A week had passed since Keifer's discharge.
Thankfully, his recovery had gone well.
The stitches were healing perfectly, the pain was mostly gone, and after countless arguments with Jay, he had finally been allowed to return to work.
Not that Jay made it easy.
Every morning started the same way.
"Did you take your medicine?"
"Jay, I'm fine."
"That's not what I asked."
And every single time…
He answered.
Because arguing was pointless.
Especially when she gave him that look.
By now, Jay had completely moved into Watson Mansion.
At first it had been temporary.
Then somehow…
It wasn't.
Her clothes were in the closet.
Her books were on the shelves.
Her skincare products had mysteriously taken over half the bathroom.
And Keifer's room?
Well…
It wasn't really his room anymore.
It had quietly become their room.
Nobody even questioned it anymore.
Not Keigan.
Not Keiran.
Not the staff.
Not even Jay herself.
It simply felt natural.
Like she had always belonged there.
That evening, everyone was gathered around the dining table.
The atmosphere was warm.
Comfortable.
Keiran was telling a dramatic story involving a dinosaur, a pirate ship, and somehow a refrigerator.
Nobody knew how.
"Then the dinosaur said—"
"Dinosaurs don't talk," Keigan interrupted.
"This one did."
"Of course."
"It was emotional."
Jay laughed.
Keifer shook his head.
"Everything is emotional according to you."
"It was."
Dinner continued peacefully.
Until Keifer's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression changed slightly.
Not bad.
Just serious.
"I'll take this."
Jay nodded.
Keifer stood and walked out of the dining room.
The conversation continued for a few minutes.
Then…
Ten minutes.
Then fifteen.
Jay frowned slightly.
"That's a long call."
Keigan noticed too.
Before either of them could say anything, Keifer finally returned.
But this time…
He looked thoughtful.
The kind of look he got when work was involved.
Jay immediately noticed.
"What happened?"
Keifer sat back down.
For a second, he simply looked around the table.
At Jay.
At Keigan.
At Keiran.
Then he sighed.
"I have to go to New York."
The room instantly went quiet.
Jay blinked.
"What?"
"The client meeting we've been handling remotely."
His voice stayed calm.
"They want me there in person."
Keigan frowned.
"For how long?"
"About a week."
Silence.
A whole week.
Jay's chest tightened unexpectedly.
She hadn't realized how used she'd become to seeing him every day.
Across the table, Keiran was staring.
"A week?"
Keifer nodded.
The little boy's face immediately fell.
"A whole week?"
"Just one."
Keiran looked down.
His eyes were already getting watery.
Jay's heart broke instantly.
"Baby…"
Keiran tried to stay strong.
Really tried.
But he was five.
And five-year-olds weren't good at hiding sadness.
His lower lip trembled.
"That's long."
Keifer's expression softened immediately.
He stood up and walked over.
Then crouched beside him.
"Hey."
Keiran looked away stubbornly.
"A whole week."
"I know."
"You'll miss movie night."
Keifer smiled slightly.
"I know."
"You'll miss breakfast."
"I know."
"And you'll miss me."
That one made Jay smile sadly.
Keifer gently pulled him into a hug.
"A lot."
Keiran finally hugged him back tightly.
The tears he'd been holding escaped.
"I don't want you to go."
The dining room became quiet.
Keigan looked down at his plate.
Jay felt her own chest tighten.
Keifer rubbed Keiran's back gently.
"Listen to me."
Keiran sniffled.
"A week sounds long now."
A small kiss was pressed to the boy's hair.
"But before you know it, I'll be back."
"What if I miss you?"
"You can call me."
"Every day?"
"Every day."
"Twice?"
Keifer chuckled.
"Sure."
"Three times?"
"You're negotiating."
Keiran finally smiled a little.
"Maybe."
After a few more minutes, Keiran calmed down.
But he refused to leave Keifer's side for the rest of dinner.
Not even for a second.
If Keifer stood up?
Keiran followed.
If Keifer sat down?
Keiran sat beside him.
If Keifer moved?
Keiran moved too.
Like he was trying to memorize every second before he left.
Later that night…
The mansion was quiet again.
Keigan had gone to his room.
Keiran had finally fallen asleep after making Keifer promise five separate times that he would come back.
Now only Jay and Keifer remained.
The bedroom was dimly lit.
Jay was sitting on the edge of the bed while Keifer packed a few things into a suitcase.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then finally—
"A week?"
Keifer looked up.
There was something in her voice.
Something softer.
He walked over and sat beside her.
"Yeah."
Jay stared down at her hands.
"It's stupid."
"What is?"
"I'm sad."
A smile appeared on his face instantly.
She immediately looked up.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You smiled."
"Because you're cute."
Jay groaned.
"I'm serious."
His expression softened.
"I know."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he reached over and intertwined their fingers.
"A week."
She sighed.
"A week."
"I'll call."
"You better."
"I'll text."
"You better."
"I'll come back."
That finally made her smile.
"Good."
Keifer leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers.
"A week."
Jay closed her eyes.
"A week."
Neither of them liked it.
Not even a little.
But for now…
One week would have to do.