Keifer (pov)
The door opened—
and everything stopped.
Jay.
In his arms.
Blood running down the side of her face.
My chest tightened so sharply it almost hurt.
"…no."
I moved instantly.
Dropped to my knees in front of them, my hands already reaching for her.
"Jay—"
No response.
Her head rested against Keigen's shoulder, completely still.
"Ate… please… I'm sorry…" Keigen's voice was breaking, shaking uncontrollably.
I touched her face.
Warm.
But lifeless.
"Jay… look at me," I said, my voice unsteady despite trying to control it.
Nothing.
My heartbeat started racing.
Too fast.
"Keigen, let me take her," I said quickly.
He hesitated.
Then slowly—
let go.
Carefully.
Like he was afraid even that would hurt her more.
I slid my arms under her and lifted her.
She felt—
too light.
Too quiet.
"…stay with me," I whispered without thinking.
And then—
a small movement.
My breath hitched.
Her eyelids fluttered.
Barely.
Slow.
Heavy.
"Jay?" I leaned closer instantly.
Her eyes didn't fully open.
Just enough.
Unfocused.
Struggling.
Like even that took everything she had.
Relief hit me—
but it didn't last.
Because she looked so weak.
I carried her quickly to the bed and laid her down gently, supporting her head.
"Jay, stay with me," I said, my voice softer now but urgent.
Her gaze shifted slightly.
Not toward me.
Past me.
I turned slightly—
Keigen.
He was on the phone, crying, his voice completely broken.
"Please… she's not waking up… please come fast…"
Jay's lips parted slightly.
A faint breath.
"Don't…" her voice came out barely audible.
So soft it almost disappeared in the air.
"Don't cry…"
Keigen froze.
His eyes snapped to her.
"It's… not your fault…"
Each word was weak.
Fragile.
Like it hurt just to speak.
But he heard it.
Every single word.
"Ate…" his voice broke again, tears falling faster now.
She tried to keep her eyes open.
Tried.
But her strength was already gone.
Her gaze faded.
Her eyes slowly closed again.
"Jay—" I leaned forward instantly, panic rising again.
"Jay, no—hey—look at me—"
No response.
Nothing.
My chest tightened.
Harder this time.
"Jay, wake up," I said again, my voice sharper now.
Still nothing.
And this time—
fear hit deeper.
The doorbell rang.
It echoed through the silent house.
Within seconds, the maid hurried to open it and led the doctor upstairs.
The footsteps came fast.
Closer.
Then the door opened.
The doctor stepped in, his eyes immediately going to Jay.
"Please step outside," he said firmly.
Neither of them argued.
Keigen moved back slowly.
i didn't.
my hand was still holding Jay's.
Tight.
Like letting go would make it worse.
For a second—
i didn't move.
Then carefully—
very carefully—
i placed her hand back on the bed.
my fingers lingered for a moment longer.
Before i stepped away.
And walked out.
The door closed behind us.
The door closed behind us.
And the silence outside felt louder than anything inside.
Keigen was still crying.
Not quietly.
Not controlled.
Completely broken.
"I didn't mean to… I didn't…" he kept repeating, his voice shaking, hands trembling.
I looked at him for a second.
Then stepped closer.
"Keigen—"
He didn't respond.
Didn't even look at me.
Just kept shaking his head, like he was stuck in that moment.
So I didn't say anything else.
I just pulled him into a hug.
Tight.
Firm.
Like I needed him to feel that he wasn't alone.
For a second—
he froze.
Then he broke even more.
His hands clutched my shirt as he cried harder.
"I know her," I said quietly, my hand moving to the back of his head, holding him steady. "Don't worry… she will never blame you, okay?"
His breathing hitched.
"She knows you," I continued softly. "She knows your condition… okay?"
A pause.
A broken breath.
"But kuya…" his voice cracked badly, barely holding together, "I shouldn't have done that… it's all my fault…"
His grip tightened.
"I hurt her…"
Each word came heavier than the last.
"And she was still worried for me… even in that state…"
I closed my eyes for a second.
Because that part—
hurt.
More than anything.
I tightened my hold on him slightly.
"You didn't lose her," I said quietly.
And for the first time—
I wasn't just saying it for him.