Breakfast slowly turned comfortable.
Jay started relaxing.
Keifer was teasing her.
Talking normally.
Laughing like old times.
For the first time in months…
Jay felt something warm in her chest.
Hope.
Maybe everything was finally going back to the way it was.
Maybe she had gotten her Keifer back.
They finished eating.
Keifer leaned back in his chair.
Stretching slightly.
Jay looked at him.
Smiling a little.
"You're in a good mood today."
Keifer shrugged.
"Am I not usually?"
Jay rolled her eyes.
"You are annoying usually."
Keifer smirked.
"That's my charm."
Jay laughed softly.
The moment felt easy.
Natural.
Then Keifer suddenly spoke.
"Oh right."
Jay looked up.
"What?"
Keifer took a sip of his coffee.
Completely calm.
"I forgot to tell you something."
Jay tilted her head.
"What?"
Keifer placed the cup down.
"My engagement is next month."
Jay blinked.
"What?"
Her mind didn't register the words properly.
Keifer repeated casually,
"I'm getting engaged."
Jay's heart dropped.
Her fingers froze around the spoon.
The room suddenly felt too quiet.
Jay forced herself to ask,
"To who?"
Keifer answered simply.
"Ion."
The name hit her like a shock.
Jay's chest tightened.
Her voice came out small.
"Ion?"
Keifer nodded.
"You've met her once."
Jay remembered.
A tall girl.
Elegant.
From a rich family.
Keifer continued calmly.
"Our families arranged it."
Jay stared at him.
Trying to understand.
Her mind replayed everything from last night.
Him holding her.
Him listening to her cry.
Him calling her his queen.
The kiss on her forehead.
Her voice trembled slightly.
"When…?"
"Next month."
Jay felt like the air had disappeared from the room.
She forced a small laugh.
Trying to hide the pain.
"Oh."
Keifer watched her face carefully.
But his expression stayed neutral.
Jay looked down at the table.
Her eyes slowly filling with tears.
But she blinked them back quickly.
Because she didn't want him to see.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Jay finally whispered,
"Congratulations."
The word felt heavy in her throat.
Keifer didn't reply immediately.
He just watched her quietly.
And Jay sat there realizing something painful.
The Keifer she thought she had gotten back…
Might never fully belong to her again. 💔