The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 203

He wanted to do something, but he knew he couldn't.

Once he crossed that line, he wouldn't be able to hold his heart back anymore.

But seeing the red crescent indents her nails were leaving on her soft skin...

Julian finally couldn't hold back.

He gently pried her hands apart and held one of them softly in his own.

"Listen to me."

Jocelyn looked up, her eyes swimming with tears.

Julian used a tissue to carefully wipe away her tears.

"You didn't do anything wrong. This isn't your fault. Life is just like this. It's never perfect. We all carry regrets. Just like me..."

It was a secret he had kept buried deep in his heart, one he had never shared with a single soul.

Today was the first time.

"Once, I got into a massive fight with my dad and stormed out of the house. My mom went looking for me and got hit by a car. Since that day, one of her legs never fully healed. She could never walk properly again."

"That became the biggest guilt and trauma of my entire life."

"Right up until the day she passed away, I was still apologizing to her."

"But she just said... thank God she was the one who got hit, and not me..."

Jocelyn slowly calmed down.

It was true; every family had its own painful secrets.

The wealthy, powerful man sitting in front of her had eyes filled with unspeakable grief and self-reproach.

Just to comfort her, he had willingly torn open his own deepest scars...

Jocelyn gently placed her other hand over his.

"It's in the past. Things will get better..."

It was a clumsy attempt at comfort.

It sounded like she was reassuring him, but also reassuring herself.

They locked eyes, as if silently giving each other strength.

A sudden knock on the door shattered the quiet intimacy.

It immediately evaporated the slightly charged atmosphere between them.

They pulled their hands apart.

Sarah walked in, immediately sensing something was off.

"Jo, were you crying again?"

Jocelyn forced a smile. "No."

Sarah sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Liar. I can still see the tear tracks."

Jocelyn wiped her face.

"No you don't."

"I have to work late tonight," Sarah said. "Otherwise, I'd take you out for something amazing. Don't you love the Braised Short Ribs from that one place? Tomorrow. Let's go tomorrow after I get off work."

She still hadn't given it back.

She remembered putting it into her coat pocket.

The coat...

The one Maria had taken to the dry cleaners...

Jocelyn felt a spike of panic.

Please let Maria have taken the watch out first.

The two friends chatted for about half an hour, during which Sarah got at least five work calls.

Knowing how busy she was, Jocelyn finally pushed her to get back to work.

Sarah had no choice but to head out.

Jocelyn checked the time and stood up to leave as well.

She needed to make a trip to the Evans family home to grab a few important things.

As she passed the secretary's desk again.

Jocelyn nodded in thanks.

Chloe stood up and handed her a nice box with both hands.

"Mr. Vance noticed you enjoyed these stuffed dates, so he asked me to prepare a box for you to take home. Enjoy."

Looking at the large box of dates, Jocelyn couldn't help but smile.

But mostly, she just felt incredibly moved.