JAY JAY POV – ON THE TERRACE
The night air was colder up here.
Or maybe it just felt that way.
I leaned against the glass railing, drink in hand, watching the city like it was something distant… something that didn't belong to me.
Even though—
it did.
Every deal. Every shadow. Every power move.
Mariano.
My name.
My blood.
My burden.
"Careful, darling… you'll burn through the whole bar at this rate."
My fingers stilled on the glass.
That word.
Slowly, I turned.
Jason stood there—like he had never left, like time hadn't touched him.
But it had.
I could see it.
In the way he carried himself.
In the way he looked at me—
not casually.
Knowingly.
"You don't get to call me that," I said flatly.
A small smirk.
"And you don't get to pretend you're not who you are," he replied. "Princess."
My jaw tightened.
So that's how he wanted to play it.
"You always did talk too much," I muttered, turning away, pouring another drink.
"The Mariano princess," he continued, ignoring me, stepping closer. "Future head of an empire that doesn't just run businesses… it owns them."
I didn't react.
Didn't give him that.
But inside—
something shifted.
"Does anyone know here that the girl they are thinking is a normal, common girl...is actually the mariano Princess," he added softly.
A pause.
"No... nobody knows"
I let out a quiet breath.
"Nobody knows that this weak girl could be the mariano heiress," I said coldly.
"You're not weak," he said.
That—
that almost sounded genuine.
I killed the thought instantly.
"You left," I reminded him.
The air changed.
Just like that.
Jason didn't smile this time.
Didn't deflect.
"I had to choose," he said.
I stayed silent.
"Your aunt Victoria made sure of that," he continued. "My family… or you."
I looked at him now.
Really looked.
"And you chose them."
"I chose my family," he said. "Because back then—I had no power. No control. Nothing to stand against your world."
No excuses.
Just truth.
"I wasn't strong enough to choose you."
The words hit harder than anything else.
I looked away, gripping the glass tighter.
"At least you admit it."
"I hated it," he said quietly.
I didn't respond.
"Not a single day in that one year," he continued, voice rough now, "not one day I didn't miss you."
My chest tightened.
I shouldn't feel that.
I didn't want to.
"I don't care," I whispered.
But it came out weaker than I wanted.
Jason stepped closer.
"But I'm not that person anymore," he said. "I have power now. Control. Influence."
A pause.
"And I came back for you, darling."
I laughed softly.
"Too late."
"We'll see."
That confidence—
it irritated me.
I turned away, reaching for another drink.
Then—
"What's your scene with Keifer?"
My hand froze.
Just for a second.
Then I continued pouring.
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me."
I exhaled slowly.
"Why do you care?"
"Because it's you."
That again.
That dangerous tone.
"Tell me," he said, quieter now.
I shook my head.
"I said it's nothing."
"Look at me."
I didn't want to.
But I did.
And that was enough.
"What happened?" he asked.
Silence.
Heavy.
The alcohol wasn't helping anymore.
It was breaking me open.
"…he didn't love me," I said finally.
Jason stilled.
"What?"
I swallowed hard.
"He pretended," I continued, voice unsteady now. "The whole thing… it was just to get back at Aries."
Jason's jaw tightened instantly.
"Revenge."
I nodded.
"He got close… made me trust him… made me feel like it was real…" my voice cracked, "and then he just—"
I stopped.
Couldn't say it.
"…he wanted to break you," Jason finished, his voice low. Dangerous.
I laughed weakly.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"He did."
Silence.
Jason didn't move.
But something in him changed.
Completely.
"…he used you," he said.
Not a question.
A fact.
I didn't deny it.
Because what was the point?
"I hate him," I whispered.
A pause.
"And I…" my voice dropped, "I still—"
I couldn't finish.
But he understood.
Of course he did.
Jason's eyes hardened.
"He doesn't deserve that," he said.
"Feelings can't change," I muttered.
"They will."
I frowned slightly.
"What?"
"Because I'm not stepping back," he said, stepping closer. "Not now. Not after this."
My head felt heavy.
"You think you can fix this?"
"I know I can."
I let out a weak laugh.
"You're still the same."
"No," he said. "I'm worse."
A pause.
"I don't love you," I said quietly.
Honest.
Jason nodded.
"I know."
That surprised me.
"But I'm still not leaving," he added.
My breath hitched slightly.
"I left once," he continued, voice softer now. "Because I wasn't strong enough."
A step closer.
"I'm not that man anymore."
His hand came up—slow, careful—brushing a strand of hair away from my face.
"I'm not going to leave you alone like this again," he said quietly. "You don't have to worry about that."
Something inside me—
shifted.
Not love.
Not like before.
But something… safe.
And I hated that I needed it.
My vision blurred.
The world tilted.
"Jay—"
Darkness.
JASON POV
I caught her instantly.
"Hey—darling… I've got you."
She was out.
Completely.
I pulled her closer, my jaw tightening as everything she said replayed in my head.
He pretended.
He broke her.
A slow breath left me.
"…Keifer's going to pay for that."
My grip tightened slightly—not enough to hurt her—but enough to ground myself.
I looked down at her.
The Mariano princess.
The strongest name in the room.
And still—
the one who got hurt the most.
"I left you once," I murmured. "Because I wasn't enough."
A pause.
"I'm not that man anymore."
I adjusted her carefully in my arms
.
"And this time…"
My eyes hardened.
"I don't lose you."
Another breath.
"And I don't leave you alone again."
A pause.
"I'll win you back."
Not a question.
A promise.
PERCY'S APARTMENT
The door opened.
Percy looked at me.
Then at Jay in my arms.
Then back at me.
"…wow," he said dryly. "You really went for the dramatic entrance, huh?"
I walked in.
"She passed out."
"No kidding," Percy muttered, already stepping closer.
His sarcasm faded the second he looked at her properly.
"Jay…" he said softly, brushing her hair back.
No response.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"…yeah, I don't like this."
That was his sister.
And it showed.
"Room," he said.
I followed, placing her gently on the bed.
Percy adjusted the blanket, checking her like it was instinct.
"She didn't eat."
"No."
"Of course she didn't," he muttered.
A pause.
Then Percy looked at me.
"…do you know what he did to her?"
"I do now," I said, my voice tightening.
Percy held my gaze.
"…then you know why I didn't stop her tonight."
Silence.
Something dark settled in my chest.
"He's not going near her again," I said.
Not loud.
But final.
Percy raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh? And you're planning to stop him?"
I met his gaze.
"Yes."
A beat.
Then Percy tilted his head slightly.
"And you're here just for that?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Because that wasn't the only reason.
"I'm here for her," I said.
Percy watched me carefully.
"I want the other reason."
Of course he did.
I exhaled slowly.
"…our families," I said. "My parents. Her grandparents."
Percy's expression shifted slightly.
"They've decided something," I continued. "For her eighteenth birthday."
Silence.
"They're pushing the inheritance," I added. "And with it…"
A pause.
"…us."
Percy went still.
"…you're serious?"
I nodded.
"They want it secured."
The room fell quiet.
Heavy.
Because this wasn't just about feelings anymore.
It was power.
Legacy.
Control.
And Jay—
was right at the center of it.
Percy looked at her, then back at me.
"…this just got worse," he muttered.
I didn't disagree.
Because now—
this wasn't just about winning her back.
It was about everything.
The room felt quieter than it should've been.
Maybe because she was finally still.
I glanced at Jay on the bed.
Peaceful.
Too peaceful for someone who just shattered herself open in front of me.
A strand of her hair fell across her face.
I moved it back without thinking.
Careful.
Always careful with her.
Behind me, Percy shifted slightly, leaning against the wall—but I could feel his eyes on me.
Watching.
Measuring.
Fair enough.
I deserved that.
A slow breath left me.
"Why aren't you angry at me?"
The words came out before I could stop them.
Percy didn't answer.
So I continued.
"I left," I said, my voice quieter now. "No explanation. No warning. Just disappeared."
My jaw tightened slightly.
"And now I walk back into her life like I didn't break something when I did that."
Still nothing.
I let out a small, humorless breath.
"You should hate me," I added. "Or at least not want me anywhere near her."
Percy finally looked at me.
Not surprised.
Not even irritated.
Just… calm.
"I know why you left."
I froze.
"…what?"
"I knew back then," he said. "About Victoria. About the choice."
For a second—
I didn't say anything.
Because that wasn't what I expected.
"And you didn't tell her?" I asked.
"No."
The answer was immediate.
Sharp.
"Why?"
Percy's gaze shifted back to Jay.
"Because I wanted her to move on."
That hit harder than I thought it would.
I looked at her again.
She didn't move.
Didn't react.
Of course she didn't.
"She was stuck on you," Percy continued. "Not obviously. But enough."
My chest tightened.
"I thought you weren't coming back," he added. "Didn't even consider it."
A small breath left me.
Yeah.
Neither did I.
"You weren't strong enough back then," Percy said bluntly. "And I wasn't going to let her wait for someone who couldn't fight for her."
I didn't argue.
Because he was right.
I wasn't.
Back then—
I chose survival.
Family.
Not her.
"I figured if she hated you," Percy continued, "it would be easier."
I let out a quiet breath, my eyes still on Jay.
It wasn't easier.
I could see that now.
"I didn't stop loving her," I said.
The words came out low.
Honest.
Percy glanced at me.
"That wasn't the problem."
I frowned slightly.
"You not loving her wasn't the issue," he said. "You leaving was."
Silence.
Yeah.
That sounded about right.
"…I know," I admitted.
Because there was no point pretending otherwise.
A pause stretched between us.
Then Percy pushed himself off the wall, stepping a little closer.
"But you're here now."
I looked at him.
There was no warmth in that statement.
No approval.
Just fact.
"I'm not leaving again," I said.
This time—
I meant it in a way I hadn't before.
Percy studied me.
Like he was weighing something.
Deciding.
"For your sake," he said dryly, "I hope that's true."
A small pause.
"Because if you disappear again…" his eyes flicked toward Jay, "I won't be this calm next time."
A faint smirk almost pulled at my lips.
"Fair."
We both went quiet after that.
But it wasn't the same silence as before.
Less sharp.
Less hostile.
Still guarded.
But… understood.
Percy looked at Jay again, something softer slipping through his expression.
"She's not as strong as she pretends," he said quietly.
I followed his gaze.
I already knew that.
But tonight—
I saw it.
"…I know," I said.
Percy looked at me again.
"Do you?"
I didn't hesitate this time.
"…yeah," I answered.
Because now I knew exactly where she broke.
Exactly where someone got close enough to hurt her.
My jaw tightened slightly.
"And I'm not letting that happen again."
Not to her.
Not by him.
Not by anyone.
Percy didn't argue.
Didn't agree either.
He just nodded once.
And somehow—
that felt like the closest thing to permission I was going to get.
For now.
But I didn't need more than that.
Because I wasn't here for permission.
I was here for her.
And this time—
I wasn't walking away.
I was still looking at her.
At the way she slept like none of this existed—like she hadn't just broken open on that terrace.
She looked smaller like this.
And I hated that.
A soft scoff came from behind me.
"You're staring like she's going to disappear if you blink."
I didn't turn.
"Not taking that risk."
Percy walked past me, picking up a glass from the table, inspecting it like it personally offended him.
"Relax," he said dryly. "She's not a limited-edition artifact. She'll still be here when you look again."
I ignored that.
Because he wasn't entirely wrong.
But he didn't know what it felt like—
to lose her once.
"I mean it," I said after a second. "I'm not leaving again."
"Yeah, you've said that," Percy muttered, setting the glass down. "Very inspiring. Almost believable."
I finally glanced at him.
"You don't think I'm serious?"
"I think," he said, leaning back against the counter, "you sound serious."
A pause.
"But I've seen how this goes."
That hit.
Because he had.
I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair.
"It's different now."
Percy raised an eyebrow.
"Ah yes. The classic sequel line."
I almost smirked.
Almost.
But it didn't last.
"Keifer."
The name came out sharper than I intended.
Percy's expression didn't change much.
But his eyes did.
Just slightly.
"Yeah," he said. "That's the problem."
My jaw tightened.
"He's not getting near her again."
Percy let out a small, dry laugh.
"…you say that like he's going to ask for permission."
I looked at him.
"I'm not giving him a choice."
"Mm," Percy hummed. "That confidence is nice."
A pause.
"Delusional, but nice."
I frowned slightly.
"You don't think I can handle him?"
Percy tilted his head, studying me.
"I think," he said slowly, "you don't understand him yet."
That—
that irritated me.
"Then explain."
Percy's gaze shifted toward Jay for a second before coming back to me.
"He doesn't let go," he said.
Simple.
But heavy.
"He doesn't walk away just because something gets complicated. Or messy. Or even broken."
A pause.
"If anything… that's when he gets worse."
My grip tightened slightly at my side.
"He lost control tonight," Percy added. "You saw that, right?"
I did.
The way Keifer looked at her—
that wasn't indifference.
That wasn't a game anymore.
That was something else.
Something dangerous.
"He won't leave her alone," Percy said, more serious now. "Not after this."
Silence settled.
Because I already knew that.
But hearing it—
made it real.
"I don't care," I said finally.
Percy sighed softly.
"Yeah. I figured that would be your response."
I stepped closer, my voice lowering.
"I'm not the same person he thinks I am."
"And he's not the same person you think he is," Percy shot back immediately.
That stopped me.
A beat.
Then he added, quieter—
"He broke her, yeah. I won't defend that."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"But whatever he feels for her now?"
A pause.
"It's not fake anymore."
That hit differently.
I didn't like that.
Didn't want to.
But I understood what he meant.
And that made it worse.
"So what," I said, my voice colder now. "That gives him a pass?"
"No," Percy said instantly. "It makes him unpredictable."
Silence.
Heavy.
Because unpredictable—
was worse.
I looked at Jay again.
Still asleep.
Still unaware.
"I'm not backing off," I said.
Percy nodded once.
"I know."
A small pause.
"Just don't underestimate him."
I exhaled slowly.
"I don't."
"Good," Percy said. "Because if you do…"
He trailed off, then gave a small, sarcastic shrug.
"…I'd rather not deal with two emotionally unstable men fighting over my sister. One is already exhausting."
Despite everything—
that almost pulled a real smirk out of me.
"Too late for that," I muttered.
Percy huffed lightly.
"Fantastic. Exactly what I needed in my life."
Another silence.
But this one—
felt like the calm before something worse.
I stepped closer to the bed, my eyes on her again.
"And if he comes near her," I said quietly—
not to Percy.
To myself.
"I won't let him touch her."
Percy didn't argue.
Didn't interrupt.
Just watched.
Because I wasn't making a statement anymore.
I was making a promise.
And this time—
I was strong enough to keep it.