Jay's POV
The night after the confrontation with Jeana, the Fernandez house felt quiet.
Too quiet.
Everyone had gone to their rooms, but I couldn't sleep.
The truth about my mother kept replaying in my mind like a broken record.
Every memory.
Every lie.
Every moment she drugged my food.
My chest tightened.
Keifer entered the room quietly.
He walked toward me slowly and sat beside me.
"You're still awake," he said softly.
"I can't sleep."
He gently took my hand.
"You don't have to face this alone."
I looked at him.
His eyes were full of worry.
"You've been through too much already," he continued.
I forced a small smile.
"I'll be fine."
But deep inside…
I wasn't sure anymore.
Keifer's POV
Jay looked strong on the outside.
But I could see the cracks.
Her hands were still trembling slightly.
Her eyes looked tired.
"Come here," I said quietly.
She leaned into me without hesitation.
I wrapped my arms around her.
She rested her head against my chest.
For a moment neither of us spoke.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
My heart tightened.
"Of what?"
"That I might hurt someone again."
I lifted her chin gently.
"You won't."
"You don't know that."
Her voice trembled.
"I stabbed Aries once… what if next time it's someone I love?"
I kissed her forehead softly.
"I trust you."
Her eyes softened slightly.
But the fear inside her didn't disappear.
The Doctor Visit
The next morning, Jay went to the hospital for a psychological evaluation.
She didn't tell anyone.
Not even Keifer.
The doctor reviewed her case carefully.
"You've experienced severe trauma," he explained.
"The flashbacks are becoming stronger."
Jay sat quietly.
"What does that mean?"
"It means your mental state has worsened due to the sudden return of memories."
Jay's fingers tightened.
"If you experience another flashback while someone is near you… that person might get seriously injured."
The words hit her like a storm.
"What do I do?"
The doctor sighed.
"There are two options."
"First, you isolate yourself until your condition improves."
"And the second?"
"You transfer to the psychiatric department where you will be admitted until the trauma is treated."
Jay sat silently.
Her thoughts immediately went to Keifer.
If she stayed…
She might hurt him.
And that was something she could never allow.
Jay's Decision
That night she packed quietly.
No one noticed.
She wrote a letter.
But in the end…
She tore it apart.
Because if Keifer read it…
He would come looking for her.
And she couldn't let that happen.
Before leaving, she stood outside Keifer's room.
Her hand trembled near the door.
"Goodbye," she whispered softly.
Then she walked away.
Keifer's POV
The next morning something felt wrong.
Jay wasn't in her room.
"Jay?" I called.
No answer.
I checked the kitchen.
The garden.
The living room.
Nothing.
A cold fear spread through my chest.
"Angelo," I said urgently.
"What?"
"Have you seen Jay?"
He shook his head.
Suddenly Aries entered the room.
"Guys… Jay's phone is off."
Silence filled the room.
My heart dropped.
"She wouldn't just leave," Gemma whispered.
But deep inside…
I already knew.
Jay was gone.
The Search
Days turned into weeks.
Weeks turned into months.
I searched everywhere.
Every city.
Every hospital.
Every university.
But Jay had disappeared completely.
"She wouldn't leave you like this," Angelo said once.
But I knew the truth.
Jay didn't leave because she stopped loving me.
She left because she loved me too much.
And that hurt even more.