JAY'S POV
I felt relieved after forgiving Ci-N. After all, he was like my brother.
The party was still going on. I stayed with Rakki and Mica the whole time so I could avoid those snakes… and also the king of snakes.
After a while we all got separated. Rakki went to Ci-N and Mica went to Calix. So I decided to go to the balcony and get some fresh air.
I stood there, leaning against the railing, staring at the beautiful view from the rooftop.
But my peace didn't last long.
A voice came from behind me.
"Jay Jay…"
I recognized it immediately.
Yuri.
"Jay —
"what do you want, Yuri?"
"Jay… I want to talk to you. Please."
"I don't. Leave me alone."
"Please, Jay. At least listen to me. Let me explain my side."
This jerk clearly wasn't going to leave until I listened to him. God… why did I even come here?
"Fine," I said coldly. "Speak."
YURI'S POV
I felt a wave of relief when she finally agreed.
I knew what I did was wrong. But I still loved her so much… and right now I was the main reason she was hurting.
I was such an idiot.
"Jay… I'm really sorry for all the pain I caused. I was an idiot. I'm truly sorry."
She stayed silent.
"I was there when the plan started," I admitted. "I was part of it from the very beginning. When we found out you were Aries's sister… I was furious."
Her eyes darkened.
"But I stopped halfway," I continued quickly. "Because I realized I was falling for you. That's why I got closer to you… to save you."
"Save me?" she repeated bitterly.
"Yes. But I was too late. You had already fallen in love with Keifer. I was terrified that when you found out about the plan, I would lose you completely."
My chest tightened.
"I was scared, Jay. Desperate. I didn't want you to get hurt."
"So that's why you forced the engagement?" she asked.
"Yes."
"But unfortunately," she said coldly, "you still ended up hurting me."
Her words felt like a knife.
"I'm sorry, Jay. Really. I know I'm late… but believe me, I tried. And I'm not giving up on you. I never will. Because I still love you."
I stepped closer.
"Please don't break the engagement. We can still make it work. No one knows about our previous conversations. Please, Jay."
She looked at me like I was nothing.
"I don't love you, Yuri," she said.
My heart dropped.
"I told you already. I never will. Just make it public that we are no longer engaged. End this act now."
No, no, no. I couldn't lose her.
"Is it because of Keifer?" I asked desperately. "Do you still love him?"
"What?"
"Why him, Jay? Even after everything he did to you, you still can't move on from him."
She stared at me like I had just confirmed everything she believed about me.
"You're still the same, Yuri," she said quietly.
"You don't love me. The only reason you forced the engagement was because you couldn't stand seeing me with him. You were so desperate to have me that you forgot I'm a human being — not a trophy you can win."
My chest tightened.
"That's not love, Yuri," she said. It's your ego. Your ego that doesn't want to lose."
"No, Jay Jay. It's not like that. I'm sorry for what I did, but I love you. Believe me, Jay—"
She cut me off.
"I'm done listening to you."
Her voice was ice.
"Let me make this clear. First — I don't love you, and I'm not planning to forgive you. Second — this has nothing to do with Keifer. Third — make it official that we are no longer engaged. Otherwise I will."
She turned to leave. Something inside me snapped.
"You still have hope, Jay," I said.
She stopped. Then slowly turned around.
"What do you mean?"
"A week ago," I said quietly, "Keifer came to my place. He told me to keep you safe… because he was letting you go. He already left you, Jay. You should move on."
She stared at me for a long moment. Then she said something I never expected.
"Did you move on from me?"
My breath caught.
"Even after I told you I don't love you? Did you move on ? It's not easy, Yuri. Even I want to move on… but it's hard. For him, loving me was just an act. But for me…"
She swallowed.
"It wasn't."
Then she turned and walked away.
Leaving me standing there alone.
Shit.
What the hell did I just say?
I made it sound like everything was her fault.
Damn it, Yuri. Are you out of your mind?
Now she'll hate you even more.
I wanted her forgiveness.
But once again…
I ruined everything.