Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 26

Chapter 26 – Hearts Breaking

Zatariel's POV

The moment her knees buckled, I moved. But someone else reached her first.

In one swift move, Sarah Wayne caught Miexha before her body could hit the cold marble floor.

Everyone froze.

Time slammed to a halt. The music died mid-note.

Miexha's eyes fluttered shut in Madame Sarah's arms, her head limp against her grandmother's shoulder.

And then—

"The President," someone announced from the balcony with ceremonial pride,
"formally confirms the engagement of Jayson Dom and Miexha Wayne."

A heartbeat passed. Then the world detonated.

Gasps. Polite applause. Whispered excitement rippled through the crowd like wildfire.

I couldn't breathe. My fingers curled slowly into fists. My chest felt like glass splintering from the inside out.

Miexha?

Engaged?

To Jayson?

My best friend.

Funny.

For someone who prided himself on logic and preparation, I hadn't seen this coming at all.

Asha's voice cracked through the chaos like lightning through a storm.

"This is insane!" she shouted, shoving past stunned guests.
"Mom! Dad! Jayson isn't even here! He's in Amerina with Ofreigha—you know, the girl he actually wants to marry!"

Jane Dom's face went pale. "Asha, lower your voice—"

"Why?!" Asha snapped. "You're forcing two people who don't love each other to marry! This is wrong!"

Across the garden, Thyron stepped forward slowly, his jaw still bruised from my punch.

His eyes burned as they locked onto Chris Sebastian.

"You promised her to me," he growled.

Then his gaze slid toward Rickzen Verra. "You promised."

Rickzen looked away. Didn't even look at him.

Coward.

Chris rubbed his temple, clearly exhausted.

"Things changed. The alliance—"

"I don't care about alliances!" Thyron roared. "You used her!"

And for once...

I actually agreed with him.

But I just stood. Perfectly still.

My mind usually worked fast. Patterns, motives, outcomes—I could calculate them in seconds.

Do you know right now? Nothing.

Just static.

My eyes never left Miexha.

Everything about her is perfect except for how pale she looks.

Something twisted violently in my chest.

My father stepped beside me. His hand settled on my shoulder, firm and steady.

"Zat," he said quietly,
"you're still young. One day you'll understand."

Understand what?

Was that love negotiable?

That the girl who smiled at me five minutes ago handed to someone else like a signed treaty?