The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 253

"I never should have married a man who didn't have room for me in his heart. And you never should have settled for me. If we hadn't walked down that aisle, none of this would be happening today."

Adrian stared at her beautiful, defiant face, a wave of profound loneliness washing over him.

Suddenly, he really didn't want to lose her.

But things had gone too far. He had run out of options.

"Let's just end it, Adrian," Jocelyn said quietly. "You're not actually heartbroken over losing me. You're just not used to me not being there. Give it a few days, and you'll forget I ever existed."

Adrian's fingers traced the curve of the steering wheel, over and over, completely lost in thought.

Jocelyn knew exactly what he was doing. He was weighing the pros and cons.

Between their marriage and his harsh reality, he would choose reality every single time.

After a long silence, Adrian turned to her, his expression carefully blank.

"Alright. Then we'll part on good terms."

Jocelyn offered a faint, polite smile.

"Good."

A massive weight lifted off her chest. She reached for the door handle.

Adrian suddenly caught her wrist.

"Let's have dinner tomorrow night."

Jocelyn's instinct was an immediate no.

"There's no need."

His grip tightened just a fraction.

"We were together for three years, and I never once took you out for a proper dinner. Before we finalize this, let's just sit down and share a meal."

His tone sounded incredibly sincere.

"Just think of it as a farewell dinner. If we're really going to part amicably, you can't even give me that?"

Jocelyn hesitated, weighing her options.

"Fine."

She'd treat it like a final act of charity.

After this, they'd go their separate ways forever.

Adrian let go of her wrist.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow."

"Okay."

Jocelyn stepped out of the car.

For some inexplicable reason, her eyes drifted toward Building 3.

"I'm leaving my mom in your hands, Maria. Please keep her company for me."

"Don't you worry about a thing," Maria promised. "I won't leave her side. I even made her some of that homemade chicken broth. I'll bring her a bowl right now."

"Thank you, Maria," Jocelyn said, her heart warming.

Having Maria there lifted a massive burden off her shoulders.

Her dinner reservation with Adrian was at five.

By the time Jocelyn slid into his car, it was already a quarter past.

For the first time in his life, Adrian didn't complain about her being late. He wasn't angry at all. Instead, he handed her a bouquet of flowers.

"I know you love sunflowers. I got these specifically for you."

Jocelyn took them with a tight, obligatory smile.

"That doesn't look like a happy smile," Adrian noted. "You don't like them?"

"I love the flowers," Jocelyn replied honestly. "I just don't like the person who bought them."

In the past, she had hoped and prayed so many times that he would surprise her with flowers on a holiday or take her out for a romantic evening.

He never did. Not once.

And now, when they were about to cut ties forever, her old wish was finally coming true.

It was just a shame she had stopped dreaming about it a long time ago.