Jay's POV – Outside the Hospital
The night air felt unusually soft against my skin.
Maybe it was because everything inside me was still unsettled.
The board meeting…
Seeing Keifer again…
The way he held me…
It all felt unreal.
And now—
Here we were again.
Standing just a few steps apart outside the hospital.
Keifer leaned against his car, his gaze fixed on me like he was afraid I'd disappear the moment he blinked.
"I'll drop you," he said.
I shook my head gently.
"I'll drive."
His brows furrowed slightly.
"Jay—"
"I'll be fine," I said softly.
He let out a quiet breath, almost like he was trying to control himself.
"You always say that."
I smiled faintly.
"And I usually am."
He walked toward me slowly.
Every step felt heavy.
Not because of distance—
But because of everything between us.
"Tomorrow?" he asked quietly.
I looked at him.
Really looked at him.
His tired eyes.
The softness hidden behind strength.
The way he was trying not to push me… even though he clearly wanted to.
"Tomorrow," I said.
His lips curved slightly.
"Every day."
"Every day," I repeated.
Silence.
Comfortable.
Heavy.
Before I could step away—
His hand gently wrapped around my wrist.
Warm.
Firm.
I looked up.
His eyes softened.
Without another word—
He leaned in.
And kissed me.
This time—
It wasn't just a goodbye kiss.
It lingered.
Soft… but deep.
Like he was reminding himself that I was real.
That I was here.
That I wasn't leaving.
My fingers instinctively curled into his shirt.
Pulling him closer.
Just for a second.
When we finally pulled apart—
Our foreheads rested together.
"Don't disappear again," he whispered.
"I won't," I replied softly.
And for the first time…
I meant it.
Jay's POV – Home
The moment I stepped inside my apartment—
Silence wrapped around me.
No voices.
No chaos.
Just me.
I exhaled slowly and leaned against the door for a second.
My lips still tingled slightly.
I shook my head, smiling faintly.
"Focus, Jay."
I changed into my comfy clothes, letting my body finally relax.
Loose t-shirt.
Soft pants.
Hair tied up.
Simple.
Normal.
Safe.
"I should eat," I muttered.
The kitchen lights flicked on.
I started cooking something simple.
But my mind wasn't in it.
It kept drifting.
Back to him.
The way he looked at me.
The way he still… loved me.
Without conditions.
Without hesitation.
A small smile formed on my lips.
And that's when—
The Injury
A sharp pain shot through my foot.
"Ahh—!"
I cried out, instantly pulling back.
My breath hitched as I looked down.
An iron nail had pierced deep into my foot.
For a moment—
Everything went silent.
Then the pain hit.
Sharp.
Burning.
Unbearable.
"Damn it…" I whispered, my voice shaking.
I limped toward the sofa and sat down heavily.
My hands trembled.
My breathing uneven.
But then—
Instinct kicked in.
Doctor Mode
"Okay… okay… think," I whispered.
I grabbed the first aid kit.
Antiseptic.
Ointment.
Cotton.
Bandage.
My fingers steadied.
My mind switched.
From pain…
To control.
I gripped the nail carefully.
"Just pull it out… fast…"
I inhaled sharply—
And pulled.
"Ahh—!"
A scream escaped my lips as pain exploded through my leg.
Tears rolled down my face instantly.
My body shook.
But I didn't stop.
"Come on, Jay… focus…"
I poured antiseptic over the wound.
It burned.
Badly.
I clenched my jaw.
"Almost done…"
Ointment.
Cotton.
Bandage.
Tight.
Secure.
When I finished—
I collapsed back against the sofa.
Breathing heavily.
"You've handled worse…"
But this hurt.
More than I expected.
Dinner Alone
Thankfully, most of the cooking was already done.
Standing was difficult.
Almost impossible.
But I managed.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Every step sent pain shooting up my leg.
But I ignored it.
I served myself and sat down.
Eating quietly.
Alone.
"I have to meet Keifer tomorrow…"
The thought lingered.
"If he sees this…"
I closed my eyes.
"He'll panic."
A small sigh escaped me.
"I can't let that happen."
The Choice
I opened the medicine drawer.
My fingers hovered over the painkillers.
Strong ones.
The kind I rarely used.
"This will help me stand tomorrow…"
I took one.
Swallowed it.
And lay down.
Morning
Sunlight warmed my face.
I blinked slowly.
My foot still hurt.
But I could stand.
Barely.
"That's enough."
I had already cancelled all surgeries.
Only consultations today.
I got ready.
Professional.
Composed.
Doctor.
At the table—
Coffee.
Only coffee.
Like always.
The maid came and started cleaning.
I didn't say much.
Just left.
Hospital
The day passed in a blur.
Patients.
Reports.
Consultations.
Pain.
Constant.
But hidden.
My phone buzzed.
Keifer.
Keifer: "Have you eaten?"
I smiled faintly.
Jay: "Busy."
Keifer: "That's not food."
Jay: "Close enough."
Keifer: "I'm bringing you food."
Jay: "Don't."
Keifer: "Too late."
I shook my head.
Why was he like this?
And why did it feel… nice?
Evening – Keifer Arrives
When I stepped out—
He was there.
Holding flowers.
Waiting.
Like always.
"You're impossible," I said.
"And you love that," he replied.
Before I could react—
He pulled me into a hug.
Warm.
Tight.
Safe.
I melted into it without thinking.
"I missed you," he whispered.
"We met yesterday," I said softly.
"Still."
I smiled.
Then he kissed me again.
Gentle.
Slow.
Familiar.
Restaurant
"I'm not hungry," I said.
"You never are," he replied.
"I mean it—"
"Jay," he said softly,
"please."
Something in his voice made me pause.
"Eat with me."
I nodded.
Dinner
We talked.
Laughed.
Like old times.
Like nothing had ever broken.
For a moment—
I forgot the pain.
The Collapse
When I stood—
Pain exploded in my foot.
I gasped and sat down again.
"What happened?" Keifer asked.
"Just a cramp," I said quickly.
But when I stood again—
My body gave up.
Everything blurred.
"Jay—?!"
And then—
Darkness.
Keifer's POV
She fell into my arms.
"Jay!"
My heart dropped.
I picked her up immediately.
"Stay with me… please…"
And rushed to the hospital.
Hospital
The doctor examined her.
Then turned to me.
"She has a deep nail injury. It caused internal damage. She needs to be admitted."
I froze.
"Nail… injury?"
She was fine yesterday.
What happened?
Jay Wakes Up
Her eyes slowly opened.
Relief hit me instantly.
I pulled her into a tight hug.
"Are you okay?!"
"Keifer…"
"What happened?"
She hesitated.
Then told me everything.
Every detail.
Keifer's Reaction
I stared at her.
"You went through all that… alone?"
"I didn't want to worry you—"
"Jay."
My voice softened.
"You don't have to do that anymore."
She looked at me quietly.
"I'm your safe place."
Her eyes softened.
"I know…"
I gently held her face.
"Then trust me."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"I'm trying."
I kissed her forehead softly.
"Next time… you tell me."
She nodded.
"Okay."
I pulled her closer again.
And this time—
She didn't hold back.
Ending
She fell asleep in my arms.
And I stayed there.
Holding her.
Protecting her.
Because this time—
I wasn't letting her fight alone.
Ever again.