Chapter 101 – "The Name on the Stage"
Three days passed like a countdown nobody could escape.
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London didn't feel like London anymore.
It felt like a waiting room.
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A very expensive, very silent waiting room.
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The Suites
All outfits were ready.
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Hanging neatly in every suite.
Gold embroidery.
Silk.
Designer cuts.
Traditional-meets-modern elegance.
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But nobody was excited.
Not really.
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Because excitement needed certainty.
And they had none.
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JJ stood by the window for a long time that morning.
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Staring at the sky.
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Keifer stood behind her.
Not touching.
Just there.
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Like if he stayed close enough—
nothing could take her away again.
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Cole's Absence
By afternoon—
someone finally said it.
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"Cole still hasn't come."
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Percy leaned back.
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"Maybe the mysterious man decided to be more mysterious."
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A few laughed.
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Not malicious.
Just nervous humor.
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Then Care turned sharply.
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Instant silence.
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Her expression changed.
Not loud anger.
Something sharper.
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"Don't joke about him like that."
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The room froze.
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Care exhaled slowly.
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"…just don't."
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No one argued.
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Because the way she said it wasn't casual.
It was protective.
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And that told them enough.
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The Venue
By evening—
the engagement hall was ready.
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Massive.
Crystal chandeliers.
White and gold floral arrangements.
Soft classical music in the background.
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Luxury beyond reason.
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People whispered everywhere.
Foreign guests.
Business elites.
Unknown names.
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And still—
nobody knew the groom.
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Not publicly.
Not officially.
Not even in whispers.
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The Announcement
A host stepped forward.
Microphone in hand.
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"Ladies and gentlemen…"
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Silence immediately swallowed the hall.
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JJ stood near the entrance with Reyce and Jasper.
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Percy and Aries behind her.
Keifer slightly further back.
Watching.
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Waiting.
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"…we are gathered here today to celebrate the engagement of…"
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A pause.
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A long one.
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Too long.
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JJ's fingers tightened slightly.
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"…Miss Jasper Jean Mariano."
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The name echoed.
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Applause.
Lights shifting.
Eyes turning.
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JJ slowly walked forward.
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Each step heavier than the last.
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But she kept going.
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Because stopping wasn't an option.
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She reached the stage.
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And stood under the lights.
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Stunning.
Completely stunning.
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The hall fell silent again.
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Because everyone was staring.
Not just at who she was—
but what was about to happen.
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The host smiled.
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"And now…"
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Pause.
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"The groom."
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Silence dropped so heavily it felt physical.
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JJ didn't breathe.
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Keifer didn't move.
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Percy leaned forward slightly.
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Aries narrowed his eyes.
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Yuri's expression darkened.
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Even the air felt different.
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Then—
the host spoke again.
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"…Mark Keifer Watson."
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For a second—
nothing happened.
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Like the world refused to process it.
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Then—
everything broke.
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Shock.
Absolute shock.
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Whispers erupted instantly.
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"That name—"
"Watson Corp—"
"You mean THAT Keifer Watson?"
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Percy froze completely.
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"…no way."
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Aries' expression went blank.
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Yuri muttered:
"…impossible."
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JJ stood still.
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Like she hadn't heard properly.
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Then slowly—
she turned.
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And saw him.
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Keifer.
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Standing there.
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Not in surprise.
Not in confusion.
But something calmer.
He already knew.
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And that realization hit harder than the announcement.
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Because this wasn't new for him.
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It had been planned.
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JJ whispered, barely audible:
"…Keifer?"
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Keifer didn't move yet.
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But his eyes stayed on her.
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Soft.
Certain.
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The host continued speaking.
But nobody listened anymore.
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Because the only thing the room cared about now—
was the fact that the mystery groom…
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was him.
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Mark Keifer Watson.
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And somewhere in that stunned silence—
JJ finally understood.
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This wasn't just an engagement announcement.
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It was a reveal.
A setup.
A truth that had been waiting all along.
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And as the chandeliers glowed above them—
the world shifted completely. 💍⚡🖤
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For a few seconds after the name was announced—
the hall didn't know how to exist.
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Then reality slowly returned.
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Whispers turned into reactions.
Reactions turned into disbelief.
Disbelief slowly turned into acceptance.
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Because standing there—
Mark Keifer Watson didn't look like a stranger anymore.
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He looked like someone who had always been part of the story.
Just hidden.
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JJ
JJ still hadn't fully processed it.
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Her eyes kept flicking between Keifer and the crowd.
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Like her brain was refusing to accept both truths at once.
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Keifer Watson.
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Her Keifer.
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The same boy who teased her.
Argued with her.
Held her hand like it was instinct.
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And now—
the groom.
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Her voice came out soft.
"…you knew."
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Keifer finally stepped closer.
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"I did."
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JJ blinked.
"…all this time?"
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A pause.
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Then:
"Yes."
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Silence.
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And then JJ hit him on the arm.
Hard.
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"YOU IDIOT."
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The hall collectively froze.
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Then—
someone laughed.
Percy.
Of course Percy.
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Percy Breaks the Tension
"Okay okay—can we not start a domestic fight on stage?"
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Aries immediately elbowed him.
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"Shut up."
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Percy grinned.
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"I'm just saying, wedding is still pending, don't waste the speech here."
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That got laughter.
Even from nervous guests.
Even from confused elites.
Even from people who still didn't understand what was happening.
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The tension finally cracked.
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Rings
The host quickly recovered.
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"…shall we proceed?"
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A soft nod from Jaspher Mariano.
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From Reyce.
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From the families.
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From the world that had already decided this moment was happening.
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Keifer turned toward JJ.
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His expression softened completely.
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No arrogance.
No mystery.
Just him.
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"I didn't plan to hide forever."
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JJ whispered:
"…you're impossible."
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"I know."
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A faint smile.
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Then he took the ring.
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Slowly.
Carefully.
Like it mattered more than anything he'd ever held.
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He slipped it onto her finger.
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Perfect fit.
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Of course it was.
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JJ looked at it.
Then at him.
Then at the world.
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And for the first time—
she didn't look lost.
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JJ's Turn
She took the second ring.
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Her hand trembled slightly.
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Not fear.
Emotion.
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Keifer noticed immediately.
And steadied his hand under hers.
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JJ exhaled.
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"…you better not disappear again."
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Keifer smiled.
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"I'm right here."
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JJ slid the ring onto his finger.
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And something settled.
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Finally.
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The Kiss
The hall went quiet again.
Not tense this time.
Just waiting.
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Keifer stepped closer.
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Slowly.
Like asking without words.
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JJ didn't move away.
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Didn't hesitate.
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Just looked up at him.
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"…don't make me regret this."
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A faint smile.
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"I won't."
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And then—
he kissed her.
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Soft.
Warm.
Certain.
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Not rushed.
Not dramatic.
Just real.
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The kind of kiss that didn't need approval from anyone else in the room.
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And for a second—
the entire hall disappeared.
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The Explosion of Reactions
Then reality snapped back violently.
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Percy screamed:
"OKAY—THAT WAS ACCEPTABLE—NOT TOO LONG—WEDDING IS STILL PENDING!"
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Aries groaned.
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"Why are you like this."
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Honey laughed.
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Ella covered her mouth smiling.
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Mica clapped once.
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Rakhi whispered:
"…finally."
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Freya dramatically fanned herself.
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"I need oxygen."
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Cin looked like he had given up on life.
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Yuri just sighed:
"…this group is insane."
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Care, Lyra, Alex, Rhys
From the side—
Care watched quietly.
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A soft smile on her face.
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Lyra leaned slightly toward Alex.
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"…they're actually doing it."
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Alex nodded.
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Rhys added:
"…this is going to be chaos later."
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Care replied calmly:
"It already is."
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Final Moment
JJ leaned slightly toward Keifer.
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"…you planned this."
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Keifer didn't deny it.
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"…partly."
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JJ narrowed her eyes.
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"Partly?"
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"…mostly."
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She hit him again.
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The hall laughed.
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And this time—
it wasn't shock anymore.
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It was joy.
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Real, messy, chaotic joy.
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Because for the first time in a long time—
everything they had survived had led to something like this.
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A beginning.
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Not an ending.
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And somewhere in that laughter—
Percy loudly declared:
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"OKAY BUT I STILL SAY—WEDDING IS A DIFFERENT EVENT, DON'T GET TOO COMFORTABLE!"
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And just like that—
even perfection had Percy to ruin it.
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Exactly as it should be. 💍✨❤️🎉
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"The Family Storm"
The hall was still buzzing from JJ and Keifer's engagement.
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But the emotional tide wasn't done rising yet.
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Because Angelo hadn't finished surprising anyone.
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Not even close.
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JJ vs Angelo
JJ stood near the side of the hall.
Arms crossed.
Eyes narrowed.
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And absolutely radiating offended daughter energy.
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"Kuya Angelo."
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Angelo looked up calmly.
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"Yes, Jay."
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"You didn't tell me ANYTHING."
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Silence.
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"You didn't tell me about the engagement."
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Silence.
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"You didn't tell me about him."
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Silence.
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"You didn't even ASK ME."
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That last one made a few people tense.
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Angelo blinked once.
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Then calmly said:
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"I knew your answer."
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JJ froze.
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"…that's not the point."
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"It is."
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JJ narrowed her eyes further.
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"That is NOT the point."
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Angelo sighed slightly.
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Then—
without warning—
he flicked her forehead.
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"Stop sulking."
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The entire hall went silent for half a second.
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Then—
Percy whispered:
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"…he just survived JJ rage."
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Aries nodded.
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"Legend."
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JJ immediately grabbed her forehead.
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"OW—KUYA!"
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Angelo didn't even look guilty.
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"You're dramatic."
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"I AM NOT DRAMATIC."
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"You are your mother's daughter."
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JJ gasped.
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"That is NOT an insult."
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"It is a fact."
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Keifer leaned slightly toward Percy.
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"…this family is terrifying."
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Percy whispered back:
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"You get used to it."
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The Soft Shift
Before JJ could continue her argument—
a sudden sound cut through the hall.
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Small footsteps.
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Fast.
Excited.
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And then—
a tiny voice.
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"JAY AUNTIEEEE!"
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JJ turned instantly.
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And froze.
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Because a little girl was running toward her.
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Barely five or six years old.
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Bright eyes.
Tiny traditional dress.
Hair bouncing as she ran.
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JJ barely had time to react—
before the girl crashed into her legs.
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"Congratualations!!!"
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JJ stumbled slightly.
Then immediately crouched down.
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"…who—"
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Then she saw them.
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Behind the child.
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A couple walking in.
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Grace.
And Denzel.
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JJ's eyes widened.
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"…Grace?"
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Grace smiled softly.
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"Surprise."
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Denzel stood awkwardly behind her.
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Trying to act cool.
Failing.
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Denzel & Cin Explosion
And then—
Cin saw him.
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Silence.
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Then—
"DENZEL!"
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He launched himself forward.
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Felix immediately followed.
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The next second—
Denzel was being absolutely tackled into a hug by both of them.
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"BRO YOU'RE ALIVE."
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"YOU DIDN'T MESSAGE."
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"YOU DISAPPEARED."
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Denzel groaned.
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"I was parenting."
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Cin yelled:
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"EXCUSE YOU—YOU COULD HAVE TEXTED."
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Felix added:
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"WE THOUGHT YOU DIED."
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Denzel pushed them away slightly.
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"I have a child."
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Cin froze.
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"…oh."
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Felix blinked.
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"…oh."
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Then both slowly turned toward the little girl still clinging to JJ.
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Grazel Jay Mariano
JJ gently knelt beside her.
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"What's your name, baby?"
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The girl smiled proudly.
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"Grazel Jay Mariano!"
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JJ froze.
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"…Mariano?"
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Grace smiled.
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"She insisted."
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JJ stared at the child.
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Then at Grace.
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Then at Denzel.
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Then back at the child.
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"…you named her after me?"
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Grace nodded.
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"Godmother privileges."
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JJ's expression softened instantly.
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"Oh my god…"
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She hugged the little girl gently.
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And Grazel hugged back immediately.
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Like she already knew her.
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Like family doesn't need time to connect.
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Keiren & Kaigan
Then—
another voice echoed.
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"Ate!!"
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JJ turned again.
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And saw them.
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Keiren and Kaigan.
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Both running toward her.
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Both older now.
But still—
her chaos.
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JJ's breath caught.
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"…you two grew up."
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Keigan grinned.
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"Barely."
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Keiren added:
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"You're still bossy."
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JJ gasped.
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"I AM NOT—"
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But before she could finish—
both of them hugged her tightly.
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And just like that—
JJ stopped arguing.
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The Hall Becomes Family Again
For a moment—
everything felt too full.
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Too emotional.
Too real.
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Keifer stood slightly behind JJ.
Watching her.
Not interfering.
Just watching her belong.
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Aries quietly said:
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"…this is her world."
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Percy nodded.
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"And we're just living in it."
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JJ finally pulled back from the hug.
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Eyes slightly wet.
But smiling.
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She looked at Grazel again.
Then at Keiren and Kaigan.
Then at everyone else.
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And whispered:
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"…you all came."
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Grace smiled.
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"Of course we did."
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Denzel added:
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"We weren't missing this."
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Then JJ turned slightly.
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And noticed something.
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Keifer standing there.
Quiet.
Watching her.
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And for a second—
everything else faded again.
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Because no matter how big her family was…
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he was still part of her now.
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Her present.
Her future.
Her chaos.
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And somewhere in that loud, emotional reunion—
the engagement suddenly didn't feel like a trap anymore.
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It felt like a beginning. 💍✨👨👩👧👦❤️