Chapter 26
Chapter 26
The heavy raspy breaths on the other end of the phone were still blending together.
Jozeler’s hands were shaking, and sleep was the last thing on her mind. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
was a hot mess, feeling like she wanted to scream her lungs out.
Finally, she hit the record button, holding it down until the caller hung up
She sat up in bed head hanging, her chest tight and short of breath for a long time.
No chance of getting any more sleep.
She watched the clock tick away, feeling like the night was dragging on forever.
When dawn finally broke, there was a knock on the door, her head buzzing, completely drained, and her phone went off
again.
“Melvin flashed on the screen. Her eyes were sore as she stared at the name, while the annoying knock on the door
persisted
After a while, she dragged herself to answer it, barefoot.
Melvin looked awful. “Changed the locks?”
Jocelyn lifted her head, and the look on her face shocked Melvin.
Eyes bloodshot, her face completely pale, she looked like she’d been through hell and back in just one night.
“What happened to you? Melvin frowned, reaching for her shoulder.
Before he could touch her Jocelyn dodged like she was avoiding something filthy, the disgust in her eyes plain as day.
Melvin’s face went cold in an instant Jocelyn, what the hell is going on?”
Jocelyn took a painful deep breath, still clutching her phone, and looked him straight in the eye. “Let’s break up.”
Melvin’s eyes narrowed, and the air around him turned frosty.
“Explain yourself!” His gaze turned icy.
Jocelyn swallowed hard and played the recording on her phone, that unbearable, indescribable sound filling their ears.
With each listen, Jocelyn’s heart twisted in agony.
“What is this? Melvin frowned, clueless
Jocelyn forced a bitter smile and showed him the call log, “3:25 AM, you called me. That’s when I heard this and recorded it.”
Melvin stared at the call log on her phone screen, then pulled out his own, finding no trace of a call to her at that time
“I was drunk last night, and Zephyr took me home. I didn’t wake up until this morning, Melvin explained coolly
“Who else was there? Jocelyn didn’t want to leave it murky. If he was willing to explain, she was willing to clear things
Melvin frowned slightly and answered, “Willow.”
Jocelyn was at a loss for words
Preston was home too, Melvin added, fire building up inside him at her mocking laugh.
Jocelyn: felt exhausted. She let her arms fall, propping herself against the door, the light went from her eyes “You’ve got
ace Go back there. Don’t come here anymore.”
ith that, she was about to shut the door
Melvin braced the door with his hand and said, I told you, nothing happened between Willow and me!
Chap 26
“So what?’ Jocelyn matched his stubbornness, “You and I have nothing either. If you’re just looking for booty calls, I’ll hit you up when I’m in the mood.”
“You Melvin was about to explode
Jocelyn pushed the door with resolve, determined not to let hirn in.
‘Don’t you believe me? Melvin almost snarled.
“I do Jocelyn had no energy left to argue. After a sleepless night, she was beat and needed to get ready for work.
Melvin sensed her brushing him off. Being doubted and distrusted over something he didn’t do really got under his skin.
“What’s your deal? Are you really kicking me out?”
“I’ve got work, so no time for this nonsense. Please move, Jocelyn said firmly, about to close the door.
“You sure you want to break up?”
Jocelyn was irritated, “Yes”
Melvin watched her, not seeing a hint of reluctance in her eyes, his brow furrowed fiercely, “Jocelyn, you’ve threatened to break up with me countless times over the years, not every time will I play the charmer.”
Jocelyn couldn’t help but laugh.
Indeed, over three years, they’d had countless breakups, mostly initiated by her, but each time he’d sweet-talk her into forgetting why she wanted to break up in the first place.
But this time was different.
“Yeah, I know.” After all, someone else needed his company now.
Melvin, struck by her indifference, felt a surge of anger and wanted to slam the door.
Jocelyn asked, “Is there anything else?”
Melvin glared at her, lips pressed tight, and then he stormed off with a push against the door.
The moment he left, Jocelyn felt a piece of her heart ripped out, the pain almost suffocating.
Melvin drove straight to the studio where Willow was prepping for a shoot.
In the makeup room, Melvin’s icy demeanor scared the crew.
Everyone cleared out except for Zephyr.
“What’s got into you so early? Weren’t you fine when you left?” Willow saw Melvin in the mirror, who was still so damn attractive even when pissed.
He had matured a lot since she left. He was rich, handsome, domineering, yet passionate.
She’d asked around upon her return. Aside from Jocelyn, who’d never been publicly acknowledged, there were no other
women around him.
So, she still had a chance.
Last night was a great start.
Melvin confronted her, “Who gave you permission to touch my phone?”
Willow was taken aback, “What are you talking about?”
“Who else would dare touch my phone but you?” Melvin didn’t need to think twice. That call to Jocelyn had to be Willow playing some misleading audio,
Willow turned around, genuinely confused. “I didn’t touch your phone. What’s wrong with you?”
there was no proof that Willow used his phone to call Jocelyn, but besides her, no one else would
Men shot Willow a frosty look and said, “No one gets to butt in between me and Jocelyn, got it?”
Willow’s lips twitched slightly, her fingers curling into a faint fist. She pursed her red lips and managed to smile. 1 can tell you and Jocelyn are close. True love can’t be wrecked by a third wheel.”
But deep down, she didn’t buy the idea that Melvin was head over heels for Jocelyn
How much love could a guy have if he’s scared to show her off to his friends, if he won’t even own up to their relationship?
It’s probably just a physical thing, all about sex, and nothing more.
Willow figured even the tastiest dish would make one sick if he had too much of it. One day, he’ll be so over it that he won’t want to touch it ever again.
So, if he wants to play with Jocelyn, let him play
After Melvin left, Zephyr came out patting his chest, asking Willow, “What’s with the phone? Why was he so steamed up? Scared the bejesus out of me. I didn’t dare to butt in
“It’s nothing. Willow broke into a bright, unblemished smile “Do you think he came over just to rub in my face how great he’s doing with Jocelyn to get back at me?”
Zephyr really didn’t know what to say
He just sort of mumbled a non answer, “You had your reasons for walking away back then, and him having a girl now is just human nature. Don’t overthink it. The fact that he’s given you the company’s endorsement deal shows he still treats you differently.”