JAY'S POV
I started walking toward school when a car stopped in front of me.
Of course… I knew who it was.
My one and only Kuya.
Cris.
I had almost forgotten he was supposed to drop me at school.
I got into the car and sat in the passenger seat. Kuya glanced at me—no, he was glaring.hh
"Fine… I'm sorry. I forgot," I muttered.
"Tell me, when did your amnesia start?" he said mockingly.
"As soon as you left me at the gates of hell," I replied sarcastically.
He chuckled and started driving.
Soon, we reached the school.
My chest tightened. I was already tense, thinking about what was going to happen.
Then Kuya held my hand.
"I know you're scared," he said softly. "And so am I. But believe me—we don't have a choice. You have to face this."
He was serious.
Then he handed me two files.
"These are the files you asked for. And… there's something else," he added. "I was looking into your father… so you could meet him."
I froze.
"But I found out… he has cancer."
For a moment, everything went silent.
I didn't know how to react.
I hadn't even met him properly. I didn't even know why he left me.
And now… this?
What was I supposed to do?
"Jay," he called gently. "I know this is a shock… but it's true."
"I… I don't know what to say, Kuya," I whispered.
"I know," he replied softly.
"Pick me up when I call you," I said.
"I will. Take care of yourself."
I nodded and stepped out of the car.
I took a deep breath and started walking.
Each step felt heavy… but I didn't stop.
As I reached Section E, I heard faint voices from inside.
I stepped closer—
—and froze outside the door.
"We should tell her…
"She'll be angry…""I feel sorry for her…""We'll ask for forgiveness…""She won't forgive us…""We'll make it up to her…""It's all your fault—you should've stopped the plan long ago!""And weren't you the one who agreed immediately?""You even started the bet…""Like you all didn't join me…""Shut up.""Wow… but you were so confident she'd give in to Keifer, weren't you?"
The words hit me like a punch.
Me?
Give in… to Keifer?
They were betting on that?
My mind went blank. The voices continued, but I couldn't focus anymore.
I took a deep breath, trying to control my anger.
I wiped my tears.
Then I stepped inside.
The moment they saw me, the room fell silent.
I walked forward and stopped in front of them.
No one met my eyes.
I could feel it—
Fear.
"What plan?" I asked, breaking the silence. "What were you talking about? Tell me."
No one spoke.
Then I looked straight into Keifer's eyes—cold, empty.
"What plan are you talking about?" I asked again.
"You sure you want to hear it?" he said.
I nodded.
"I used you," he said. "And the whole Section E knows it."
Each word cut into me like a blade.
"What are you talking about?" I whispered, my voice breaking.
"Let me make it clear," he continued. "It started the day I noticed Aries cared about you. Remember PE class?"
I stayed silent.
"That day, I decided to hurt him… by using you. I made a plan—to make you fall for me, then break your heart. Mess you up… just to make him regret it."
He smirked bitterly.
"But shit… your own cousin—oh, sorry, your brother—doesn't even care about you."
My mind went blank.
Even in my worst nightmares… I hadn't imagined this.
Tears streamed down my face, but I forced myself to speak.
"What about the bets?" I asked. "What bets did you make?"
Silence.
"I said—TELL ME," I shouted, anger rising.
Drew finally spoke, stuttering—
"We… we made bets… on whether you'd… give in to Keifer… or not…"
Something inside me shattered.
These people… standing in front of me…
They weren't my friends.
They were strangers who bet on me.
On my dignity.
On my body.
Everything started connecting.
The day they found out Aries was my cousin—they ignored me.
Treated me like I didn't exist.
Then suddenly… they became friendly again.
Why didn't I see it before?
Why… Jay?
The people I called family…
The people I trusted…
All stood there—silent, avoiding my eyes.
I let out a dry laugh.
They all looked at me now.
I wiped my tears.
"I was right," I said quietly. "I should've died the moment I was born."
No one moved.
"Because I'm not human," I continued. "I'm just a plaything. A burden. A shame."
My voice trembled—but I didn't stop.
"Even to all of you… you wasted your time, your energy, even your money on me… because your plan failed."
I looked straight at Keifer.
"My brother doesn't care about me. Maybe he wants me out of his life too."
Then I smiled—
Even through my tears.
"Congratulations," I said. "Half your plan succeeded. You broke my heart… and messed me up."
I paused.
"And I'm sorry the other half failed. Aries doesn't care about me."
I couldn't stay there anymore.
If I stood even one second longer…
I would collapse.
I walked out.
Everything around me blurred.
I couldn't hear anything anymore—
Just echoes in my mind:
I used you.I decided to hurt him by using you.We made bets.Would you give in to Keifer or not?
I left the school.
I kept walking… not even looking where I was going.
I was sobbing.
Then suddenly—
I bumped into someone.
I looked up.
He wasn't alone.
A group of boys stood with him.
"I'm sorry," I muttered, trying to walk past them.
But they blocked my way.
"Where are you going, little bird?" one of them said.
"Should we drop you somewhere?" another added.
Fear crept in.
I wanted to scream. To fight.
But I couldn't.
My throat tightened.
I felt weak.
Useless.
I had gotten so used to someone saving me every time.
But now—
I was alone.
They stepped closer.
I tried to run again—
But they blocked me.
Then a voice cut through the air—
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY SISTER."
I turned.
And there he was.
Percy.
Walking toward me.
But…
Why did he call me his sister?
…Why?