Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 1119

Chapter 119

The Red City villa felt like another world.

Quiet. Sunlit. Untouched by everything waiting beyond its gates.

For a few days, it was just the two of them.
Living together... like they are already married.

They woke beneath the same blanket, tangled without remembering how they ended up that way.

Morning light slipped gently through the curtains, painting soft gold across the room.

Sometimes, Miexha would still be half-asleep, her hand curled loosely in his shirt.

Jayson would still lie for a moment.

Before carefully easing himself away.

Later, he'd help her button the tiny clasps on her blouse.

"Hold still," he'd mutter, pretending not to notice how near her face was.

She'd huff in return, reaching up to fix his hair.
"You missed a spot. Again."

"I did not."

"You did... Here," She kisses his temple.

They'd eat side by side, knees brushing under the table.
Like it had always been.

And every single time—
Jayson felt something in his chest tighten.
Because a part of him wanted this to be real.
Not borrowed or temporary.

So when his heartbeat started to betray him, when the warmth lingered too long, he could feel his pulse—
He would stand.

"Bathroom," he'd say casually.

And leave before she could ask anything.

Behind the closed door, he'd brace his hands against the sink, staring at his reflection, forcing himself to breathe evenly.

"Get it together," he'd whisper.

Cold water. Steady breaths. Distance.
Anything to ground himself again.

Because no matter how much he wanted to reach for her—
He wouldn't cross that line.
Not when she was still healing.

Jayson exhaled slowly, closing his eyes for a brief second.
He'd rather carry the weight of it alone...
...than risk breaking something this fragile.

---

Evening settled softly over Red City.

A warm glow filled the small restaurant near the villa—quiet chatter, the clink of utensils, the comforting smell of broth and spices in the evening air.

Miexha sat across from Jayson, happily slurping her noodles, humming under her breath like she didn't have a single worry in the world.

Jayson watched her for a moment.
Then his gaze drifted.
To the television mounted above the counter.

A familiar face appeared on screen.
Soft red hair. Bright, gentle eyes.

Ofreigha Sebastian.

She smiled effortlessly in a shimmering shampoo commercial, her voice smooth as she spoke.

Jayson's chest tightened.
His first love.
The girl who once made his entire world revolve.

"...Jayson?"

He didn't realize how long he'd been staring—
Until a small hand slipped over his.

Miexha.

He blinked, turning to her.