Angelo's POV
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Aries was asleep on the edge of the bed, one arm still wrapped around Jay like he'd never moved after she drifted off. His breathing was slow and even deep sleep. The kind you fall into only after staying awake too long for someone else.
Jay was curled against him, peaceful now, finally. Her face was relaxed, lashes resting softly against her cheeks,dried tears was visible for all her crying of the storm she'd gone through hours ago.
And it broke me.
I stood there, just watching.
This this was what safety looked like. Not raised voices. Not rules shouted in anger. Not fear disguised as protection.
I clenched my fists at my sides.
I had yelled at her.
I had scared her.
She was already breaking... and I pushed harder.
My throat tightened as the memory replayed in my head her trembling, her voice cracking, the way she flinched when I shouted. God, she hadn't even argued back. She'd just looked at me like I'd confirmed her worst fear.
That she was alone.
I took a step closer, careful not to wake either of them. I gently pulled the blanket up over her shoulder, tucking it in like I used to when she was younger.
"I'm sorry," I whispered so quietly even the walls couldn't hear it.
"I should've protected you better."
Aries stirred slightly but didn't wake. His hold tightened instinctively, like his body knew its job even in sleep.
I turned away before the guilt crushed me completely.
Aries' POV
Morning light crept through the curtains, warm and soft.
Jay was still asleep against me, her breathing slow and even. For a moment, I just stayed there, letting the calm settle in. Then I carefully moved, brushed her hair back, and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Jay," I murmured. "Wake up. It's morning."
She stirred slightly, eyes fluttering open.
After she wake up i goes to my room.
Jay Jay's pov
Waking up didn't hurt today.
That alone felt strange.
For a moment, I forgot everything last night, the shouting, the tears. Then it came back in pieces. But this time, there was no panic in my chest. No immediate fear.
Aries was there.
That helped.
Breakfast felt... quiet.
Too quiet.
Plates clinked softly. No raised voices. No tension thick enough to choke on. Aries sat across from me, watching carefully like he was afraid I might disappear if he looked away for too long.
I ate slowly, my mind still half stuck in last night.But angelo was not there.
When we were done, Aries grabbed the car keys.
"Come on," he said. "We'll be late."
We got ready quietly. No rushing. No pressure. Just calm movements and soft voices. By the time we were heading out, my nerves had started creeping back in but I kept telling myself to breathe.We stepped outside.
The car was already parked near the gate. Aries went ahead
I was near the door when i feel a person behind me.
Angelo stood there, hands clenched at his sides. He looked... unsure. Like he didn't know how to be the adult right now.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly.
And then... he ran.
I froze.
Ran? Ran?!
Yes. The strict, scary, "I-will-make-you-cry-with-one-glare" Angelo was sprinting like a kid caught sneaking candy from the pantry. Arms pumping, coat flapping, legs moving way too fast for his body.
I blinked. Twice. Thrice.
Is that really Angelo?
That man who could silence everyone with a single icy glare... was running like a cartoon character.
I laughed. Loudly. Embarrassingly loudly.
Aries glanced at me from the car. He saw Angelo's ridiculous escape and... burst out laughing.
"Oh my god," he gasped between laughs. "He... he actually ran!"
I pointed at the retreating figure, still snorting. "Strict... Angelo... just... ran... like... a... five-year-old!"
Aries shook his head, trying to catch his breath. "I... can't. I literally can't. Look at him!"
I buried my face in my hands, giggling so hard it hurt. The terrifying, angry Angelo... running like a tiny human escaping responsibility. I cannot. I just cannot.
Even as the car pulled away, both of us were snickering quietly, imagining poor Angelo flailing down the street.
I will never, ever, look at Angelo the same way again.
And honestly... part of me didn't even want to.
He looked ridiculous. And I loved it. 😂