Jay‑Jay's POV
The night felt quieter than usual. Too quiet. Even the air in Keifer's "unit" carried a strange heaviness, like it was holding its breath. I sat beside him on the couch, watching his shoulders shake with every uneven heartbeat.
"I don't even know if I did the right thing," he finally whispered, voice rough. "Handing them over like that… my own brothers."
"You did what you had to do," I said softly, resting my hand over his. "You didn't lose them — you protected them."
He shook his head, guilt flickering in his eyes. "It doesn't feel like protection when the threat is your own father."
For a second, there was only the hum of the refrigerator and the faint rattle of rain against the glass. Then I leaned closer and made him meet my gaze.
"Keifer, listen to me. Kaizer might have power, but we have something he doesn't — loyalty. You, Keiren, Keigen... even Section E. We look out for each other. That's what family really means."
He let out a shaky laugh. "You sound like Angelo."
"I'll take that as a compliment," I said, smiling faintly. "Now. We'll get your brothers back. Together."
His grip tightened just slightly. "You'd face Kaizer for me?"
"I'd face anyone who hurts the people I love," I said, surprising even myself with how steady it came out.
For a few heartbeats, the only thing between us was silence — heavy, fragile, but full of promise.
Then someone knocked at the door. Three short taps.
We both froze.
Keifer moved first, reaching for the weapon hidden under the table, his expression hardening back into the version of him that used to scare everyone at school — cold, calculated, and ready for anything.
The knocks came again, louder this time.
He glanced at me. "Stay behind me."
I nodded, heart pounding.
When the door cracked open, a figure stumbled inside — drenched, exhausted, trembling.
It was Keigen.
"Keigen!" I rushed forward before Keifer could even react. "What happened? Where's Keiren?"
Keigen's voice cracked. "Dad— he found out you were planning to take us back. He told… Yuri. He told him everything."
Keifer froze mid‑step. "What do you mean everything?"
Keigen's eyes filled with dread. "About Jay. About the engagement. About why Yuri was supposed to… finish the list."
I felt the blood drain from my face. The air seemed to crackle around us.
Keifer's voice went low, restrained but trembling. "Then it's started again."
Keigen nodded, tears spilling down his cheeks. "He's coming, Kuya."
My hands curled into fists. "Then let him come. This time, I'm not running."