The envelope was waiting on her desk when Jay arrived the next morning.
Cream paper.
Her name printed neatly on the front.
Not Mrs. Watson.
Not Representative of the Mariano Group.
Just—
Jay.
She stared at it for a long second before opening it.
A private industry roundtable.
Independent contributors.
Invitation-only.
She read the words twice.
Then once more.
Keifer leaned against the doorframe, watching her face change.
"That smile looks expensive," he teased.
Jay looked up slowly.
"They invited me."
He straightened.
"Who?"
She held up the card.
His eyes scanned it.
Then lifted.
"Oh."
That was all he said.
But it was enough.
—
That evening, Jay stood in front of the mirror longer than she meant to.
Not because she wanted to impress.
Because she wanted to look like herself.
Keifer appeared behind her, adjusting the cuff of his shirt.
"You look nervous," he said softly.
"I am."
"Good."
She turned.
"What?"
"It means you care about the right thing."
She exhaled.
He stepped closer.
"This isn't connected to our families," he reminded her.
"No safety net."
Jay nodded.
"That's why I'm scared."
He smiled.
"That's why you're ready."
—
The venue was small.
Quiet.
Elegant in a restrained way.
No banners.
No photographers.
Just conversation.
Jay walked in beside him—and then stopped.
Keifer noticed immediately.
"You want me to stay or disappear?"
The question was gentle.
No pressure.
Jay hesitated.
Just a second.
Then—
"Disappear."
His smile was slow.
Proud.
"I'll be nearby."
She nodded.
And walked forward alone.
The first person to approach her was a woman with sharp eyes and calm posture.
"You're Jay."
Not a question.
Jay smiled politely.
"Yes."
"I read your restructuring brief."
Jay blinked.
"You did?"
"It made me uncomfortable."
Jay stiffened slightly.
Then the woman smiled.
"That usually means someone told the truth."
Something inside Jay settled.
Conversation followed.
Then another.
Then another.
She spoke about people again.
About pressure.
About systems.
About sustainability.
No one interrupted her.
No one redirected her.
No one spoke over her.
When she finally stepped back to the quiet edge of the room, her heart was racing.
Not from fear.
From momentum.
Keifer appeared beside her like he had promised.
No spotlight.
No claiming gesture.
Just presence.
"You okay?" he murmured.
Jay nodded.
More than okay.
"I think… I belong here."
He looked at her.
And something in his eyes softened.
"You always did."
On the drive home, Jay rested her head against the seat.
Tired.
Happy.
Full.
"I didn't look for you once," she said suddenly.
Keifer glanced at her.
"I noticed."
She smiled.
"You didn't look hurt."
"No," he said gently.
"I looked relieved."
Jay turned toward him.
He kept his eyes on the road.
"I don't want to be the place you hide," he said quietly.
"I want to be the place you come back to."
Her throat tightened.
When they reached home, she didn't go straight inside.
She stopped him at the door.
"Keifer?"
He turned.
She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.
Not rushed.
Not dramatic.
Just certain.
"Thank you for letting me walk alone."
He smiled.
"And thank you," he whispered back,
"for choosing to come home."