JAY-JAY POV
It was the next day, and I had finally been discharged from the hospital.
The air felt different — lighter, though my heart was still heavy with everything that had happened.
Keifer was in the shower, getting ready for work.
I sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the water run, my thoughts tangled between anger, love, and exhaustion.
When he came out, his hair damp and his shirt half‑buttoned, he didn't hesitate.
He crossed the room quickly and kissed me
It started as a soft kiss, gentle and hesitant, but it didn't stay that way.
In seconds, it deepened — hungry, fierce, desperate — as if he was trying to pour every unspoken word into me.
I didn't even notice when his hands slid beneath my shirt, roaming across my skin, pulling me closer.
We broke apart only when breathlessness forced us to.
At least, I was breathless — my chest rising and falling, my heart racing like it was trying to escape.
Keifer's forehead rested against mine, his breathing heavy, his eyes searching me as if I was the only thing keeping him alive.
"You know, if you keep looking at me like that," Keifer said with a crooked smile, "I might have to cancel going to the office today."
"Idiot," I muttered, pushing him gently.
"I'll get ready," I added, slipping into the bathroom.
The hot water washed away the hospital smell, the heaviness of yesterday clinging to me. When I came out a few minutes later, I felt lighter, though the ache in my chest hadn't fully gone.
I walked into the closet, running my fingers across the rows of clothes.
For a moment, I paused, wondering what outfit would make me feel strong enough to face the world again — strong enough to walk into his office, stand beside him, and prove I wasn't broken.
I picked a crisp outfit, something that said I'm still me.
When I stepped out, Keifer was waiting, his tie half‑done, his eyes following me like I was the only thing in the room.
I walked over and gently removed his hands from his tie. Instead of letting go, his arms slid around my waist, pulling me closer.
I focused on tying his tie, but he was busy kissing me — every part of my face, one after the other.
My forehead, my cheeks, the tip of my nose, even my earlobe, until finally his lips found mine.
The kiss deepened, leaving me breathless.
When he broke away, his mouth trailed down to my neck, sending shivers through me.
"Keifer," I whispered, a soft moan escaping before I could stop it.
He chuckled against my skin. "I could do this all day long if it meant you'd moan like that."
I pushed at his chest lightly, trying to steady myself. "We're going to be late," I said, though my voice betrayed how much I didn't want him to stop.
"Let's go," he said, his voice steady but carrying that familiar urgency.
I nodded and followed him out.
The morning air felt sharp against my skin, a reminder that the world hadn't stopped even though mine had nearly shattered.
We slid into the car.
Keifer started the engine, his focus on the road, but his presence wrapped around me all the same.
One hand gripped the wheel, the other rested firmly on my thigh.
I looked at him, my eyes narrowing. "What?" he asked, glancing at me with that half‑smile.
"Why is your hand there?" I pressed, my voice low.
"Because it can be," he said simply, his tone unapologetic.
I turned my gaze back to the window, the city rushing past in blurs of color and light.
His hand stayed where it was, warm and steady against my thigh, a silent claim I didn't challenge.
We reached the office and stepped inside.
The familiar hum of phones ringing, keyboards clicking, and voices carrying through the halls wrapped around me, but today it all felt sharper, heavier.
Everyone looked shocked when I walked through the office doors.
I knew they hadn't expected me to show up after what happened.
The new girl — Clarisse, the one who kissed my Keifer — froze when she saw me beside him. Her eyes widened, then narrowed into a smirk, like she already had another plan to ruin us.
I ignored her. My hand brushed Keifer's as we walked straight into his cabinet.
"Okay, wife, what do you want to do?" he asked, pulling me closer, his voice softer now that the door was shut.
"Now we work," I said firmly. "I'll go to my cabinet and finish the files that need to be done."
He pouted like a child. "Fine."
I leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips. His smile returned instantly, the tension in his shoulders easing.
"It will be quick," I promised.
"You know what?" he said suddenly, his eyes gleaming. "I'll change your cabinet into my office. That way you'll always be near me."
"Sure, if that's what you want," I said, my voice steady but carrying a hint of challenge.
Keifer's smile widened, boyish and stubborn all at once.
He tightened his arm around my waist, as if the idea of me working anywhere but beside him was unbearable.
"You'll see," he murmured. "It'll be better this way. No walls between us."
I rolled my eyes, though a small smile tugged at my lips. "You're impossible."
"Impossible for anyone else maybe," he said, brushing his thumb against my hand. "But for you, I'll move mountains… or cabinets."
"Let me go work," I said, leaving Keifer's office and heading to mine.
I settled at my desk, flipping through the files that had piled up. Halfway through, a knock broke my focus.
"Come in," I called, not looking up.
The door opened, and there she was. Clarisse.
Her eyes flickered with something between arrogance and amusement. "Didn't think you would show up after what happened," she said, her tone dripping with mockery.
I raised an eyebrow, finally meeting her gaze. "What the hell do you want?"
She smirked, leaning against the doorframe like she owned the place. "Well… I want your husband."
My blood boiled, but I kept my voice steady, sharp. "You want him?" I repeated. "Then you should've thought twice before underestimating me."
Clarisse tilted her head, her smirk widening. "You think showing up here changes anything? Men get bored, Jay. And when they do, they look for someone new."
I stood, pushing the file aside, my eyes locked on hers. "Keifer isn't bored. He's mine. And if you think you can ruin us with cheap tricks, you're about to learn how wrong you are."
Her smirk faltered for a second, but she quickly masked it.
"We'll see," she whispered, before turning and walking out.