JAY'S POV — WHEN THE TRUTH SHOWS ITS TEETH
My fingers trembled around my phone.
The music swelled again—strings, champagne laughter, crystal glasses clinking like nothing in the world was wrong.
Damian's message burned on the screen.
> Jay… did you know that Fer Corp is on the verge of bankruptcy?
My pulse roared in my ears.
I typed back without thinking.
Jay: No. What are you talking about?
The reply came almost instantly.
> They've been bleeding for months. Quietly. Almost collapsed last quarter.
I lifted my gaze slowly.
Around me, Yuri's family laughed easily. His mother leaned toward a guest, smiling like tonight was flawless. His father spoke to Angelo with a hand on his shoulder, relaxed. His grandfather stood near the front, cane resting lightly in his palm, eyes sharp and satisfied.
Comfortable.
Confident.
Prepared.
My chest tightened.
Jay: Then why is everyone acting like this is a celebration?
Three dots.
Stopped.
Started again.
> Because Fer Corp just received a collaboration offer.
I swallowed.
Jay: From who?
I already knew.
> Hanamitchi Group.
The room tilted.
Suddenly, everything aligned with a sick, elegant click.
The dress.
The venue.
The silence.
The way Tita Gema had avoided my eyes.
Angelo's jaw set too tight.
Yuri in white.
Pure. Untouchable. Chosen.
Jay: So what are you trying to say?
This time, the pause stretched longer.
I could almost hear Damian hesitating on the other end.
> Jay… maybe just maybe—
My nails dug into my palm.
Jay: Maybe what?
> A business…
I stared at the word.
Jay: A business what?
The answer landed like a slap.
> A business alliance. You and Yuri.
The world didn't explode.
It went silent.
No ringing. No panic.
Just a cold, hollow stillness spreading through my chest.
Before I could type another word—
The lights dimmed further.
A spotlight hit the stage.
Yuri stepped forward, microphone in hand.
My heart began to race.
No.
No no no—
"May I have everyone's attention," Yuri said, voice steady, practiced.
Applause followed automatically.
I stood frozen.
"Tonight," he continued, "is special for many reasons."
I felt everyone's eyes shift.
Toward me.
My lungs burned.
"There's someone here," he said, smiling—soft, sincere, devastating—"who changed my life without even trying."
He turned.
Looked directly at me.
My stomach dropped.
"Jay."
The room blurred.
He held out his hand.
I didn't move.
Angelo's hand brushed my back—gentle pressure.
Go.
The word was unspoken.
I walked.
Every step felt like betrayal—to myself.
I reached the stage.
Yuri took my hand, warm and grounding.
The crowd watched, breathless.
"I've loved you for a long time," he said.
The word loved sliced through me.
"This past year, I realized something," he continued. "I don't want a future that doesn't include you."
My heart hammered painfully.
"I want to protect you. Build with you. Stand beside you."
I searched the room.
And then—
I saw him.
Keifer stood near the far corner, half-hidden by shadow.
A glass of wine in his hand.
His shoulders were slumped—not relaxed, not careless—just… empty.
Like something inside him had already given up.
He wasn't watching the stage.
He was staring at the floor.
Discarded.
The word pierced me.
My throat tightened.
"And so," Yuri said, voice firm now, "with our families here—"
He dropped to one knee.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
"Will you marry me Jasper Jean Mariano.."
The room erupted.
Applause.
Cheers.
Phones lifted.
I stared at him in horror.
My vision blurred—but I smiled.
I smiled.
Because whatever happened yuri was still my friend before this and I couldn't embarass him right now without knowing the reason so I smiled.
The kind of smile that lies for survival.
"Yes," I heard myself say.
The applause thundered.
Yuri stood, pulling me into an embrace.
I hugged him back.
My hands were ice.
Then—
I pulled away.
"I—I need air," I said breathlessly, laughing lightly like an overwhelmed fiancée.
He nodded, relieved. "Of course."
I turned.
And ran.
I didn't look back.
I didn't care who saw.
My heels slipped on marble as I pushed through a side door marked FIRE EXIT.
The door slammed shut behind me.
Silence.
Concrete walls.
A stairwell lit in harsh white.
And then—
I collapsed.
My back hit the wall as my legs gave out.
The sob tore out of me like something ripped free.
I pressed my hands to my mouth, shaking violently.
"They planned it," I choked. "They all planned it—"
My chest hurt.
My head spun.
I slid down until I was sitting on the cold steps, dress pooled around me, breath coming in sharp, broken gasps.
Footsteps echoed.
The door opened.
"Jay."
Tita Gema.
Lola.
Angelo.
They rushed to me.
Lola knelt first, cradling my face. "Anak… breathe."
Tita Gema's eyes were red.
Angelo looked like stone cracking.
"It was for Fer Corp," Tita said softly. "We thought—"
"You thought?" I snapped, voice breaking. "You thought you could decide my life?"
"Jay—"
"Everyone knew," I cried. "Everyone except me!"
My voice echoed off concrete.
"Did you ever plan to tell me?" I demanded. "Or was I just supposed to smile and say yes like a good investment?"
Angelo flinched.
That was answer enough.
I pushed myself up, shaking.
"This is my life," I said, tears streaming freely now. "You don't get to trade me."
Silence fell heavy.
"I trusted you,Kuya " I whispered.
I turned away from them.
The door closed quietly behind them this time.
I pulled out my phone with trembling fingers.
Called Damian.
He answered on the first ring.
"Jay—"
"I need a proposal," I said, voice deadly calm now. "From JJM."
He inhaled sharply. "Jay—"
"Investing in Fer Corp," I continued. "Majority stake. Control clauses. Tonight."
Silence.
Then: "You're serious."
"Deadly," I replied.
"I'll be there in ten minutes," Damian said. "With paperwork."
I ended the call.
Slowly, I wiped my tears.
Smeared makeup.
Red eyes.
I stared at my reflection in the stairwell mirror.
And smiled.
Not the soft smile.
Not the polite one.
The sharp, knowing curve of my lips that had made men underestimate me for years.
"They think I'm a bride," I murmured.
My smile turned lethal.
"I'll show them what a business alliance really looks like."
I lifted my chin.
And walked back toward the fire door.
Let them celebrate.
I was done being silent....