Jay jay pov:
The city lights reflected off the pool water, making it shimmer like a mirror of memories I wasn't ready to face.
I laughed with Mira and Lucas, splashing each other, letting the cold water chase away the tight knot in my chest. For the first time since I arrived, I felt… almost normal.
Almost
.
Until it happened.
I slipped as I climbed out to grab a float.
Strong hands caught my waist.
I froze.
Familiar. Too familiar. My heartbeat slammed against my ribs, and for a moment, the world blurred around us.
I looked up.
Keifer.
I couldn't breathe. Not fully. Not yet.
He froze too. His eyes wide, jaw tight, as if the sight of me—here, now, alive—was impossible.
"Jay?" Mira's voice cut through the shock. "You okay?"
I forced a laugh, stepping back toward my friends. "I'm fine," I said.
Keifer didn't move. He just sat near the edge of the pool, chest heaving slightly, still processing.
My friends giggled behind me, whispering to each other. "He's handsome," Mira said. "Did you see him?"
I smiled weakly. Didn't answer.
I dried myself off and turned to leave the pool area.That presence again.
Before I could turn—
His hand closed around my wrist.
Firm. Grounded.
"Jay."
My breath caught.
He didn't raise his voice. Didn't make a scene.
He just pulled me forward.
"Hey—!" I stumbled as he led me away from the pool, through a side door I hadn't noticed before.
The storeroom door shut behind us with a soft but final click.
Dim light. Cool air. Silence pressing in.
"Jay," he said softly, almost pleading.
I pulled back instinctively.
"Where have you been?" His voice cracked, sharp and raw.
"It doesn't matter," I said, forcing control.
"Let go of me.
"It matters! I looked for you everywhere!" His voice rose. "I was like a madman, Jay!"
I stepped back, crossing my arms, trembling despite myself. "Everything that happened… it was a mistake.
His hands clenched at his sides. "A mistake?" he hissed. "Do you even know what you're saying?
I swallowed, tears stinging. "I don't want you in my life. Ever.
His eyes darkened. "You don't get to do this."
I wiped my tears roughly. "I'm done explaining myself. You will never be in my life again, Mr. Watson.
He gasped. The name hit him like a bullet. "Don't… don't call me that.
"It's who you are to me now," I said. "Someone who never understood me. Someone who left. Someone who thinks he can just appear and disappear as he pleases."
"You think you can erase me?" he growled. "Do you think this ends with you walking away?without explanation?
I laughed bitterly, through tears. "I already did. Eight years, and you still don't know why I left? Then you failed, Mr. Watson.and i don't want you in my life.
His breath caught. His hands trembled. His anger was raw, unfiltered.
The silence after my words was unbearable.
Keifer's face hardened—not calm, not controlled anymore. Something dark flashed in his eyes, something dangerous.
"I don't care what you want," he said coldly. "I will be in your life. No matter what."
My breath caught.
"I always get what I want," he continued, stepping closer. "By hook or by crook. And I will get you."
The words sent a chill through me.
I laughed—broken, bitter, through tears.
"No.
He frowned. "What?"
"I don't want you," I said, my voice shaking but loud. "I never want you. Not anymore, Mr. Watson."
His jaw clenched hard. "Stop calling me that."
"I hate you," I said, the words tearing out of me. "And you will never be in my life ever again."
Something cracked in his expression.
I wiped my tears angrily and kept going before I could stop myself.
"Everything that happened back then?" I said. "It happened because of you. Because of your plan."
His eyes widened slightly.
"When I found out about it, you left for London," I continued, my chest heaving. "You disappeared. Then you came back like nothing happened."
My voice broke.
"And I forgave you.
Tears spilled freely now.
"I forgave you because I was dumb," I said, shaking my head. "Because I loved you.
His breathing grew uneven.
"But not anymore," I whispered. "I'm not that girl now.
He took a step toward me. "Jay—"
"Do you think you're the only one who can disappear?" I snapped, backing away. "No. I can do it too.and i did.
The room felt like it was closing in on us.
"You don't control me," I said firmly. "Not anymore.
For the first time, Keifer looked… shaken. His hands trembled at his sides, eyes dark, hurt burning through the anger.
"You're wrong," he said hoarsely. "You can't just erase me.
"I already did," I replied softly.
I turned and walked toward the door.
"Jay," he said, his voice breaking for the first time.
I didn't stop.
I opened the door and left the room without looking back.
Because if I did—
I wouldn't have been strong enough to keep walking.