Keifer's POV
I had never seen Jay cry like that before.
Jay was always strong.
Too strong.
The kind of strong that looked like stone.
But right now…
she looked like a broken child.
Her shoulders shook as tears kept falling, one after another. The recorder in her hand was still playing softly, Adrian's voice echoing in the room like a memory that refused to leave.
I slowly moved closer.
"Jay…" I said quietly.
She didn't answer.
Her eyes were red and unfocused, like she was still trapped in the past.
Carefully, I wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Hey… it's okay," I whispered.
But she suddenly leaned forward and hugged me.
Tightly.
Like she was afraid I would disappear too.
For a moment, I froze.
Then I gently wrapped my arms around her.
"It's okay," I murmured again. "I'm here."
Her fingers clutched the back of my hoodie as if letting go would break her.
After a while, her crying slowly became quieter.
Her breathing became heavier.
She was exhausted.
That's when my eyes drifted to the picture frame in her hand.
A boy was smiling in the photo.
Bright eyes.
Gentle smile.
There was something warm about him.
Adrian.
So this was the boy who had protected Jay's heart before I ever met her.
I took the picture and studied it carefully.
For a few seconds, the room was silent.
Then I spoke in my mind.
Don't worry.
Adrian…
I understand now.
I'll protect her.
From now on… until forever.
I placed the photo back on the chair gently.
Then I looked at Jay again.
Her eyes were closed now, but tears were still resting on her cheeks.
She had fallen asleep.
Slowly, I slipped one arm under her back and the other under her knees.
She was lighter than I expected.
I carried her carefully to her bed.
"Sleep," I whispered.
I placed her gently on the mattress and pulled the blanket over her.
Then I wiped the last traces of tears from her face.
"Don't worry, Jay," I said softly.
"You're not alone anymore."
Just as I turned to leave—
her hand suddenly grabbed mine.
Her fingers were weak but tight.
I looked down.
Even in her sleep, she didn't want to let go.
My chest felt strange.
Warm.
I gently squeezed her hand.
"It's okay," I said quietly.
"I'm not going anywhere."
After a few seconds, her grip slowly loosened.
Her hand slipped away.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead gently.
"Goodnight."
Then I walked out of the room.
When I reached the living room, three people were waiting.
Jay's father.
Her mother.
And Aries.
Aries crossed his arms immediately.
"So?" he asked. "What did you two talk about? Why did it take so long?"
Before I could answer, Jay's mom lightly tapped his arm.
"Aries," she said softly, "don't bother him."
Then she turned to me with a kind smile.
"It's already late," she said gently. "You should go home now, dear."
I nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
I walked toward the door, but before leaving, I glanced once more toward Jay's room down the hallway.
Sleep well, I thought.
Then I stepped outside into the quiet night.
But even as I walked away, one thought stayed firmly in my mind.
A promise.
Not just to Jay.
But to the boy in the photograph.
Don't worry, Adrian.
I'll take care of her.