The glow from the Palawan wedding was still fresh on my face, but the second I stepped back onto the university campus, the tropical paradise felt miles away. I felt stronger, more loved, and less bothered by the small things—but Sophia had spent the entire weekend stewing in her own bitterness.
I was at my locker, swapping my surgery textbook for my pharmacology notes, when I felt that familiar, prickly sensation on the back of my neck.
"You look awfully cheerful for someone whose 'sponsor' probably spent the weekend with his actual family," Sophia's voice hissed from behind my locker door.
I slammed the locker shut and turned to face her. She looked perfect—her lab coat was pressed, her makeup was flawless—but her eyes were full of a strange, desperate hunger.
"Actually, Sophia, I had a wonderful weekend with my friends," I said, my voice calm. "You should try having some sometime. It really helps with the stress."
The Near-Exposure
Sophia stepped into my personal space, her eyes scanning me like she was looking for a crack in my armor. Suddenly, she lunged forward and grabbed the delicate gold chain around my neck.
I had tucked my wedding ring onto the chain to keep it hidden during labs.
"What's this?" she sneered, pulling the ring out from under my collar. The massive diamond caught the fluorescent hallway lights, sparkling with enough fire to blind someone. "A ring? This isn't just a gift, Jay. This is a statement. Who gave this to you? Or did you just steal it from a jewelry store to feel important?"
"Give it back," I said, my voice dropping an octave. I wasn't scared—I was angry.
"I don't think so," Sophia laughed, holding the ring high. "I think the Dean would be very interested to know that a freshman is walking around with a ring that costs more than the new MRI machine. Is this how you're paying for your grades?"
"Drop the ring, Sophia. Now."
The voice didn't come from me. It came from the end of the hall. Emman and Felix were standing there, their arms crossed. They weren't smiling. As future lawyers, they knew exactly how to make someone feel like they were on the witness stand.
"Oh, look, the bodyguards are back," Sophia mocked. "What are you going to do? Sue me for looking at a ring?"
"No," Emman said, stepping forward. "But as of three minutes ago, your father's primary hospital contract with the Watson Medical Group was placed under 're-evaluation' due to a sudden report of ethical misconduct. If you drop that ring, maybe—just maybe—the report gets lost in the mail."
Sophia's hand shook. "What... what are you talking about?"
"He's saying you're playing a game you've already lost," I said, reaching out and firmly taking my ring back from her trembling fingers.
The Silent Message
I looked past her. At the far end of the hallway, standing by the exit, was Keifer
He didn't move. He didn't say a word. He was just leaning against the wall, his dark eyes fixed on Sophia with a coldness that would have frozen the sun. He didn't have to be a "Monster" like his father to be terrifying. He just had to be a Watson protecting his world.
He waited until I tucked the ring back into my shirt, then he turned and walked away, his job done.
The Home Sanctuary
That night, back at the Black Box, the house was quiet. Keigan and Keiran were in the library, probably arguing over a math problem.
I found Keifer in his study, staring out at the mist over Taal Lake. I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist.
"You did it again, didn't you, hubby?" I whispered. "The hospital contract?"
He turned around, pulling me into his lap. He looked tired, but when he saw me, his expression softened into that pure "Green Forest" devotion.
"She touched you, weify," he rasped, his hand cupping my cheek. "She touched the ring I put on your finger. I told you—I won't be like my father. I won't use violence unless I have to. But I will use every cent I have to make sure no one ever makes you feel small again."
"I'm not small, babe," I said, kissing him. "Not when I have you."
"You're the biggest thing in my world, honey," he whispered.
Suddenly, the door burst open. Keigan ran in, holding a trophy. "Mumma! Kuya! I won the science fair! Can we have pizza for dinner?"
Keifer laughed, the tension leaving his body. "Pizza it is. But only if you tell me how you won without blowing up the school."
As we headed down to the kitchen, I realized that Sophia could try as hard as she wanted. She was fighting for status, but I was living in a fortress of love.