AUTHOR’S POV
The school day finally ended.
Jay stepped out of the school building with her bag hanging loosely from her shoulder.
She looked exhausted.
Not the dramatic kind.
Not the kind where someone complained about being tired.
She simply…
looked done.
Her eyes were heavy.
Her face was pale.
And even though she was walking normally, her usual energetic steps were missing.
The black car was already waiting outside.
Jay opened the door and got inside.
She didn’t say anything.
She simply leaned her head against the seat.
And closed her eyes.
MARIANO MANSION
The moment Jay entered the mansion, everyone noticed.
Percy was sitting in the living room with Kade, Raphel, Thyme, Ren, MJ, Kevin, Cole and Sam.
They were talking.
Laughing.
Arguing over something completely unnecessary.
Then the front door opened.
Everyone turned.
Jay walked inside.
Silence.
Percy immediately stood.
His eyes went straight to her face.
Pale.
Tired.
Exhausted.
He frowned.
“Jay?”
She looked at him.
“Hmm?”
“You’re tired.”
Jay shrugged.
“School.”
Kade immediately stood.
“You look REALLY tired.”
Jay gave him a tiny smile.
“I’m okay.”
Raphel narrowed his eyes.
“That’s the same thing you said yesterday.”
Jay didn’t answer.
She simply removed her shoes.
Threw her bag onto the sofa.
And started walking toward the stairs.
Percy followed her with his eyes.
“Jay.”
She stopped.
“What?”
“Did you eat?”
Jay thought for a second.
“…I don’t remember.”
Everyone stared at her.
Kevin blinked.
“YOU DON’T REMEMBER?”
Jay looked at him.
“I was busy.”
Thyme immediately looked at Percy.
“That’s not a good answer.”
Percy was already walking toward her.
“Come downstairs. I’ll make something.”
Jay shook her head.
“No.”
“Jay—”
“I’m tired, Perse.”
The room went quiet.
Percy stopped.
She rarely admitted it so directly.
Jay looked at him with sleepy eyes.
“I just want to sleep.”
Percy’s expression softened immediately.
“Okay.”
Jay nodded.
She continued upstairs.
Nobody stopped her.
Nobody argued.
Nobody told her she needed to stay.
Because everyone could see it.
She wasn’t pretending.
She genuinely needed rest.
JAY’S ROOM
Jay entered her room.
She dropped her phone on the bedside table.
Her bag was still downstairs.
Her shoes were near the stairs.
She didn’t care.
She walked straight toward her bed.
Pulled the blanket back.
And collapsed onto the mattress.
Within seconds…
she was asleep.
No overthinking.
No phone.
No music.
No talking.
Just sleep.
DOWNSTAIRS
Percy remained standing near the staircase.
He stared upstairs.
Kade crossed his arms.
“She’s completely exhausted.”
Raphel nodded.
“She didn’t even fight us.”
MJ looked shocked.
“That’s actually concerning.”
Ren nodded.
“Normally she’d tell everyone to shut up.”
Cole laughed softly.
“Or threaten someone.”
Sam added,
“Or steal food and disappear.”
Kevin looked toward the stairs.
“She didn’t even steal food.”
Everyone slowly looked at each other.
Silence.
Percy sighed.
“Exactly.”
Thyme frowned.
“Maybe school was too much today.”
Percy didn’t answer.
He already knew Jay had been dealing with a lot.
School.
The accident.
Her fractured hand.
Everything that had happened recently.
And on top of that…
the pregnancy.
The five babies she was carrying.
He knew how much her body was going through.
But Jay refused to slow down.
She kept acting like she could handle everything herself.
Percy rubbed his forehead.
“She needs rest.”
Kade immediately nodded.
“Then nobody disturbs her.”
Raphel pointed toward everyone.
“Agreed.”
Kevin raised his hand.
“What about dinner?”
Percy looked at him.
“Keep it quiet.”
Kevin nodded seriously.
“Understood.”
A few seconds passed.
Then MJ whispered,
“So basically…”
Everyone looked at him.
MJ continued,
“…we have to behave.”
Silence.
Thyme slowly shook his head.
“Impossible.”
Everyone laughed quietly.
Percy looked toward the stairs again.
“Just keep the noise down.”
LATER THAT EVENING
The mansion became unusually quiet.
No shouting.
No arguments.
No loud music.
Even the CHAOS OF JAY group chat was strangely silent.
Nobody wanted to disturb her.
Percy eventually prepared some food and kept it covered in the kitchen.
He checked the clock.
Then looked upstairs.
Still nothing.
Kade walked past him.
“She’s sleeping?”
Percy nodded.
“Still.”
Raphel smiled faintly.
“Let her sleep.”
“I will.”
JAY’S ROOM
The room was dark.
Jay was still asleep.
Her breathing was calm.
For the first time in days…
she wasn’t forcing herself to stay awake.
She wasn’t pretending everything was fine.
She wasn’t dealing with anyone.
She wasn’t answering questions.
She wasn’t fighting.
She was simply resting.
And downstairs…
everyone was quietly waiting for their girl to wake up.
Because sometimes…
the strongest person in the room didn’t need another lecture.
She just needed sleep.
It was almost midnight.
Jay was still asleep.
She had been sleeping for hours without waking up.
Downstairs, the mansion was unusually peaceful.
The entire ASTRA team was gathered in the living room.
A movie was playing on the television.
Kade was lying across one sofa.
Raphel was sitting on the floor.
Kevin had somehow managed to steal most of the popcorn.
MJ kept complaining about it.
Thyme and Ren were arguing over the movie.
Cole and Sam were quietly watching.
And Percy…
Percy wasn’t really watching the movie.
Every few minutes, his eyes went toward the staircase.
He knew Jay was exhausted.
He also knew she had been pushing herself too hard lately.
So even while everyone else was distracted by the movie…
he kept listening for her.
The clock on the wall slowly moved forward.
11:45 PM.
Then—
Silence.
For a few seconds, everything was normal.
Until suddenly…
From upstairs—
“NOOOOOOO!”
Everyone froze.
Percy’s eyes widened.
He was already on his feet before anyone else reacted.
“JAY!”
He ran toward the stairs.
Kade immediately followed.
“WHAT HAPPENED?!”
Raphel jumped up.
“JAY!”
Within seconds, everyone was rushing upstairs.
Percy reached her bedroom first.
He grabbed the handle and pushed the door open.
And stopped.
Everyone behind him stopped too.
Jay was sitting upright on her bed.
Her hair was messy.
Her breathing was extremely fast.
Her eyes were wide.
Her face was pale.
She looked…
horrified.
Like she had just seen something terrifying.
Percy immediately rushed toward her.
“Jay!”
She looked at him.
Her lips trembled.
“Perse…”
Percy sat beside her.
“Hey. Look at me.”
Jay couldn’t answer.
Her breathing was still uneven.
Percy grabbed the glass of water from her bedside table and handed it to her.
“Drink.”
Her hands were shaking so badly that Percy had to steady the glass for her.
“Slowly.”
Jay took a few sips.
Percy placed the glass down.
“What happened?”
Jay stared at him.
For a moment, she said nothing.
Then tears started falling.
Percy’s expression immediately changed.
“Jay…”
Kade stood near the bed.
“Was it a nightmare?”
Jay nodded.
Raphel’s voice softened.
“What did you see?”
Jay looked down.
Her fingers tightened around the blanket.
“I…”
Her voice broke.
“I saw Keifer.”
Everyone became silent.
Percy gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“What happened in the dream?”
Jay swallowed.
“He found out.”
Percy’s heart sank.
“Found out what?”
Jay looked at him.
“My pregnancy.”
Silence.
Nobody interrupted her.
Jay’s eyes filled with more tears.
“He found out I was pregnant…”
Her voice shook.
“And he was angry.”
THE NIGHTMARE
In Jay’s dream…
She was standing in an empty hallway.
There was no one around.
Then she heard footsteps.
Slow.
Heavy.
She turned.
Keifer was standing there.
His face was cold.
Jay smiled nervously.
“Keifer?”
He didn’t smile back.
His eyes moved toward her stomach.
Then back to her face.
“You lied to me.”
Jay froze.
“What?”
“You knew.”
“I…”
“You knew you were pregnant.”
Jay’s heart started pounding.
“Keifer, please—”
“How long were you planning to hide it?”
“I wasn’t trying to—”
“Don’t.”
His voice became colder.
“You should’ve told me.”
Jay looked down.
“I was scared.”
Keifer laughed bitterly.
“Scared of me?”
Jay’s eyes filled with tears.
“Yes.”
His expression hardened.
“Good.”
Jay stared at him.
“Keifer…”
Then he said the words that shattered her.
“Get rid of them.”
Jay’s eyes widened.
“What?”
“The babies.”
She shook her head immediately.
“No.”
“You’re not keeping them.”
“Keifer, they’re mine.”
“They’re my responsibility too.”
“You don’t get to decide that!”
He stepped closer.
“I absolutely do.”
Jay backed away.
“No…”
Keifer’s voice became harsh.
“You think I want this?”
Jay’s tears began falling.
“I love them.”
“I don’t care.”
Those three words destroyed her.
Jay held her stomach instinctively.
“Please…”
Keifer looked at her coldly. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
“You’ve already ruined enough.”
Jay stared at him.
“What did I ruin?”
“My life.”
She shook her head.
“No…”
“You should’ve thought about that before getting pregnant.”
Jay’s breathing became faster.
“I didn’t do anything to you.”
Keifer scoffed.
“You always make everything complicated.”
Jay’s voice cracked.
“They’re innocent.”
“They’re a mistake.”
Jay froze.
A mistake.
She held her stomach tighter.
“No.”
Keifer continued.
“You really think I’m going to stand there and watch you destroy your future for five babies?”
“They aren’t destroying my future!”
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it!”
“I don’t want them!”
Jay’s face crumpled.
“But I do.”
Keifer looked away.
“Then that’s your problem.”
Jay stepped toward him.
“Keifer…”
He looked back at her.
“If you keep them, don’t expect me to stay.”
Jay stopped.
He continued.
“I don’t want a girl who comes with this much responsibility.”
Jay’s eyes filled with tears.
“So that’s all I am to you?”
Keifer didn’t answer.
She whispered,
“After everything…”
Still nothing.
Then he said—
“Just abort them, Jay.”
Jay shook her head violently.
“No.”
“Do it.”
“No!”
“You’ll regret keeping them.”
“I won’t!”
“You’ll ruin your life.”
“I DON’T CARE!”
Jay screamed.
“I DON’T CARE ABOUT MY LIFE IF IT MEANS I HAVE TO GIVE THEM UP!”
Keifer stared at her.
And then…
he walked away.
Jay fell to her knees.
“Keifer!”
He didn’t turn around.
“Please!”
The hallway disappeared.
And Jay woke up screaming.
BACK TO REALITY
Jay suddenly covered her face.
“I don’t want to live here anymore!”
Everyone froze.
Percy immediately leaned closer.
“Jay.”
She shook her head desperately.
“No… no, I can’t.”
“You’re safe.”
“No!”
Her voice broke.
“One day he’ll find out!”
Percy held her shoulders.
“Jay, listen to me.”
“He’ll eventually find out about the babies!”
Her breathing became uneven again.
“And I’m not ready!”
Tears were falling uncontrollably now.
“I don’t want him to find out.”
Kade’s eyes became wet.
Raphel looked away for a moment, trying to control his emotions.
Jay continued crying.
“I know one day he’ll know.”
She wiped her tears.
“But I don’t know what he’ll do.”
Percy pulled her into his arms.
“He won’t get to hurt you.”
Jay shook her head against his chest.
“But what if he does?”
“He won’t.”
“What if he asks me to get rid of them?”
Percy tightened his arms around her.
“Then he can ask.”
Jay looked up.
“And?”
Percy’s voice was calm.
“You don’t have to do anything he says.”
Jay’s lips trembled.
“They’re my babies.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want anyone taking them away from me.”
“No one is taking them away.”
Kade finally stepped closer.
“Jay…”
She looked at him.
Kade’s voice was soft.
“You’re not alone.”
Raphel nodded.
“Not even for one second.”
Thyme wiped his eyes quickly before anyone could notice.
Kevin quietly placed the popcorn bowl on the floor.
Nobody cared about the movie anymore.
Jay looked around the room.
Everyone was there.
Every single person.
Watching her.
Protecting her.
Not judging her.
Not questioning her.
Just staying.
Jay’s tears continued falling.
“I’m scared.”
Percy gently wiped one tear from her cheek.
“You don’t have to hide that from us.”
Jay looked down.
“I hate feeling scared.”
“I know.”
“I hate not knowing what’s going to happen.”
“I know.”
She took a shaky breath.
“But I’m not giving them up.”
Percy immediately answered.
“You don’t have to.”
Jay looked at him.
“You promise?”
Percy didn’t hesitate.
“I promise.”
Kade stepped forward.
“We all promise.”
Raphel nodded.
“Those babies already have nine idiots protecting them.”
Kevin raised his hand.
“Technically ten.”
Everyone looked at him.
Kevin pointed toward Percy.
“He’s the biggest idiot.”
Percy glared.
“Kevin.”
Kevin immediately stepped backward.
“Sorry.”
For the first time…
a tiny smile appeared on Jay’s face.
It disappeared quickly, but everyone noticed.
Percy smiled softly.
“There she is.”
Jay sniffled.
Then she leaned against him.
“I’m still scared.”
Percy rested his hand gently on her head.
“Then we’ll be scared with you.”
The room became quiet.
Nobody laughed.
Nobody teased.
Nobody moved away.
They simply stayed around her.
Because tonight wasn’t about being strong.
Tonight…
Jay had finally admitted that she was afraid.
And for once— she didn’t have to carry that fear alone.