That evening Jay was sitting quietly in the college garden.
The same place where she and Keifer used to spend hours together.
But today she was alone.
Her eyes looked empty.
She kept staring at the ground.
Lost in her thoughts.
That was when Ella, Freya, Grace, Rakki and Percy walked toward her.
Jay noticed them.
She forced a weak smile.
"Why do you all look so serious?"
No one answered.
Ella sat beside her.
The others stood around.
Jay looked confused.
"What happened?"
Ella looked at the others.
Then back at Jay.
"Jay… we need to tell you something."
Jay's heart started beating faster.
"What?"
Freya spoke softly.
"It's about Keifer."
Jay's face immediately stiffened.
She looked away.
"I don't want to hear about his engagement."
Grace knelt in front of her.
"Please listen."
Jay frowned slightly.
Something in their expressions made her nervous.
Ella took a deep breath.
"Jay… Keifer is lying."
Jay blinked.
"What?"
Rakki crossed her arms.
"He doesn't love Ion."
Jay looked between them.
Confused.
"Then why is he marrying her?"
No one spoke for a second.
Finally Percy said quietly,
"Because of you."
Jay froze.
"What?"
Ella gently held Jay's hand.
"Jay… Ion is your cousin."
Jay nodded slowly.
"Yes… but what does that have to do with anything?"
Ella's voice became softer.
"Ion threatened Keifer."
Jay's breathing stopped.
"What do you mean?"
Freya explained slowly.
"She told him something."
"If he marries her…"
"You will be safe."
Jay stared at them.
Her mind struggling to understand.
Grace finished the sentence quietly.
"But if he refuses…"
"Your life will be in danger."
Jay's eyes widened.
"No."
Her voice came out as a whisper.
"No… that's not possible."
Rakki shook her head.
"It is."
Jay looked at Ella desperately.
"Tell me this is a joke."
Ella's eyes filled with sadness.
"I wish it was."
Jay felt like the ground had disappeared beneath her feet.
Her voice trembled.
"So…"
"So Keifer is marrying her…"
Her words broke apart.
Ella nodded slowly.
"To protect you."
Jay's eyes filled with tears instantly.
"No…"
Her head shook again and again.
"No… he wouldn't…"
Freya spoke gently.
"He would."
"Because he loves you."
Jay covered her mouth as a sob escaped.
All the memories from the past few days rushed into her mind.
Keifer holding her while she cried.
Listening to everything.
Kissing her forehead.
Calling her his queen.
Jay broke down completely.
Tears streaming down her face.
"He's an idiot…"
Her voice was shaking badly.
"A complete idiot."
Grace hugged her immediately.
Jay cried harder.
"He thinks I can live happily if he sacrifices himself?"
Rakki muttered angrily,
"He didn't even tell us."
Percy sighed.
"He was going to carry it alone."
Jay wiped her tears roughly.
Her expression slowly changing.
From heartbreak…
To determination.
She stood up suddenly.
Ella looked up.
"Jay?"
Jay's voice was firm now.
"I'm not letting him do this."
Freya blinked.
"What are you planning?"
Jay looked toward the distance.
Her eyes burning with determination.
"I'm going to stop that engagement."
"Even if I have to fight my own cousin." 💥