The hospital lights were too bright.
Too cold.
Too real.
Doctors rushed Keifer through the hallway on a stretcher.
"Clear the way!"
Jay ran beside him, her hand gripping his tightly.
"Keifer… please…"
A nurse gently pulled her back as they reached the operating room doors.
"You can't go further."
"No—please, I—"
The doors shut.
Just like that.
He was gone.
Silence hit her.
Then everything crashed.
Jay's knees gave out.
She fell to the floor.
"He can't… he can't…"
Her voice broke into sobs.
"I didn't even— I didn't even get to—"
She couldn't finish.
Tears streamed down endlessly.
This wasn't the strong lawyer.
This was just… Jay.
A girl terrified of losing someone she loves.
Jane rushed to her side, hugging her tightly.
"Sugar… breathe…"
But Jay just cried harder.
Percy stood a few steps away, fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.
"This is my fault…" he muttered.
"I should've seen him. I should've—"
Aries grabbed his shoulder firmly.
"No."
Percy shook his head. "We let our guard down."
Aries' jaw tightened.
His voice was low. Dangerous.
"They're going to pay for this."
For once—
Percy didn't joke.
He just nodded.
In the corner of the waiting area—
Keigan sat still, staring at the floor.
For once, no teasing.
No jokes.
Keiren sat beside him, eyes red, trying hard not to cry.
"Bro…" Keiren whispered, voice shaking. "He's… he's gonna be okay, right?"
Keigan didn't answer.
Because he didn't know.
And that scared him more than anything.
Through her tears, Jay looked up.
And saw them.
Keigan.
Keiren.
Broken.
Because Keifer… was their everything.
Something inside her shifted.
She wiped her tears quickly.
Stood up.
And walked toward them.
Keigan looked up slightly as Jay stopped in front of them.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Jay slowly knelt down in front of them.
Her voice was soft—but steady.
"He's strong."
Keiren sniffed. "But… what if—"
Jay shook her head gently.
"No 'what ifs.' Not with him."
Her hands reached out, holding both of theirs.
"He fought for me," she said quietly.
Her voice trembled—but she didn't break.
"So now… we believe in him."
Keigan swallowed hard.
"…he always wins," he muttered.
Jay gave a small, fragile smile.
"Exactly."
Keiren wiped his eyes.
"He can't leave us…"
Jay's heart ached—but she squeezed his hand.
"He won't."
Footsteps rushed into the hallway.
Voices filled the space.
Jay's parents.
Keifer's parents.
Everyone.
Jasfher Mariano immediately rushed to Jay.
"Princess…"
Jay hugged him tightly, finally breaking again.
"He got shot, Dad…"
Jeana held her as well, tears in her eyes.
Across the room—
Mark Keizer Watson stood frozen.
Serina Watson covered her mouth, shaking.
"My son…" she whispered.
Aries stepped forward.
"He's in surgery," he said firmly.
"We're not losing him."
Hours felt like years.
No updates.
No movement.
Just waiting.
Jay sat quietly now.
Her hands clasped together.
Eyes fixed on the operation room doors.
Her mind replayed everything.
Their fights.Their teasing.His smile.His voice.
"You look better when you smile…"
Her chest tightened painfully.
And then—
The question came.
The one she couldn't escape.
What if he doesn't wake up?
Jay's breath hitched.
Tears filled her eyes again.
"No…" she whispered to herself.
"I didn't even tell him…"
Her voice broke.
"…that I love him."
The red light above the operating room was still on.
Still glowing.
Still deciding everything.
And outside—
Everyone waited.
Hoping.
Praying.
For one thing.
For him…
To come back.