The marble corridor opened into light.
Ezra followed the echo of voices until the hotel's back doors swung out onto a garden washed in gold and salt air. Monday Avenue's backyard wasn't a yard at all—it was a private paradise: trimmed hedges, glass pavilions, the sea stretching beyond a line of palms. White ribbons fluttered from an archway.
Music played softly somewhere behind the laughter. Tables gleamed under white cloths. A small crowd of guests stood around a long aisle lined with flowers.
He froze.
At the far end, beneath the arch, stood his parents. Miller in a charcoal suit, calm and smiling, and Rosey radiant in soft lavender silk. Beside them, Sophie and Vale darted between adults, talking to strangers, laughing.
And then—her.
A woman in a pale ivory dress turned slightly at the sound of the sea.
Mellody.
He didn't know her, and yet she drew the eye instantly. There was something composed about her stillness: the way she held her posture, the way her hair caught the light, the faintest calm smile that seemed both polite and unreachable. Younger than him by two years, the mind registered automatically.
He'd heard her name once, maybe. Mellody Ardent.
Daughter of Michelle and LunaArdent—owners of TechChar, the world's most powerful tech company. A woman known in business columns for her intellect, her unshakable grace, her quiet discipline. That she never ever kissed anyone or never even had anyone except now and forever, Ezra.
She was also—he realized with sudden absurdity—the woman standing beside his parents at what looked suspiciously like a marriage event.
The thought hit him sideways.
No. No, no, no.
His pulse jumped. His mouth moved before his mind could catch it.
"Are you guys—are you fucking serious? Is this real? Mom! Dad!"
The words cracked through the music like glass against tile. Heads turned. Someone stifled a laugh.
Sophie gasped; Vale burst into laughter so hard he nearly dropped his drink.
Rosey turned, half-mortified, half-amused. "Ezra, language!"
Miller was laughing too, though he tried to hide it behind a cough. "Son, you're early. Or late, depending on how we look at it."
The guests chuckled. Even Deol, Mellody'sbrother, smirked into his glass.
Ezra rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks burning. "You could've maybe told me before setting up—whatever this is?"
Miller stepped forward, still grinning. "Surprise engagement. Everyone wanted to see your face when you found out. Congratulations."
He turned helplessly toward Mellody. She met his eyes for the first time—steady, assessing, the faintest warmth hiding behind the cool formality. For a heartbeat, he forgot to breathe.
Then she smiled—small, genuine, just enough to break the ice. "You have an interesting way of saying hello."
Ezra blinked, laughed once despite himself. "Yeah… sorry. Didn't exactly get the memo."
"Clearly," she said, still smiling.
Laughter rippled again through the guests. The tension broke like the clouds after rain.
Somewhere in the back, Sophie whispered loudly to Vale, "Told you he'd freak out."
And as the music resumed and the chatter rose again, Ezra stood there, awkward and dazed, caught between disbelief and something new flickering under his ribs.
For the first time in days, the storm inside him went quiet.
"If you enjoyed this chapter, please consider leaving a comment, rating, or Power Stone vote. Your support helps the story grow and motivates me to keep writing. Thank you for being a part of this journey!"
"Follow me on Instagram Updates & extras: [https://www.instagram.com/myth_9511?igsh=bjhhZml3M2I2eXp0]. Join our Discord community for Talk & theories: [https://discord.gg/HXeNstmRnx]. Let's connect!"
"And if anyone didn't understand the "Synopsis" means comment! so i will explain."