Chapter 21: The Breaking Point
Jay's POV:
The morning sun streamed through the curtains, but it did nothing to lift the weight pressing on my chest. The memory of last night—of seeing Ella with Keifer, even for a split second—clung to my skin like a stain. My limbs felt heavy as I walked downstairs, determined to face whatever awaited me in the house.
The sight of Ella smiling at Kaiz while pouring cereal made my stomach twist. She was perfect, saintly, fake as ever. My jaw tightened.
"Good morning, Kaiz," she cooed, brushing his hair from his forehead.
Kaiz looked at me and smiled nervously, caught in the middle of two worlds.
I didn't answer. I walked past them, my eyes cold and calculating. I needed answers, and I needed them now.
When Ella left the room to fetch something, I seized the moment.
I found her in the garden, crouched beside Kaiz as he played with blocks.
"Ella," I said, my voice calm but dangerous. "We need to talk."
She looked up, her eyes wide with faux innocence. "About what, Jay? You're worried about Kaiz?"
"You know exactly what I mean." I took a step closer, my hands clenched at my sides. "Why were you hurting him? Why were you punishing him? And what are your intentions here?"
Her smile faltered. For a split second, the façade cracked.
"You're… overreacting," she said, her voice trembling. "He's just a kid. I—"
"You beat him," I interrupted sharply. "You used him to manipulate Keifer. He's terrified of you. Look at him!"
Kaiz flinched, pressing closer to me. My heart broke seeing him shrink under her shadow.
Ella's face darkened, the playful mask dropping completely. "You think you can stop me? You think you can just walk into my life and destroy my plans?"
I stepped back, sensing danger too late. She whipped a knife from her pocket, the metal gleaming in the sunlight.
"Stay back, Jay," she hissed, voice low and menacing. "One step closer, and I won't hesitate."
Fear spiked through me, but I refused to show it. I kept my hands raised slightly, trying to de-escalate.
"Ella, put the knife down. This isn't the way," I said, my voice steady despite my pounding heart.
"Don't tell me what to do," she spat. "You have no idea what I can do, what I'll do to take everything away from you!"
At that moment, the hallway door slammed.
"Ella!"
Keifer's voice.
She froze. Keifer was there, eyes dark, fists clenched.
"Drop it, now," he commanded. His tone was sharp, authoritative, the kind that left no room for argument.
Ella's hand shook, holding the knife tighter. "Stay out of this, Watson!"
"Ella, this is your last warning," Keifer said, stepping forward. "Put the knife down. Or the consequences won't be just mine."
Before she could respond, police sirens wailed outside. Red and blue lights flashed through the windows.
Her eyes widened in shock. "What… what?"
"You're under arrest, Ms. Hyun," one officer called, stepping inside with backup.
Ella's hands dropped, the knife clattering
She looked at me with venom and defeat, then was escorted away in cuffs.
---
Kaiz clung to me, trembling. I wrapped him in my arms, feeling his tiny body shake against mine.
"Are we safe now?" he whispered, voice quivering.
"Yes, sweetheart," I said, kissing the top of his head. "We're safe now."
Keifer came over, kneeling beside us. His eyes softened when they met mine, and for the first time in hours, I allowed myself to breathe.
"You did the right thing," he said quietly. "We protected him. That's all that matters."
I looked up at him, and my defenses crumbled. The anger, jealousy, and heartbreak from before melted away in the warmth of his presence. Slowly, I leaned into him, letting him wrap his arms around me.
Kaiz watched, smiling faintly, tugging at our hands like he was sealing the bond between us.
For now, the danger was gone. Ella was behind bars, the threat neutralized. But as I held Keifer close, I knew that our family—strange, complicated, and chaotic—was just beginning to find its strength.
And I was finally ready to let myself be part of it.