Chapter 29
The Promise That Took Everything Away
(Jay's POV)
I couldn't breathe.
Not properly.
Not after that.
The proposal.
Kasper.
Marriage.
Everything felt unreal.
Like I was sitting in someone else's life.
Watching it happen.
Without control.
"Jay, come here."
Papa's voice.
Calm.
But firm.
I followed.
Slow steps.
Heavy heart.
We went inside.
Away from everyone.
The door closed.
And suddenly…
It felt suffocating.
"Do you know what just happened?"
I stayed silent.
Because I did.
Too well.
"It's a very big proposal."
I nodded slightly.
"Yes."
"Do you understand what this means?"
Tears started forming.
But I held them back.
"Yes…"
"It's not just about you."
That sentence.
I looked up.
"It's about our family."
Silence.
"Our respect."
My chest tightened.
"Our future."
I clenched my fingers.
"Jasfer and Serina's family joining together…"
He paused.
"It's not a small thing."
I knew that.
I always knew that.
But still—
"Papa…"
My voice broke.
"I—"
He raised his hand.
Stopping me.
"Listen first."
I went quiet.
"I've never asked you for anything like this."
My heart dropped.
"You've always had your freedom."
Yes.
"You've always lived how you wanted."
Yes.
"And today…"
He looked at me.
"I'm asking something from you."
Tears slipped out.
Because I knew.
I knew where this was going.
"This is not just a marriage."
"It's trust."
"It's respect."
"It's everything I've built."
His voice softened.
"And I need you."
That broke me.
Completely.
Because he wasn't shouting.
He wasn't forcing.
He was asking.
And that made it harder.
Much harder.
"I want you to promise me."
My breath stopped.
"No matter what…"
Tears blurred my vision.
"You will marry Kasper."
Silence.
Loud.
Heavy.
Deadly.
"Papa…"
My voice trembled.
"I…"
I wanted to say no.
I wanted to tell him everything.
About Keifer.
About us.
About three years of love.
But I couldn't.
Because his eyes…
Were filled with hope.
With trust.
With belief.
And breaking that…
Felt impossible.
"If you say no…"
He continued.
"This alliance will break."
I closed my eyes.
"And it won't just affect us."
Of course it won't.
"It will affect everything."
My hands started shaking.
"My name."
"My respect."
"My relationships."
Each word…
felt heavier than the last.
"I've trusted you all these years."
Silence.
"Don't break that today."
That was it.
That was the final push.
Not force.
Not anger.
Just…
trust.
And expectation.
I opened my eyes.
Tears rolling down freely now.
"I…"
My voice barely came out.
"I promise."
The words left my mouth.
But they didn't feel like mine.
"I promise, Papa…"
"…I'll marry Kasper."
And just like that—
Everything ended.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But silently.
Completely.
He smiled.
Relieved.
Proud.
"Good."
He placed his hand on my head.
"I knew you wouldn't disappoint me."
And that hurt more than anything.
Because I already did.
Not to him.
But to myself.
To him.
Keifer.
I walked out.
Slowly.
Trying to breathe.
Trying to stay normal.
But inside…
I was breaking.
Piece by piece.
Because I just gave my word.
A promise.
That I couldn't take back.
That I couldn't break.
No matter how much it hurts.
No matter how much I want to.
And the worst part?
I haven't told him yet.
Keifer.
He doesn't know.
That I just promised…
To become someone else's.
His brother's.
And when he finds out…
It won't just hurt.
It will destroy him.
Just like it destroyed me.
To be continued… 😭💔