Chapter 20
The silence didn't last long.
Because the moment those words left her lips—
"…you're mine."
Something in Keifer snapped.
Not in anger.
Not in rage.
But in something far more dangerous.
Need.
Before Jay could react—
He pulled her closer.
Then lifted her.
Easily.
Like she weighed nothing.
"Keifer—!"
Her breath caught.
Her hands instinctively gripping his shoulders.
But he didn't stop.
Didn't slow down.
His steps were firm.
Fast.
Straight to his room.
The door opened—
Then shut.
Locked.
A sharp sound that echoed.
Outside—
The staff exchanged glances.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Because they already knew—
When he shut that door like that…
No one was allowed in.
Inside—
The air changed.
Heavy.
Charged.
Jay's heart raced uncontrollably.
"Keifer… wait…"
Her voice wasn't firm.
It trembled.
Not in fear.
In something else.
Something she couldn't name.
He set her down.
But didn't step back.
Didn't give her space.
His hands still holding her.
His eyes locked on hers.
Dark.
Intense.
"You said it."
His voice was low.
Dangerously calm.
Jay's breath hitched.
"I…"
"You meant it."
Not a question.
A statement.
Her fingers tightened slightly on his shirt.
"…yes."
That one word—
Was enough.
Everything between them—
All the tension.
All the confusion.
All the fights.
It all collapsed into this moment.
He leaned closer.
Stopping just inches away.
"You don't get to take that back."
Her voice came out soft.
"I'm not going to."
Silence.
Heavy.
Burning.
Then—
He closed the distance.
Not rushed.
Not careless.
But certain.
Jay's breath faltered.
Her eyes closing for a second.
Her fingers gripping him tighter.
Because this time—
She wasn't confused.
She wasn't resisting.
She wasn't scared.
She chose this.
She chose him.
The world outside the door—
Didn't exist anymore.
No danger.
No past.
No rules.
Just them.
And everything they had been holding back…
Finally breaking free.
Time passed.
Or maybe it didn't.
Neither of them cared.
Because for the first time—
They weren't fighting each other.
They weren't running.
They weren't questioning.
They were just…
Together.
And somewhere between all of it—
Jay realized something quietly.
She didn't just belong to him anymore.
He belonged to her too.
And that…
Was far more powerful.
End of Chapter 20