Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 91

Chapter 91 - If Love Meant Choosing Pain Together

Wayne Academy Silver Island Field Trip - Day 5

Jayson blinked his eyes open.

For a fleeting second, he thought he was floating-weightless, free. No blood-slicked coral. No twisted tunnels. No girls sobbing through seawater knots. Just silence. Just peace.

He sat up slowly. His shirt was wrinkled, the blanket slung over him like a forgotten flag.

To his left, Zatariel was curled up in the next bed, headphones tangled around his neck, wearing mint-green pajamas patterned with little moons. His chest rose and fell in rhythm-no sarcasm, no noise. Just rest.

Across the room, Asha was starfished on her bed, snoring like a beast, drool staining her pillow, a single sock glued to her cheek like a survivor's badge.

And near the window, on a smaller bed, Miexha lay cocooned in a fluffy blanket. The sunlight kissed her cheekbones, her face turned slightly toward the sky. Her lips were parted softly in sleep, hands curled under her chin like a dreaming doll.

Jayson rose, stretching carefully.

Was it really just a dream?

No. The ticking of the wall clock said otherwise.

1:03 PM.

The Silvery Water Park Talent Show wasn't until six.

He glanced at the others-battered but safe-and chose to let them rest.

Silently, he walked to Miexha's side.

She looked like porcelain. So still. So delicate. So undeniably his-by contract, not by heart.

"My fiancée," he murmured.
"My wife"

But titles were paper. And her heart was inked elsewhere. With Zatariel. Who, in turn, had scrawled his entire soul into hers.

Jayson reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her forehead. His fingers hovered, never touching.

If not me... she'd be engaged to someone worse. Someone who'd cage her. Display her. Ruin her.

He sat at the edge of the bed, gaze distant.

So I'll stand in the way. I let her have joy behind my name. Let her smile freely-even if their children carry my last name, I'll love them like they're mine.

It wasn't fair. But nothing in this life ever was.

He looked at his phone. The screen lit up with a photo of Ofreigha-his first love. Her cheer uniform red, her laughter wild and reckless, hair like burning sunset.

Amerina was oceans away. So was she.

She had a boyfriend now. School dances. A pink smoothie obsession.

He smiled bitterly. He hadn't missed a single update.

"I lost her long ago... but I still hope she's happy."

A soft voice broke the silence.

"Jayson...?"

Miexha blinked sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
"Why do you look so sad?"

He blinked fast, forcing a practiced smile.

"Do I?" he said gently.
"Maybe I just forgot how cute you are when you sleep."

She pouted slightly, unconvinced.

Jayson leaned down, voice soft.

"Don't worry. I promised I'd give you the life you wanted. Even if the world is cruel, I'll make sure it's kind to you."