Chapter 7 – The Day Before "I Do" 💔✨️
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Jay's POV 💐🕊️
The morning sun slipped lazily through the sheer curtains of the Watsons' grand hotel suite, filling the room with soft gold light that felt far too bright for my heavy mood. The clock on the wall blinked 8:32 a.m., a quiet reminder that it was just one day before our wedding.
One. Day. Before I was supposed to say I do… to a man who wouldn't even look at me anymore.
I sighed, stirring the coffee cup in my hand absentmindedly. My head was still ringing from yesterday's argument—the kind of fight that leaves words echoing long after the shouting stops.
> "You know what, Jay? I was dumb thinking this marriage was more than just a deal…"
His voice replayed like a cruel soundtrack, his eyes that day still haunting me—hurt, betrayed, angry.
I wanted to tell him it wasn't what it looked like. That the call wasn't what he thought it was. That the "I love you baby" was just an old friend teasing me—a stupid, harmless joke. But Keifer had stormed off before I could explain, slamming the door behind him like punctuation on our silence.
And now, here we were. One day before the wedding. Engaged but barely speaking.
I took a deep breath and picked up the breakfast tray I'd ordered for him. It was stupid, I know. He didn't deserve it after how he shouted. But part of me still wanted to try—to fix something, anything, before it was too late.
Walking down the hallway of the suite, I stopped at his door and knocked softly.
No answer.
I hesitated, then pushed it open. He was there—shirtless, standing by the window, his messy brown hair glowing in the morning light, jaw clenched tight. Even angry, he looked unfairly good.
He turned when he heard the door click. "What do you want?" His voice was cold—no sarcasm, no smirk, just frost.
I swallowed hard. "Breakfast," I managed to say, setting the tray on the table. "You didn't eat dinner last night."
He glanced at it but didn't move. "You didn't have to."
"Yeah, well…" I mumbled, trying to avoid his eyes. "I didn't do it for you. Just thought you shouldn't faint before the wedding."
He let out a bitter chuckle. "How considerate."
That tone—ugh, that tone. It hit something deep inside me. The guilt, the frustration, the pain—it all mixed until I couldn't breathe.
So I said it before my tears betrayed me.
> "You know what? I lose my appetite."
And with that, I turned on my heel and left before he could see the tears that started falling as soon as the door closed behind me.
Because loving someone you're supposed to just marry for a deal?
That's the worst kind of heartbreak. 💔🌧️
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Keifer's POV 💍🔥
The second she left, the silence in the room grew louder than ever.
The tray of breakfast sat there on the table—untouched. The smell of pancakes and coffee should've been comforting, but instead it felt like a punch to the gut.
Jay.
She looked so tired. Her eyes weren't angry—they were… sad. Broken, even.
And for a second, I almost ran after her. Almost.
But then that stupid phone call flashed back in my mind.
> "I love you, baby."
The sound of another man's voice, soft and familiar, had cut through me like a blade. I didn't even let her explain. I just—reacted. Like an idiot. Like a jealous fool who forgot that this was supposed to be just a business deal.
Only… it didn't feel like just a deal anymore. Somewhere between the sarcastic shopping trips, the golden gown fitting, the photoshoot where our lips accidentally met, and the laughter during our fake couple interviews…
I'd started to fall. Hard.
And now she hated me.
I ran a hand through my hair, groaning. "Get a grip, Watson," I muttered to myself. "It's just one more day. Get through the wedding, do the deal, move on."
But no matter how much I told myself that, I couldn't stop thinking about her walking away just now—her voice trembling when she said she lost her appetite.
I could see it. She was hurting too.
Maybe… just maybe… she didn't mean for that call to happen like that.
I grabbed my jacket and walked to the balcony. Below, I saw her sitting by the hotel fountain, talking to her bridesmaids, her laughter faint but real. My chest twisted painfully.
I'd ruined everything.
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Jay's POV 🌸💔
The fountain water glittered in the sunlight as I stared at my reflection. My bridesmaids—Zia and Kristin—were trying to cheer me up, but it wasn't working.
"Jay, come on," Zia said softly. "You know Keifer just gets hot-headed. Maybe he'll cool down."
"Cool down?" I sighed. "He looked at me like I'd cheated on him. I don't even love that guy from the call!"
Kristin raised a brow, teasing. "You don't love Keifer either, right?"
My mouth opened to protest… but no words came out.
Do I?
I mean… no. It's a deal. A business arrangement. Nothing more.
Then why does his silence hurt more than anything James ever did?
Why does the thought of him hating me make me feel like I'm falling apart?
I tried to laugh it off, brushing hair from my face. "Let's just get through tomorrow, yeah? The perfect fake wedding."
But inside, I knew.
I wasn't sure what was fake anymore.
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Keifer's POV 🌙🕊️
That night, I couldn't sleep.
Every sound reminded me of her. The soft rustle of her gown during the photoshoot, her laughter when she'd teased me about being uptight, the way her lips had brushed mine when she slipped.
And now… nothing but silence between us.
I glanced at my phone.
Her name was still pinned at the top of my messages.
> Jay 💐💍
I typed, deleted, typed again. Finally, I just sent—
> Can we talk?
No reply.
A few minutes later, I heard soft footsteps outside the room. The sound stopped in front of my door, hesitated, then faded away again.
I smiled bitterly.
"Goodnight, Jay," I whispered into the quiet.
Because maybe tomorrow… even if this marriage started as a deal,
I'd still say I do—not for the business.
But for her. 💍❤️🔥
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🌸✨️ End of Chapter 7 ✨️🌸