Author's POV
Growing up under Tita Gema's roof felt warm, noisy, and crowded in the best way.
Jay Jay and Aries quickly found comfort in the new life they were given-school, friends, laughter, and the little arguments that made everything feel normal.
But normal didn't last long.
Because the truth about their family was already waiting in the shadows, and it was about to surface.
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Jay Jay's POV
I'm fourteen now. I was sitting on the porch steps, running my brush through my long hair, when the afternoon sun painted everything in warm orange streaks.
Aries leaned against the doorframe, "Jay, Tita Gema wants to talk to us."
I stood quickly. "Is it about school?"
"who knows," Aries muttered.
My heart tightened. Whenever adults used that tone, it meant trouble-or secrets.
Inside the living room, Tita Gema sat on the sofa, holding a faded envelope. Her expression was soft but heavy.
"Jay..." Tita Gema began. "There's something you need to know. Something your mother asked me to tell you only when you were old enough."
I froze.
Mother.
My real mother?
The one I can barely remembered?
Aries stepped closer to my side.
Tita took a deep breath. "You and Aries... you are not siblings by adoption. You are siblings by blood."
I froze. Aries went rigid beside me.
"You... you mean..." I whispered.
"Yes," tita nodded. "Your real parents are Jeana Fernandez and Jasfher Mariano."
My heart beats so loud in my ears I could barely hear her speak.
I had always wondered why me and Aries looked alike. Why strangers sometimes said, 'You two look like twins.' Now I understood.
Aries swallowed hard. "So... why were we separated?"
Tita's voice softened. "There were reasons... complicated reasons. Jeana asked me to raise both of you safely. She wanted the truth told when you turned fourteen."
"Jeana... was my sister," she said slowly. "And she loved you and Aries more than anything."
My eyes burned. I didn't want to cry. But the truth hit harder than I expected.
"I have something else," she continued, opening the envelope. "A message from Jeana... and Serina."
Serina? My breath caught in my throat. "Keifer's mom?"
Tita Gema nodded. "They were close. Serina trusted Jeana like a sister."
Aries spoke up. "But why involve Keifer's mom?"
She handed us a folded paper, dated years ago.
> "If something happens to me... please keep my wish. Jay Jay and Keifer, when you turn fourteen, you must know... you are engaged. You are meant to be together. When you turn eighteen, choose your own hearts-
but try to grow up with the bond I saw in your eyes."
-Serina Watson
I stared at the handwriting, my mind spinning. Engaged? Me and Keifer?
"W-What... does this mean?" I whispered.
Tita sighed softly. " A childhood engagement. Something symbolic. Your Mama Jeana and her best friend, Serina Watson, made a promise before Serina passed away. But the choice is yours when you're older-no pressure."
Aries sat up straight. "Engagement? As in-wedding engagement?!"
She nodded slowly. "Serina wanted her son Keifer to be connected to our family. Jeana agreed. They wrote this when you two were very young. They decided... when you both turn eighteen, you will marry."
My head spun all over again. Marry Keifer? "Does... does Keifer know about this?"
"Not yet. Serina never got the chance to tell him before she died." She answered. "But Kier-his uncle-knows. And he plans to tell him soon."
Aries scoffed, and I felt my face burn bright red. "That guy? He's going to tease Jay forever."
"Shut up, Aries!" I snapped, but even as I said it, my mind was racing.
I swallowed hard.
Tita gave me a reassuring smile. "You can tell them when you're ready. It's your story to share."
I nodded, still processing everything.
Mark Keifer Watson.
My friend.
The boy who always argued with Yuri.
The boy who once froze mid-fight just because I ask to stop.
My fiancé?
At fourteen?
My heartwaspounding so fast it felt like it might burst from pure, overwhelming confusion.
How am I supposed to tell him?
I wonder
If he will ever found...
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END OF CHAPTER 4
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