Authors pov
The engagement party slowly faded into soft conversations and scattered laughter, but the tension between us—
Remained.
Jasfer looked toward Jay.
"Jay… take them along. Spend some time. It's been long enough."
Jay didn't respond immediately.
Her gaze shifted toward us.
Toward me.
Toward Aries.
Toward… Kiefer.
Then she turned away slightly.
"…Fine."
That one word—
Cold.
Distant.
And yet…
It meant everything.
Cafe Scene – Night Lights & Hidden Storms
The café was lively, filled with music, dim lights, and people dancing freely.
It was supposed to feel warm.
But for us—
It felt like standing in the middle of something unfinished.
Jane was the first to break the silence.
She walked straight toward Aries with a bright smile.
"I knew it!" she said excitedly. "I knew you were related to me. Nice to meet you… Kuya."
Aries froze for a second.
"Kuya…" he repeated softly.
Jare joined in, slightly calmer but smiling.
"Nice to finally meet you," he said. "We've heard… things."
Jane laughed lightly. "Good things, I hope."
Aries smiled faintly. "I hope so too."
Jane turned toward Angelo.
"And you too, Kuya."
Angelo chuckled, a little awkward but warm. "That's new."
Meanwhile—
Jay stood slightly away.
Silent.
Watching.
Not joining.
Mia walked up beside her, cheerful as ever.
"Guys! This is Mia—my best friend," Jane introduced.
Mia waved happily. "Hi! I've heard a lot about you all."
Her eyes paused briefly on Kiefer—
Then shifted away.
Jane, Jare & Aries – A New Bond
Jane grabbed Aries's hand playfully.
"Come, sit with us."
They moved to a corner table.
Jare sat across them, leaning slightly forward.
"So… you really didn't know?" Jare asked.
Aries shook his head. "No. I had no idea…"
Jane tilted her head. "That's sad."
"…Yeah," Aries admitted.
"But it's okay now," Jane said softly. "You're here."
There was sincerity in her voice.
Warmth.
Something Jay didn't show anymore.
Jare added, "Things are complicated. But… not impossible."
Aries looked at them—
His siblings.
People he didn't even know existed before today.
"…Can I really… call you both my family?" he asked quietly.
Jane smiled instantly. "Of course."
Jare nodded. "You already are."
For a moment—
It felt real.
Like something broken…
Was slowly being rebuilt.
Aries & Jay – The Confrontation
But Aries couldn't ignore her any longer.
He stood up.
"I'll be back."
His steps were slow as he approached Jay.
She didn't turn.
Didn't react.
"Jay…"
Silence.
"…Jay Jay," he tried again.
She inhaled sharply—
But still didn't face him.
Aries stepped closer.
"I'm sorry."
Nothing.
"I know I don't deserve to stand here and talk to you like this… but please—just listen once."
Jay's shoulders trembled slightly.
"I wasn't there for you," Aries continued, voice breaking. "I failed you. As a brother. As someone who should've protected you."
A tear slipped down his cheek.
"I'm sorry…"
Jay finally turned.
Her eyes—
Filled with tears.
"Do you even know…" she whispered, "…what it felt like?"
Aries couldn't answer.
"You were there," she said. "But you weren't with me."
Her voice cracked.
"I needed you… and you chose silence."
Aries dropped his gaze.
"I was scared," he admitted. "Of everything… of the past… of losing you again… and I ended up hurting you instead."
Jay wiped her tears quickly.
"I don't hate you," she said.
His eyes lifted.
"But I can't forgive you… right now."
Those words hit harder than anything.
"I need time."
She stepped back.
And walked away.
Percy's Entry
Before Aries could process anything—
A hand grabbed his collar.
Punch.
Aries stumbled back.
Percy stood there, eyes burning with anger.
"Are you really guilty?" Percy demanded. "Or are you just pretending?"
Aries didn't fight back.
Didn't even defend himself.
"I deserve that," he said quietly.
Percy clenched his fists.
"Answer me!"
"I'm not pretending," Aries said. "I just… didn't know how to fix things."
Percy stared at him.
Searching.
Judging.
Then slowly—
His grip loosened.
"…You're not lying," Percy muttered.
Aries looked up.
"I'll help you," Percy said. "But don't misunderstand. I'm not doing this for you."
"…I know."
Percy added, "You're still my stepbrother."
That one line—
Carried weight.
Jay & Kiefer – The Broken Moment
Jay walked toward the hallway, trying to calm herself.
But suddenly—
A hand grabbed her wrist.
Before she could react—
She was pulled into an old, unused room.
"Kiefer—what are you—"
He hugged her.
Tightly.
Desperately.
"I missed you…" his voice broke. "So much…"
Jay struggled. "Let go—"
"I can't!" he said. "Not again… I can't lose you again!"
Tears streamed down his face.
"I'm sorry… I did everything to protect—"
Before he could finish—
Jay pushed him hard.
"You're not worth it," she said coldly.
Those words shattered him.
She turned to leave—
But he pulled her back.
And before she could react—
He kissed her.
Quick.
Desperate.
Raw.
Jay froze.
Kiefer pulled back, breathing heavily.
"Right now… you won't listen," he said. "But I'll prove it to you."
Jay's eyes hardened.
"You'll regret this."
And she walked away.
Leaving him behind.
Kiefer Breakdown
The moment the door closed—
Kiefer collapsed.
His cries echoed in the empty room.
"I really loved you…"
Clash – Percy, Aries & Kiefer
When Kiefer stepped out—
He saw Percy and Aries arguing again.
He stepped between them.
Before he could speak—
Punch.
Percy hit him.
Kiefer didn't fight back.
"…What's wrong with you all?" Percy snapped. "Before you didn't want her. Now suddenly you do?"
Silence.
Then—
Both Aries and Kiefer broke.
"I loved her!" Kiefer shouted. "The plan was real… to make her fall for me… then break her for Aries—"
Percy froze.
"But I fell in love with her!" Kiefer cried. "And then my father… my relatives… they targeted her for my inheritance. I had to push her away… to protect her!"
His voice shattered.
"I never lied about loving her…"
Tears streamed down his face.
Percy turned to Aries.
"And you?"
Aries swallowed hard.
"I was scared… of our past… of hurting her more… I never hated her. I just… couldn't face her."
He looked down.
"But now… I want to protect her. As her brother."
Percy stayed silent.
Then spoke—
"Try."
They both looked at him.
"But if you can't… stop."
His voice turned cold.
"The girl you knew is gone. What's left is a mask."
A painful truth.
"If you can bring back our Jay Jay… the real one…"
He turned away.
"…then try."
Kiefer stepped forward slightly.
"What happened during that accident, Percy? Let's clear everything… like before. The four of us… best friends."
Percy paused.
"…Only three," he said. "Ask Yuri."
He walked away.
"Percy!" Aries called. "Meet tomorrow at 5. We'll talk. We'll bring Yuri… please!"
Percy didn't answer.
Aries & Kiefer – Quiet Aftermath
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Broken.
Aries sat down slowly.
Kiefer leaned against the wall.
"…We messed up," Aries said.
Kiefer laughed bitterly. "That's an understatement."
"I hurt her without realizing it."
"I hurt her knowing everything," Kiefer replied.
Aries looked at him.
"…Do you still love her?"
Kiefer didn't hesitate.
"More than anything."
A pause.
"And you?" Kiefer asked.
Aries looked toward the direction Jay left.
"…I don't know what to call it," he said. "But I know one thing…"
"What?"
"I won't lose her again."
Kiefer closed his eyes.
"…Then we fight."
Aries nodded.
"Together."