Chapter 19 — Fractures
Jay's POV
The soft click of my heels echoed through the mansion corridor, each step reminding me how quiet home had become. My bag slid down my shoulder as I kicked the door shut behind me. The scent of lilies still lingered from the event — mixed with the faint perfume of the runway lights, the applause, the flashes.
But none of it mattered. I just wanted to see them.
Kaiz and Keifer. My tiny world in this oversized house.
"Kaiz?" I called softly, slipping off my heels. The marble felt cold under my feet, grounding after the chaos of the stage. No response. I smiled faintly. Maybe he fell asleep already.
That's when I heard it — laughter. A woman's laughter.
My smile froze.
It came from the living room — faint, soft, rehearsed. I moved closer, my steps cautious as I peeked past the corner wall.
Ella sat there. Her long curls perfectly pinned, her silk nightdress catching the light as if she'd been waiting for this moment. And beside her — Keifer.
He was standing near the fireplace, sleeves rolled up, face half-shadowed. His posture was tense, but his tone calm, like he was trying not to make a scene.
"Ella, please," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's late. You should rest."
Her voice dripped with sweetness. "I just wanted to say thank you. For letting Kaiz stay here. For letting me stay here. You didn't have to."
He sighed. "You had nowhere else to go."
"Still," she stepped closer, pretending to look guilty. "You've been so kind, Kief. I know Jay must hate me."
I froze behind the wall.
Keifer didn't respond. His jaw worked like he wanted to say something but didn't trust his words.
Ella took advantage of the silence. "I heard you both fought… because of me. I'm so sorry."
Her voice broke on purpose — too soft, too perfectly trembling. "If I hadn't come here, maybe your marriage would still be peaceful."
Keifer looked up at her, guilt flickering in his eyes — that old habit of his, trying to make peace even when it wasn't his fault. He didn't notice how close she'd stepped.
"I'm not angry," he said. "Just tired. Jay and I… we'll figure things out."
And then — like a scene I wished I could erase — she reached up, touched his shoulder, and leaned in.
"Maybe you deserve someone who understands your heart," she whispered.
Before I could blink, she pressed her lips to his.
It wasn't long. It wasn't passionate. But it was enough. Enough for my heart to tear open like it had been waiting for an excuse to shatter.
Keifer's hands shot up — not to pull her closer, but to push her away. "What the hell, Ella—"
But I didn't stay to hear it.
My bag hit the floor with a dull thud, echoing louder than thunder in my ears. Both of them turned. His eyes met mine — wide, panicked — but I was already gone.
I didn't even realize I was running until the air outside slapped my face. The night was cold, the garden lights blurred by the tears I didn't remember letting fall.
The lilies bent in the wind as if bowing to my heartbreak.
Inside, I could hear him calling my name. "Jay! Wait!"
I didn't stop. Not when the rain began to pour. Not when my vision blurred completely. Not even when my heels slipped and the stones dug into my feet.
All I could think of was the warmth I'd left behind.
The laughter we had at dinner. The promise that he'd never let anyone come between us.
And yet, there she was — between us.
I leaned against the old swing in the backyard, breath trembling, mascara running like ink on paper.
"I trusted you," I whispered to the wind, not sure if it was to him or myself.
Lightning flashed. A tear hit my palm.
For once, I wished love came with proof.