The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 84

Once the feeling passed, Jocelyn smiled. "I thought you'd keep your distance from me, too."

"Wait here," Julian said.

He opened the door and got out.

He went to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and pulled out a paper bag.

When he returned to the driver's seat, he handed the bag to Jocelyn.

"What's this?" she asked.

"Ginger ale, saltines, and lemon drops," he explained. "I read online that these can help with morning sickness."

"The last time we met, I saw how bad your morning sickness was, so I picked up a few things."

"There are some small pastries in there too. I remembered you like them."

Jocelyn's heart stirred. "How did you know to look this up?"

Julian's expression was calm. "We'll be seeing more of each other from now on. I figured I should know a few things. You're pregnant, after all. I can't treat you like everyone else."

A sudden warmth filled Jocelyn's chest.

"You're going to be a great father one day."

Julian froze.

Jocelyn realized her words could be taken the wrong way and quickly clarified.

"I mean, when you and your wife have children, you'll definitely be a wonderful dad."

Julian's lips tightened, but he didn't respond.

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Jocelyn cleared her throat and tried to change the subject. "So, that game contract... when do we sign it?"

"Any time in the next couple of days is fine," Julian said. "Whenever you're free."

"How about I come find you tomorrow afternoon?"

"Okay. I'll arrange a location and let you know. It was careless of me to have you visit my company last time. It's better if our meetings are kept private."

"Thank you for understanding," Jocelyn said.

The car started moving again.

They drove the rest of the way in silence.

Julian parked the car in Jocelyn's apartment garage, then walked back to his own building.

Jocelyn bit her lip.

What was with her stupid mouth, always saying things that killed the mood?

Just as Julian reached his apartment door, his phone rang. It was Jonathan Vance.

"Dad."

"I heard you secured the land in the South Hills."

"I did," Julian confirmed.

And the other was uninterested.

Their paths had never crossed in that way.

So, their engagement was, at the very least, a joyous occasion for the older generation.

What they didn't know was that on the night of their engagement, Hailey had said something to Julian.

She had said: "Julian, I'm not ready to love someone again. So even though we're engaged, I hope we can give each other space and freedom."

At the time, Julian had only replied with a single word.

"Okay."

After that, they both got busy with their own lives. Aside from being fiancés in name, they had almost no communication.

In three years, they hadn't even been intimate.

Julian took a deep drag from his cigarette.

The strong smoke made him cough twice. He gazed in the direction he had just come from, his thoughts a tangled mess.

He opened his hand, revealing the lighter inside.

It was a limited edition custom piece.

Engraved on its body was an unusual symbol.

It was the logo of the "K Alliance" from ten years ago.