JAY-JAY POV
After the chaos, the laughter still echoing faintly in the walls, Keth had already found his partner-in-crime.
Ci-N.
The two of them were huddled in the corner, crayons scattered across the floor, dinosaurs lined up in battle formation.
Keth's giggles mixed with Ci-N's sarcastic commentary, the pair already plotting some new brand of mischief.
The others were exploring the house, their voices echoing faintly down the hallway.
But Keifer, Percy, Aries, Kuya Angelo, and Yuri sat on the couch across from me, their eyes fixed like spotlights.
"What questions do you guys have?" I asked, settling into the other couch, bracing myself.
"First," Aries said, his tone direct, "when was Keth created?"
My face burned instantly—I was probably a tomato. Keifer's ears turned red too, his jaw tightening.
"That doesn't matter," he said quickly, cutting the question short.
I nodded, grateful for the interruption.
Kuya Angelo leaned forward, his voice calm but curious. "How did you finish your studies?"
"Yeah, what college did you get into?" Percy added, smirking like he already expected the answer to be unimpressive.
I straightened, chin high. "Well, I got into Harvard. Full scholarship. Law."
Their jaws practically hit the floor.
They all looked shocked, eyes wide, mouths open.
"What? Don't look that shocked," I said, offended.
Percy recovered first, his grin returning. "So you do have a brain," he teased.
Without hesitation, I grabbed a couch pillow and hurled it at him.
It smacked him square in the chest.
"Jay! You can't just throw stuff at my handsome face!" Percy cried dramatically, clutching the pillow like it was a mortal wound.
Yuri snorted, trying to hide his laughter.
Aries shook his head, muttering something about "immaturity."
Kuya Angelo smiled faintly, amused despite himself.
And Keifer… Keifer just watched me, his lips twitching like he wanted to laugh but couldn't let himself.
For a moment, the heaviness lifted.
The ghosts in the room felt less like shadows, more like family again.
Yuri's question lingered in the air, heavy, but I answered anyway. "Well… after I left the house, I came here to Massachusetts. Found a job. Keth was born. It was hard, but an old lady named Miss Delaney helped me. The girl you saw earlier was her granddaughter. They babysat Keth when I needed them to, and I finished my studies with part-time jobs."
The room fell silent. Their faces—shocked, confused, guilt written in every line.
"Don't blame yourselves for what happened," I said quickly, trying to cut through the weight pressing down on us.
Aries leaned forward, his voice sharp, almost pleading. "Why, Jay? Why do you always think you can take care of things alone?"
I met his gaze, my chin lifting, my voice steady even though my chest trembled. "Well… maybe because I can."
The words hung between us, defiant, stubborn, but true. Because I had. Because I had no choice.
Percy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Jay… you shouldn't have had to."
Kuya Angelo's eyes softened, guilt flickering in his expression.
Yuri leaned back, shaking his head, muttering something under his breath about "too strong for her own good."
And Keifer—
Keifer just stared at me, his jaw tight, his eyes burning with something I couldn't name.
Not anger.
Not pity.
Something deeper.
The laughter faded, the chaos of Keth and Ci-N echoing faintly from the other room.
But Keifer's eyes never left mine.
Finally, he stood, his voice low but firm.
We went upstairs to Keth's room
The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the heater.
Keifer's hand lingered on the photo frame—
Keth at one year old, chocolate smeared across his cheeks, his smile wide and innocent.
"Why, Jay?" he asked again, his voice breaking. "Why did you leave?"
I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. "Is that even a question?" I snapped, my voice trembling.
"It was because of what you guys did. I couldn't take it. Just when I thought I was being loved for nothing in return…"
My throat burned, tears stinging my eyes. "You revealed your fucking plan."
Keifer flinched, his jaw tightening, his knuckles white against the photo frame.
His ears were red, his eyes dark with guilt.
"That plan… it wasn't supposed to be like that," he said, his voice low, almost pleading.
"We went upstairs to Keth's room. Keifer's eyes lingered on the photos—Keth at one year old, chocolate smeared across his cheeks, his smile wide and innocent.
Finally, he broke the silence. "Jay… why? Why did you leave?"
I swallowed hard, my voice trembling. "Is that even a question? It was because of what you guys did. Just when I thought I was being loved for nothing in return… you revealed your damn plan."
Keifer flinched, his jaw tight, his ears red. "Yes, it's true—the plan started because we wanted to get back at Aries," he admitted, his voice low. "But it backfired. So bad. Because I fell in love with you."
"Then why, Keifer? Why?" I pressed, my chest aching.
He looked at me, tears brimming. "Because I had no choice. I turned eighteen—you remember my inheritance, don't you?"
I nodded slowly.
"The Watsons threatened me. They said they'd hurt you if I didn't go along with it. I had no choice, Jay." His voice cracked, tears spilling down his face.
I didn't even realize when my arms wrapped around him, pulling him close.
"Please, Jay," he whispered, his face buried in my shoulder. "Let me be in his life. Give me a second chance."
"Keth deserves a father," I said softly. "Just… don't hurt him the way you hurt me."
"I won't," he promised, his voice shaking. "I'll protect you both."
"Me… I still need time," I admitted, pulling back slightly.
"I don't expect you to forgive me easily," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "But I'll work hard. I'll prove myself."
I nodded, wiping my tears.
"Can I ask you something?" he whispered.
I nodded again.
"When was Keth born?"
"November 5th," I said quietly.
Keifer's lips curved into a small smile, his tears still fresh but his tone suddenly lighter.
"So… that means you were waddling around campus with a baby bump and Harvard books at the same time?" he teased, his voice soft but mischievous.
I glared at him, my cheeks heating. "Keifer…" I warned, my voice sharp.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Jay, you must've looked adorable. Harvard's sunshine carrying Harvard's future lawyer and my son at the same time."
I clenched my fist, stepping closer. "Say one more word and I swear I'll punch you."
Keifer raised his hands in mock surrender, though his grin never faded. "Alright, alright. No more teasing. But admit it—you're incredible."
I rolled my eyes, but the corner of my lips betrayed me, twitching into the faintest smile.
Even in the middle of all this pain, he still knew how to get under my skin.
The air between us was heavy, Keifer's tears still fresh, my chest still tight.
Then the door creaked open again.
Keth waddled in, dragging his dinosaur by the tail, his eyes wide and curious.
He looked at us—me with red eyes, Keifer still holding back tears—and tilted his head.
"Mama… Papa… are you fighting?" he asked, his voice small but serious.
Keifer froze, wiping his face quickly. "No, buddy. We're just talking," he said softly.
Keth squinted, clearly unconvinced.
Then, out of nowhere, he asked, "So… does that mean I get two Christmas presents now?"
I blinked, stunned.
Keifer choked on a laugh, his tears turning into a smile.
"Keth…" I muttered, half exasperated, half amused.
He grinned proudly, climbing onto Keifer's lap. "Because if you're both here, Mama gives me one, Papa gives me one… double chocolate pancakes, double toys, double everything!"
The tension shattered instantly.
Keifer laughed, hugging him tight.
Even I couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips.
Leave it to Keth—my little chaos—to turn heartbreak into laughter with one innocent question.