Chapter: Take Care of Her
Author's POV
The house feels quieter now.
Not silent—
just… heavier.
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Jayjay's POV
I sit on my bed, staring at nothing.
My hands rest in my lap.
Still.
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I shouldn't feel like this.
Not again.
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But the moment I saw him—
everything came back.
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His voice.
His decisions.
That day.
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I close my eyes.
"…I hate this," I whisper.
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A soft knock.
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I don't answer.
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The door opens anyway.
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Keifer's POV
She's sitting on the bed.
Still.
Too still.
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I walk in slowly and close the door behind me.
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"Jay."
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No response.
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I move closer.
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She doesn't look up.
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Jayjay's POV
I know it's him.
I don't need to look.
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"…I'm fine," I say.
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A lie.
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Keifer's POV
"No, you're not."
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I don't ask.
I don't wait.
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I sit beside her.
Close enough.
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"Look at me."
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Jayjay's POV
I shake my head slightly.
"…I don't want to."
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Keifer's POV
I exhale quietly.
Then reach out—
and gently hold her chin.
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Not forcing.
Just guiding.
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She looks at me.
Finally.
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And I see it.
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That hurt she keeps trying to hide.
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🫂
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Jayjay's POV
"…it's stupid," I whisper.
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"No," he says immediately.
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"It's not."
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I look away again.
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"He forced me," I say softly.
"…he didn't even ask me."
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My voice breaks slightly.
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Keifer's POV
I don't interrupt.
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She needs to say it.
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"He just decided," she continues.
"…like my life was something he could control."
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Jayjay's POV
"…and now I have to sit there and act like it's okay."
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Silence.
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I hate this.
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I hate that I still feel like that little girl.
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Keifer's POV
I move closer.
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Then—
without saying anything—
I pull her into me.
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She doesn't resist.
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Her hands clutch my shirt slowly.
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"I know," I say quietly.
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"I know."
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Jayjay's POV
I rest my head against him.
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"…do you?" I whisper.
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Keifer's POV
"No."
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A pause.
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"…but I know you didn't deserve it."
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I tighten my arms around her slightly.
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"And I know you don't have to pretend with me."
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Jayjay's POV
Something in me breaks.
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Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
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Just… quietly.
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I hold onto him tighter.
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Author's POV
Time passes.
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Not measured in minutes—
but in breaths.
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And slowly—
Jay calms down.
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Jayjay's POV
"…I'm okay now," I whisper.
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He doesn't move.
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"…liar," he murmurs.
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I huff slightly.
"…a little okay."
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Keifer's POV
Better.
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I pull back slightly and look at her.
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Her eyes are still soft.
Still a little red.
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I lift my hand—
and press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
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💋
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Jayjay's POV
"…you're doing that again," I whisper.
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Keifer's POV
"…I know."
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Author's POV
Downstairs—
someone is waiting.
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Keifer's POV
I step out of the room quietly after she settles.
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And I see him.
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Jasper.
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Standing there.
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Waiting.
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We don't speak immediately.
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We just look at each other.
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Then—
he walks closer.
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"Is she okay?" he asks.
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His voice is calm.
But there's something under it.
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Keifer's POV
"No."
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I don't sugarcoat it.
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"She's not."
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Author's POV
Jasper exhales slowly.
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Like he expected that answer.
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Jasper
"…she never forgave me," he says quietly.
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Not a question.
A fact.
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Keifer's POV
"She doesn't have to."
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Silence.
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Jasper looks away for a moment.
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Then back at me.
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"…I did what I thought was right," he says.
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Keifer's POV
"And it hurt her."
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Another silence.
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This one heavier.
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Author's POV
Jasper nods slightly.
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"…I know."
He looks toward the stairs.
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Then back at Keifer.
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"…she listens to you," he says.
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Keifer's POV
I don't respond.
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Jasper
"…take care of her."
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Simple.
Serious.
Not a request.
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A responsibility.
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Keifer's POV
I meet his eyes.
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"…I already do."
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No hesitation.
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Ending
Upstairs—
Jay sleeps.
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Peacefully.
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For the first time in a while.
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And downstairs—
two men stand in silence.
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Bound by one thing.
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Her.