The celebration ebbed into evening.
Lanterns floated above the garden like slow-moving stars, their reflections wavering on the surface of the sea. The music had softened to strings and laughter.
Ezra and Mellody slipped out through one of the side terraces, escaping the circle of guests and cameras.
For the first time that day, they were alone.
The air smelled of salt and roses. The wind combed through Mellody's hair, loose now, the veil gone. She stood at the railing, pale dress catching the faint gold light from the hall behind them.
Ezra leaned beside her, trying to find words that fit the moment. "So… you're really the daughter of the legendary Michelle and Luna Ardent? The people who practically run the planet?"
Her lips curved faintly. "That's what the papers say."
"And Deol—your brother—the one who glares at everyone like he's reading their thoughts?"
A quiet laugh. "That's him. Born with a microscope in his head. My mother says he questions everything. My father says it's what makes him dangerous."
Ezra smiled, the wind catching in his voice. "And what about you? The perfect one?"
"I'm just better at pretending to be calm," she said softly. "Perfection is a good disguise."
They watched the tide together.
The sea seemed endless, patient. The air between them hummed with something fragile, new.
After a moment, Ezra exhaled slowly, hands tightening on the railing.
"Can I admit something?"
"Of course."
He laughed under his breath — a humorless, embarrassed sound. "I have no job. Not even close. I'm twenty-five, living off my parents' money, half-depressed, half-medicated. My wife—who's twenty-three—is a global CEO, and I'm… what? A guy with bad sleep and therapy bills."
She turned toward him, eyes steady, face unreadable. "You think that makes you lesser?"
"It lowers my pride," he said simply. "It's not jealousy. It's just— whatever anyways".
He gestured vaguely at the night, at her poise, her clarity. "You've built something. I'm still trying to remember who I am when I wake up."
Mellody was silent for a long moment. The sea roared beneath them. Finally, she said, "Maybe that's why we're here."
He frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
"Because you're trying to remember, and I'm trying to forget."
Her tone carried both truth and mystery, like something deeper hiding beneath calm water.
They stood that way a while longer — two silhouettes against the ocean — until the music from the hall softened to a hum.
Then she turned toward him, brushing invisible lint from his jacket, her touch light but deliberate.
"When we go home," she said quietly, "remember that I'm your wife now — Mellody Ezra. No cameras, no contracts. Just that."
Her eyes lifted to his, a small teasing glimmer in them. "And don't forget — from tonight on, no others. Just us, Mr. and Mrs. Ezra."
Her tone was playful, but her gaze carried something more — something binding, like a vow that stretched beyond words.
He smiled, awkward and genuine. "Yeah… I'll remember."
"Good," she whispered, the sea wind catching her voice, "because from now on, there's no you without me."
She stepped closer, their hands finding each other naturally. Behind them, laughter and applause echoed faintly from the hall, fading into the sound of waves.
For a moment, it felt like peace.
But far out at sea, lightning blinked once — silent, distant, unseen by either of them — like the sky keeping score.
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