Chapter: Fractured Hearts – Extended Version
Author's POV
The hospital had been suffocating, sterile, and mercilessly quiet, but to Jay, it felt like the only place she could confront her mistakes.
Cyrus lay on the hospital bed, pale, motionless, connected to machines that hissed and beeped relentlessly, a cruel reminder of everything she had done.
Her legs felt like lead as she stepped closer, voice trembling.
"Cyrus…"
No response.
Her chest tightened, and she sank into the chair beside him, gripping the edge of the bed.
"I… I didn't mean… I didn't mean for this to happen," she whispered.
Her fingers hovered over his arm, then slowly, shakily, rested on him.
The memory of that day—the blood, the rage, the fists—hit her like a tidal wave.
"I lost control," she whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks. "And now… now you're here. And I…"
Her voice cracked.
"I'm so sorry."
Hours passed, though it felt like minutes.
She whispered, she cried, she begged for forgiveness in silence.
Eventually, she rose, her hands clenching into fists as if she could squeeze the guilt out of her body.
Her phone buzzed.
It was Keifer.
Panic slammed into her chest, but she ignored it.
She wasn't ready.
She couldn't face him.
She needed to leave.
By the time she reached Section E, the hall was alive with Christmas cheer.
Music, laughter, fairy lights… chaos.
And then a voice cut through the noise.
"WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU? DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE WERE SCARED?!"
Keifer's voice.
Her chest tightened further.
She froze.
And then the tears fell.
Her body shook.
"I… I…"
Keifer's eyes softened, taking in the raw emotion, the trembling lips, the tear-stained cheeks.
It wasn't just about calls or disappearances.
This was deeper.
"This… what's wrong?" he asked softly.
Her sobs poured out, faster than words could form.
"You… you guys… you always want me to answer whenever you call! Do you know how much I am running through? Even I have my own problems! Do you want to know what it is?!"
The room stilled.
Her voice broke.
"My ex-boyfriend… Cyrus… whom I hit when I lost control after seeing blood… he's in a coma now!"
The air felt heavy.
Tears blurred her vision as she broke into a sprint.
Out of Section E.
Keifer's heart lurched, his chest tightening.
He ran after her, calling her name, but she didn't slow.
Outside, the city blurred as she climbed into a taxi, hands gripping the edges of the seat.
Keifer followed in his car, determined not to let her go.
The taxi stopped in front of Kuya Angelo's house.
Jay ran inside, slamming the door, locking it behind her.
Silence fell.
Keifer pounded on the door, voice firm.
"Jay! Open the door! Please!"
From inside, muffled sobs.
"Leave me alone!"
"Jay, I'm not leaving. I just… I need to be with you. I'm not going anywhere!"
Aries appeared beside him, concern etched on his face.
"What's wrong?" he asked quietly.
"She… she's upset. She went to see him—the hospital. Cyrus. She's scared, guilty… and she ran."
Aries nodded, understanding.
The two of them stood outside her door, listening to the sobs, the soft, unsteady breathing.
Keifer's hand lingered over the doorknob.
"I'm not going anywhere, Jay. You don't have to face this alone. I can't fix what happened… but I can be here. I won't let you be alone."
Silence.
She curled into herself on the floor.
Her tears continued, hot and unrelenting.
"I… I don't deserve… I don't deserve… anyone… to care…" she whispered.
Keifer's chest tightened.
"You deserve so much more," he said softly.
"I… I hurt him… and now I…"
His voice broke.
"It wasn't your fault that he's in that hospital. But it doesn't mean you have to face this alone."
Minutes passed.
He stayed.
Aries stayed.
Neither moved.
Jay finally allowed herself to breathe, the sobs slowing, the shaking easing just a little.
Keifer pressed his forehead gently against the door, murmuring, "I'm not going anywhere, Jay. Not now. Not ever."
She didn't speak.
She didn't have to.
Her tears said it all.
And he stayed, unwavering, patient, willing to hold the line for her, no matter how long it took.
Even if it was hours.
Even if it was days.
Because losing her once was more than he could bear.
And he refused to lose her again.