Upstairs.
Jay sat quietly.
Still close to him.
Her fingers holding his shirt.
Not ready to let go.
Her breathing… finally steady.
Keifer looked at her.
Soft.
Careful.
"You okay?"
Jay nodded slowly.
"Hmm…"
But her grip didn't loosen.
Not even a little.
Keifer noticed.
He didn't pull away.
Just brushed her hair gently.
"I'll be back."
Jay looked up instantly.
"No…"
Her voice small again.
Keifer held her face lightly.
"I'm not leaving."
A pause.
"Just downstairs."
Jay hesitated.
Then nodded.
Slow.
"Come back fast."
Keifer gave a small smile.
"I will."
He stood up.
Took one last look at her.
Then walked out.
Closed the door softly.
Downstairs…
Silence still heavy.
Everyone looked at him.
Waiting.
Guilty.
Keifer didn't sit.
Didn't relax.
He stood there.
Calm…
But his eyes were not.
"What was that?"
His voice low.
Controlled.
Jasfer sighed.
"Keifer—"
"No."
He cut him off.
Not loud.
But firm.
"That wasn't a joke."
Silence.
No one argued.
Because they knew.
He was right.
Keizer spoke slowly.
"We didn't think it would—"
"Exactly."
Keifer interrupted again.
"You didn't think."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"She was shaking."
"She couldn't even breathe properly."
His voice still calm.
But every word…
Sharp.
Clear.
Jeena looked down.
Tears in her own eyes now.
"We're sorry…"
Keifer looked at all of them.
One by one.
"That fear…"
He paused.
"…you gave her that."
No one spoke.
No one defended themselves.
Because they saw it too.
Her tears.
Her panic.
Her breaking.
Keifer exhaled slowly.
Trying to control himself.
"She trusts you."
His voice softer now.
"But heavier.
"And you used that against her."
Jasfer closed his eyes briefly.
Guilt clear.
"It won't happen again."
Keifer nodded once.
"It shouldn't."
Silence settled again.
But this time…
It wasn't tense.
It was understanding.
Realization.
Serina spoke gently.
"Is she okay now?"
Keifer's expression softened instantly.
"Yeah."
A small pause.
"She will be."
He didn't wait anymore.
He turned.
Walked back upstairs.
To her.
Where he belonged right now.
He opened the door.
Jay looked up immediately.
Still sitting there.
Still waiting.
"You came…"
Keifer walked straight to her.
Sat beside her again.
"Of course."
Jay moved closer instantly.
Resting against him.
Like before.
Safe again.
"What did they say?"
Her voice soft.
Keifer brushed her hair back.
"They won't do it again."
Jay nodded.
Not asking more.
Not needing more.
Because he handled it.
For her.
With her.
Keifer looked at her carefully.
"Still scared?"
Jay shook her head slowly.
"No…"
Then whispered—
"You're here."
That was enough.
Keifer pulled her closer.
Protective.
Certain.
"Always."
Jay closed her eyes.
Resting completely now.
Because the fear…
The pain…
The panic…
All of it faded.
The moment he stood up for her.
The moment he chose her side.
Without hesitation.
Without question.
And that…
Made her heart settle again.
Stronger than before.