The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 460

"That won't be necessary. Actually, I don't think Kyle needs to follow me around anymore."

Julian frowned.

"No. We can compromise on a lot of things, but not this."

Jocelyn held her ground.

"Everything is fine now. Caleb Preston is locked up, and the dust has settled. Nothing is going to happen. Besides..."

She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.

Because it felt like a lie.

"Besides, I just don't like constantly being followed. It's suffocating."

Julian's lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes dimming slightly.

"Alright. Whatever you want."

Without so much as a goodbye, Sean turned and walked away.

Julian watched him go, offering a light laugh.

"That's just how he is. Don't take it personally."

Jocelyn's smile felt incredibly forced.

"They really are fiercely loyal to you."

"Yeah," Julian replied. "Even if the entire world turned its back on me, Sean and Liam never would."

Jocelyn murmured in response.

"So, the two people you trust most in this world are them?"

"And you," Julian added softly.

Jocelyn's breath hitched, a heavy, suffocating weight pressing down on her chest.

Lana's wake-up call and Sean's ruthless warning had thrown her mind into absolute disarray.

"Julian..."

"Yeah?"

Jocelyn hesitated for a long time.

"It's nothing. Let's... let's just go home."

"Okay."

She wanted to ask him directly.

But she couldn't bring herself to force the words out.

If he hadn't explicitly stated his intentions, how could she demand answers?

Halfway home, Julian asked, "What were you and Sean talking about back there?"

Jocelyn kept her tone perfectly casual. "Nothing really. You know how he is. Not exactly a chatterbox."

"Yeah, he doesn't speak much."

Jocelyn thought to herself, *He spoke plenty tonight.*

*And every single word was a lethal strike.*

Just as they pulled into the garage, Jocelyn suddenly remembered they had left Liam and Ethan behind.

"What about them?"

"Sean will make sure Ethan gets home safely," Julian said.

How long ago did that joke even happen?!

There was only one logical move left: retreat.

Liam scrambled out of bed and bolted out of the room faster than he had ever run in his life.

That whole rumor about him being a player who had many flings but never got attached?

Total bullshit.

The truth was, when it came to women, Liam Bancroft was strictly look, don't touch.

...

When Jocelyn arrived back at The Serenity Estate, Maria was busy unpacking a large box.

It was a massive Styrofoam cooler.

Julian had sent things before, but this box was much bigger than usual.

"Miss Jocelyn, you're back! Come look at all this. Mr. Vance sent over another huge batch of amazing food."

Free-range chicken, duck, farm-fresh eggs, premium beef, and lamb...

"All of this comes straight from the countryside caretakers. Zero additives, incredibly healthy. Mr. Vance is so incredibly thoughtful. Knowing you're pregnant, he's constantly sending over the best ingredients he can find. Miss Jocelyn..."

Noticing Jocelyn staring blankly at the box, Maria waved a hand in front of her face.

"Miss Jocelyn, what's wrong? You look upset."

Jocelyn forced down the heavy ache in her chest.

"It's nothing. I'll let you finish unpacking."

After returning to her room, she thought it over endlessly before finally sending Julian a text.