( Keifer’spov Finally…
Everyone was inside Fernandez Mansion.
And I was already there.
Waiting.
Waiting for Jayjay.
I had been sitting there for what felt like forever.
My eyes kept moving toward the entrance.
Every time I heard footsteps, my heart jumped.
Every time the doors opened, I looked up.
But it wasn’t her.
Not yet.
I didn’t know what I was going to say when she finally arrived.
Maybe nothing.
Maybe I would just look at her.
Maybe that would be enough.
After everything that had happened…
I needed to know whether she was okay.
I needed to see her with my own eyes.
Because no matter how much I tried to convince myself that I shouldn’t care anymore…
I still cared.
More than I should.
More than I had any right to.
Then suddenly…
The mansion doors opened.
I immediately looked up.
And there she was.
Jayjay.
My heart stopped for a second.
She walked inside quietly.
Alone.
I immediately stood straighter.
I studied her face.
She looked tired.
Not just physically.
There was something deeper in her eyes.
Something I couldn’t understand.
Tita Gemma noticed her almost immediately.
Her eyes widened.
She rushed toward Jay and pulled her into a tight hug.
Tita Gemma: “Where were you, anak?
I was so scared!” 🥺 I watched Jay gently hug her back.
Jayjay: “Nothing, Tita.
I wasn’t feeling well, so I was with a friend.” Tita Gemma pulled away and carefully examined Jay’s face.
Tita Gemma: “Are you okay now?
Your friends were worried about you.” Jay gave her a small smile.
Jayjay: “Yeah, I’m okay, Tita.” She paused.
Then— Jayjay: “And they’re not my friends.” The entire room went silent.
I felt my eyebrows rise.
Not her friends?
I stared at Jay.
She didn’t even bother explaining.
She looked exhausted.
Jayjay: “Tita, I’m tired.
I’m going upstairs to rest.” Tita Gemma hesitated.
She looked like she wanted to stop her.
But finally— Tita Gemma: “Okay…” Jay turned toward the staircase.
I watched her carefully.
One step.
Two.
Then she stopped.
Her eyes landed on Aris.
And immediately…
Something changed.
Jay froze.
Her face went pale.
Her breathing became uneven.
I frowned.
What happened?
Aris stared back at her.
Neither of them spoke.
There was something between them.
Something painful.
Something I clearly didn’t understand.
Then Jay’s eyes filled with tears.
Jayjay: “Aris…” Her voice was barely audible.
And then— Jayjay: “I’m sorry, Aris…” Aris looked completely confused.
Aris: “What are you talking about?” Jay wiped her tears.
Jayjay: “I’m sorry for stabbing you.” 🥺 My entire body went still.
What?
Aris froze.
Aris: “WHAT?” His voice echoed through the room.
Aris: “You remember?” Jay simply nodded.
I stared at her.
She remembered?
The stabbing?
My mind raced.
I knew something had happened between Jay and Aris.
But I had never fully understood the entire story.
Now she remembered it.
Everything.
Jayjay: “I’m sorry…” Jayjay: “I wasn’t in my senses.” Jayjay: “I’m sorryyyyy!” 😭 Her knees suddenly gave way.
She knelt on the floor.
My chest tightened.
I wanted to move.
I wanted to help her.
But Aris immediately knelt in front of her.
Jayjay: “I understand now why you hate me.” Jayjay: “But I can make it up to you.” Jayjay: “Just give me a few more days.” Aris’s hands were shaking.
Aris: “What…
what do you mean by a few more days?” He looked at her desperately.
Aris: “Hey…” Aris: “Look at me.” Aris: “It wasn’t your fault.” Jay looked at him through her tears.
Jayjay: “Then why were you angry with me?” Jayjay: “Why did you hate me?” Jayjay: “I know I was wrong…” Jayjay: “But you knew I wasn’t in my senses!” Aris lowered his eyes.
He said nothing.
That silence…
Even I could feel how much it hurt her.
Jay slowly stood.
Her voice became shakier.
Jayjay: “You told me I was worthless.” My stomach twisted.
Jayjay: “You told me you didn’t care if that person threw me away or dragged me into his mess.” Then she pointed toward me.
Jayjay: “You said you fucking didn’t care.” I froze.
Me?
The words hit me harder than I expected.
I remembered her face.
I remembered the tears in her eyes.
At the time, I had convinced myself that hurting her was necessary.
That pushing her away was the only way.
But hearing those words come out of her mouth now…
It sounded different.
Crueler.
Ugly.
Like I was hearing my own sins spoken aloud.
And suddenly…
I hated myself all over again.
Jay looked dizzy.
Her eyes closed.
She looked like she might collapse.
Then Aris spoke.
Aris: “Jay…” Aris: “Please.” Jay opened her eyes.
Jayjay: “No.” Her voice was broken.
Jayjay: “Please don’t.” Jayjay: “Until now, you made me believe I didn’t have a brother.” My heart sank.
Jayjay: “I kept searching for him everywhere.” She swallowed.
Jayjay: “And now…” Her voice cracked.
Jayjay: “I don’t want a brother anymore who thinks i am worthless.” Aris immediately broke down.
Aris: “Please, Jay…
don’t say that!” 😭 I couldn’t move.
Jay was hurting.
And somehow…
I knew I was part of the reason.
Then a voice came from behind her.
“First you stabbed him, and now you’re showing him attitude?” Jay froze.
Jenna.
My expression hardened.
Why the hell was she here?
Jay slowly turned.
Jayjay: “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?” Jenna looked offended.
Jenna: “Is this how you talk to your mother?” Jay stared at her.
Jayjay: “I don’t have a mother.” Jenna raised an eyebrow.
Jenna: “Then who am I?” Jay laughed bitterly.
Jayjay: “You’re the person who gave birth to me…” She paused.
Her eyes became cold.
Jayjay: “…and sold me.” The entire room went silent.
My heart stopped.
Sold her?
What the hell did that mean?
Who had she sold Jay to?
Why?
There were too many questions.
But before I could process any of them— SLAP!
Jay’s head snapped to the side.
She stumbled.
Then fell to the floor.
My blood boiled.
I looked up immediately.
Angelo.
He had slapped Jay.
For a second, I couldn’t believe what I had just seen.
He had actually hit her.
My hands curled into fists.
I took a step forward.
Keifer: “Angelo—” But then…
The mansion doors opened.
Someone entered.
I turned.
And froze.
My entire body went cold.
A man walked into the mansion.
Calm.
Confident.
Alive.
My eyes widened.
My heart stopped.
I knew that face.
I knew those eyes.
There was no mistaking him.
Percy.
No.
That was impossible.
My mind refused to accept it.
No.
No fucking way.
Four years.
Four years, everyone had believed Percy was dead.
I had believed he was dead.
And now…
He was standing right there.
Alive.
In Fernandez Mansion.
My mouth went dry.
I couldn’t breathe.
I couldn’t move.
I could barely think.
Percy is alive?
How?
How the hell is he alive?
My eyes stayed fixed on him.
He looked exactly like someone who had never died at all.
And then his eyes landed on Jay.
Then the red mark on her cheek.
Then Angelo.
His expression changed instantly.
The calm disappeared.
The warmth disappeared.
Only rage remained.
He walked straight toward Angelo.
BAM!
His fist connected with Angelo.
The entire room gasped.
I was still frozen.
I couldn’t even process what I was seeing.
Percy grabbed Angelo by the collar.
Percy: “MICHAEL ANGELO FERNANDEZ!” Percy: “HOW DARE YOU TOUCH HER?” 😡🔥 My heart hammered against my chest.
He’s alive.
The words repeated inside my head.
Percy is alive.
But then another thought hit me.
Why is he here?
And…
Why does he care about Jay like that?
Percy released Angelo and immediately rushed toward Jay.
He knelt beside her.
He gently cupped her cheeks.
The rage vanished from his face.
Completely.
His eyes were filled with worry.
I watched silently.
Jay closed her eyes.
She took a breath.
Then another.
Finally, she opened them.
Jayjay: “I’m okay, Percy.” She forced a smile.
Percy immediately saw through it.
Percy: “Don’t.” Jay frowned.
Jayjay: “Don’t what?” His voice cracked.
Percy: “Don’t show me that fake smile while lying that you’re okay.” He wiped his eyes.
Percy: “You have a high fever.” A tear slipped down his cheek.
I stared.
Percy was crying.
Because of her.
Something uncomfortable twisted inside my chest.
I looked away for a moment.
Then Jay smiled genuinely.
Jayjay: “You’re crying.” She gently wiped his tear.
Percy smiled.
Percy: “That’s my girl.” 💙 My jaw tightened.
That’s my girl.
Why did those words bother me so much?
I had no right.
Not after what I had done.
Not after everything I had put Jay through.
But hearing Percy say those words…
It still burned.
Then I noticed something else.
The way Jay looked at him.
The trust.
The comfort.
The complete lack of hesitation.
She didn’t look at Percy the way she looked at the rest of us.
There was something different.
Something I couldn’t understand.
And it made my jealousy worse.
I hated myself for it.
Especially because I had only just learned that Percy was alive.
Suddenly, Percy’s phone buzzed.
He answered.
Percy: “Yes.” A pause.
Percy: “You can come inside.” Jay looked suspicious.
Jayjay: “Who’s that?” 🤨 Percy looked at her.
Percy: “The lawyer.” Jay nodded.
Percy helped her stand.
But the moment she took a step, she grabbed his white shirt.
Jayjay: “Percy…” He immediately understood.
Without hesitation, he picked her up.
In a bridal style.
I stared.
Seriously?
He carried her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Jayjay: “What are you doing, Percy?” Percy: “Look at you.” Percy: “You’re feeling dizzy again.” He carried her across the room and carefully placed her on the table.
Percy: “Wait here.” Jay nodded.
She pressed her fingers against her forehead.
Percy disappeared for a few moments.
Then returned with a glass of lemonade.
Percy: “Drink this.” Jay didn’t argue.
She drank.
He watched until she finished.
I couldn’t help noticing something.
Percy knew exactly what she needed.
And Jay trusted him completely.
I didn’t know how.
I didn’t know why.
But they understood each other in a way I had never seen before.
Then a voice came from the doorway.
“Sir, the papers are ready.” A man stood there holding a black leather folder.
Mr.
Willson.
Mr.
Willson: “Sir, the papers are ready.” Percy turned toward him.
Percy: “Bring them here, Mr.
Willson.” Mr.
Willson walked toward us.
He opened the folder.
There were only two documents.
Mr.
Willson: “Sir, these are the two documents you asked me to prepare.” Percy nodded.
Percy: “Explain them.” Mr.
Willson picked up the first document.
Mr.
Willson: “The first document is the partnership agreement between Michael Angelo Fernandez and Mariano Crop.” He paused.
Mr.
Willson: “And as stated in the agreement, once Mr.
Fernandez signs this document, Miss Jay’s engagement with Mr Yuri will be automatically terminated.” My eyes widened.
Her engagement?
I looked toward Yuri.
His expression changed immediately.
Then Mr.
Willson picked up the second document.
Mr.
Willson: “The second document concerns Miss Jayjay’s guardianship.” Jay stared at the document.
Mr.
Willson: “Once signed, legal guardianship of Miss Jayjay will be transferred to Mr.
Jaspher Mariano, her biological father.” I looked at Jay.
Something changed in her expression.
Hope.
Real hope.
Percy looked at Angelo.
Percy: “All you have to do is sign.” Angelo immediately refused.
Angelo: “Absolutely not.” Percy’s expression became colder.
Percy: “Think carefully.” Angelo: “I said no.” Percy leaned back.
His voice became frighteningly calm.
Percy: “Then I’ll make this very simple.” Percy: “Sign the partnership agreement…” He paused.
Percy: “…or I’ll bankrupt your company.” Everyone froze.
I stared at Percy.
Who the hell was this man?
He had just appeared from nowhere.
Everyone thought he was dead.
And now he was threatening Angelo Fernandez like he owned the entire room.
Angelo stared at him.
Angelo: “You wouldn’t dare.” Percy smiled.
Percy: “Try me.” I couldn’t hold my tongue anymore.
Keifer: “What the hell are you doing?” Percy immediately turned toward me.
Percy: “SHUT UP” He shouted.
I clenched my jaw.
Normally, I wouldn’t let someone speak to me like that.
But my mind was still stuck on one thing.
He’s alive.
Angelo clenched his fists.
Angelo: “You can’t destroy everything I’ve built.” Percy didn’t even hesitate.
Percy: “I can.” His eyes became darker.
Percy: “And I will.” Angelo remained silent.
Percy pushed the document toward him.
Percy: “Sign.” Angelo: “No.” Percy picked up his phone.
Percy: “Fine.” Percy: “I’ll make one call.” Angelo immediately reacted.
Angelo: “Wait.” Percy looked at him.
Percy: “Changed your mind?” Angelo remained stubborn.
Angelo: “I’m still not signing.” Percy sighed.
Percy: “Then we’ll do this the hard way.” He made another call.
Percy: “Prepare everything.” A pause.
Percy: “Yes.
His company.” Angelo’s eyes widened.
Angelo: “STOP!” Percy ended the call.
He looked at Angelo.
Percy: “Last chance.” Angelo looked at the document.
Then at Percy.
Then back at the document.
Angelo: “Fine.” He grabbed the pen.
But before he could sign— Yuri stepped forward.
Yuri: “NO!” Everyone looked at him.
Yuri: “I won’t accept this!” He pointed toward the document.
Yuri: “I’m not breaking my engagement with Jay!” I looked toward Jay.
She looked exhausted.
Yuri continued.
Yuri: “This is between me and Jay!” Percy rubbed his forehead.
Percy: “Oh, for God’s sake.” Yuri’s anger grew.
Yuri: “This is between me and Jay!” Percy’s patience finally snapped.
Percy: “Shut up, you roaster!
I’m just doing it!” His voice echoed throughout the mansion.
Everyone stared.
Yuri’s face reddened.
Yuri: “Percy, you don’t have any rights to speak between us!” I watched Jay.
Something changed in her eyes.
Her anger rose.
She slowly stood.
Percy glanced at her.
He already knew that look.
Jay walked toward Yuri.
Yuri: “You should stay out of this.” She stopped directly in front of him.
Jayjay: “Talk to him like that again…” She clenched her fist.
Jayjay: “…and I will bury you alive.” BAM!
Her fist connected with Yuri’s face.
I stared.
That was Jay.
The same girl who had been crying moments ago.
The same girl who had knelt on the floor apologizing to Aris.
And now…
She had just punched Yuri because he disrespected Percy.
I didn’t know what to think anymore.
Jay shook her hand slightly.
Jayjay: “Don’t ever disrespect Percy in front of me again.” Percy looked at her.
And somehow…
He smiled.
Then winked.
Percy: “That’s my girl.” Jay glared.
Jayjay: “Not now, Perse.” Percy immediately raised both hands.
Percy: “Okay, okay.” I looked away.
That same burning feeling returned.
Jealousy.
I hated it.
Because I knew I had no right.
But I couldn’t stop it.
Percy turned back toward Angelo.
His expression became serious again.
Percy: “Now.” He pushed the document toward him.
Percy: “Sign it.” Angelo: “No.” Percy: “You’re really testing my patience.” Angelo: “I won’t destroy my family for you.” Percy: “Then watch your company disappear instead.” Angelo stared at him.
Percy: “Sign.” Angelo remained silent.
Percy: “I’m asking you for the last time.” Angelo still refused.
Percy leaned closer.
Percy: “Do you really want me to start taking apart your company piece by piece?” Angelo’s jaw tightened.
Percy looked directly into his eyes.
Percy: “SIGN.” Silence.
Finally…
Angelo grabbed the pen.
He looked at the document one last time.
Then…
He signed.
The sound of the pen scratching against the paper seemed strangely loud.
Percy immediately took the document.
He checked the signature.
Then— Percy: “Good.” He placed the first document aside.
The engagement was over.
Just like that.
Yuri stared at the paper.
Yuri: “No…” He shook his head.
Yuri: “This can’t be happening.” Percy ignored him.
Instead, he picked up the second document.
The guardianship papers.
He looked at Jay.
And something changed in his eyes.
The anger disappeared.
The darkness softened.
His lips curved into a small smile.
But his eyes…
They filled with tears.
Percy walked toward Jay.
Percy: “You are free now, baby.” Jay’s lips trembled.
She looked down at the papers.
Then back at him.
Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.
I watched her.
For the first time since I’d known Jay…
I saw something different in her expression.
Not anger.
Not sarcasm.
Not that fake smile.
Hope.
And I realized something.
Maybe I had spent all this time looking at Jayjay from the outside.
Maybe I had been so focused on the girl who could fight anyone…
That I had never noticed the girl who just wanted somewhere safe to belong.
Jay looked at Percy.
Jayjay: “Thank you, Percy.” Percy smiled.
Percy: “Always, baby.” I looked away.
That word again.
Always.
But now…
It meant something different.
Because I had just discovered that the man I thought was dead…
Was alive.
And he was someone Jay trusted completely.
Someone who protected her.
Someone she could depend on.
For a few seconds…
Nobody said anything.
The room had gone completely silent.
I stood there, staring at Jay.
She was holding the guardianship papers tightly against her chest.
Percy was standing beside her.
Too close.
Protectively close.
And for some reason…
That sight bothered me more than I wanted to admit.
I didn’t understand their relationship.
I didn’t understand why Percy looked at Jay like she was the most precious person in his world.
And I hated that I didn’t understand.
My eyes stayed on him.
Then I finally broke the silence.
Keifer: “Wait.” Everyone looked toward me.
I couldn’t stop myself.
Keifer: “Who the hell are you?” My voice came out harsher than I intended.
I pointed toward Percy.
Keifer: “And why are you so close to Jay?” I saw Jay’s expression change slightly.
She looked at me.
Not angry.
Just…
Tired.
As if she already knew where this conversation was going.
Eman: “Yeah…
how do you two even know each other?” Kit: “And why does she call you Percy like that?” Calix: “More importantly, how are you even alive?” Blaster: “Everyone was told you died four years ago!” Edrix: “Then where have you been all this time?” Eren: “And why didn’t you contact anyone?” Mayo: “How did you survive the accident?” Josh: “And how did you get those partnership papers?” Denzel: “Who exactly is Mr.
Willson working for?” Felix: “Why would Mariano Crop give you authority over something this important?” Rory: “And why are you protecting Jay like she’s the most important person in the world?” David: “Something doesn’t add up.” My chest tightened.
That was exactly what I was thinking.
Something didn’t add up.
Nothing about Percy being here made sense.
He was supposed to be dead.
Four years.
Everyone had believed he was dead.
I had believed he was dead.
And now…
He was standing right in front of me.
Alive.
Calm.
And protecting Jay.
Percy looked around the room.
Percy: “One question at a time.” His voice was calm.
Almost too calm.
I clenched my fists.
How could he be this calm when everyone around him was practically demanding answers?
Percy: “Jay was the one who saved me from the accident.” My eyes immediately went to Jay.
She saved him?
Jay?
How many things had this girl been hiding?
Percy: “She found me near a river.” My heart stopped for a second.
A river?
An accident?
Jay had found Percy?
And she had somehow kept all of this hidden?
Aris stepped forward.
Aris: “What were you doing there?” Percy looked at him.
Percy: “she was with her friends.” Aris: “Then what happened?” Percy: “The accident happened.” He paused.
Percy: “And I didn’t come back.” I swallowed hard.
So that was it.
The accident had happened…
And everyone had simply believed he died.
Gemma looked confused.
Gemma: “But why?” Percy: “Because my mother didn’t let me.” My eyebrows immediately pulled together.
Keifer: “What?” Percy looked directly at me.
Percy: “She spread the news that I was dead.” I stared at him.
His own mother?
She told everyone he was dead?
Felix: “Why would she do that?” Percy: “Because the accident wasn’t normal.” My stomach dropped.
Percy: “Someone wanted me dead.” Percy: “They wanted my property.” Angelo immediately stepped forward.
Angelo: “What property?” Percy: “That’s something I can’t tell you right now.” Angelo: “You expect us to believe that?” Percy: “You don’t have to.” Percy: “You asked a question.
I answered it.” There was something about the way he spoke…
He wasn’t trying to convince anyone.
He didn’t care whether we believed him.
He simply knew the truth.
Angelo: “Then how did you get the partnership papers from Mariano Crop?” Percy: “Mr.
Jaspher Mariano gave them to me.” Jeena immediately spoke.
Jeena: “How do you know him?” Percy ignored her.
Jeena: “I’m asking you how you know Jaspher Mariano.” Eman: “But Percy…
you should have at least contacted us.” Percy: “I couldn’t.” My patience snapped.
Keifer: “WHY?!” The second I shouted…
Jay turned toward me.
Her expression changed completely.
Jayjay: “DON’T SHOUT AT HIM!” I froze.
Jay stepped closer to Percy.
Jayjay: “Don’t you dare shout at him!” Something twisted painfully inside my chest.
She had defended him instantly.
No hesitation.
Not even a second.
Percy looked at her.
Percy: “It’s okay, baby.” Baby.
The word hit me harder than it should have.
I looked away for a second.
Why did hearing him call her that bother me so much?
Why did I feel that strange jealousy crawling through my chest?
I had no right.
Not after everything I had done to Jay.
But feelings didn’t care about rights.
Percy looked back at us.
Percy: “Because my entire body was paralyzed for three years.” I stopped breathing.
Percy: “I couldn’t move.” Percy: “Couldn’t walk.” Percy: “Couldn’t even take care of myself.” My eyes widened.
Three years?
Percy had been paralyzed for three years?
Percy: “That’s why I couldn’t contact anyone.” Everyone: “WHAT?!” I couldn’t speak.
My mind was racing.
Three years…
He had spent three years unable to move.
Unable to walk.
Unable to take care of himself.
And Jay knew?
Percy: “For three years, I was completely dependent on someone else.” Percy: “And Jay took care of me.” My eyes moved toward Jay.
She looked down.
Percy: “She took care of everything.” Percy: “My medicines.” Percy: “My food.” Percy: “My clothes.” Percy: “My recovery.” Percy: “My emotional breakdowns.” Percy: “Everything.” My heart sank.
Jay…
She had taken care of him?
For years?
While everyone here…
While I…
I remembered every time I had made her feel worthless.
Every time I had pushed her away.
Every time I had let revenge become more important than her feelings.
And during all those years…
She had been taking care of someone who couldn’t even take care of himself.
How much had she been carrying alone?
Angelo suddenly spoke.
Angelo: “Wait…” Angelo: “But Jay has been living with us for the last seven months.” Angelo: “Before that, she was living with Tita Jeena.” Jay and Percy looked at each other.
Then…
They laughed.
I frowned.
Why were they laughing?
Angelo looked irritated.
Angelo: “What’s so funny?” Percy looked at him.
Percy: “Do you really think Jay was living with you because you brought her here?” Percy: “No.” Percy: “I was the one who sent her here.” My chest tightened.
Percy had sent Jay here?
Percy: “I thought my friends…” Percy: “…and her family…” Percy: “would take care of her.” I looked at Jay.
She didn’t say anything.
Percy: “She didn’t want to leave me.” Something inside me cracked.
She didn’t want to leave him.
Of course she didn’t.
They had survived something together.
Percy: “But I promised her she would be okay with all of you.” Percy: “I trusted you.” His eyes moved around the room.
Then stopped on us.
Percy: “But you didn’t take care of her.” Percy: “You broke her even more.” I lowered my gaze.
Because I knew.
I knew exactly what he meant.
Percy: “She started believing that she didn’t deserve love.” My throat burned.
Percy: “She started believing that everything bad happening to her was her fault.” I closed my eyes for a moment.
Those words hurt.
Because I had been one of the reasons she believed that.
Percy: “Keifer wanted revenge against Aris.” My heart stopped.
Percy: “jay was the person aris hated the most.” Percy: “they both don’t even like each other.” Percy: “But you still chose to hurt Jay.” I couldn’t defend myself.
Because he was right.
Every word.
Percy: “And Yuri…” My eyes moved toward Yuri.
Percy: “You forced an engagement on her because you wanted to win against Keifer.” Percy: “You threatened her.” Percy: “You told her…” Percy: “‘You can love Keifer, but when the wedding day comes, you and your heart will belong to me.
You don’t have a choice.'” Percy: “Right, roaster?” Yuri remained silent.
Percy: “I am right” I looked at Yuri.
He didn’t answer.
And somehow…
That silence was answer enough.
Angelo: “What do you mean he forced the engagement?” Percy: “Do you really not know?” Angelo: “Know what?” Percy: “Are you really that dumb?” Angelo : “Don’t talk to me like that” Jay suddenly spoke.
Jay: “Then stop behaving like that.” Jay: “Just think about your company.” Jay: “Everything was going perfectly well until the end of May.” Jay: “Fer Corp had strong profits.” Jay: “You had several major projects.” Jay: “The company was financially stable.” Jay: “Then suddenly, at the beginning of June…” Jay: “Your company came dangerously close to bankruptcy.” Jay: “Now ask yourself…” Jay: “Why did Himanichis suddenly decide to help Fer Corp when your company was already on the verge of collapse?” Jay: “And why did their help come with one condition?” Jay: “An engagement.” Angelo: “You…” Percy looked toward Jay.
Percy: “They really don’t know you.” Jay: “They really don’t have to.” I stared at Jay.
There was something about that sentence.
She wasn’t trying to expose herself.
She didn’t need them to understand her.
Percy suddenly looked at Jay’s bag.
Percy: “Remove your bag.” Jay: “What?” Percy: “It’s heavy.” Jay removed her bag.
I watched them.
The way Percy noticed something as small as her bag being heavy…
It was almost painfully intimate.
Not romantic.
Something deeper.
Protective.
Like family.
I only knew one thing.
Percy cared about Jay more than almost anyone in this room.
Percy: “Jay called me on the 2nd of June.” Percy: “She told me about the situation with Fer Corp.” Percy: “I immediately found it strange.” Percy: “Then, on the fourth of June, I received information about the engagement.” Percy: “I was furious.” Percy: “I wanted to come here.” Percy: “But Jay refused.” I looked at Jay.
She had refused?
Percy: “She told me she trusted all of you.” My chest hurt.
Percy: “She believed that at least her family would ask for her choice.” Percy: “She believed someone would ask her if she wanted the engagement.” Percy: “But nobody did.” Percy: “She waited.” Percy: “She waited until the engagement.” Percy: “And you all failed her.” Those words destroyed me.
Because I had failed her.
I had been so obsessed with revenge.
So obsessed with Aris.
So obsessed with making everyone suffer…
That I had never stopped to ask Jay what she wanted.
Not once.
I looked at her.
She was standing there quietly.
And suddenly I wondered…
How many times had she waited for someone to choose her?
How many times had she waited for someone to protect her?
And how many times had we all disappointed her?
Then Percy spoke again.
Percy: “And Keifer…” I immediately looked up.
My heart pounded.
Percy looked directly at me.
Percy: “For your information, Aris never left me.” My eyes widened.
Percy: “He tried to save me.” Percy: “But it was impossible.” Percy: “So I pushed him out of the car to save him.” I stared at Aris.
My entire body went cold.
Aris…
Had tried to save Percy?
All this time…
I had believed— I had blamed him.
I had hated him.
I had wanted revenge.
And I never even gave him a chance to explain.
My voice came out broken.
Keifer: “Why didn’t you tell me, Aris?” Percy suddenly exploded.
Percy: “BECAUSE YOU NEVER GAVE HIM A CHANCE TO EXPLAIN, YOU IDIOT!” Jay flinched.
I saw it.
And immediately felt guilty.
Percy: “Sorry.” Percy: “I was just angry.” Jay: “I know.” I couldn’t look at either of them.
Because he was right.
I had never given Aris a chance.
I had already decided he was guilty.
And Jay had suffered because of my revenge.
Percy turned toward Aris.
Percy: “And Aris…” Aris looked at him.
Percy: “Why do you hate her?” Percy: “just Because she stabbed you?” Jeena immediately interrupted.
Jeena: “Just because?” Percy turned toward her.
Percy: “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Percy: “If you utter one more word, I swear I’ll bury you alive.” Jeena: “You can’t talk to me like that.” Percy: “Oh.” Percy: “I just did.” I stared at Percy.
I had never seen percy like that.
Jay gently touched Percy’s arm.
Jay: “Just ignore her.” Percy: “Okay.” Then Aris spoke.
Aris: “You don’t know what it was like.” Aris: “I was on the verge of death.” Aris: “I was scared.” Aris: “I was terrified of her.” Aris: “You can’t understand that.” I listened silently.
For the first time…
I realized that I had only known half the story.
Maybe not even half.
Percy’s phone suddenly vibrated.
BZZZZT…
BZZZZT…
Jay: “Who’s that?” 🤨 Percy answered.
Percy: “Hello?” He listened for a moment.
Then his expression changed.
Percy: “He wants to talk to you.” He looked toward Jay.
Percy: “Go to your room.” Jay: “Okay.” Jay took the phone and began walking upstairs.
I watched her.
She stopped before leaving.
Jay: “Perse…
don’t go anywhere” Percy: “Never.” Jay: “Promise?” Percy: “Promise.” I watched Jay disappear upstairs.
The second she was gone…
The entire atmosphere changed.
I could hear her footsteps.
One.
Two.
Three.
Then the bedroom door upstairs closed.
A moment later…
I heard the lock.
CLICK.
I looked back at Percy.
He was staring toward the stairs.
Then slowly…
He turned toward Aris.
Percy: “You were scared of your own sister?” Aris looked at him.
Percy: “She wasn’t in her senses, Aris.” Aris: “You don’t know what she had become at that time.” Percy: “You think I don’t know?” Percy: “What happened to you is nothing compared to what happened to me.” I watched Percy carefully.
Percy: “She stabbed me.” My eyes widened.
Percy: “Not once.” Percy: “Twice.” Twice?
I couldn’t even imagine Jay doing that.
Percy: “And you know what?” Percy: “I was never scared of her.” Percy: “Because I knew what she had been through.” I stared at Jay’s closed bedroom door.
What had happened to her?
Percy: “Do you know what actually scared me?” Percy: “Her.” Percy: “Not because she could hurt me…” Percy: “But because I was terrified of losing her.” My chest tightened.
That sentence hit me.
Because suddenly I understood something.
Percy wasn’t afraid of Jay.
He was afraid of losing her.
Percy: “After that incident, she didn’t say a single word for five days.” Five days.
Percy: “Five days.” Percy: “She locked herself inside that room.” Percy: “She barely ate.” Percy: “She barely slept.” Percy: “And she wouldn’t let me near her.” I felt sick.
Five days.
Jay had locked herself away for five days?
Percy: “I was scared.” Percy: “Not because she had stabbed me.” Percy: “I was scared she would do something to herself.” My breathing became heavier.
Percy: “And she was scared she would do something to me because she was terrified of what she had done.” Percy: “That’s why she locked herself away.” Percy: “I kept trying to talk to her.” Percy: “Every single day.” I looked down.
I couldn’t stop thinking about how much Jay had suffered.
And I had added to it.
Percy: “On the fifth day, I finally managed to get her to speak to me.” Percy: “We were talking…” Percy: “And suddenly…” Percy: “She fainted.” My eyes widened.
Percy: “When she woke up…” Percy: “She didn’t remember anything.” I couldn’t speak.
Percy: “And I felt relieved.” Percy: “Not because I wanted her to forget.” Percy: “But because I thought…” Percy: “At least she won’t blame herself anymore.” I swallowed hard.
Percy: “I was so fucking scared during those five days.” Percy: “Not because she stabbed me.” Percy: “I was scared of watching her destroy herself.” Percy: “I was scared of losing her.” I looked at the stairs again.
Jay was upstairs.
Probably still talking on the phone.
And suddenly…
I wished I could go upstairs.
I wished I could tell her I was sorry.
But what right did I have?
Percy: “Two days later, she finally woke up completely after fainting.” Percy: “Those two days…” Percy: “I never left her.” Percy: “Not even once.” Percy: “I held her hand the entire time.” Percy: “I was scared that if I let go…” Percy: “I’d lose her.” Percy: “I couldn’t take that chance.” 🥺 I looked away.
I couldn’t handle it anymore.
The guilt was suffocating.
I had spent so much time thinking Jay needed to be punished.
But Percy had spent years making sure she survived.
And I…
I had been one of the people breaking her.
Then Jeena spoke.
Jeena: “So she really is a monster, isn’t she?” My eyes immediately snapped toward her.
Percy’s expression changed.
Percy: “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Before anyone could react— SLAP!
The sound echoed through the mansion.
Percy had slapped Jeena.
Everyone: “PERCY!” I froze.
I had never expected it.
But strangely…
I couldn’t blame him.
Jeena had crossed another line.
Percy: “Keep your mouths shut.” Percy: “Every single one of you.” Percy: “If anyone says one more fucking thing about Jay…” Percy: “I won’t think twice before taking action.” Nobody spoke.
The room was completely silent.
Then— CLICK…
I heard Jay’s room door opened slowly.
My heart jumped.
Jay came downstairs.
She looked confused.
Jay: “What happened?!” Jay: “Why did everyone shout your name, Perse?” Percy’s entire expression softened immediately.
He turned toward her.
Percy: “Nothing, baby.” Percy: “I just lost my balance and fell down.” I stared at him.
He lied.
Immediately.
Without hesitation.
Just to protect Jay from knowing what had happened.
Jay: “You…
fell?” Percy: “Yeah.” Jay: “Are you okay?” Percy: “I’m fine.” Jay looked at him suspiciously.
Jay: “Why are you always like this?” 😑 Percy: “I’m fine.” Percy: “Finish your call.” Percy: “then start packing your bags.” Jay: “What?” Percy: “We’re leaving.” My heart dropped.
Leaving?
No.
Jay was leaving?
I didn’t know why that thought hurt so badly.
Maybe because I knew I had already pushed her away.
And now…
I might lose even the chance to apologize.
Everyone: “NO!” Percy: “You just go.” Percy: “I’ll handle them.” Jay looked around.
Jay: “Okay…” She turned and walked upstairs again.
I watched until she disappeared.
Then Percy turned toward Jeena.
Percy: “That was your last warning.” Percy: “Don’t think that I’ll forgive you, because I’m not Jay.” Percy: “Everything happening to her right now…” Percy: “It started because of you.” Percy: “And don’t think I don’t have evidence.” Percy: “I have everything.” Percy: “Messages.” Percy: “Records.” Percy: “Documents.” Percy: “Conversations.” Percy: “Everything.” My eyes moved toward Jeena.
She looked terrified.
Percy: “Jay might leave you.” Percy: “But I won’t.” Percy: “If you say one more word against her…” Percy: “I’ll make sure you regret it.” Percy: “Understand?” Jeena: “Y…
yes.” Percy: “Good.” Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
Then Aris suddenly stepped forward.
Aris: “Wait.” Everyone looked toward him.
Aris: “If Jay was living with Jeena…” Aris: “…then how did she not know about Jay meeting you?” The room went silent.
I slowly looked toward Jeena.
That question…
That was strange.
Very strange.
If Jay had been living with Jeena…
How had Jeena not known about Percy?
How had Jay managed to meet him?
How had she hidden all of this?
And why?
Percy looked directly at Jeena.
Percy: “That’s a good question.” Percy: “Don’t you think?” Percy: “Why don’t you answer it?” Jeena remained silent.
My suspicion grew.
There was something she wasn’t telling us.
Something important.
Something about Jay.
Something about Percy.
Something that had been hidden from all of us.
Angelo turned toward Jeena.
His face was filled with confusion.
Angelo: “Tita…” Angelo: “What did you do?” Jeena didn’t answer.
Angelo stepped closer.
Angelo: “What did you hide from us?” Still nothing.
Angelo’s voice became louder.
Angelo: “Tita, I’m asking you.” Then he shouted— Angelo: “WHAT DID YOU DO?” Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
Every single person in that room looked at Jeena.
Waiting.
Waiting for her answer.
And I stood there silently…
My mind racing.
Because now I knew one thing.
There were still secrets.
Secrets even Jay hadn’t told us.
I was still standing there when Jay walked down the stairs.
Her arms were folded.
Her expression was cold.
But there was something different in her eyes.
Something I couldn’t understand.
Then she looked directly at Jeena.
Jayjay: “What happened, Mrs.
Jeena?” My eyes immediately moved toward Jeena.
She looked terrified.
Jay tilted her head.
Jayjay: “Are you out of your voice?” Jeena tried to speak.
Jeena: “I…
I…” Jay laughed bitterly.
That laugh sent a strange chill through me.
Jayjay: “I-I WHAT JEENA ?” Her voice echoed through the room.
I stared at her.
She wasn’t shouting because she wanted attention.
She was shouting because years of pain were finally coming out.
Jayjay: “When you didn’t hesitate to do those things…” She stepped down another stair.
Jayjay: “…why are you hesitating now that it’s time to tell everyone?” I looked at Jeena.
Her face had gone completely pale.
And for the first time…
I started wondering what exactly Jay remembered.
Then Jeena suddenly turned.
She tried to run.
My eyes widened.
But Jay was faster.
Much faster.
She moved before any of us could react.
Felix shouted— Felix: “HOW DID SHE GET THERE SO FAST?!” Rory looked completely stunned.
Rory: “She was literally near the stairs a second ago!” David stared toward the door.
David: “I didn’t even see her move!” Mayo swallowed.
Mayo: “Okay…
that was terrifying.” Denzel shook his head.
Denzel: “Nobody is escaping this conversation.” Blaster looked at Jeena.
Blaster: “You really tried to run?” Edrix shook his head.
Edrix: “That says enough.” Eren looked at her suspiciously.
Eren: “She’s clearly hiding something.” Jay stared directly at Jeena.
Jayjay: “Trying to run again, huh?” Jeena looked like she had seen a ghost.
Jay’s voice became quieter.
And somehow…
That was worse.
Jayjay: “Do you really think I’ll never remember everything?” Jeena’s face became even paler.
Jayjay: “You should know better.” Jay tightened her jaw.
Jayjay: “Memories don’t stay buried forever.” I felt something twist inside my chest.
Memories.
What memories?
What had Jeena done?
Then Percy walked toward the sofa.
Completely calm.
He sat down.
Crossed one leg over the other.
And somehow…
He had popcorn.
I stared at him.
Where the hell had he even gotten popcorn?
Felix said exactly what I was thinking.
Felix: “Where did you even get popcorn?!” Percy ignored him.
Ci-N looked at the bowl.
Ci-N: “Don’t ask.” Felix frowned.
Felix: “Why?” Ci-N: “Because I don’t think I want to know.” Percy smiled.
Percy: “Now she’s back.” He clapped his hands.
Percy: “Start the show.” I couldn’t believe him.
Was he seriously enjoying this?
Kit asked him.
Kit: “You’re actually enjoying this?” Percy simply answered— Percy: “A little.” Jay looked toward Percy.
Jayjay: “Ready for the show?” Percy suddenly raised his finger.
Percy: “Oh, no.
Wait.” Jay frowned.
Jayjay: “What now, Perse?” Percy looked toward Felix and Ci-N.
Percy: “Felix.
Ci-N.” Both looked at him.
Felix & Ci-N: “What?” Percy pointed toward them.
Percy: “Start recording.” Felix looked horrified.
Felix: “WHAT?!” Ci-N immediately asked— Ci-N: “Why are we recording?!” Percy didn’t explain.
Percy: “Just record.” They looked at each other.
Felix: “This is insane.” Ci-N: “Very.” But they started recording.
I frowned.
Why?
Why did Percy want this recorded?
Then he answered my question without even looking at me.
Percy: “Because some truths shouldn’t disappear again.” That sentence hit differently.
I looked at Jay.
She was staring at Jeena.
And then…
The first slap happened.
SLAP!
Everyone froze.
My entire body went still.
Jay’s voice trembled.
Jayjay: “This is for every time I came to you when I was hurt…” She slapped Jeena again.
SLAP!
Jayjay: “This is for locking me away for four or five days every week…” My heart dropped.
Four or five days?
Every week?
Without food or water?
Eman said what all of us were thinking.
Eman: “Four or five days?” Kit’s voice was filled with disbelief.
Kit: “How could someone do that to a child?” Calix shook his head.
Calix: “That’s not punishment.” Blaster’s voice became hard.
Blaster: “That’s cruelty.” Another slap.
SLAP!
Jayjay: “This is for ignoring me when I was sick.” Her eyes were filling with tears.
I couldn’t look away.
Jayjay: “…even when I called you.” Gemma started crying.
Gemma: “Jay…” She looked at Jeena.
Gemma: “How could you?” Jeena lowered her head.
Another slap.
SLAP!
Jayjay: “This is for letting your so-called husband beat me.” I felt my stomach drop.
Beat her?
Jeena had allowed someone to beat Jay?
Angelo looked devastated.
Angelo: “He…
beat you?” Aris looked down.
His fists clenched.
Aris: “I didn’t know.” I heard myself speak quietly.
Keifer: “None of us knew.” But even saying those words didn’t make me feel better.
Because somehow…
I felt guilty anyway.
Another slap.
SLAP!
Jayjay: “This is for smiling at me while he was hurting me.” Silence.
I looked at Jeena.
She didn’t even defend herself.
Yuri finally spoke.
Yuri: “You…
watched?” No answer.
Another slap.
SLAP!
Jayjay: “This is for the cigarette burns.” Gemma completely broke down.
Gemma: “Oh, Jay…” Eren looked away.
Eren: “This is horrible.” Mayo wiped his eyes.
Mayo: “How did she survive all of this?” I swallowed hard.
Cigarette burns.
My hands slowly curled into fists.
Then— SLAP!
Jayjay: “This is for beating me with an iron rod.” An iron rod.
I couldn’t breathe properly.
Denzel: “An iron rod?” Josh’s fists clenched.
Josh: “That’s not abuse anymore.” David’s voice was low.
David: “That’s torture.” Another slap.
SLAP!
Jayjay: “This is for sending me to work at the neighbors’ houses because you wanted money.” Rory looked disgusted.
Rory: “She used Jay for money?” Felix shook his head.
Felix: “I can’t believe this.” Another slap.
SLAP!
Jayjay: “And this…” Her voice cracked.
Jayjay: “…is for pouring hot oil on my back.” My heart shattered.
Hot oil.
How many things had happened to her that we never knew?
Ci-N lowered his phone.
Ci-N: “Jay…” Then Jay looked directly at Jeena.
Her tears were falling.
Jayjay: “And this is for allowing your husband and husband’s friend to hurt me in the worst way imaginable .” Nobody spoke.
Nobody needed to.
We understood.
And I couldn’t look at Jay anymore.
I looked down.
My eyes burned.
How could she have survived that?
She had been a child.
Just a child.
And we had all been standing around her without knowing.
I heard Angelo whisper— Angelo: “No…” Gemma was crying harder.
Aris looked horrified.
Aris: “Jay…” I couldn’t even form a sentence.
Keifer: “I…” Nothing came out.
Yuri lowered his head.
Eman looked away.
Kit’s eyes were full of tears.
Calix’s fists were clenched.
Blaster whispered— Blaster: “She was just a child…” Edrix shook his head.
Edrix: “How could anyone allow that?” Eren wiped his eyes.
Mayo looked devastated.
Josh stared at Jeena with pure anger.
Denzel’s jaw tightened.
Felix lowered his phone.
Rory’s eyes were red.
David quietly said— David: “I’m sorry, Jay.” But Jay didn’t react.
She looked lost inside her own memories.
Then Percy moved.
Two strong arms wrapped around her waist.
She immediately struggled.
Jayjay: “Perse, let me go!” Her voice was full of rage.
Jayjay: “I’m going to kill her today!” Percy held her tightly.
Percy: “Relax, baby…” His voice was gentle.
Percy: “It’s not the time yet.” I watched them.
The way Percy held her.
The way Jay finally stopped fighting.
Then Percy looked at her face.
His expression changed.
Percy: “You remember…” Jay nodded.
And then she broke.
She hugged him.
Jayjay: “I’m sorry, Perse…” She cried against his chest.
“I really didn’t mean to.” “I wasn’t conscious.” “I’m sorry.” Percy held her.
Tears fell from his eyes too.
Percy: “It was never your fault, baby.” He stroked her hair.
Percy: “Don’t cry.” “Please.” “You survived.” “That’s what matters.” I looked away.
For some reason…
Seeing Percy cry hurt.
Because he wasn’t crying for himself.
He was crying because Jay had suffered.
And he clearly knew how much she had been through.
Something inside me tightened.
Then Percy slowly released Jay.
He turned toward Jeena.
The warmth disappeared from his face.
His expression became terrifyingly cold.
Percy: “It was because of you.” He pointed at Jeena.
Percy: “Everything she suffered…” “Every scar…” “Every tear…” “Every night she spent crying…” His voice trembled.
Percy: “It was because of you.” Jeena stepped backward.
Jeena: “Percy…” Percy’s hand moved toward his back pocket.
My eyes widened.
No.
He pulled out a gun.
My blood ran cold.
Keifer: “PERCY!” Angelo stepped forward.
Angelo: “Put that down!” Aris looked terrified.
Aris: “Percy, don’t!” Gemma covered her mouth.
Gemma: “Oh God…” Felix whispered— Felix: “He’s actually serious…” Ci-N lowered his phone.
Ci-N: “This is going too far.” Eman grabbed Kit’s arm.
Eman: “Stop him!” Kit: “Percy, please!” Calix looked nervous.
Calix: “Don’t do something you’ll regret.” Percy didn’t even blink.
Percy: “I’ll never regret this” Blaster clenched his fists.
Blaster: “Put the gun away.” Nobody moved.
Then Jay raised her hand.
Jay: “don’t you dare to step closer he knows what he is doing don’t interfere” She looked at every single one of us.
And somehow…
Nobody moved.
Not even me.
Percy raised the gun toward Jeena.
His voice was frighteningly calm.
Percy: “I’m giving you two days.” Jeena’s face went pale.
Percy: “Hide wherever you want.” “Leave this city.” “Disappear.” “Do whatever you want.” He narrowed his eyes.
Percy: “But after two days…” Before he could finish, Jay stepped forward.
Jayjay: “Enough.” Percy looked at her.
Jay turned toward Jeena.
Jayjay: “And after those two days, wherever I find you…” Her voice was ice.
Jayjay: “…you will never get another chance utter single word i’ll kill you on the spot” Jeena stared at her.
Jay pointed toward the doors.
Jayjay: “Now…” Her voice echoed through the mansion.
Jayjay: “GET OUT!” Jeena ran.
The doors slammed shut.
I stared at the door.
Then at Jay.
Then Percy.
What had just happened?
The rain outside became heavier.
Thunder shook the mansion.
And somehow…
After everything…
They were still standing.
Jay pointed toward Percy’s gun.
Jayjay: “Put that back.” Percy blinked.
Percy: “Baby…” Jayjay: “How many times do I have to tell you?” She crossed her arms.
Jayjay: “Don’t use that in a public place.” Percy looked at the gun.
Then back at her.
His anger disappeared.
Percy: “Sorry.” He lowered his hand.
Percy: “I was just angry.” Jay sighed.
Jayjay: “I know.” He finally put the gun away.
Angelo exhaled.
Angelo: “You two are unbelievable…” Felix whispered— Felix: “I thought someone was actually going to die.” Ci-N nodded.
Ci-N: “Same.” Jay and Percy looked at each other.
Then smiled faintly.
And together— “Finally over.” For some reason…
I didn’t believe it was over.
Not really.
Then Percy said— Percy: “We can’t leave right now.” Jay immediately reacted.
Jayjay: “WHAT?!” He pointed toward the windows.
Rain was pouring heavily.
Percy: “It’s raining heavily.” Jay looked outside.
Jayjay: “Oh…” Felix stared at the storm.
Felix: “That’s not rain.” Ci-N nodded.
Ci-N: “That’s a whole storm.” Mayo sighed.
Mayo: “We’re definitely not driving in that.” Angelo nodded.
Angelo: “Everyone will stay here tonight.” Then everyone began apologizing to Jay.
Gemma.
Eman.
Kit.
Calix.
Blaster.
Edrix.
Eren.
Mayo.
Josh.
Denzel.
Felix.
Rory.
David.
Aris.
One by one.
I remained silent.
I didn’t know what to say.
Sorry?
Would that change anything?
Would saying sorry erase even one memory?
No.
So I stayed quiet.
Jay didn’t respond either.
She simply listened.
Then Percy disappeared into the kitchen.
A few moments later, he returned with ice.
He walked straight toward Jay.
Percy: “Your cheek is still red.” Jayjay: “I’m fine.” Percy gave her that look.
Percy: “Sit.” Jayjay: “Perse…” Percy: “Sit.” Jay sighed.
Jayjay: “Okay.” He gently pressed the ice against her cheek.
Jayjay: “Cold!” Percy smiled.
Percy: “Good.” Jay stared at him.
Jayjay: “How is that good?” Percy: “Because your cheek needs it.” Jay rolled her eyes.
Jayjay: “You’re too protective.” Percy didn’t answer.
He just smiled.
Then Gemma came over.
Gemma: “Let me do it.” Percy handed her the ice.
But he didn’t leave Jay’s side.
I watched them.
And again…
I felt that strange pain.
Percy knew how to take care of her.
He knew when she was hurting.
He knew when she was pretending to be fine.
He knew her.
Maybe more than any of us.
I hated how much that bothered me.
Later, everyone prepared to stay overnight.
Jay went upstairs.
I watched her disappear.
I woke up earlier than usual.
I didn’t know why.
Maybe because I hadn’t slept properly.
My mind had been replaying everything from yesterday.
Jay.
Percy.
Jeena.
The slap.
The accusations.
The secrets.
And most of all…
Jay’s face.
That exhausted expression she had been carrying.
I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds.
Yesterday had been…
A lot.
I rubbed my eyes and sat up.
For a moment, I just remained there.
Silent.
Thinking.
I hated how much I had started thinking about Jay.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her.
Every time I remembered the mansion…
I remembered how much she had suffered.
And then Percy appeared in my mind.
The person who had apparently known Jay for years.
The person who had protected her.
The person who had taken care of her when she couldn’t even take care of herself.
And, honestly…
I was jealous.
I hated admitting it.
But I was.
Not because Percy was doing anything wrong.
He wasn’t.
The problem was me.
Because he knew a version of Jay that I had never even seen.
I finally got out of bed.
I freshened up, changed my clothes, and checked my phone.
Nothing.
I frowned.
Usually…
Jay would already be awake.
Even when she was tired.
Even when she had barely slept.
She always seemed to wake up early.
I walked out of my room.
As I reached downstairs— I stopped.
Everyone was already there.
Josh.
Edrix.
Rory.
Mayo.
Kit.
Ci-N.
Felix.
Yuri.
Keifer.
David.
Drew.
Denzel.
Calix.
Eren.
Eman.
Blaster.
Aris.
Angelo.
Everyone.
The atmosphere was strangely quiet.
I looked around.
Then my eyes moved toward the staircase.
I realized something.
Jay wasn’t there.
Before I could say anything, Percy spoke.
Percy: “Where’s Jay?” Nobody answered.
His expression changed immediately.
Percy: “I’m asking where Jay is.” Eman looked around.
Eman: “I thought she was with you.” Percy’s face went pale.
Percy: “She isn’t.” The second he said that…
He turned around.
And rushed upstairs.
I watched him disappear.
Something inside me tightened.
I didn’t know where Jay was either.
And for some reason…
That scared me.
Not because I thought she was weak.
Jay wasn’t weak.
But after everything that had happened yesterday…
I knew she was hurting.
A few minutes later, Percy came back downstairs.
His expression was serious.
I looked at him.
He looked at everyone.
Then he told us where she was.
The temple.
My eyebrows lifted.
The temple?
Jay had gone to a temple?
I had never known.
Actually…
There were so many things about Jay I didn’t know.
And every time I discovered something new…
I felt worse.
Because I had spent so much time thinking I understood her.
But I didn’t.
Not even close.
We eventually followed Percy to the temple.
The moment I stepped inside…
I felt something change.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Different from the mansion.
No arguments.
No threats.
No anger.
No pressure.
Just bells.
Flowers.
Incense.
Prayer.
And then— I saw her.
Jay.
She was sitting on the stairs.
Playing with a tiny puppy.
I stopped walking.
For a second…
I forgot everything else.
Then I noticed her clothes.
A saree.
I froze.
She looked…
Different.
Not broken.
Not angry.
Not guarded.
Peaceful.
And beautiful.
But it wasn’t the saree that made me stare.
It was her expression.
She was smiling.
A genuine smile.
The kind I had almost never seen from her.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen Jay look that peaceful.
Percy immediately walked toward her.
Jay looked up.
Jay: “Perse?” Percy hugged her immediately.
I watched them.
And there it was again.
That feeling.
Jealousy.
It came so naturally that it scared me.
Percy didn’t have to ask what was wrong.
He didn’t need an explanation.
He just knew.
He knew where she was.
He knew she would come here.
He knew what made her happy.
He knew how to make her smile.
And I…
I knew almost nothing.
I looked away.
I shouldn’t have been jealous.
Percy was protecting her.
He had every reason to.
He had been there for her when she needed someone.
But my heart didn’t care about logic.
It still hurt.
As we walked around the temple, Jay started explaining everything.
Krishna.
Pooja.
Prasad.
Flowers.
Diya.
Bells.
Prayer.
I listened quietly.
And slowly…
I understood.
This wasn’t simply a temple for her.
It was something deeper.
This was where she felt safe.
Where she could breathe.
Where she didn’t have to pretend.
Where she didn’t have to be strong.
Where she didn’t have to hide her pain.
When Jay said— Jay: “Everything.” Then— Jay: “Friend.” “Guide.” “Family.” “And home.” Something inside me went completely quiet.
Home.
That word stayed in my head.
The mansion was supposed to be her home.
But she never looked peaceful there.
Here…
She did.
Here, she smiled.
Here, she laughed.
Here, she looked like herself.
I looked at Percy.
He wasn’t even surprised.
Of course he wasn’t.
He already knew.
He had probably seen this side of Jay hundreds of times.
And suddenly…
I understood something.
Percy didn’t just know Jay’s secrets.
He knew her heart.
Then the music started.
Raas.
Jay’s entire face changed.
Her eyes lit up.
She looked like a child who had just been given her favorite thing in the world.
Jay: “RAAS!” She grabbed Percy’s hand.
I watched them walk toward the dancing group.
And then…
Jay started dancing.
I couldn’t move.
She was laughing.
Actually laughing.
Her saree moved with every turn.
Her bangles made soft sounds.
Her eyes were shining.
She looked…
Free.
Completely free.
I had never seen that Jay.
Not the girl who fought.
Not the girl who stayed silent.
Not the girl who carried everyone’s pain.
Just Jay.
Happy.
Smiling.
Alive.
I watched Percy dance with her.
He wasn’t trying to control her.
He wasn’t trying to stop her.
He simply stayed close enough to catch her if she fell.
And somehow…
That made me jealous all over again.
Because he knew exactly when she needed him.
Then Jay nearly lost her balance.
Percy immediately caught her.
Percy: “Careful!” Jay laughed.
Jay: “I’m fine!” Percy shook his head.
Percy: “You’re impossible.” Jay smiled.
Jay: “And you’re still following me.” Percy answered without hesitation.
Percy: “Always.” I looked away.
That one word hurt.
Always.
It was such a simple word.
But it meant everything.
Percy had been there.
He had stayed.
Even when Jay was at her worst.
Even when she pushed him away.
Even when she didn’t remember things.
Even when she was hurting.
He stayed.
And suddenly…
I understood why Jay trusted him.
Why she called him Perse.
Why she defended him.
Why she looked at him differently.
He had earned that place in her life.
I hadn’t.
I had broken the trust she gave me.
For a moment, I stepped away from everyone.
I needed air.
The temple courtyard was quieter.
I leaned against one of the pillars and closed my eyes.
Later, when everyone was distracted by the Raas, Percy stepped aside again.
This time Jay followed him.
I wasn’t trying to listen.
I really wasn’t.
But I could still see them from where I stood.
Jay handed Percy some prasad.
Percy took it.
Jay smiled.
Then she noticed something on his sleeve and brushed it away.
Percy shook his head.
Jay laughed.
They spoke quietly.
I couldn’t hear everything.
But I could see the comfort between them.
There was no awkwardness.
No hesitation.
Just familiarity.
The kind that came from years.
Years I didn’t know about.
Years I hadn’t been part of.
And for some reason…
That hurt.
Not because I wanted to replace Percy.
I knew I couldn’t.
I just wished…
I had been someone Jay could trust like that.
But then reality hit me.
I had been given chances.
And I had wasted them.
I looked back at Jay.
I watched her spin again.
Her saree moved beautifully around her.
Her bangles chimed.
Her laughter mixed with the music.
And I realized something.
Maybe I had spent so much time looking at Jay’s wounds…
That I had forgotten she was a person beyond them.
She wasn’t only the girl who survived.
She was also the girl who lived.
The girl who danced.
The girl who prayed.
The girl who smiled.
The girl who loved.
And standing there…
Watching her…
I realized something that hurt more than anything.
I might still be jealous of Percy.
I might still have feelings I couldn’t explain.
But Jay’s happiness mattered more.
Even if…
That happiness wasn’t because of me.
Even if I wasn’t the person standing beside her.
Even if someone else had earned the place I wished I had.
I would rather see her smile from far away…
Than become another reason for her tears.
I looked at Percy.
Then back at Jay.
He was there.
Always.
And maybe…
That was exactly what Jay needed.
Someone who stayed.