Amy (POV)
We went shopping because Jay-Jay had been unusually quiet.
Mia noticed it first.
I confirmed it.
So we dragged her out—
Hoping it would lift her mood.
But something felt off.
For the past hour—
I'd been watching.
Carefully.
We were being followed.
I didn't say anything at first.
Didn't want to alarm them.
But I wasn't about to take risks either.
"Jay… Mia…" I said softly, my voice low enough that only they could hear.
A pause.
"Someone's following us."
They both stiffened.
"Don't look back," I added calmly.
They nodded.
Trusted me.
Good.
We kept walking—
Like nothing was wrong.
Then I turned into a quieter corner.
Less crowded.
Controlled.
Exactly where I wanted them.
A few men stood nearby.
Watching.
Waiting.
I stopped.
Slowly turned.
And met their eyes.
A faint smirk crossed my lips.
"Next time," I said coolly,
"Try hiding properly."
They froze.
"Let's change the location," I continued, my tone calm—but firm.
A step forward.
"You don't want to cause a scene…"
A slight tilt of my head.
"…right?"
They looked at each other.
Hesitation.
Recognition.
Then—
They nodded.
Good.
Because if they didn't—
I would have made one.
We followed them into the alley.
Dark.
Quiet.
Perfect.
I glanced at Jay and Mia—
And gave a small nod.
They understood immediately.
Both of them closed their eyes.
Covered their ears.
Good.
I pulled out my gun.
"Move," I warned.
But they didn't.
Instead—
They moved first.
Too many.
Outnumbered.
One of them lunged forward—
Trying to grab Jay and Mia.
I reacted instantly.
My fist drove straight into his gut.
He dropped.
But in the chaos—
Jay lost her balance.
She stumbled—
And hit the pole behind her.
"Jay!" I turned sharply.
"Are you okay?"
She held her head, blinking slowly.
"I just feel a little dizzy… but I'm okay, ate," she said.
I didn't like that.
Not even a little.
I finished it quickly.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
When it was over—
We left.
The walk home was quiet.
Too quiet.
I stopped at a store on the way.
Bought an ice pack.
When we reached—
I handed it to her.
"Hey…" I said, my voice softer now.
"Are you really okay?"
A pause.
"Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"
She shook her head lightly.
"I'm okay, ate."
I watched her for a moment longer.
Not convinced.
But I let it go.
For now.
We reached home.
The moment we stepped inside—
They were already there.
Waiting.
Cole.
Jare.
Percy.
The second they saw us—
Everything moved at once.
Cole walked straight to me—
And pulled me into his arms.
Jare rushed to Mia.
Percy to Jay.
"Everything okay?" Cole asked, his voice low, tense.
I nodded.
But something felt off.
The moment we stepped further in—
Jay stopped.
Her hand flew to her head.
She winced—
Eyes are squeezing shut.
Like something hit her all at once.
"Jay?" Percy's voice sharpened instantly.
She swayed slightly.
"I—I'm fine…" she whispered.
But her voice—
Wasn't convincing.
My eyes narrowed.
No.
Something wasn't right.
And this time—
wasn't going to ignore it.
"Jay—"
Before I could finish—
She collapsed.
Her body went limp—
Like something inside her just… gave out.
"Jay!" Percy caught her instantly, pulling her into his arms before she hit the ground.
Panic broke through the room.
"Jay, hey—look at me!" Percy's voice shook, his hand cupping her face.
Her eyes fluttered.
Unfocused.
"I… I'm okay…" she murmured weakly.
"No, you're not," I said, already moving closer.
Cole stepped forward, his expression darkening.
"What happened?" he demanded.
Jare looked between us, tense.
"Mia… what happened out there?"
Mia hesitated.
Just for a second.
I answered instead.
"We hit her head to a pole"
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Percy's grip tightened around Jay.
"Why didn't you say anything?" his voice dropped.
"She said she was fine," I replied, my gaze fixed on Jay.
A pause.
"But she hit her head."
That was enough.
"Get the car," Cole said immediately.
No hesitation.
No questions.
"We're going to the hospital."
Because this—
Wasn't something we could ignore anymore.
"Get the car," Cole said sharply.
But before anyone could move—
Jay stirred.
A soft breath.
A small shift.
Her fingers tightened slightly against Percy's arm.
"I'm okay…" she murmured.
Percy froze.
"Jay…?"
Her eyes slowly opened.
Still a little unfocused—
But conscious.
"I'm okay," she repeated, more firmly this time.
She gently pulled away from Percy's hold.
"Jay, wait—" he started.
But she was already standing.
A little unsteady—
But stubborn.
"I said I'm fine."
No one moved.
No one believed her.
But no one stopped her either.
She turned—
And walked toward her room.
Each step is slow.
Measured.
Like she was holding something in.
The door closed behind her.
Silence filled the space she left.
Percy ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
"She's not fine."
"I know," I said quietly.
Cole's jaw tightened.
"Something's wrong."
And this time—
We all felt it.
Jay-Jay (POV)
Amy ate…
She was so cool out there.
The way she fought.
The way she didn't hesitate.
The way she protected us—
Like it was nothing.
For a moment…
I wanted to be like that.
Strong.
Fearless.
Untouchable.
But every time I said I wanted to learn—
They all refused.
Said it wasn't for me.
After I hit my head on that pole—
Everything felt… off.
Dizzy.
Heavy.
When Amy ate, and Mia asked—
I said I was fine.
But…
I wasn't.
Something felt wrong.
Not just the pain.
Something deeper.
Like my mind was trying to reach something—
And failing.
Fragments.
Flashes.
A place—
Dark.
Cold.
A voice—
Familiar.
Too familiar.
My breath hitched.
"…Kie—"
I froze.
What…?
My head throbbed sharply.
I pressed my fingers against my temple.
"No…" I whispered.
Why did that name feel like it belonged to me?
Why did it hurt?
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"I'm okay," I said again—
But this time…
It wasn't for them.
It was for me.
Because if I let myself think—
I was scared of what I might remember. 🔥
My head—
It wouldn't stop ringing.
A voice.
My voice.
Calling out a name.
"Kiefer…"
Soft.
Sweet.
Like he belonged to me.
Like I belonged to him.
Images flashed—
Too fast.
Too blurred.
A boy.
I couldn't see his face clearly—
But my heart—
Recognized him.
Every time I felt like I was slipping—
Like I was falling into something dark—
Amy's voice pulled me back.
Grounded me.
Saved me.
We reached home.
Percy…
Kuya…
They hugged me.
Safe.
But my body—
It gave up.
Everything went black.
And then—
I heard him.
Clear.
Closer than before.
Like he was right there.
"Mahal kita, Jay…"
My breath stopped.
"Until the scientists find the end of the universe."
A tear slipped from my eye.
I felt it—
A touch.
Soft.
Familiar.
A kiss.
Like it had happened before.
Like it had happened a thousand times.
Tears kept falling—
Even though I didn't understand why.
Even though I couldn't remember him—
My heart did.
And it hurt.
Not just my head.
My chest.
Like something was trying to break free—
And couldn't.
That night…
I remembered something.
The bar.
His voice—
Low.
Certain.
Calling himself my husband.
My breath caught.
I remembered—
The way he held me.
Carefully.
Like I would shatter if he let go.
I was crying.
And he didn't say much.
He just stayed.
Like that was enough.
Like I was enough.
But his face—
I couldn't see it.
No matter how hard I tried.
It was blurred.
Blocked.
Like something inside me—
Didn't want me to remember.
Or couldn't.
My fingers tightened around the bedsheet.
"Why does your voice feel so familiar… like you loved me?" I whispered.
Silence answered.
I reached for my phone.
The screen lit up.
A message.
From Clyden Kuya.
Tomorrow morning. The private flight is ready.
My heart skipped.
Manila.
The truth.
Maybe…
Him.
I stared at the message for a long time.
Then slowly—
I closed my eyes.
Because deep down—
I knew.
Tomorrow—
Everything would change.
I packed my bag.
Quietly.
Carefully.
No noise.
No hesitation.
Because if I told them—
They would stop me.
So I didn't.
I left a message.
I'm going on a vacation.
A lie.
A weak one.
But it was enough.
I stepped out of the house—
And didn't look back.
A cab.
A destination.
The airport.
Everything moved too fast—
Or maybe—
Not fast enough.
I got on the plane.
Sat by the window.
And for the first time—
I was alone.
Really alone.
My fingers traced the name on my hand.
Kiefer.
Slowly.
Gently.
Like I was trying to memorize it.
Or remember something my mind refused to give me.
My chest felt strange.
Not fear.
Not exactly.
Something colder.
Something… waiting.
Excitement.
And dread—
Mixed.
"Why did you sound sad?? Did you love me?" I whispered again.
No answer.
Just that feeling.
That I was getting closer.
My phone buzzed softly.
A message.
An address.
From Clyden.
I stared at it.
This was it.
The place where everything begins—
Or everything breaks.
I showed the address to the driver.
Angelo Kuya's house.
The moment I stepped out—
Something hit me.
Familiar.
Not clear.
Not whole.
But enough to make my chest tighten.
Before I could think—
I ran inside.
Voices.
Aries Kuya—
Talking to Ella.
My eyes landed on her.
She was pregnant.
A soft smile almost formed—
But I didn't stop.
"Ari Kuya!" I shouted—
And jumped on him.
"I'm here!"
He staggered slightly under my weight.
"Jay?! Why are you here?" he asked, clearly confused.
"So cold…" I muttered, clinging tighter.
"Jay, get off me—" he groaned.
"Clyden really spoiled you. My backbone is going to break!"
He tried to shake me off—
But I held on tighter.
"Nope."
I reached up—
Grabbed his ear—
And twisted it.
"Hey—! That hurts!" Aries shouted.
"Then don't complain," I shot back.
"Jay, get off him." Angelo's voice came from behind, calm but firm.
"You're not a child anymore."
I paused.
Then slowly—
Reluctantly—
I let go.
"You're not funny," I muttered as I stepped down.
And then—
Something shifted.
The air.
Heavy.
Like someone was staring at me—
Not casually.
Not accidentally.
But like I was the only thing in the room.
I turned.
And saw him.
A man.
Simple clothes—
A t-shirt.
Shorts.
But none of that mattered.
Because his eyes—
They broke me.
Pain.
Love.
Regret.
All at once.
My breath caught.
Before I could think—
My feet moved.
Step by step—
Like I was being pulled.
Like something inside me already knew him.
I stopped in front of him.
Close.
Too close.
My hand lifted—
Without permission.
And touched his face.
Warm.
Real.
Tears slipped down my cheeks.
I didn't understand why.
But my heart—
It did.
I moved closer.
And hugged him.
Like I belonged there.
Like this—
Was where I was meant to be.
Perfect.
Complete.
His arms wrapped around me.
Tight.
And I buried my face into his neck.
His scent—
It felt like home.
Safe.
Familiar.
Like I had been here—
A thousand times before.
My fingers clutched his shirt—
Holding on—
Like if I let go—
I'd lose something important again.
I wanted to stay.
To disappear into him.
To never let go.
But suddenly—
He stiffened.
Then—
He pushed me away.
Hard.
Before I could react—
He turned—
And ran.
Out.
Like staying—
Would destroy him.
I stood there.
Frozen.
My chest is tightening.
My hands are trembling.
"…Why?"
Because even without remembering—
I knew.
He was the one.
"Angelo Kuya…"
My voice came out colder than I expected.
"…is he Kiefer?"
I turned.
And looked at them.
No one answered.
No one met my eyes.
They all looked away.
That was enough.
I understood.
It was him.
My chest tightened.
"Who is he?" I demanded.
My voice is rising now.
"Why does he feel so important?"
A step forward.
"And why do you all go silent when I say his name?"
Silence.
Heavy.
Unbearable.
It wrapped around me—
Like a truth they refused to give.
My jaw clenched.
Fine.
If they wouldn't tell me—
I would find out for myself.
I turned—
And walked straight to the room.
The door shut behind me.
I leaned against it for a second.
Breathing.
Thinking.
No.
I couldn't rest.
Not now.
I freshened up quickly—
Cold water against my skin—
Trying to clear my head.
It didn't work.
Nothing was clear.
Only one thing—
Kiefer.
I picked up my phone.
The screen lit up.
Missed calls.
Cole.
Jare.
Percy.
Amy.
Mia.
One after another.
I stared at them.
Then—
Ignored them all.
Because right now—
None of that mattered.
I opened the door again.
Stepped outside.
My heart is beating faster.
Because this time—
I wasn't running from the truth.
I was going to face it.
Angelo Kuya's voice was firm.
Final.
Before I could react,
he took my phone—and my wallet."
"You'll stay in your room," he said, meeting my eyes.
"Until Cole comes to pick you up."
I didn't argue.
I just turned—
And walked to my room.
Because I already knew—
This would happen.
The door closed behind me.
Silence.
Then—
A small smile formed.
"Control me?" I whispered.
I reached into my bag.
Extra cash.
Always prepared.
I walked to the window.
Opened it.
Tied the bedsheets together.
Looked down.
"Easy."
And climbed out.
The hot air hit my face as I landed in the backyard.
Freedom.
I didn't stop.
"You think you can control me?" I muttered, smiling as I ran.
I didn't even know where I was going.
I just followed my instincts.
My feet.
My heart.
Anything that felt like it knew more than I did.
Until—
A small hand grabbed mine.
I froze.
"Godmother…"
I looked down.
A child stood there—
Eyes wide.
Scared.
"They're bullying me," She said, holding onto me tightly.
My heart skipped.
"…Godmother?"
That word—
It felt familiar.
"Show me," I said quietly.
Because somehow—
I had a feeling—
This wasn't random at all.
She took me to them.
A small group of kids—
Standing there.
Guilty.
Uneasy.
I didn't say anything at first.
Instead—
I reached into my pocket.
Pulled out chocolates.
And handed them over.
"Eat," I said
They hesitated.
Then slowly—
Took them.
Good.
Then—
I stepped closer.
"If you bully her again…"
My voice dropped.
Cold.
"Next time—"
A pause.
"I won't be this nice," I said, folding my arms.
A small tilt of my head.
"I'm a witch."
Their eyes widened.
"Next time," I continued calmly,
"I'll put a curse on you, so you can never eat chocolate again."
That did it.
They ran.
Fast.
I turned back—
And found the little girl staring at me.
"Are you really a witch?" she asked, eyes wide with wonder.
I smirked.
"I'm pretty," I said casually,
"So yes… I'm a witch."
Kei says witches are far more beautiful than heroines anyway."
She gasped softly—
Like she actually believed me.
I crouched down slightly.
"Now tell me," I said gently,
"What's your name?"
She smiled.
"I'm Grazel Jay… godmother."
I blinked.
"…What?"
"Godmother," she repeated proudly.
I frowned slightly.
"Why in the world am I your godmother?"
"Papa said so," she replied simply.
My chest tightened.
"I saw your pictures," she continued, counting on her fingers.
"He said you're strong… You eat a lot… and you curse a lot."
"…Stop," I said quickly, my face heating up.
"That sounds exactly like me."
She giggled.
I cleared my throat.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"Because I came to Godfather's house," she said, like it was obvious.
Godfather?
Something about that word—
Pulled at me.
"Alright," I said, standing up and taking her hand.
"Come on. I'll take you home."
"Otherwise they'll come back and bully you again."
She nodded happily—
And started pulling me along.
We walked.
Step by step—
Until we reached a house.
The moment I saw it—
My chest tightened again.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
Like my body remembered—
Even if my mind didn't.
She pulled me inside.
"Papa!" she shouted, running ahead.
I stepped in—
And froze.
Because he was there.
Kiefer.
And others.
The room was full.
Mostly men.
Loud.
Alive.
The dining table—
Covered in food.
But none of that mattered.
Because my eyes—
Locked onto him.
Again.
And this time—
I didn't know if I should run—
Or stay.