The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 416

Julian: "With your level of talent, you have every right to let it go to your head."

Jocelyn froze for a brief moment.

Spending time with a man like this was so effortless.

It was the complete opposite of her dynamic with Adrian.

That man practically had a textbook narcissistic personality.

No matter how flawlessly she performed, all she ever received in return was his apathy, constant belittling, and icy sarcasm.

Julian's gaze anchored onto her distant eyes.

"Thinking about the past?"

Jocelyn snapped back to reality, thoroughly taken aback.

"How do you always know exactly what I'm thinking?"

Julian offered a faint smile.

"Maybe it's just a coincidence."

A coincidence?

Once was a coincidence.

But every single time?

Was that still just a coincidence?

"I was thinking about some things from the past. I feel a lot of regret."

"Regret?"

"Yeah. I just feel like I shouldn't have wasted three years of my life for absolutely nothing."

"It wasn't a waste. What makes a person mature is never their age, but their experiences."

Jocelyn let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"And what makes a person finally turn back is never some grand piece of wisdom, but crashing into a brick wall."

Julian spoke with a comforting warmth.

"Every experience you've had exists to forge you into who you are now. So, it wasn't a waste."

Jocelyn propped her chin on one hand, her eyes curving into crescents.

"Julian."

"Hmm?"

"Did we meet a long time ago?"

Julian paused for a fraction of a second.

"Why ask that out of nowhere?"

Jocelyn: "No reason, just felt like asking."

Julian: "I don't believe so."

Jocelyn's eyes flickered.

"Did you figure out that I was Storm a long time ago?"

Julian had been about to stand up to pour some water, but he stopped in his tracks at her question.

Then, he gave a casual smile.

"You hid yourself far too well. I'm not that incredible."

The conversation...

The atmosphere was rapidly turning into something entirely different.

Julian took the warmed milk out of the microwave and handed it over.

Jocelyn reached out to take it.

But because her mind was entirely scattered.

Her hands fumbled.

Julian reacted with lightning speed to catch it.

He managed to grab the glass, but the hot milk splashed violently over his hand, and several drops splattered onto his light gray dress shirt.

Jocelyn's first instinct was to check his hand.

Those perfect hands absolutely couldn't get burned.

Grabbing his fingers, she frantically wiped away the mess with a napkin, her voice laced with panic.

"Are you okay? Did you get burned? I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I was too careless."

But Julian's first instinct was to check on her.

Thank God the milk had only spilled on him.

He let out a silent breath of relief.

Suddenly, he felt the brush of her warm breath against his cheek, and the moment he turned his head, the rhythm of his heartbeat spiraled completely out of control.

Their lips were agonizingly close.

If he leaned forward even a fraction of an inch, they would touch.