✨ Kiefer (POV)
She doesn't remember me.
And yet—
When she was scared…
When she was lost…
She called my name first.
Mine.
Not anyone else.
Mine.
It should hurt.
It does hurt.
But at the same time—
It made something inside me… settle.
Because the girl I love—
She's still there.
Somewhere deep inside.
Still reaching for me.
Even if her mind forgot—
Her heart didn't.
Every time I think I've loved her enough—
She proves me wrong.
She loved me just as much.
Maybe even more.
Because even now…
I'm still her safest place.
I talked to doctors.
Too many of them.
Searched for answers like a madman.
They called it transient amnesia.
Said her memories might come back.
Or might not.
Said not to pressure her.
Not to force anything.
But no one told me—
How the hell am I supposed to stand in front of her…
And act like I'm a stranger.
It hurts.
Knowing everything she went through—
And still not being able to stand beside her.
Not being able to hold her the way I used to.
Not being able to say—
I'm here.
"Sorry…" I whispered under my breath.
"For dragging you into my mess."
"For making you suffer like this."
And still…
She stood there.
Cursing at me.
Fighting me.
Looking at me like I was insane.
God.
She's still so damn cute.
I bit my lip—
Hard—
Just to stop myself from smiling like an idiot.
But when I got close—
I lost.
Completely.
Her lips—
It was like they were pulling me in.
Like my body remembered her before my mind could stop it.
So I kissed her.
Once.
Then again.
Slower.
Deeper.
Because I missed her.
More than I ever admitted.
Her warmth.
Her scent.
The way my heartbeat loses control around her.
I swallowed hard—
Forcing myself to step back.
Before I forgot everything else.
When she asked me—
Who I was—
I almost told her.
I wanted to.
So badly.
I'm the man you chose.
The one you loved enough to risk your life for.
The one who would've given you everything.
But I didn't.
Because she looked at me—
Not with love.
But fear.
And that—
That destroyed me more than anything.
When she flinched…
Like I might hurt her—
I felt it.
Deep.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
So I lied.
Or maybe—
I told the truth too soon.
"Your husband."
Because that's what I was going to be.
If everything didn't fall apart.
If life didn't twist the way it did.
After the inheritance—
After everything settled—
I was going to propose to her.
Properly.
Right.
But now—
I'm just a stranger, she kissed
Somewhere between talking to her—
Begging her without words—
I didn't even realize it—
But tears were already falling.
Then—
Warmth spread across my back.
Wet.
Sharp.
I paused.
Just for a second.
…Ah.
So he did stab me.
The pain came after.
Slow.
Heavy.
Making everything blur.
But I ignored it.
Walked back to her.
One last time.
I held her face gently.
Memorizing her.
Like, I didn't know when I'd see her again.
"I need to go now… take care of yourself," I said quietly.
Then—
The truth I refused to soften.
"Remember…"
My voice dropped.
Firm.
Certain.
"You're mine."
I wasn't asking.
I was declaring.
Because even if she forgot me—
That didn't change anything.
And when I saw her expression—
That small pause—
That confusion mixed with something deeper—
I knew.
A part of her understood.
So I walked away.
Before I lost control.
Before I stayed.
Before I broke everything again.
The moment I stepped out—
They were all there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Judging.
"Where is Jay?" Clyden demanded.
"She's inside," I said, my voice steady.
Then I looked straight at him.
"Take care of my wife."
And that's when—
My body gave up.
Everything went dark.
"Hey, bastard—" Clyden grabbed me.
"I haven't even punched you yet, why are you—"
He stopped.
His voice changed.
"…You're bleeding."
"Idiot," he muttered.
"You got stabbed…"
After that—
I don't remember much.
Voices.
Movement.
Pain.
And then—
Nothing.
When I woke up—
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
She was gone.
Jay-Jay…
Had already left for New York.
And just like that—
I lost her again.
✨ Four Years Later — New York
February 29th
✨ Kiefer (POV)
I stood by the window of the hotel room, the city lights of New York stretching endlessly below me.
Cold.
Distant.
Just like everything else.
I finally did it.
I took full control of Watson Group.
Not partial.
Not shared.
Full authority.
Every decision.
Every move.
Every power—
Mine.
I became stronger.
Stronger than anyone who ever tried to control me.
Stronger than the past that tried to break me.
And yet—
I stayed in Manila.
Because of them.
My brother.
Section E.
My people.
My family.
I wasn't going to lose them—
Not again.
So I worked remotely.
Handled everything from a distance.
While Clyden took care of things here.
One by one—
I erased every threat.
Every enemy.
Every shadow that ever came near us.
Even my father.
Now—
There's no one left to fear.
No one left to fight.
No one left to prove anything to.
Clyden broke free from the elders two years ago.
Kiegen took control of his side.
Kieren's still in school.
Everyone—
Moved on.
Built something.
Lived.
Everything was finally… stable.
Perfect, even.
Except me.
Because she wasn't there.
Jay.
New York.
Every time I felt like I was suffocating—
I came here.
To her.
Just to breathe.
She changed.
A lot.
She smiles more now.
Laughs more.
Lives more.
And most of that life—
She shares with Clyden.
She celebrates his birthday every year.
Stays by his side.
Gives him something I never could—
A sense of home.
And yeah—
I hate it.
I hate that he gets to see her.
Talk to her.
Be near her.
While I stand here—
Like a stranger.
Watching from a distance.
Everyone celebrated my birthday today.
Called me.
Messaged me.
Waited for me.
But I wasn't there.
Not really.
Because all I wanted—
Was to see her.
That's why I came to New York.
My phone rang.
I glanced at the screen.
"Mrs Watson"
I answered anyway.
"Who is this?"
A hesitant voice replied,
"Sir… the owner of this phone is drunk. We found your contact listed as an emergency."
My heart dropped.
Jay.
"I'm coming," I said immediately.
No hesitation.
No second thought.
The call ended.
And I was already moving.
I grabbed my keys.
Walked out.
Got into the car.
Two years ago—
I saved my number in her phone.
Without her knowing.
She never cared much about her phone.
Still doesn't.
And for once—
That worked in my favor.
Because no matter what, she forgets—
No matter how far she goes—
When she's lost—
When she needs someone—
She still reaches me. I got into the car and went to the location.
And I'll always come.
The bar wasn't loud.
But it felt suffocating.
Too many people.
Too many lights.
Too many strangers—
And only one person I cared about.
My eyes found her instantly.
Like they always do.
Jay.
She sat at the counter, head slightly down, hair falling over her face. A half-empty glass hung loosely in her hand.
Drinking like she was trying to forget something she couldn't even remember.
I didn't move.
I just watched.
She laughed at something the bartender said—
Soft. Weak.
It didn't reach her eyes.
My chest tightened.
Four years.
And she still looks the same to me.
Every man who came near her walked away the same way—
Cut down by her voice:
"I'm taken. My husband is hotter than you."
Husband.
The word didn't just hurt.
It burned.
Slid under my skin and tore through my chest.
Husband?
Since when?
Who?
Who the hell thinks he can stand where I stand?
Did she move on…
Or was I the one left behind?
My jaw clenched.
Before I realized it, I was already walking toward her.
My hand found her waist—
Firm.
Possessive.
Familiar.
God.
She still fits perfectly.
Like she was made to be there.
She turned slowly, eyes unfocused.
"Miss, your ride is here," the bartender said, glancing at me.
Her head lifted.
Slow. Unsteady.
Her eyes met mine.
And everything—
Stopped.
She blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Like she was trying to see me.
Trying to understand.
"Who are you?"
That question…
It never gets easier.
Not the first time.
Not the hundredth.
It feels like being erased.
I leaned closer.
"Wife."
For a second—
Nothing.
Then—
Her eyes softened.
Like something inside her recognized me before her mind could.
"You're here…"
Her voice broke.
And then she ran into my arms.
Hard.
Desperate.
Her lips crashed against mine—
Wild. Messy. Needy.
Not love.
Not gentle.
Hunger.
Like she'd been starving—
And I was the only thing she wanted.
My grip tightened.
Mine.
She's still mine.
She has to be.
Then—
She pushed me away.
My chest hollowed out.
Right.
This again.
"Did I kiss you?" she laughed softly. "Sorry… I thought you were mine," she said while holding her chest.
Thought.
A bitter smile pulled at my lips.
"You're really testing my patience tonight…" I muttered.
"Are you her husband?" someone asked.
Before I could answer—
"No," she said.
My head snapped toward her.
"My husband is way more handsome."
Silence.
Something inside me snapped.
"Who is he?" My voice dropped. Dangerous. "Tell me his name."
She smiled lazily and lifted her hand.
My breath stopped.
Carved into her skin—
Fresh.
Raw.
Not healed.
Kiefer.
My name.
But not written like love.
Written like desperation.
Like she was afraid she'd forget.
Again.
My fingers curled.
"Do you love him?" I asked quietly.
Worse than anger.
She shook her head.
"No. I hate him… He probably found someone else… in London… the king of snakes…"
The words should've relieved me.
But they didn't.
Because she wasn't talking to me.
She was talking about me.
Like I wasn't even here.
"Jay…" My voice cracked.
She leaned in, her forehead resting against mine.
And I whispered—
"Remember… I only belong to you… only you… I'm yours. Completely."
Tears slipped from her eyes.
That broke me.
I kissed her again.
Slow at first—
Then deeper.
Like I could force her to remember.
Like if I held her close enough…
She'd finally see me.
I moved to her neck—
Left a mark.
Darker.
Intentional.
"What did you do?" she whispered.
"I marked you," I said, voice rough. "So no one forgets… not even you."
She smiled faintly.
"You sound like my Kiefer…"
That smile—
That distance—
It hurt more than anything.
"Why are you drinking?" I asked.
She tapped her chest.
"It hurts here… like I lost something important…"
Then her head.
"But I don't remember what."
I closed my eyes.
You lost me.
And I'm right here.
"Maybe…" I said slowly, "It's because today is February 29th."
She froze.
Her eyes widened—
Then softened.
"Oh…"
A pause.
Then—
"My hubby's birthday."
Everything inside me stopped.
I buried my face in her neck.
I loved that word.
God, I loved it.
But it hurt.
She remembers that.
But not me.
Cruel.
That's just cruel.
"Then where's his gift?" I asked quietly.
She blinked, then smiled like a child, and cupped her face.
"…It's me."
God.
Even now—
Even like this—
She chooses me.
Without knowing it.
"You're drunk," I said roughly. "We're leaving."
"Mm… my hubby is impatient," she teased, tugging my collar. "Can't wait to unwrap his gift…"
My control snapped.
"Jay…" I warned.
But she just smiled.
And then—
She collapsed into me.
Unconscious.
Just like that.
I held her tighter than necessary.
"You only remember me when you're breaking…" I whispered into her hair.
"And forget me when you're whole."
✨Percy (POV)
The door opened.
And there he was.
Kiefer.
Holding her.
Like she belonged there.
Like letting go would destroy him.
Even in her sleep—
Her fingers clutched his collar.
Pulling him closer.
Refusing distance.
"Can I take her to her room?" he asked.
His voice was calm.
But his eyes—
Possessive.
Terrified.
Unstable.
I hesitated.
Because this…
This wasn't normal.
This was something deeper.
Something dangerous.
Something that could ruin them both.
But Jay—
She smiled in her sleep.
And leaned into him.
Like that's where she felt safe.
I nodded.
He carried her carefully—
But his grip told a different story.
Like he'd fight anyone who tried to take her away.
Even her own mind.
He laid her down gently.
Then paused.
His hand hovered over her face—
Like he was afraid to touch her…
Or afraid he wouldn't be able to let go.
Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Soft.
Careful.
Almost breaking.
And then—
She moved.
Her fingers caught his shirt again.
"…Don't go…" she whispered.
His entire body froze.
Hope flickered across his face—
Raw.
Desperate.
"Jay?" he whispered.
Her brows furrowed.
"…Stay…"
His hand tightened around hers instantly.
"I'm here," he said.
For a moment—
It felt like she remembered.
Like everything was coming back.
Then—
She relaxed.
And whispered—
"…Kiefer…"
Relief hit him hard—
Until she added, softly—
"I hate you."
Silence.
Heavy. Crushing silence.
I watched something inside him collapse.
Not loudly.
Not visibly.
But completely.
Still—
He didn't let go of her hand.
"Yeah…" he whispered.
"I know."
"Let's go down… before she wakes up again," I said quietly.
We walked down the stairs in silence.
The moment we reached the bottom, Kiefer turned to me—
His eyes were already dark.
"Why did you let her drink?"
His voice wasn't loud.
But it didn't need to be.
I exhaled slowly. "We didn't know. She said she needed fresh air… and just walked out."
A pause.
Then I looked straight at him.
"You knew, right?" I asked. "What happens when she drinks—how she breaks down."
His jaw tightened.
"Did she call you?"
"The bartender did," Kiefer replied.
Of course.
I clenched my fists.
"When are you going to stand in front of her, Kiefer?" I asked, my voice quieter now—heavier. "Not like this… not when she's drunk."
He stayed silent.
So I continued.
"Do you even know what it's like to watch her like that?" My throat tightened. "Every time she drinks… she cries. She calls your name like she's drowning."
I paused.
"And then she wakes up… and forgets you ever existed."
Silence filled the space between us.
Then—
"It's hurting me too, Percy."
His voice was low.
Tight.
Barely holding.
"Even when she calls my name… she doesn't remember me when she's sober."
He let out a hollow breath.
"I don't even know how she'll react if I stand in front of her."
His eyes snapped to mine.
"Or did you forget what happened last time?"
My chest tightened.
"When she saw me… she almost got into an accident," he said. "She tried to kill herself again."
The words landed like a blow.
"And you still want me to just walk up to her?" he asked.
No anger.
That made it worse.
"I took everything that came with her," he continued. "Her hate. Her pain. Even her love."
His jaw clenched.
"I cleared every enemy. Every threat."
His voice turned colder.
"I became ruthless… just to be with her."
His eyes burned into mine.
"Don't you know that?"
For a second—
He looked like he might break.
But he didn't.
"Today…" he said slowly, "everything is going to change."
I frowned. "Kiefer—"
"I got everything," he cut in. "Full authorization from Watson Group."
His hand tightened at his side.
"But she's still not with me."
A bitter, quiet laugh escaped him.
"So what's the point?"
He turned away.
"I'm leaving… before I lose control."
And just like that—
He walked out.
✨Kiefer (POV)
The door shut behind me.
Too loud.
Too final.
For a second—
I just stood there.
Breathing.
Or trying to.
The hallway felt empty.
Cold.
Like something had been ripped out of it.
Like something had been ripped out of me.
I walked.
No direction.
No thought.
Just—
Away.
My hand dragged through my hair, gripping hard enough to hurt.
It didn't help.
Nothing does.
Her voice—
"…Kiefer…"
It echoed.
Soft.
Broken.
Hopeful—
For a second.
Then—
"I hate you."
I laughed.
A dry, empty sound.
"Yeah…" I muttered to no one. "I know."
My steps slowed.
Then stopped.
And suddenly—
I couldn't move.
My chest tightened.
Too tight.
Like it was caving in.
I pressed a hand against it.
Useless.
It still hurts.
"She remembers my name…" I whispered.
A bitter smile pulled at my lips.
"But not me."
Silence answered.
Of course it did.
My fist slammed into the wall.
Once.
The sound cracked through the hallway.
Pain shot through my knuckles—
Sharp.
Real.
Good.
I hit it again.
Harder.
And again.
Until the skin split.
Until my hand trembled.
Until it felt like something inside me might finally break with it.
But it didn't.
It never does.
I rested my forehead against the wall.
Eyes closed.
Breathing uneven.
"You called me," I whispered.
"To beg me to stay."
A pause.
"But if I stay… You break."
My throat tightened.
"And if I leave… You forget."
A quiet, broken laugh escaped me.
"So what am I supposed to do, Jay?"
My voice cracked.
Finally.
"What am I supposed to be?"
Silence.
Always silence.
My hand dropped to my side.
Blood slowly trickled down my fingers.
I didn't even look at it.
Didn't care.
"I burned everything for you," I said softly. "Every enemy. Every path back."
My jaw clenched.
"I became the very thing you'd hate…"
A breath.
"…just so I could stand next to you again."
My head fell back against the wall.
Eyes staring at nothing.
"And now I can't even stand in front of you."
The words felt heavier than anything.
For the first time—
I felt it.
Not anger.
Not frustration.
Not control.
Helplessness.
Raw.
Unfiltered.
I slid down the wall slowly.
Until I was sitting on the floor.
Alone.
My hands rested on my knees.
Shaking.
"She said it hurts…" I whispered.
My eyes burned.
"Here…"
I pressed my fist against my chest.
"…and she doesn't know why."
A tear slipped down before I could stop it.
I laughed weakly.
"You forgot me…"
Another tear followed.
"…but your heart didn't."
Silence wrapped around me again.
But this time—
It felt heavier.
Like it was crushing me.
I tilted my head back, eyes closing.
"Even after four years..Just one time…" I whispered.
"Just once…"
My voice broke completely.
"Look at me… and remember my face."
Silence answered.
It always does.
I stayed there for a moment longer—
Breathing.
Breaking.
Failing to hold myself together.
Because I knew—
If I stayed any longer…
I wouldn't be able to control myself.
I pushed myself up slowly.
My legs felt heavy.
But I forced them to move.
Step by step.
Away from her.
Away from this place.
Away from the only person who could destroy me without even knowing.
I didn't go back inside.
I couldn't.
Not like this.
Not when I was already this close to losing everything.
So I left.
Straight to the airport.
No hesitation.
No second thoughts.
Within the hour—
I was on my private jet.
Heading back to Manila.
Running again.
Not from her—
Never from her.
But from myself.