Jay stood frozen in the corner of the room, her heart pounding so violently it felt like it might tear itself apart.
The little girl's laughter rang through the house, innocent and bright. And then — her voice rang out even clearer, echoing through Jay's chest like a cruel arrow:
"Papa!"
Keifer's face lit up instantly. His eyes softened. He scooped her up into his arms, hugging her tightly, spinning her around as she giggled uncontrollably.
Jay's knees gave out. She sank to the floor, shaking, tears streaming freely. Every laugh, every joyful squeal of the child, was a dagger twisting deeper into her chest.
The elders, noticing her presence, exchanged worried glances.
Jay couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't stop the sobs rising from deep inside her.
Finally, she lifted her head, voice trembling but steady in its confession.
"I… I have to tell you the truth," she said, her hands pressed to her chest. "Keifer… this man… is my husband. He was my husband. I… I caused the fights, I… I drove him away…"
The elders were silent, waiting for her to continue.
"He doesn't remember me fully," she whispered, choking on her own words. "But… everything he remembers… the name he remembers… it's mine. He… he called me Jay. That's all he knows. But the life he has now… the child… the woman helping him… she only did it to save him, to help him recover. And I… I had to tell you. I couldn't stay silent anymore."
Her voice cracked, and she buried her face in her hands.
The little girl ran over, tugging on Keifer's sleeve. He laughed, but even as he laughed, his eyes flickered toward Jay. Something deep and familiar stirred, but the life she had lost — the world that had moved on — made it impossible for him to recognize fully what he had once had.
Jay sat there, silent and trembling, watching the man she loved so endlessly hold another life, laugh another laughter, love another family…
And she realized, with unbearable clarity, that even though he remembered her, it was too late. She had lost him — not to death, not to fate, but to the choices she had made and the battles she had picked.
Her tears fell freely, soaking the floor, as she whispered to herself:
"I… I still love you, Keifer. I always will."