✦ CHAPTER — "Vacation Chaos Begins" ✦
Jay's POV
The mansion was unusually full.
Not that I minded.
---
Mama Reycee sat beside Mama Serina drinking tea.
My papa was talking with Keifer's father.
Mia chased Liana.
Ella was trying stop Elena from climbing furniture.
Freya was carrying Zane.
Sarah had Lily.
Grace had little Grazel.
And Noah...
Poor Noah looked exhausted despite not having children.
---
I sat comfortably on the couch.
Alina asleep against my chest.
Keifer behind me.
As usual.
His arms wrapped around my waist.
His chin resting on my shoulder.
---
Comfortable.
Warm.
Safe.
---
Then Freya suddenly spoke.
---
"We should all go on vacation together."
---
Silence.
---
Everyone looked up.
---
Then immediately chaos exploded.
😭💀
---
"A beach."
"No, mountains."
"A private island."
"Too expensive."
"We can afford it."
"That's not the point."
---
I started laughing.
---
The children weren't helping either.
---
Liana wanted swimming pools.
Elena wanted horses.
Zane wanted snacks.
Alina woke up halfway through the argument and wanted me.
---
"Mama."
---
Without even looking—
she climbed directly into my lap.
---
Keifer frowned immediately.
---
"That's my spot."
---
Alina looked at him.
---
"No."
---
"Yes."
---
"No."
---
"Yes."
---
The entire room ignored them.
This was normal.
---
Then Jare suddenly pointed at Keifer.
---
"You haven't said anything."
---
Everyone looked toward him.
---
Keifer shrugged.
---
"Anywhere is fine."
---
The room visibly relaxed.
---
Finally.
A reasonable answer.
---
Then Aries spoke.
---
"What about a beach resort?"
---
"No."
---
Everyone stared.
---
Jare blinked.
---
"You literally just said anywhere."
---
Keifer looked offended.
---
"Not there."
---
I buried my face in my hands.
---
"Mama."
---
Alina patted my head sympathetically.
😭💖
---
Two hours later—
after enough arguing to start another family war—
we finally decided on a luxury beach resort.
---
Everyone cheered.
---
Noah sighed.
---
"Nobody listened to my ideas."
---
Nobody responded.
---
✦ Two Days Later ✦
Jay's POV
Packing should've been easy.
---
Should've.
---
The suitcase sat open on the bed.
Everything folded neatly.
Everything organized.
Everything perfect.
---
Then Alina arrived.
---
I immediately knew peace was over.
---
She stared at the suitcase.
Then at me.
Then back at the suitcase.
---
"No."
I pointed.
---
She nodded seriously.
---
Then threw my dress onto the floor.
😭💀
---
"Alina."
---
"Helping."
---
"No."
---
"Helping."
---
Five minutes later she had:
unfolded clothes
hidden a shoe
stolen socks
and somehow placed herself inside the suitcase.
---
I genuinely didn't understand how.
---
The bedroom door opened.
---
Keifer walked inside.
---
One look at me.
One look at the room.
One look at Alina sitting proudly inside the suitcase.
---
He slowly turned around.
---
"Nope."
---
"KEIFER."
---
He sighed dramatically.
---
Then came back.
---
Immediately Alina held her arms up.
---
"Papa."
---
The traitor.
---
He carried her away.
---
"Come terrorize me instead."
---
She accepted happily.
---
Keifer's POV
Worst mistake of my life.
---
Now she decided I was entertainment.
---
For twenty minutes she:
stole my phone
hid my wallet
put stickers on my hoodie
and attempted to feed me a crayon.
---
I was tired.
---
Very tired.
---
Then Jay came downstairs carrying her suitcase.
---
And I noticed something immediately.
---
She looked excited.
---
Actually excited.
---
Not forcing smiles.
Not pretending.
---
Just happy.
---
My chest softened.
---
Good.
---
That's what I wanted.
---
Then she noticed my suitcase.
---
Danger.
---
I recognized that look instantly.
---
"Keifer."
---
"What?"
---
She pointed.
---
Three shirts.
Three pants.
One hoodie.
---
Then pointed at hers.
---
Completely full.
---
"Why do I have twelve dresses?"
---
I blinked.
---
Because the answer was obvious.
---
"Because you're pretty."
---
Silence.
---
Jay stared.
---
Alina stared.
---
Even Mochi looked disappointed in me.
---
"That's not a reason."
---
"It is."
---
Jay immediately turned pink.
---
Worth it
✦ CHAPTER — "Airport to Airplane Chaos" ✦
Jay's POV
I should've known the airport would be a mistake.
A beautiful mistake… but still a mistake.
---
The moment we stepped inside, everything exploded into motion.
Liana ran first.
Then Elena.
Then Zane somehow disappeared with snacks.
Grazel started crying for no reason.
And Alina—
---
Alina looked at the airport like it personally offended her.
Then she ran.
😭💀
---
"MAMA LOOK!"
---
Before I could even respond, Keifer had already scooped her up.
---
"No."
---
"YES."
---
"No."
---
"YES."
---
He didn't even sound angry anymore.
Just tired.
Very tired.
---
I tried not to laugh while Mama Reycee calmly sipped her water like this was normal behavior.
Because apparently… it was.
---
Jare walked beside me and muttered:
"We are going to regret this vacation."
---
I smiled.
"We already do."
---
✦ AIRPLANE ✦
Somehow, we survived boarding.
Barely.
---
And now we were seated.
Finally.
Quiet.
---
For exactly five seconds.
---
Alina immediately climbed into my lap.
Then Keifer pulled her slightly toward him.
---
"No."
---
"Mama."
---
"Papa."
---
"Mama."
---
"Papa."
---
I stared at both of them.
"…I can't breathe."
---
Alina ignored me completely.
Keifer ignored me slightly less.
---
"She's my wife," he said calmly.
---
Alina gasped.
---
"MAMA MINE."
---
Keifer narrowed his eyes.
---
"No."
---
"Yes."
---
"No."
---
"Yes."
---
I leaned back slowly.
"…I'm surrounded by children."
---
✦ KEIFER POV ✦
She's sleeping in my arms now.
Finally.
---
But Alina refuses to let go of Jay.
Even asleep.
Tiny fingers gripping her shirt like she'll disappear.
---
And I understand it.
I do.
---
But I still pull her closer to me.
---
Alina immediately wakes up slightly.
Frowns.
---
"No."
---
I stare at her.
---
"Yes."
---
She kicks my arm lightly.
---
"Mama mine."
---
I adjust my grip on Jay slightly.
Calm.
Controlled.
---
"She's ours."
---
Alina pauses.
Thinks.
Then slowly shakes her head.
---
"Mama MINE."
---
I exhale.
Slowly.
---
"This is my wife."
---
"Mama."
---
"This is my wife."
---
"Mama."
---
We continue arguing in whispers.
Like idiots.
---
Jay shifts slightly between us.
Still asleep.
Still peaceful.
---
And somehow…
that stops both of us.
---
✦ JAY'S POV ✦
I woke up mid-flight.
Warm.
Tired.
Safe.
---
And immediately realized I couldn't move.
Because:
Alina was on my chest.
Keifer was holding my hand.
And both of them were practically glued to me.
---
I blinked slowly.
"…are you two fighting again?"
---
Keifer answered immediately.
"No."
---
Alina answered immediately.
"Yes."
---
I sighed.
"…why?"
---
Alina pointed at Keifer.
"Mama mine."
---
Keifer calmly squeezed my hand.
"She started it."
---
I stared at both of them.
Then laughed softly.
---
That made Keifer pause.
---
He always reacts to my laugh now.
Like it's something rare.
Something precious.
---
And it is.
After everything…
it is.
---
Alina suddenly leaned closer to me.
Whispered seriously:
"Mama safe."
---
My chest tightened instantly.
---
I kissed her hair gently.
"I am safe."
---
Then looked at Keifer.
He was already watching me.
Quiet.
Soft.
Careful.
---
And I realized something again.
We were all still learning.
Still healing.
Still clinging.
Still scared of losing each other.
---
But right now…
on a plane full of chaos and children and arguments about "mama mine"…
we were okay.
---
Not perfect.
Not healed.
But together.
🫶🏻💖
✦ CHAPTER — "Mama Didn't Come Back" ✦
Keifer's POV
The vacation had barely started.
And somehow...
everything was already falling apart.
---
The girls had gone to another villa early this morning.
Just for one day.
A girls' day.
Shopping.
Spa.
Talking.
Relaxing.
---
Jay had kissed Alina's forehead before she woke up.
Then quietly left.
---
At the time it seemed like a good idea.
Now?
Not so much.
---
Because the second Alina woke up...
she sat up.
Blinking sleepily.
Looking around the unfamiliar villa.
---
Then she froze.
---
"Mama?"
---
Silence.
---
She looked toward the bathroom.
Nothing.
---
Toward the balcony.
Nothing.
---
Toward the living room.
Nothing.
---
Her tiny face immediately crumpled.
---
"Mama?"
---
Louder this time.
---
Then she climbed off the bed.
Running.
---
"MAMA!"
---
My heart dropped instantly.
---
I stood up.
"Princess—"
---
She pushed past me.
---
"MAMA!"
---
Every room.
Every hallway.
Every corner.
---
She searched everywhere.
---
"Mama?"
---
Her voice became smaller.
Shakier.
---
Then tears started.
---
Big tears.
Silent tears.
---
And suddenly she was crying.
Hard.
---
"Mama gone."
---
"No, baby."
I immediately crouched in front of her.
"She's coming back."
---
She shook her head.
---
"No."
---
Then she started searching again.
😭💔
---
Even the others tried helping.
---
Mama Serina.
Ciel.
Jare
Mama reycee
Everyone.
---
Nothing worked.
---
Because she only wanted one person.
---
Jay.
---
Hours passed.
---
Alina refused breakfast.
Refused cartoons.
Refused toys.
---
Refused everything.
---
She sat by the front door.
Waiting.
---
Every time she heard footsteps—
she looked up hopefully.
---
Then cried again.
---
My chest felt horrible.
---
That evening she finally crawled into my lap.
Exhausted from crying.
---
Tiny hands gripping my hoodie.
---
"Mama come back?"
---
I kissed her hair.
---
"She'll come back."
---
"When?"
---
Soon.
I hoped.
---
Because honestly?
I missed Jay too.
---
That night was worse.
---
Alina refused sleep completely.
---
Every time her eyes started closing—
she forced herself awake.
---
Afraid.
---
Terrified she'd miss Jay coming back.
---
By midnight she was still awake.
---
By one in the morning too.
---
By two—
she was curled against my chest.
Crying quietly.
---
"Mama..."
---
The sound nearly broke me.
---
I rocked her gently.
---
But even after she finally slept—
tiny tears remained on her cheeks.
---
And somehow...
I hated this more than any business problem I'd ever faced.
---
Jay's POV
The next morning I practically ran back.
---
The girls' day had been fun.
But something felt wrong.
---
Maybe it was instinct.
Maybe it was guilt.
---
Maybe it was because I missed them too.
---
Especially Alina.
---
The moment I entered the villa—
I looked around.
---
Then spotted her.
---
My baby.
---
My heart immediately softened.
---
"Alina!"
---
She looked up.
---
Saw me.
---
And froze.
---
For a second I smiled.
Waiting for her to run toward me.
---
She didn't.
---
Instead—
she turned around.
And walked away.
---
My smile disappeared.
---
"...baby?"
---
Nothing.
---
She kept walking.
---
Straight toward Keifer.
---
Then climbed into his lap.
---
Refusing to look at me.
😭❤️🩹
---
My chest hurt immediately.
---
"Alina."
---
Nothing.
---
"Baby, I'm sorry."
---
Still nothing.
---
She buried her face into Keifer's chest.
---
Avoiding me completely.
---
The entire villa went silent.
---
Even Keifer looked uncomfortable.
---
Because nobody had ever seen Alina ignore me before.
---
Ever.
---
I tried again.
---
"Come here."
---
She shook her head.
---
Tiny.
Stubborn.
Heartbroken.
---
And somehow that hurt even more.
---
Hours later I sat near the pool.
Alone.
Quiet.
---
Watching the water.
---
Thinking.
---
Maybe leaving without telling her wasn't the best idea.
---
Maybe she thought I abandoned her.
---
The thought made my chest ache.
---
Then suddenly—
tiny footsteps.
---
I looked up.
---
Alina stood there.
---
Holding her stuffed bunny.
---
Looking nervous.
---
Unsure.
---
For a moment neither of us moved.
---
Then she slowly walked closer.
---
And closer.
---
And closer.
---
Until suddenly—
tiny arms wrapped around my neck.
😭🫀
---
"Mama."
---
My eyes immediately burned.
---
I hugged her tightly.
---
"So sorry, baby."
---
She shook her head against my shoulder.
---
Then whispered softly:
---
"No leave."
---
My heart broke completely.
---
"I won't leave without telling you again."
---
She nodded.
---
Then kissed my cheek.
---
Tiny.
Gentle.
---
And mumbled:
---
"Love mama."
---
I laughed through tears.
---
"Love you too."
---
Then she hugged me tighter.
Like she wanted to make sure I couldn't disappear again.
And honestly?
I didn't want to let go either.🥺💖
✦ CHAPTER — "Mama Don't Go" ✦
Jay's POV
I should've known.
I really should've known.
---
The moment I opened my eyes the next morning—
Alina was already awake.
---
Not playing.
Not talking.
Not running around.
---
Just staring at me.
---
The second she noticed I was awake—
she immediately climbed on top of me.
---
"Mama."
---
Then wrapped both arms around my neck.
Tightly.
---
My heart immediately hurt.
---
"Good morning, baby."
I kissed her hair softly.
---
She didn't answer.
---
Just hugged me tighter.
---
Like she was making sure I was real.
---
Making sure I hadn't disappeared again.
😭💔
---
I swallowed hard.
---
The guilt hadn't left me since yesterday.
---
Not even a little.
---
Because now I understood.
---
For me it was one day.
---
For Alina...
it had probably felt like forever.
---
I slowly sat up.
---
The second I moved—
her tiny body stiffened.
---
"Mama?"
---
"I'm right here."
---
I stood up from the bed.
---
Big mistake.
---
"MAMA!"
---
The cry came immediately.
---
Panicked.
Terrified.
---
She started crying so hard her little shoulders shook.
---
"Mama don't go!"
---
My chest broke instantly.
---
"No, baby."
I picked her up immediately.
"I'm not leaving."
---
Still crying.
---
"Mama don't go."
---
"I'm not."
---
"Mama stay."
---
"I'm staying."
---
But even while I held her—
she kept crying.
---
Tiny hands gripping my shirt desperately.
---
Like if she loosened her grip for one second—
I'd disappear again.
😭🫀
---
The entire morning was like that.
---
Bathroom?
Alina came.
---
Kitchen?
Alina came.
---
Living room?
Alina came.
---
Everywhere.
---
If I stood up—
she cried.
---
If I walked away—
she cried.
---
If she lost sight of me for even a moment—
she cried.
---
And every single time—
my guilt grew worse.
---
Keifer's POV
Watching it hurt.
---
More than I expected.
---
Because Alina wasn't being spoiled.
---
She wasn't being stubborn.
---
She was scared.
---
Actually scared.
---
The kind of fear that sits inside your chest.
---
The kind that makes you panic when someone important disappears.
---
And suddenly...
I understood.
---
I really understood.
---
Because months ago—
Jay had looked exactly the same.
---
Not crying.
Not screaming.
---
But scared.
---
Lonely.
---
Waiting for me to notice.
---
Waiting for me to come back emotionally.
---
Waiting for me to choose her.
---
The diary flashed through my mind again.
---
«I miss the clingy him.»
---
My chest tightened painfully.
---
Because now I was watching our daughter feel the exact same fear.
---
And I hated it.
---
Jay's POV
I sat on the couch.
---
Alina curled into my lap.
---
Still holding onto me.
---
Still sniffling occasionally.
---
My heart shattered every time.
---
"I'm sorry."
I whispered against her hair.
---
She didn't understand completely.
---
But she hugged me tighter anyway.
---
And somehow that made it worse.
---
Because she trusted me.
---
Even after being hurt.
---
Keifer's POV
I couldn't watch Jay blame herself forever.
---
Because honestly?
She looked exhausted.
---
Emotionally exhausted.
---
So I walked over.
---
Then without a word—
I gently pulled her toward me.
---
Jay blinked.
Surprised.
---
"Keifer?"
---
I sat down.
Then carefully settled her onto my lap.
---
Just like I used to.
---
One arm around her waist.
One hand rubbing her back.
---
Immediately she relaxed slightly.
---
Only slightly.
---
Because she still looked guilty.
---
Still looked sad.
---
"Stop."
I said quietly.
---
Her eyes lifted toward mine.
---
"You didn't hurt her on purpose."
---
"But—"
---
"Stop."
---
My thumb brushed her cheek.
---
"She's scared because she loves you."
---
Jay's eyes immediately watered.
---
And my heart broke all over again.
---
Because lately she'd been crying too much.
---
Hurting too much.
---
Carrying too much.
---
Without telling anyone.
---
I kissed her forehead.
---
Then another.
---
And another.
---
Until she finally laughed weakly.
---
"Keifer."
---
"What?"
---
"You're being clingy."
---
"Good."
---
She rolled her eyes.
---
But for the first time all day—
she smiled.
---
A real smile.
---
Then suddenly—
tiny footsteps.
---
Alina had apparently decided she wasn't included enough.
😭💀
---
"MAMA."
---
She immediately climbed onto Jay too.
---
Now both of them sat on my lap.
---
One wife.
One daughter.
---
Both clingy.
---
Both refusing to leave.
---
And honestly?
I didn't mind.
---
Not even a little.
---
Because holding them like this...
hearing Alina's tiny sniffles finally stop...
feeling Jay slowly relax against me...
---
It felt like home.
---
And this time—
I wasn't going to let either of them feel alone.🥺🩷🫶🏻
✦ CHAPTER — "Please Don't Leave Me" ✦
Keifer's POV
Something was wrong.
---
I knew it before I even fully woke up.
---
A soft sound.
A broken sound.
---
Crying.
---
My eyes opened immediately.
---
The room was dark.
Quiet.
Except for one thing.
---
Jay.
---
She was curled up beside me.
Shoulders shaking.
Tears running down her face.
---
For a second I froze.
---
"Jay?"
---
No response.
---
Just crying.
Hard.
---
Like her heart was breaking.
---
I sat up immediately.
---
"Baby?"
---
The second she heard my voice—
she grabbed me.
---
Desperately.
---
Both arms wrapped around my neck.
---
And suddenly she was in my lap.
---
Face buried against my chest.
---
Still crying.
---
"Hey."
I rubbed her back.
"Hey, hey, look at me."
---
Nothing.
---
She just held me tighter.
---
Like she was scared I'd disappear.
😭💔
---
My chest tightened painfully.
---
"You're okay."
---
A sob escaped her.
---
And that sound nearly destroyed me.
---
So I pulled her even closer.
---
One hand supporting the back of her head.
One arm around her waist.
---
Rocking her gently.
---
Like I did with Alina.
---
Like I should've done more often with Jay too.
---
"You're okay."
I whispered again.
"I'm here."
---
Still crying.
---
Still shaking.
---
Then another cry filled the room.
---
Tiny.
Confused.
---
Alina.
---
I looked over.
---
Our daughter was sitting up in her crib.
Watching.
---
Watching her mother cry.
---
And now she was crying too.
😭🫀
---
"Mama..."
---
Jay immediately looked toward her.
---
Which somehow made her cry harder.
---
I got up.
Still carrying Jay.
---
Then picked Alina up too.
---
Now both girls were crying.
---
And my heart genuinely couldn't take it.
---
"Okay."
I sighed softly.
"Everybody calm down."
---
Alina climbed onto Jay instantly.
---
Tiny arms wrapping around her.
---
"Mama."
---
Jay kissed her hair through tears.
---
And somehow...
seeing that made me feel even worse.
---
Because I knew exactly where this was coming from.
---
I knew.
---
After a few minutes—
Jay's crying finally slowed.
---
Not completely.
---
Just enough to breathe.
---
I handed her some water.
---
"Drink."
---
She obeyed quietly.
---
Then leaned against me again.
---
Exhausted.
---
I kissed her forehead.
---
"What happened?"
---
Silence.
---
Then her voice came out small.
Broken.
---
"I had a dream."
---
My stomach dropped.
---
"What dream?"
---
Her eyes immediately filled with tears again.
---
And when she spoke—
I felt guilt hit me like a truck.
---
"You left."
---
My chest tightened.
---
"You and Alina."
---
Another tear slid down her cheek.
---
"You both left me."
---
I couldn't breathe for a second.
---
"I kept calling you."
---
Her voice shook.
---
"But neither of you looked back."
---
I closed my eyes briefly.
---
Because I knew.
---
I knew this wasn't really about a dream.
---
It was fear.
---
Fear that had been sitting inside her heart for months.
---
Fear I helped create.
---
When I got distant.
When I stopped noticing.
When she felt forgotten.
---
"Jay."
---
She looked at me.
---
And seeing that fear in her eyes nearly broke me.
---
So I cupped her face gently.
---
"Listen to me."
---
She didn't look convinced.
---
Not yet.
---
So I kissed her forehead.
---
Then another kiss.
---
Then another.
---
Slow.
Patient.
---
Until she finally relaxed a little.
---
"I'm not leaving."
I whispered.
---
Never.
---
"I'm not leaving."
---
Her eyes watered again.
---
"And Alina isn't leaving."
---
Right on cue—
Alina shook her head aggressively.
---
"No."
😭🫶🏻
---
Then immediately hugged Jay tighter.
---
"Mama."
---
I laughed softly despite everything.
---
Then looked back at Jay.
---
"See?"
---
Alina nodded seriously.
---
"Mama."
---
The only word she seemed capable of saying when emotional.
---
And somehow...
that finally made Jay smile.
---
Small.
Weak.
---
But real.
---
Relief flooded through me instantly.
---
I pulled both of them into my arms.
---
One on each side.
---
Holding them close.
---
Keeping them there.
---
Where they belonged.
---
And long after they both fell asleep—
I stayed awake.
---
Watching them.
---
Thinking about that dream.
---
Thinking about the diary.
---
Thinking about every moment she felt alone.
---
And silently promising myself one thing.
---
I would spend the rest of my life making sure she never had to wonder if she was loved again
.
✦ CHAPTER — "If I Ever Walk Ahead" ✦
Keifer's POV
I couldn't sleep.
---
Not after tonight.
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Not after watching Jay cry like that.
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The nightmare kept replaying inside my head.
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Her shaking hands.
Her tears.
Her voice.
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«"You and Alina left me."»
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Even now the words hurt.
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Because deep down...
I knew that dream didn't come from nowhere.
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It came from fear.
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The fear I'd accidentally planted inside her heart.
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I looked down.
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Jay was sleeping against my chest.
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One hand curled into my shirt.
Even asleep.
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Like she needed proof I was still here.
😭🫀
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On the other side—
Alina was sleeping across both of us.
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One tiny foot on my stomach.
One tiny hand on Jay's arm.
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The world's clingiest family.
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My family.
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And somehow...
I almost lost sight of what mattered most.
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I carefully slipped out of bed.
Trying not to wake them.
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The villa was quiet.
Dark.
Peaceful.
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I sat near the balcony.
Picked up a notebook.
And stared at the empty page.
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For the first time in years...
I didn't know how to start.
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Because business was easy.
Meetings were easy.
Negotiations were easy.
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This wasn't.
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This was Jay.
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My wife.
My best friend.
My home.
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Eventually I started writing.
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My Jay,
I don't think I've ever properly apologized.
Not really.
Not in the way you deserve.
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I'm sorry for every moment you felt alone.
I'm sorry for every moment you doubted yourself because of me.
I'm sorry for every time I made you wonder if I still chose you.
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Because I do.
Every day.
Every morning.
Every night.
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You were my choice before Alina.
You are my choice with Alina.
And you'll be my choice when we're old and annoying each other in rocking chairs.
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You are not second place.
You are not forgotten.
You are not replaceable.
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You are my home.
The place I run to.
The place I belong.
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And if I ever walk ahead of you...
I'll always turn around.
I'll always come back.
And I'll always take your hand.
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I love you.
More than I know how to explain.
— Keifer
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I stared at the page.
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Then folded it carefully.
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And placed it beside her pillow.
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Before crawling back into bed.
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I kissed her forehead softly.
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Then wrapped my arm around her waist.
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This time...
I slept.
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Jay's POV
The first thing I noticed when I woke up...
was that Keifer wasn't holding me.
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The second thing I noticed...
was the letter.
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My heart immediately knew who it was from.
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I sat up slowly.
---
Then unfolded it.
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The room became completely silent.
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The more I read...
the harder it became to see.
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Because tears kept filling my eyes.
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By the time I reached:
«You are not second place.»
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A tear slipped down my cheek.
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Then another.
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Then another.
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I pressed the paper against my chest.
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And cried.
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Not because I was hurt.
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Because I wasn't.
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Not anymore.
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For so long I'd carried those fears quietly.
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The diary.
The loneliness.
The feeling of being forgotten.
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And somehow...
without me even asking...
he understood.
😭🫀
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The bedroom door opened.
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I immediately wiped my eyes.
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Too late.
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Keifer had already seen.
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His expression softened instantly.
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"Baby."
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I stood up.
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Then walked straight toward him.
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And hugged him.
Hard.
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Both arms around his neck.
Face buried against his chest.
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Keifer froze.
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Then hugged me back immediately.
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One hand in my hair.
The other around my waist.
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Neither of us spoke.
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We didn't need to.
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Because somehow...
the letter had said everything.
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After a moment he kissed my forehead.
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Then another kiss.
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Then another.
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"You're crying."
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"It's your fault."
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"I know."
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I laughed softly.
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And for the first time in a long while...
I felt lighter.
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Like something painful had finally left my heart.
🥺🫶🏻💖