Jay woke up to the soft light of morning filtering through the curtains. For a moment, she didn't know where she was. The room was quiet, still, and safe. The memory of the night before slowly returned to her, and her heart beat faster.
She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, trying to make sense of everything.
The rain.
The confession.
Keifer's mansion.
The feeling of safety.
She turned her head slightly and realized Keifer was still beside her, sitting on the edge of the bed. His expression was calm, but his eyes were watchful. He looked tired, but he had stayed.
Jay's heart softened.
She sat up slowly, careful not to wake him. Her body still felt heavy from the stress, but she felt calmer now. She looked at Keifer, who watched her silently.
"Good morning," Jay whispered.
Keifer's eyes flickered. He looked surprised for a moment, as if he hadn't expected her to speak first.
"Morning," he replied softly.
Jay looked around the room. It was simple, clean, and warm. It didn't feel like a hotel. It felt like a home—at least for a moment. She realized she hadn't been this comfortable in a long time.
She stood up, stretching her arms, and then walked to the window. Outside, the sky was still grey, but the rain had stopped. The world looked quiet, like it was recovering from the storm.
Keifer watched her for a moment, then spoke.
"You slept well?" he asked.
Jay nodded slowly. "Yes."
Keifer's voice was soft. "Good."
Jay turned back to him.
"Keifer," she said quietly, "thank you for last night."
Keifer looked away for a moment, then met her eyes again.
"I didn't do it for you," he said, voice low. "I did it because you needed someone."
Jay's eyes softened. She walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed again.
"I know," she whispered. "But it still meant a lot."
Keifer's expression softened. "You don't have to thank me."
Jay nodded.
There was a silence between them, but it didn't feel uncomfortable. It felt… natural. Like they had found a new rhythm.
Jay's mind wandered, and she remembered the ring on her finger. She looked down at it, and her heart sank. The truth still weighed heavily on her.
She looked up at Keifer, her voice trembling.
"I'm still married," she said.
Keifer's eyes darkened. He looked away again.
"I know," he said quietly.
Jay felt a pain in her chest. She didn't want to lose him again, but she knew she couldn't ignore the truth.
"I don't know what to do," she admitted.
Keifer stood up and walked to the window. He stared out for a moment, then turned back to her.
"Today," he said, "we figure out what you want."
Jay blinked. "What I want?"
Keifer nodded. "Yes."
Jay swallowed hard. "I want… I want to be free."
Keifer's eyes softened.
"Then we'll find a way," he said.
Jay looked at him, tears forming again.
"But I don't know how," she whispered.
Keifer stepped closer. "You don't have to do it alone," he said.
Jay's heart raced.
For a moment, she felt like crying again. But this time, it wasn't only pain. It was hope.
Keifer walked toward her and placed his hand gently on her shoulder.
"Come," he said softly. "Let's get you something to eat. You need to eat."
Jay nodded, still looking at him with gratitude.
She stood up, and Keifer led her out of the room and into the hallway.
The mansion was quiet, but it felt alive. It felt like a place where she could finally breathe.
Jay followed him, her heart beating faster, her mind still confused but slowly starting to feel something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Hope.