Chapter 11
Something had changed.
After that night…
Jay couldn't face him the same way.
She avoided him.
Every hallway.
Every room.
Every glance.
If she heard his footsteps—
She turned away.
If he entered—
She left.
And that…
Didn't go unnoticed.
Keifer noticed everything.
The distance.
The hesitation.
The way she refused to look at him.
It irritated him.
More than it should have.
And then—
It happened.
Jay was in the main hall.
Talking to one of the staff.
A young man.
Nothing serious.
Just a simple conversation.
"Thank you…"
Jay said softly.
"You helped me a lot."
The man smiled slightly.
"It's my job, ma'am."
Jay smiled back.
Small.
Genuine.
And that…
That was enough.
Footsteps.
Heavy.
Sharp.
The air shifted instantly.
Jay's smile faded.
She didn't need to turn.
She knew.
Keifer
"Leave."
His voice was cold.
The man froze.
"Sir, I was just—"
"I said leave."
No second warning.
The man walked away immediately.
Jay turned slowly.
Annoyance flickered in her eyes.
"What was that?"
Keifer stepped closer.
Too close.
"I don't like it."
"What?"
"You talking to him."
Jay frowned.
"He was just helping me."
"I don't care."
Her anger rose instantly.
"You can't control who I talk to."
A pause.
Dangerous.
"I can."
Her breath hitched.
"No, you can't—"
Before she could finish—
He pulled her closer.
Suddenly.
Her words stopped.
Her heartbeat spiked.
"Keifer—"
But he didn't let her continue.
His hand held her firmly.
Not hurting.
But not letting go either.
"You smile at him…"
He said lowly.
"And you think I'll ignore it?"
Jay's breath turned uneven.
"It was just a smile—"
"Not to me."
Silence.
Heavy.
His gaze dropped to her lips.
Then back to her eyes.
Sharp.
Possessive.
"You don't get it, do you?"
Her voice softened.
"Get what…"
"That you're mine."
Her heart skipped.
"That's not decided yet—"
"Then stop acting like you belong anywhere else."
Before she could react—
He leaned in.
His lips brushing her cheek.
Then closer.
Near her jaw.
Jay froze.
A shiver ran through her instantly.
"Keifer…"
Her voice was weak.
Unsteady.
But he didn't stop.
Another soft touch.
Closer.
Possessive.
Not gentle this time.
Not questioning.
Claiming.
Her fingers gripped his shirt again.
Unconsciously.
Her breath uneven.
"You feel that?"
He murmured.
Her eyes fluttered slightly.
"I…"
"You react to me."
A pause.
"Not him."
Jay pushed slightly against him.
But not enough to break free.
"This isn't fair…"
"Nothing about this is fair."
He pulled back just enough to look at her.
Her flushed face.
Her trembling lips.
Her confused eyes.
And that only made it worse.
His jealousy.
His control.
Everything.
"You're not allowed to look at anyone like that."
Her brows frowned weakly.
"Like what…"
"Like you looked at him."
Her heart pounded.
Because she realized—
This wasn't normal jealousy.
This was something deeper.
Something darker.
Something… she couldn't control.
And maybe…
Didn't fully want to.
Because even now—
Even after everything—
Her body still reacted to him.
And that scared her the most.
End of Chapter 11