Jay-Jay's POV
They were all waiting for me.
But I ignored them.
I didn't want to face anyone… not just Section E, not Kiefer, not Yuri. My anger burned for everyone. My mom… Aries… Section E. All of them.
When I pushed open the door, my mom immediately stepped forward, tears in her eyes.
"Jay-Jay…" she whispered, reaching for me.
I shoved her back. "Don't touch me!" I shouted.
Her hands trembled violently. She froze, unsure what to do.
Then Tita Gema stepped forward, holding me tightly. "What happened? Calm down… where were you, child?" she asked softly.
I didn't answer. My fists clenched so tight I could feel my nails digging into my palms.
The room fell completely silent.
Everyone was staring at me,Aries, Kiefer, Yuri, even Section E standing awkwardly in the corner.
Finally, I turned to my mom. My voice cracked with rage.
"Mom… am I an illegitimate child?"
The silence was suffocating.
My mom's face went pale. Her hands shook uncontrollably.
"No… no, child," she whispered repeatedly.
She stepped closer, as if to hug me, but I pulled away.
"Don't… don't touch me," I spat. "If you live here… then I don't want to live here!"
Tita Gema, still crying, tried to hold me. "Jay-Jay… no! Please don't say that!"
But I wasn't done. My chest ached, my voice shook, tears falling, but the anger burned hotter than ever.
"You all made me suffer! You lied to me! You never cared about how I felt!" I screamed.
I turned to Aries. "And you! Don't think you're innocent! You stood there and did nothing!"
Then I looked at Section E. "And you—yes, all of you! You just watched! You think you don't matter? You're part of this too!"
I didn't care that some of them were my classmates, my friends. I wanted them to feel even a fraction of the pain I had carried.
Before the chaos downstairs could get worse, the front door opened.
Everyone froze.
Percy stepped inside.
The room went completely silent.
"You… you're alive?" Aries stammered.
"Kuya!" Felix shouted.
Percy's voice was calm, almost gentle. "Yes. I'm here. I told her… everything. I told her she's an illegitimate child. And I'm one too. I am… Percy Ray Collins Mariano."
He said it quietly.
I felt my chest tighten, but my anger wasn't at him. My rage was directed at my family… and everyone who had stood there silently while I suffered.
I slammed my fist against the door.
"You all are liars!" I screamed. "You! You all! I don't need enemies," I shouted. "If my own mother… my own family treats me like this, I don't need anyone else to destroy me!"
Then I stormed to my room, slammed the door, and locked it.
From inside, I could hear my mom crying, my grandma sobbing, Aries yelling in frustration, Kuya Angelo trying to calm everyone, and Section E whispering nervously.
I sank to the floor, back against the door, trembling, letting my tears fall freely.
For the first time in a long time… I let all the anger, betrayal, and pain out.
Tonight, I was done holding it in.💔