The mansion had finally become quiet.
After hours of chaos, questions, and Keiran's endless energy, both brothers had been sent to bed.
Keiran had complained dramatically.
"I'm not sleepy."
Five minutes later, he was asleep.
Keigan had smiled at Jay before heading upstairs.
"Goodnight, ate."
"Goodnight."
Now, for the first time all evening, the mansion was peaceful.
Jay was in Keifer's room, organizing the things the hospital had sent home with him.
Medicines.
Doctor's instructions.
Extra bandages.
She was making sure everything was where it needed to be because she already knew Keifer would never remember any of it himself.
Meanwhile, Keifer sat on the bed watching her.
Quietly.
For a long time.
Jay noticed eventually.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You've been staring at me for five minutes."
"I know."
She rolled her eyes and continued arranging things.
A few moments later, she heard him speak again.
"Jay."
"Hm?"
"Move in with me."
The medicine bottle nearly slipped out of her hand.
She slowly turned around.
"What?"
Keifer looked completely serious.
"Move in with me."
Jay stared.
Then laughed.
Actually laughed.
"Very funny."
"I wasn't joking."
Her smile faded.
Oh.
He was serious.
Very serious.
The room suddenly felt a lot smaller.
"Keifer…"
He shifted slightly on the bed before speaking.
"You practically live here already."
"That's because you're injured."
"You stayed."
His voice softened.
"You took leave from work."
She looked down.
"You stayed beside my hospital bed."
"Because I was worried."
"You stayed here."
"Because someone has to stop you from working."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"See?"
Jay crossed her arms.
"That is not the same thing."
"Then what's stopping you?"
That question caught her off guard.
Because she didn't actually have an answer.
Keifer looked at her carefully.
Not teasing.
Not flirting.
Just honest.
"When you leave at night," he admitted quietly, "the house feels empty again."
Jay's heart squeezed.
"I don't want empty anymore."
Silence filled the room.
For once, the powerful Keifer Watson wasn't hiding behind confidence.
He was simply telling her the truth.
"You'd have your own room if you wanted."
Jay immediately raised an eyebrow.
"If I wanted?"
A faint grin appeared.
"Okay. Bad example."
"Very bad example."
He laughed softly.
Then reached for her hand.
"Stay."
The smile disappeared from his face.
"Not because I got shot."
His thumb brushed gently over her fingers.
"Stay because I want you here."
Jay looked at him for a long moment.
Then at their hands.
Then back at him.
"You're serious."
"Very."
A smile slowly appeared on her face.
"Then… okay."
For a second—
Keifer just stared.
Like he wasn't sure he heard correctly.
"Okay?"
Jay laughed.
"Yes, Keifer. Okay."
The next thing she knew, he was smiling.
A real smile.
Not a smirk.
Not a teasing grin.
A genuine, ridiculously happy smile.
"You said yes."
"I literally just did."
"You said yes."
She started laughing.
"Why do you look so shocked?"
"Because I expected an argument."
"You always expect an argument."
"Fair."
Before she could say anything else, he gently pulled her closer.
"Keifer—"
He cupped her face carefully.
Then kissed her forehead.
Then her cheek.
Her whole face.
Then finally her lips.
Soft.
Warm.
Happy.
When they pulled apart, he still looked far too pleased with himself.
"You're impossible."
"I know."
"Way too happy."
"I know."
"Your brothers are going to tease us forever."
"Worth it."
Jay shook her head, unable to stop smiling.
A few moments later, she went back to arranging his things.
But this time—
She couldn't stop smiling either.
And from his bed, Keifer watched her with that same happy expression.
Because for the first time in years, he wasn't thinking about business.
Or enemies.
Or work.
Just one thing.
She was staying.
Not for a day.
Not for a week.
She was staying with him.
And somehow, that made the entire mansion feel warmer already.