Jay-Jay's POV
Angelo's headlights cut through the dark like a lifeline, but my heart was still slamming against my ribs. Keifer stood alone under the mango tree, shadows twisting around him, looking like he'd seen a ghost. Or fought one.
I jumped out before the car fully stopped. "Keifer! What happened? You okay?"
He turned slowly, eyes distant but lighting up when he saw me, something clenched in his fist. Relief hit me hard — he was upright, breathing, no blood — and that soft glow on his face said whatever went down was good. Really good.
"Yeah," he said, voice thick with emotion. "More than okay."
Angelo killed the engine and stepped out, scanning the empty lot carefully. "No one? Trap?"
Keifer shook his head, a small smile breaking through as he opened his palm. A faded bracelet of blue beads glinted under the streetlight — cheap, childish, but shining with memory. "Her. Mom. She's alive."
My breath caught, joy flooding in. "Your mom? For real?"
He nodded, eyes shining. "Kaizer faked it all. The accident. The grave. She hid to protect us. Waited till he was locked up."
I grabbed his hand, feeling the happy tremble. "She was here? Talked to you?"
"Yeah." His thumb traced the beads, voice warm. "Gave me this. From when I was a kid. Said she watched us fight him — proud."
Angelo's expression softened, a rare smile tugging. "And now?"
"Start over," Keifer said, beaming. "Us, her, the boys. She wants to meet everyone. Properly."
I grinned, pulling him into a hug. "That's amazing. She saw how strong you are."
His arms wrapped around me tight. "Told her about you. How you're my everything."
Warmth bloomed in my chest. At home, Angelo clapped Keifer on the back while we replayed the story over tea. No suspicion. Just plans — family dinner, telling Keiren and Keigan.
Keifer turned the bracelet over in the kitchen light, pure peace on his face. First unguarded joy I'd seen.
I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind. "You deserve this," I whispered. "Her. Answers. All of it."
He leaned into me, hand over mine. "With you? Yeah."
I turned him, kissing him soft and sure. "We'll make it perfect. Together."
His arms crushed me close. "Together."
Tomorrow's call wasn't a threat.
It was family.
Finally whole.