JAY POV — AFTERMATH
By the time I walked back into my cabin, my face hurt.
Not from smiling.
From trying not to.
I had barely closed the door when—
"Okay," Celeste said slowly.
"And now," Cole added, circling me like a predator who smelled blood, "you're going to explain everything."
I blinked. "Explain what?"
Celeste pointed. Directly. Accusingly.
"At your neck."
I instinctively reached up.
Too late.
Cole made a sound somewhere between a gasp and a laugh. "NO WAY."
"I knew it," Celeste said, eyes lighting up like she'd just won a war. "I knew you weren't just glowing because of a good board meeting."
"I am not glowing," I snapped.
"You're smiling," Cole shot back. "In an office."
I sighed. Deep. Long. Defeated.
"You're both insane."
Celeste stepped closer, squinting. "Is that a—"
"No."
"Yes."
"Oh my God," Cole breathed. "She's human."
"WHO DID THIS," Celeste demanded. "Because I swear if it's some random executive—"
"It's Keifer," I said flatly.
Silence.
Then—
They lunged.
I barely had time to react before Cole wrapped his arms around my shoulders and Celeste slammed into my side, the three of us colliding in a tangle of limbs and laughter.
"I TOLD YOU," Celeste yelled.
"I KNEW IT WOULD BE HIM," Cole laughed.
"You're crushing me," I protested, even as I laughed too.
They pulled back just enough to look at my face.
"You forgave him," Celeste said softly. Not accusing. Just… knowing.
"I did."
Cole tilted his head. "And?"
"And I chose him," I said. "Again. Properly. This time."
Celeste's eyes softened. "Good."
Cole nodded. "About damn time."
I opened my mouth to say something sarcastic when—
Knock. Knock.
The three of us froze.
I straightened instantly. "Out. Both of you."
Celeste grinned. "You sure? Because this is getting interesting."
"Now."
They slipped out, still whispering and giggling like teenagers, and I turned toward the door.
"Come in."
Kuya Angelo stepped inside.
And for the first time in my life—
He looked unsure.
The door closed behind him.
He stood there for a moment, hands at his sides, jaw tight like he was bracing for impact.
I crossed my arms. "What do you want to talk about, Mr. Fernandez?"
He flinched.
Just slightly.
"I don't deserve that title from you," he said quietly.
That alone made my stomach twist.
"I owe you an apology," he continued. "And I don't say that lightly."
I stared at him.
This was the man who never bent.
Never explained.
Never asked.
"I was wrong," he said. "About the engagement. About using pressure. About hiding things and convincing myself it was for your own good."
My chest tightened.
"I treated you like a solution instead of a person," he added. "And that's on me."
Anger surged up fast and sharp.
"You think?" I snapped. "You cornered me. You emotionally blackmailed me. You made me feel like I owed everyone my life just because I could fix things."
He didn't interrupt.
Didn't defend himself.
Just listened.
"I trusted you," I said, voice breaking despite myself. "You were supposed to protect me."
"I failed," he said simply.
Silence stretched.
Then, quieter—
"I'm asking for your forgiveness. Not because I deserve it. But because I hope you'll give it."
I looked at him.
Really looked.
At the man who raised me in fragments.
Who loved in actions but failed in words.
Who thought strength meant silence.
My shoulders sagged.
"I hate that you did that," I said. "I hate that you made me feel trapped."
He nodded. "I know."
"But," I continued, swallowing, "I also know you didn't mean to hurt me."
That did it.
His composure cracked.
Just enough for me to see the tears he'd probably never let anyone else witness.
I stepped forward and hugged him.
He froze for half a second—
Then hugged me back just as tightly.
"I forgive you," I said softly.
He exhaled like he'd been holding his breath for years.
"I'm proud of you," he said hoarsely. "I always was."
I laughed weakly. "You know I've seen you say that in interviews, right?"
He huffed. "I thought you weren't watching."
"I was."
We pulled apart, both smiling through the heaviness.
Then his expression shifted.
"There's one more thing," he said carefully.
My body tensed instinctively.
"Mom wants to see you."
I stiffened. "I wanna meet tita Gema too but I don't want to see Aries. Or Jeana.."
"You won't," he said immediately. "Tita Jeana is staying out of it."
He hesitated. "They saw you on TV. Receiving the award. She cried."
That surprised me.
"She said," he added gently, "'That's my girl.'"
My throat closed.
"Mom really wants you to visit," he said. "Only if you're ready."
I looked away, emotions colliding.
"I'll think about it," I said honestly.
He nodded. "That's enough."
As he left, I leaned back against the table, breathing out slowly.
Outside the door, Celeste and Cole were waiting like vultures.
"So?" Celeste asked.
I smiled.
"Family is… complicated," I said.
Cole grinned. "But you're okay."
"I am," I replied.
And somewhere down the hall, I knew—
Keifer was waiting.
For once in my life—
I wasn't walking alone toward him.
I was choosing him...
My phone buzzed while I was still standing there, mind halfway between old wounds and new beginnings.
Keifer:
I'm stealing you tonight.
I smiled despite myself.
Me:
Stealing me where?
Three dots. Then—
Keifer:
A date.8 PM.
I glanced at the clock.
Plenty of time.
Me:
What should I wear?
The reply came faster than expected.
Keifer:
Whatever makes you feel comfortable.
I stared at the screen.
Then laughed softly.
By the time I was back at the villa, the sun had dipped low, bleeding gold through the windows like it knew something was about to happen.
I didn't rush.
I didn't panic.
I chose.
The dress was black.
Sleeveless.
Body-hugging in a way that didn't ask for permission.
It covered just enough to be respectable and revealed just enough to be intentional. The hem flirted with almost there. High boots grounded it—sharp, unapologetic.
Makeup was precise. Dark eyes. Barely-there Red dark lips.
Hair down. Dangerous. Soft enough to touch. Wild enough not to.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
Not the girl who survived.
The woman who decided.
When I walked down the stairs, heels slow and deliberate—
Celeste froze mid-sentence.
Cole actually stopped breathing.
"Oh," Celeste said faintly.
Cole blinked once. Twice. "Right. Okay."
I lifted a brow. "What?"
Celeste recovered first, eyes sparkling. "Watson is about to have a night."
Cole let out a low whistle. "If Watson doesn't fall in love with you again, I'll sue him."
I laughed, grabbing my jacket.
"Try not to burn the building down while I'm gone," I said lightly.
Celeste smirked. "No promises."
As I stepped out into the night, phone vibrating with a new message—
Keifer:
I'm outside.
My heart kicked once.
Not nervous.
Anticipating.
And for the first time in a long time—
I wasn't walking toward uncertainty.
I was walking toward someone who chose me.
Just like I chose him...