The morning air in the Watson mansion felt heavier than usual. Jay scrolled through her phone, stopping mid-scroll as her eyes widened.
Keifer's engagement news had gone viral. Pictures, headlines, and social media comments swarmed everywhere. Her chest tightened suddenly, a sharp pang of worry cutting through her.
"Keifer…" she whispered under her breath, her fingers trembling slightly as she scrolled through the posts.
Serina, noticing her sudden stillness, came over with a soft smile. "Jay… don't let this upset you," she said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Keifer is strong. He wouldn't let anything go wrong—not while he's himself. He has his family behind him, and nothing can sway him unfairly."
Jay looked up at Serina, trying to steady herself, but her chest still felt tight. "I… I just… I can't help imagining him… stressed, forced into something he doesn't want…"
From the doorway, Keizer silently observed. He noticed the subtle trembling in Jay's hands, the tightness in her jaw, the way her eyes darted anxiously to her phone. Without a word, he walked over and gently placed a hand over hers, the warmth of his palm grounding her.
Jay blinked, startled, then let out a shaky sigh. "Papa…" she murmured, leaning slightly into his presence.
Keizer didn't say much. He simply rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder and gave her a soft, understanding look. The silence said everything: he saw her worry, he felt it, and he would quietly hold her steady until she could breathe again.
Serina smiled, watching the two. "See, Jay? You're not alone. You have all of us here. Keifer is smart, he's strong, and he knows who truly cares for him. Nothing will go wrong."
Jay nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. The tightness in her chest eased slightly, replaced by the steady warmth of the family surrounding her. Even though Keifer was far away, even though the world seemed chaotic online, she realized that here—in this home—she had safety, comfort, and the strength to face anything.
Keizer gave her a small, silent squeeze on her hand before letting go. Jay held onto the moment, letting the quiet reassurance settle into her heart.
No matter what headlines screamed, no matter how far Keifer was, she would hold him in her heart—and she wasn't facing this alone.