Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 164

Chapter 164

Zatariel and Miexha remained in the water far longer.

The tide carried them gently, allowing their bodies to drift with the slow rhythm of the sea.

Sometimes the waves lifted them slightly, sometimes lowered them, but Zatariel’s steady hold never wavered.

Miexha wrapped her arms loosely around his shoulders, trusting him completely as they floated together.

Occasionally, he would tease her—
lightly guiding her beneath the water for a brief moment before helping her back up again.

Each time she resurfaced, she laughed, her earlier nervousness completely gone.

“I think I like the sea more now,” she admitted, brushing wet strands of hair from her face.

“You were worried earlier,” Zatariel said softly.

“I was,” she replied honestly.
“But… when I’m with you, it doesn’t feel scary.”

He smiled and gently pulled her closer as another wave passed.

Her body instinctively moved with the current, but her hands remained secure against him.

Then, after a quiet moment, Zatariel spoke again.
“Is this more fun… than the summer you spent at the villa with Jayson?”

Miexha’s laughter faded.

The question caught her completely off guard.

Her fingers tightened slightly against the fabric of his shirt.

Why would he ask that?

She did not want to compare or to measure one memory against another.

Her time at the villa had been precious in its own way.

At that time, Jayson had been her fiancé.

The days they shared there…
the hopeful conversations about the future…

Even the innocent dreams they once spoke of — building a family, creating a peaceful life together —
had all felt real.

Even if her feelings always turned toward someone else.

Zatariel noticed the shift in her expression.

The brief hesitation.
The distant look in her eyes.

Jealousy stirred quietly in his chest.

He knew she cared for him and what she felt was sincere.

Yet sometimes, he could not shake the feeling that part of her life existed somewhere he could never fully reach.

Like he was someone she loved deeply—
but not the one who had her first precious memory.

Still, he refused to step back.
Refused to give up.

Gently, he cupped her cheek, guiding her attention back to him as another small wave passed between them.

“Look at me,” he murmured.

When she did, he leaned forward, pressing another soft kiss against her lips before the next wave briefly lifted them both.

When they surfaced again, he spoke more quietly.

“I don’t need to replace anything,” he said.
“I just want to know… if you’re more happy right now... With me”

Miexha clung to him a little tighter.

Her voice came out softer than before.

“You are very important to me,” she admitted.
“Being here with you… makes me happy.”