The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 32

Jocelyn clutched her chest. "Thank you for being so thoughtful, Maria."

Maria leaned in. "Jocelyn, I don't understand. Why don't you tell Adrian? If he knew, he'd be so happy. And your life in this family would be so much better."

"Leverage the baby to gain status?" Jocelyn wiped her mouth. "Adrian Lowell doesn't deserve that much credit."

Maria wanted to say something, but held her tongue.

"Jocelyn, I've seen everything you've been through over the last three years, and I know exactly how that family treated you. Whatever you decide to do, I've got your back. I just hope you don't do anything rash, and that you take care of yourself."

A surge of warmth filled Jocelyn's chest. She reached out and squeezed Maria's hand. "Maria, thank you. For everything."

She was truly grateful that Maria had never looked down on her or given her a hard time like the rest of them. Through all the coldness of the past three years, Maria was the only one who had treated her with the respect she deserved as the mistress of the house.

After eating, Jocelyn took a nap.

She slept soundly, and when she woke up it was almost three o'clock.

She planned to drop off the item at the jewelry store first, and then go to the alumni reunion.

After carefully getting ready, Jocelyn chose a vintage-style long dress.

The rhinestones at the collar made her flawless skin look even more delicate. The sophisticated style, paired with her exquisite face, made her look exceptionally moving and elegant.

Jocelyn opened her door to find Adrian's hand raised, about to knock.

Jocelyn glanced at him but said nothing.

Adrian's gaze raked over her, his breath hitching in his throat as he took her in. He had always known Jocelyn was beautiful, but he had been blinded to just how striking, how truly ethereal she could be. It was as if he were seeing her for the first time.

"You're... going out?"

Jocelyn replied coolly, "Yes."

"Where to?"

"A university reunion."

Adrian was momentarily stunned. "I thought you weren't one for those kinds of events."

Jocelyn met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "It's not that I dislike them. I just never saw the point before."

"And now you do?" Adrian countered, his eyes narrowing.Jocelyn said, "It's better than staying at home and being treated unfairly."

Jocelyn rolled her eyes at him.

Adrian then noticed the paper bag in Jocelyn's hand.

"What's in the bag?"

Jocelyn was getting impatient.

Why was this man so nosy today?

Fortunately, she had put the jewelry box inside another box, and then put that in a generic gift bag from a local specialty shop.

The purpose was to prevent Adrian from knowing what it was.

"A gift for a classmate. It's been a long time, so I thought I'd bring them a local specialty."

Adrian didn't seem suspicious.

"This morning, you mentioned divorce..."

Jocelyn paused slightly, waiting for him to continue.