Chapter 9
Morning light slipped into the room.
Soft.
Quiet.
Jay sat by the window.
For the first time…
The curtains were open.
Just a little.
Fresh air entered slowly.
Carefully.
Like it didn't want to scare her.
Jay stared outside.
People moved.
Birds flew.
Life continued.
So normal.
So far from her world now.
A soft knock.
She turned slightly.
"Come in…"
The door opened.
A maid entered.
"Ma'am… breakfast."
Jay nodded.
"Leave it there."
Her voice… still soft.
But not as empty as before.
The tray was placed.
Warm food.
Neatly arranged.
Just like yesterday.
Jay stared at it.
Then…
She slowly stood.
Walked to the table.
Sat down.
And started eating.
Not much.
But enough.
Because somewhere…
She remembered his words.
"You'll fall sick."
And she didn't want that.
Not here.
Not like this.
Later—
The corridor felt less terrifying.
Still cold.
Still guarded.
But she walked.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Step by step.
Like she was learning everything again.
Her eyes moved around.
Observing.
Understanding.
This place…
His world.
And then—
She saw him.
Keifer
Standing near the balcony.
On a call.
His back facing her.
"…handle it."
His voice was low.
Controlled.
No anger.
No chaos.
Just authority.
"I don't want mistakes."
A pause.
Then he ended the call.
Silence returned.
Jay hesitated.
Should she go back?
Should she avoid him?
Her heart said yes.
But her mind…
Stayed.
Because questions…
Were louder now.
She took a step forward.
Then another.
Her footsteps were soft.
But he still noticed.
"Why are you here?"
He didn't turn.
Jay stopped.
"I… was just walking."
A pause.
Then he turned.
Their eyes met.
No anger.
No softness either.
Just… calm.
"You shouldn't walk alone."
Jay frowned slightly.
"Why?"
"Because this place isn't safe."
She almost laughed.
"You're the one who said I'm safe here."
"I said safer."
A small silence.
Jay looked at him properly this time.
No blood.
No violence.
Just a man.
Standing there.
Normal.
And that confused her more.
"Can I ask you something?"
A pause.
Then—
"You already are."
Jay exhaled softly.
"Why do you do this?"
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Do what?"
"All of it."
She gestured around.
"This life… this violence…"
A long silence followed.
Keifer didn't answer immediately.
As if he was deciding…
Whether she deserved the truth.
"Because I have to."
Jay frowned.
"No one has to be like that."
A slight shift in his expression.
"You think the world is kind?"
"No…"
"Then don't expect me to be."
Her lips pressed together.
"But you weren't kind even when you could be."
Silence.
That hit somewhere.
Deep.
"You helped me."
She said softly.
"Then why do you hurt others?"
Keifer looked at her.
Long.
Carefully.
"I didn't help you."
Jay blinked.
"You brought me here."
"For my benefit."
That stung.
But she didn't look away.
"Still…"
She whispered.
"You didn't have to bring me food."
A pause.
Keifer's gaze shifted slightly.
"That was nothing."
"It wasn't to me."
Silence again.
This time…
Different.
Softer.
Jay looked at him.
Trying to understand.
Trying to see…
If there was something more.
"Are you always like this?"
"Like what?"
"Confusing."
A faint pause.
Then—
"Only with you."
Her breath hitched.
That answer…
She wasn't ready for it.
Neither was he.
Because it came out too easily.
Too honestly.
They both felt it.
That shift.
That moment.
Small.
But real.
Jay looked away first.
Her heart beating faster.
"I should go…"
Keifer didn't stop her.
Didn't say anything.
He just watched her leave.
Her steps quicker now.
Her thoughts louder.
Because something had changed.
Not outside.
But inside her.
And as she disappeared—
Keifer exhaled slowly.
Running a hand through his hair.
Because for the first time…
He didn't have control.
Not over her.
Not over himself.
End of Chapter 9