The Unwilling CEO's Love Game
Chapter 223

Perched in the backseat of the car, Jocelyn cradled little Euston in her arms, who was unusually lively at the moment.

The baby was babbling excitedly, letting out a stream of unintelligible chatter.

Then, out of nowhere, a clear "Dada" burst from Euston's lips.

Jocelyn was stunned.

"Euston, what did you just say? Can you say it again?" Jocelyn was thrilled.

Melvin pulled the car over. He had also heard the sound but not quite sure of it. He turned back to look at Euston.

With a toothy grin, Euston blurted out again, "Dada."

He was looking straight at Melvin when he said it.

Jocelyn was in shock. "Oh my goodness, how did you suddenly learn to talk?"

Melvin watched the little one who was now excitedly standing on Jocelyn's legs, babbling away and trying to jump, though his words were hard to make out.

"Was he just calling out to me?" Melvin asked Jocelyn.

Jocelyn was speechless.

Was he asking this on purpose?

"He has a dad," Jocelyn said, feeling a bit awkward, sensing that Melvin was just trying to get an advantage.

Melvin raised an eyebrow, "I wouldn't mind being his dad."

Jocelyn was at a loss for words.

Melvin resumed driving again. Even though it was just a verbal sparring match, he couldn't shake off his irritation.

When that man came back, Euston would only call him 'Dad.'

The most important thing was that if Euston called Castiel 'Dad' and called Jocelyn 'Mom', then they would be the real family. The thought constricted his chest.

"Say 'Mama," Jocelyn encouraged Euston.

Euston looked at Jocelyn intently and mumbled, "Mama..."

Jocelyn's eyes widened with excitement, "You're really saying it! That's amazing!"

Once the first word had been said, the rest followed easily.

Jocelyn taught Euston to say 'Mama' and 'Dada,' and Euston cooperated beautifully.

When the car stopped in the driveway of the villa, Melvin stepped out with a sullen face and went to pick up Euston.

Seeing his brooding expression, Jocelyn couldn't help but wonder what he would do.

"I can manage myself," Jocelyn didn't pass the child to him.

Melvin frowned.

Under his gaze, Jocelyn decided to let him hold the child while she got out of the car.

"Dada..." Euston stretched up, touching Melvin's face and calling out.

Melvin truly felt a sense of belonging. Even if he resented Castiel for stealing his woman, hearing the little one call out to him like that made him feel as if Euston was his and Jocelyn's child. He had thought to himself that if Jocelyn ever divorced that man, he wouldn't mind raising the child.

But now, everything was uncertain yet.

Jocelyn, as if her mind was clouded, refused to believe anything about Castiel's affair with another woman. Could a woman really overlook everything just to give her child a complete family? Jocelyn opened the door and was about to take the child. But Melvin didn't let go.

They stood there at an impasse.

"Thank you," Jocelyn broke the silence.

Melvin said bluntly, "I should come in."

He was direct, as always.

After all, it was rude not to invite someone who had helped with the child all day into the house.

She stepped aside, and Melvin walked in holding the child.

Jocelyn followed, closing the door behind them.

Melvin set the baby down on the play mat and pulled out his phone. "I've got something to show you."

Jocelyn had no idea what he wanted to do.

He handed her the phone, revealing photos of Castiel and a woman named Hermia together-clearly taken in secret. There were images of Castiel holding Hermia's hand, of them entering and exiting buildings together, and even a snapshot of them spending the night in a cabin.

Seeing these photos, Jocelyn was relieved to know Castiel was still safe and wondered when they would return.

Melvin was perplexed by her reactions.

"Don't you have anything to say?" he pressed, disbelief in his voice.

Jocelyn glanced at the photos, "Say what?"

"How can you ignore this?" Melvin waved the phone in front of her, frustration lacing his words. "What is it about this man that makes you cling to him so desperately?"

Jocelyn didn't understand why he was so worked up.

"You're losing control," she said calmly.

Melvin took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

"I just want to know what's so great about him that you're holding onto him like this," Melvin opened his eyes again, filled with an intense desire to understand.

He had been angry when he received these photos earlier in the day.

If she had married a man who treated her well and made her happy, he wouldn't step in.

But for this guy? What did she even see in him?

"This is none of your business," Jocelyn remained composed. "Thanks for your help today. It's getting late and you should go."

Melvin stared at her, uncertain whether she was heartless or overly devoted.

To him, she seemed indifferent.

But to that man, she seemed deeply attached.

Back when they were together, he had never strayed, only been with her, devoted only to her.

He couldn't understand why she cared so much about marriage back then.

Now, she was married as she wished. But what had that man given her? Why didn't she care?

He didn't know why.

"Fine, I was being nosy," Melvin said, pocketing his phone.

Jocelyn caught a glimpse of his phone screen.

It was a photo she had taken the day before they were supposed to get married. He was sitting in the car while she was beaming with joy. How happy she had been with him back then.

And him? He had misspoken.

So now, what was he trying to say by using that photo as his wallpaper?

"Have you ever realized how precious something meant to you only after you've lost it?" Jocelyn blurted out unexpectedly.

The man who was about to leave froze in his tracks, his gaze intense and shadowed, swirling with emotions that others couldn't fathom.

Melvin's lips quivered slightly as he spoke, "I never thought I could lose."

Jocelyn let out a wry smile, "Nobody plans on switching lanes mid-journey. Life just corners you sometimes. When hope is out of sight, you have to replace some for yourself, right?"

"Is that guy your newfound hope?" Melvin couldn't swallow his pride.

Jocelyn glanced at Euston, who was playing innocently, and remained silent.

To Melvin, her silence was a deafening affirmation.

Fuming, Melvin stormed towards the door, flung it open, and suddenly spun around to declare, "If you get a divorce, I'll win you back, including the kid."

Jocelyn was taken aback.

She looked at him, her heartbeat erratic and out of sync.

Melvin took a deep breath, "Only if you get the divorce."

Right then, he couldn't care less about propriety or morals.

Most things in this world don't play by the moral code, after all.

"Think it through, Jocelyn. Consider if your marriage is worth clinging to." Melvin was giving her time, not pushing her to decide.