Jay didn't change.
If anything, she grew closer.
She followed Keifer around the house like she always had.
Sat beside him.
Leaned into him.
Held onto his arm just a second longer.
She laughed louder with him.
Argued more.
Clung without apology.
She didn't want to lose him.
Keifer noticed the change but didn't pull away.
Instead, he let her stay close—closer than before.
But someone else noticed too.
Keifer's mom.
She watched the way Jay looked at him when she thought no one was seeing.
The way her smile faded when Ivy's name came up.
The way her fingers tightened when Keifer wasn't near.
One afternoon, she called Jay into the kitchen.
"Come here, beta," she said softly.
Jay sat across from her, nervous without knowing why.
Keifer's mom studied her for a moment.
Then spoke gently.
"What do you feel for Keifer?"
Jay froze.
"Nothing like that," she said quickly.
"He's just… Keifer."
His mom smiled faintly.
"You don't have to lie to me."
Jay looked away. "Aunty, please."
She reached across the table, placing her hand over Jay's.
"Tell me something," she asked quietly.
"Are you happy letting him have Ivy in his life?"
The question broke her.
Jay's lips trembled.
Her eyes filled before she could stop them.
She shook her head.
"No," she whispered.
Tears spilled over.
"I tried," Jay cried, voice breaking.
"I really tried to be okay with it."
Her shoulders shook as everything poured out.
"How do I explain it?" she sobbed.
"He's always been mine… and I've always been his."
She wiped her face helplessly.
"I don't want to lose him. I can't."
Keifer's mom stood up and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"It's okay," she murmured, stroking her hair.
"You don't have to be strong with me."
Jay clung to her, crying freely now.
"I love him," she admitted softly.
"I just… never knew when to say it."
Keifer's mom smiled through her own tears.
"You were always my daughter-in-law in my heart," she said gently.
"From the very beginning."
Jay looked up, stunned.
She cupped Jay's face warmly.
"And remember this—"
"I'm on your side."
For the first time in days—
Jay breathed.