Upstairs.
Jay's room.
Door closed.
Curtains drawn.
Silence outside…
But inside—
She was breaking.
Jay sat on the floor.
Back against the bed.
Tears…
Nonstop.
Her hands trembling.
Her breath uneven.
"I believed it…"
She whispered again.
Voice shattered.
Downstairs…
No one spoke.
Jeena paced.
Worried.
Serina stood still.
Heart heavy.
Jasfer sat quietly.
Regret clear on his face.
Keizer exhaled.
"This isn't normal."
Jeena nodded.
"She's never cried like this."
Serina whispered softly.
"She's scared."
Jasfer looked up.
"We went too far."
Keizer didn't waste another second.
He picked up his phone.
Called.
"Keifer."
The call connected instantly.
"Hmm?"
Keizer's voice serious now.
"Come home."
A pause.
"Now."
Keifer frowned.
"What happened?"
Keizer didn't soften it.
"Jay is crying."
Silence.
One second.
Two.
Then—
"I'm coming."
Call ended.
Within minutes—
A car stopped outside.
Door opened.
Closed.
Fast footsteps.
Keifer entered.
Face tense.
"What happened?"
No one answered immediately.
That silence…
Said everything.
Jasfer stood up slowly.
"We made a mistake."
Keifer didn't wait.
Didn't ask.
Didn't listen further.
He already knew one thing—
She needed him.
He ran upstairs.
Straight to her room.
Knocked once.
"Jay."
No response.
He opened the door.
And stopped.
For a second.
Seeing her like that.
On the floor.
Crying.
Broken.
Something inside him…
Tightened instantly.
"Jay…"
His voice softer now.
He walked toward her.
Slow.
Careful.
Like she might shatter more.
Jay looked up.
Her eyes met his.
And that was it.
She broke completely.
"Keifer…"
She rushed to him.
Almost stumbling.
And hugged him.
Tightly.
Desperately.
"I thought—"
Her voice cracked.
"I thought you—"
She couldn't finish.
Keifer held her immediately.
Strong.
Secure.
"It's okay."
His hand moved to her head.
Holding her close.
"I'm here."
Jay shook her head against him.
"No…"
"They said—"
"I know."
He cut her gently.
"I know everything."
She held him tighter.
Like she was afraid he'd disappear.
"I believed it…"
Her voice small.
Hurt.
Keifer's grip tightened slightly.
His jaw clenched.
But his voice stayed soft.
"Look at me."
Jay didn't want to.
But slowly…
She pulled back.
Her eyes red.
Tears still falling.
Keifer cupped her face.
Gently.
Forcing her to focus on him.
"Do you really think I'd do that?"
Jay shook her head instantly.
"No…"
Then whispered—
"But I got scared…"
Keifer's expression softened.
Completely.
"You don't trust me?"
Jay nodded quickly.
"I do."
"Then why cry like this?"
Jay's lips trembled.
"Because I can't lose you…"
Silence.
That line…
Deep.
Real.
Unfiltered.
Keifer didn't say anything for a second.
He just pulled her back into his arms.
Tight.
Protective.
"You won't."
His voice low.
Certain.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Jay cried into his chest.
But slower now.
Softer.
Because he was there.
That was enough.
Keifer sat down with her.
On the floor.
Still holding her.
His hand gently running through her hair.
Calming her.
Patiently.
Minutes passed.
Her breathing slowed.
Her tears stopped.
Little by little.
She stayed close.
Not letting go.
Keifer didn't move either.
Didn't rush.
Didn't pull away.
Because he knew—
Right now…
He was the only thing keeping her steady.
Downstairs…
Everyone waited.
Quiet.
Guilty.
Listening to the silence above.
Hoping…
She would calm down.
And slowly…
She did.
Not because of time.
Not because of words.
But because…
He came.