AUTHOR’S POV
The hospital room was quiet.
Jay was sitting on the bed.
Percy was beside her.
Her eyes were still tired after everything that had happened.
But she wasn’t crying.
She wasn’t scared.
She was thinking.
For a few minutes, neither of them spoke.
Then Jay finally looked at Percy.
“Perse.”
“Hmm?”
“We’re leaving tomorrow.”
Percy looked at her.
“Tomorrow?”
Jay nodded.
“Tomorrow night.”
Percy’s expression became serious.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Jay slowly looked down at her stomach.
“I can’t stay here anymore.”
Percy understood immediately.
“My babies are in danger.”
Her voice was quiet but firm.
“I can’t keep pretending everything is normal when I know someone can reach me here.”
Percy nodded.
“Okay.”
Jay looked at him.
“Just like that?”
“Yes.”
“No questions?”
“I already know you’re serious.”
Jay smiled faintly.
“Good.”
Percy leaned back.
“Tomorrow night, then.”
Jay nodded.
Then suddenly— her expression changed.
“Perse.”
“Hmm?”
“I want you to find out something.”
Percy raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“What’s happening in Keifer’s life?”
Percy immediately became still.
“Keifer?”
Jay nodded.
“Yes.”
Percy’s face became unreadable.
Jay noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You reacted.”
“I didn’t.”
“You did.”
Percy sighed.
“Fine. I reacted.”
Jay crossed her arms.
“Why?”
Percy looked at her.
“Because after everything he did to you, you’re still thinking about him.”
Jay didn’t argue.
Instead, she quietly said—
“Because you saw how he reacted when Kaizer pointed a gun at me.”
Percy remained silent.
Jay continued.
“He was terrified.”
She looked toward the window.
“And now I’m sure.”
“Sure about what?”
“That he loves me.”
Percy’s jaw tightened slightly.
Jay looked back at him.
“Find out what is keeping him away from me.”
Percy stared at her.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then—
“Okay.”
Jay smiled.
“Thank you.”
“But Jay…”
“Hmm?”
“If I find something, I’ll tell you.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Jay nodded.
Then her expression suddenly became brighter.
“But today…”
Percy looked suspicious.
“Today what?”
Jay smiled.
“We’re enjoying.”
Percy blinked.
“Enjoying what?”
Jay’s smile became wider.
“Our enemy is dead.”
Percy stared at her.
“And?”
“Celebration time.”
Percy raised an eyebrow.
“What celebration?”
Jay’s eyes sparkled.
“Shopping.”
Percy immediately sighed.
“Of course.”
Jay grinned.
“All ten of us.”
Percy looked toward the door.
“You’re planning to drag everyone?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Jay stood up carefully.
“Because I’m changing my look.”
Percy looked at her.
“Your look?”
“Yes.”
She looked at herself.
“I’m starting a new life.”
She smiled.
“So…”
She pointed at herself.
“Change is needed.”
Percy stared at her for a few seconds.
Then smiled.
“Fine.”
Jay grinned.
“Let’s go.”
MARIANO MANSION
One hour later…
The mansion was absolute chaos.
“SHOPPING!”
Jay shouted.
Everyone downstairs looked up.
Kevin nearly dropped his phone.
“What?”
Jay walked down the stairs.
“We’re going shopping.”
Thyme stared at her.
“All of us?”
“Yes.”
Ren looked at Percy.
“Did you agree to this?”
Percy nodded.
Ren immediately whispered—
“We’re doomed.”
Jay heard him.
“WHAT DID YOU SAY?”
Ren smiled innocently.
“Nothing, Love.”
Jay narrowed her eyes.
“Good.”
Kade grabbed his wallet.
“I’m ready.”
Raphel nodded.
“Same.”
MJ stood up.
“Fashion day.”
Cole smiled.
“Finally.”
Sam laughed.
“Whoever takes too long is getting left behind.”
Jay pointed at him.
“Nobody is getting left behind.”
Percy immediately said—
“Especially you.”
Jay looked at him.
“Perse.”
“What?”
“I’m not a child.”
“I know.”
“Then stop protecting me every two seconds.”
“No.”
Kade laughed.
“Good luck convincing him.”
Raphel nodded.
“He’s impossible.”
Jay sighed.
“Fine.”
Then she pointed at all of them.
“Let’s go.”
THE SHOPPING TRIP
Ten people.
Multiple cars.
And absolutely no peace.
The first store was a disaster.
Jay walked inside.
Everyone followed.
The staff immediately greeted them.
Jay looked around.
“Okay.”
She smiled.
“Today, nobody chooses clothes without asking me.”
Kevin raised his hand.
“Can I choose?”
“No.”
Kevin lowered his hand.
“Understood.”
Thyme laughed.
“Poor Kevin.”
Jay pointed toward him.
“You too.”
Thyme immediately stopped laughing.
“Understood.”
Cole picked up a black shirt.
“Jay?”
Jay looked at it.
“Try it.”
Cole smiled.
“You approve?”
“Yes.”
He looked at himself in the mirror.
“Then I’m buying it.”
Ren picked up a jacket.
“Love?”
Jay looked at him.
“Too much?”
She studied it.
“No.”
Ren smiled.
“Then?”
“Buy it.”
Ren immediately placed it in his basket.
“Jay-approved.”
MJ came running.
“LOVE!”
Jay turned around.
“What?”
“Which one?”
He held two shirts.
Jay looked at both.
“The black.”
MJ smiled.
“I knew you’d choose that.”
“Obviously.”
Sam suddenly walked toward them holding three outfits.
“Jay.”
She looked at him.
“Help.”
Jay laughed.
“You’re helpless.”
“I know.”
She picked one.
“This.”
Sam smiled.
“Perfect.”
Kevin came running next.
“Jay!”
“What now?”
“I found something.”
He held up a ridiculous printed shirt.
Jay stared at it.
Everyone became silent.
Jay slowly looked at Kevin.
“Kevin.”
“Yes?”
“Put it back.”
Kevin sighed.
“Okay.”
Everyone burst out laughing.
PERCY’S TURN
Percy had been standing quietly.
Jay suddenly noticed.
“Perse.”
“Hmm?”
“You.”
“What about me?”
“You haven’t bought anything.”
“I don’t need anything.”
Jay stared at him.
“That’s not allowed.”
Percy sighed.
“Jay.”
“No.”
“Baby.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.”
Kade laughed.
“She’s winning.”
Percy glared at him.
“Shut up.”
Jay walked toward the men’s section.
She picked up a black shirt.
Then another dark jacket.
Then a pair of jeans.
She handed everything to Percy.
“Try.”
Percy looked at the clothes.
“You chose these?”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“Okay.”
He disappeared into the changing room.
A few minutes later…
Percy came out.
Everyone became silent.
Jay looked at him.
Then smiled.
“Hot.”
Percy raised an eyebrow.
“That’s all?”
Jay nodded.
“Very hot.”
Kevin immediately whispered—
“She’s not even trying to hide it.”
Percy looked at him.
“Kevin.”
Kevin immediately walked away.
“Sorry.”
Everyone laughed.
KADE AND RAPHEL
Kade picked up a jacket.
Jay looked at it.
“No.”
Kade blinked.
“Why?”
“Too boring.”
Raphel laughed.
“She’s judging you.”
Kade looked at Jay.
“Then choose.”
Jay looked through the rack.
She found a dark jacket.
“This.”
Kade took it.
“Good?”
“Very.”
Raphel picked up a shirt.
Jay looked at him.
“No.”
Raphel frowned.
“Why?”
“Not your style.”
“What is my style?”
Jay smiled.
“Something darker.”
Raphel immediately looked at Percy.
“She’s turning us into her.”
Percy shrugged.
“That’s what happens.”
THE FOOD COURT
After hours of shopping…
everyone was hungry.
Jay was sitting between Percy and Kade.
Raphel sat across from her.
The others were scattered around the table.
Food covered the entire table.
Fries.
Pizza.
Sandwiches.
Noodles.
Desserts.
And— ice cream.
Jay looked at it.
Her eyes immediately brightened.
Percy noticed.
“No.”
Jay looked at him.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You looked at the ice cream.”
“So?”
“Eat your proper food first.”
Jay frowned.
“Perse.”
“No.”
Kade immediately supported him.
“He’s right.”
Jay looked at Kade.
“You too?”
“Yes.”
Raphel nodded.
“Eat first.”
Jay crossed her arms.
“You three are annoying.”
Kevin whispered—
“Three bodyguards.”
Jay heard him.
“Kevin.”
“Yes?”
“You’re next.”
Kevin immediately started eating.
“Understood.”
Everyone laughed.
Jay finally ate.
After a few minutes, Percy pushed the ice cream toward her.
“Now.”
Jay looked at him.
“You said no.”
“I changed my mind.”
Jay smiled.
“Best brother.”
Percy froze for half a second.
Then casually looked away.
“Eat.”
Nobody noticed the tiny tension in that moment.
Because only Percy and Jay knew exactly what the word meant.
SALON TIME
After shopping…
Jay suddenly announced—
“Salon.”
Everyone groaned.
Thyme looked at her.
“Why?”
“Hair.”
MJ looked at Jay.
“You’re cutting it?”
“Maybe.”
Cole smiled.
“New look?”
Jay nodded.
“New life.”
They entered the salon.
Jay sat in the chair.
The stylist looked at her.
“What would you like?”
Jay looked at the mirror.
“Something different.”
She thought for a moment.
“Keep it long.”
The stylist nodded.
“Layers?”
Jay smiled.
“Yes.”
The stylist began working.
Everyone watched.
Percy stood behind the chair.
Kade stood beside him.
Raphel stood on the other side.
The rest were sitting on the couches.
Kevin whispered—
“Why do they look like security guards?”
Sam answered—
“Because they are.”
Thyme laughed.
“They’re guarding her from scissors.”
Percy looked at him.
“Do you want to leave?”
Thyme immediately shook his head.
“No.”
After some time…
the stylist finished.
Jay looked into the mirror.
Her long hair now fell in soft, beautiful layers around her face.
The style looked fresh.
Elegant.
Natural.
A completely different version of her.
Everyone became quiet.
Jay looked at them.
“What?”
Kevin slowly stood up.
“Wow.”
MJ smiled.
“Love…”
Cole nodded.
“Beautiful.”
Thyme grinned.
“New life definitely.”
Ren smiled.
“You’re glowing.”
Sam nodded.
“Definitely different.”
Kade looked at her for a moment.
Then smiled.
“Perfect.”
Raphel nodded.
“Very beautiful, baby.”
Jay smiled.
Then looked at Percy.
“Perse?”
Percy stared at her.
For a few seconds…
he didn’t speak.
“What?”
Percy finally smiled.
“You look beautiful.”
Jay’s smile softened.
“Thank you.”
Percy immediately added—
“But you’re still not allowed to walk around alone.”
Jay groaned.
“PERSE!”
Everyone burst out laughing.
CHAOS CONTINUES
The salon wasn’t finished yet.
Thyme suddenly decided he needed a haircut.
Then Ren.
Then MJ.
Then Cole.
Then Sam.
Kevin wanted a completely different hairstyle.
Kade refused to let anyone touch his hair.
Raphel somehow ended up getting dragged into it.
Jay became the unofficial stylist.
“No.”
Kevin stared at her.
“Why?”
“That hairstyle will make you look ridiculous.”
“Okay.”
Kevin changed it.
Jay looked at Thyme.
“Shorter.”
Thyme nodded.
“Yes, boss.”
Ren pointed at his hair.
“Jay, what about this?”
“Keep it.”
Ren smiled.
“Good.”
MJ leaned closer.
“Love, should I—”
“No.”
“Okay.”
Cole laughed.
“You didn’t even let him finish.”
“I know what he was going to ask.”
Sam laughed.
“She knows us too well.”
Jay smiled.
“Of course.”
OUTSIDE THE SALON
Everyone walked outside with shopping bags.
Jay looked at all of them.
“Did everyone get everything?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She smiled.
Then suddenly—
Percy noticed Jay walking slightly slower.
He immediately stepped beside her.
“Baby.”
“I’m fine.”
“I didn’t ask.”
Jay looked at him.
“What?”
“You walked slower.”
“I’m tired.”
Percy immediately took some of her bags.
Jay protested.
“Perse!”
“No.”
“I can carry them.”
“I know.”
“Then—”
“I’m carrying them.”
Kade took another bag.
“Give me those.”
Raphel took two more.
“These too.”
Jay stared at them.
“You three…”
Percy smiled.
“Yes.”
Jay sighed.
“Fine.”
The others watched.
Thyme shook his head.
“She’s surrounded.”
Ren laughed.
“Completely.”
MJ grinned.
“Three protective brothers.”
Cole added—
“And six idiots.”
Sam immediately corrected him.
“Eight idiots.”
Kevin pointed at himself.
“Excuse me?”
Sam smiled.
“Especially you.”
Kevin gasped.
“Rude.”
Everyone laughed.
Jay couldn’t stop smiling.
For the first time in days…
she felt genuinely happy.
No Section E.
No Kaizer.
No kidnapping.
No fear.
Just her people.
Her brothers.
Her friends.
Her chaos.
Her family.
She looked at everyone.
“Thank you.”
Everyone became quiet.
Percy looked at her.
“For what?”
Jay smiled.
“For today.”
Kade smiled.
“Anytime.”
Raphel nodded.
“Always.”
Thyme grinned.
“Obviously.”
Ren smiled.
“You’re stuck with us.”
MJ laughed.
“Forever.”
Cole nodded.
“Whether you like it or not.”
Sam added—
“And we’re still stealing your fries.”
Jay laughed.
“Try it.”
Kevin immediately reached toward her food bag.
Jay slapped his hand away.
“KEVIN!”
He ran.
“RUN!”
Jay chased him.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Percy stood there watching them.
He shook his head.
“Idiots.”
Kade laughed.
“Our idiots.”
Raphel smiled.
“Our Jay.”
Percy looked at Jay running after Kevin.
A small smile appeared.
“Yeah.”
“Our Jay.”
LATER THAT NIGHT
The cars returned to Mariano Mansion.
Shopping bags filled the rooms.
New clothes.
New shoes.
New accessories.
New memories.
Jay stood in front of the mirror in her room.
She touched her new hair.
She looked different.
Not because she wanted to become someone else.
But because she was ready to begin again.
She looked down at her stomach.
“Tomorrow…”
She smiled softly.
“We’re leaving.”
Then she looked at herself again.
“New place.”
“New life.”
“New beginning.”
A knock came at the door.
“Baby?”
Percy.
Jay smiled.
“Come in.”
Percy entered.
He looked at her new hairstyle again.
“Still beautiful.”
Jay smiled.
“Thank you.”
Percy walked closer.
“Everything is ready.”
Jay nodded.
“Tomorrow night?”
“Tomorrow night.”
Jay looked toward the window.
“Perse.”
“Hmm?”
“Find out about Keifer.”
Percy nodded.
“I will.”
Jay took a deep breath.
“Because before I leave…”
She paused.
“I want to know the truth.”
Percy looked at her seriously.
“You’ll get it.”
Jay smiled.
“Good.”
Then she looked at him.
“But until then…”
Percy raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“Today was our celebration.”
She smiled.
“And tomorrow…”
Percy finished her sentence.
“We disappear.”
Jay nodded.
“Together.”
Percy smiled.
“Together.”
Outside the room…
Kade’s voice suddenly echoed—
“WHO TOOK MY JACKET?!”
Kevin shouted from downstairs—
“NOT ME!”
Thyme yelled—
“IT’S ON THE SOFA!”
Ren shouted—
“WHO LEFT FOOD IN THE LIVING ROOM?!”
MJ answered—
“KEVIN!”
Kevin screamed—
“WHY IS EVERYTHING MY FAULT?!”
Jay burst out laughing.
Percy shook his head.
“Chaos.”
Jay smiled.
“Our chaos.”
And for one final night…
Mariano Mansion was filled with laughter.
Because tomorrow…
everything would change.
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