Jay's POV
It had been one whole week since I had been discharged from the hospital.
One week.
And somehow, in those seven days, my life had changed completely.
Keifer had taken care of me like I was the most precious thing in the world.
He made sure I took my medicines on time. He wouldn't let me walk around too much. He would constantly ask me whether I was feeling dizzy, whether I had eaten, whether I needed anything.
Sometimes, I would get annoyed.
Sometimes, I would tell him that I could take care of myself.
And every single time, he would simply give me that stubborn look of his and say—
"I know you can take care of yourself, Jay. But let me take care of you too."
And honestly?
I couldn't argue with that.
I was incredibly happy to be back with Keifer.
We were now living together in Keifer's mansion.
It had taken him quite a bit of convincing to get me to agree to live with him.
At first, I had refused.
"Keifer, I can't just move into your mansion."
"Why not?"
"Because it's your house."
"And?"
"And I don't live here."
"You do now."
"That's not how it works!"
"That's exactly how it works."
"You can't just decide things for me!"
"I can when the decision involves keeping you close enough for me to make sure you're okay."
"Keifer!"
He had simply smirked.
And somehow, that conversation had ended with me moving into his mansion.
Now, a week later, I had to admit...
I loved it.
Not because of the mansion.
Because Keifer was there.
---
Morning
The morning was peaceful.
Sunlight slowly entered our bedroom through the curtains.
I was still half-asleep, comfortably lying on the bed.
Keifer was beside me.
Or rather...
He was practically wrapped around me.
His arms were tightly around my waist, his face buried against my chest.
I looked down at him.
He looked ridiculously cute.
At the same time...
He looked damn attractive.
His messy hair, peaceful expression, strong arms wrapped around me...
I couldn't help but smile.
"You're so cute," I whispered.
He didn't move.
I gently brushed his hair away from his forehead.
Still nothing.
I smiled again.
Then, without thinking much about it, I leaned down and softly pecked his lips.
Just a tiny kiss.
A harmless little kiss.
Or so I thought.
The moment I pulled back—
Keifer's arms tightened around me.
I froze.
Before I could react, he lifted his head and kissed me again, deepening the kiss.
My eyes widened.
I immediately realized—
He had been awake.
All this time.
When the kiss finally ended, I stared at him.
He had the most shameless smirk on his face.
"Keifer!"
He chuckled.
"What?"
"You were awake?!"
He shrugged innocently.
"Maybe."
"Maybe?!"
He grinned.
"You were stealing kisses from me, wifey."
My jaw dropped.
"Wifey?!"
He nodded seriously.
"Yes, wifey."
"You shameless person! You were awake and didn't tell me!"
Keifer laughed softly.
"If I had told you I was awake, then how would I have enjoyed the kiss?"
I stared at him in disbelief.
"You planned that!"
"Of course."
"You're impossible."
"And yet you kissed me."
"That was because I thought you were asleep!"
He smirked.
"Technicality."
"Keifer!"
He leaned closer.
"Yes, wifey?"
"Stop calling me that!"
"Why?"
"Because I'm not your wifey!"
His expression became even more mischievous.
"We're not married yet."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Exactly. We are not married yet."
Keifer paused.
Then his lips curved into a slow smile.
"Keyword."
I blinked.
"What?"
"Yet."
Before I could respond, he leaned down and kissed me again.
I pushed lightly against his chest when he pulled away.
"You're ridiculous."
"And you're blushing."
"I'm not!"
"You are."
"I'm absolutely not!"
He chuckled.
"Fine."
He pulled me closer.
"You're not blushing."
I looked away.
"Exactly."
He whispered near my ear—
"You're just adorable."
I buried my face against his chest.
"Stop."
His arms tightened around me.
"Never."
---
Keifer's POV
Waking up beside Jay had become something I never wanted to take for granted.
After everything that had happened, having her here with me again felt almost unreal.
I watched her sleeping peacefully.
She looked so much more relaxed now.
And every time I looked at her, I remembered how terrified I had been when she was in the hospital.
I never wanted to experience that fear again.
So when she kissed me that morning, I couldn't resist teasing her.
She still didn't know how much I loved seeing that annoyed expression on her face.
Especially when I knew she was secretly happy.
I gently touched her cheek.
"Jay."
"Hmm?"
"I'm serious."
"About what?"
He smiled.
"About the 'yet.'"
She immediately looked at me.
"Keifer..."
I laughed.
"Don't worry. I'm not asking you to marry me this second."
"You better not."
"But someday."
She sighed.
"You're too much."
"Maybe."
I kissed her forehead.
"But I'm yours."
She smiled softly.
"And you're mine."
That was enough for me.
---
Breakfast
After we freshened up, we went downstairs for breakfast.
The dining room was filled with the smell of freshly prepared food.
I sat beside Keifer.
He immediately pulled my chair a little closer to his.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why did you do that?"
"So you're closer."
"I'm already sitting beside you."
"Not close enough."
I shook my head.
"You've become clingy."
"With you? Absolutely."
He picked up a piece of food and placed it on my plate.
"Eat."
"I can do that myself."
"I know."
He gave me a smile.
"I'm still going to do it."
I sighed.
"Fine."
Then something suddenly crossed my mind.
Today was different.
Because today...
I was going to meet Keiren and Keigan.
After so many years.
My heart started beating faster.
Keifer noticed immediately.
His expression softened.
"Nervous?"
I nodded.
"A little."
"A little?"
"A lot."
He reached for my hand underneath the table.
"They're going to be happy to see you."
"What if they're angry?"
"They have every right to be."
I looked down.
"I know."
"But they're still your brothers."
I looked at him.
Keifer squeezed my hand.
"Go talk to them. Don't be afraid of what they might say."
"What if they hate me?"
"They won't."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know them."
He smiled.
"And because I know you."
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"Thank you."
He leaned closer.
"And if they yell at you..."
"Yes?"
"I'll be right there."
I smiled.
---
Meeting Keiren and Keigan
The moment I saw them, my heart stopped.
Keiren looked older than I remembered.
But the moment his eyes met mine, his expression changed completely.
"Ate..."
My eyes immediately filled with tears.
"Keiren..."
He ran toward me.
"Ate!"
He threw his arms around me.
I hugged him tightly.
He started sobbing against me.
"Ate, why did you leave us?"
My heart broke.
"Keiren..."
"We missed you so much, Ate."
"I'm sorry, baby."
"Why did you go?"
"I..."
I struggled to speak.
"Ate had to go."
"But you could have stayed."
I closed my eyes.
"I'm very sorry."
He held onto me tighter.
"I thought you didn't want us anymore."
"No!"
I immediately pulled back and held his face.
"Never say that."
"But you left."
"I know."
His tears continued falling.
"And I'm sorry."
I wiped his cheeks.
"I missed you too."
Keiren hugged me again.
"I missed you every day."
"I missed you too, baby."
Then I looked toward Keigan.
I had expected anger.
A lot of anger.
But instead...
He was crying too.
He walked toward me slowly.
"Ate..."
I opened my arms.
He immediately came into them.
"I missed you."
I hugged him tightly.
"I'm sorry."
He cried against me.
"Why did you leave me, Ate?"
My heart shattered.
"I don't have Mom."
I closed my eyes.
"I thought of you as my mom."
I couldn't breathe for a moment.
"And then you left me."
"Keigan..."
"You could have told me if something was bothering you."
He pulled away slightly.
"I would have helped you, Ate."
I wiped his tears.
"I know."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because..."
I swallowed.
"I was young."
He looked at me.
"I didn't know what to do."
"I would've helped you."
"I know."
My voice broke.
"I know you would've."
I hugged him again.
"I'm so sorry, Keigan."
He buried his face against me.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too."
I held both of them.
"I promise you both..."
I took a shaky breath.
"I will never leave you again."
Keiren looked up.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Even if you fight with Keifer?"
I laughed softly through my tears.
"Even if I fight with Keifer."
Keifer, who had been standing a little away from us, immediately spoke.
"Excuse me?"
I looked at him.
He walked toward us.
"Next time we fight, I'm not letting you go."
I stared at him.
"Keifer!"
He smiled.
"I'm serious."
He wrapped his arms around all three of us.
"You're stuck with me."
Keiren laughed through his tears.
Keigan smiled.
And for the first time in years...
I felt like I was finally home.
---
Keifer's POV
Watching Jay reunite with her brothers made something ache inside my chest.
She had carried so much guilt.
For years.
And now she was finally standing there with the people she had missed.
I watched Keiren hold onto her.
Then Keigan.
I knew Jay was hurting.
But I also knew something else.
She was happy.
I stepped closer and hugged them all.
Jay looked at me with teary eyes.
I whispered—
"They're not letting you go now."
She smiled.
"Neither are you."
I smiled.
"Never."
---
After Breakfast
After breakfast, Jay and I spent some time talking.
I tried to catch up on work while she sat nearby.
But apparently, working was difficult when the person I loved was sitting right beside me.
I leaned over and kissed her cheek.
She looked at me.
"Again?"
"What?"
"You've already kissed me five times."
"Only five?"
"Keifer!"
I laughed.
She shook her head.
"You need to work."
"I am working."
"No, you're distracting me."
"I'm distracting you?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"By kissing me!"
I smiled.
"Then I'll stop."
She looked relieved.
"Good."
I leaned closer.
"Unless you ask for another one."
She pushed my shoulder.
"Go work."
"Yes, boss."
I chuckled and returned to my work.
A few minutes later, I kissed her cheek again.
"Keifer!"
"I couldn't help it."
"You are impossible."
"I know."
---
Later That Day
The day passed peacefully.
Eventually, I had to leave for the company for some work.
Before leaving, I looked at Jay.
"Don't overdo anything."
She rolled her eyes.
"I won't."
"Eat properly."
"I will."
"Take your medicine."
"I know."
"Rest."
"I know."
He narrowed his eyes.
"You better."
She smiled.
"Go to work."
I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"I'll be back soon."
"Okay."
"And Jay?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
She smiled.
"I love you too."
I finally left.
---
Jay's POV
Later that afternoon, I was sitting in the living room.
Keigan had gone to his friend's house for a sleepover.
So it was just me and Keiren.
He was still very small.
Around ten or eleven years old.
And despite everything, I could tell he needed a mother's love.
I wanted to give him that.
I wanted him to feel safe.
Suddenly—
"Ah!"
I heard him cry out.
I immediately stood up.
"Keiren!"
He had accidentally stepped on a broken piece of glass.
Blood was flowing from his leg.
My heart dropped.
"Oh my God!"
I rushed toward him.
"Keiren!"
His eyes filled with tears.
"Ate..."
"Come here."
I immediately pulled him into my arms.
"Don't look at it."
I gently covered his face against my chest.
"It's okay."
"It hurts..."
"I know, baby."
I held him tightly.
"Shhh... don't cry."
He tried to hold his tears back.
"Ate..."
"I'm here."
I carefully helped him sit down.
"Let me see."
He hesitated.
"It hurts."
"I know."
I softly touched his hair.
"But Ate needs to clean it, okay?"
He nodded.
"Okay."
I carefully cleaned the wound.
He winced.
"Ouch!"
"I'm sorry!"
I immediately stopped.
"Does it hurt too much?"
He nodded.
I softly blew on the wound.
"Better?"
He sniffled.
"A little."
I smiled.
"Good."
I continued cleaning it carefully before dressing the wound.
But halfway through, Keiren started crying.
"Oh, baby..."
I immediately wiped his tears.
"Please don't cry."
"It hurts."
"I know."
I made a funny face.
He stared at me.
I made another ridiculous expression.
"Look."
He sniffled.
I crossed my eyes.
He tried not to laugh.
"You're weird, Ate."
"Excuse me?"
He giggled.
I made another funny face.
He finally laughed.
"There!"
I smiled.
"That's my baby."
He leaned against me.
"I'm tired."
"Then come here."
I gently pulled him closer.
He rested against me.
"Are you comfortable?"
He nodded.
I softly caressed his hair.
"You can sleep."
"Really?"
"Of course."
I picked up a book.
"Want me to read?"
"Yes."
So I began reading to him.
My voice became quieter and softer as he slowly fell asleep.
After some time, I looked down.
Keiren was sleeping peacefully on me.
His small body relaxed against my chest.
I gently ran my fingers through his hair.
And something inside me changed.
I didn't even know I possessed this kind of motherly care.
But looking at him...
It felt natural.
He was like my own child.
My baby.
I gently whispered—
"You're safe now."
I continued stroking his hair.
"You don't have to worry anymore."
But then I noticed the bandage.
And suddenly...
My eyes filled with tears.
I looked at his sleeping face.
He had been crying because of the pain.
And I couldn't stop myself.
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
"I couldn't see you hurting..."
My voice trembled.
"I'm sorry, baby."
I covered my mouth to stop myself from sobbing.
"It should've been me."
I looked down at him.
"Not you."
I gently touched his hair.
"You're just a child."
My tears kept falling.
"You're my baby."
---
Keifer's POV
I came home earlier than expected.
The house was quiet.
I walked inside.
"Jay?"
No response.
I walked toward the living room.
And then I saw her.
She was sitting there with Keiren sleeping against her.
But Jay was crying.
My heart immediately tightened.
I slowly approached them.
"Jay?"
She looked up.
Her eyes were red.
I immediately softened my voice.
"Hey..."
I carefully picked Keiren up.
He stirred slightly.
"It's okay, buddy."
I carried him upstairs and gently placed him in his room.
I pulled the blanket over him.
Then I returned to Jay.
She was still crying.
I sat beside her.
"Jay."
She looked at me.
"What happened?"
She wiped her tears.
"Keifer..."
"Tell me."
"Keiren got hurt."
"I know."
"I couldn't see him in pain."
I pulled her into my arms.
"It's okay."
"It wasn't okay."
She started crying again.
"It hurt him."
"I know."
"It should have been me instead."
"Jay..."
"He is like my child."
I held her tighter.
"My baby."
"I know."
"I can't see him in pain."
"You don't have to."
She looked at me.
"He was crying..."
"I know."
"I felt so helpless."
I gently cupped her face.
"You helped him."
"But—"
"You cleaned his wound."
She sniffled.
"You comforted him."
I wiped her tears.
"You stayed with him."
"He fell asleep on me."
"I know."
"He trusts me."
"He does."
She lowered her eyes.
"I don't want anything to happen to him."
"Nothing is going to happen to him."
"You can't promise that."
"No."
I held her hand.
"But I can promise you this."
She looked at me.
"You don't have to face it alone."
I pulled her into my chest.
"If Keiren is hurting, we'll take care of him together."
She started crying again.
"Keifer..."
"I'm here."
"I'm scared."
"I know."
He gently stroked her hair.
"But you're not alone anymore."
She held onto my shirt.
"I love those boys so much."
"I know."
"I don't want to lose them again."
"You won't."
She looked up.
"You promise?"
"I promise I'll do everything I can to keep this family together."
Her tears slowly stopped.
I kissed her forehead.
"You're allowed to love them."
She rested her head against me.
"You're allowed to protect them."
I stroked her hair.
"And you're allowed to cry when they hurt."
She closed her eyes.
"Thank you."
"Always."
---
Jay's POV
That night, everything finally became quiet.
Keiren was sleeping peacefully in his room.
Keigan was still at his friend's house.
Keifer and I were finally back in our room.
I lay down beside him.
He immediately pulled me closer.
I rested my head against his chest.
His arms wrapped around me securely.
"Keifer?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For today."
He kissed my forehead.
"You don't have to thank me."
"I do."
"Why?"
"Because you understand me."
He smiled.
"I'll always try to."
I closed my eyes.
"I'm happy."
"Good."
"Really happy."
He hugged me tighter.
"Then sleep."
I smiled.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Jay."
A few seconds passed.
Then I whispered—
"Keifer?"
"What?"
"You still shouldn't call me wifey."
He chuckled.
"Too late."
"Keifer..."
"Wifey."
I lightly hit his chest.
"Shameless."
He laughed.
"Your shameless person."
I smiled and snuggled closer to him.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight, wifey."
I rolled my eyes.
But I couldn't stop smiling.
And as I slowly drifted off to sleep in his arms, I realized something.
For the first time in years...
I wasn't running away anymore.
I was home.
And this time...
I wasn't alone.