The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 262

The funeral for Brighton was simple. A brief ceremony was held, followed by cremation—a contrast to the pomp and circumstance one might have expected.

The grave site had been purchased in advance, ensuring a final resting place amid the rolling hills overlooking the sea.

As the mourners gathered to extend their condolences, they all consoled Yasmine and Melvin to find peace in this time of sorrow.

Jocelyn, having married into the Martinez family, played the gracious hostess, seeing to the needs of the guests as they departed. Though she kept her distance from Melvin, allowing him to stand beside Yasmine, her heart ached in their shared grief.

Daisy, ever the empathetic soul, sighed heavily, "I can't believe it. Your wedding hadn't even been made, and now your father-in-law has passed."

Jocelyn didn't interrupt the Martinez siblings. Instead, she stood in a distance, clutching her mother's hand tightly. The weight of loss was heavy upon her.

"Even if he were still alive, our wedding wouldn't have seen his father's presence," she murmured.

"What kind of grudge must that be?" Daisy couldn't comprehend.

Jocelyn replied softly, "Some things aren't meant to be shared with strangers. Some feelings can't be understood by others. I hope his father's passing will allow him to finally let go of the past."

Seeing Jocelyn's stoic demeanor, Daisy refrained from further lament.

Family feuds are rarely so deep, she thought. If it was, it's never over something trivial.

"You need to talk to him," Daisy insisted.

"I will," Jocelyn agreed.

At the graveside, the siblings stood in silence. With her sunglasses on, Yasmine finally broke the quiet, "He apologized."

"Mom didn't hear it," Melvin replied sharply.

Yasmine sniffed, "He spent decades living with regret."

"Mom had gone. It didn't matter anymore."

"And you? Can't you let it go now that he's gone?" Yasmine turned to face Melvin.

"What difference does it make whether I let it go or not?" Melvin's voice was flat.

"His dying wish was for your forgiveness."

"And if I don't forgive? Then what?"

"Melvin! Do you really plan on living the rest of your life burdened by this vanished hatred?" Yasmine's voice was urgent.

Melvin took a deep breath. "That's my business."

Yasmine's brows knitted together, "Who are you not forgiving?"

Silence fell again.

"Now you have your own family, he's gone. Why hold onto the past? Besides, what can you do now? No one can feel your hatred anymore. He knows nothing."

"It's my business," Melvin repeated, turning on his heel and walking away.

Yasmine watched his retreating figure, her heart heavy with unspoken sorrow.

On the drive back, Melvin remained silent all the way.

After dropping Calvin and Daisy home, he muttered, "Daisy, Calvin, I think I'm going to lie down for a bit."

Calvin and Daisy exchanged a knowing look, hastily reassuring him, "Go ahead, this is your home. Do whatever you want to."

"Thanks," Melvin said, pushing open the door to Jocelyn's room and disappearing inside.

Jocelyn and Yasmine entered the house, each carrying their own somber thoughts.

Yasmine was still worried about Melvin's well-being. She urged Jocelyn, "Now that Melvin seems to listen to you, try to talk to him when you can. I'm afraid that with my father gone, all his years of resentment will suddenly have nowhere to go, and he won't be able to cope."

Jocelyn understood Yasmine's concern. Some people live their lives just to prove something. Perhaps Melvin's hatred for his father was what had been driving him all along. Now that it was gone, she worried about how he would fare.

After Yasmine left, Jocelyn quietly entered the bedroom. She saw Melvin lying on the bed, seemingly asleep. She slipped off her shoes and jacket, climbed onto the bed next to him, and nestled into his arms, seeking the comfort of his embrace.

During the days following the old man's passing, Melvin had seemed detached, but Jocelyn had caught him standing solemnly before the coffin. Hate or love, whatever it was, it had touched him deeply.