The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 3

The exclusive maternity hospital where Audrey was staying was incredibly expensive.

To be on the safe side, Eleanor Lowell, the matriarch, had flown in a renowned doctor from Austin to personally handle the delivery.-

In the VIP suite, Audrey lay in bed, her complexion rosy and glowing. She didn't look like someone who had just endured the agony of childbirth at all.

Adrian sat by her side, holding a bowl and carefully feeding her soup, one spoonful at a time.

He blew on each spoonful, afraid it might be too hot for her.

Jocelyn couldn't help but reflect on her three years with Adrian.

He had never shown her such meticulous care, such tenderness.

Their interactions were always polite, distant, perfunctory.

Even when they were in bed, it felt like he was just fulfilling a duty.

Jocelyn had always assumed that was just his personality. That a man who had been surrounded by adoration his entire life, accustomed to being on a pedestal, would find it difficult to humble himself.

It was only after Arthur's death that Jocelyn realized she had been wrong.

Adrian's proud head only bowed for the one person he truly loved.

Jocelyn pushed the door open and entered.

Both of them turned their heads at the same time.

When Audrey saw her, she seemed delighted. "Jocelyn! You're here!"

Somehow, hearing her name from Audrey's lips made Jocelyn deeply uncomfortable.

Adrian pulled a napkin to gently wipe Audrey's mouth before finally speaking. "You're here."

Jocelyn nodded. "Yes."

Adrian said, "Keep Audrey company for a bit. I'm going downstairs to buy some fruit. She's suddenly craving grapes."

Audrey's eyes were full of a soft, playful affection. "Oh, just send one of the staff. You don't have to go yourself."

Adrian insisted, "I'd rather go myself. I know which ones you like. I'll see if there's anything else you might want while I'm there. The shop is just downstairs, I'll be right back."

Audrey's expression was shy and sweet. "Okay."

As Adrian passed Jocelyn, he glanced at the bouquet of flowers in her hands.

"Put those flowers out on the balcony later. Audrey doesn't like sunflowers."

Jocelyn resisted the urge to smash the bouquet in his face and forced a tight smile. "Alright."

Michelle Lowell walked in from the nursery, holding the baby and shooting a venomous glare at Jocelyn.

The baby was so small, his features still indistinct, making it impossible to tell who he resembled.

But the heirloom hanging around his neck—the 'Savior' pendant—was strikingly conspicuous.

Jocelyn knew that pendant all too well.

It was part of a matched pair of vintage pendants, a priceless family heirloom.

The Lowells owned two: the 'Savior' and the 'Saint'.

They had been a wedding gift from their grandfather to Eleanor Lowell.

When the two Lowell brothers married, Eleanor had given the 'Savior' to her eldest grandson, Adrian.

The 'Saint' was given to her second grandson, Arthur.

It seemed Adrian had now passed on this priceless family treasure to this child.

It was a clear sign of how much this baby meant to him.

"You still can't let this go, can you? You had to come all the way here just to torment Audrey?"