Chapter: The Kiss That Started a War
(Jay's POV)
My ears were still ringing from what my mother had just said.
"Zoya wants to see you."
The words kept repeating in my head like an echo.
Zoya.
My sister.
The sister I barely remembered.
The sister who was somehow… Keif's first love.
My chest felt tight.
My hands were shaking slightly, but I kept holding Keif's hand like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.
The living room was silent.
Too silent.
Aries was standing beside me, his jaw tight, his arms crossed.
Keif was slightly in front of me, almost like he was shielding me without even realizing it.
My mother stood across the room, watching me carefully.
Like she was waiting.
Like she knew something I didn't.
And then—
A door opened.
My heart stopped.
It was the door to my room.
The room I used to sleep in when I lived here.
Slowly…
Someone stepped out.
A girl.
Tall.
Long dark hair.
Soft face.
And eyes that looked strangely familiar.
For a second… my brain couldn't process it.
Because it felt like I was looking at a reflection.
She looked at me.
And then her eyes shifted.
To Keif.
And suddenly—
Her face lit up.
"Keif…"
Before anyone could react—
She ran forward.
Straight past me.
Straight past Aries.
And threw her arms around Keifer.
My entire body went cold.
She hugged him tightly like she had been waiting years for that moment.
"Keif… I missed you so much…"
The words hit me like a slap.
My brain snapped.
"GET OFF HIM!"
My scream echoed through the entire room.
Everyone froze instantly.
Zoya slowly looked at me, confused.
But she didn't move away from Keif.
Not immediately.
And that was the worst part.
My chest felt like it was burning.
Anger.
Jealousy.
Pain.
All mixing together.
"You don't get to touch him!"
My voice was shaking now.
Zoya frowned slightly.
"…Jay?"
I took a step forward.
"Don't say my name."
She looked confused.
Hurt even.
But right now I didn't care.
All I could see was her arms around Keif.
All I could think about was one thing.
She was his first love.
And she just hugged him like she still had the right.
Something inside me snapped.
I grabbed Keif's collar suddenly.
Pulled him down.
And kissed him.
Hard.
Fast.
Right in front of her.
The entire room froze.
Aries choked behind me.
Cin whispered somewhere behind the couch,
"…OH MY GOD."
But I didn't care.
I kissed Keif like I was claiming him.
Like I needed the entire world to see it.
My fingers tightened in his shirt while my lips pressed against his.
For a second he was clearly shocked.
But then—
His hand moved to my waist.
Holding me steady.
The kiss deepened slightly.
Warm.
Familiar.
Safe.
When I finally pulled away, my breathing was uneven.
My eyes immediately moved to Zoya.
She was staring at us.
Completely stunned.
My voice came out sharp.
"He's my boyfriend."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Zoya slowly looked at Keif.
Then back at me.
"…You're dating him?"
"Yes."
My answer came instantly.
Without hesitation.
Her expression changed slightly.
Not angry.
Not jealous.
Just… surprised.
But I was still furious.
I stepped closer to Keif again and wrapped my arm around him possessively.
"Next time you feel like hugging someone…"
My eyes stayed locked on hers.
"…pick someone else's boyfriend."
Behind me, Aries tried very hard not to laugh.
Cin whispered again.
"Barracuda mode activated."
But the tension in the room was still thick.
Zoya slowly looked at Keif again.
Her voice was quieter now.
"…Keif?"
I felt his arm tighten around my waist.
Like he already knew what she was about to ask.
And honestly?
So did I.
Because the real question was now hanging in the air.
A question that suddenly scared me more than anything.
Did he still love her?
I didn't say it out loud.
But my fingers tightened slightly in his shirt.
Because I was waiting for his answer.
And somehow…
My heart felt like it was about to break if I didn't like what I heard.