Author’s POV
For the first time in days, Jayjay Mariano had slept peacefully.
Her childhood bedroom was quiet.
The curtains moved gently with the morning breeze.
The sunlight fell across the familiar walls, the old photographs, the shelves filled with memories she had almost forgotten she still had.
Her right hand rested carefully on the pillow.
The plaster was uncomfortable.
Her body still felt tired.
But her mind—
For once—
Was quiet.
She was home.
No school.
No Section E.
No Keifer.
No engagement.
No pretending.
No smiling when she wanted to scream.
Just home.
Then—
BANG!
Jay’s eyes opened.
She stared at the ceiling.
Another sound.
CRASH!
Then Kevin’s voice echoed through the mansion.
“I DIDN’T BREAK IT!”
Jay slowly sat up.
Another voice shouted.
“YOU WERE HOLDING IT!”
Thyme.
Jay closed her eyes.
“No.”
BANG!
She sighed.
“They’re here.”
The bedroom door opened.
Percy stood there.
He looked completely calm.
Jay stared at him.
“How long?”
Percy glanced at his watch.
“Seven minutes.”
Jay’s eyes widened.
“Seven?”
“Yes.”
“And they’ve already broken something?”
“Technically, the vase is cracked.”
Jay stared at him.
“That’s broken.”
Percy shrugged.
“I didn’t say it wasn’t.”
Jay rubbed her forehead.
“I missed them for five minutes and already regret it.”
Percy smiled.
“You missed them.”
“I did not.”
“You did.”
“No.”
“Jay.”
“What?”
“You’re smiling.”
Jay immediately stopped smiling.
“I’m not.”
Percy laughed.
“Sure.”
Jay picked up a pillow with her good hand.
Percy immediately stepped backward.
“Don’t.”
“I’m throwing this at you.”
“With one hand?”
“Yes.”
“Your hand is fractured.”
Jay glared.
“I know.”
“Then don’t throw anything.”
She lowered the pillow.
“Fine.”
She stood.
Percy’s expression immediately changed.
“Slow.”
“I’m fine.”
“Slowly.”
“I said I’m fine.”
“And I said slowly.”
Jay rolled her eyes.
“You’re becoming annoying.”
Percy smiled.
“Becoming?”
Jay stared at him.
Then suddenly—
She laughed.
For no reason.
Percy looked at her.
“What?”
Jay covered her mouth.
“I don’t know.”
“What?”
“I don’t know why I’m laughing.”
Percy smiled.
“You’re tired.”
Jay immediately became serious.
“I’m not tired.”
“Okay.”
“And don’t say I’m emotional.”
Percy raised an eyebrow.
“I wasn’t going to.”
“You were thinking it.”
“Maybe.”
Jay grabbed his arm.
“Come downstairs before I change my mind about letting them see me.”
Percy laughed.
“Yes, Queen.”
The living room looked like ASTRA had declared war on the mansion.
Kevin was standing beside a decorative vase.
Thyme was trying to fix it.
MJ was laughing.
Kade was arguing with Kevin.
Cole was inspecting the mansion’s security system.
Sam was looking around impatiently.
Ren was sitting on the sofa, completely expressionless.
Raphel stood near the staircase.
Kevin pointed at the vase.
“I barely touched it.”
Thyme:
“You picked it up.”
“That’s not breaking it.”
MJ:
“You dropped it.”
“Gravity dropped it.”
Kade:
“You’re stupid.”
Kevin:
“You’re jealous.”
“Of what?”
“My talent.”
Ren finally looked up.
“What talent?”
Kevin proudly answered:
“Survival.”
Ren:
“You’re surviving by accident.”
Kevin:
“Still surviving.”
Then—
Footsteps.
Everyone turned.
Percy appeared at the top of the staircase.
And behind him—
Jay.
The entire room froze.
For one second, nobody moved.
Then Kevin’s face exploded into the biggest smile.
“LOVE!”
He started running toward her.
Percy immediately raised his hand.
“Stop.”
Kevin froze.
“Why?”
Percy pointed toward Jay’s right hand.
Everyone’s eyes moved to the plaster.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Thyme’s smile disappeared.
Ren stood.
MJ stopped laughing.
Cole became serious.
Sam’s eyes widened.
Kade’s expression hardened.
Raphel stared at Jay.
“What happened?”
Jay smiled awkwardly.
“Good morning?”
Nobody responded.
Jay looked around.
“Okay… apparently nobody is saying good morning.”
Kevin pointed toward her hand.
“Love.”
“Yes?”
“Why is your hand in plaster?”
Jay sighed.
“It’s nothing.”
Eight people answered at once.
“NOTHING?!”
Jay flinched.
Then immediately became irritated.
“Why are you all shouting?!”
Everyone went silent.
Kevin lowered his voice.
“Sorry.”
Jay crossed her arms.
“Thank you.”
Raphel walked toward her.
His voice was much softer.
“Jay.”
She looked at him.
“What happened?”
Jay looked at Percy.
Percy didn’t say anything.
He knew this was her story to tell.
Jay finally sighed.
“I had an accident.”
Kade:
“What kind?”
Jay:
“A truck.”
Silence.
Kevin’s expression changed completely.
“A truck?”
Jay nodded.
“Yes.”
“You were hit by a truck?”
“There was an accident.”
Ren:
“And you walked away?”
“Yes.”
Thyme:
“With a fractured hand?”
Jay:
“Apparently.”
Kevin stared at her.
“Apparently?!”
Jay frowned.
“I didn’t know it was fractured!”
“How did you not know?!”
Jay suddenly snapped.
“BECAUSE I HAD OTHER THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT!”
Silence.
Jay’s breathing became slightly heavier.
She realized everyone was staring.
Her expression softened.
“Sorry.”
Raphel immediately shook his head.
“Don’t apologize.”
Jay looked down.
“I just…”
She stopped.
She didn’t want to explain everything yet.
Percy noticed.
“Sit.”
Jay looked at him.
“I can stand.”
“I know.”
“Then why—”
“Because you’ve been standing long enough.”
Jay stared at him.
Then sat.
Kevin whispered to MJ:
“He’s in full protective mode.”
MJ whispered:
“Definitely.”
Jay finally began explaining.
The morning of the accident.
The truck.
The impact.
The pain.
And how she hadn’t realized how serious the injury was because her mind had been somewhere else.
With Keifer.
She had been so focused on finally seeing him that morning.
Then everything had gone wrong.
The betrayal.
The humiliation.
The insults.
The words Keifer had thrown at her.
The entire Section E knowing.
Nobody stopping it.
Nobody stepping forward. New chapters come out on g.com first.
Nobody asking if she was okay.
Jay’s voice remained strangely calm while she told them.
That calmness somehow made it worse.
“I didn’t really notice my hand after that.”
Thyme’s jaw tightened.
“Because you were dealing with everything else.”
Jay nodded.
“Yes.”
Ren:
“Who knew about the accident?”
“Nobody.”
Kevin:
“Nobody?”
“I didn’t tell anyone.”
Raphel looked furious.
“You were injured and still went through all of that?”
Jay shrugged.
“I had already gone there.”
Kade:
“And Keifer knew you were there?”
Jay nodded.
“Yes.”
The room became silent.
Kevin slowly stood.
“I need his address.”
Jay:
“No.”
“Phone number?”
“No.”
“School schedule?”
“Kevin.”
“I’m just collecting information.”
Ren:
“For murder.”
Kevin:
“I didn’t say murder.”
Kade:
“Your face did.”
Jay suddenly laughed.
Everyone looked at her.
She covered her mouth.
“Sorry.”
Then her smile disappeared.
“Actually, I’m not sorry.”
Kevin smiled.
“There she is.”
Jay:
“What?”
“Our Love.”
Jay rolled her eyes.
The name Section E itself was enough to change the atmosphere.
Jay told them everything.
How Keifer had publicly humiliated her.
How he claimed he had used her.
How everyone knew.
How nobody stood beside her.
How she had walked through that entire situation alone.
Kevin looked devastated.
“All those people were there?”
“Yes.”
“And nobody stopped him?”
“No.”
MJ shook her head.
“That’s disgusting.”
Thyme’s expression was cold.
“And Keifer did this deliberately?”
Jay nodded.
“Yes.”
Ren:
“Then he knew exactly what he was doing.”
Jay didn’t answer.
Raphel looked at her.
“And you still loved him.”
Jay became quiet.
Then she answered honestly.
“Yes.”
Nobody judged her.
Raphel only nodded.
“Okay.”
Jay looked surprised.
“That’s it?”
“What else should I say?”
“I don’t know.”
“Feelings don’t disappear because somebody hurts you.”
Jay looked away.
Her eyes suddenly became watery.
She blinked quickly.
Kevin noticed.
“Love?”
Jay immediately wiped her eye.
“I’m fine.”
Percy quietly said:
“Don’t force it.”
Jay glared at him.
“I wasn’t.”
“Okay.”
“And stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you know everything.”
Percy smiled slightly.
“I know enough.”
Jay rolled her eyes.
“Annoying.”
Then Jay told them about Aris.
And that—
Aris was her brother.
The room went silent.
Kevin blinked.
“Wait.”
Jay:
“Hmm?”
“Aris is your brother?”
“Yes.”
MJ:
“Your actual brother?”
“Yes.”
Kade:
“And he hid it?”
Jay nodded.
Thyme looked stunned.
“Why?”
Jay:
“Because things were complicated.”
Ren:
“That’s not an explanation.”
Jay’s expression became defensive.
“It’s complicated.”
Kevin:
“Love, he knew you were his sister?”
“Yes.”
“And nobody else knew?”
“No.”
“Including us?”
Jay:
“Yes.”
Kevin put a hand over his heart.
“I’m offended.”
Jay stared.
“Why?”
“Because I thought I knew everything.”
Jay laughed.
“You definitely don’t.”
But then Kevin became serious again.
“Did Aris know what was happening to you?”
Jay nodded.
“He knew enough.”
Raphel’s expression darkened.
“And he still didn’t tell anyone?”
Jay suddenly became emotional.
“He’s still my brother.”
Everyone stopped.
Jay’s eyes filled with tears.
“I know he made mistakes.”
Her voice shook slightly.
“I know he should have done things differently.”
She wiped her eyes.
“But he’s still my brother.”
Nobody interrupted.
Jay took a breath.
Then suddenly—
“Why am I crying?”
Kevin looked at Percy.
Percy looked back.
Neither said anything.
Jay frowned.
“Don’t you dare say anything.”
Percy raised his hands.
“I didn’t.”
Jay:
“Good.”
Sam asked quietly:
“What about your mother?”
Jay’s smile disappeared.
“Mom?”
“Yes.”
Jay nodded.
“She was there.”
Everyone looked at her.
“She knew?”
“She was there.”
“Did she know you were hurting?”
Jay shook her head.
“Not completely.”
Ren:
“Did you tell her?”
“No.”
Raphel:
“Why?”
Jay looked down.
“I didn’t know how.”
Her voice became quiet.
“Everything was happening too fast.”
Nobody blamed her.
But the anger remained.
Not because Jeena had deliberately hurt Jay.
But because Jay had been surrounded by people and still felt alone.
Then came the engagement.
Yuri.
The arrangement.
Angelo’s involvement.
The room exploded again.
Kevin practically jumped from the sofa.
“YOU WERE GOING TO MARRY YURI?!”
Jay immediately covered her ears.
“Why does everyone scream?!”
Kevin lowered his voice.
“You were going to marry Yuri?”
“Almost.”
MJ:
“And Angelo knew?”
“Yes.”
Thyme:
“Why?”
Jay sighed.
“He thought it was best.”
Kevin stared at the ceiling.
“I need patience.”
Ren:
“You don’t have any.”
“Exactly.”
Jay laughed.
Then—
Her expression suddenly changed.
“I didn’t want the engagement.”
Everyone looked at her.
“Not even a little.”
Raphel nodded.
“Then it’s good it’s cancelled.”
Jay smiled.
“It is.”
Kevin looked at Percy.
“You cancelled it?”
Percy:
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Paperwork.”
Kevin stared.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
MJ:
“You are terrifying.”
Percy shrugged.
Jay smiled quietly.
She knew the truth.
The agreement had been her idea.
And Percy had simply executed it.
For a few minutes, the room became quiet.
ASTRA didn’t know about the hospital.
They didn’t know about Dr.
Meera.
They didn’t know about the five babies.
They didn’t know that Jay had spent the previous night thinking about an entirely different future.
They didn’t know that Percy was carrying a secret far bigger than the plaster on her hand.
And Jay wasn’t ready to tell them.
Not yet.
She looked around at all of them.
Her people.
Her chaos.
Her family.
She smiled.
But suddenly—
Her stomach growled.
LOUDLY.
Kevin slowly looked at her.
Jay looked horrified.
“Don’t.”
Kevin:
“I didn’t say anything.”
Her stomach growled again.
Jay glared at it.
“Seriously?”
MJ started laughing.
Jay:
“Stop laughing!”
MJ:
“I’m sorry!”
Jay stood up.
“I don’t want food.”
Percy immediately said:
“You do.”
Jay:
“No.”
“You haven’t eaten.”
“I’m not hungry.”
Her stomach growled again.
Everyone looked at her.
Jay’s face turned red.
“Fine!”
She pointed toward Percy.
“I hate you.”
Percy:
“You can hate me after breakfast.”
Jay:
“I don’t want breakfast.”
“What do you want?”
Jay opened her mouth.
Stopped.
Thought.
“Chocolate.”
Percy nodded.
“Okay.”
“No.”
Percy paused.
“No?”
“I want something salty.”
Kevin whispered:
“What is happening?”
Ren:
“Don’t ask.”
Jay:
“Actually…”
Everyone looked at her.
“I want chocolate.”
Percy:
“Chocolate?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
Jay:
“With something spicy.”
Percy stared.
“Chocolate and spicy?”
Jay nodded.
“Yes.”
Kevin whispered:
“I’m scared.”
Jay turned toward him.
“You should be.”
Kevin immediately looked away.
Within minutes, the entire ASTRA team was somehow involved in breakfast.
Thyme was trying to make something healthy.
MJ was stealing food.
Kevin was eating everything.
Kade was threatening Kevin.
Cole was silently observing.
Ren was pretending not to care.
Sam was making sure Jay actually ate.
Raphel kept asking whether she needed anything.
And Percy—
Percy was standing over Jay like a personal security guard.
Jay picked up a plate.
Percy:
“I’ll take that.”
Jay:
“It’s light.”
“I’ll take it.”
“Perse.”
“Jay.”
“I have one good hand.”
“Exactly.”
She glared.
“You’re impossible.”
“Eat.”
Jay sighed.
Then took a bite.
Her expression changed.
“This is actually good.”
Percy:
“I know.”
Jay smiled.
“Thank you.”
Two seconds later—
“Actually, I don’t like it.”
Percy blinked.
“You just said—”
“I changed my mind.”
Kevin whispered:
“Mood swings.”
Jay immediately turned toward him.
“WHAT DID YOU SAY?”
Kevin practically hid behind Thyme.
“NOTHING!”
Everyone burst out laughing.
Even Jay.
By afternoon, ASTRA knew:
Jay had been in an accident.
Her hand was fractured.
She had been hurt while dealing with Keifer.
Section E had humiliated her.
Keifer had betrayed her.
Nobody had stood up for her.
Aris was her brother.
Aris had hidden that relationship.
Jeena had been present but hadn’t understood the full situation.
Angelo had been involved in the unwanted engagement.
The engagement was now cancelled.
Percy had brought Jay home.
And Jay was clearly going through something emotionally complicated.
But there was one thing they didn’t know.
The biggest secret.
Jay was pregnant.
And not just pregnant.
She was carrying five babies.
Only Percy knew.
And Jay wasn’t ready to tell anyone.
Not ASTRA.
Not Keifer.
Not Section E.
Not Aris.
Not Jeena.
Nobody.
For now—
The secret stayed between Jay and Percy.
By evening, the mansion had somehow become louder than it had been in years.
Kevin was lying across the sofa.
Kade was throwing a cushion at him.
MJ was laughing.
Thyme was telling everyone to stop.
Ren had given up.
Cole was still checking security.
Sam was organizing food.
Raphel was sitting near Jay.
Jay was laughing at all of them.
And Percy stood near the doorway.
Watching.
Protecting.
Knowing something nobody else did.
Jay looked at him.
Their eyes met.
She gave him the smallest smile.
He understood.
Not yet.
She wasn’t ready.
And he wasn’t going to force her.
Then Kevin shouted—
“LOVE! WE NEED TO DISCUSS BABY NAMES!”
Jay’s eyes widened.
She looked at Percy.
Percy immediately understood the problem.
Jay shouted back:
“I’M NOT HAVING A BABY!”
The entire room froze.
Jay froze too.
She had almost exposed herself.
Percy immediately stepped in.
“She means she’s not having that conversation.”
Everyone stared.
Jay nodded quickly.
“Yes.”
Kevin:
“Oh.”
MJ:
“That makes more sense.”
Jay silently exhaled.
Percy looked at her.
She mouthed—
Thank you.
He nodded.
Eventually, ASTRA settled down.
The mansion became quiet.
Jay returned to her childhood room.
She closed the door.
For a moment, she simply stood there.
Then she looked down at her stomach.
Her hand moved gently over it.
Her expression softened.
Five tiny lives.
A secret only she and Percy carried.
She whispered:
“Not yet.”
A knock came at the door.
Percy.
Jay opened it.
He stood there quietly.
“You okay?”
Jay nodded.
“Yeah.”
Then she frowned.
“Actually, no.”
Percy waited.
“I’m hungry again.”
He smiled.
“What do you want?”
Jay thought.
“I don’t know.”
“Chocolate?”
“No.”
“Mango?”
“No.”
“Ice cream?”
Jay’s eyes lit up.
“Maybe.”
Percy laughed.
“I’ll get it.”
Jay smiled.
Then suddenly—
Her eyes became emotional again.
“Perse?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you for not telling them.”
Percy’s expression softened.
“It’s your secret.”
Jay nodded.
“I’m just not ready.”
“Then nobody needs to know until you’re ready.”
She smiled.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Jay looked down at her stomach.
Then back at him.
“Five.”
Percy smiled.
“Five.”
For a moment, neither said anything.
Then Jay whispered—
“They’re safe, right?”
Percy answered immediately.
“I’ll make sure they are.”
Jay smiled.
And for the first time since the hospital—
She felt completely certain of one thing.
Whatever happened next—
She wouldn’t face it alone.
Outside her bedroom, ASTRA was still arguing about something completely ridiculous.
Kevin’s voice echoed through the hallway.
“I DIDN’T STEAL THE ICE CREAM!”
Kade:
“YOU’RE HOLDING IT!”
Kevin:
“THAT PROVES NOTHING!”
Jay started laughing.
Percy shook his head.
“Chaos.”
Jay smiled.
“My chaos.”
And neither ASTRA—
Nor anyone else— knew the biggest secret hidden inside the Mariano Mansion.
Not yet.