JAY'S POV
The living room fell into a dead silence after Section E left. Everyone was stunned by my behavior. I never talked like that—especially not to my friends.
I walked toward my mother, breaking the silence.
"Am I an illegitimate child?" I asked, my voice cold and steady.
Her eyes widened in shock. "What are you saying? Who told you that?"
"Answer me. Yes or no."
She went silent. Her lips parted, then closed again.
I let out a dry laugh. "Silence means yes."
I took a few steps back, stopping in front of Kuya Angelo.
"You knew about the plan, right? You knew why I was behaving like that… didn't you?"
He said nothing. But the guilt in his eyes was enough.
"That's a yes too," I said.
Then I turned to Aries.
"You're in contact with my father. You know where he is. And still, you hid it from me… even though he's my father, not yours. Instead, you blackmailed me because you hate Section E."
He stayed silent, his face unreadable.
I moved toward Grandma.
"You knew what happened to me in the past. You knew why my mother left me here. You knew I wanted to see her… that I needed answers. And still, you said nothing."
"Jay, I did it for your own good," she said softly.
I laughed bitterly and stepped back, facing all of them.
"Is there anything else? Any more secrets? Or is that all?" I asked, anger burning in my voice.
Silence again.
"Why are you all doing this to me?" My voice cracked. "What did I ever do wrong? Why are you controlling my life? What am I to you? A burden? An object? Someone who just follows orders?"
I turned to Angelo.
"Am I just something you traded to the Hanamachis in the name of engagement? I know I owe you—but that doesn't give you the right to decide my life for me."
"Jay…" he said softly.
"Don't 'Jay' me," I cut him off. "You knew everything—what Section E was planning. And still, you said nothing. Aren't you my brother? Wasn't it your responsibility to protect me? But all you did was give orders… like a jailer to a prisoner."
He looked stunned, emotions flickering across his face. I ignored it and turned to Aries.
"Can I ask you something, brother?" My voice trembled slightly. "Why do you hate me? Why didn't you tell me you were my brother? Why didn't you tell me about my father? Why didn't you let me talk to him that day? Why, Aries… why?"
He said nothing.
"You're all liars," I shouted. "Is hiding things from me your favorite hobby or something?"
"Jay, child, we were trying to protect you—" Tita began.
"Protect me?" I laughed bitterly. "By keeping me in the dark? By making decisions for me without my consent?"
She froze, tears slipping down her face.
I wiped my own tears away.
"You know what? Let's leave all that." I took out a file from my bag. "I have good news for you."
"I need signatures on this—from Jeana Fernandez and Angelo Fernandez."
"What documents?" Angelo asked.
"My custody papers." My voice was firm. "From now on, I'm not a Fernandez. I'm only a Marino. You have no rights over me anymore. You're not my guardians."
"Jay, what are you saying? Have you lost your mind?" Aries snapped.
"Why? Aren't you happy?" I shot back. "You don't want me as your sister. You don't care about me. So why does it matter?"
"I'm not out of my mind. I'm doing what's right—for all of us. Just sign."
"I won't," my mother said sharply.
"Do it… or I'll make you."
"What will you do?" she challenged.
I smirked.
"Where were you when your husband was torturing me? Where were you when that bastard tried to rape me? Why did you slap me instead of questioning him? Why didn't you go to the police?"
Her face turned pale.
"You remember?" she whispered.
"Yes," I replied coldly.
"So I suggest you don't make me dig deeper… and just sign."
Fear filled her eyes as she signed with trembling hands.
I turned to Angelo.
"You don't have a reason to refuse anymore."
He signed too.
Then I handed him another file.
"These are partnership contracts with major investors. You can recover your position without the Hanamachis—because I'm breaking the engagement."
"How did you…?" he asked, shocked.
"Give me a minute."
I went to my room, grabbed my suitcase, and came back.
"From today on… we're strangers. I'm leaving this house. You can all live peacefully now. Don't worry about me—I have somewhere to go. And I have enough money."
I took a deep breath.
"Goodbye."
I turned and walked away, ignoring their voices calling my name, their apologies chasing after me.
I didn't look back.
Outside, I reached for my phone—then froze.
"Shit."
It was in my suitcase.
I pressed the emergency button on my watch.
Ten minutes later, Cris's car pulled up.
He rushed out, panic all over his face.
"Jay! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did someone try to kidnap you? Why are you alone? Did your family—"
"Kuya, calm down," I said. "I'm fine."
"Then why did you press the button? I thought you were in danger!"
"…I packed my phone with my clothes… and didn't want to open the suitcase. So I pressed it to test if it worked."
He smacked my forehead lightly.
"You idiot! That's for emergencies. Don't ever do that again."
"Promise," I said.
"Come on. Let's go home."
"No… don't go there. They might track me."
"So what? Are you ashamed I'm your brother?" he teased.
"No," I sighed. "I just don't want to wake up and see the entire Fernandez family waiting for me. I am already exhausted I don't have anymore energy left to face them ."
"…Fair enough," he said softly. "We'll go to my condo."
"Thank you, Kuya."
"No need. I'm your brother. It's my responsibility."
"…Sure."
Soon, we reached his condo.