JAY-JAY POV
After they left, the room grew quiet.
The hum of the machines became a lullaby, steady and soft.
My eyelids grew heavy, and before I knew it, sleep pulled me under.
When I woke, morning light spilled through the blinds, painting the room in gold.
The air felt different—lighter, calmer.
I blinked slowly, adjusting to the brightness, my body still weak but my heart steady.
Keifer was there, slumped in the chair beside me, his head tilted, eyes closed in exhaustion.
His bruised hands rested on his lap, but even in sleep, his grip on mine hadn't loosened.
I smiled at him, my heart aching at the sight.
Even in exhaustion, even in pain, he refused to let me go.
Slowly, I shifted, pulling myself up from the bed.
My body was weak, but determination carried me.
I adjusted against the back of the bed frame, sitting upright, watching him.
Keifer's head tilted slightly, his hair falling across his forehead, his chest rising and falling in steady rhythm.
The man who had fought for me, bled for me, stayed for me.
The man who hadn't left my side.
I reached out, brushing my fingers lightly across his knuckles.
I reached out, brushing my fingers lightly across his knuckles. The warmth of his skin, even bruised, grounded me.
He stirred at the touch, his lashes fluttering, his body shifting in the chair.
Then his eyes opened, hazy with sleep but instantly locking onto mine.
"Jay…" His voice was rough, heavy with exhaustion, but the relief in it was unmistakable. "You're awake… sitting up."
I smiled faintly, leaning back against the bed frame. "Morning came, Keifer. I didn't want to waste it lying down."
He straightened, rubbing his eyes, then leaned forward, his hand tightening around mine as if afraid I'd slip away again.
"You should be resting," he said softly, but his lips curved into a tired smile. "Still… seeing you like this… it feels like the best morning of my life."
I tilted my head, teasing gently despite the weakness in my voice. "Even with my messy hair and hospital gown?"
His laugh was quiet, broken but real. "Especially then. Because it means you're here. Alive. With me."
"I told you I wouldn't leave you," I said, my voice soft but firm.
"I know," Keifer replied, his eyes steady, his hand tightening around mine.
"What did the doctors tell you yesterday?" I asked, searching his face.
For a moment, sadness flickered in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a smile. "Nothing. They just told me to take care of you."
I nodded, letting it go, though I knew there was more he wasn't saying.
"When can we go home?" I asked, groaning. "I'm sick of this hospital—especially the food."
He laughed, the sound warm and familiar. "The doctor told me I could take you home. But… you can't eat any junk food for a month."
My eyes widened. "So what can I eat?"
"Only greens and veggies," he said, smirking.
I pouted, crossing my arms. "Keifer, how am I supposed to live with only greens? I hate the color green because of veggies."
He chuckled, leaning closer, his forehead brushing mine. "Then I'll cook them in a way you'll love. You'll see. You'll survive."
I rolled my eyes dramatically, but a smile tugged at my lips. "Fine. But if I turn into a rabbit, it's your fault."
He laughed again, the sound filling the room, chasing away the heaviness of the past days.
And for a moment, it was just us—teasing, smiling, alive.
"Let's get you ready so we can go home," he said, his voice warm but firm.
I nodded, trying to stand up—but pain shot through me instantly. "Ahh!" I cried out, collapsing back onto the bed.
Keifer rushed to me, his hands steady on my shoulders. "Why would you stand up by yourself?" he scolded, his eyes sharp with worry.
"I can do it, Keifer," I muttered, stubbornness lacing my words.
He clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "Tss… so stubborn."
"Fine," I said, crossing my arms weakly. "But I want to go to the bathroom. Help me."
He sighed, but nodded, slipping his arm around me and guiding me carefully.
Every step was slow, his grip strong, his presence steady.
Finally, we reached the bathroom door.
"Now go," I said, turning to him.
"But—" he started, hesitation in his voice.
"No buts. I'll call you if I need help."
He frowned, clearly torn, but finally nodded. "Alright. I'll be right outside."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
KEIFER POV
When she asked me what the doctor told me yesterday, I almost cried right there.
Because the truth was too heavy to speak.
We lost our child yesterday.
FLASHBACK
The door opened again, and a doctor stepped inside.
My heart leapt into my throat.
"How is she?" I asked, my voice raw, desperate.
He looked at me, his expression heavy. "Mr. Watson… she is in critical condition."
My heart dropped.
The doctor looked at me again, his eyes heavy, his voice hesitant.
"Mr. Watson… did you know that…" he started.
My chest tightened, panic clawing at me.
"Know what?" I demanded, my voice sharp, trembling. "Just tell me already!"
He exhaled slowly, his gaze lowering to the chart in his hands before meeting mine again.
"Mrs. Watson she is pregnant" He said
"Mrs. Watson… she is pregnant," he said.
The words hit me like a thunderclap.
Pregnant.
Jay.
My wife.
Our child.
For a heartbeat, I couldn't breathe.
The sterile hallway blurred, the hum of machines fading into silence.
I staggered back, gripping the wall, my chest tightening until it felt like it might shatter.
"She… she is" I whispered, my voice breaking.
The doctor nodded, his expression heavy. "Yes. But the trauma, the blood loss… we couldn't save the baby."
My knees nearly gave out.
The grief was instant, sharp, merciless.
Not only had Ram tried to take Jay from me—he had stolen the future we were meant to have.
I pressed my fists against my temples, fighting the scream clawing its way out.
I wanted to collapse. I wanted to rage. But I couldn't.
Because Jay was still fighting.
And if she woke up, she couldn't know this pain.
Not now
Not never
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to nod. "Thank you," I muttered, though the words felt hollow.
The doctor placed a hand on my shoulder, steady but distant. "I'm sorry, Mr. Watson."
I sat down, burying my face in my hands, tears burning at the edges of my eyes.
Inside me, a storm raged—grief, fury, love—all colliding.
And I whispered into the emptiness, "I'll protect her. Even if it means carrying this alone."
End of Flashback
She will never know about this.
Not now.
Not while she's still fragile, still fighting to heal.
I will carry this alone.
The truth sits heavy in my chest, a wound deeper than any bruise on my hands.
Our child… gone before I even had the chance to hold them, to tell Jay, to dream with her about the life we would build.
"Keifer, what were you thinking about?" Jay asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Nothing," I said quickly, forcing a smile.
"Let's go. I'm ready," she said, determination in her voice despite her weakness.
I nodded, helping her carefully into the car.
Every movement was slow, deliberate, my hands steady against her fragile frame.
Once she was settled, I closed the door gently and slid into the driver's seat.
We started the drive home.
The city blurred past, the hum of the engine filling the silence.
Jay leaned against the window, her eyes fluttering shut.
Within minutes, she was asleep.
I glanced at her, my chest tightening.
Her face was pale, but peaceful.
She looked safe.
Alive.
But inside me, the storm still raged.
The secret I carried pressed heavier with every mile.
She didn't know.
She couldn't know.
Not yet.
I tightened my grip on the wheel, whispering to myself, "I'll protect you, Jay. I'll protect us. Even if it means carrying this alone."
The road stretched ahead, endless and uncertain.
But for now, she was beside me.
And that was enough.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
🌹✨ Author's Note ✨
🌹 So… how was the chapter? 😭😭😭😭😭😭
This one was heavy for me to write. 💔 💔 💔 💔
My heart honestly broke while putting those scenes together, and I'm still carrying that sadness 💫.
I hope you felt the emotions too—please drop your thoughts in the comments.
Your reactions mean so much, especially when the story takes a painful turn 💙
Quick question for you all… do you want Jay to know about losing her child?
YES or NO — drop it in the comments 💔😭.