Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 116

Chapter 116 – Bitterella Rises

It’s been a week.

A whole week without crying.
(Okay. One tiny sob in the bathroom stall last Tuesday. But it doesn’t count if no one hears it.)

I didn’t flinch when Zatariel smiled. Didn’t melt. Didn’t imagine our nonexistent wedding under cherry blossoms while he played piano with glowing hands.

I didn’t even twitch at Jayson’s constant scowls. Let him glare—I’ve seen my reflection. I look great without stress wrinkles caused by rich boys with rage issues.

Even Asha’s insults bounce off now like glitter on Teflon.

And Ofreigha?

Well.

She asked me to pass her a pen during class yesterday.

I looked her straight in the eyes and said,
“You have a boyfriend now. Ask him.”

She blinked.

Before, I would've sprinted to the vending machine if she even sighed about caffeine. But now?
Now they call me Bitterella.
Jealouxa.
Queen of the Rejection Arc.

Fine. Let them talk.

Because today is Friday.
And I’m done pretending.

Zatariel stood right in front of me—alone. No fan club orbiting. Just him. Soft hair. Puppy eyes. Awkward frown.

“Mimi,” he said calmly. “Why’d you fire me?”

The class turned like synchronized gossip drones.

I stood. Calm. Mostly. My voice cracked like a dry leaf, but whatever.

“Because I like you,” I snapped.

Gasps. Someone dropped their pen. I kept going.

“You’re pretty and smart and I’m weak to guys, smile like yours.”

(My voice? Now shouting. No brakes. No survivors.)

“That’s why I don’t want you tutoring me! I want to move on from my embarrassing crush and stop writing poems about your eyelashes!”

Then I shoved my test paper into his chest.

Math: 80/100.
Passing marks

“I don’t need a tutor anymore. And I definitely don’t need more heartbreak.”

He stared at the paper. Then at me.

He looked… sad.

“I get it,” he said quietly. “It’s just… I really needed the job.”

I blinked. “What?”

“I wanted to earn my own money. So I could take my girl out. Buy her that chocolate mousse she likes.”

The classroom exploded.

“OH MY GOD HE’S SO SWEET—”
“COUPLE GOALS!!”
“HE WORKS FOR LOVE?!”

And me?

I stood there, holding the shredded remains of my last delusion like it was a losing raffle ticket.

I also love chocolate mousse.

But I didn’t cry.

I smiled thinly. Took a breath.

“Apply somewhere else,” I said. “I’ll write you a recommendation.”

Zatariel bit his lip. Like he wanted to say something. But he didn’t.