JAY'S POV
I was in a dark room. I could feel my body trembling with fear. Then someone stepped inside. I couldn't recognize who was standing in front of me.
Soon, everything started to blur. Now, I could only hear voices—
"Don't come near me…"
"Don't touch me…"
"I'll listen to you… please don't hit me…"
"I'm sorry…"
I could clearly recognize that voice.
It was mine.
Begging.
But… to whom?
I tried to look at the man. Now I could see him, but I still didn't know who he was. Then I felt someone touch me. That man started speaking—
"Just give in."
"Don't make me beat you again."
"Do as your father says."
"I'm your father. Now listen to me."
"Let me touch you."
"You bitch."
Slowly… slowly, the images became clearer.
That man was… trying to… rape me.
He was forcing me. Beating me.
Then I saw blood dripping onto the ground—from my hand… from my head.
And the last thing I remember was pushing him hard and running out of the room.
With a sudden jerk, I woke up—sweating, trembling with fear. Those images were still playing in my mind on a loop.
Then I saw someone approaching me. A hand reaching out.
I screamed at the top of my lungs.
"Don't touch me! Leave me alone! Don't touch me!"
"Jay, it's me. Your Kuya. Look at me… it's me, Jay. Baby, look at me."
Reality slowly hit me.
It was Kuya Cris.
As soon as I saw him, I hugged him tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Don't leave me, Kuya… please… please… he… he will beat me… don't leave me…" I was trembling so hard I could barely speak.
"No one is going to hurt you, Jay. Not when I'm around. Please… calm down," he said softly.
CRIS'S POV
Sleep was the last thing on my mind. I was busy preparing the papers Jay had asked for. Then I decided to check on her.
When I entered the room, she was mumbling something I couldn't understand. She was sweating.
The sight in front of me… it devastated me.
When I tried to approach her, she started screaming. That's when I realized—she must have remembered something from her past.
She was terrified.
I tried to calm her down.
When she finally stopped sobbing and became silent, I asked softly,
"What did you see?"
"That man… he must be one of my stepfathers. He was beating me… touching me inappropriately…"
Every word she spoke came out broken.
"Kuya… that man… he was trying to rape me."
Something inside me shattered. My stomach dropped.
She was already going through so much… and now this.
I couldn't even imagine what she had endured.
"Jay, listen to me," I said.
"I will find that bastard. And I'll make sure… he won't die easily. I'll make him pay for everything he's done. But for now… don't think about it."
"Please… sleep, baby."
It took time to convince her, but eventually, she agreed and drifted off to sleep.
"Sleep, Jay," I whispered. "I'll find out everything about your past. And I promise… every bastard who hurt you will feel that pain. I won't let them get away with it."
I didn't leave her.
Not after what happened.
I stayed there all night, watching over her—making sure she was safe… while finishing my pending work.
+++++++++++++ IN MORNING +++++++++++++++++++++++
JAY'S POV
I had slept for less than four hours. When I woke up, I saw Kuya Cris sitting beside the bed—like he hadn't moved the entire night. Dark circles surrounded his eyes. I was sure he hadn't slept even for a minute.
"Kuya…" I called out in a sleepy voice. "Why didn't you sleep?"
"How could I sleep when my baby was looking so beautiful and peaceful while sleeping?" he said playfully. "I didn't get a chance to see you for a whole year. You don't get to complain."
I knew he was trying to act normal.
I knew he wanted to see me happy.
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"You're making it sound like I'm Sleeping Beauty," I said.
"No, you're not," he replied with a grin. "Because I'm not your prince. I already have my princess—and that's not you."
"I know, I know," I said. "But where is she? I forgot to ask yesterday. Where's Maya?"
"She's on a business trip to London. She'll be back in two or three days."
"Okay… tell her I miss her."
"I will."
"What time is it right now?"
"It's five. You still have time—sleep more. You barely slept for four hours."
"It's enough for now. I want to go for a walk."
"Alright. Go get ready. After that, you'll have to go home."
"Yeah."
"And today, I'm dropping you to school. No excuses."
"Yes, sir."
"Good."
Then he left the room.
I washed my face, changed my clothes, and headed outside toward the park.
As I walked, memories from last night kept replaying in my mind—because that wasn't all I saw. There was something more.
After Kuya had convinced me to sleep, I found myself back in that room again. But this time… my mother was there.
We were arguing.
"Mama, please… believe me. He is bad."
"Jay, don't say such stupid things just because you don't like him. He is your father now."
"No, Mama—he beats me!"
"Stop making false accusations. He didn't do anything. You probably hurt yourself while playing."
"Please, Mama… listen to me. He will kill me. He was trying to—"
Before I could finish, she slapped me hard.
I fell to the ground.
Everything went black.
I didn't cry. I didn't react. I didn't have the energy left.
I couldn't believe it… my own mother didn't listen to me. Instead, she blamed me—defending her husband.
Maybe… it would have been better if I had never been born.
Everyone's life would have been easier.
Everyone would be happier.
Angelo wouldn't have to carry my burden. Aries would be happy. Mom would be happy. Section E wouldn't have to worry about me. Keifer wouldn't have to care.
Maybe… I should just die.
Shouldn't I?
Lost in these thoughts, I suddenly realized I needed to go home.
On the way, I called Mica.
"Hi, Jay! Are you home now?" she asked.
"I'm on the way. Did Kuya call you?"
"Actually, Aries called me. He asked about you. I told him you were helping me with some personal stuff."
"Thanks, Mica… for saving me."
"Don't thank me. You've helped me a lot. Now it's my turn."
"Still… thank you. I'll see you at school. Bye."
"Bye."
A few minutes later, I reached the Fernandez house.
From today onwards… it was no longer my home.
Just the Fernandez house.
When I entered, Kuya Angelo was already sitting with his laptop, sipping coffee. He looked up as he saw me.
"Finally, you're home. You didn't tell me you were going out," he said firmly.
"I didn't want to bother you. Besides, I already told Mom I was going out," I replied, meeting his eyes.
"Aries told me Mica said you were helping her with something personal," he said. "What kind of stuff?"
A dry laugh escaped my lips.
"I don't remember you ever asking Aries why he goes out with his friends," I said. "Then why are you asking me—when she already told you it's personal?"
"Because I have the right to ask you," he said. "I'm your Kuya."
"Exactly. You're my Kuya—not a jailer ordering his prisoner to answer," I replied, my expression clearly annoyed.
He studied my face for a moment.
"Go to your room and get ready. You have school."
I didn't say anything after that.
I went straight to my room and started packing my things. After I was done, I took a shower and got ready.
I knew this wasn't the end.
This day was going to be long.
And I had no choice but to face it.
When I went downstairs, Mom told me to have breakfast.
I refused, saying I wasn't hungry.
And then I stepped out of the house