Chapter 17
The house was no longer calm.
Voices filled the air.
Tense.
Shaking.
Jeena stood in front of her.
"No, Jay…"
Her voice trembled.
"You're not going back there."
Behind her—
Jasfer stood silent.
But his face…
Tight.
Worried.
"Listen to mama…"
He said softly.
But Jay didn't move.
Didn't respond.
Her fingers held onto something.
Not tightly.
But firmly enough.
Keifer's hand.
Standing beside her.
Silent.
Watching everything.
"Jay…"
Jeena stepped closer.
"You almost died."
Tears filled her eyes.
"We just got you back…"
Her voice broke.
"I can't lose you again…"
Jay's heart tightened.
Pain flickered in her eyes.
"Mama…"
She whispered.
"I know…"
"Then stay."
Jeena begged.
"Please… stay here."
Silence.
Heavy.
Jay looked at her.
At her father.
At this house.
Her home.
Her past.
Her safety.
And then…
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Around his hand.
She felt it.
That presence.
That protection.
That certainty.
And slowly—
She shook her head.
"No."
The word fell softly.
But it echoed loudly.
Jeena froze.
Jasfer looked up instantly.
"What…?"
"I'm going with him."
Jay said.
Her voice…
Not loud.
But steady.
Certain.
"Jay, no—"
"I'm not safe here."
She cut in.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Her words…
Too real.
Too painful.
"I was attacked here."
Her voice shook slightly now.
"I called you…"
She looked at Jasfer.
"You didn't come."
His eyes dropped.
Guilt crushing him again.
Jay looked back at Jeena.
"I don't feel safe here anymore, mama…"
Tears filled Jeena's eyes.
"But with him…"
A pause.
Jay glanced at him.
Just for a second.
Then back at her.
"I do."
Silence.
Heavy.
Final.
Jeena shook her head.
"No… no… this is wrong…"
"He's dangerous…"
Jay's grip tightened again.
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because he protects me."
Her voice broke slightly.
"But he also…"
A pause.
Her heart racing.
"He comes when I call."
That line…
It changed everything.
Because it wasn't about fear anymore.
It was about trust.
Jeena stepped back slowly.
As if she lost something.
Jasfer closed his eyes.
Because he understood.
This wasn't forced anymore.
This was her decision.
And that hurt more.
Jay picked up her bag.
Her movements slow.
But certain.
No hesitation.
No turning back.
She walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
Just for a second.
"Mama…"
Her voice softened.
"I'll be okay."
But it didn't comfort.
It only made it harder.
She stepped out.
And this time—
No one stopped her.
Because they knew…
They couldn't.
Outside—
The air felt different.
Heavier.
Real.
Keifer opened the car door for her.
Jay paused.
Just for a second.
Then got in.
Without a word.
Without looking back.
And as the car drove away—
Her past stayed behind.
And her future…
Sat right beside her.
Silent.
Dangerous.
But the only place she chose to be.
End of Chapter 17