Jay-Jay's POV
Movie night was in full swing — popcorn flying, C-in yelling at the screen, Percy and Felix arm-wrestling mid-rom-com. Serina laughed with Aunty Gemma in the kitchen, Keiren and Keigan sprawled on the floor with controllers. The apartment buzzed with Section E chaos: Rakki and Ella giggling over snacks, Freya and Mica debating the plot, Drake quiet in the corner, even Angelo leaning against the wall with a rare grin.
Keifer's arm was around me on the couch, bracelet warm against my skin. Yuri sat across the room, mostly silent since dinner, nursing a soda. Peaceful. Almost too perfect.
"Bathroom break," I whispered to Keifer, slipping out from under his arm. He nodded, eyes on the screen.
The hallway was quieter, dimmer. I grabbed a water from the kitchen first, chatting quick with Serina. "Having fun, anak?" she asked.
"Best night," I grinned, heading back.
Footsteps behind me. Soft. Too close.
I turned — Yuri, right there, closer than he should be. His eyes were dark, intense, the awkward peace from earlier gone. "Jay," he said, voice low.
"Excuse me—" I stepped back, but he followed, cornering me against the wall. The party noise muffled distant.
"You think this is over?" he murmured, hand bracing the wall beside my head. "Keifer's mom doesn't change what we had."
"Yuri, back off." My voice sharpened, heart kicking up.
He leaned in, breath hot on my face, lips inches away. "Just one kiss. For old times." His free hand grabbed my wrist — hard.
Panic flashed. I twisted, knee ready —
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
The living room door flew open. Keifer stormed through first, eyes blazing. Section E right behind — C-in yelling, Percy charging, Rakki shoving past Felix. Girls swarmed: Ella gasping, Freya pulling me back, Mica already on her phone.
Yuri froze. Keifer grabbed his collar, slamming him against the opposite wall. "Touch her AGAIN and you're done."
"Keifer—" I started, but Rakki and Ella pulled me into a hug.
"You okay?" Freya demanded, eyes fierce.
"Yeah," I breathed, shaking.
Angelo stepped up, calm but deadly. "Out. Now."
Yuri straightened, hands up, but his eyes flicked to me — hungry, unrepentant. "She was mine first."
"Never was," I snapped.
Section E closed ranks — Percy cracking knuckles, C-in blocking the door, Drake silent but towering. Girls flanked me: Mica glaring, Ella whispering support.
Keifer shoved him toward the exit. "Don't come back."
Serina watched from the kitchen doorway, face hard. "Go."
Yuri left without another word, door slamming.
Silence hit. Then hugs — Keifer crushing me first, whispering "I'm sorry," Section E piling on.
"You good?" Rakki asked, arm around my shoulders.
"Better now," I said, leaning into Keifer.
Drama over. Family intact.
Stronger.