Chapter: I'm Coming
(Keifer's POV)
The drive felt endless.
Every second
.
Every red light.
Every slow car in front of me—
It all made my chest tighten more.
She's in the hospital.
That was the only thing replaying in my head.
Over and over.
"She said she was fine…" I muttered, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "She said she ate…"
The lie.
She lied to me.
And I wasn't there.
My jaw clenched.
"Why didn't I notice…"
I drove faster.
— Hospital —
The moment I stepped in—
Everything felt wrong.
Too bright.
Too quiet.
Too still.
"Keifer—"
I didn't even look at Percy.
"Where is she."
"Room 3—"
I was already walking.
No—
Running.
I pushed the door open—
And froze.
Jay.
Lying on the bed.
Still.
Too still.
Machines beside her.
That steady beeping sound filling the room.
My chest tightened painfully.
"…Jay."
I walked closer.
Slowly this time.
Like if I moved too fast—
She'd disappear.
"What happened?" My voice came out low.
Controlled.
Too controlled.
"She collapsed," Celestine said quietly. "We brought her here… doctors are still—"
"Why didn't you tell me."
Silence.
I turned.
My eyes locked on them.
Sharp.
Heavy.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"You were working—" Percy started.
"I don't care."
My voice cracked slightly.
"I don't care about work. I don't care about anything if she's like this."
Silence filled the room again.
Thick.
Heavy.
I turned back to her.
That was all that mattered.
I sat beside the bed slowly
.
My hand reached for hers.
Cold.
That broke me.
Just a little.
"You're always warm…" I whispered.
No response
.
I swallowed hard.
Then leaned closer.
"Jay…" my voice softened, losing all that anger, all that control. "Hey… it's me."
Nothing.
My fingers tightened slightly around hers.
"Wake up," I murmured.
The machines continued
their steady rhythm.
Unchanging.
Unfeeling.
I let out a shaky breath.
Rested my forehead lightly against her hand.
"I'm here now," I whispered. "You don't have to do this alone…"
Silence.
"I told you I'd come back quickly," I said, voice breaking slightly. "So… wake up and complain about it. Say I was late. Say something…"
Nothing
.
My chest hurt.
Actually hurt.
"You don't get to leave like this," I whispered, more desperate now. "Not without telling me. Not without arguing with me. Not without… being you."
My grip on her hand tightened.
Careful.
But desperate.
"I'm not done with you yet," I said quietly.
My voice dropped.
Softer.
Raw.
"So don't you dare be done with me."
I stayed there.
Didn't move.
Didn't care about anything else.
Minutes passed.
Or hours.
I didn't know.
I just sat there—
Holding her hand.
Watching her breathe.
Afraid.
Terrified.
That when she opened her eyes…
She might not remember me.
✨ Chapter: The Risk
(Keifer's POV)
The door opened.
The doctor stepped in.
Calm. Professional.
Serious.
My chest tightened instantly.
"Keifer," the doctor said, voice soft but firm. "We need to talk about Jay."
I didn't breathe.
I couldn't.
"She's stable," the doctor continued. "That's the good news."
I nodded slowly. Couldn't speak. My fingers tightened around hers.
"But…"
The word hit me like ice.
"But she is experiencing memory loss. Temporary. Possibly severe."
My heart stopped.
Memory loss.
My throat went dry.
She might… forget me?
She might… forget us?
"No… no, that can't—" My voice shook. Weak. Panic clawing its way up my chest.
The doctor didn't flinch
. "It's possible she may not recognize familiar people at first. Some memories may return slowly, others may take time."
Time.
My chest tightened so much it hurt.
She might wake up… and I might be a stranger
My vision blurred.
I couldn't think.
I couldn't breathe.
"Keifer," the doctor said again. "Your presence will help. She can feel you, even if she can't remember. Calm her. Reassure her. That will make a difference."
I nodded shakily. Tried to steady my trembling hands. Tried to breathe.
Tried to convince myself I could survive this.
But minutes later…
I couldn't hold it in anymore.
I broke down completely, the feeling of loosing her . The person I loved the most
Then a hand reached mine
Her hand. Warm. Soft.
Her voice. Weak, but there.
"Keifer… hey. Shh… it's okay."
I lifted my head.
Her eyes.
Bright. Alert. Recognizing.
"Jay…" My voice broke. Tears burned my eyes.
"You… you remember me?"
She nodded gently.
Squeezed my hand. "Every moment. Every memory. Don't scare yourself like that again."
I laughed shakily. Relief and fear tangled in my chest.
"I… I thought… I might lose you," I whispered.
"You won't," she said softly. "I'm here. Strong. And we'll get through this. Together."
I rested my forehead against hers, trembling. My heart pounding.
And in that quiet hospital room, I realized: I had been terrified of losing her… but she hadn't left me.
Not now. Not ever.