Author’s POV
Morning came quietly to Mariano Mansion.
But inside the mansion…
Nothing was quiet.
Not anymore.
The entire ASTRA team had spent the previous day around Jay.
They had seen her return home.
They had seen the plaster around her right hand.
They had seen the way she tried to act as if everything was normal.
But there was one thing they still didn’t know.
One thing Jay had decided she couldn’t hide anymore.
Jay walked slowly down the stairs.
Her right hand was still in plaster.
Her expression was calm.
Her eyes were tired.
But there was something different about her.
Percy was already sitting in the living room.
The moment he saw her, his eyes immediately moved toward her hand.
Then her face.
Then her stomach.
His protective expression returned automatically.
Kade noticed.
Raphel noticed.
Everyone noticed.
Jay rolled her eyes.
“Don’t start.”
Percy raised an eyebrow.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You were about to.”
“I was going to ask if you ate.”
“I ate.”
“What?”
“Breakfast.”
Percy narrowed his eyes.
“What did you eat?”
Jay stared at him.
“Perse.”
Kade laughed.
“She caught you.”
Raphel shook his head.
“This man has become impossible.”
Percy ignored them.
His attention remained on Jay.
Because Percy already knew.
He had been with her at the hospital.
He had heard the doctor’s words.
He had seen the scan.
He knew there were five little lives growing inside his sister.
Five.
And ever since then, his brain had basically stopped functioning normally.
Jay looked around the room.
Everyone was there.
Thyme.
Ren.
MJ.
Kevin.
Cole.
Sam.
Kade.
Raphel.
And Percy.
Jay took a breath.
“I need to tell you all something.”
The room immediately became silent.
Percy already knew what was coming.
He leaned back.
Kade looked at Jay.
“What happened?”
Jay looked at all of them.
Then calmly said—
“I’m pregnant.”
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
Then—
Thyme blinked.
“…What?”
Jay repeated calmly.
“I’m pregnant.”
MJ’s mouth fell open.
Ren stared at her.
Kevin looked like his brain had stopped.
Cole slowly stood up.
Sam’s eyes widened.
Kade froze.
Raphel looked at Percy.
Percy simply nodded.
That made everyone’s eyes become even wider.
Kade pointed at Percy.
“YOU KNEW?!”
Percy shrugged.
“I was with her at the hospital.”
Thyme:
“Since when?!”
Percy:
“Since the checkup.”
Ren:
“And you didn’t tell us?!”
Percy looked at Jay.
“She wanted to tell you herself.”
Jay nodded.
“And…”
She paused.
“There are five.”
Everyone froze again.
Kade:
“Five what?”
Jay stared at him.
“Babies.”
Kade’s jaw dropped.
Raphel stood up so quickly that the chair moved backward.
“Five?”
Jay nodded.
“Five.”
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then the room exploded.
“FIVE?!”
“JAY!”
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?!”
“FIVE BABIES?!”
Jay covered her ears.
“Why are you all shouting?!”
Kade rushed toward her.
Percy immediately stepped between them.
“Slowly.”
Kade stopped.
“I’m just excited!”
Percy:
“Don’t rush toward her.”
Kade:
“I’m not going to hurt her!”
Percy:
“I know.”
Raphel was already beside Jay.
“Are you okay?”
Jay sighed.
“Yes.”
“Dizzy?”
“No.”
“Nauseous?”
“No.”
“Pain?”
“No.”
Percy immediately looked at him.
“Don’t interrogate her.”
Raphel stared at Percy.
“You’re worse.”
“I know.”
Jay rolled her eyes.
And that was the beginning.
The beginning of the biggest overprotective disaster ASTRA had ever witnessed.
Within ten minutes, everyone had developed a new responsibility.
Kevin wanted to make sure Jay ate regularly.
Sam started talking about keeping her schedule less stressful.
Cole wanted to make sure the mansion had everything she needed.
Ren started asking about appointments.
MJ started looking for comfortable things for Jay.
Thyme wanted to know what food Jay liked.
Kade had already decided that Jay wasn’t allowed to carry anything.
Raphel agreed.
Percy?
Percy had apparently decided Jay was no longer allowed to exist without supervision.
Jay looked at him.
“You’re being ridiculous.”
Percy calmly replied:
“You have five babies.”
“I know.”
“Then I’m not being ridiculous.”
“You’re following me everywhere.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re my responsibility.”
Jay’s expression softened slightly.
Kade immediately joined.
“She is our responsibility.”
Raphel nodded.
“Exactly.”
Jay looked between the three of them.
“You three are going to give me a headache.”
Percy:
“Then you’ll rest.”
Jay:
“Perse.”
Kade:
“Rest.”
Raphel:
“Rest.”
Jay:
“I hate all three of you.”
Kade smiled.
“No, you don’t.”
Jay tried not to smile.
She failed.
A little later, Percy received a message.
His phone vibrated.
He looked down.
The moment he read it, his entire expression changed.
Jay noticed.
She always noticed.
kade: “What’s wrong?”
Percy didn’t answer immediately.
He stood.
“Everyone.”
The room became serious.
Percy connected his phone to the screen.
A file appeared.
He looked at ASTRA.
“My team found something.”
Kade’s expression changed.
“What?”
Percy opened the file.
There were records.
Old financial transactions.
Names.
Documents.
Statements.
Evidence.
Percy spoke slowly.
“This concerns Jeena.”
Jay was in the hallway.
She had just come downstairs to get water.
She stopped when she heard her mother’s name.
She remained at the staircase.
Nobody saw her.
Percy continued.
“We investigated what happened to Jay when she was younger.”
Kade’s jaw tightened.
Raphel looked at the screen.
Percy continued.
“The evidence indicates that Jeena handed Jay over to her stepfather and his friends in exchange for money.”
Silence.
The room went completely still.
Kade’s hands curled into fists.
Raphel’s expression became terrifying.
Thyme looked horrified.
Ren couldn’t speak.
MJ covered her mouth.
Kevin stared at Percy.
Cole’s eyes hardened.
Sam whispered—
“She… sold Jay?”
Percy nodded.
“Yes.”
Behind them—
Jay stood frozen on the stairs.
She couldn’t breathe properly for a moment.
Her mother’s face appeared in her mind.
The memories.
The old house.
The fear.
The loneliness.
Everything.
And now she knew.
Her mother had been the person who was supposed to protect her.
But instead— she had chosen money.
Jay took one step backward.
Her foot missed the step.
Her balance disappeared.
Her body tilted.
“Jay!”
Percy moved instantly.
He reached the staircase just in time.
His arm wrapped around her waist and caught her before she could hit the floor.
Jay’s eyes were unfocused.
Percy held her tightly.
“Jay.”
She blinked.
“I’m okay.”
“No.”
“Perse, I’m okay.”
“You almost fell.”
“I said I’m fine.”
Percy didn’t listen.
He looked at Kade.
“Get the car.” Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
Jay immediately protested.
“No hospital.”
Percy looked at her.
“Hospital.”
“Perse—”
“No arguments.”
“I don’t need—”
“You’re going.”
His voice wasn’t angry.
It was terrified.
That was worse.
Kade was already moving.
Raphel followed.
Everyone else rushed after them.
The same hospital.
The same corridors.
The same place where Percy had learned about the five babies.
Jay sat quietly while the doctors checked her.
Her blood pressure.
Her condition.
The pregnancy.
The babies.
Her hand.
Everything.
Percy stood beside her the entire time.
Kade and Raphel refused to leave.
The others waited outside.
Finally, the doctor returned.
“Everything looks okay.”
Percy finally breathed.
“The babies?”
“Fine.”
Jay closed her eyes.
For the first time since hearing the truth about Jeena, she relaxed slightly.
The doctor reminded them that Jay needed rest and should avoid unnecessary emotional stress.
Percy nodded immediately.
“We understand.”
Jay looked at him.
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“You’re the biggest source of stress.”
Kade laughed.
Raphel smiled.
Even Percy couldn’t stop himself.
“Still resting.”
On the way home, Jay didn’t speak.
She looked out of the window.
Her reflection stared back at her.
She wasn’t crying.
She wasn’t shaking.
She wasn’t broken.
She was thinking.
About her mother.
About everything she had forgiven.
About every person she had given another chance.
And finally—
Jay made a decision.
No more.
No more mercy for people who repeatedly hurt her.
No more begging people to understand her.
No more giving her loyalty to people who disappeared when she needed them.
From now on—
She would protect the people who protected her.
Love the people who loved her.
Stand beside the people who stood beside her.
And everyone else?
They could stay outside.
Jay whispered to herself—
“No more mercy.”
Percy heard her.
He didn’t interrupt.
Because he understood.
Once they returned to the mansion, Jay sat on the sofa.
After a few minutes, she finally spoke.
“I’m going to school tomorrow.”
Every single person immediately said—
“No.”
Jay looked around.
“Excuse me?”
Percy:
“No.”
Kade:
“No.”
Raphel:
“Absolutely not.”
Thyme:
“Jay, you just went to the hospital.”
Ren:
“You need rest.”
Jay crossed her arms.
“I already took today off.”
Percy:
“Take another.”
“No.”
“Jay.”
“No.”
Kade:
“You’re carrying five babies.”
Jay:
“I KNOW.”
Raphel:
“And your hand is fractured.”
Jay:
“I KNOW THAT TOO.”
Everyone became quiet.
Jay sighed.
“I need to continue my life.”
Percy looked at her for several seconds.
Finally—
“Fine.”
Everyone stared at him.
Kade:
“Fine?!”
Percy:
“She wants to go.”
He looked directly at Jay.
“But we’re taking you.”
Jay immediately shook her head.
“No.”
Percy:
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Perse.”
“Jay.”
She glared.
He didn’t move.
Eventually she sighed.
“Fine.”
The next morning, Jay walked outside.
And immediately stopped.
Nine people were standing near the cars.
Percy.
Kade.
Raphel.
Thyme.
Ren.
MJ.
Kevin.
Cole.
Sam.
Jay stared at them.
“You’re all coming?”
Percy:
“Yes.”
“I said I can go alone.”
Kade:
“We know.”
“Then why are you here?”
Raphel:
“Because we’re ignoring that sentence.”
Jay rolled her eyes.
“Unbelievable.”
They all got into the cars.
Jay sat beside Percy.
She knew this was going to become a disaster.
The cars stopped several minutes away from the school.
Jay looked outside.
She suddenly said—
“Stop.”
Percy immediately looked at her.
“What?”
“I’ll go from here.”
“No.”
“Perse.”
“No.”
“I don’t want rumors.”
That made Percy pause.
Jay continued.
“If all nine of you drop me at the school entrance, everyone will talk.”
Percy knew she was right.
He sighed.
“Fine.”
Jay smiled slightly.
“Thank you.”
She got out.
Percy watched her walk away.
But he didn’t drive away.
He followed from a distance.
Far enough that nobody would notice.
Close enough that if anything happened— he would be there.
The moment Jay entered Section E, people started approaching.
Ci-N.
Drew.
Eman.
David.
Keifer.
Yuri.
Josh.
Felix.
Mayo.
Kit.
Denzel.
Calix.
Edrix.
Rory.
Eren.
Blaster.
And finally—
Aris.
Every single one tried.
Every single one failed.
Ci-N:
“Jay, can we talk?”
“No.”
Drew:
“We just wanted to explain—”
“I don’t need explanations.”
Eman:
“Are you okay?”
“Why do you care?”
David:
“Jay…”
She looked at him.
“Not today, David.”
He stopped.
Keifer approached next.
“Jay.”
She didn’t even look at him.
“Stay away.”
Keifer froze.
Yuri:
“Can we discuss what happened?”
“There’s nothing left to discuss.”
Josh:
“Just listen once.”
“No.”
Felix:
“Jay—”
“Don’t.”
Mayo:
“We’re worried.”
Jay looked at him coldly.
“Now?”
Silence.
Kit:
“We didn’t know about your hand.”
Jay’s eyes hardened.
“You didn’t know because you didn’t care enough to notice.”
Denzel:
“I wanted to apologize.”
“Keep your apology.”
Calix:
“Can we at least—”
“No.”
Edrix:
“We never meant—”
“I don’t care what you meant.”
Rory:
“Jay.”
“Enough.”
Eren:
“We’re not trying to hurt you.”
“Then stop approaching me.”
Blaster:
“We just want to know if you’re okay.”
Jay:
“I’m alive.”
And then Aris.
He stood in front of her.
“Jay…”
She finally looked at him.
But there was no warmth.
“You lied to me.”
Aris lowered his eyes.
“I know.”
“You hid the truth.”
“I know.”
“And now you want to talk?”
Aris swallowed.
“I’m still your brother.”
Jay’s expression hardened.
“Then you should have acted like one.”
She walked away.
Aris couldn’t follow. Get faster updates on novelping.com.
The bell rang.
Students started leaving the classroom.
Then—
Rakhi entered.
Grace followed.
Mica entered next.
And finally—
Freya.
Each girl carried two lunchboxes.
Jay looked at them suspiciously.
Freya stepped forward.
“Jay… can we talk alone?”
Jay studied her face.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
They walked outside.
Freya took a deep breath.
“Jay…”
She looked down.
“I wanted to apologize.”
Jay remained quiet.
“For everything,” Freya continued.
“For the things I said. For believing things without knowing the truth. For not understanding you. For standing with people when I should have stopped them.”
Her voice broke.
“I know saying sorry won’t change anything.”
Jay looked at her.
Then quietly said—
“Don’t worry.”
Freya looked up.
“I know how people used you.”
Jay’s voice remained calm.
“I can understand.”
Freya’s eyes filled with tears.
“You still understand me?”
Jay nodded.
“I know what it’s like to be manipulated.”
Freya suddenly hugged her.
She started crying.
Jay froze for a second.
Then slowly placed her good hand around Freya.
“It’s okay.”
Freya cried against her shoulder.
“I was horrible to you.”
“You were wrong.”
“I don’t deserve your kindness.”
“Maybe.”
Freya looked at her.
Jay continued—
“But I don’t want to carry anger forever.”
Freya wiped her tears.
“Can we start again?”
Jay thought for a few seconds.
“Maybe.”
Freya smiled.
“That means yes?”
“That means maybe.”
Freya laughed through her tears.
“That’s the most Jay answer ever.”
Jay smiled slightly.
They stayed outside for a few more minutes.
Then returned to the classroom.
Both had red eyes.
Everyone noticed.
But nobody dared ask.
Jay suddenly looked at the girls.
Then the lunchboxes.
Then the girls again.
“Why do you all have two lunchboxes?”
Rakhi smiled.
“One is for you.”
Jay blinked.
“What?”
Grace held up another.
“For you.”
Jay looked confused.
“Why did you bring lunch for me?”
Freya laughed.
“Actually…”
Jay waited.
“We didn’t bring them ourselves.”
Jay raised an eyebrow.
“Then?”
Freya explained.
“When we were coming into the Section E building, we met two guys.”
Jay immediately became suspicious.
“What guys?”
“Black suits.”
Jay froze.
“Black masks.”
She knew.
Freya continued.
“We couldn’t recognize them.”
Jay internally sighed.
Of course.
Percy.
Freya added:
“They handed us four lunchboxes and told us to give them to you.”
Jay looked at the boxes.
“Ohhh.”
Suddenly—
BUZZZZZ.
Her phone vibrated.
She looked down.
The contact name:
OVER PROTECTIVE
Jay immediately knew.
She answered.
“pk.”
Percy’s voice came through.
“Did you get the lunchboxes?”
Jay looked at the four boxes.
“FOUR lunchboxes?”
“Yes.”
“Why four?”
“You need to eat.”
“One wasn’t enough?”
“No.”
“Pk.”
“You’re pregnant.”
Jay lowered her voice.
“I know!”
“Five babies.”
“I KNOW!”
The girls stared at her.
The entire classroom stared.
Percy continued:
“Eat properly.”
Jay complained.
“You sent four lunchboxes through random masked men!”
“They weren’t random.”
“They were masked!”
“They were my team.”
Jay sighed.
“You’re impossible.”
“Did you eat?”
“No.”
“Then eat.”
“Bossy.”
“Yes.”
Jay smiled despite herself.
“Okay.”
“Good.”
The call ended.
Silence.
Every person in the classroom stared at her.
Rakhi.
Grace.
Mica.
Freya.
Ci-N.
Drew.
Eman.
David.
Keifer.
Yuri.
Josh.
Felix.
Mayo.
Kit.
Denzel.
Calix.
Edrix.
Rory.
Eren.
Blaster.
Finally, someone asked—
“Who was that?”
Jay looked around.
“Friends.”
Everyone:
“FRIENDS?!”
Jay opened one lunchbox.
“Yes.”
Keifer’s expression darkened.
David looked confused.
Ci-N looked suspicious.
Freya smiled.
Jay simply began eating.
“Anyone else has a problem?”
Nobody answered.
The boys tried again.
Jay rejected them again.
Every attempt received the same cold wall.
She didn’t scream.
She didn’t fight.
She simply stopped giving them access.
Her silence became sharper than anger.
Her words became shorter.
Her patience disappeared.
And by the time the final bell rang—
Jay was exhausted.
But she had survived the day.
Jay walked outside.
A black car was waiting.
She didn’t even check the number plate.
She knew.
The window lowered.
Percy looked at her.
“Get in.”
Jay opened the door.
“You followed me again.”
Percy:
“Obviously.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“I know.”
Jay sat down.
She looked at him.
“You know, I can survive one school day alone.”
Percy:
“I know.”
“Then why?”
He looked at her.
“Because I want to make sure you get home.”
Jay didn’t answer.
She simply looked outside.
And secretly smiled.
The moment Jay entered the mansion— questions started.
“How was school?”
“Did anyone bother you?”
“Did you eat?”
“Did you feel dizzy?”
“Did anyone stress you?”
“Did anyone ask about your hand?”
Jay stared at everyone.
“Can I breathe first?”
Kade laughed.
“No.”
Jay sighed.
Percy watched her.
He knew.
She didn’t want pity.
She didn’t want endless questions.
She simply wanted someone to stay.
So Percy didn’t ask anything.
He just placed a glass of water beside her.
Jay looked at it.
Then at him.
“Thanks.”
Percy nodded.
“Always.”
Later that night, Jay went to her childhood bedroom.
She stood near the window.
Her eyes moved around the room.
Her old memories.
Her old photographs.
Her old life.
But she wasn’t the same girl anymore.
She had learned something painful.
Family wasn’t always about blood.
Sometimes family was the person who caught you before you fell.
The person who stayed.
The person who protected you.
The person who didn’t leave when things became difficult.
Jay placed her hand gently over her stomach.
Five lives.
Five tiny reasons to become even stronger.
She whispered—
“No more mercy for people who don’t deserve it.”
Then she looked toward the door.
Percy was standing there.
He hadn’t said anything.
Jay smiled faintly.
“Goodnight, Perse.”
“Goodnight, Jay.”
He closed the door.
Jay lay down.
And finally— she slept.
Outside her room, Percy remained awake.
Because he had learned one thing.
He wasn’t only protecting Jay anymore.
He was protecting six people now.
His sister…
and her five babies.
And he would let the entire world know exactly how dangerous that protection could become.