Keeper's POV:
We met Jay at our usual spot — the quiet café near the bridge. She was already there when we walked in, sitting by the window with two mugs of coffee on the table and that small, calm smile she always wore when things seemed okay.
For a moment, it felt like nothing had changed. Like the past few days hadn't happened.
David grinned as he slid into the seat across from her. "Someone's glowing," he teased.
She shrugged lightly. "Maybe I just decided to stop carrying what's not mine."
Stella laughed under her breath. I forced a small smile and sat beside Jay. We talked — about random things, harmless things. The weather, a new training plan, some guy David fought with at the gym. For a while, it almost felt like home again.
Then, Jay went quiet. Too quiet.
She set her mug down and stood. "So," she said slowly, eyes locked on me, "when were you three planning to tell me?"
David frowned. "Tell you what?"
Her voice was steady, but sharp enough to cut through air. "About Kuya Angelo."
The silence hit like a punch.
"You think I wouldn't find out?" she said. "You called him. You made plans. You decided to ship me off like I'm— what? Some fragile thing you have to hide away?"
"Jay, it's not like that—" Stella started, but Jay turned on her.
"Really? Then tell me what it is like, Stella. You think you can play big sister and decide my life for me now?"
Stella stood too, anger flashing through her eyes. "We were trying to protect you! You think you know what's going on, but you don't. You don't see the threats, the people waiting for a chance to get to you!"
"I didn't ask for your protection!" Jay snapped. "You all made that choice on your own. I didn't need saving."
"Yeah?" Stella shot back. "Then why do we keep finding you half-bleeding, half-dead, pretending you're fine?"
Jay's lips trembled — just for a second — but she didn't back down. "Because you three made me believe being fine was the only way to keep up with you."
The words landed hard. None of us spoke.
Finally, Jay turned to me. "And you," she said softly. "You were supposed to understand. But you went behind my back too."
I looked at her — really looked — and couldn't say a thing.
She shook her head, a bitter half-smile on her face. "Right. Guess that's my answer."
She picked up her bag and turned toward the door. Before leaving, she said quietly, almost coldly, "Goodbye. Don't come looking for me again."
And then she was gone.
The doorbell chimed as she walked out, sunlight flashing against the window before the door swung shut.
For a moment, none of us moved. Stella's hands were shaking slightly. David sat still, staring at the spot where Jay had stood.
I kept my eyes on the mug in front of me — still warm, still untouched.
That was the last time we saw her.
And the first time silence felt heavier than any gunfire...