Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 38

Chapter 38
Miexha's Point of View

Thyron had already left. The soft click of the door still echoed faintly in the room, but my waist continued to sting.

I pressed my hand over the spot and flinched at the dull throb.

Jayson noticed immediately. He sat beside me, his fingers gentle when they brushed my arm—but his voice... Too sharp.

Too sharp for how fragile I suddenly felt.

"He held you that tightly?" Jayson asked, his brows knitting together. "Miexha... this isn't okay."

I blinked up at him, my lips trembling.

"But... he always hugs me like that," I whispered, confused. "He's my friend..."

Jayson's jaw tightened.

"That pervert is not a friend, Miexha," he said more firmly. "You're not a child anymore. You're a girl with a fiancé now."

I flinched.

He was angry. Really angry.

No one had ever raised their voice at me before. Not even Grandpapa.

I didn't mean to cry. But the moment his words settled inside my chest, the tears came.

I covered my face with both hands as quiet sobs shook my shoulders.

Maybe I was being oversensitive. But I didn't even know what I had done wrong.

I had always been like that with Ron.

Always.

"I'm sorry..." I sniffled softly. "Please don't be mad... I'm sorry... I'll listen to you. I won't do it again..."

Jayson froze.

"Hey... Miexha..." His voice softened immediately, panic slipping through.

He dropped to his knees in front of me, his hands hovering awkwardly near my shoulders like he wasn't sure where to touch.

"I'm not mad at you, okay? Please don't cry... I just—"

He exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry for raising my voice."

He gently took my hand. "I care about you. And if someone saw you sitting like that with Thyron and made it public... it would turn into a scandal."

His thumb brushed lightly against my fingers.

"And it's my responsibility to protect you. I can't let people with bad intentions get close to you."

He looked at me carefully. "Do you understand?"

Slowly, I lowered my hands. My chest still hurts.

I didn't want to cry anymore. I just...

I wanted a hug.

A small one. Just for comfort.

Without thinking, I lifted my arms toward him.

Then I froze.

No.

I needed to learn boundaries.

Jayson was right. I wasn't a little girl anymore.

I lowered my hands and stared at the ribbon on my dress, twisting it nervously between my fingers. They wouldn't stop shaking.

"You can hug me, Miexha," Jayson said quietly.

I looked up.

"I'm your fiancé. It's okay to ask me for comfort."

He paused before adding,