Chapter 56 - Chapter 54 Safe Place

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🌙 Chapter 54: Safe Place

Jay's POV

I didn't plan to go there.

Not really.

I just… ended up driving in that direction.

The road felt familiar. Too familiar. Like my body remembered it before my mind could stop it.

By the time I realized where I was going—

it was too late to turn back.

The gates opened slowly as my car approached.

No questions.

No hesitation.

Just recognition.

I parked outside and sat there for a moment, staring at the house.

It looked the same.

Nothing had changed.

And yet—

everything felt different.

I stepped out of the car and closed the door quietly, the sound echoing more than it should have.

From inside, I could already hear voices.

Aries.

Loud, as always.

Someone arguing with him.

Probably Angelo.

I walked to the door and pushed it open.

"JAY—"

This voice wasn't of any justice Veil member .

It was quieter.

More… familiar.

Aries looked up first from the living room.

For a second, he just stared.

Then—

he smirked.

"Look who finally decided to exist."

"Shut up," I muttered.

I stepped inside fully.

Angelo was there too, sitting calmly, like he always does.

Observing.

Not interrupting.

Not reacting.

Just… present.

"You came," he said.

"Yes."

That was all.

No drama.

No questions.

Just acknowledgment.

I liked that.

Aries stood up and walked toward me.

"Missed me?" he asked.

"In your dreams."

He grinned.

"Rude."

Before I could move—

flick 🙄

"OW—BWISIT KA?!" I snapped instantly, grabbing my forehead.😬

"Just checking if you're still alive," he said casually.

"I was fine before this."

"Debatable."

I rolled my eyes and walked past him.🙄

Same house.

Same smell.

Same feeling.

But my chest felt tight again.

Because I knew—

who else was here.

And right on cue—

she walked in.

Jeana.❄️

She stopped when she saw me.

Her expression shifted immediately.

"Jay…"

I didn't respond.

Didn't even look at her properly.

I walked past her.

Like she wasn't there.

Like she didn't speak.

Because if I stopped—

I'd have to deal with it.

And I'm not ready for that.

The silence that followed was loud.

Too loud.

Even Aries didn't joke.

Even Angelo didn't interrupt.

Good.

Let it stay that way.

I walked straight into the kitchen.

And there she was.

Tita Gemma.⛅️

She turned as soon as she heard me.

And smiled.

A soft, warm smile that didn't ask questions.

"Jay, you're here."

Just like that—

everything inside me loosened.

"Hi, Tita."

She walked closer, gently touching my cheek like she always used to.

"You look tired."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. Sit."

I didn't argue.

I sat down quietly.

She placed a plate in front of me, the food still warm.

"You didn't eat properly, did you?"

"…Not really."😁

She sighed softly. "This girl…"

I looked down at the food.

For a moment—

I just stared at it.

Outside, I could feel it.

The tension.

The silence.

Jeana still there.

Not moving.

Not speaking.

Waiting.

I picked up the fork anyway.

Because here—

inside this kitchen—

I didn't have to deal with that.

Tita Gemma placed her hand gently on my head.

"Eat first," she said softly. "Everything else can wait."

I nodded slightly.

And for the first time since I walked in—

I felt safe.

Not because everything was okay.

But because for a few minutes—

I didn't have to fix it.

I just had to sit.

Eat.

And breathe.

And that was enough.

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