✦ Kiefer (POV) ✦
I walked out and got into the car.
The moment I sat down, I rested my forehead against the steering wheel.
Silence.
Too loud.
My breath came unevenly.
And then it hit me—
I didn't know what was happening anymore.
My hands trembled slightly as I gripped the wheel.
"…Did I lose her again?"
The thought burned.
"Did I push her so far… that she ran away to New York?"
My chest tightened.
Before I could think any further—
My phone rang.
I reached for it quickly, expecting her name.
But—
Clyden.
I exhaled sharply and answered.
"Hello," I said.
"Why do you sound sad?" he asked immediately.
"Nothing," I replied. "Jay-Jay left for New York."
"I know," he said casually.
"Tch… how do you always know everything?" I muttered.
"Because I'm her favorite kuya," he replied, teasing. "Unlike you, I don't track her. She just tells me."
My jaw tightened.
"Enjoy it while it lasts," I said. "She loves me again now. I'll take your spot."
"Tch… I knew she'd fall for you," he said. "And don't forget—I'm the reason you even met her. And she said I'll always be her number one."
A pause.
Then I smirked slightly.
"Jealous?"
"But fine," I added. "You can stay number one."
"Why are you giving up so easily? Unlike you," he asked.
"Because I'm going to be her zero," I said calmly.
There was silence.
Then—
"Ew, Kiefer… I didn't know you were this cheesy," he said. "No wonder she fell for you."
I leaned back in my seat.
"What did you call for?"
"I need to leave," he said. "Someone made my sister cry. She called me and said, 'I need you, Kuya.'"
My expression softened slightly.
"…Alright."
"But not alright," he cut in. "You need to come to London. We have a meeting. If the vice chairman doesn't attend, the chairman has to."
I sighed.
"Can't you handle it?"
"Kiefer." His tone dropped—serious now.
That was enough.
"…Fine. I'll be there."
A pause.
Then his voice turned colder.
"And Kiefer… you know what I mean about Jay. Be careful. If you hurt her again—"
I smirked faintly.
"I know."
"I have access to everything in the Watson company," he warned. "I can destroy you in seconds."
"Tch," I muttered. "That's why they say never make your friends your enemies."
"I'm not joking," he said firmly.
I closed my eyes for a second.
"I'll take care of her," I said quietly.
Then added,
"And send me her pictures if you see her."
"It's costly," he replied immediately. "How much per picture?"
I frowned.
"Don't you have money?"
"Lost my inheritance," he said casually. "Now I need funding. I have to buy food for my sister."
"You literally bought her a restaurant."
"Yeah," he said proudly. "She likes Japanese food, so I'm buying another one."
I exhaled sharply.
"…Just remember my bank account," he added.
And then he hung up.
As if I weren't going to drain it like always. No warning. No hesitation.
I stared at my phone.
"…I really have corrupt thoughts," I muttered, shaking my head as I started the car.
"Kigen! Keiran!"
I stepped inside.
They came running immediately.
"Kuya!"
They hugged me tightly, and I patted their heads, kissing their foreheads one by one.
"We're leaving for London at 10 AM. Pack your bags," I said.
No questions. No hesitation.
They didn't even ask why.
Not a single question.
Even when my "monster father" died… no one asked.
My past taught me one thing—after Jay-Jay left—
Keep my eyes closed to everything that I love.
Even now… even after Ki-gen recovered…
I still do it.
Because I don't want them to feel like they can be taken away, too.
I don't want them growing up thinking they're replaceable.
So I stay.
I stay quiet.
I stay steady.
Even when everything inside me isn't.
We landed in London at 3:30 PM.
Checked into the hotel.
I didn't buy a house.
I could.
But I don't.
Nothing here ever feels like home anyway.
Everything I remember is blood, silence, and things I'd rather forget.
So we stay in suites. Whole floors reserved under Watson arrangements.
Safe. Controlled. Temporary.
Just how I like it.
I freshened up.
Keigen and Kiran did too.
I went through files on the desk while Clyden was already gone—probably in New York by now.
Then my phone lit up.
A photo.
Her.
Smiling.
Hugging him.
Clyden was standing beside her with that irritating smirk.
I tossed the phone onto the bed.
"…Of course," I muttered.
Later, Ki-ran wanted to walk around, so we stepped out briefly.
I barely remember the walk.
My mind was elsewhere.
Back on her.
On what she was doing.
On how to fix what I clearly broke.
Or maybe—
What I never understood in the first place.
Later, when Ki-ran said he wanted to go out for a walk, we stepped outside.
I didn't really feel like walking.
But I went anyway.
After that, I attended the board meeting.
Ki-gen assisted me as always.
And for a few hours—
I let myself disappear into work.
We finished the meeting.
I don't even know how time passed.
One moment I was sitting there—
The next day, it was over.
I walked back to my room and stood by the window.
London stretched out in front of me.
Bright.
Alive.
Unbothered.
And all I could think about…
was her.
What was she doing right now?
Was she still crying?
…Was she thinking about me?
How was I even supposed to ask for her forgiveness?
Would she even listen?
A bitter thought slipped in.
…Or should I just do what Clyden does?
Buy her something.
Another restaurant.
Another place she likes.
He already bought her an island… restaurants… anything she even glanced at twice.
I let out a quiet breath.
"…I don't even know what to give her."
Because nothing felt enough.
Nothing ever would.
The doorbell rang.
Sharp.
Sudden.
Breaking everything.
I frowned slightly and walked toward the door.
Opened it.
And—
When I opened the door—
She crashed into me.
Arms wrapped tight around my waist.
For a second, I didn't even process it.
But then—
her warmth.
Her scent.
…Jay.
My arms moved on their own, holding her just as tight.
"Why the fuck aren't you answering your phone?" I muttered against her hair.
Her grip tightened slightly.
"I didn't want to," she said softly. "I couldn't focus… I couldn't even bring myself to text you."
I pulled back just enough to look at her.
My brows furrowed.
"Then why are you here?"
"I came to find you… and here—"
She pulled something out and placed it in my hands.
A document.
I looked down.
A marriage certificate.
Already signed.
Her name.
Clyden's signature as a witness.
My grip tightened.
"What is this…?" I asked, my voice low.
She looked straight at me.
"Marry me."
The words hit harder than anything else.
"But… why suddenly?" I asked.
Her eyes didn't leave mine.
"Why… am I not enough?"
That—
That look.
Those words—
They dragged me back to that moment.
The last time I saw her like this…
Bleeding.
Slipping away in my arms.
My chest tightened painfully.
"No," I said immediately, stepping closer.
"It's always you."
"Then be mine," she said without hesitation.
Her voice trembled—but her eyes didn't.
"I'll be yours… I want all of you."
A step closer.
"I don't need a grand wedding… I don't need anything else."
Her fingers clenched slightly at her sides.
"I just want you to be mine… and mine only."
A pause.
Her voice softened—
but it hurt more.
"I don't want to lose you to someone else…"
"Jay, I—"
I didn't get to finish.
She kissed me.
Not hesitant.
Not unsure.
Like she had already made up her mind—
And there was no turning back.
For a second—
I let it happen.
No—
I leaned into it.
Because I had wanted this.
For too long.
Then—
click.
The door locked behind us.
"Jay… wait," I said, pulling back slightly.
I held her shoulders.
And froze.
She looked—
fragile.
Like she was holding herself together with nothing left.
"…Fine," I exhaled quietly.
"I've been waiting for this too… but—"
I stepped away.
Walked toward my blazer.
Reached inside—
and took out the ring.
"And I want to make you mine too," I said.
I signed the papers without hesitation.
Then I walked to the bed, pulled off the blanket—
and gently placed it over her head like a veil.
"I, Mark Kiefer Watson…" I started, my voice steady—until it wasn't.
"I might be smarter than you in everything else…"
A faint, broken smile touched my lips.
"But when it comes to you… I lose control."
I took a step closer.
"I'm obsessive. Possessive. Maybe even a little insane when it comes to you."
My hand found hers.
"But I love you… more than anything."
My voice dropped.
"I want you. I choose you—every second, every moment."
A pause.
"Just… don't leave me again."
My grip tightened slightly.
"Because I would lose myself… completely."
"So be my wife."
I slid the ring onto her finger.
She looked at the ring—
and smiled.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
"It's the only one made for you," I said softly.
"Every part of it… is filled with me."
I let out a quiet breath.
"I learned how to make it myself… from a professional."
My thumb brushed lightly over her hand.
"So even when I'm not with you…"
My voice lowered—
"…a part of me with you."
A tear slipped from her eyes.
Before I could reach for her—
She wiped it away quickly, like she didn't want me to see.
"I don't have a ring…" she murmured, glancing around.
Then suddenly—
"Wait."
She moved toward the table, grabbing the bread I had brought earlier.
Carefully, she pulled out the thin gold thread tied around the packaging.
Her fingers worked gently—
twisting it,
shaping it—
until it formed a small ring with a delicate bow.
She turned back to me.
"Kiefer…"
Her voice was soft—
But every word held weight.
"I would choose you… even if I were lost."
A step closer.
"Even if I lose myself… I would still choose you."
My breath caught.
"I want you… only you."
Her fingers trembled slightly.
"I may not be a perfect wife… but I'll learn."
A faint, fragile smile.
"I'll walk beside you… even when you're lost."
Her voice broke—
But she didn't stop.
"I'll hold you… even when you break."
My chest tightened.
"So promise me…"
Her eyes searched mine.
"…that you won't leave me."
A tear fell again.
"Because I don't know how to breathe when you're not beside me."
Silence wrapped around us.
"You held me… even when I was already broken."
Her hand slowly reached for mine.
"You taught me how to love."
A whisper.
"So… will you stay with me?"
A pause.
"For the rest of my life?"
"I want to be your wife."
Her fingers slipped the thread ring onto mine.
Her voice softened—
But her eyes didn't waver.
"And I want to be the only one in this world…"
A small step closer.
"…the only one you can be obsessed with."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"The only one you can be possessive about."
A breath.
"The only one you choose to notice—"
Her gaze locked onto mine.
Steady.
Certain.
"…finally yours, Kiefer."
"I want to be loved… as Jasper Jane Mariano Watson—"
A breath.
"—by you."
Her hand tightened around mine.
"Now…"
A quiet, certain whisper.
"I'm yours."
She said it so easily.
Like she didn't just hand me everything.
Like she didn't just accept all of me—
even the parts I never showed anyone.
The curse.
The obsession.
The possessiveness.
The kind of love that doesn't know how to stop.
A tear slipped from my eyes before I could stop it.
How could she give me all of that so willingly?
How could she accept me—
even like this?
How could you give me everything, Jay…
Even when you're lost…
Even when you don't remember…
You still chose me.
You still gave me everything—
without me even asking.
And that—
That broke me more than anything else ever could.
She looked at me—
waiting.
Like she already knew what I was going to do.
God… she was so cute.
My wife.
Finally—
I could say it.
My wife.
"Are you done…?" I asked softly.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
"Now… can I kiss my bride?"
I didn't wait for an answer.
I pulled her into my arms—
closed the distance—
and kissed her.
Deep.
Certain.
Like sealing everything we just became.
For a second—
I forgot everything else.
The past.
The pain.
The chaos.
It was just her.
Just us.
Then—
Something felt off.
Her body—
went light.
Too light.
My grip tightened instantly.
"…Jay?"
I pulled back.
And before I could react—
Her weight dropped completely against me.
She collapsed in my arms.
When I touched her face…she was having a fever.
"Jay…" I called, my voice tightening as I held her.
The doorbell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Impatient.
I didn't need to guess.
"…Clyden."
I opened the door halfway—
just enough.
He didn't wait.
He pushed past me the moment he saw her in my arms.
"Move."
His voice was sharp. Controlled.
Dangerous.
"Jay needs a hospital," he said, already reaching for her.
My grip tightened instantly.
"She's my wife now," I said, my voice low.
"And I can take care of her."
For a second—
We just stood there.
Tension cutting through the air.
Clyden's eyes flicked to mine.
Cold.
Unamused.
"…This isn't about your ego, Kiefer."
He stepped closer anyway.
"Give her to me." He took her.
"Kuya…"
A weak voice cut through the tension.
Both of us froze.
"I'm here," Clyden said instantly, moving closer.
Jay shifted slightly in his arms, her eyes barely open.
Then—
She looked at me.
Not confused.
Not unsure.
Certain.
"I need Kiefer…"
Her fingers tightened weakly around my shirt.
"I want to be with my husband."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
"Jay, you have a high fever," Clyden said, his voice softer now—but still firm.
"I know…" she whispered.
Then her hand reached for mine.
"But Kiefer will take care of me."
I stepped forward without hesitation.
The moment she was closer—
She wrapped her arms around me, burying her face against my neck.
Her warmth—
burning.
Too hot.
"Hubby…"
My breath caught.
"…you'll take care of me, right?" she murmured weakly.
That one word—
broke whatever control I had left.
"…Yeah," I said quietly.
My arms tightened around her.
"I've got you."
I lifted my gaze.
Met Clyden's eyes.
He already knew.
A sigh left him.
"You two are impossible."
He stepped back.
"I'll stay in another room. Call me if anything happens."
He turned toward the door—
then paused.
Glanced back once.
"…Congratulations."
A small, knowing smirk.
"Happy married life, Kiefer."
A beat.
"I know it's your first night as a couple…"
His tone shifted—serious now.
"…but take care of her."
And then—
He left.
The door closed behind him.
And just like that—
It was only us.
My wife—
burning in my arms.
I carried her to the bed carefully and laid her down.
Her breathing was uneven.
Too warm.
Too fragile.
I paused for a second.
Then took a steady breath.
"She's my wife…" I muttered under my breath—more to calm myself than anything else.
Gently, I removed her jacket.
Careful.
Slow.
Like she might break if I weren't.
I changed her into one of my shirts—something soft, something comfortable.
Something that smelled like me.
Then I grabbed a wet cloth and sat beside her.
Wiping her face.
Her neck.
Her hands.
Trying to bring her temperature down.
The medicine Clyden left sat on the table.
I helped her take it slowly.
Making sure she swallowed properly.
Only then did I finally sit back.
Watching her.
Staying close.
"…Hubby…"
Her voice was soft.
Barely there.
I looked at her instantly.
Her eyes were half-open.
Sleepy.
Burning.
Then—
She lifted her arms slightly.
Reaching for me.
Asking.
For a hug.
"Jay, you have a fever," I said.
"I know… that's why I'm asking for my medicine," she murmured.
I frowned slightly and pointed at myself.
"…Me?"
She nodded.
Like it was obvious.
I exhaled quietly.
How can she say things like that so easily…?
Still, I didn't argue.
I lay down beside her.
The moment I did—
She moved closer.
Her arms slipped around me, warm and instinctive, pulling me in as if she belonged there.
Her head settled near the nape of my neck.
My breath hitched slightly.
"Jay… what are you doing?" I asked, my voice lower now.
"I was looking for my medicine…" she whispered.
A soft pause.
"…now I found it."
Before I could respond—
Her lips brushed lightly against my neck.
A small, fleeting kiss.
But enough.
More than enough.
"Jay…" I exhaled, closing my eyes for a second. "You're going to kill me with temptations."
No answer.
I turned my head slightly—
And found her already asleep.
Just like that.
Peaceful.
Unaware.
Leaving me there—
completely restless.
I stared at the ceiling, unmoving.
"…What the hell happened these two days?"