That afternoon, Jay finally came downstairs, her hair still slightly messy, sleep clinging to her eyes.
In the kitchen, Serina was already busy.
Without saying a word, Jay walked straight to her and wrapped her arms around her from behind, resting her head softly on Serina's shoulder.
"Good morning, Mama…"
Serina laughed immediately.
"Good morning?" she teased gently.
"It's afternoon, dear daughter."
Jay only smiled against her shoulder.
Serina turned a little and patted Jay's cheeks lovingly.
"You slept like a little bear today."
Jay grinned.
"Mmm… because I was very comfortable."
Serina knew exactly what that meant.
Then Jay lifted her head and asked softly,
"Mama… can I help you?"
Serina looked at her for a second—warm, fond, and completely accepting.
"Yes," she said easily.
"Cut these fruits for me."
Jay's eyes lit up.
She took the bowl and started cutting carefully, standing right beside Serina like she always did.
After a few minutes, Serina noticed something and frowned.
"You didn't eat yet, did you?"
Jay froze.
"…No."
Serina sighed softly.
"You skipped breakfast."
Jay tried to smile her way out of it.
"I woke up late…"
Without another word, Serina picked up a piece of fruit and gently brought it to Jay's lips.
"Open."
Jay blinked.
"Mama—"
"Open," Serina repeated, amused.
Jay obeyed, laughing softly as she ate.
Serina kept feeding her little by little while continuing her work—fruit, a spoon of warm rice, a bite of curry—making sure Jay's empty stomach didn't stay empty any longer.
Jay leaned lightly against the counter, letting herself be taken care of.
"You don't have to feed me like a baby," she whispered, though she didn't move away.
Serina smiled.
"You didn't eat all morning.
So today… I get to be your mother properly."
Jay's eyes softened.
"Thank you, Mama…"
Serina gently brushed her hair back and kissed the top of her head.
"Finish your lunch properly, my daughter."
That evening, the study was unusually quiet.
Keizer was seated at his desk, several thick files spread in front of him.
Kia stood near the door for a few seconds… watching.
The scene from the kitchen kept replaying in her mind—
Jay leaning on Serina, being fed with her own hands, being called daughter so naturally.
Kia took a slow breath and walked inside with a soft smile.
"Tito Keizer… can I help you with the files?"
Keizer looked up, slightly surprised.
"Oh… thank you, Kia."
She stepped closer, already reaching for the pile.
But before she could touch anything, Keizer paused for a second, then said casually,
"Actually… Jay understands these better."
Kia's fingers froze in the air.
"She has been helping me for a long time," Keizer added gently.
"She organises them faster than anyone."
As if on cue, Jay appeared near the door, holding a glass of water for Serina.
Keizer turned his head.
"Jay… come here for a minute."
Jay walked in quietly.
"Yes, Papa?"
Keizer smiled.
"These contracts… can you sort them for me like you usually do?"
Jay nodded without hesitation.
"Of course."
She sat beside him and immediately started working, flipping through the files confidently, marking and arranging them in neat order.
Kia stood there.
Unneeded.
Invisible.
She watched the way Keizer spoke to Jay softly, how naturally he leaned toward her to clarify something, how relaxed he looked.
Not like a boss.
Like a father.
Kia forced a small smile.
"Oh… okay," she murmured.
"I'll go help Aunt Serina then."
Keizer nodded kindly.
"Alright, dear."
But when Kia turned away, her expression shifted.
Her jaw tightened.
From the kitchen.
From the study.
From Serina.
From Keizer.
Everywhere she went—
Jay was already there.
And everywhere Jay stood…
she belonged.