The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 293

"Jocelyn, look at me."

Julian gently tilted her chin up.

"Your father and your mother's passing had nothing to do with you. You shouldn't take that burden onto yourself."

"If you let this guilt consume you, that would be the greatest disservice to them. Didn't they just want you to live a happy, peaceful life?"

"Jo, snap out of it. Don't lock yourself in a prison of your own making."

Looking into his deep, starry eyes, Jocelyn wasn't sure if it was his words, or the tender way he had called her "Jo"...

But for some inexplicable reason, she nodded.

"Okay."

A wave of relief washed over Julian.

"Lie down. Get a little more sleep. I'll stay right here with you."

Jocelyn pulled her knees to her chest and buried her face in them.

"I think I want to be alone for a bit."

"Alright. I'll be in the guest room next door. Call me if you need anything."

Julian stood up to leave.

Just as he was about to step through the door, Jocelyn snapped her head up. Her voice came out rushed.

"Julian!"

He stopped in his tracks.

"I'm here."

Jocelyn pressed her lips together, hesitating.

"I... never mind..."

She wanted to tell him that she suddenly didn't want to be alone anymore.

The empty house terrified her.

Forget it.

I have to learn how to be alone eventually.

Julian turned around and walked back, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"Do you want me to..."

He stopped himself mid-sentence.

Maybe he needed to rephrase that.

"Can I... hold you?"

Jocelyn froze and slowly looked up.

She knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't help herself.

"Maria... please don't be sad, and don't blame yourself. And please don't think about leaving. I'd be so lonely without you..."

Maria's tears instantly spilled over.

"Early this morning, Ju—Mr. Vance came to find me. We talked for a long time, and I finally made peace with it."

Maria found herself unable to casually call him "Julian" anymore.

Before, she stayed with Miss Jocelyn to repay a debt of gratitude.

Now, she was staying for redemption.

Jocelyn blinked in surprise.

"He talked to you?"

"Yes, around four in the morning. I couldn't sleep, so I got up to make some soup for you. He saw you were asleep, slipped out quietly, and kept me company for quite a while."

"Miss Jocelyn, Mr. Vance is a truly wonderful man. I've never seen a big boss like him sit down and have such a calm, comforting chat with a housekeeper."

"But I know he did it for you. He didn't want you to be heartbroken, and he didn't want my grief to be another burden on your shoulders."

It was true.

He was the kind of outstanding man people could only look up to.

But that was all she could do—look up to him. She couldn't let herself fantasize.

No matter how wonderful he was, he wasn't hers.