Chapter: When She Opened Her Eyes
(Aries' POV)
Hospitals make time feel slow.
Painfully slow.
Percy and I were sitting in the hallway outside Jay's room while Mom spoke with the doctor. Dad stood near the window quietly, his arms folded across his chest.
Kuya Angelo hadn't moved from the door since he arrived.
He looked calmer now… but I knew that look.
That was the look he had when he was holding himself back from destroying something.
Or someone.
Probably Yuri.
The doctor finally walked out.
"Her injury isn't severe," he said. "The bleeding was from a small cut near the scalp."
Mom sighed in relief.
"But she fainted because of shock," the doctor continued. "Her body reacted strongly to seeing blood. It may have triggered a traumatic memory."
My chest tightened.
"So she'll wake up soon?" Percy asked.
"Yes. She's stable now."
The doctor gave us a small reassuring smile before leaving.
Mom wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Thank God."
A nurse opened the door slightly.
"You can come in."
Kuya Angelo immediately stepped forward.
"I'll go first."
None of us argued.
He slowly walked into the room.
The rest of us followed quietly.
Jay was lying on the hospital bed, her head wrapped with a small bandage. The machines beside her beeped softly.
For the first time since everything happened…
She looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Kuya Angelo walked to her bedside and gently held her hand.
He didn't say anything at first.
He just stood there quietly.
Waiting.
Then after a few moments…
Jay's fingers moved.
Mom gasped softly.
"Jay?"
Her eyelids fluttered slowly.
Then she opened her eyes.
For a second she looked confused.
Like she didn't know where she was.
Her eyes moved around the room.
Then they stopped.
On Kuya Angelo.
"Kuya…?"
Her voice was weak.
Angelo leaned closer immediately.
"I'm here."
The moment she heard his voice…
Tears formed in her eyes.
"Kuya…"
She tried to sit up slightly but he gently stopped her.
"Hey, easy."
Her fingers tightened around his hand.
"I'm sorry…"
The words came out broken.
Everyone in the room froze.
Angelo frowned softly.
"Sorry for what?"
Jay looked down.
"For ruining everything."
My chest hurt hearing that.
"What are you talking about?" Percy muttered.
Jay's voice trembled.
"The engagement…"
Silence filled the room.
Mom looked confused.
Dad's expression hardened.
Jay continued weakly.
"Your company…"
Her tears started falling now.
"If the wedding doesn't happen… the deal will fail…"
My hands clenched.
So that's what she was worried about?
Even after everything Yuri had done?
Kuya Angelo's expression changed instantly.
His face softened.
And then he did something none of us expected.
He laughed quietly.
Jay blinked in confusion.
"…Kuya?"
He gently wiped her tears.
"Jay."
His voice was calm.
Warm.
"I don't care what happens to my company."
Everyone in the room went silent.
Jay looked stunned.
"What…?"
Angelo leaned closer so she could hear him clearly.
"I'll call off the wedding."
Jay's eyes widened.
"Kuya you can't—"
"Yes I can."
His voice was firm.
Stronger than anything else in the room.
"I should have done it a long time ago."
Mom looked shocked.
"Angelo…"
But he didn't take his eyes off Jay.
"You're my sister."
His thumb gently brushed away the tears on her cheek.
"You think I would sacrifice you for a business deal?"
Jay's lips trembled.
"But your company…"
"I'll rebuild it."
His voice was steady.
"I'll start again if I have to."
The entire room was silent.
Even Percy didn't make a joke.
Because we all knew one thing.
Kuya Angelo meant every word.
Jay shook her head weakly.
"I caused so much trouble…"
Angelo squeezed her hand gently.
"You didn't cause anything."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"That man did."
For a moment the room became heavy again.
Jay closed her eyes briefly.
Then whispered quietly.
"Thank you… Kuya."
Angelo smiled softly.
"You don't have to thank me."
He leaned down and gently pressed his forehead against hers.
"You're more important than any company."
Behind them, Percy wiped his nose dramatically.
"I'm not crying."
I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, sure."
Mom hugged Dad quietly.
Relief filled the room slowly.
For the first time since the chaos began…
Jay looked safe again.
But something in my gut still felt uneasy.
Because somewhere far away…
A man was already on his way from London.
And when Keifer Watson walked into this hospital…
Everything would change again.