Kiefer (POV)
Jay was sleeping peacefully in my arms.
I pulled her a little closer, unable to stop myself.
The moonlight spilling through the curtains painted her face in soft silver, and for a moment, I simply watched her.
She looked so calm.
So comfortable.
My fingers drifted through her hair.
I really didn't want to wake her.
After today, she deserved the rest.
Honestly, she had scared me.
The way she'd been avoiding me all morning...
The way she wouldn't look at me...
I had genuinely thought I'd done something wrong.
Thankfully, everything had worked out in the end.
At least, I hoped it had.
Jay shifted in her sleep and moved even closer.
The space between us disappeared completely.
A smile tugged at my lips.
"Kiefer..." she whispered sleepily.
I brushed a few strands of hair away from her face.
"It's three in the morning, wife. Go back to sleep."
Instead, she buried her face deeper into my neck.
Then she sniffed.
Once.
Twice.
I blinked.
Was she... smelling me?
I looked down at her.
Jay was smiling.
"Why are you sniffing me like that?" I asked.
"You smell nice," she mumbled.
Then she nuzzled closer.
My heart immediately surrendered.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Especially when she was half asleep and had absolutely no filter.
I wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Are you tired?"
A dramatic sigh escaped her.
"Because of someone."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"My back hurts."
I winced.
"Sorry."
"It's okay."
She smiled sleepily.
"I liked today."
That simple sentence warmed my chest.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
I gently rubbed her back.
Then curiosity got the better of me.
"Wife."
"Hmm?"
"Why were you avoiding me today?"
She was already half asleep again.
Which meant she was much more likely to tell the truth.
"I had a dream."
I immediately became interested.
"What dream?"
Jay frowned slightly.
As if trying to remember.
Then she answered without thinking.
"We were kissing..."
I froze.
"...and then..."
She stopped.
Completely stopped.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Jay's eyes opened.
Wide.
Horrified.
Realization hit her like a truck.
She sat upright so fast I almost laughed.
The room fell silent.
I stared at her.
She stared at me.
Then the pieces finally clicked together.
The blushing.
The avoiding.
The panic.
The breakfast disaster.
Everything.
A grin spread across my face.
"Wife."
"No."
"You really had a dream about me."
"No."
"You did."
"No."
"A wet dream?"
"MARK KIEFER WATSON!"
She immediately swung a pillow at my head.
I caught it easily.
Still grinning.
Unfortunately for her, this information was far too valuable.
And I was absolutely never going to let her forget it.
"My wife missed me so much that she even dreamed about me," I teased. "And not just any dream."
"KIEFER!" she shouted, her face turning bright red.
"I want to know," I said, trying—and failing—not to laugh.
She pointed a warning finger at me.
"If you say one more word about it, I'm going home right now."
Before she could even attempt to stand, I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against my chest.
"Easy," I said, holding back a smile. "I'll stop teasing you."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then I looked down at her and asked quietly,
"But... was I at least good in the dream?"
Her eyes widened.
"KIEFER!"
She pinched my side hard.
"Ow!"
I winced dramatically while she tried—and failed—to hide her smile.
"Serves you right," she muttered.
I chuckled and tightened my arms around her.
"Fair enough."
"Sleep now," I said. "Otherwise, we might have to continue what we left unfinished."
"Asshole," she complained, burying her face against my chest. "My whole body hurts like hell."
I grinned.
"But you started it."
Her head snapped up immediately.
"Kiefer."
"You kissed me first."
"Kiefer."
"You pulled me closer."
"Kiefer."
"And if I remember correctly—"
She slapped a hand over my mouth.
"Enough."
Her face was burning.
"Okay, okay," I laughed against her palm.
She narrowed her eyes.
"I give in. But unlike a certain monster, I'm tired."
"A monster?"
"The worst kind."
I dramatically placed a hand over my heart.
"That hurts."
"Good."
I couldn't help laughing.
"Fine. We'll sleep."
"Finally."
I pulled her closer and wrapped the blanket around both of us.
Almost immediately, her body relaxed.
The tension left her shoulders.
Within minutes, her breathing became slow and steady.
Asleep.
I looked down at her peaceful face.
A small smile tugged at my lips.
Carefully, I brushed a few strands of hair away from her forehead.
Then I rested one hand against her back, gently rubbing soothing circles.
She unconsciously moved closer.
As if even in sleep, she knew exactly where she wanted to be.
I lowered my head against hers.
And for a while, I simply listened to the quiet sound of her breathing while the night settled peacefully around us.
Then my phone vibrated.
I frowned and glanced at the screen.
Clyden.
I looked down at Jay, sleeping soundly in my arms.
The phone stopped.
A second later, it started ringing again.
I sighed.
Carefully, I slipped out from beside her and replaced myself with a pillow. Almost immediately, she wrapped her arms around it and snuggled closer.
A small smile tugged at my lips.
Then I quietly stepped outside the beach house.
The cold night air hit me instantly.
I answered the call.
"If you don't have anything important to say," I said the moment the line connected, "don't disturb me."
"Tss. You're an asshole. Not even a hello?" Clyden scoffed. "I still don't understand why my sister likes someone like you."
"I'll hang up."
"Go ahead," he replied. "Then don't expect my help when my sister comes running to me."
I frowned.
"What? Why would my wife come running to you?"
There was a pause.
Then—
"Kiefer... are you cheating on Jay?"
I nearly dropped the phone.
"Are you out of your mind?" I snapped. "Why would you call me to ask something that stupid?"
"Kiefer, did you even check the news?"
My expression darkened.
"No."
"Well, maybe you should. There are rumors all over the internet saying you're dating the CEO of some company. There are photos of you with another woman outside a hotel. Some articles are even claiming you're divorcing my sister."
For a second, I just stared into the darkness.
Then—
"Whoever wrote that garbage is asking for trouble."
"I'm serious," Clyden said. "I already dealt with a few reporters and got some articles taken down, but the story is spreading across social media. People keep reposting the photos."
I ran a hand through my hair.
"What photos?"
"They're cropped. Taken from angles that make everything look suspicious."
"Unbelievable."
"And do you know how lucky you are?" Clyden continued. "Jay doesn't spend all day scrolling through social media like everyone else. Otherwise, you'd already be answering a hundred questions."
I groaned.
"Send me everything."
A moment later, my phone buzzed with several images.
I opened the first one.
My jaw tightened.
The photos had been carefully edited and cropped.
Anyone looking at them without context would jump to the wrong conclusion.
"Figures," I muttered.
"What do you want me to do?" Clyden asked.
"Keep reporting every fake post you find. Have the legal team contact anyone spreading false stories as if they're facts. And I want to know exactly who started this."
There was a brief silence.
Then Clyden laughed.
"Now that sounds like the Kiefer I know."
I looked back through the beach house window.
Jay was still asleep.
Peaceful.
Unaware of any of this.
My expression softened.
"This nonsense doesn't bother me," I said quietly.
"But nobody drags my wife into it."
For once, Clyden didn't joke.
"Yeah," he said.
There was a brief pause.
Then his voice turned serious.
"In this, I'm with you."
And for the first time since the call started, we were completely in agreement.
Then his tone turned serious again.
"The kid."
My expression sharpened immediately.
"What about him?"
"Someone from the Watson family has already started making moves. They want to transfer his guardianship."
I went still.
"What?"
"They're pushing for him to be officially introduced as a Watson heir. From what I've heard, they're using every connection they have to make it happen."
My grip tightened around the phone.
"They don't get to decide his future."
"I know."
The cold wind grew stronger around me.
"But that's not all," Clyden continued. "Kiefer... I think someone is deliberately messing with us."
I frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"The timing."
I stayed silent.
"The rumors. The photos. The guardianship issue. Everything started happening at the same time."
My jaw tightened.
He was right.
One problem could be coincidence.
Two could be bad luck.
Three?
"You think it's connected?"
"I think someone wants your attention divided."
The words settled heavily between us.
I looked out at the dark ocean.
Someone targeting me wasn't unusual.
Someone targeting my family was different.
And someone targeting Jay—
That was unacceptable.
"What do you suggest?" I asked.
"I think you should keep Jay close."
I almost laughed.
"As if she ever leaves my side willingly."
"That's not what I mean, idiot."
I smirked despite myself.
"Then explain."
"You should come to London."
My smile disappeared.
"Clyden."
"Hear me out."
I remained silent.
"The rumors are spreading because nobody has seen you and Jay together publicly for a while. If the two of you show up together in London, half the stories die immediately."
I hated that he had a point.
"Besides," he continued, "if someone is really targeting your family, having everyone in one place makes security easier."
I rubbed my forehead.
"And?"
"And bring my nephew."
There it was.
I shook my head.
"That's the real reason for this call."
"Of course it is."
"You called me at midnight because you miss him."
"I absolutely did."
I could practically hear his grin through the phone.
"I haven't seen him in weeks."
"You're pathetic."
"I'm an amazing uncle."
"Debatable."
"Ask him."
"He's Cant talk."
"He may not talk much yet, but he smiles every time he sees me. Clearly I'm his favorite uncle. And I miss my little hurricane too."
I sighed.
"I'll think about it."
Just as I said the words, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind.
I froze for a second before smiling.
"Wife."
Jay rested her cheek against my back.
The moment Clyden heard her voice, he immediately spoke.
"Is that my hurricane?"
I rolled my eyes.
Turning around, I pulled Jay into my arms and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"She's mine," I said.
Jay laughed softly.
Then, before I could stop her, she stole the phone from my hand.
"Clyden kuya!" she said brightly. "I miss you."
I leaned down, resting my chin on her shoulder so I could hear both sides of the conversation.
"Hurricane!" Clyden sounded genuinely happy. "I miss you too. Come to London with my nephew. We'll spend some time together."
Jay looked up at me with hopeful eyes.
"Kiefer?"
I already knew that look.
It was dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Before I could answer, Clyden continued complaining.
"And don't listen to that idiot husband of yours. He keeps dumping work on me. My fingers are sore from handling everything."
"This asshole," I muttered.
"I heard that."
"Good."
Jay giggled between us.
"So when are you coming?" Clyden asked.
Jay tilted her head and smiled mischievously.
"Can't I come right now?"
I immediately narrowed my eyes.
She was definitely teasing me.
"Give me ten minutes! no..5 minutes" Clyden said instantly. "I'll arrange a private jet. Where are you? I've already bought stuffed toys and clothes for my nephew. I even made a list of new restaurants we can try. I'll take leave from work."
"Who said I'm giving you permission to take leave while you go on dates with my wife?" I cut in.
"Oh?"
I could practically hear his grin.
"Then you can collect my resignation letter from your desk when you get back, asshole."
Jay burst out laughing.
"Wife," I said in warning.
"My sister is on my side," Clyden declared proudly.
Jay nodded.
"He's right."
"Traitor."
She laughed even harder.
Then she grabbed the phone before I could take it back.
"Okay, Kuya. I'll come."
"Perfect."
"Jay—"
The call disconnected.
For a moment, I simply stared at the phone.
"..."
"..."
"That jerk."
Jay pinched my arm.
"Ow!"
"Be nice."
She smiled innocently.
Which was unfair.
Because that smile worked on me every single time.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"A little."
"A little?"
"Maybe a lot."
I groaned.
Jay laughed and rested her forehead against my chest.
Then she looked up at me.
"So why are you out here talking?"
I blinked.
"What?"
"I woke up because I couldn't feel you beside me."
Her voice softened.
"And when I reached for you, you weren't there."
Something in my chest melted immediately.
She continued,
"And why do you look so serious? Why are you taking calls this early? Did something happen?"
For a moment, I considered telling her everything.
The rumors.
The articles.
The photos.
But she had just woken up.
And right now, she looked peaceful.
So I decided to save that conversation for later.
"Nothing," I said. "The Watson family wants to throw another party."
Jay stared at me.
Then she sighed dramatically.
"You rich people really know how to waste money."
I laughed.
"That's your conclusion?"
"Yes."
She crossed her arms.
"Why do you all throw so many parties?"
I pretended to think about it.
"Hmm."
Then I shrugged.
"Maybe because powerful people like reminding other powerful people that they're powerful."
Jay looked horrified.
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
"It's true, though."
"You're all ridiculous."
"Probably."
She shook her head.
"I swear, every problem in your world somehow ends with a party."
"Not every problem."
"Most of them."
"Fair."
Jay poked my chest.
"You know what normal people do when they're happy?"
"What?"
"We eat."
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"And when you're sad?"
"We eat."
I laughed.
"And when you're angry?"
"We eat."
"And when you're celebrating?"
"We eat."
Jay pointed at me triumphantly.
"See? Food solves more problems than parties."
I couldn't even argue with that.
Instead, I pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head.
"Fine."
"I win."
"You always think you win."
"Because I usually do."
I rolled my eyes.
And judging by the smug smile on her face—
she considered this another victory.
I shook my head and laughed.
A few minutes later, we walked down to the beach.
I brought a blanket with us, and we sat together on the cool sand.
Wrapped beneath it, Jay leaned comfortably against me while I kept an arm around her shoulders.
The conversation drifted from one topic to another.
No pressure.
No expectations.
Just us.
We talked about Kiegen.
Then Kiran.
Then somehow ended up discussing random memories, childhood stories, and things that made absolutely no sense at three in the morning.
Every now and then, one of us would start laughing for no reason.
The hours slipped by without either of us noticing.
Before long, the dark sky slowly began to brighten.
Orange and gold spread across the horizon.
The first rays of sunlight reflected across the ocean.
And together, we watched the sunrise.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
We simply sat there.
Enjoying the view.
Enjoying each other's company.
Enjoying the rare peace.
Eventually, we returned to the beach house, freshened up, packed our things, and started the drive home.
Halfway through the trip, Jay suddenly turned toward me.
"Kiefer?"
"Hm?"
"You never told me."
"Told you what?"
"Where's Caretaker?"
I glanced at her briefly before returning my eyes to the road.
"He's with his godfathers."
The silence that followed lasted exactly two seconds.
Then—
"You left the kid with Section E?"
I nodded.
Jay stared at me.
Actually stared.
"Kiefer."
"What?"
"You left our child with Section E."
"He'll survive."
"That's not reassuring."
I frowned.
"Why?"
"Because Section E collectively shares one brain cell."
"That's rude."
"It's accurate."
I couldn't even defend them.
Because unfortunately, she had a point.
Jay groaned and covered her face.
"Oh no."
"What now?"
"Poor Caretaker."
"He likes them."
"That's not the issue."
"Then what is?"
She lowered her hands dramatically.
"The issue is that now there are multiple adults encouraging his chaos."
I thought about it.
Then I thought about Section E.
Then I thought about Caretaker.
...
A few hours later, we arrived home.
The moment I opened the front door—
I froze.
The house looked like a battlefield.
Chip packets were scattered across the floor.
Blankets were everywhere.
Someone was sleeping on the couch.
Someone else was sleeping on the floor.
One person was somehow asleep under the coffee table.
The entire living room looked like a natural disaster had passed through it.
"What happened here?" Jay whispered.
Before anyone could answer—
Rory spotted us.
"Kiefer!"
He pointed dramatically.
"You're finally here!"
The accusation in his voice made it sound like I had abandoned them for a month.
"Damn you, Kiefer," Edrix groaned from the floor. "Your son is annoying as hell."
"He's going to grow up even more stubborn than you," Eman added.
"Which is terrifying," Rory muttered.
Jay blinked.
Then Felix appeared out of nowhere.
He immediately wrapped his arms around her dramatically.
"Jay."
"What?"
"I'm never having kids."
She laughed.
"Why?"
"Because if your son is the standard model, humanity can end with me."
"Felix!"
"I'm serious!"
I rubbed my forehead.
Then my eyes landed on C-In.
He was sitting in the corner.
Or rather—
Collapsed in the corner.
And somehow, he had Caretaker zipped halfway inside his oversized hoodie.
Only the kid's head was sticking out.
"C-IN."
He slowly looked up.
"Jay."
Then, without warning, he started scooting across the floor toward her.
I intercepted him before he reached her.
At the same time, I carefully lifted Caretaker from his hoodie.
The second the kid left C-In's arms—
He burst into tears.
Loud tears.
Immediate tears.
I sighed and shifted him against my shoulder.
"It's okay."
A few gentle pats later—
Silence.
Caretaker immediately relaxed and buried his face against my neck.
The entire room stared.
"See?" I said.
"Traitor," C-In muttered.
Then he wrapped his arms around Jay dramatically.
"Your son is bullying me."
Jay laughed so hard she nearly lost her balance.
"What in the world happened?" I asked.
The room went silent.
Everyone exchanged looks.
Nobody wanted to answer first.
Finally, David collapsed onto the sofa and pointed at Caretaker.
"Jay."
"Hm?"
"Never leave your child with us again."
The entire room nodded.
Immediately.
Without hesitation.
"Not until he can talk," Kit continued. "At least then we'll know why he's destroying our lives."
Jay looked horrified.
"What did he do?"
Nobody answered.
Not a single word.
The silence itself was suspicious.
I looked around the room.
Everyone looked exhausted.
Dark circles sat beneath their eyes.
Some looked like they hadn't slept at all.
Others looked like they had witnessed something traumatic.
I glanced down at Caretaker, who was resting comfortably in my arms.
Completely innocent.
Completely relaxed.
As if he hadn't allegedly caused the collapse of an entire group of adults.
"You must've had fun."
I tapped his tiny nose.
He immediately grabbed my finger and smiled.
Traitor.
"Kiefer," Jay said.
The tone of her voice told me she was about to start interrogating everyone.
Unfortunately for her—
I already knew what would happen.
So before she could say another word, I adjusted Caretaker against my shoulder and started walking toward our room.
"Kiefer!"
I ignored her.
"Kiefer!"
Still walking.
Behind me, I heard several exhausted voices.
"Take him."
"Please."
"For the love of God."
"Don't bring him back."
"At least not today."
I snorted.
Caretaker yawned against my shoulder.
The little criminal didn't even look guilty.
As I reached the stairs, I glanced back.
Every single member of Section E was watching me.
The looks on their faces ranged from exhausted...
To betrayed...
To outright traumatized.
I raised an eyebrow.
"He can't be that bad."
The room exploded.
"HE CAN."
"He absolutely can."
"He's worse."
"Much worse."
"Take your son and leave."
Jay burst out laughing.
Meanwhile, Caretaker simply snuggled deeper into my shoulder and closed his eyes.
Looking every bit like a perfect angel.
Which was exactly how I knew he was guilty.