Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 107

Asha barely stepped out of the car when exhaustion hit her like a truck.
Summer had drained every drop of her energy — interning at Shux Pharmacy, learning how to mix medicine under Mom’s watchful eyes, surviving zero sleep, caffeine, and deadlines.

But then—

“Dear, hurry up! We’ll be late!”

Asha froze mid-step.
That voice. That sugary, high-pitched giggle.

Miexha.

Her precious baby girl almost-adopting her for being adorable.

And dear?

Her brow twitched.
“Wait. Who the heck is she calling dear?”

Before she could even investigate, another voice came booming.

“I’m coming! Wait for me, dear—”

Asha’s eyes widened so hard they might’ve fallen out.
That was her twin brother’s voice.

The Jayson Dom.
The one who claimed he “just wanted to protect” Miexha.

“WHAT—”

She didn’t even finish. Someone suddenly grabbed her wrist and covered her mouth.

“Mmph!?”

“Shhh,” whispered her father, Ashel Dom, pulling her behind the hallway.
“Don’t ruin the moment.”

Her mother, Jane, peeked excitedly from the corner like a teenager stalking her crush.
“Oh my gosh, they’re so cute! Look at them— matching bags, matching pens— oh, my heart!”

Asha’s jaw dropped under her father’s hand. What is wrong with this family?

Then came the sound of footsteps.

Jayson and Miexha appeared at the end of the hallway — walking so close they might as well be glued together.
Jayson carried both their bags, his hoodie half-zipped, hair still damp from the shower.
Miexha clung to his arm, all smiles, her face glowing like morning sunlight.

They walked past Ashel, Jane, and Asha — completely oblivious to their secret audience.

Asha just stood there, still gagged by her father’s hand, eyes twitching.

What in the hormonal apocalypse did I just witness?

The front door closed behind the couple.

Jane sighed dreamily.
“I should’ve recorded that.”

Ashel grinned.

Asha pulled her father’s hand off her mouth and snapped,
“You’re all insane! What happened during the summer vacation!? Did someone switch universes while I was gone!?”

Her parents only laughed, already heading back to the kitchen to gush about “the young love story” unfolding under their roof.

Asha groaned, dragging a hand down her face.

“Zatariel has to know this,” she muttered, grabbing her phone. “Before he walks into school and sees them calling each other husband and wife.”

She jabbed the call button.

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Meanwhile — Zatariel’s Room

The sunlight was cruel.
Zatariel groaned under his blanket, his brain still running on pilot mode — literally. The junior flight program had just ended yesterday, and he’d graduated top of his class.

His phone buzzed across the desk.
(Asha the Great calling)

He sighed, answering lazily. “Morning, Asha. I’m alive. Barely. Can I sle—”