The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 228

Christmas Eve had wrapped the city in a festive mood.

Jocelyn sat at the dining table, silently savoring the comfort of the feast well prepared by Melvin. There was a mix of feelings tugging at her heartstrings.

In the play mat, little Euston was happily entertaining himself, while Melvin and Jocelyn sat opposite each other, enveloped in a silence that bespoke of years of shared life.

Breaking the quiet, Melvin ventured, "I'll do my best to sort out Castiel's situation. Don't worry."

Jocelyn nodded in agreement. Holding belief was her only option now.

"Yasmine's coming home today," Melvin continued. "Would you like to join us for the Christmas celebration? Bring Euston along and we can look after him in turns."

Jocelyn pursed her lips, "My parents are coming over."

"Oh." Melvin's gaze fell.

It was rare to see him so subdued, so devoid of argument.

Jocelyn recalled her mother's words – how they spoke to her when believing Euston was her and Melvin's child, and that they wouldn't stand in the way if she truly wanted to be with him.

Over the last couple of years, her parents had eased off on the marriage talk, no longer comparing her to others who had got married or had a second child. But every time she saw them in the neighborhood, cooing over other children with that loving look, she knew what she had denied them.

They had accepted her decisions, yet their yearning for a grandchild never faded. It was merely suppressed.

The dream of doting on grandchildren in a home filled with laughter – who wouldn't want that? It was a simple wish of aged parents, not for themselves, but for the assurance that their lineage would continue and they wouldn't be left alone in their twilight years.

If she were to marry, Jocelyn mused, it had to be to someone she loved – and who loved her as well.

She decided not to invite Melvin to join her parents for the holiday. There was no reason to.

When Yasmine arrived that afternoon, Melvin went to pick her up.

"Why not invite Jocelyn to join us for dinner tonight?" Yasmine suggested, aware of his feelings. Though Jocelyn was married, they could still be friends.

Melvin's mood had dipped. "She's spending it with her parents."

"Oh." Yasmine didn't press further.

Her thoughts drifted to Zachary – not out of longing, but because he had said he might get hurt if he helped get Castiel out of trouble. It wasn’t his usual talk and it foretold a tough battle ahead.

Both siblings had their worries, casting a somber mood in the car.

...

When Calvin and Daisy returned home, Jocelyn decided not to host the Christmas dinner at home and to dine out instead. But she hadn't booked yet, and now most places were full.

"Jocelyn!"

She turned to see Yasmine and Melvin, accompanied by Zephyr, Yannick, and a group of their friends.

"You booked here too?" Yasmine asked with curiosity.

Jocelyn shook her head. "We didn't plan ahead, so there's no tables left. We're just going to whip up something simple at home now."

"Isn't it a hassle to start cooking now?" Yasmine glanced at her watch, then offered, "If you don't mind, why not join us?"

Yasmine's warm, graceful demeanor was genuinely endearing.

"It doesn't seem right..." Calvin started, glancing at Melvin. It felt awkward to dine together with them.

"There's nothing wrong with it," Yasmine reassured them. "It's Christmas – the more the merrier. Besides, cooking now would be exhausting."

Daisy remained silent, deferring to Jocelyn.