Jay’s POV: I kept walking.
My footsteps echoed through the empty hallway while Yuri’s words refused to leave my head.
Thank you.
I clicked my tongue.
“Idiot…” People didn’t thank me.
They feared me.
Hated me.
Judged me.
That was how it had always been.
It was easier that way.
The less people cared…
…the easier it was to keep them at a distance.
I pushed open the school gate and headed toward my car.
Before I could unlock it, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
Marcus.
A small smile unknowingly crept onto my lips as I answered the call.
“Yeah?” “Ate!” Marcus’s voice came through immediately.
“Where are you?
Kate’s been looking out the window every five minutes waiting for you.” I couldn’t help letting out a quiet huff of amusement.
“I’m leaving school now.” “Really?
Hurry up!
Kate said lunch doesn’t taste as good if you don’t eat with us.” I glanced up at the sky.
“Tell her I’ll be there soon.” “I did!
She doesn’t believe me.” Marcus lowered his voice dramatically.
“She thinks you got kidnapped.” I snorted.
“Your sister isn’t that easy to kidnap.” “I know.” He laughed.
“Still…
drive safely, okay, Ate?” His tone turned softer.
“…We don’t want anything happening to you.” For a second…
I forgot about Keifer.
About Yuri.
About the custody battle.
“…I will.” “Promise?” “…Promise.” “Okay!” Marcus’s cheerful voice returned.
“See you at home, Ate!” The call ended.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket and unlocked the car.
As I sat behind the steering wheel, my eyes caught my reflection in the rearview mirror.
“…You’re hiding something dark.” Yuri’s words echoed in my head.
I let out a quiet, humorless laugh.
“If only you knew…” I shifted the car into drive and pulled out of the parking lot.
The roads were quieter than usual.
Good.
I wasn’t in the mood for traffic.
My fingers tapped against the steering wheel absentmindedly as Yuri’s words replayed in my head.
“You’re hiding something dark.” “…Observant.” I muttered the word under my breath before shaking my head.
As long as Kate and Marcus were safe…
Nothing else mattered.
About twenty minutes later, I pulled into the driveway.
Before I could even switch off the engine, the front door flew open.
“Ate!” Marcus came sprinting out of the house.
Behind him, Kate ran as fast as her little legs could carry her.
“Ate!
Ate!” The second I stepped out of the car, Kate threw herself at me.
I barely had time to react before I caught her.
“Easy there, shrimp.” She wrapped her tiny arms around my waist.
“You took forever!” she pouted, puffing out her cheeks.
“I was only gone for a couple of hours.” “It felt like forever.” Marcus walked over with his hands shoved into his hoodie pocket, trying to look cool.
“…She really did stand by the window almost the whole time.” “I did not!” Kate protested, glaring up at him.
“You did.” “I did not!” “You even counted every car that drove past.” Kate’s cheeks turned bright red.
“I thought one of them was Ate’s!” I couldn’t stop the small laugh that escaped me.
Marcus blinked.
“…You laughed.” “So?” “You actually laughed.” Kate’s eyes lit up.
“Ate smiled!” “I did not.” “You did!” the two of them said at the exact same time.
I rolled my eyes.
“You two are annoying.” Kate grinned from ear to ear.
“But you love us.” “…Unfortunately.” Marcus chuckled.
“We’ll take that as a yes.” I sighed dramatically, closing the car door behind me.
“Come on.” “Where?” Kate asked.
“Inside.” “Why?” “Because Sakura made lunch.” Kate gasped dramatically.
“Ate!
You should’ve started with that!” She grabbed my hand without hesitation and started dragging me toward the house.
Marcus laughed as he followed behind us.
For just a little while…
The weight on my shoulders felt lighter.
The custody battle…
Keifer’s revenge…
Yuri’s words…
They all faded into the background.
Right now…
I was just an older sister walking home with her younger brother and sister.
Kate practically dragged me through the front door.
“The food’s getting cold!” she whined.
“I’m pretty sure food doesn’t freeze in two minutes.” “It does if you’re hungry!” Marcus snorted as he kicked off his shoes.
“That’s not how it works, Kate.” “It is!” I shook my head, trying not to laugh.
“Whatever you say, shrimp.” The moment we stepped inside, the familiar scent of freshly cooked food filled the mansion.
“Ate’s home!” Kate announced at the top of her lungs.
From the dining room, Sakura peeked her head out before smiling.
“There you are.” “I told you I’d be back.” “And I told you not to take forever.” I raised an eyebrow.
“That was…
what?
“Welcome home, Miss Jay.” I gave her a small nod.
“Thank you, Maria.” The house had always been quiet.
Too quiet.
If it weren’t for Marcus, Kate, Sakura, and the staff, it would’ve felt more like a museum than a home.
Kate hurried to the dining table, already climbing onto her chair.
“Ate!
Sit next to me!” “No,” Marcus replied before I could.
“She always sits next to you.” “Because I’m her favorite.” Marcus scoffed.
“In your dreams.” “I am!” “You wish.” Before the two of them could start another pointless argument, Sakura clapped her hands once.
“Enough.” Instant silence.
Marcus and Kate looked at each other before sitting down with guilty smiles.
“…Sorry.” Sakura smiled, clearly used to breaking up their little fights.
“Good.” She turned to me.
“And you.” “Hm?” “You eat.” I blinked.
“What?” “No paperwork.” “…” “No phone.” “…” “No disappearing into your office.” “…” “And no saying you’re ‘not hungry.'” I let out a tired sigh.
“Bossy.” Sakura folded her arms.
“Someone has to be.” Marcus tried to hide a laugh by pretending to cough.
Kate wasn’t as subtle.
She giggled loudly.
“Ate got scolded.” “I noticed.” “You looked funny.” “I noticed that too.” Sakura pulled out the chair beside her.
“Sit.” I stared at her for a second before giving up.
“…Fine.” The moment I sat down, Maria placed a warm plate in front of me.
“Your favorite, Miss Jay.” “Thank you.” I picked up my fork, quietly eating while Marcus and Kate argued over who deserved the last fried chicken.
For a brief moment…
Everything felt…
Normal.
Food was life.
FOOD IS LIFE!
No custody battle.
No revenge plots.
No secrets.
Just dinner with the people I trusted most.
It almost made me forget that peace never lasted long.
Then— Buzz.
My phone vibrated against the table.
The caller ID flashed across the screen.
Kuya Angelo.
The room suddenly felt a lot quieter.
My appetite disappeared instantly.
Sakura noticed my expression and frowned.
“…Jay?” I stared at the phone as it continued to ring.
Neither Marcus nor Kate had noticed the name.
Good.
They didn’t need to.
Not yet.