The Mariano house had quieted down for the night.
Percy had fallen asleep halfway through a movie, chips still in his hand. Aries had gone upstairs hours ago. The living room lights were dim.
Jay finally came downstairs after finishing some paperwork in her room.
She stopped when she saw Keifer still sitting on the couch.
"You're still here?" she asked.
Keifer looked up from his phone. "Percy fell asleep."
Jay glanced at Percy, who was snoring lightly.
"…That tracks."
She walked over and sat on the armchair across from him.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
The quiet between them wasn't uncomfortable. It was just… different now.
Jay crossed her arms lightly.
"You've been weird today."
Keifer raised an eyebrow. "Weird?"
"In court. In the hallway. Even here."
Keifer leaned back slightly.
"I'm always weird."
Jay shook her head. "No. You've been… watching everything."
Keifer didn't answer.
Because she wasn't wrong.
Jay studied his face for a moment.
Then she smirked slightly.
"Are you worried about losing the case?"
Keifer almost laughed.
"If I was worried about losing," he said calmly, "I wouldn't still be here."
Jay rolled her eyes but the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
Their rivalry still lingered… but something softer was starting to slip through.
Then Jay stood.
"I should probably check on Percy before he suffocates in chips."
She walked past him toward the kitchen.
Keifer watched her go.
His mind flashed back to the letter.
Drop the case.
His jaw tightened slightly.
He stood up and followed her.
Jay grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen.
When she turned around—
Keifer was standing closer than she expected.
She blinked.
"…Why are you hovering?"
"Just making sure you're okay."
Jay frowned slightly.
"I'm fine."
"I know."
But Keifer still looked tense.
His eyes briefly scanned the window behind her.
Jay noticed.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"Keifer."
He sighed quietly.
"Just… be careful walking around alone for a while."
Jay's eyebrows pulled together.
"Why?"
Keifer hesitated.
He couldn't tell her about the letter. Not yet.
"It's just a feeling."
Jay stared at him.
Then her expression hardened slightly.
"…You think I can't handle myself?"
"That's not what I said."
"But that's what you meant."
"No," Keifer said, his voice firmer now. "I meant someone could target you because of the case."
Jay laughed softly—but there was irritation in it.
"Keifer, I've been defending difficult cases for years."
"I know."
"Then stop acting like I need a bodyguard."
Keifer's patience cracked slightly.
"This case might be different."
Jay crossed her arms.
"Oh really? And you suddenly know that?"
He stopped himself before saying too much.
"I'm just saying be careful."
Jay shook her head.
"You're unbelievable."
"What does that mean?"
"It means," she said, frustration rising, "you spend years competing with me and now suddenly you're acting like I'm fragile."
Keifer's expression darkened.
"That's not what I think."
"Then stop treating me like it."
The tension between them snapped tight.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Jay stepped past him.
"I don't need protection, Keifer."
Her voice was quieter now—but colder.
She walked toward the stairs.
Keifer stood there in the kitchen, frustrated.
Because he knew the truth.
And she didn't.
Upstairs
Jay closed her bedroom door.
Her heart was beating faster than it should have been.
She dropped onto her bed and stared at the ceiling.
"Why does he suddenly care so much?" she muttered.
Part of her felt angry.
But another part of her…
Felt strangely disappointed.
Downstairs
Keifer leaned against the kitchen counter.
He pulled out his phone.
The photo of the letter stared back at him.
The words felt heavier now.
Drop the case.
Keifer sighed quietly.
"Well," he muttered.
"That went badly."
But one thing was clear now.
Whether Jay liked it or not…
He was still going to protect her.
Even if she misunderstood him.
Somewhere else in the city.
A figure watched a screen showing courthouse records.
Jay's name appeared on the case file.
The figure smiled slightly.
"Still defending the case," they murmured.
Then they typed something slowly.
Send second warning.