The Unwilling CEO's Love Game
Chapter 209

Yasmine's heart ached as she watched Melvin, the pain clear in her gentle blue eyes.

She took a step forward and reached for his hand, gripping it tightly. "He made a mistake. He's remorseful. But it was his fault, not yours. You shouldn't punish yourself for his errors."

Her voice was soft, trying to soothe his troubled spirit, "Melvin, mom loves you, and I love you too. It's my fault for not noticing sooner. But it doesn't matter anymore. This isn't something we need to hide from the light of day. We're not afraid of people knowing.

Besides, the person who found out is Jocelyn, the girl you love. You can't let her go on misunderstanding you. Whether she marries or not, she should know that your lack of action wasn't due to a lack of love, but fear that held you back."

Yasmine gave him a gentle hug, "Don't stress anymore. It's okay."

With each breath Melvin took, his chest ached. He never imagined that the darkness he harbored so long would be laid bare before Jocelyn.

Ha, she never considered waiting for him. Now knowing his family's dirty laundry, she'd surely feel justified in her decision.

"She's not mine anymore," Melvin pushed Yasmine away, a hollow look in his eyes, "No matter what I become, she's not mine."

He turned and walked into his bedroom, slamming the door with a resounding thud.

He had lost her, after all. She hadn't waited for him.

Melvin moved to the window, lit a cigarette and inhaled, only to break into a cough.

The smoke was like a knife, painful spasms wracking his body as he tried to draw it into his lungs.

...

Jocelyn was tending to Euston in the Castiel's house.

After three days without a fever, Jocelyn and Castiel finally relaxed.

"Even after a year, it feels overwhelming," Jocelyn admitted, truly exhausted.

Castiel handed her a glass of water, "Good thing you skipped the pregnancy and childbirth stages. Becoming an instant mom has spared you a lot of pain and trouble."

Jocelyn took a sip, shooting him a glance, "Should I thank you for the joy of motherhood?"

"My son is your son. If you can't replace someone to marry, I'll have Euston look after you in your old age."

Jocelyn tossed a cushion at him.

Catching it and placing it back on the couch, Castiel looked at her with sudden seriousness, "I need to discuss something with you."

Jocelyn eyed him warily, "What are you up to now?"

"I'm thinking of going to replace Hermia." Castiel's hands were clasped tight, his body leaning forward with intent.

"Got messages about her?" Jocelyn asked, catching on.

"A friend spotted her around the South Myst region," Castiel said with resolve.

"SouthMyst region..." Jocelyn repeated, surprised.

Castiel's gaze was firm, "No matter what, she's the mother of Euston."

"You want to confront her, ask why she disappeared after giving birth, right?" Jocelyn understood Castiel's love for Hermia.

Castiel stayed silent.

Jocelyn nodded in agreement, "You deserve answers. Euston isn't just your responsibility. She owes it to you and to him. But what about your company if you go?"

"I've made arrangements. But Euston..." Castiel looked at Jocelyn, "I only trust you. And he knows you too. So please, take care of him for me."

Jocelyn never considered refusing. The first time she saw Euston, the crying boy smiled at her, and that was when the orphanage staff, having seen her marriage certificate with Castiel, truly believed she was Euston's mother.

"Okay."

Castiel was profoundly grateful.

Jocelyn chuckled, "Don't look so haunted, it's unsettling."

"You keep the house, don't dismiss the staff. I've transferred some money to your account, just in case. Let me know if it's not enough," Castiel had everything prepared.

Jocelyn checked her phone and was startled by the added funds, "Why so much?"

"I don't know when I'll be back. Besides, I'm technically your husband. Isn't it natural for me to provide for you?" Castiel joked.

Jocelyn rolled her eyes, "With you going on about being a husband, Hermia might really think you've moved on when you replace her."

"What's there to fear?" Castiel shrugged it off, "It's all for show."

Jocelyn laughed softly, both speechless and resigned.

Castiel suddenly looked at her intently, "Tell me, after seeing your first love again, have you thought about falling for him one more time?"

Jocelyn was pulled back to Yasmine's words, holding her glass of water lower now, her lips pursed, "I'm almost thirty."

"Still unmarried," Castiel knew she had wanted to be married before thirty.

Everyone sets goals for their life's milestones.

Go to university at eighteen, fall in love by twenty, get married at twenty-five, have a child by twenty-eight... But some goals never quite materialize as planned.

Castiel observed Jocelyn, "Ask yourself, how much of these two years have you spent not thinking about him, and how much have you spent remembering him. Hermia and I were together since we were eighteen, through many ups and downs. We broke up and got back together countless times. But I have to say, even though she left us after giving birth, she's still on my mind."

He gave a wry smile, "You can't just stop loving someone on command. A swift cut may sever a tangled knot, but feelings aren't knots. They can't be cut so easily."

Jocelyn understood his point. She had told Melvin she wanted to be married by thirty, but that was just to hurry him into making a commitment. She'd be thirty soon, and she knew she wouldn't wait for him.

She shrugged nonchalantly, "Don't worry about me. Go replace Hermia. Just make sure you don't linger too long in the South Myst region, okay?" "Alright. Take care of Euston while I'm gone," Castiel replied without further ado, "I'll keep your kindness in mind."

Jocelyn waved a dismissive hand, "Go on, replace her."

It wasn't until Euston had fully recovered that Castiel finally packed up and left.

Cradling Euston in her arms, Jocelyn stood at the doorstep to see off Castiel. "Euston, Daddy's going to bring Mommy back, isn't he?"

The little one didn't understand her words, gazing up at her with clear eyes and blowing bubbles, looking absolutely adorable.

Once Castiel had left, Jocelyn moved into his house.

One day, Jocelyn decided to take the child out for a swim.

The nanny held the baby as Jocelyn parked the car with a newfound finesse, thanks to Castiel's coaching. Her driving was still cautious, but when push came to shove, she was brave enough to handle the

streets.

After parking, she grabbed her purse and headed over.

The nanny followed Jocelyn with Euston. It was a place Castiel had meticulously chosen after comparing several options. Professional medical staff took the child into the pool, with dedicated personnel watching to prevent any accidents.

Ursula called Jocelyn right then, asking if it was a good time to bring over the bridesmaid dress they hadn't tried last time. Jocelyn mentioned she was at the swim center with Euston. Ursula made a beeline to come.

Seeing the little one with floaties splashing about, Ursula's eyes softened remarkably.

"It's moments like these that really make you appreciate the beauty in the world," she mused.

Jocelyn wrapped an arm around Ursula's shoulder, chuckling, "Once you and Harrison are married, you should think about having one soon. A boy could be Euston's brother, or a little girl could be future family."

Ursula pouted, "I want a boy, so he can marry your daughter someday."

Jocelyn laughed, "I don't even have a boyfriend. How can I have a daughter?"

"No worries. If I have a son, we can wait. An age difference of ten years doesn't matter these days." Ursula hugged Jocelyn's arm, "Either way, I'll be waiting for you."

Jocelyn's laugh carried a hint of helplessness, "Just make sure you don't wait until he's an old bachelor."

Ursula playfully punched her shoulder, "Show some ambition."

Watching Euston's little feet kick joyfully under the water, Jocelyn took out her phone and recorded a video to send to Castiel.