NovelCodex — Read Web Novels & Raw Chinese Novels Free

JAY’s POV

I woke up, blinking against the bright sunlight streaming through my window, groaning as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

Stumbling into the bathroom, I nearly screamed at my reflection.

I look like a beast waking up, my hair was a wild mess, drool still lingering on my cheek, and my clothes looked like I had just rolled out of bed—because I had.

“How am I still not used to this look every morning?” I huffed and muttered to myself, brushing my hair with my fingers.

After a quick wash-up and a change into something presentable, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

“Jay, you’re going to scare the hell out of Liam,” I joked, but the humor faded as I remembered the reality: I was getting married in three days.

Three days.

The thought felt like a death sentence rather than a celebration.

I had read somewhere —internet—that it was normal to feel nervous and excited….I told myself that would be the exact reason,…

I was overthinking, but deep down, I knew this feeling was different.

It was a warning, a voice telling me to stop.

And my brothers?

They had been around, but it felt like they were still avoiding me.

Whenever I called over a phone, their voices were low and heavy, sending a shiver down my spine.

“JayJay, anak, breakfast is ready! Are you up?” Mom’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I glanced at myself one last time before yelling back, “Coming, Mom!”

As I walked downstairs, I found Percy shoveling pancakes into his mouth, his other hand reaching for more.

“Hoy, you blue-eyed hungry monster, leave something for me!” I lunged toward him, but he muffled through his stuffed cheeks—probably something about how handsome he was.

I ignored him and served myself a plate full of pancakes.

Just as I settled down to eat, I felt my plate lift into the air.

What the—?

Is this house haunted?

Why didn’t anyone tell me?

Am I a ghost too?

Are all of them also a ghost.

But food was my first priority!

I quickly grabbed my plate back, stood up and turned to ran , ofcourse with plate ,only to lose my grip and watch it slip from my hands.

Because of the person infront of me.

“Ahhhhh!” I squealed at the highest pitch, “Kuya Angelooooooo!”

I threw myself around him, locking my arms around his waist and nuzzling into his chest.

He smelled like sandalwood and fresh laundry filling my senses—my safe corner in a world—that felt too loud.

“Finally, you are here,” I mumbled into his shirt.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too, troublemaker,” he replied, kissing the top of my head.

Pulling back, I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes at him.

“Why. Are. You. So. Late?” I dropped my voice to a low, dangerous register.

He straightened up, scratching the back of his neck, looking very guilty.

I looked away, so that he knew I was angry.

Even though I was the most happiest here.

“Jay, c’mon, now that I’m here—”

“Tita Gemma!” I cut him off, ignoring his outstretched arms as I walked passed him toward the sweet lady who had just walked through the door.

I hugged her tightly, a smile tugging at my lips.

“Jay, my baby,” she cooed, pulling back to cup my face in her hands and showering me with kisses.

“Tita,” I giggled, spoiled as always by her.

After a final kiss on top of my nose, she turned me around grabbing my arms.

“Jay,” she gasped softly, “Holy thing, baby. Is your mother not feeding you properly? You look so thin.”

Pouting, I nodded.

“Tita, Mom just loves my kuyas the most.”

Before I could finish, I felt a familiar tug on my ears.

“Ahhh, ouch, my ears!” I yelped, realizing it was Mom, who seemed to have anticipated my words.

“Oh really, Jay? Then who ate eight pancakes for breakfast daily?” she retorted, releasing my ears.

Rubbing them, I knew they were probably bright red by now.

“Titaaaa, watch your sister! You’re her Ate, but she still dares to do this in front of you!” I wailed, tugging on Tita’s side.

Everyone laughed, and Tita shot a knowing look at Mom.

We moved toward the dining table, with Kuya Angelo sitting beside me.

I ignored him, paying attention towards my breakfast.

He poked my sides, trying to get my attention, but I remained steadfast in my sulking.

After breakfast, I settled on the couch with my arms and legs crossed, narrowing my eyes.

Mom and Tita were deep in conversation, glancing my way occasionally.

Meanwhile, Aries, Percy, and Kuya Angelo whispered to each other, patting Angelo on the back like they were preparing him for battle.

He sighed and approached me.

I quickly looked away, turning my head in the opposite direction.

I felt the couch dip beside me—obviously Kuya Angelo.

A beautifully wrapped box appeared in front of me, and I glanced at it before looking away, though a smile threatened to break through my facade.

“Okay, then,” Kuya Angelo sighed, setting the box on the coffee table.

I thought he was giving up as he set the box on coffee table.

But I was wrong; he pulled out a green plushie—Snorlax.

My eyes lit up like a child on Christmas morning.

“Snorlax!” I squealed, snatching it and hugging it tightly as if it would run away.

“Finally,” Kuya Angelo breathed, and I hugged him, Snorlax still nestled between us.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you so much! You’re the best!” I exclaimed, pulling away.

A small smile formed on his face.

“I’m glad you liked it, troublemaker. Hope you’re not mad at me anymore.”

“I was never mad at you, kuya,” I grinned sheepishly.

“I was just messing around. Thanks for the gift.”

“Won’t you open the other one?” he asked, pointing at the box on the coffee table.

I grinned, excitement bubbling within me as I grabbed the box.

But as I opened it, my smile vanished, confusion washing over me.

Inside was another box.

I looked at Kuya, who was trying hard not to laugh while signaling me to continue.

Opening the next lid, I groaned—ughhhh—another box.

I shot him a glare, and he burst into laughter.

The room erupted with laughter as I looked around, realizing everyone was enjoying my predicament.

“C’mon, Jay, go on!” Aries encouraged between laughs.

I glared at the box, determined to get to the bottom of this.

I opened another lid, only to find yet another box.

I was done.

I placed the box on the coffee table and shot everyone a glare before focusing back on Kuya Angelo.

“I hate you,” I said, but he just laughed harder.

“Go on, Jay,” he urged, shoving the box back at me.

“I swear, one more box and I’m not talking to you ever again!” I declared, continuing to open the lid.

As I lifted the lid, my breath hitched.

Inside was a cubical lamp that spun around, adorned with pictures of us.

In first pic was Mom and Dad, infront of them was little Aries and little Percy, and in between at front was me , little Jay grinning with missing tooth.

I laughed through my tears which I don’t know were falling.

I spin to next.

In that pic was me with all my brothers—Kuya Angelo , Aries and Percy —and me in front trying to grab Aries cheek.

In next was Kuya Angelo, Aries, Percy and Keifer at back; me , Keigen and baby Keiren in front, all with our silly faces and funny poses.

In next was Mom, Dad, Tita Gemma, Tita Serina and Tito Keizer.

It was a pic taken without anyone of knowing they were being photoshooted.

I laughed, tears streaming down my cheeks.

When I looked up, everyone was trying hard not to cry.

I knew I was always their center, and with my wedding just three days away, emotions were running high on their emotions.

I quickly hugged Kuya Angelo, sobbing into his shoulder.

“It’s the best gift ever, Kuya,” I mumbled.

He hugged me back tightly.

“We love you, Jay. Remember that we always do.”

I nodded into his shoulder, feeling more arms wrap around us.

I looked up to find my brothers surrounding us, each placing a kiss on my head simultaneously.

They were trying hard not to cry, but I knew they loved me fiercely beneath all the bickering

KEIFER ‘s POV

Three days to go.

I reminded myself thinking about the wedding, that I needed to stop.

As I parked my car in the Mariano Estate’s driveway, I crossed the threshold of the main door and stopped in my track.

There were they —Aries, Percy, and Angelo hugging Jay, who was nestled between them.

It was hard to watch.

I knew how much it hurt them to think they wouldn’t be able to walk their sister down the aisle, especially not to that asshole.

I thought of not disturbing them and went directly to hug Tita Gemma instead who was wiping away unshed tears.

“I’m good. You’ve grown too tall, Keifer,” she replied, her voice soft despite the heaviness in the air.

“Only so I can stand beside you, beautiful,” I flirted, trying to lighten the mood

“Here he goes again. You won’t change, will you?” Tita laughed softly, playfully snapping my arm.

I chuckled as I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, hugging her close.

Finally, the hug broke, and I noticed Jay wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

Our eyes met, and she froze, her lips parting, I was sure the way her eyes widened slightly, as if recalling our previous closeness.

I smiled softly at her, but she quickly looked away, trying to distract herself with Percy, though she couldn’t help but glance at me again.

I scanned the room for the person I was really here for.

When I locked eyes with him, he was already looking at me, a mix of emotions swirling in his gaze.

Angelo Fernandes.

We exchanged a nod, a silent understanding passing between us, one that only we could decipher.

FLASHBACK STARTED

In my headquarters, I stared at the city lights, my reflection a shadow in the glass.

Liam had made his move.

Now it was my turn.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling to a contact I hadn’t used in years.

The call connected on the first ring.

“Reaper.” The voice on the other end was smooth, dangerous.

“To what do I owe you, Watson?”

I smiled, slow and lethal.

“I need a favor. Angelo”

His voice turned serious.

“What is it? Is it about… Jay?”

“Yes.” I paused, gathering my thoughts before revealing everything I had uncovered—the bully, the monster, the sex trafficking, the women being sold, the drug addiction, and the flight to Bali in fourteen days.

I could almost hear his jaw clench through the phone, the tension palpable.

“How dare he?” I heard the sound of something cracking on the other side.

“How. Dare. He. He is using my sister, the only person who dares to keep me sane.”

There was a heavy pause, filled only by his deep, ragged breaths.

“Ughhhhhhh… I will kill that fucker—asshole—bastard.”

“I need you here. We have less time for everything,” I said, my voice steady despite the anger boiling within me.

“I will be there in a few days,” he replied, the sound of movement echoing through the line.

“Till then, Watson, keep digging.”

“I will.” With that, the call ended, leaving me in the dim glow of the city lights, the weight of our conversation hanging heavily in the air.

FLASHBACK OVER

AUTHOR’s POV

Across the city, far from the Mariano Estate, in a grand mansion, Liam leaned against the doorframe, a predatory smile creeping across his face as he watched the woman on his bed.

“Three days to go, wifey,” he said, his voice dripping with a mix of arrogance and anticipation.

A large, devilish smile spread across the women’s face as she signaled toward him with her fingers, beckoning him closer.

Liam didn’t need to be told twice.

He walked toward the bed, removing his robe with a confident flourish, pulling the blanket over both of them.

Here’s your new chapter

Did you guys already guessed who ‘he’ was….?

Does Liam was with another women…?

Then why was he waiting for wedding with Jay….?

What are the things which are behind the curtain, Jay don’t even know about….?

While Keifer, Angelo, Aries and Percy stop this wedding before it’s too late….?

Will Jay will able to find out Liam’s real face….?

Or she will be kept in a dark…?

What the—

How many questions are actually their….if you guys wanna know about this mystery….

Chapter 13: The Brother's Gift and Three Days Countdown