JAY'S POV
I really want to disappear right now.
What did I do to deserve all this?
Why does nobody love me?
I can't take it anymore.
I needed air.
If I stayed here any longer, I would lose my mind.
But I knew my so-called family would ask a hundred questions. So I forced my last working brain cell to come up with something.
And then—
An idea.
I quickly dialed Mica.
"Hello? Jay… are you okay?" her worried voice came through.
"I'm fine, Mica. I need your help."
"Of course. Tell me."
"I'm going out… but I can't tell my family. I'll say you called me over for something. Just in case Kuya calls you."
There was a pause.
"Jay… are you really okay? After today—"
"I'm fine," I cut her off. "Nothing serious. Thanks."
"...Okay. Bye."
Call ended.
Finally…
I could breathe.
Because the truth was—
I was going to Kingsground.
Right now, only fighting and drinking could numb this pain.
I grabbed some cash and my phone, then walked out of my room.
Just as I reached the door—
"Where are you going?" Jeana's voice stopped me.
Why always me?
"It's late," she added.
"Why do you care?" I snapped.
"Jay, I'm your mother."
I turned, my eyes cold.
"Don't blame me. You're the one who forgot you even had kids."
Before she could yell, I cut her off.
"I'm going to Mica's house. I'll be back tomorrow morning."
And without waiting for a reply—
I walked out.
I hate that woman.
+++++++++ AT KINGSGROUND +++++++++
The loud music. The smell of alcohol. The chaos.
Perfect.
I went straight to Tiger.
If he saw me and informed Kuya Angelo, I was dead.
"Tiger!" I called.
He turned, surprised. "Oh—Jay."
I didn't waste time.
"Don't you dare tell Kuya Angelo I'm here. If you do, I swear you won't leave a hospital bed for six months."
He raised his hands slightly. "Hey, I didn't even do anything yet."
"You better not."
He smirked. "Okay, okay. Don't kill me."
Ignoring him, I walked to the bar.
One shot.
Then another.
And then—
My eyes landed on someone.
I froze.
Keifer.
He was walking toward a private room.
I rubbed my eyes.
No mistake.
It was him.
Without thinking, I followed him.
He entered the room.
I moved closer… quietly… carefully…
And peeked.
The moment I saw who was inside—
My body went cold.
Kuya Angelo.
Something was definitely wrong.
So I did what I always do.
I meddled.
Pressing my ear against the door, I listened.
+++++++++ INSIDE THE ROOM +++++++++
"What did you do?" Angelo's voice was sharp.
"I… hurt Jay," Keifer replied.
Angelo's fist slammed into him.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from her?!" he shouted. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
"I humiliated her… in front of everyone," Keifer admitted, his voice breaking. "And ignored that she was already in pain…"
Another punch.
Keifer fell to the ground.
"Explain. Everything."
And he did.
"Aren't you going to hit me again?" Keifer asked weakly.
"One is enough. For now," Angelo said coldly. "But what you did… might actually help."
Keifer looked up, shocked. "You hate me that much?"
"No. But I don't want you for her."
Silence.
"Her life is already a mess," Angelo continued. "If you get involved, it'll become a disaster. You're fighting for your inheritance. Watsons will use her against you."
"They already are," Keifer whispered.
"I told you. Stay away from her. Push her away before your enemies destroy her."
"I can't!" Keifer snapped. "I love her!"
Angelo's expression hardened.
"Then tell me—how will you protect her? You're weak right now. Fix yourself first. Protect your brothers."
Keifer clenched his fists.
"But I don't want to lose her. She'll hate me when she finds out about the plans… and the bets."
"Get your inheritance first," Angelo said. "Then ask for her forgiveness."
A pause.
"…I'll do it tomorrow," Keifer said quietly.
That was enough.
I ran.
I couldn't hear another word.
+++++++++ OUTSIDE KINGSGROUND +++++++++
Why me?
Why am I always the burden?
Why does everyone control my life?
Why am I the problem?
He's suffering…
Because of me.
Plans?
Bets?
What the hell is going on?!
My legs gave out.
But I forced myself up.
With trembling hands, I took out my phone…
And called him.
After almost a year.
"Jay…" his voice came through. "I missed you."
A tear slipped down my cheek.
Even after I pushed him away…
He still missed me.
"Please come," I whispered. "I can't take it anymore. I'm outside Kingsground."
"I'm coming."
The call ended.
And for the first time tonight…
I felt like maybe—
I wasn't completely alone.