sign she was cutting him out for good.

He knew her apartment number and the floor she was on, but he never went up.

Her room was dark. Either she was out or already asleep.

He parked on the street and sat staring at the darkened window.

Sleep was a stranger to him lately. When he did manage to nod off, it was only for minutes at a time, but it felt like hours. The fatigue was bone-deep, but his mind refused to shut down.

Dr. Layla said it was mental stress that caused by his excessive desires.

But all he wanted was Jocelyn.

And that one simple desire had become an insurmountable chasm.

He never thought his inner turmoil would land him in such a mess.

A taxi pulled up. Jocelyn got out and disappeared into the building.

Melvin's throat tightened as he watched her go. He wanted to run after her, beg her not to ignore him.

But he stayed in the car smoking, occasionally glancing up at her window.

When her light finally went out, he put out his cigarette.

He reclined his seat and lay there, facing her apartment, and closed his eyes.

Exhaustion took over him. For the first time in recent days, Melvin slept soundly.

The next morning, Jocelyn headed out to her early class and noticed the familiar car. It looked like it had been there all night. She couldn't see inside but carried on to school, a hint of confusion in her steps.

After class, Quinta called to say she'd arranged lunch with Melvin and asked if Jocelyn wanted to join.

Jocelyn declined.

At the school cafeteria, Jocelyn ate alone while Quinta texted that Melvin looked much thinner.

Jocelyn didn't respond.

After a post-lunch nap, Quinta texted again—they were done.

“You guys aren't going back today, right?” Jocelyn called her.

“We're heading back. Damian's got a business trip tomorrow.”

“You sure you can handle all this back and forth?” Jocelyn was worried. “You're pregnant, and it can be exhausting.”

“It's fine,” Quinta assured her. “I had a present prepared for Melvin, but he wouldn't take it. It made me feel awkward.”

Jocelyn pursed her lips. “If he doesn't want it, let it go.”

“I... never mind, it's your business,” Quinta hesitated. “Just take care of yourself. Gotta go, we're catching a cab to the station. Bye.”

“Bye.”

The call ended, but Jocelyn felt far from relieved. Her life seemed disconnected from Melvin's, yet she felt their paths crossed every day.

Back at home that afternoon, Daisy mentioned Quinta. “She shouldn’t fuss about thanking that man so promptly. Pregnancies are delicate early on, and all this travel...”

“She knows her limits,” Calvin chimed in. “Don't stress her out.”

“I'm just concerned,” Daisy insisted. “She struggled to conceive for long. Now what she needs most is rest.”

“And your aunt, Mae, too, bragging about her daughter’s pregnancy as if it's everyone's business. You know, 'hide it for three months, not four.' She should know better,” Daisy sighed.