Felix walked across the rain-soaked garden.
The laughter slowly faded as everyone noticed his serious expression.
“Mrs.
Watson…”
Jay looked up, still smiling.
“Yes?”
“Sir wants to see you.”
The smiles on every servant’s face disappeared.
Jay sighed.
“I’ll be there.”
She handed her umbrella to one of the maids.
“No need, Ma’am,” the maid whispered.
“Sir looks…
angry.”
Jay gave a reassuring smile.
“I’ve already seen his worst.”
She walked into the mansion, leaving wet footprints across the marble floor.
Inside the study…
Keifer stood beside the window with his back to the door.
The room was silent.
Jay knocked softly.
“You called me?”
“Come in.”
She stepped inside.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Without turning around, Keifer asked,
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
Jay smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
“I can tell.”
She waited.
He finally turned.
His expression was cold.
“Who gave you permission to go outside?”
Jay frowned.
“I don’t need permission to stand in the rain.”
“In this house…”
His voice was low.
“You do.”
She crossed her arms.
“I’m not your employee.”
“No.”
His eyes met hers.
“You’re my responsibility.”
She blinked.
For a second…
She thought she had heard concern.
Then he continued.
“And I won’t have you acting like a child in front of my staff.”
Her expression hardened.
“I made them smile.”
“You made them forget discipline.”
“They’re human beings, Keifer.”
“They work for me.”
“They’re not robots.”
Silence.
Jay took a step closer.
“Do you know what happened today?”
He didn’t answer.
“For the first time…”
“They laughed.”
“The cooks laughed.”
“The maids laughed.”
“Even your bodyguards laughed.”
A faint smile touched her lips.
“It was beautiful.”
Keifer’s face remained unreadable.
“And then…”
His voice turned icy.
“You accepted an umbrella.”
Jay looked confused.
“…What?”
“From one of my guards.”
She stared at him for a moment.
Then…
She laughed.
A genuine laugh.
Keifer’s eyes narrowed.
“You think this is funny?”
“I do.”
“You laughed because a guard offered me an umbrella?”
Her laughter only grew.
“Oh my God…”
She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
“You’re unbelievable.”
His jaw tightened.
“Answer me.”
“It was raining!”
“He was just being polite.”
“He overstepped.”
“No, Keifer.”
She shook her head.
“You’re overreacting.”
His voice dropped dangerously.
“I don’t like other men taking care of what’s mine.”
The room fell silent.
Jay’s smile slowly faded.
“‘What’s mine?'”
She repeated softly.
“You’ve spent days telling me I’m only your contract wife.”
“You’ve reminded me I don’t belong here.”
“You’ve ignored me…”
“Hurt me…”
“Humiliated me…”
She looked directly into his eyes.
“But the moment someone shows me basic kindness…”
“You suddenly remember I’m yours?”
Keifer didn’t answer.
His silence said enough.
Jay gave a sad smile.
“You don’t own me.”
She turned to leave.
Just as her hand reached the doorknob—
Keifer spoke.
“From tomorrow…”
“No more talking to the male staff unless it’s necessary.”
Jay froze.
Slowly…
She looked back at him.
“And if I don’t listen?”
His gaze never left hers.
“I’ll replace every man working in this mansion.”
She stared at him in disbelief.
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re testing my patience.”
She opened the door.
Before leaving, she said quietly,
“You know what the saddest part is?”
He remained silent.
“You don’t realize…”
“…you’re more afraid of losing me than I am of losing you.”
The door closed.
Keifer stood alone in the silent study.
His fists slowly clenched.
He hated those words.
Because somewhere deep inside…
He feared they were true.