Chapter 8
The mansion was quiet again.
But not the same quiet.
This one…
Hurt.
Jay hadn't stepped out of her room.
Not once.
Not after that day.
Food stayed untouched.
Water barely touched.
Curtains always closed.
Lights always off.
Like she was trying to disappear.
A soft knock.
No response.
"Ma'am…"
A maid whispered.
"Please eat something…"
Silence.
Inside—
Jay sat on the floor.
Her knees pulled close.
Eyes blank.
Tears dried long ago.
But the fear…
Still there.
The sounds…
Still echoing.
"Stop…"
She whispered to herself.
But it didn't stop.
It never stopped.
Meanwhile—
Keifer stood in the hallway.
Outside her room.
Silent.
Still.
"Boss…"
A guard spoke carefully.
"She hasn't eaten since yesterday."
No reply.
"She's not opening the door."
Still nothing.
Keifer's jaw tightened slightly.
Then—
"Leave."
The guard nodded and walked away.
Silence returned.
Heavy.
Keifer looked at the door.
Just a door.
But it felt like a wall.
He knocked.
Once.
No response.
"Open it."
His voice was calm.
Cold.
But not loud.
Inside—
Jay flinched.
Her body stiffened.
Her breath stopped.
That voice…
She knew it.
Fear crawled up instantly.
"Go away…"
She whispered.
So softly…
But he heard it.
A pause.
Then—
"I said open the door."
This time…
Slightly firmer.
Jay shook her head.
"No…"
Silence.
Then suddenly—
The door unlocked.
And opened.
Jay's heart dropped.
She moved back instantly.
As if distance could protect her.
Keifer stepped inside.
Slow.
Careful.
His eyes scanned the room.
Dark.
Cold.
Empty.
Then…
Her.
Sitting on the floor.
Small.
Fragile.
Nothing like the girl who argued with him.
Nothing like the girl who called him a monster.
Now…
She just looked… broken.
Silence stretched.
Long.
Uncomfortable.
"Why aren't you eating?"
His voice was lower now.
Not sharp.
Just… there.
Jay didn't reply.
Didn't even look at him.
"Answer me."
A pause.
Then finally—
"I'm not hungry."
Her voice was empty.
Lifeless.
Keifer frowned slightly.
"You haven't eaten in a day."
No response.
Another pause.
Then—
He walked closer.
Jay flinched instantly.
Her body moving back.
Fear.
Clear.
Sharp.
And that…
That made him stop.
Right there.
Because she wasn't just avoiding him.
She was scared of him.
Truly.
A silence fell again.
Different this time.
Heavy.
Unsettling.
"…eat."
He said finally.
Jay shook her head slowly.
"I don't want to."
"You need to."
"I don't care."
That…
That wasn't anger.
It was emptiness.
And somehow…
That felt worse.
Keifer looked at her for a long second.
Then—
He turned.
Walked out.
Jay didn't react.
Didn't care.
Didn't move.
Minutes passed.
Or maybe more.
She didn't know.
Then—
The door opened again.
Jay stiffened.
Keifer walked in.
A tray in his hand.
Food.
Warm.
Fresh.
He placed it on the table.
Quietly.
No words.
No force.
Then stepped back.
"Eat."
Jay stared at it.
Then at him.
Confused.
Suspicious.
"Why…?"
A pause.
Keifer didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"Because you'll fall sick."
Simple.
Direct.
Jay's brows frowned slightly.
That wasn't what she expected.
"I thought you wouldn't care."
Silence.
Then—
"I don't."
A pause.
"But you're still under my responsibility."
Her eyes softened…
Just a little.
But she looked away again.
"I don't want your care."
Keifer didn't react.
Didn't argue.
Just stood there.
Waiting.
Minutes passed.
The food sat untouched.
The air stayed heavy.
Then slowly—
Jay reached out.
Her hand trembling slightly.
She took a small bite.
Just one.
But it was enough.
Keifer noticed.
Didn't say anything.
But something inside him…
Shifted.
Slightly.
He turned to leave.
Stopped at the door.
Then said—
"You don't have to be scared."
Jay froze.
Because that line…
Didn't match him.
At all.
She didn't reply.
Because she didn't believe it.
Not yet.
The door closed.
And Jay sat there.
Looking at the food.
Thinking.
Confused.
Because the same man…
Who broke her—
Just brought her food.
And for the first time…
Her hate…
Wavered.
Just a little.
End of Chapter 8