PERCY'S POV
When Jaspher Mariano walked into the hospital room, the air changed.
Not because of his name.
Not because of the power he carried into every space without trying.
But because the moment his eyes landed on the hospital bed—
He stopped being a tycoon.
Stopped being old money.
Stopped being feared.
He was just a father.
His breath hitched visibly. His shoulders—always straight, always controlled—collapsed inward like something had punched straight through him.
"Oh God," he whispered.
He took one step forward.
Then another.
And then he was at Jay's bedside, hands shaking as they hovered over her face, like he was terrified she'd vanish if he touched her wrong.
My sister looked so small.
Bandaged. Bruised. Sedated.
Jaspher dropped to his knees.
Just—fell.
A sound tore out of him, raw and broken, nothing like the man the world knew.
"I failed you," he choked. "I failed you… my little girl…"
I moved fast, gripping his shoulders, steadying him before he shattered completely.
"She's alive," I said quietly. "She's strong. She made it."
He nodded, tears streaming freely now, no attempt to hide them. He pressed his forehead gently to the side of her bed, fingers brushing her hair like muscle memory finally allowed to breathe.
"I looked for you," he whispered to her unconscious form. "Every year. Every goddamn year."
His voice broke again.
"I should've burned the world to get you back."
After a moment—too short, too cruel—he stood.
The switch flipped.
Not cold.
Focused.
He turned sharply to the legal team waiting just outside the door.
"Proceed," he said. "Fernandez family. All documentation. Guardianship. Every lie they signed will be accounted for."
They nodded and left immediately.
Jaspher leaned down once more and pressed a careful kiss to Jay's forehead.
"You're coming home," he said softly. "New York. Tonight. Just wait for me."
Then—
Her eyelids fluttered.
I felt it before anyone spoke.
Jay stirred.
Her brows knit together, breath hitching as consciousness returned slowly, painfully.
"Dad…" she whispered.
He froze.
Then he broke all over again.
He cupped her face gently, tears falling onto the sheets. "I'm here," he said urgently. "I'm here, baby. It's me."
Her eyes focused—slow, disbelieving.
"Dad?" she murmured again, like saying it too loud might make him disappear.
"Yes," he breathed. "It's me."
She cried silently. Tears slipped into her hairline as he brushed them away with shaking fingers.
"I'm taking you home," he promised. "NYC. Tonight. Just rest. I'll handle everything."
She nodded weakly.
That was all she had the strength for.
He straightened reluctantly, meeting my eyes.
"Protect her," he said simply.
"I always will," I replied.
He nodded once, then walked out—already on the phone, already dismantling a family that thought they could keep his daughter.
I turned back to Jay.
She was awake now. Dazed. Fragile.
I sat beside her, lowering my voice.
"He's real," I said gently. "You're not dreaming."
Her fingers reached for my sleeve, clutching weakly.
"He cried," she whispered.
"Yeah," I said. "He did."
Her lips trembled. "He wanted me."
I swallowed hard.
"Yes," I said firmly. "He always did."
She exhaled shakily, eyes slipping shut again—not unconscious this time, just exhausted.
"I'm scared," she murmured.
I leaned down, resting my forehead against hers.
"I know," I said. "But you're not alone anymore. Not ever again."
Her grip tightened just a little.
And for the first time in years—
My sister was going home.
Earlier that day
Jay came back slowly.
Not all at once—just enough to remind me she was still here.
I propped her up carefully and held out the spoon. "Doctor-approved mystery food," I said. "Tastes like regret and bad decisions."
She looked at it. Looked at me.
A corner of her mouth twitched.
"Wow," she murmured. "You should really consider quitting protection work and becoming a chef."
I smirked. "I will try. Eat."
She took a small bite, chewed half-heartedly, then sighed. "I can't."
"That's fine," I said gently, setting it aside. "You tried."
She stared at the blanket for a moment, fingers fidgeting with the edge.
"Percy?" Her voice was small. Too small for someone who'd survived what she had.
"Yeah, baby sis?"
"Am I really… going home?"
Something in my chest loosened.
"Yes," I said without hesitation. "You're going home. New York. Tonight."
Her eyes filled again, but this time the tears didn't fall.
"Okay," she whispered. Like she was afraid saying more might break it.
There was a knock on the door.
Sharp. Soft. Hesitant.
Jay stiffened instantly, fingers curling into the sheets.
"No," she said quickly. "I—I don't want—"
"It's okay," I said, lowering my voice. "Let me handle it."
I opened the door just enough.
David stood there.
He looked wrecked. Dark circles under his eyes. Hands clenched like he didn't know what to do with them.
"She awake?" he asked quietly.
"She is," I said. "But listen to me first."
I stepped aside and let him in slowly, making sure Jay could see everything—could see she was still in control.
The moment she saw him, her breath caught.
"You don't have to come near," I told him.
"I won't," David said immediately, stopping a few steps away. "I swear."
Jay's eyes flicked to me.
I nodded. "Jay… there's something you need to know. David wasn't part of what they did to you. He was helping me. Protecting you. Watching out for you—because I asked him to."
Her brows knit together, confusion and hurt colliding.
"You… knew?" she whispered to David.
He nodded, eyes shining. "I did. And I'm so sorry you had to believe I was just another person who failed you."
Silence stretched.
Jay swallowed hard.
"I—" She stopped, breath shaking. "I can't say anything right now."
David didn't push.
"I know," he said softly. "You don't owe me forgiveness. Or explanations. Or anything."
He met her eyes, steady and sincere.
"I just wanted you to know… I am sorry."
Her lips parted—but no words came.
"I'll go," he said gently. "Take all the time you need."
He turned and left without another word.
As the door closed, I looked at Jay.
She was staring at the spot he'd stood in, expression unreadable.
Outside, I found David leaning against the wall, trying very hard not to fall apart.
I pulled him into a hug before he could react.
"Thank you," I said firmly. "For protecting her. And for loving her enough to let her go."
He stiffened, then laughed weakly. "I didn't think you noticed."
"I notice everything when it comes to her."
He nodded, eyes wet. "She deserves peace."
"She does," I agreed.
I stepped back and left him there—guarding, even now.
My phone buzzed.
Dad:
Get Jay to the airport in 2 hours. I'll meet you there.
I went back into the room.
Jay looked up at me immediately.
"It's time," I said softly.
She took a breath.
Then nodded.
And for the first time since this nightmare began—
She didn't look like she was running.
She looked like she was choosing..