Jay's POV
Everything was dark.
I looked around, my heart pounding loudly in my ears. Then I saw him.
Aries.
He was slumped on the floor… blood everywhere.
My breath hitched. I tried to move, tried to scream, but my body wouldn't listen. The image burned into my mind—the red, the silence, the fear.
After a few moments, everything around me started to blur… and then suddenly—
I woke up.
Gasping for air, I jumped out of bed and ran straight to Aries' room. I didn't bother knocking.
Aries: "What the—Jay?!"
There he was.
Standing.
Alive.
Trying to act strong… but I could see it. The hidden pain. The cracks.
Beside him stood Kuya Angelo.
Angelo: "Jay, what happened? Why are you crying?"
I ignored him.
My vision blurred again as tears streamed down my face. My legs moved on their own, straight toward Aries… and then I broke.
Jay: "I'm sorry… Kuya Ari…"
Aries' POV
Kuya Angelo had been scolding me, telling me I should try to comfort Jay more after everything.
Before I could respond, the door burst open.
Jay stood there… crying.
Aries: "Jay, what—"
Angelo: "Jay, what happened?"
But she didn't answer him.
She walked straight toward me… and collapsed.
Jay: "I'm sorry… Kuya Ari…"
I froze.
That name.
She remembered.
The name she used to call me when we were kids… before Mom sent me away.
Aries: "Jay… why are you sorry? And… you remember?"
Jay: "Yes… I remember everything, Ari."
Her voice trembled.
Jay: "And I'm sorry… I'm sorry I stabbed you that day… when you were trying to help me. I saw blood… and I lost control…"
My chest tightened.
Memories came rushing back—every single moment.
Before I could say anything, the door slammed open.
Jeena: "Stabbed… when?"
Her voice was sharp as she stormed into the room.
Jay: "When Aries' father kidnapped us… I stabbed him with broken glass. Because of that… he has lung problems…"
Angelo's POV
The revelation hit me like a punch.
So this was the reason…
I couldn't believe it.
Before I could process anything further, Tita Jeena suddenly raised her hand—to slap Jay.
But Aries moved faster.
He grabbed her wrist mid-air.
Aries: "What are you doing?"
His voice was dangerously calm.
He stepped in front of Jay, shielding her.
Jeena: "I'm giving her the slap she deserves. Because of her, you have lung issues."
She smirked.
That smile made my blood boil.
Aries: "You heard her. She lost control. She has trauma because of your husband."
His grip tightened.
Aries: "She wasn't in her right mind."
Then he turned to Jay, his voice softening instantly.
Aries: "Jay… look at me."
She slowly lifted her tear-filled eyes.
Aries: "Kuya Ari isn't angry at you anymore, okay? Don't cry…"
He gently wiped her tears.
Jeena's smirk only widened.
Then she turned and left the room without another word.
The moment she was gone, Jay and Aries hugged each other tightly.
I stepped forward and joined them.
I was proud of him.
Jay might be my cousin… but to me, she's like my little sister.
After a while, we pulled away.
Aries: "I'll take you to school tomorrow. For now… go sleep."
Jay nodded.
She reached the door… then paused.
She looked back at him.
Jay: "Thank you… Kuya Ari. And… I'm sorry."
Aries (softly): "It's okay. Now go. It's late."
She nodded again and left.
I turned to Aries.
He looked like he was about to break.
So I hugged him.
And this time… he did.
Aries: "Kuya… she called me 'Ari'…"
Angelo: "I know…"
I gently patted his back.
Angelo: "Now be quiet."
He cried silently… until he eventually fell asleep.
I laid him down on the bed, turned off the lights, and quietly left the room.
As I stepped into the hallway, I saw Tita Jeena walking out of Jay's room.
She looked at me… and smirked.
Then she walked away.
I froze.
Something about that smile didn't feel right.
Slowly, I walked toward Jay's room.
I opened the door quietly.
She was asleep.
Tears still stained her cheeks.
I adjusted her blanket and kissed her forehead gently.
Angelo: "Sleep well, Jay… goodnight."
I turned off the light and left, heading to my own room.
Third Person POV
The room was silent.
But Jay wasn't truly asleep.
Tears slipped down her face as she lay there, unmoving.
Jeena's words echoed in her mind.
Over and over again.
Jay (whispering): "So it's true…"
Her voice broke.
Jay: "I'm a burden to everyone…"
++++++++++++ END ++++++++++++
what did jeena said to jay
any guesse