Just as Mellody mentioned honeymoon plans,the dining room doors opened softly.
The old maid, Lira, entered with a polite bow, holding a small velvet delivery box.
"Master Ezra," she said, "your locket has been returned from the jeweller."
Ezra nodded.Right — of course. The diamond.His family already knew all about it.They had seen him obsess over the old locket from childhood and how strangely the Silent Star diamond suited it.
"Thanks, Lira," he said quietly.
Mellody leaned closer, smiling."Oh good! They finished attaching the Silent Star."
Vale grinned. "Bro, put it on. It suits your face."
Sophie added, "Yeah, gives you that 'brooding novelist' energy."
Ezra opened the velvet box.
There lay the locket —his old gold one, polished and refined,now holding the Type IIa diamond,the fabled Silent Star.
It didn't shine.It breathed light.
Ezra lifted it, clasped the chain around his neck.The metal touched his skin — cold, grounding, strangely heavy.
Rosey smiled warmly. "It really does look beautiful on you, Ezra."
Mellody nodded proudly."That's my man. Stylish without trying."
Ezra tried to smile back.But inside, something twisted like a knot pulling tighter.
Not fear.Not pain.
A vague ache of déjà vu he couldn't untangle.
He inhaled slowly.
Mellody continued, cheerful as ever,"So about tomorrow—yes, we're leaving early. Everything's confirmed."
Sophie stopped mid-bite."Tomorrow?? So soon?"
"Of course," Mellody said."We're going to the Triplet Islands.Penthouse suite at Mijgor Coastline.Ten days. Sea breeze. Coral cliffs. Moonlit beaches. Perfect honeymoon weather."
Vale whistled. "Ten days away from this madhouse. Lucky."
Miller chuckled. "Enjoy it. You both deserve the break."
Rain hammered the mansion windows.Thunder rolled like distant boulders.
Ezra stared at the table for a moment, hearing the storm, feeling the locket pulse faintly against his chest.
Just a trick of the heartbeat, he told himself.
Mellody nudged him gently."You okay?" she murmured under her breath.
"Yeah," he lied. "Just thinking."
She squeezed his hand under the table.Her warmth should've pulled him back to reality.
But instead…
Something inside him whispered:
Why does it all feel slightly wrong?Why does it feel like something's missing?Like I forgot something important… or something forgot me?
Mellody leaned closer."After breakfast we start packing. Today is rest day. Tomorrow—our trip."
She kissed his cheek.
Ezra nodded.
He tried to breathe normally.Tried to enjoy the moment.
Tried to pretend the confusion wasn't still eating him from the inside.
Outside, thunder cracked again.The world felt like it was holding its breath.
Ezra did too.