Chapter: Care in a Stranger's Home
(Jay's POV)
The next morning, sunlight crept through the blinds, but it did little to warm the heaviness in my chest. I lay curled up on the guest bed in my father's house, listening to the faint hum of the city outside. The walls were unfamiliar, the air smelled different, and everything felt… foreign.
I didn't want to move. I didn't want to get up. Every thought of Keif made my chest tighten like someone was squeezing it, and every memory of the last few days—the lies, the betrayal, the heartbreak—kept looping in my mind. I could feel Percy's presence even before he said anything. He had quietly set my bag beside the bed and left the door slightly open so I could breathe without feeling trapped.
A soft knock on the door startled me.
"Jay? Breakfast is ready," a calm, gentle voice said.
I turned my head slightly and saw her standing there—Percy's mom. She was smiling softly, but there was a warmth in her eyes, a patience that was almost foreign to me.
I mumbled a small, "I'm not hungry," without even sitting up.
She stepped closer, placing a hand on the bed carefully, as if afraid I might shatter under her touch. "It's okay if you're not hungry now, sweetheart. But you need to eat something. You've had a long, exhausting few days, and you need your strength."
I stared at her, unsure how to respond. Her kindness was strange to me. My mother had never cared like this. And Keif… Keif had never been like this either. His love had been tangled with lies, and now it was just raw pain.
She crouched beside the bed, her voice soft but firm. "Jay, I know this isn't easy. But I'm here. I'm not your enemy. I just want to help you feel a little better."
I felt a lump in my throat. I wanted to cry, but I swallowed it down. Tears had come too freely lately, and I wasn't ready for more yet. Still, there was something comforting in her calm presence. Something that made me feel like, for a moment, I didn't have to be strong.
Percy appeared behind her, leaning against the doorframe. He gave me a small, encouraging smile, like saying silently, It's okay, Jay. You're safe here.
I nodded slightly, not trusting myself to speak. She handed me a small tray of breakfast—fresh fruit, eggs, and toast. She didn't push me, just placed it gently beside me.
"You can eat when you're ready," she said. "No rush."
I let my eyes wander over the food, then back to her face. She didn't look judgmental or annoyed. She just looked… caring.
"Percy says you've had a rough morning," she added quietly, glancing at him. "I'll let him take a break, and I'll stay with you."
I finally whispered, "Why… why are you being so nice to me?"
She tilted her head and smiled softly. "Because sometimes, Jay, you just need someone to be nice. No judgments, no expectations. Just care. That's all."
Her words hit me harder than I expected. Care. Someone offering care without demanding anything in return. It felt… almost painful to accept.
I finally sat up slightly, hugging my knees to my chest. "I… I don't even know how to… how to feel right now," I admitted.
"That's okay," she said gently. "You don't have to have it all figured out. Just start with small steps. Eat a little. Breathe a little. And let yourself feel whatever comes."
Percy gave me a supportive nod from the doorway, and I felt my shoulders loosen slightly. For the first time in a long time, I felt like someone saw me—not the broken, angry version, not the manipulated, heartbroken version—but me.
I looked at the breakfast again and, with a shaky hand, picked up a piece of toast. She smiled softly, not saying anything, just letting me have my moment.
Hours passed slowly. She checked on me constantly, offered small snacks, and even let me curl up under blankets while she read quietly nearby. She didn't force me to talk, didn't ask about Keif, didn't push me to explain my tears.
It was… strange. Comforting. But also terrifying. Because kindness was a weapon I wasn't used to, and it made me vulnerable.
Later, Percy came in with a blanket and some tea. "Feeling a little better?" he asked gently.
"I… a little," I admitted. "It's just… all so much."
He nodded, understanding completely. "I know. And you're allowed to feel it. But you're not alone. Mom's here. I'm here. Aries is nearby. You don't have to face any of this alone."
I let my head fall against the pillows, closing my eyes. Percy's mom reached over and gently brushed a strand of hair from my face. "You'll get through this, Jay. One step at a time. And when you're ready, we'll help you figure out the rest."
I didn't know if I would ever forgive Keif—not yet. But for the first time in days, I felt a little bit safe. And maybe… that was enough for now.
I whispered softly into the quiet room, "Thank you…"
And for the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to rest.