Jay reached Keifer's apartment with trembling hands.
It was bigger than she remembered.
Colder.
Quieter.
She stood in front of the door for a long second, gathering the courage to knock.
Before her knuckles could touch the wood—
The door opened.
Keifer stood there.
For a heartbeat, Jay just stared at him.
And then—
She broke.
Her breath collapsed, eyes filling instantly, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"I'm… I'm sorry…" she cried.
Keifer didn't move.
Didn't pull her in.
Didn't touch her.
He only looked at her with tired eyes.
"Why are you crying?" he asked softly.
Jay shook her head, words tangled.
"I shouldn't have… I shouldn't have shut you out like that…"
Her voice cracked.
"I'm really sorry, Keifer…"
His jaw tightened.
"You shut me out, Jay?"
The way he said her name hurt more than the words.
She nodded quickly, wiping her face with her sleeve.
"Yes… I did… I'm sorry…"
For a second, he said nothing.
The hallway filled the space between them.
Then Keifer stepped aside.
"Come in."
She walked past him, small and broken, into the quiet of his big apartment.
The door closed behind them.
Still—
He didn't touch her.
Jay stood in the middle of the living room, crying silently now.
"I thought you hated me…" she whispered.
Keifer let out a slow breath.
Annoyed.
Tired.
Human.
"I was annoyed at you, Jay."
She flinched.
"But I never hated you."
Her shoulders finally collapsed.
"I hurt you…"
"Yes," he said honestly.
She nodded again.
"I know…"
That was when he moved.
Keifer crossed the room in two steps and pulled her into his chest.
Firm.
Safe.
Sudden.
Jay gasped and gripped his shirt, sobbing openly now.
His hand came up to her head, holding her there.
"It was never hatred," he murmured into her hair.
"Just… disappointment. And missing you."
Her tears soaked into his shoulder.
"I didn't know how to come back…"
He tightened his arms around her.
"You came anyway."
His voice softened.
"That's enough for me, Babe."