The house was silent by midnight.
Lights were off.
Corridors empty.
Only the faint hum of the fan filled the air.
Jay lay awake, staring at the wall, sleep refusing to come.
Her chest still felt heavy, like something precious had almost slipped through her fingers.
The door creaked open softly.
She didn't turn.
She already knew.
Keifer moved carefully, as if afraid even the floor might betray him. He slipped in beside her, the mattress dipping slightly.
"Jay," he whispered.
She stayed still.
He hesitated, then wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close—firm, protective, familiar.
"I'm sorry," he murmured into her hair.
"I shouldn't have let Ivy into my room."
Jay's breath trembled.
"That room… it's ours," he continued quietly.
"It always has been. I didn't think. And I should have."
She turned slowly, facing him.
His forehead rested against hers. His arms tightened, like he was afraid she might disappear.
"I won't let it happen again," he said.
"Not Ivy. Not anyone. No one gets that space except you."
Jay's eyes burned.
Not from anger.
From relief.
"You don't have to explain," she whispered.
"I do," he insisted softly.
"Because I never want you to feel like you're replaceable."
That word—
Replaceable—
Her chest loosened.
She pressed closer, burying her face against his chest, fingers clutching his shirt.
"I felt stupid," she admitted quietly.
"For feeling hurt."
He kissed the top of her head without thinking.
"You're never stupid. And you're never wrong for feeling anything."
His hand rubbed slow circles into her back, grounding her.
Jay exhaled, long and deep, like she'd been holding her breath all evening.
"I'm here," he whispered.
"I always will be."
She nodded against him.
Then she hugged him back—just as tight.
For the first time that night, her body relaxed.
Keifer shifted slightly, adjusting so she fit perfectly against him, like they'd done a hundred times before. His chin rested on her hair, heartbeat steady beneath her ear.
Jay's eyelids grew heavy.
Safe.
Seen.
Chosen.
Her fingers curled into his sleeve as sleep finally claimed her.
Keifer stayed awake a little longer, holding her like a promise he intended to keep.
When her breathing evened out, he smiled softly.
Nothing had been lost.
Not tonight.
Wrapped in each other, the world outside faded away—
And Jay slept peacefully, knowing the place she held in his heart was still hers.
Comple