The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 298

Jocelyn took a moment to steady herself.

She didn't know if what she was doing was right or wrong.

All she knew was that she had to use every trick in the book to get the truth.

"I spent all this time thinking you were the one who caused my father's death. For a while there, I hated you with everything I had."

"But since I found out it was actually Diana's fault, I realized I owed you an apology."

Adrian reached out and gently took Jocelyn's hands.

The familiar, soft touch of her skin brought him a deep sense of satisfaction he hadn't felt in a long time.

"As long as you know it wasn't me, that's all that matters. You don't need to apologize. Do you know why?"

Adrian's thumb began to slowly, affectionately stroke the back of her hand.

"When you accused me that day, the reason I got so angry was because I was terrified. Terrified that you would end up hating me over a misunderstanding."

"If you hated me, you'd only push me further and further away. And I hate the thought of you walking out of my life."

"Even though we're divorced, I still want you by my side."

Not satisfied with just holding her hands, Adrian pulled her into an embrace.

"Jo, I've realized that my life feels completely wrong without you. Do you think... maybe I've fallen in love with you?"

Jocelyn's face remained utterly impassive.

Love?

That was the biggest joke she had ever heard!

And the most nauseating thing he could have possibly said!

He had emotionally destroyed her, and now he wanted to talk about love?

It was laughable!

Disgusted as she was, Jocelyn forced herself not to push him away.

"I already told you, it's just the temporary shock of the change. You'll get used to it eventually."

"No." Adrian rubbed her back soothingly. "It's not going to get better. This isn't just about getting used to things."

"Jo, promise me. We may be divorced on paper, but we don't have to really separate, okay?"

"If you don't like living in this apartment, I'll buy you a new house. Whenever I have free time, I'll come stay with you."

"Everything I failed to give you before, I'll make up for it, piece by piece."

At that moment, the agony in Jocelyn's heart was entirely real.

"You can't replace my mother. Not you, not anyone."

"You don't understand how much the word 'mother' means to me."

"I thought God had finally taken pity on me and brought her back to me. I thought we were going to have a beautiful life together as mother and daughter. I thought..."

Every breath she took seemed to pull agonizingly at her nerves.

"I don't understand why fate had to play such a cruel joke on me. Giving me the greatest gift I could ever ask for, only to snatch her away so quickly."

"And I never, ever imagined that the person who took her life... would be your sister."

Adrian let out a heavy sigh.

"Claire didn't do it on purpose. I apologize on her behalf."

"So... it really was Claire driving? And that other driver was just the scapegoat?"

The realization slammed into Adrian like a freight train.

Damn it!

He had been so caught up in her grief and her tears that the truth had just slipped right out!