Chapter 14
The room felt unfamiliar.
Even though it was hers.
Jay stood in the middle of it.
Her house.
Her safe place.
But something felt… missing.
The silence here…
Was different.
Empty.
Not like his silence.
Footsteps behind her.
She turned slowly.
Jeena rushed forward.
"Jay…"
She pulled her into a tight hug.
"I missed you so much…"
Jay hugged her back.
Softly.
"I'm okay, mama…"
But her voice didn't fully mean it.
Jasfer stood a little behind.
Watching her carefully.
"You look tired…"
He said quietly.
Jay gave a small nod.
"I'm fine, papa."
Silence settled.
But her eyes…
They moved toward the door.
Unconsciously.
Because he was still there.
Keifer
Standing at the entrance.
Calm.
Unmoved.
Like he didn't belong in this soft place.
"We'll be back in two days."
He said simply.
Jay's heart paused.
"Two days…?"
A small pause.
Then she nodded.
"Okay."
Too quickly.
Too easily.
As if it didn't matter.
But inside—
Something shifted.
Keifer looked at her.
Carefully.
As if he was reading something she didn't say.
"You'll stay here."
"Yes."
"Don't step out alone."
"I won't."
"Keep your phone with you."
"I will."
Short answers.
Controlled.
Distant.
But her fingers…
They curled slightly.
Like she wanted to say more.
But didn't know how.
A pause stretched between them.
Uncomfortable.
Heavy.
Then—
"I'll leave."
He said.
Just like that.
No hesitation.
No looking back.
He turned.
Started walking away.
And that's when—
"Keifer…"
He stopped.
Jay's voice was soft.
But it held him there.
He didn't turn immediately.
"Be careful."
A small sentence.
Simple.
But real.
A pause.
Then he nodded slightly.
Without turning.
And walked away.
The door closed.
And the house fell silent again.
Jay stood there.
Still.
Her eyes fixed on the door.
For a long moment.
Too long.
"Jay?"
Jeena called softly.
Jay blinked.
As if waking up.
"Yes, mama…"
But her voice felt… distant.
Because her mind…
Was still outside.
Still with him.
Still following that last moment.
The way he didn't turn.
The way she didn't stop him.
And now—
She was here.
Safe.
Home.
With everything she once had.
But for some reason…
It didn't feel complete anymore.
That night—
Jay lay on her bed.
Staring at the ceiling.
The room was warm.
Comfortable.
Familiar.
But sleep didn't come.
Because something was missing.
Something she didn't want to admit.
She turned to her side.
Closed her eyes.
But instead of silence—
She remembered his voice.
His presence.
The way she felt safe…
Only when he was near.
Her fingers tightened around the bedsheet.
"…it's just two days…"
She whispered to herself.
But it didn't feel like just two days.
It felt longer.
Heavier.
And for the first time—
Jay realized something she wasn't ready to face.
She missed him.
End of Chapter 14