chapter2191

Realizing escape was no longer possible, Nicholas let his shoulders sag and forced his steps to a halt.

Without turning, he murmured, "I'm fine." The words were thin, almost translucent, as if they might dissolve before reaching her.

"Then why do you look like this?" Jocelyn asked, her question tumbling out before caution could intervene.

Nicholas drew a slow breath, turned, and pinned her with eyes as deep as midnight. "Why ask?" he said, voice low, roughened by something older than pain. "Do you pity me?"

Jocelyn shook her head so quickly her earrings flashed. "That isn't what I meant at all."

She was still searching for gentler words when footsteps pounded against the stone. Yannick burst into view.

"Jocelyn, finished already?"

He reached them, and only then recognized Nicholas.

The easy, boyish warmth drained from his features. A glacial composure settled in its place.

"So," he said, voice calm in a way that left the air colder, "were you meeting a friend?"

"No," Jocelyn replied at once. "I was picking up the necklace and happened to see him—nothing more."

Seeing how frantically she tried to explain, afraid Yannick might misunderstand, Nicholas was disappointed.

"Pure coincidence," he added softly, offering the explanation she was too flustered to finish.

Yannick frowned. Their explanation only deepened his suspicion.

After all, how often did sheer coincidences happen?

Yet Yannick, now Jocelyn's husband in all but ceremony, reminded himself that the foundation was built on trust, not suspicion.

"Well, fate works in mysterious ways," he said, allowing a measured smile.

Then, studying Nicholas's sunken cheeks, he asked, "Mr. Nicholas, you've lost so much weight. Are you ill?"

Nicholas had wanted to ignore him. Instead, his gaze drifted to Jocelyn before he answered. "I've always been sickly. Jocelyn knows this. Nothing dramatic. Just a body that never quite keeps up."

"I see. Take care," Yannick replied, the words lined with meaning. "Health is the most important."

Nicholas heard the subtext, every sharpened edge of it, and let silence answer where pride would not.

Yannick let his gaze slip away from Jocelyn's face, a low, noncommittal "Mm" rumbling in his throat.

"So... you two have been married a while. Any plans to bring a little one into the world?"

Most newlyweds welcomed a baby before long.

Yet more than a year had slipped by since Yannick and Jocelyn

exchanged vows, and no whisper of

pregnancy had surfaced Nicholas doubted the delay came from

Yannick. A family like the Hageses

surely craved heirs.

At the mention of children, both faces tightened. Jocelyn's cheeks flushed with quiet

guilt, while a spark of anger flashed behind Yannick's eyes.

"No rush. Jocelyn and I are enjoying our time as just the two of us. Kids can wait."

That reply unsettled Nicholas, but he

didn't let it show. "Is that so? You

must share a close bond, then. I'd thought about asking Jocelyn back for me but clearly that's

impossible now."

"Of course. Jocelyn is Mrs. Hayes now. She doesn't need a job. If she could simply indulge every day, I'd happily spoil her."

The two men fenced in velvet tones, blades gleaming for anyone who cared to look —especially for Jocelyn, caught squarely in the middle.

"Yannick, you said you still have work, right? Let's go. Mr. Rainsworth, thank you. We'll be leaving." Jocelyn. quickly intervened. She did not like this one bit.

"Very well."

Nicholas dipped his chin, the gesture measured and unreadable.

Jocelyn hooked her fingers around Yannick's sleeve and tugged him toward the exit.

Yannick couldn't help asking, "Be honest, Jocelyn-was today really just a coincidence?"

"Of course. There's no reason for me to hide anything from you."

Only then did Yannick stop worrying.

Without waiting for permission, he scooped her into his arms and strode toward the

car.

"What are you doing? Put me down, right now!"