KEIFER'S POV
I was sitting with Keigan in the living room, discussing our inheritance plan, when my phone suddenly started buzzing. I checked the screen.
Demon calling.
Angelo.
I immediately picked it up. "Hello?"
His voice came out cold and serious. "Come to Kingsground. Now."
I frowned slightly.
"I'm busy. What happened?"
Then he said the one thing that instantly made me stand up—
"It's about Jay Jay."
Without wasting another second, I grabbed my car keys.
"I'm coming."
After cutting the call, I turned toward Keigan.
"Keigan, I have to go. Boss is calling me."
Keigan immediately looked worried.
"What happened, Kuya? Is everything okay?"
I shook my head.
"I don't know. But it's about Jay Jay… so I have to go."
He nodded slowly.
"Fine. Take care of yourself."
-----------------------KINGSGROUND-----------------------------
The moment I stepped inside the VIP room, I realized Angelo wasn't alone. Percy was there. Aries too. And another man.
He looked around Angelo's age. Sharp features. Cold face. Powerful aura.
I quietly walked toward them and sat down. For a few seconds— silence filled the room. Then Angelo finally spoke.
"Who are you?"
His voice was sharp. Dangerous.
"And why did you call us here?"
The man calmly leaned back before answering—
"My name is Crisanto Delos Reyes. CEO of Reyes Corporation."
Then he added calmly—
"And… Jay Jay's brother."
Everyone froze.
"You can call me Cris for short."
Angelo immediately snapped.
"What nonsense is this?"
Aries sighed.
"Kuya, calm down."
Then Percy suddenly spoke—
"Boss… he's telling the truth."
Angelo looked even more confused.
"I still don't understand anything. Explain."
I finally lost my patience too.
"Yeah. Explain what the hell is happening."
Another brother? Jay Jay had another brother? What kind of nonsense was this? Why didn't she ever tell me? Then Aries started explaining.
"Today, Jay Jay called me and Percy to the Reyes Mansion."
I frowned instantly. "Wait. Isn't she living in a condo?"
Because after Jay Jay left the Fernandez Mansion, we tracked her location and found out she was staying in a condo near the school. Then suddenly, Cris chuckled softly. And for some reason— his reaction annoyed me.
"She was right."
I frowned deeper. "What do you mean?"
Cris looked at me calmly. "I'll explain later."
Then he gestured toward Aries.
"Let him finish first."
Aries nodded before continuing.
"At the mansion, Jay Jay introduced Kuya Cris to us. He was her senior in Holy Saints. She treated him like her real brother. She said since we're both her brothers… she wanted to introduce him to us properly."
Angelo suddenly looked toward Cris.
"So you're the one who prepared those partnership contracts and custody papers?"
Cris answered calmly.
"She asked me to."
Silence filled the room again. Then Cris suddenly spoke once more. This time— his voice sounded softer. More personal.
"I was stupid enough to let her walk away from me a year ago. But I won't let that happen again. She was always there for me when I needed someone."
Then he looked down briefly.
"Now it's my turn to protect her."
A painful silence spread through the room. Then suddenly—
his gaze shifted toward me and angelo.
Cold.
Disappointed.
"The only reason I forgave Aries… Is because my sister gave him another chance."
Then his eyes narrowed dangerously.
"But not you two. She trusted both of you more than she trusted herself. And now… She's questioning herself for ever trusting you."
I lowered my head silently. Because he was right. I broke her trust. I was the reason she doubted herself now. Then suddenly—
he called my name.
"Kiefer."
I slowly looked up. And surprisingly there was softness in his eyes. Not hatred. Not anger. Just understanding.
"I know why you're doing this."
I froze.
"I know what you're facing right now. And I know you still love her. But even then… What you did was wrong."
I stayed silent. Because I couldn't deny it anymore.
Then he continued—
"The only reason I'm controlling myself… Even while my sister is crying because of you....Is because she still loves you."
My breath stopped.
She still loves you.
I couldn't even explain what those words did to me. It felt like someone had suddenly given life back to my dying heart. Hope. She still hadn't given up on me.
I looked at him seriously before speaking—
"And she's the reason I'm still fighting. I know the path I chose is hurting both of us… But it's the only option left for me. I would rather let her hate me…"
Pain burned in my chest.
"Rather let her cry because of me… Than see a gun pointed at her head."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Then I continued quietly—
"I love her too much. And I'm ready to fight anyone for her safety. Even my family. Even myself. I would destroy everything if it meant keeping her safe."
Then Angelo suddenly asked—
"What if she refuses to forgive you when you come back?"
I answered without hesitation.
"Then I'll spend the rest of my life asking for forgiveness."
Because losing her…
was never an option.
I smiled faintly.
Brokenly.
"After my mother… She's the only person I've ever loved this deeply. And I won't let go of her that easily. I'm ready to face everything. Her anger. Her hatred. Her harsh words. Even her punches and slaps. Anything. Anything except losing her."
Then suddenly—
I noticed a faint smile appearing on Cris' face.
"I must admit… My sister has excellent taste."
A small laugh escaped Percy.
Then Cris continued—
"I'm on your side, Kiefer. You have my support. But remember this carefully. This is the first and last chance I'm giving you. I won't let you break her heart again."
Without hesitation, I answered—
"I'll break my own before I break hers."
And for the first time in weeks a genuine smile appeared on my face. Because now… I had the support of one of her brothers. And more importantly—
there was still hope. Jay Jay still loved me. I closed my eyes briefly.
I love you too, Jay.
Just give me a little more time.
And I'll come back to you.
My mutya.
Then suddenly—
Percy ruined the emotional moment.
As usual.
"I'm glad you love her this much, Kiefer. I'm on your side too."
Then he smirked proudly.
"After all, you need my handsomeness on your side if you want to win her back."
All of us immediately slapped our foreheads.
God.
This idiot would never change.
Aries sighed tiredly before speaking.
"I'll only accept you for her…When she forgives you herself."
Angelo nodded slowly.
"It's her decision. Who she wants to love is entirely up to her."
Then he looked directly at me.
"But ... You need to prove yourself."
I nodded firmly.
Without hesitation.
"I will."