Marvis POV
I was halfway through a call when I saw her.
Melody. And she wasn't alone.
She stood by the café across the street, smiling. Actually smiling. Not the fake one she gave strangers. A real one easy and unguarded.
I stepped closer to the window.
Beside her was a guy. Tall, lean build, low-cut twists. He wore a silver chain and had a voice that carried even through the glass. I couldn't hear what he was saying, but Melody laughed.
Laughed.
Something sharp twisted in my chest.
"Who is that?" I muttered.
"Sir?" my assistant asked on the phone.
"Call you back."
I ended the call without waiting.
I moved to the entrance, but paused. Watched. Observed.
The guy leaned closer to her. Not in a pushy way but familiar. Like he knew her. Like he had the right to be that close.
Melody didn't stop him.
She touched his arm at one point, nodded as he spoke, even adjusted his collar playfully.
What. The. Hell.
I didn't realize how tightly I was gripping the door handle until it creaked under my fingers.
Then the guy did something worse he handed her a small box. She opened it, gasped, and hugged him.
That's when I walked out.
I didn't think. I didn't plan. I just moved.
Melody saw me first. Her smile fell.
The guy looked up, confused.
"Marvis," she said, her voice uncertain.
"Didn't know you were meeting someone," I said, cold.
She blinked. "I don't have to report all my movements to you."
I ignored that. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"
The guy raised a brow. "You always talk like that to women in public?"
"I talk like that when I see something unexpected."
Melody stepped between us. "Marvis, this is Drex."
I stared at him. "Drex."
He smiled, easy and unbothered. "Short for Drexton. And you are?"
"Someone who doesn't like surprises," I said tightly.
Melody crossed her arms. "He's Stella's twin brother. They grew up together."
Twin brother?
Why the hell didn't I know that?
Drex grinned, clearly enjoying this. "Don't worry. I'm not here to mess with anything. Just checking in on an old friend."
"Friend," I repeated slowly.
Melody narrowed her eyes at me. "What's wrong with that?"
I looked at her. Looked at him. I wanted to say a hundred things but none would've come out right.
So I just said, "Nothing."
Then turned and walked away.
Because if I stayed, I might've done something reckless.
I was the one burning.