JAY'S POV
Soon I reached the hospital.
I already knew the room number, so I didn't bother stopping at the reception. When I finally reached the door, I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before stepping inside.
Kiko was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard. The bandages on his body were fewer compared to the last time I saw him.
He noticed me the moment I entered.
A small smile appeared on his face.
I only gave him a soft nod before pulling a chair closer to the bed and sitting down.
"Long time, Jay," Kiko said casually. "I thought you would come to see me more often."
"Sorry…" I murmured. "I've been busy."
"Busy with what?" he asked, studying my face carefully. "Mind telling me?"
I let out a quiet sigh.
"With everything," I replied tiredly. "For the past few weeks, my life has been a complete mess. Everyone around me is just… lying to me or playing games with me."
I looked down at my hands.
"Even in my so-called home, everything feels fake."
Kiko stared at me silently for a few seconds.
"No wonder you look like this," he finally said. "You look like you haven't smiled in years."
Then he added,
"But hey… Aries wouldn't abandon you."
A bitter smile appeared on my lips.
"He abandoned me a long time ago," I said quietly. "After all, he's one of the reasons my life became like this."
Kiko frowned.
"That sounds strange."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because as far as I know," he continued slowly, "Aries got into a fight with someone because they were planning something bad for you."
My brows furrowed.
"And I clearly remember," he added, "right before he punched me, he shouted—"
Kiko mimicked the voice.
"Let go of my sister."
My eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Really."
"But isn't that—"
I suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
The door had opened.
I turned around.
And froze.
Every single member of Section E was standing at the door.
My expression instantly darkened.
"What the hell are you all doing here?"
Ci-N stepped forward.
"We were worried about you, Jay."
"And you were injured," Calix added.
"You were already panicking before you left," Eman said.
I felt irritation boiling inside me.
Can't they leave me alone for once?
"How did you even get here?" I snapped. "Don't tell me you're tracking me again."
Rory quickly shook his head.
"No, Jay. We just followed you because we were worried."
"Oh please," I scoffed. "I already told you not to show me your fake concern."
My voice turned colder.
"I'm already done with all of you."
Yuri stepped forward carefully.
"Jay… let's go back to school."
"I said I don't need your fake concern," I cut him off sharply. "Especially not from liars like you."
Their expressions stiffened.
"Kiko told me the truth," I continued.
"You're not the ones who saved me."
A pause.
"It was Aries."
Yuri tried to speak.
"Jay… Aries told us to—"
"I don't want to hear any more lies!" I snapped.
"Leave us alone. Kiko needs rest."
Then Keifer suddenly spoke.
"Oh, so you're worried about him now?"
His tone was sharp.
"As far as I know, he tried to rape you."
"Still," I replied coldly, "he's not a liar like all of you."
Then I turned back to Kiko.
I could see fear in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I'll visit you another time."
He simply nodded.
Without saying another word, I pushed past Section E and walked out of the room.
I had already reached the hospital garden and was heading toward the exit when suddenly—
Someone grabbed my arm.
Not the injured one.
I turned around.
Keifer.
"Let go of me."
But he didn't.
Instead, he forcefully dragged me toward the parking lot.
Toward his car.
"Get inside," he roared.
"Why would I listen to you?" I shot back.
"Just get inside."
"I'm not getting into your car," I said firmly. "I was leaving."
Before I could react again, he grabbed me and pushed me roughly against the car.
The impact made me flinch.
His hand slammed hard against the car beside my head.
"One more time," he said through clenched teeth.
"One more time, Jasper Jean… if you meet Kiko again…"
His eyes burned with fury.
"I will make sure he never sees the light of day again."
For a moment, I could clearly see it.
The anger.
And something else.
Jealousy.
His anger was terrifying.
I had actually flinched when he slammed the car.
I took a slow breath.
"Every time, Keifer," I said quietly.
"Every single time I try to hate you less… every time I try to think that maybe you have a reason for the things you do…"
I looked straight into his eyes.
"You just give me another reason to hate you more."
His expression froze.
"To let my hope die."
He looked stunned.
"You're very good at hiding your emotions," I continued. "Very good."
"But not when it comes to your anger."
I paused.
"Not when it comes to your jealousy."
His jaw tightened.
"What are you trying to say?" he asked.
"I'm saying control your anger, Keifer."
My voice became firm and loud .
"Control it."
"Because every time you let your anger control you, it leads to disaster."
"And the only thing you can do after that…"
"…is regret."
He didn't say anything.
Shock.
Hurt.
Anger.
All of it was visible on his face.
I took one final step back.
"Mark my words, Keifer Watson."
"Whenever you let your anger control you…"
"The human inside you dies."
"The human raised by your mother dies."
"And the only thing left…"
I looked at him coldly.
"…is a Watson."
"A monster."
After that, I turned around and walked away.
Behind me, I could see Section E running toward the parking lot.
So I quickened my pace.
I got into a taxi and left the hospital.
I knew the words I told Keifer were harsh.
But he needed to hear them.
He needed to realize that the monster inside him was slowly taking over.
And if he didn't learn to control it now…
One day it would destroy everything.
Including us.