The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 137

Jocelyn finally managed to choke back the nausea, instantly realizing her reaction had sparked Adrian's suspicions.

Back when Audrey was pregnant, Adrian had hovered over her every second of the day.

He knew exactly what she craved, what smells made her sick, and every single symptom she had.

It was no wonder her dry heaving set off alarms in his head.

"Are you..."

Jocelyn didn't miss a beat.

"I have a nervous stomach. The stress about my dad just triggered an ulcer flare-up."

Adrian let out a small laugh.

"Your reaction looked exactly like Audrey's when she was pregnant. For a second, I thought..."

"Thought I was pregnant?"

Jocelyn shot him an offended glare. "Are you trying to insult me? We haven't slept together in months. If I suddenly turned up pregnant, you're basically calling me a cheater."

"Adrian, what kind of woman do you think I am?"

Instead of getting angry, Adrian laughed. "Why are you so defensive? Okay, okay, my mistake. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions."

His gentle, coaxing tone was identical to the one he used to comfort Audrey.

Jocelyn felt every single hair on her body stand up in pure repulsion.

Thankfully, Adrian completely bought her excuse.

He switched into an unprecedented mode of perfect, attentive patience.

"I'll stay right here with you today."

Except, less than thirty minutes after making that promise, his phone rang. It was Audrey.

The call lasted barely five seconds before Adrian panicked.

"I'm coming right now."

He hung up and hurriedly offered an excuse.

"Leo is spiking a terrible fever. They're pulling up to the hospital right now. I have to go downstairs and meet them. I'll come right back once he's settled."

Jocelyn watched with an absolutely expressionless face as Adrian bolted down the hall.

If her intuition was right, Adrian wasn't coming back tonight.

And she was right.

Adrian never returned.

Jocelyn froze. She slowly turned her head.

Talk about a small world.

It was Audrey.

She was bundled up tightly in layers, wearing a surgical mask that only exposed her eyes.

But Jocelyn would recognize her if she were reduced to ashes.

Adrian was standing flush against her, one hand firmly planted on her back, shielding her from the crushing weight of the crowd.

Adrian spoke softly, his voice dripping with tenderness. "Don't worry, the baby will be fine. Didn't the attending say it was nothing serious?"

Audrey practically melted against Adrian's chest, looking incredibly fragile.

"I'm so sorry, Adrian. I didn't take good enough care of him."

"I told you, this isn't your fault," Adrian murmured. "Stop blaming yourself."

"I was just so scared you'd be mad at me."

"Why would I be mad at you? I'm just worried about you. Your body hasn't fully recovered from childbirth yet. What if you catch a cold?"

"I won't," Audrey said sweetly. "Look, I'm practically wrapped up like a mummy."