Jay's POV – Arrival in New York
The moment the private jet landed in New York, my heart started beating faster.
Percy noticed immediately.
"You've been staring out the window for ten minutes," he said gently.
"I'm thinking," I replied quietly.
"About your father?"
I nodded.
"And your mother?"
I looked down at my hands.
"I remember things… but they're still confusing."
The memories were broken pieces.
Dinner tables.
Medicine.
A bitter taste in my food.
Voices talking about money.
But I didn't fully understand them yet.
Percy placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"You're about to get answers."
I took a deep breath.
"I hope so."
The Mariano Mansion
The Mariano mansion stood tall and elegant.
It looked like something from a movie.
My steps slowed as we approached the door.
"What if he doesn't want to see me?" I whispered.
Percy smiled slightly.
"Trust me… he's been waiting years for this moment."
The door opened.
And there he was.
Jasfer Mariano.
For a moment we just stared at each other.
His eyes looked exactly like mine.
"Jay…" he said softly.
My throat tightened.
"Dad…"
The moment the word left my mouth, his eyes filled with emotion.
He walked forward quickly and hugged me tightly.
"I've missed you so much."
I hugged him back.
Years of distance suddenly felt very small.
Behind him stood a woman with kind eyes.
"Jay," Jasfer said gently, pulling back. "This is Reycee."
She smiled warmly.
"I'm happy to finally meet you."
I nodded politely.
But the questions in my mind refused to stay quiet.
The Question
I stepped back slightly.
"There's something I need to ask you."
Jasfer's expression became serious.
"What is it?"
"Why didn't you find me?"
The room went silent.
"Why didn't you come for me all these years?"
His shoulders slowly dropped.
"Your mother threatened me."
My heart skipped.
"What?"
He sighed heavily.
"Jeana told me that if I ever tried to meet you… she would hurt you."
My stomach twisted.
"She said she would make sure I would never see you again."
Pain filled his voice.
"I wanted to fight her. I wanted to take you away from her."
His eyes turned red.
"But I was afraid that if I did… she would harm you."
Tears filled my eyes.
"So you stayed away?"
"I stayed away to protect you."
For a moment I just stood there quietly.
All the anger I carried for years slowly melted away.
I stepped forward and hugged him again.
"I forgive you."
His arms wrapped around me tightly.
"Thank you."
Reycee watched the moment quietly.
Then she walked over and gently placed a hand on my shoulder.
"You're safe now," she said softly.
For the first time, I felt like I had a real family.
Discovering the Truth
The next morning, I called my assistant.
"I need you to investigate Jeana."
"Everything."
"Her financial records, her contacts, everything she did when she brought me to the Philippines."
Two days later the report arrived.
And when I read it…
My hands started shaking.
The truth was horrifying.
Jeana had made deals with dangerous people.
She had tried to sell me when she brought me to the Philippines.
My chest tightened painfully.
Then I read the second part of the report.
The medicine.
For a whole month she had mixed drugs into my dinner.
Drugs meant to weaken memory.
Drugs meant to make me confused.
She wanted me to forget everything.
My hands clenched the papers.
"I trusted her," I whispered.
Jasfer placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"You don't have to face this alone."
I looked up at him.
"No."
My eyes hardened.
"But I will face her."
Return to the Philippines
The moment the jet landed in the Philippines, everyone at the Fernandez house was excited.
Gemma was practically jumping with excitement.
"She's finally back!"
Angelo laughed. "Relax."
Aries stood quietly near the door.
Keifer stood beside him.
But when the door opened…
Everyone froze.
Jay stepped inside.
Her expression was completely different.
Cold.
Serious.
Behind her walked Jasfer and Reycee.
Gemma ran forward happily.
"Jay!"
But Jay remained calm.
"I want to introduce someone."
Everyone looked confused.
"This is my father, Jasfer Mariano."
Shock spread across the room.
"And this…"
Jay turned toward Reycee.
"My mother."
She paused slightly before saying the word.
"Mom."
Reycee's eyes filled with tears.
She hugged Jay gently.
"I'm proud of you."
Jeana Appears
Then suddenly—
A familiar voice spoke from the doorway.
"What's going on here?"
Jeana entered the room.
Her expression immediately turned irritated when she saw Reycee.
"Who is she?" she asked coldly.
And that was the moment Jay snapped.
Before anyone could react, Jay grabbed Jeana by the arm and pushed her onto the couch.
Everyone gasped.
"DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT MY MOTHER!" Jay shouted.
Her voice echoed through the house.
Jeana looked shocked.
"What are you doing?!"
Jay's eyes burned with anger.
"I know everything."
The room went completely silent.
"You tried to sell me."
Gasps filled the room.
Gemma covered her mouth.
Angelo clenched his fists.
Aries looked furious.
"You drugged my food for a month!" Jay continued.
"You wanted to destroy my memories so I wouldn't remember anything!"
Jeana's face turned pale.
"That's not true!" she shouted.
Jay laughed coldly.
"I have proof."
She threw the investigation papers onto the table.
Jasfer stepped forward.
"I should have taken her away from you years ago."
Jeana looked around desperately.
But no one defended her.
Keifer stepped closer to Jay protectively.
Jay walked toward Jeana slowly.
"You are no longer my mother."
Her voice was ice cold.
"If you ever come near me again…"
Her eyes darkened.
"I will strip you of everything you have."
"And I will make sure your life becomes worse than hell."
The room fell silent.
Jeana looked terrified.
Jay turned around and walked away.
Keifer's POV
Jay walked outside into the garden.
I followed her immediately.
She stood there quietly.
For a moment she looked strong.
Then suddenly her shoulders shook.
I gently pulled her into my arms.
She didn't resist.
Instead she buried her face in my chest.
"I trusted her," she whispered.
"I trusted my own mother."
My heart broke hearing her voice.
"You didn't deserve any of that."
She looked up at me.
"What if I become like her?"
I cupped her face gently.
"You won't."
"How do you know?"
"Because you're nothing like her."
I kissed her forehead softly.
"And I'll be right here making sure you never face anything alone again."
Jay slowly hugged me again.
And for the first time since the truth came out…
She allowed herself to cry.