Chapter 12 – The Explanation
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Jay's pov
The first night on the island was the worst.
Not because of the waves crashing too loudly, or the mosquitoes (though they clearly had a personal vendetta against me 😒), but because Keifer was there.
Breathing.
Existing.
Being all… Keifer-y.
And me? I was trying really hard not to notice.
"Jay."
The way he said my name made me want to throw a coconut at his head.
"What." My tone could've frozen lava.
"We need to talk."
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Jay's POV
I crossed my arms, glaring at him across the small fire we'd managed to build. "About what? About how you vanished? About how you came back like nothing happened? Or about how Angelo said one day and now I'm apparently in a reality show called 'Survivor: Stuck With My Ex'?"I said that even though he is not my ex.
Keifer sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Jay, please. Just listen."
My eyebrow twitched. I hated how my chest reacted when his voice softened.
"Fine," I muttered, plopping down onto the sand. "You have five minutes before I walk into the ocean and let the fish adopt me." 🐠
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Keifer's POV
The firelight danced against her face, and I almost forgot how to breathe. But I forced myself to focus.
"I left because I thought it was the only way to protect you," I said quietly. "London… it wasn't just about business. It was about responsibilities I couldn't escape. My family, the company, debts… things that would've hurt you if I dragged you in."
Her eyes snapped to mine, sharp and accusing. "So you thought hurting me by leaving was better?"
I swallowed hard. "I thought I was doing the right thing. But I see now… I was wrong. Every single day away from you was a mistake."
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Jay's POV
Ugh. Why did his words feel like knives and bandages at the same time? 😤
I stared at him, at the way his shoulders slumped as if he'd been carrying the world. And for a second, I wanted to tell him about my world — about Crownveil, about the empire I built, about how I wasn't some fragile little girl who needed protection.
But I didn't. Not yet.
Instead, I crossed my legs and muttered, "You're an idiot, Keifer."
He almost smiled. "I know."
"A huge idiot."
This time, he actually laughed — that soft, warm laugh I secretly missed.
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling. Don't melt, Jay. Stay savage , Stay sassy , Stay bossy and stay sexy 😏
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Keifer's POV
"I never stopped loving you," I whispered before I could stop myself.
Her eyes widened, and for a second, I thought she'd throw sand in my face. But instead, she just looked away, hugging her knees to her chest.
"You're still an idiot," she muttered. "But… maybe one I can forgive. Eventually."
My chest loosened, hope flickering like the fire between us.
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Jay's Thoughts
As the fire crackled, I let the tiniest smirk cross my face where he couldn't see.
He thought my walls were only about him.
He thought forgiveness was my biggest secret.
But one day, when the truth about Crownveil came out — when the world learned that the ghost CEO everyone whispered about was me — he'd realize just how much I'd been keeping from him.
For now, though, I let him think he'd won a little piece of my forgiveness.
Let him work for the rest. 😈