Chapter: The Decision
(Keifer's POV – London)
London looked the same as always.
Grey skies.
Cold wind.
Endless movement.
Cars passed below the glass windows of the thirty-second floor while the city buzzed with life like nothing in the world could ever stop it.
But inside my office…
Everything felt quiet.
Too quiet.
I stood in front of the wide window overlooking the city skyline.
My phone was still in my hand.
The last image in my mind was her face in that hospital room.
The anger in her eyes.
The tears.
The slap.
And the way she hugged me right after.
My jaw tightened.
Jay.
Even when she told me not to come near her again…
She still looked like she needed me.
And that was the worst part.
A knock came on the office door.
"Sir?"
"Come in."
My assistant, Daniel, stepped inside holding a tablet.
"You have the board meeting in twenty minutes."
I didn't turn around.
"Cancel it."
He blinked.
"Sir?"
"Reschedule everything."
"For when?"
I finally looked at him.
"For when I come back."
Confusion spread across his face.
"Back… from where?"
I walked to my desk and grabbed my coat.
"The Philippines."
Daniel looked completely shocked.
"But sir, the company is in the middle of—"
"I know."
"You have three contracts being finalized this week."
"I know."
"And the investors—"
"I know."
He stopped talking.
Because he realized something.
My decision was already made.
I picked up my phone and my passport from the desk drawer.
"Prepare the jet."
Daniel hesitated.
"Sir… may I ask why?"
For a moment I didn't answer.
Then I said simply,
"There's someone I need to talk to."
Eight thousand miles away…
Another conversation was waiting for me.
Philippines – Angelo's Office
Kuya Angelo was reviewing documents when his secretary walked in.
"Sir, someone is here to see you."
Angelo didn't look up.
"I don't have any appointments today."
The secretary hesitated.
"He said it's important."
Angelo sighed.
"Who is it?"
Before she could answer—
A familiar voice spoke from the doorway.
"Me."
Angelo looked up immediately.
His eyes narrowed.
Standing there…
Was Keifer Watson.
Angelo leaned back in his chair slowly.
"Well."
His voice was calm but cold.
"You have some nerve showing up here."
The secretary quickly left the room.
The door closed.
Leaving the two men alone.
Keifer stepped inside the office.
"I need to talk to you."
Angelo laughed once.
"You're about two years late for that conversation."
Keifer didn't react.
"I heard about Yuri."
Angelo's expression darkened instantly.
"That man will never get near my sister again."
"I know."
Angelo studied him carefully.
"You flew here just to tell me that?"
"No."
Keifer's voice became serious.
"I came to stop the wedding."
Angelo's eyes narrowed.
"I already called it off."
That answer surprised Keifer slightly.
But Angelo continued.
"I don't care what happens to my company."
Keifer nodded slowly.
"Good."
The room became silent for a moment.
Then Angelo asked the question that had been sitting in his mind since the hospital.
"Why did you leave her?"
Keifer's expression changed.
For the first time since entering the room…
He looked tense.
Angelo noticed immediately.
"You still love her."
It wasn't a question.
Keifer didn't deny it.
"So I'll ask again," Angelo said.
"Why did you break my sister's heart?"
The silence between them became heavy.
Finally…
Keifer answered.
"Because if I didn't…"
His voice was quiet.
"…she would have been in danger."
Angelo's eyes sharpened.
"From who?"
Keifer didn't answer immediately.
Instead he looked out the office window.
Then he said something that made the entire situation suddenly feel much bigger.
"From people far more dangerous than Yuri."
Angelo slowly leaned forward.
"Start explaining."
Because suddenly…
This wasn't just about a broken relationship anymore.
Something bigger had been hiding in the shadows the entire time.