The mansion was quiet, but the silence didn't feel empty anymore. It felt like a peaceful kind of calm—like the world had finally slowed down enough for Jay to breathe.
Jay sat on the couch beside Keifer, her head resting on his shoulder. She could still feel the warmth of his body, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was like a steady anchor in the storm of her life.
She looked up at him, her eyes searching his face.
Keifer," she whispered, "I never thought I would feel this safe again."
Keifer's hand gently brushed her hair away from her face.
"You don't have to be afraid anymore," he said softly.
Jay smiled, a small, tired smile.
"I still am," she admitted. "But not like before."
Keifer's eyes softened.
"That's good," he said.
Jay leaned closer, feeling her heart beat faster.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Keifer blinked. "For what?"
Jay swallowed hard.
"For everything," she said. "For being married. For dragging you into this. For making you worry."
Keifer's expression turned serious.
"You didn't drag me," he said quietly. "You didn't choose this life. You're not responsible for it."
Jay's eyes filled with tears again.
"I still feel like I am," she whispered.
Keifer turned to face her, his eyes full of emotion.
Jay," he said softly, "you're not alone anymore."
Jay looked down, her voice trembling.
"But what if I can't leave?" she asked. "What if Jax doesn't let me go?"
Keifer's gaze hardened.
"Then I'll take you," he said. "I'll take you away."
Jay's breath caught.
She stared at him, her eyes wide.
Keifer's voice was low, but his words were firm.
"I won't let him control you," he said. "Not now. Not ever."
Jay's eyes filled with tears, but this time they were tears of relief.
She looked at him, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You're different," she said. "You're not like anyone I've ever met."
Keifer's lips curved into a small smile.
"I know," he said softly. "And that's why you fell for me."
Jay's heart raced.
She felt the urge to say something, to confess everything, but the words wouldn't come out.
Instead, she leaned closer and pressed her lips to his chest, right above his heart.
Keifer's body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed.
He placed his hand gently on her back, holding her closer.
Jay closed her eyes, feeling the warmth and the safety. For the first time, she didn't feel like she was being used or controlled. She felt loved.
Keifer's voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
"Jay," he said softly, "you don't have to hide your feelings anymore."
Jay opened her eyes and looked at him.
"I'm scared," she admitted.
Keifer's gaze softened.
"I know," he said. "But I'm here."
Jay smiled through her tears.
She lifted her head slightly and looked into his eyes.
"I trust you," she whispered.
Keifer's eyes softened even more.
"I know," he said.
They stayed like that for a moment—quiet, close, and connected. The world outside the mansion didn't matter anymore.
Jay's heartbeat was loud in her ears.
Everything around them felt still, like the world had paused just for this moment.
Keifer looked at her with a softness she hadn't seen before—like he was afraid of losing her even while holding her.
Jay lifted her head slowly, her eyes searching his.
"I trust you," she whispered again, her voice trembling.
Keifer's gaze darkened slightly, and he leaned closer.
Their faces were only inches apart.
Jay could feel his breath on her lips.
Keifer's hand gently cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin.
"Jay…" he murmured, his voice low and full of emotion.
Jay's eyes fluttered closed.
Then, without another word, Keifer pressed his lips against hers.
The kiss was slow at first, tender—like a promise.
Jay's body trembled as the warmth of his lips met hers.
For a moment, she forgot everything—her marriage, her pain, her fear.
All that mattered was him.
Keifer's arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer.
The kiss deepened, not in a way that felt rushed or desperate, but in a way that felt real and true.
Jay responded, her hands resting on his chest as if she needed to feel him to prove he was real.
They stayed like that for a long moment—two souls holding onto each other.
When they finally pulled away, Jay's eyes opened slowly.
She looked at Keifer, her cheeks flushed and her heart still pounding.
Keifer rested his forehead against hers.
"I'm not leaving," he whispered.
Jay nodded, her voice soft.
"I know," she whispered back.
And in that moment, Jay felt something she hadn't felt in a long time…
Hope.