The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 162

Lana's smile returned, though it was faint.

"In that case, you don't really love Audrey as much as you think you do."

Adrian didn't answer, but he didn't deny it either.

"Were you about to say that the only person I truly love is myself?"

Lana looked mildly surprised. "About to?"

"She said the exact same thing to me," Adrian muttered.

"Jocelyn?"

"Yes."

Lana let out a soft laugh. "It sounds like your wife actually understands you quite well."

Adrian shot her a sideways glance, a dangerous edge to his smile.

"Are you insulting me right now?"

Lana didn't flinch.

"No, I'm just telling the truth. You made it clear from the beginning that whenever we talk, you expect my words to be genuine and completely honest."

Adrian thought about it for a second.

He had indeed set that rule.

Most people walked around wearing masks of hypocrisy. Given his status and wealth, the number of people who dared to speak the truth to his face was virtually zero.

Even his closest executive assistants would sometimes tell him what he wanted to hear.

This woman sitting across from him was the only one who consistently gave it to him straight.

Because of that, Adrian wasn't angry.

"At first, I kept you around because you looked a bit like Audrey. But now I'm realizing that your personality is even more like hers."

Lana smiled.

"You've changed."

"I've changed?" Adrian echoed.

"Yes, you've changed. You've started to care about Jocelyn."

Adrian went completely still.

Lana continued, "Before, you wouldn't even look your wife in the eye, let alone pay enough attention to quote her."

Adrian sat in silence for a long moment before throwing his head back and downing the rest of his drink in one gulp.

No!

He hadn't changed.

It was just that the woman had been causing so much trouble lately that he was forced to notice her. That was all.

Two days later.

Jocelyn wiped away her happy tears. "No, no, that's completely fine. I just wanted to call and say thank you. Thank you so, so much. I will never forget what you've done for me, and I promise I will find a way to repay you."

"There's no need to repay me," Julian said softly.

"No! I have to! I refuse to owe you this much forever."

She sounded as stubborn as a little girl.

Julian couldn't help but chuckle.

"Alright. Whatever makes you happy."

By that afternoon, Marcus Evans had been transferred to a private recovery suite.

But calling it a 'standard suite' was an understatement. It was a luxurious, state-of-the-art private room.

Marcus lay in bed, his eyes staring blankly ahead.

Diana Evans was sitting beside him, meticulously moistening his chapped lips with a damp cotton swab.

Jocelyn honestly couldn't tell how much genuine love Diana still harbored for her husband.

When Jocelyn walked in, Diana gave her a brief, cold glance and said nothing.

As Jocelyn approached the bed, Marcus slowly slid his hand out from under the blankets.

Jocelyn immediately grabbed it, her voice breaking. "Dad."

Marcus nodded weakly. When he spoke, his voice was raspy and raw.