Chapter 23
The morning started… wrong.
Slow.
Heavy.
Jay sat on the edge of the bed.
Her hand pressed lightly against her stomach.
A small wince escaping her lips.
"Ah…"
Pain.
Dull.
Constant.
She closed her eyes.
Trying to ignore it.
But it didn't go away.
It only grew.
Another wave hit.
Stronger.
She bent slightly forward.
Her breathing uneven.
"Not today…"
She whispered softly.
But her body didn't listen.
Footsteps.
She didn't notice at first.
Until—
"Jay?"
Her eyes opened slowly.
Keifer stood at the door.
His gaze sharp.
Observing.
"You're not ready yet?"
She shook her head slightly.
"I… don't feel well."
A pause.
He stepped closer.
His eyes narrowing slightly.
"What happened?"
Jay hesitated.
A little embarrassed.
"It's nothing…"
"It's not nothing."
His tone firm.
Careful.
She looked away.
"…it's just…"
A pause.
Then quietly—
"I got my periods."
Silence.
For a second.
Then—
Keifer didn't react the way she expected.
No confusion.
No awkwardness.
Instead—
His expression changed.
Focused.
Immediate.
"Does it hurt?"
Jay blinked.
A little surprised.
"…yes."
"How much?"
"A lot…"
That was enough.
He turned instantly.
Already reaching for his phone.
"What are you doing?"
"Canceling everything."
Jay's eyes widened.
"What? No, you don't have to—"
"I do."
His voice left no room for argument.
Within seconds—
Calls made.
Orders given.
Meetings canceled.
Everything cleared.
For her.
Jay stared at him.
Confused.
Softened.
"You're skipping work… for this?"
"For you."
Simple.
Direct.
She didn't know what to say.
Because no one had ever done that before.
No one had ever taken something like this…
So seriously.
Minutes later—
He was gone.
And back again.
Fast.
Too fast.
Jay looked at him.
"You went out?"
He placed a bag on the table.
"Sit."
She obeyed without thinking.
Still watching him.
Confused.
Curious.
He took things out of the bag.
Carefully.
Arranged.
Everything she needed.
Jay blinked in surprise.
"You… bought these?"
A small pause.
Then—
"Yes."
Her lips parted slightly.
"You… know what to buy?"
"I asked."
A faint shrug.
Like it was nothing.
But it wasn't nothing.
Not at all.
Jay felt something warm spread in her chest.
Soft.
Unexpected.
"You didn't have to do all this…"
She whispered.
Keifer looked at her.
Calm.
Steady.
"I wanted to."
Silence.
Gentle.
He walked closer.
Not rushed.
Not intense like before.
Just… present.
"Lie down."
She hesitated.
Then did.
Slowly.
He adjusted the pillow behind her.
Carefully.
Then pulled the blanket over her.
His movements…
Unexpectedly gentle.
Jay watched him the whole time.
Her eyes softer now.
"You're acting like…"
She paused.
"…like you've done this before."
A small pause.
Then—
"I haven't."
He sat beside her.
His hand resting lightly over hers.
Warm.
Steady.
"I just don't like seeing you in pain."
That line—
It melted something inside her.
Completely.
Jay's fingers curled slightly around his.
Not tight.
Just enough.
"I'll be okay…"
She said softly.
"I know."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"But I'll still stay."
And he did.
No meetings.
No calls.
No world outside that room.
Just him.
And her.
Because for once—
Nothing else mattered.
End of Chapter 23