Kia didn't cry that evening.
Not after her mother's words.
Not after not now, not ever.
She simply closed herself inside.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
In her room, she sat on the edge of the bed with her phone in her hand, staring at the dark screen.
Her jaw tightened.
If I wait… nothing will change.
Kia was stubborn.
And when she wanted something, she didn't step back.
She started planning.
What kind of plan…
no one in the mansion knew.
Not Sofia.
Not Jay.
Not even Keifer.
Only the stillness in her eyes had changed.
—
That evening, just before dinner…
Kia walked down the corridor toward the west balcony, meaning to pass through.
Voices reached her first.
Soft.
Close.
She stopped.
Jay and Keifer were standing near the railing.
The city lights were barely starting to glow below them.
Jay was laughing at something he whispered to her.
"You're impossible," she murmured.
"And you love it," Keifer replied.
Before she could tease him again, he leaned down—
Jay lifted herself on her toes.
Their lips met.
Slow.
Unhidden.
Comfortable.
Not desperate.
Not secretive.
Just… theirs.
Kia stood frozen at the corner.
Her fingers curled slowly into her palm.
Keifer rested his forehead against Jay's.
"I missed you today," he said quietly.
Jay smiled.
"I was literally gone for three hours."
"Still."
She kissed him again, quickly this time, and hid her face against his chest.
From the shadows—
Kia watched.
Every second.
Every small touch.
Every easy smile.
—
At dinner…
The long dining table felt warmer than usual.
Serina kept filling Jay's plate.
"Eat properly, dear. You skipped lunch again."
Jay tried to protest.
"Mama—"
"No mama-shama. Eat."
Keizer chuckled.
"You spoil her too much."
"And you don't?" Serina shot back.
Keizer laughed.
Jay looked between them and smiled.
Keifer passed her the water without her asking.
Their hands brushed.
Naturally.
Karim and Keigan were arguing about something stupid.
Keiren was showing Karina a video.
It was loud.
Messy.
Happy.
Keifer leaned slightly toward Jay.
"Dessert after this?"
Her eyes lit up.
"Yes."
From across the table…
Kia watched them.
The balcony.
The kiss.
The laughter.
The way Jay fit into that chair like it had always been meant for her.
And for the first time since she arrived—
Kia didn't feel jealous.
She felt threatened.
Because whatever she was planning…
It suddenly felt urgent.