The next afternoon…
Jay decided she couldn’t spend every day hiding in her room.
She changed into a simple sky-blue cotton kurti with white embroidery.
It wasn’t expensive or flashy, but it suited her perfectly.
Her loose hair framed her face, and despite the sadness in her eyes, she looked graceful.
As she walked downstairs, the household staff smiled politely.
“Good afternoon, Ma’am.”
Jay smiled back.
“Good afternoon.”
At that moment, Keifer stepped out of his study, speaking on the phone.
His eyes lifted—
And stopped on Jay.
For a brief second…
He forgot the person on the other end of the call.
The soft blue kurti, her loose hair, the simplicity…
She looked beautiful.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips before he could stop it.
Jay didn’t notice.
But Felix, standing nearby, did.
“He smiled…” Felix thought.
“That’s new.”
Keifer quickly wiped the expression from his face and ended the call.
Just then, the estate manager, Daniel, approached Jay with a respectful smile.
“Ma’am, if you need anything in the mansion, please let me know.”
Jay nodded politely.
“Thank you, Daniel.”
“I’ve arranged the garden the way you requested this morning.”
“Really?
Thank you so much.”
She smiled warmly.
“It looks beautiful.”
Daniel smiled back.
“I’m glad you like it.”
From across the hall…
Keifer watched every second of their conversation.
His jaw tightened.
Daniel laughed softly at something Jay said.
Keifer’s grip on the file in his hand became firmer.
Felix glanced at him.
“Sir…?”
No response.
Jay continued talking.
“It’s nice to finally meet someone who’s kind.”
Daniel looked slightly embarrassed.
“You’re too generous, Ma’am.”
That was enough.
Keifer strode across the hall.
His polished shoes echoed sharply against the marble floor.
Daniel immediately straightened.
“Good afternoon, Sir.”
Keifer ignored him.
Instead, he looked directly at Jay.
“Weren’t you told to stay out of everyone’s work?”
Jay frowned.
“We were just talking.”
“I can see that.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
He turned to Daniel.
“Is your work finished?”
“Almost, Sir.”
“Then why are you wasting company time?”
Daniel lowered his head.
“I’m sorry, Sir.”
“One month’s salary deducted.”
Jay’s eyes widened.
“What?”
Daniel looked stunned but remained silent.
“Sir, I only answered Ma’am’s questions.”
“I wasn’t asking for an explanation.”
“Keifer!” Jay stepped forward.
“This is unfair.”
He slowly turned toward her.
“You think so?”
“He didn’t do anything wrong.”
“He smiled at you.”
Jay blinked.
“…What?”
Keifer’s gaze shifted briefly to Daniel before returning to her.
“I don’t pay my employees to flirt.”
Daniel’s face turned pale.
“Sir, I would never—”
“Leave.”
Daniel bowed quickly and hurried away.
Jay stared at Keifer in disbelief.
“He wasn’t flirting.”
“I decide what crosses the line in my house.”
“This is exactly why everyone is afraid of you.”
“So?”
She looked at him, hurt and frustrated.
“They respect you because of your power…”
She shook her head.
“…not because they admire you.”
For a moment, silence hung between them.
Keifer stepped closer until only a few inches separated them.
His voice dropped.
“You smiled at him.”
Jay held his gaze.
“I smile at anyone who treats me with basic kindness.”
Something flickered in Keifer’s eyes.
Jealousy.
Raw.
Unfamiliar.
He hated it.
He hated that another man had made her smile.
“You are my wife,” he said quietly.
“Our marriage may be a contract, but while that contract exists…”
His eyes locked onto hers.
“…don’t give anyone a reason to think they can get close to you.”
Jay let out a bitter laugh.
“You don’t want me.”
“No.”
“You don’t trust me.”
“No.”
“You don’t even treat me with respect.”
His silence answered her.
She looked at him sadly.
“Then don’t expect me to stop being kind to people who do.”
She walked past him without another word.
Keifer remained standing in the hallway.
Felix approached cautiously.
“Sir…”
Keifer didn’t take his eyes off the staircase where Jay had disappeared.
After a long silence, he spoke.
“Cancel Daniel’s salary deduction.”
Felix looked surprised.
“And transfer him to another property.”
“So he doesn’t have to see Mrs.
Watson every day.”
Felix sighed inwardly.
The Devil would never admit it.
But for the first time…
He had been jealous.