JayJay's POV
"They thought you were dead," I said, my voice all shaky.
Percy just stood there like some tragic movie star, all broody and mysterious, like he knew he looked cool, not reacting. Ugh.
"And they blamed Aries for the accident," I added, trying not to scream.
He blinked, finally, like he just realized the world existed. "Wait, what? They blamed him? Not me? That's... actually kind of insulting."
I stared at him. "Kuya, they used me. They planned it. They wanted to hurt Aries. And they knew. All of them knew."
His jaw dropped, but not in a "poor you" way. More like he was shocked he wasn't the center of the drama. "They made a whole plan and didn't even tell me? Wow. Rude."
I was crying now, like full-on ugly crying. "Yuri and his family made a deal. Kuya Angelo made a deal with the Hanamitchi. They said they'd help Fer-Crop if they got me involved. And Yuri just... let it happen."
Percy finally came closer, but he still looked like he was thinking about how this would look in a movie or something. "This is... honestly, a disaster. And not even the fun kind."
I wiped my face with my sleeve. "Everyone who's ever been in my life either leaves or breaks me."
He sighed, like he was carrying the weight of the universe or whatever. Then he hugged me, all dramatic and slow, like he was the hero in some sad anime. "It's okay," he whispered, brushing my hair back. "Big brother is here now. And I don't leave. I never leave. I'm literally the only one who gets how messed up this all is."
He kissed my forehead like he was sealing some ancient promise or something.
And for a second, I almost believed him.
He held me like I was some fragile thing, like I was glass or whatever, and then—out of nowhere—he said:
"You know, if betrayal was a sport, your family would've won gold... and probably cheated to get it."
I blinked. "What?"
He grinned like he'd just dropped the funniest line in history. "Get it? Gold medal? Betrayal Olympics?"
I pulled away, sniffling
and just stared at him. "Are you seriously joking right now?"
He shrugged, still smiling. "I mean, I thought it was clever."
I wiped my nose with my sleeve and muttered, "You're such a dumbass."
Percy gasped, all fake offended. "Language, young lady!"
Percy gasped, all fake offended. "Language, young lady!"
I rolled my eyes so hard I swear I saw my brain. "Oh please, you literally called that board meeting a 'circle of chaos led by a PowerPoint cult.'"
He smirked. "And I stand by that."
I groaned. "God, you're insufferable."
He winked. "Besides, annoying you is kind of my love language."
I didn't answer. I just leaned back into his chest, because even if he was the worst sometimes... he was still here.
And that was more than I could say for anyone else.