The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 218

The director shook her head.

"She didn't have anything when she arrived. Her clothes, her food, everything was provided by the facility. She didn't leave any personal belongings behind."

Jocelyn asked, "Can I speak to the person who took care of her all these years?"

The director replied, "After Sylvia passed away, her caretaker resigned and left."

Jocelyn lingered in the room for a long time.

It was as if she was trying to absorb whatever trace of her mother's presence might still linger in the air. She didn't want to leave.

Eventually, the director had to gently remind her.

"The current resident needs to rest now. We should head out."

Jocelyn had no choice but to go.

After the director excused herself for other business, Jocelyn, refusing to give up, went around asking anyone she could find.

But everyone gave her the same answer: Sylvia Reed was truly dead.

The last remaining shred of hope in Jocelyn's heart shattered completely.

Getting back into her car and shutting the door, Jocelyn collapsed against the steering wheel, and the tears she had been holding back flooded out.

She didn't know how long she sat there crying. It was only when her head began to pound dizzily that she forced herself to stop.

Before she had left that morning, Maria had thoughtfully packed some food and placed it in the car.

Jocelyn opened the thermal container.

The food was still warm.

But she had zero appetite.

Still, she had to force herself to eat.

On the drive here, she had daydreamed about how, when her baby was born, the child would have a grandmother.

But now...

Jocelyn choked down a few bites before she couldn't stomach another mouthful, sealing the container back up.

She rested for a moment, then started the drive back to Northwood.

If the return trip was as smooth as her arrival, she wouldn't be home too late.

By now, a few drops of rain were already hitting the windshield.

Jocelyn started the engine, took one last, lingering look at the nursing home, and drove away.

By the time she received a call from Sarah, Jocelyn's car had been stranded in the exact same spot for nearly an hour.

She finally understood the meaning of the phrase, "Ignore a warning, pay the price."

The torrential downpour had triggered massive landslides, blocking the road completely. She couldn't move forward, and she couldn't turn back. All she could do was wait.

"What?!" Sarah was pacing in a panic on the other end of the line. "What are you going to do? You can't just sit in your car! It's going to get dark soon, and it's freezing out there. You're not going to be able to handle it."

Upon hearing it, Ethan let out a sigh of relief.

"Sarah, next time could you skip the terrifying intro? I thought something terrible had happened. It's just a landslide. As long as she's safe, it's just a matter of waiting."

Sarah shot back, "Who knows how long it'll take to clear the road? And Jocelyn is wearing paper-thin clothes. I'm terrified she's going to freeze. But most importantly..."

Sarah shot a look at Ethan.

Ethan caught the hint but didn't take offense.

"You two talk. I've got things to do."

With that, he quickly exited the office.

Only then did Sarah say, "Mr. Vance, Jocelyn is in a really terrible headspace right now. She's devastated because..."

Ten minutes later, Ethan got a phone call from Julian.

He only said one sentence.

"Find the fastest way to get me to Crestwood."

Ethan didn't hesitate, and he didn't ask questions. He simply said, "Understood. I'll make the arrangements."

Sarah knew she had gone to the right person.

"Thank you, Mr. Vance."