Chapter 2 : Morning Silence
( Jay's pov )
The sun streams through the kitchen window.
I tie my apron, hands trembling slightly.
Helping the maid cook… at least something to keep busy.
I set the table.
Two plates.
Two cups.
I sit. Wait.
Hope flickers.
The door opens.
Keifer steps in.
Black suit, tie slightly loose.
Hair perfect. Eyes cold.
"Good morning," I say, voice soft, hopeful.
He doesn't look at me.
Doesn't respond.
Doesn't even flinch.
I try again.
"Um… breakfast is ready."
He cuts me off.
"Sit down. Don't speak unless I ask."
Tone sharp. Cold. Absolute.
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Silent. Motionless.
My hands fidget in my lap.
He takes a seat across from me.
Eats slowly.
Eyes forward.
Doesn't glance my way.
I stare.
Hope fading, sinking.
This is my life now.
Quiet. Controlled. Alone.
I try one last time
.
"Is… everything okay?"
His gaze snaps to mine.
"Everything is fine. Now be quiet."
I nod again.
A bitter taste in my mouth.
A little spark inside me dies…
But I keep sitting.
Watching him.
Hoping.
After breakfast
The house felt different
Less silent.
Less… empty.
Voices echo through the halls.
Familiar ones.
My heart races.
Family.
I step downstairs slowly.
And then I see them.
Mama.
Papa.
Jare.
Aries.
My chest tightens.
Relief hits me so hard I almost run.
"Jay…" Mama whispers.
I don't think.
I just run
I wrap my arms around her tightly.
Holding on like I might break if I let go.
"I'm okay," I whisper.
Even if it's not true.
Papa stands beside her.
Strong. Silent. Watching.
Jare's eyes don't leave me.
Like he already knows something's wrong.
Jare steps closer.
His gaze sharp. Careful.
"You look tired," he murmurs.
"I'm not," I reply softly.
Another lie.
Aries stands behind him. Silent as always.
Watching everything. Missing nothing.
And then…
I feel it.
Papa's presence.
I don't turn.
I don't move.
"Jayjay." His voice is calm. Firm.
My chest tightens.
I look past him.
Through him.
Like he isn't even there.
Silence stretches.
He takes a step forward.
"Are you not going to greet me?"
My fingers tighten around my dress.
"I'm fine," I say quietly.
Still not looking at him.
The air changes.
Jare shifts uncomfortably.
Mama glances between us.
Papa's voice lowers slightly.
"This is not how you were raised."
That does it.
I look at him now.
"You didn't raise me to be handed over either."
Silence.
Heavy. Sharp.
Mama inhales softly.
"Jay…"
But I don't stop.
"You didn't even ask me."
My voice shakes, but I hold it together.
"You just decided."
Papa's expression hardens.
"It was to protect you."
"From what?" I whisper.
"From dying… or from living?"
No one speaks.
The tension is unbearable.
And then—
Laughter.
I turn.
Ciel.
She runs past everyone—
straight to him.
"Keifer!"
I freeze.
Because the man standing there…
changes completely.
Not slightly.
Not barely.
Completely.
He actually smiles.
Not a smirk.
Not something small.
A real smile.
My breath catches.
He steps forward before she even reaches him.
"Ciel."
His voice—warm. Soft.
She crashes into him, hugging him tightly.
And he laughs.
Laughs.
His arms wrap around her without hesitation.
Holding her close.
"You've grown," he says, pulling back slightly to look at her.
She grins.
"And you're still scary."
He chuckles.
"I'm only scary to people who deserve it."
She hits his arm playfully.
"You missed me."
He doesn't deny it.
"Maybe."
But he's still smiling.
Still looking at her like she's everything good in his world.
My chest tightens.
Because I've never seen this man before.
Not in the car.
Not in this house.
Not with me.
He tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Soft. Careful.
"You're staying long?"
"Of course," she beams, holding his arm.
And he lets her.
Doesn't pull away.
Doesn't correct her.
Just… stays.
Warm.
Human.
My fingers tighten around my dress.
Why does she get this version of him?
Why does he smile at her like that…
but not even look at me?
I look away quickly.
Because something in my chest…
hurts more than it should.
This way