Chapter 16
The room was silent.
But not calm.
Jay sat on the floor.
Her back against the bed.
Her hands still trembling.
The fight was over.
But her body…
Still remembered everything.
Her breathing uneven.
Her heart refusing to slow down.
"I'm okay…"
She whispered.
But her voice…
Didn't believe it.
Her phone lay beside her.
Screen glowing.
She stared at it.
For a long moment.
Longer than she should have.
Her fingers moved slowly.
Hesitant.
Then—
She picked it up.
Her hands shaking again.
She scrolled.
Stopped at one name.
Keifer
Her breath hitched.
A pause.
Then she pressed call.
The ringing felt louder than anything.
Each second…
Too long.
Too heavy.
Then—
"Jay?"
His voice.
Clear.
Sharp.
Immediate.
And that was it.
Her control broke.
A sob escaped her lips.
Soft.
Broken.
"Keifer…"
Her voice trembled.
"I…"
She couldn't finish.
Her throat tightened.
Tears fell again.
"Jay."
His tone changed instantly.
"What happened?"
"I…"
Another sob.
"Just…"
Her voice cracked completely.
"Come fast…"
Silence.
Just for a second.
Then—
"I'm coming."
No questions.
No hesitation.
The call ended.
Jay held the phone tightly.
Her breathing uneven.
Her eyes fixed on the door.
Waiting.
Minutes passed.
But it felt longer.
Too long.
Every small sound made her flinch.
Every second stretched.
Then—
Footsteps.
Fast.
Rushed.
The door opened.
Jay looked up instantly.
And there he was.
Keifer
Standing right in front of her.
Breathing slightly heavier.
Eyes scanning her instantly.
Checking.
Searching.
For any injury.
Any damage.
"Jay."
He said her name.
Low.
But firm.
She didn't think.
Didn't hesitate.
She stood up quickly.
Ran to him.
And hugged him.
Tightly.
Her fingers clutching his shirt.
Like she wouldn't let go.
"I got scared…"
Her voice broke against him.
"I got so scared…"
Keifer froze for a second.
Just one.
Then his arms wrapped around her.
Strong.
Protective.
Immediate.
"I'm here."
His voice was softer now.
Different.
"I'm here."
Jay buried her face in his chest.
Her breathing slowly steadying.
Her grip still tight.
Because now—
He was here.
And everything felt… okay again.
Keifer's hand moved to her hair.
Holding her closer.
His jaw clenched slightly.
Because he knew.
Something had happened.
Something bad.
And he wasn't there.
That thought alone—
Lit something dangerous inside him.
But right now…
He didn't ask.
Didn't push.
He just held her.
Because she needed that.
More than anything.
And for the first time—
Jay didn't care about fear.
Didn't care about confusion.
Didn't care about anything.
She just held him.
Like he was the only thing keeping her together.
Because maybe…
He was.
End of Chapter 16