Keifer POV
The moment I stepped into the house, something felt different.
Too much noise.
Too much smiles.
A maid walked past me carrying luggage.
Another was bringing flowers inside.
I frowned.
"What's going on?"
Then I heard a familiar laugh.
Mom.
I turned toward the living room.
There she was.
Sitting on the couch.
Looking exactly the same as when she left for Thailand two months ago.
For the first time all day, I genuinely smiled.
"Mom."
She immediately stood up.
"Keifer!"
She hugged me before I could say anything.
"You've gotten taller."
"I've been gone for two months, not two years."
She laughed.
For a few minutes everything felt normal.
My mother was home.
Keagan was sitting nearby scrolling through his phone.
Keiren was eating snacks while pretending not to listen to anything.
Even my father looked unusually happy.
Then he ruined it.
"You should start spending more time with Matilda."
The room immediately became quiet.
I looked at him.
"Why?"
My father's expression didn't change.
"Because both families have been close for years."
I already didn't like where this was going.
"And?"
"The partnership between our families is important."
There it was.
"So?"
"Dating her would be good for both sides."
I actually laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because I couldn't believe he was serious.
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
The room felt colder.
Keagan lowered his phone.
Keiren stopped eating.
Neither of them said anything.
My mother immediately spoke up.
"Maybe we shouldn't discuss this right now—"
"No."
I stood up.
"Let's discuss it."
My father's eyes narrowed.
"Watch your tone."
"Then stop treating my life like a business contract."
Silence.
Nobody moved.
I looked directly at him.
"You don't get to decide who I date."
No answer.
"And you definitely don't get to decide who I marry."
My mother sighed.
"Keifer..."
"No."
I grabbed my bag.
"You have no right to tell me who I'm supposed to like."
The room stayed silent.
For once, even Keagan and Keiren looked uncomfortable.
I turned and headed upstairs.
Behind me I could hear voices.
"Keifer."
My mother's voice.
"Come back."
I kept walking.
"Keifer."
I ignored them.
A few seconds later I pushed open my bedroom door.
Finally.
Silence.
I dropped my bag onto a chair.
Then noticed something sitting in the middle of my room.
A large black box.
I frowned.
"What's this?"
I walked over.
Opened it.
And immediately recognized them.
The shoes.
The exact pair I'd wanted for months.
Limited edition.
Almost impossible to find.
For a second, I couldn't help smiling.
"No way..."
I picked one up.
Examined it.
Perfect.
Exactly what I'd wanted.
Exactly my size.
Exactly my style.
And somehow that made me feel worse.
Because this was what always happened.
Whenever they missed something.
Whenever they weren't there.
Whenever we argued.
There was always a gift.
A watch.
A phone.
A jacket.
Shoes.
Something expensive.
Something impressive.
Something meant to fix everything.
I sat on the edge of my bed.
The shoe still in my hands.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
My phone buzzed.
I already knew who I hoped it was.
But when I looked at the screen...
There was still no reply from Jay.
I stared at our chat for a few seconds.
Then tossed the phone beside me.
"Stubborn."
A small smile appeared despite myself.
At least one person was consistent.
End of Chapter 108 📖🔥💙