Jane's Pov
The silence inside our house was heavy, broken only by the rhythmic, shallow breaths Jay took as she lay with her head in my lap. Our living room was dimmed, the curtains drawn to block out the harsh afternoon light that seemed to aggravate her headache
She was curled into a tight ball, her fingers dug firmly into the fabric of her shirt, right over her stomach. Every few minutes, a fresh wave of pain would ripple through her body, causing her to tense up, her knuckles turning stark white.
To anyone else, this was the familiar, agonizing routine of severe menstrual cramps. To me, it was a terrifying mask. I knew something was deeply wrong with Jay, but watching her suffer in silence left me feeling entirely helpless.
Tita Gemma was away and wouldn't be back for a few days. Angelo was buried under paperwork at the office, and Aries was over at Ella's place, completely oblivious to the world.
It was just the two of us. I gently stroked Jay's hair, trying to offer whatever silent comfort I could, wishing I could absorb the pain radiating from her body.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed on the coffee table, the vibration cutting through the quiet room like a chainsaw. I reached over carefully, trying not to disturb Jay, and checked the caller ID.
Tita Serina.
I swiped the screen and brought the phone to my ear, keeping my voice down to a soft whisper. "Hello, Tita Serina !"
"Jane, darling," her elegant, authoritative voice came through the line, though it was now laced with pure, motherly warmth. "I just caught wind that Gemma is out of town and you two girls are entirely on your own over there. Especially after everything that happened at the school today... Darling, if it is alright with you, I want you and Jay to come over to the Watson Mansion. Jay needs proper care, and you shouldn't have to carry all this pressure by yourself.".
I looked down at Jay. Her eyes were squeezed shut, a thin layer of cold sweat breaking out across her forehead. My immediate instinct was to polite and self-reliant. "Oh, no, Tita, it's really fine. Thank you so much, but we can manage here."
"I insist, sweetheart," Serina's voice left absolutely no room for negotiation. It was the same tone she used to silence those furious, entitled parents in the principal's office, but wrapped in velvet. "You girls belong under a roof where you can be protected and looked after. I am sending Keifer over right now to pick you both up."
"Please don't trouble him, Tita," I said quickly, imagining how thrilled Keifer would be to play chauffeur while we were in this state. "We will be there soon, I promise. We can just take a ride."
"Are you absolutely sure, Jane?" Tita Serina asked, her sharp instincts piercing through the phone line.
"Of course, Tita. We'll pack a few things and head over right away."
"Alright, matching clothes and essentials only. I will see you very soon, my dear."
After the call disconnected, I carefully slid out from under Jay's head, replacing my lap with a soft velvet throw pillow.
She groaned faintly at the loss of warmth but didn't open her eyes. I hurried upstairs to our rooms, grabbing a duffel bag.
I threw in a few comfortable changes of clothes for both of us, pajamas, our toiletries, and a heating pad, making sure to pack Jay's specific medications. Once the bag was zipped, I pulled out my phone and booked a taxi through an app.
Walking back into the living room, I knelt beside the couch and gently shook Jay's shoulder. "Jay... Jay, wake up, sweetie."
Her eyelids fluttered open, heavy and clouded with exhaustion. She looked at me blankly, her voice barely a raspy whisper. "What happened? Is something wrong?"
"We have to leave for the Watson Mansion," I explained softly, helping her slowly sit up. "Tita Serina called and insisted that we stay there since Tita Gemma won't be back for a few days. She won't take no for an answer."
Jay let out a weak sigh and nodded. She didn't have a single ounce of strength left to argue, debate, or put up her usual stubborn front.
She simply let me help her stand, leaning heavily against my side as we walked out the front door and slid into the waiting taxi
As the car pulled away from the curb, I quickly pulled out my phone and sent a brief, clear message to both Angelo and Aries: Tita Gemma is away, so Jay and I are staying at the Watson Mansion for a few days under Tita Serina's care. Don't worry about us.
------------------------------
Jay's Pov
The Watson Mansion rose up against the evening sky like a grand, imposing fortress, but inside, the atmosphere was surprisingly quiet and serene. As Jane supported me through the massive double doors, the grand foyer felt vast, yet a distinct sense of security washed over me.
The chaos of Section D, the screams of the parents, and the suffocating pressure in my chest all seemed to fade the moment the heavy doors closed behind us.
Before we could even take three steps into the hall, a flurry of elegant fabric approached us. Tita Serina appeared, her sharp, immaculate posture softening completely the moment her eyes landed on us.
Without a word, she stepped forward and entangled both Jane and me in a tight, protective, and deeply warm hug. She smelled of expensive jasmine and comfort—a scent that instantly made my eyes sting with unexpected emotion.
"Oh, my sweet girls," she murmured, pulling back just enough to cup my face in her warm hands. Her eyes scanned my pale complexion with genuine, deep-seated worry. "Come in, come in. Let's get you somewhere comfortable."
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my weak voice. "Where are Keigan and Keiren, Tita?" I asked, looking around the quiet halls. "And Keifer?"
"Keigan and Keiren will be coming home a bit late tonight from their activities," Tita Serina replied, guiding us toward the sprawling, luxurious living area. "And Keifer is out dealing with some errands and work-related matters. Don't worry about them. Right now, the focus is entirely on you."
For the next hour, Tita Serina transformed from the terrifying matriarch who could dismantle an elite family's reputation with a single phone call into a fiercely devoted, nurturing mother.
She personally brought over a plush, heated blanket, adjusted the pillows behind my back, and had her staff prepare a warm, soothing chamomile tea. She sat right beside me, gently rubbing my back, her touch light and comforting.
It had been so long. So incredibly long since I had felt this specific, unprompted kind of maternal care. After everything Jane, Lola, and Tita Gemma had sacrificed to keep me afloat, receiving this unconditional tenderness melted something icy inside my chest. I felt safe. I felt incredibly happy, a rare sensation that felt entirely foreign to my disease-ridden body.
Before I could stop it, a single, stray tear escaped my eye and rolled down my pale cheek.
Tita Serina noticed instantly. Her face fell into an expression of pure heartbreak, and she wiped the tear away with her thumb. "What happened, baby? Why are you crying? Is the pain hitting too hard? Should I call a doctor?"
I quickly shook my head, offering her a fragile but genuine smile. "Nothing, Tita... I'm okay. Just... remembered something nice. Thank you."
She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes filled with a deep, knowing sorrow, before she nodded softly and kissed the top of my head. "You don't ever have to thank me, Jay. You are safe here."
The quiet warmth of the mansion shifted into a lively, energetic gear when the front doors burst open later that evening. Keiren and Keigan had arrived.
Keigan entered first, stepping into the living room with his usual polite, composed demeanor. He offered a respectful nod and a warm smile. "Good evening, Jane. Good evening, Jay. Welcome."
Keiren, however, had absolutely zero concept of boundaries or restraint. The moment he spotted us on the couch, his face lit up like a Christmas tree. He practically bolted across the expensive hardwood floor and tangled both Jane and me in a massive, chaotic, and breathless hug.
" Ate you are ! This is awesome!" Keiren cheered, squeezing us tightly.
"Slowly, baby," Tita Serina scolded gently, though a fond smile played on her lips. "Your Ate Jay is not feeling well tonight. Be gentle."
Keiren's eyes widened in realization, and he immediately loosened his grip, stepping back with a sheepish, apologetic grin. "Oh, sorry, Ate Jay! I forgot! I'll be super careful, I promise." He then proceeded to sit right next to me on the couch, practically clinging to my arm like a lost puppy, refusing to leave my side.
Dinner was served shortly after, and it was easily one of the most heartwarming, chaotic meals I had experienced in years.
The dining table was filled with incredible food, but the real entertainment was the company. Keiren stayed glued to me, constantly piling food onto my plate.
"Ate Jay, eat this! It's really good for energy! Mom said you need to eat more," he chirped, practically cutting my food for me. I couldn't help but chuckle, his bright energy acting like a natural painkiller for the dull ache in my chest.
On the other side of the table, Jane and Keigan were in their absolute element. Their vibes matched perfectly. They launched into a passionate, highly animated debate about school dynamics, student council policies, and random trivia, their quick wit bouncing off one another seamlessly.
Tita Serina sat at the head of the table, gracefully sipping her wine. She didn't say much, but her eyes moved from Jane and Keigan's lively banter to Keiren clinging to my arm, and finally to me, laughing softly. A look of profound, serene satisfaction settled over her face. She was watching her home fill with life, protecting the girls who deserved the world.
----------------------------
Author's Pov
By the time dinner ended and everyone retreated to their respective rooms, the mansion fell back into its deep, aristocratic silence.
Tita Serina had personally escorted Jay and Jane to a beautiful, spacious guest suite. Jay, completely drained from the day's physical and emotional toll, had fallen asleep almost the second her head hit the pillow. Jane stayed up a bit longer, reading, before finally drifting off.
It was nearly 12:20 AM when the subtle shift in the room woke me. Jane blinked against the darkness and realized the space beside her on the bed was empty. Jay was gone.
Downstairs, the grand hallways of the Watson Mansion were cast in long, silver shadows from the moonlight filtering through the high windows.
Jay had crept down into the kitchen, her throat dry and parched. She grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and took a long, refreshing sip, leaning against the cold marble countertop.
Just as she set the glass down, a faint, scraping sound echoed from the dark living room. Jay froze, her muscles instantly tensing.
Through the large glass window near the couch, she saw a dark, distinct shadow moving quietly, manipulating the lock and slowly pushing the window pane open.
Her heart hammered against her ribs—not from her illness this time, but from pure, adrenaline-fueled instinct. A thief.
Thinking quickly, Jay glided silently across the kitchen floor. She reached the edge of the living room couch, where a thick, heavy knit blanket was draped over the armrest. She grabbed it, bunching the heavy fabric into her fists.
She stepped up onto the cushions of the couch, positioning herself perfectly above the window frame just as the silhouette stealthily stepped over the ledge and into the house.
Without a single second of hesitation, Jay threw herself forward. She launched the heavy blanket directly over the intruder's head, completely blinding and entangling him.
"Thief! There's a thief! Call the police! Quick!" Jay yelled at the top of her lungs, stepping off the couch and landing a sharp, brutal kick right to the intruder's shin.
The dark figure let out a muffled, choked gasp, completely caught off guard as the heavy blanket wrapped tightly around his upper body. He stumbled, losing his balance, and crashed heavily onto the floor.
Jay didn't stop. Adrenaline completely masking her physical pain, she began swinging her fists and kicking blindly at the trapped figure, shouting for reinforcement.
The chaotic noise echoed through the massive mansion like an alarm. Within seconds, heavy footsteps thundered down the grand staircase.
Jane was the first to burst into the room, followed closely by a frantic Keiren, a sharp-eyed Keigan, and Tita Serina, who was tying her silk robe around her waist.
"Jay!" Jane shouted, seeing her fiercely pummeling a giant, thrashing lump on the floor.
"Ate Jay, we're here!" Keiren yelled. Seeing a literal home invader, Keiren didn't hesitate. He dived into the fray, kicking at the blanketed figure.
Keigan, usually the calm diplomat, saw his house under attack and immediately joined in, throwing solid, defensive punches to pin the intruder down.
Jane grabbed a heavy decorative throw pillow from the couch and started whacking the lump over the head.
The living room was a warzone of shouting, flying blankets, and absolute chaos. The poor intruder was groaning, his voice completely muffled by the thick fabric as four people systematically beat him down.
"Wait... wait a minute!" Keigan suddenly gasped, his hand freezing mid-air. He stared intensely at the expensive designer sneakers sticking out from the bottom of the blanket, and then at the distinct, familiar build of the person currently groaning in agony on the floor. "Hold on! Stop! It's Kuya!"
Everyone froze. The room fell dead silent, save for the heavy, ragged breathing of the intruder trapped beneath the heavy knit blanket.
------------------------------
Keifer's Pov
My entire body felt like it had been run over by a semi-truck, backed up over, and then hit again for good measure.
It had been a brutal, exhausting day. After dealing with the fallout of the Section D garbage and running errands for my mother until midnight, I had finally arrived back at the mansion.
It was well past midnight. I reached into my pockets, searching for my house keys, only to realize with a wave of pure annoyance that I had left them sitting on my office desk.
I looked up at the dark, quiet facade of the mansion. I knew my mom was incredibly tired after the stunt she pulled at the school today, and the last thing I wanted to do was ring the security bell, wake up the entire staff, and disturb her sleep.
So, I opted for the logical alternative. I walked around to the side terrace, unlatched the familiar window near the living room couch—a trick I had used a few times during my younger, wilder years—and carefully slid the pane open.
I quietly stepped over the ledge, completely adjusting my vision to the pitch-black interior. I was just about to turn toward the hallway to head upstairs when the universe decided to utterly destroy me.
Out of absolutely nowhere, a massive, heavy, suffocating weight fell from the sky. Before I could even register a threat, a thick, scratchy knit blanket was violently slammed over my head and wrapped tightly around my face, completely blinding me and cutting off my peripheral vision.
"Thief! There's a thief! Call the police! Quick!"
The voice was sharp, frantic, and immediately recognizable.
Jay.
Before I could even open my mouth to shout her name, a agonizing, precisely aimed kick collided directly with my shin. The sheer force of it made my leg buckle, and I crashed violently onto the hardwood floor.
I tried to rip the blanket off my face, but she was entirely relentless, throwing her weight into pinning me down while delivering a barrage of surprisingly heavy blows.
"Jay, it's—" I tried to gasp out, but the thick fabric stuffed into my mouth muffled the words entirely.
Then, the nightmare escalated. I heard a stampede of footsteps, and suddenly, a collective roar of chaos erupted. Within a fraction of a second, I wasn't just dealing with Jay.
Someone else—definitely Keiren based on the chaotic, uncoordinated energy—started stomping on my legs. Another set of heavy, disciplined punches—definitely Keigan—rained down on my shoulders, effectively pinning my arms to my sides.
To top it all off, someone was violently and repeatedly beating me over the head with what felt like a very dense, heavy living room pillow.
I was trapped in a canvas of darkness, getting absolutely obliterated by my own family and a girl who was supposed to be bedridden with cramps. I thrashed around, trying to project my voice through the heavy layers of cotton. "Stop! It's me! You idiots, stop!"
Finally, after what felt like a literal eternity of enduring a coordinated assault, I heard Keigan's voice cut through the noise. "Wait... wait a minute! Hold on! Stop! It's Kuya!"
The blows instantly stopped. The oppressive weight lifted slightly off my back, though the room remained completely silent.
Slowly, deliberately, the edge of the blanket was pulled back. The bright, ambient light of the living room hit my eyes, causing me to wince. I looked up from my pathetic position on the floor, propping myself up on my elbows.
Standing right in front of me was Jay.
She was holding the edge of the blanket, her hair slightly messy from the exertion, her cheeks flushed with color.
As our eyes met, she realized exactly who she had just brutally assaulted. Instead of looking horrified, a tiny, uncontrollable twitch appeared at the corner of her lips. She gave me a sweet, completely innocent, and utterly shameless smile.
I sat up slowly, every single muscle in my body aching, and leveled her with the most intense, icy glare I could muster.
Jane stepped forward, clearing her throat nervously as she dropped the decorative throw pillow back onto the couch. "Uh... it was a complete misunderstanding. Sorry, Watson."
"Sorry," Jay echoed softly, though her voice lacked even a shred of genuine remorse.
My mom stepped into the center of the room, letting out a sharp, exasperated sigh. She immediately went to the kitchen and returned with an ice pack and a bottle of pain relief cream. She sat beside me on the edge of the couch, gently applying the cold compress to my bruised jaw and rubbing the medicine into my aching shoulders.
"Honestly, Keifer," Mom murmured, though her tone lacked its usual bite. "Climbing through windows at this hour? You brought this entirely on yourself."
I groaned, leaning my head back against the couch. I looked around the room at everyone standing in a circle. Jane was biting her lower lip, her shoulders trembling.
Keiren was covering his mouth with both hands, his eyes watering from the sheer effort of staying quiet. Even Keigan had turned his back to me, his chest heaving silently.
"Don't you dare laugh," I warned, pointing a finger at them, my voice deadpan and dangerous. "Not a single one of you."
The moment those words left my mouth, the dam broke.
The entire living room erupted into an absolute explosion of roaring laughter. Keiren fell backward onto the rug, clutching his stomach and howling. Jane was grinning from ear to ear, laughing so hard she had to lean against Keigan for support, who was letting out rare, loud chuckles.
Even my mom couldn't hold it back anymore, a beautiful, clear laugh escaping her lips as she shook her head at my misfortune.
But my eyes instantly drifted past them, locking entirely onto Jay.
She had collapsed onto the other end of the couch, completely overtaken by a fit of pure, unbridled laughter. She was laughing so hard she almost slid right off the cushions, her hands pressing against her stomach.
I froze, the irritation completely draining out of my system. I just sat there, utterly busy admiring her. She looked incredibly beautiful.
For the first time since I had met her, the heavy, dark cloud of exhaustion and secrecy was completely gone from her face. She looked entirely relaxed, carefree, and vibrantly alive.
Her smile was completely real, lighting up her entire face and making her eyes sparkle in the dim light. It was a stark contrast to the pale, fragile girl who looked like she was standing on the edge of death just hours prior.
Suddenly, a loud snap broke the spell.I blinked, breaking out of my trance, and looked up to see Jane standing right in front of me. She was grinning like a Cheshire cat, leaning down slightly to whisper in a tone that only I could hear.
"I know my sister is beautiful, Watson. But don't look at her like that. You're going to burn a hole right through her."
My eyes widened slightly, and I felt an immediate, intense heat rush up my neck, my ears turning a bright, unmistakable shade of red. I cleared my throat aggressively, looking away.Jane's grin grew even wider, entirely pleased with herself.
I accidentally caught my mom's eye, and to my absolute horror, Ma was looking at me with a soft, knowing, and deeply amused expression—an "I know exactly what that feeling means" look that made me want to vanish into the floorboards.
Meanwhile, Jay was still giggling softly, entirely unknown to everything that had just transpired between her sister and me, completely oblivious to the fact that my heart was currently racing faster than it ever had before.
Unable to handle the sheer embarrassment and the ache in my ribs, I abruptly stood up from the couch.
"I'm going to my room," I muttered, turning on my heel and marching toward the grand staircase.As my feet hit the stairs, I kept my posture rigid, refusing to look back.
But the moment I reached the very top step, the beautiful, echoing sound of Jay's genuine laughter floated up through the grand foyer once again.Before I could stop it, a small, involuntary smile appeared on my face, and the aching bruises across my body suddenly didn't hurt quite as much.
-------------------------------
Jane's PoV
Watching Keifer stomp up the grand staircase with his shoulders rigid and his ears still a bright, burning crimson was easily the highlight of my week
The heavy wooden door of his bedroom clicked shut upstairs, but the joyful, chaotic energy he left behind still vibrated through the entire living room.
Keiren was finally dragging himself up from the rug, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, while Tita Serina quietly capped the medicine bottle with a fond, lingering shake of her head.
I leaned back against the plush cushions of the couch, letting out a soft, breathy sigh. As the collective roaring laughter of the room began to quiet down into amused murmurs, my gaze naturally drifted across the space to rest entirely on my sister.
Jay was still curled up on the opposite end of the sofa, her small frame shaking with leftover giggles. Her face, which had been so terribly pale, hollow, and slick with cold sweat justhours ago in our dimmed apartment, was now flushed with a warm, healthy color.
Her shoulders were relaxed, no longer tense with the crushing weight of the secrets she forced herself to carry alone.
She was laughing whole-heartedly. It wasn't the polite, quiet chuckle she gave to keep people from worrying, or the strained smile she put on to convince me she was fine. This was a deep, genuine, breathless laugh that lit up her entire face, making her eyes sparkle under the grand chandelier.
A sudden, sharp ache squeezed my chest, but this time, it wasn't from fear. It was from pure, unadulterated relief. It had been so incredibly long since I had seen Jay look this happy, this carefree, this truly alive.
Ever since the symptoms of her condition had begun to worsen, ever since the Sam's death, Jay had been slipping away into a dark, defensive shell.
I had spent countless sleepless nights terrified that the vibrant sister I knew was fading for good.
But looking at her right now, listening to the fading echoes of her giggles, I felt a profound sense of certainty.
She was here. She was fighting. And this beautiful, rare moment of pure joy was entirely because of Keifer.
Granted, the guy had to get absolutely pulverized by a heavy knit blanket and a barrage of flying throw pillows to make it happen, but the result was undeniable. The way Keifer had stumbled through that window just to avoid waking up his mother, the way he had stubbornly taken the beating, and most importantly, the way his sharp, icy demeanor had completely dissolved the moment he caught Jay laughing... it spoke volumes.
I remembered the exact expression on Keifer's face just moments ago before I snapped him out of it. He hadn't just been looking at her; he had been completely spellbound, utterly busy admiring the real, unmasked version of Jay
And despite his terrifying reputation at school and his brooding, distant exterior, he had looked at my sister as if she were the most precious, captivating thing in the entire world.
Jay was still entirely oblivious to it, of course. She was too busy catching her breath, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders, completely unaware of the effect she had on the eldest Watson heir.
But I knew. I saw the way his ears turned red, and I saw the soft, knowing look Tita Serina had given him.
A gentle, knowing smile spread across my own face as I watched Jay finally rest her head back against the pillow, a lingering, serene grin still tugging at the corners of her lips.
If anyone deserved a protector, someone who could break through her stubborn walls and make her forget her pain, even for just a midnight moment, it was Jay. I didn't know what the coming days would bring, and I knew the dangerous battle inside her body was far from over.
But right now, seeing her this happy, knowing that Keifer was slowly but surely anchoring himself by her side, I felt a flicker of genuine hope. I was so incredibly happy for her. For the first time in a very long time, I felt like we weren't fighting the darkness entirely alone.
------------------------------
A/n
I hope you all like this chapter!!
Let me know your thoughts in comment box.And suggest me some ideas too. I will try my best to add them in upcoming plots.
See you soon 💕
Bye 👋