Days passed.
Quietly.
Smoothly.
But something…
Changed.
Keifer changed.
Not loudly.
Not suddenly.
But deeply.
Subtly.
Jay noticed it first.
Of course she did.
Morning.
Jay walked into the living room.
Phone in hand.
Talking.
Laughing.
"Arjun, stop it…"
Keifer looked up.
He heard the name.
He paused.
Just for a second.
Then…
He smiled.
Softly.
Jay walked past him.
Still on call.
Still laughing.
She glanced at him.
Watching him carefully.
Waiting.
For a reaction.
For that slight tension.
That little possessiveness.
But…
Nothing.
Keifer just leaned back.
Calm.
Unbothered.
Peaceful.
Jay slowed down.
Confused.
Very confused.
She ended the call.
Slowly walked back.
Stood in front of him.
"You didn't react."
Keifer looked up.
"Should I?"
Jay blinked.
"What?"
"You were talking to him."
Keifer nodded.
"Yes."
Jay frowned.
"And?"
Keifer smiled lightly.
"And you were smiling."
Jay stared at him.
"That's it?"
Keifer tilted his head.
"What else?"
Jay crossed her arms.
"You didn't get jealous?"
Keifer thought for a second.
Then…
"No."
Simple.
Clear.
Jay narrowed her eyes.
"Why?"
Keifer leaned forward slightly.
"Because I trust you."
Silence.
Jay's expression softened.
"But before…"
Keifer nodded.
"Before, I didn't understand."
A pause.
"I thought I had to hold on tight…"
"To not lose you."
Jay listened quietly.
"But now…"
He smiled gently.
"I know I won't lose you."
Jay's heart softened.
A lot.
"So you just… don't care?"
Keifer shook his head immediately.
"I care."
"A lot."
Jay's eyes searched his.
"Then why no reaction?"
Keifer stood up.
Came closer.
Not too close.
Just enough.
"Because love isn't control."
A pause.
"It's trust."
Jay's breath slowed.
Her anger…
Gone.
Replaced by something else.
Something warm.
"You changed."
Keifer smiled softly.
"For you."
Jay shook her head gently.
"No."
"For us."
Keifer's smile deepened.
"For us."
A quiet moment passed.
Then Jay suddenly spoke.
"Wait."
Keifer raised a brow.
"What now?"
Jay leaned closer.
Suspicious.
"Are you testing me?"
Keifer laughed.
"No."
"Should I?"
Jay hit his arm lightly.
"Don't you dare."
Keifer chuckled.
"Relax."
Jay smiled.
But softly this time.
Genuinely.
Later that day…
They sat together.
Jay scrolling her phone.
Keifer beside her.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
Jay suddenly turned the screen to him.
"Look."
Keifer glanced.
Messages.
Friends.
Group chats.
Names.
Many names.
Jay watched him carefully again.
He just nodded.
"Looks fun."
Jay stared.
"That's all?"
Keifer smiled.
"That's all."
Jay sighed dramatically.
"This is boring."
Keifer laughed.
"You want me to fight?"
Jay smirked.
"A little."
Keifer shook his head.
"No chance."
Jay leaned back.
"Wow."
"My fiancé became too mature."
Keifer raised a brow.
"Problem?"
Jay smiled softly.
"Maybe."
A pause.
Then quietly…
"But I like it."
Keifer looked at her.
"Good."
Jay rested her head back.
Peaceful.
Secure.
No doubts.
No fear.
Because now…
It wasn't about holding on.
It was about staying.
By choice.
And Keifer…
Didn't need to react anymore.
Because he already knew…
She wasn't going anywhere.