Kiefer POV
The party hall was grand.
Crystal chandeliers shimmered above us, reflecting golden light across the marble floors. Soft music played in the background, but none of it reached me.
We walked behind Angelo—
Like a bunch of kids following their guardian.
No one said it out loud, but we were all… tense.
Waiting.
Searching.
For her.
By the time we reached the center of the hall, someone approached us.
"Mr. Valdez… hello, Fernandez."
A well-dressed man smiled politely. "I am the organizer. Nice to meet you."
We all exchanged handshakes.
Angelo spoke with him for a while, his tone calm and controlled. Then the man guided us toward a table where someone important was already seated.
"Mr. Mariano, meet Mr. Fernandez," he said.
Introductions followed.
Names.
Polite smiles.
Formalities.
But everything—
Everything stopped the moment he entered.
The Arrival of Jasfer
The air shifted.
A man walked in with calm authority, his presence silent yet overwhelming.
My chest tightened.
Jay Jay's father.
Even without anyone saying it… I knew.
"Angelo…?" he spoke softly.
"Ari… daddy…?" Aries's voice cracked slightly.
"Aries, my son… how are you?" Jasfer said warmly.
Aries shook his head, unable to speak.
Jasfer stepped forward and pulled him into a gentle hug.
For a moment…
Everything felt still.
Then Jasfer looked at us.
"You all were with her when I met her, right?"
We nodded.
I stepped forward. "I'm Kiefer…"
Before I could finish—
"Angelo, nice to meet you. Meet my father, Ester Mariano."
An old man stood there, dignified despite his age, beside an elderly woman.
The woman smiled softly.
"Hello, Angelo. I am Jay Jay's grandmother."
We immediately bowed in respect.
"Aries," Jasfer continued, "didn't you meet your siblings? Percy… Jay Jay…?"
The Truth Drops
Silence.
Complete silence.
"…Jay…?" Aries whispered. "She… she is here?"
My heart stopped.
Here…?
Jasfer's phone rang.
"Okay. Come fast."
He turned back to Aries. "You need to wait for some time. They'll be here too. Besides… you are my son."
Aries nodded slowly.
Angelo stepped forward, unable to hold back.
"But why… why did you bring her here without informing us?"
Jasfer sighed.
"There were many things back then, Angelo. But I want to clear everything now."
Angelo nodded calmly.
"By the way," Jasfer added, "meet my wife—Reyce Mariano."
A woman stepped forward.
Elegant.
Graceful.
"Hello… Aries…" she said softly, hugging him.
"I know you don't recognize me. I am your mom too. You remember? I am Percy's mom as well… as your siblings'."
"…Siblings?" Aries repeated.
Jasfer laughed lightly. "Yes. You have more than two. They will come soon. Have a seat."
Kiefer & Reyce Moment
I stood slightly away from the group.
Lost in my thoughts.
Jay…
Suddenly—
"Son, who are you? You look sad."
I turned.
Reyce stood in front of me.
"I… I am Jay Jay's classmate… from back then."
She smiled gently.
"Let me guess… Kiefer, right?"
"…Yes, po."
Her eyes softened.
"Don't be sad. We know the truth… why you left her."
My breath hitched.
"I know… you will help her believe in the world again."
She smiled.
And for the first time—
I felt seen.
Aries POV – Stage Announcement
Time passed.
Then suddenly—
Grandpa stepped onto the stage.
The entire hall fell silent.
"I am very happy today," he began. "That my child has given me the chance to express my feelings at this engagement."
He looked toward Mr. Valdez.
"I would like to introduce my grandson—Jasprit Jare Mariano—and Valdez's daughter, Mia Valdez. Today, these two souls are getting engaged."
A tall man stepped forward.
Beside him—
Mia Valdez.
She wore a stunning deep red gown, elegant and royal, her hair styled perfectly. She looked every bit like the daughter of a powerful family.
Jare stood beside her—
Dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, his posture confident, his aura commanding.
And then—
Dad leaned toward me.
"He looks similar to her, right?" he whispered. "He is your brother."
I froze.
He was right.
There was something…
Something about him—
That reminded me of Jay.
The Grand Reveal
Grandpa continued.
"Before this… I would like to introduce all my grandchildren."
My heartbeat quickened.
"Kevin Mariano."
A tall, composed man stepped forward in a navy suit.
"Percy de Collin Mariano."
The name hit me like a storm.
I turned toward Kiefer.
He was already looking at me—
Shocked.
Then—
The next name came.
"And… Jane June Mariano… my eldest granddaughter."
"And my younger granddaughter… Jasper Jean Mariano."
Their Entrance
The doors opened.
And time stopped.
They walked in—
Together.
Two girls.
Identical.
No—
Three reflections in one soul.
Jay.
Jane.
Jare.
Triplets.
They wore the same outfit.
Black bodycon dresses that perfectly fit their figures, elegant yet bold. A slit ran along the right side—just enough to reveal movement, not too much to lose grace.
Their hair flowed freely—
Long, soft, open.
Each of them wore a black leather jacket, paired with sleek black boots.
They looked powerful.
Untouchable.
And identical.
But—
I knew.
One of them… was my Jay.
Kiefer POV – The Moment
My breathing stopped.
Jay…
There she was.
Right in front of me.
Alive.
Closer than ever.
But…
Different.
Her eyes no longer held the warmth I remembered.
They were distant.
Cold.
Like she had built walls around herself.
A sharp pain hit my chest.
What did they do to you…?
A tear escaped my eyes, but I quickly looked away.
I wasn't the only one.
Everyone…
Felt it.
The guilt.
The regret.
But me—
I felt like I was being torn apart from the inside.
Back to Aries POV
Grandpa's voice echoed again.
"They are my pride—my grandchildren."
"And besides… I would like to introduce my son and daughter-in-law."
"Jasfer Mariano."
"Reyce Mariano."
"And… Aries Fernandez Mariano."
The Shock
"Mariano…?" I whispered.
Dad placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Let's go, child."
He looked at Angelo.
"I hope you don't mind."
Angelo shook his head.
"He is yours too."
We walked toward the stage.
Each step felt heavier.
Closer.
Closer to her.
As soon as—
She saw me—
Jay froze.
Completely still.
Her expression didn't change.
But her eyes—
They did.
For a split second.
Recognition.
Pain.
And something deeper…
Then it disappeared.
She stood there—
Looking exactly like before.
My Jay Jay.
Yet…
Not the same anymore