Chapter 191 - Brother

Jay-Jay's POV

This is the end of me!

That was the first thought that crossed my mind. The air smelled like burnt rubber, and a haze of smoke lingered around me. I was so shocked by the sudden appearance of the car that I could barely move.

I was sitting on the road, almost directly in front of the car. My body refused to react, frozen in place. My entire system shook from what had just happened. It was the same feeling I had when a gun was pointed at my head, yet this situation was entirely different.

"Shit!" someone shouted. "Are you okay?!"

The urgency in his voice startled me. He was suddenly in front of me, looking at me with deep concern. My body still refused to move, but even through my shock, I recognized him.

"P-Percy?"

He crouched down to meet my gaze, scanning my body for any injuries. I didn't know what shocked me more—what I had discovered earlier, the fact that I was almost run over, or the realization that Percy was standing before me now.

He's back…

So he was telling the truth. He said he would return, that he would face me and answer my questions. A lump formed in my throat, and before I knew it, tears started falling again.

"W-why? Are you hurt? I'll take you to the hospital!" Percy's voice was frantic, filled with confusion.

I clutched onto his arms, my grip trembling. Even though my tears wouldn't stop, I forced myself to speak clearly.

"Get me out of here," I pleaded desperately.

I couldn't stay here any longer. I knew they had been following me, and at any moment, they would find me.

"A-all right," Percy responded, quickly helping me to my feet.

He guided me into his car, and I climbed in, still sobbing. My eyes burned from crying so much, but I couldn't stop.

Percy got in and immediately started the engine. He kept glancing at me, concern evident on his face, before returning his focus to the road.

"Are you sure you're not hurt? We can go to the hospital," he offered again.

I shook my head while trying to wipe my tears away. "I-I don't want to."

"Huh? But—"

"JUST TAKE ME SOMEWHERE QUIET!" I screamed, making him flinch.

"O-okay…" he stammered before pressing the gas pedal harder.

The car sped up, and I had no idea where we were headed. I just wanted to be far away—far from them, far from Mama, far from Aries, far from the Snakes, and far from their King.

I used you!

Those words echoed in my head like a cruel slap.

The sweet words he once said to me. The days we spent together, holding hands. The moments when he told me he loved me.

"I love you until scientists find the end of the universe."

Liar!

It wasn't true! He deceived me! They all did!

They thought I was a fool. And I was—I truly was. Why didn't I realize it sooner? If only I had believed Aries when he warned me…

That's why he said what he did. Because he knew they would betray me.

He knew he was guilty. He knew the Keifer Beast would come for him.

It's all his fault!

If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be in this situation. Those animals wouldn't have toyed with me. I wouldn't have… fallen for him and his trap!

"Jay…" Percy called out while driving. "…Did something happen? Why are you crying like that?"

I didn't answer. I just stared outside, replaying every moment from earlier. Their reactions. Their words.

Family?

I was the only one who ever saw them as family. I was the only one who thought we were friends. I was the only one who believed I was part of them. Just me. Always just me.

I should have been suspicious. Who would accept someone like me? Who would want to be my friend? Even back then, people only became friends with me when they had something to gain.

No one ever stays.

My mind and body were exhausted from everything that had happened. My heart ached as if it had been shattered into pieces. My chest tightened each time I replayed their betrayal.

But nothing hurt more than what Keifer said to me.

If he had physically hurt me, I could have handled that better. But this?

When did I become so sure that I loved him? When I started depending on him? When I realized I couldn't lose him? When… I had already gambled everything?

I couldn't forget the look in his eyes as he spoke those words.

"Of course, it was all part of my plan."

A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. I clutched at my heart, hitting my chest repeatedly in a desperate attempt to lessen the agony.

Damn it all!

I looked outside when I noticed the car had stopped. We were parked near the sea. I turned to Percy, but he was no longer in the driver's seat. Panic surged through me as I immediately opened the door and stepped out.

A strong breeze hit my face, and I tried to wipe away my tears. The pain still consumed me, but my worry for Percy overpowered it.

Did he leave again?!

"Are you done?"

I spun around. He was walking toward me, holding a bottle of water. His face was serious, his expression unreadable.

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "S-sorry… I-I didn't realize we had stopped."

He handed me the bottle, which I hesitantly took. "Yeah… Clearly, you didn't want to be a burden."

I lowered my head at his words. I had been so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed anything around me.

"Oh," he said, pulling out a handkerchief. "…Your nose is running. That's disgusting."

Huh?! My nose?!

I quickly grabbed the handkerchief and wiped my nose, feeling a deep wave of embarrassment. Of course, I had been crying so much—I should have expected this. But I hadn't even thought about how I looked.

Humiliating. Annoying.

I glanced at Percy just as he started walking toward the shore. I looked around. There was a small store near the parking area, and aside from a few children playing in the distance, the beach was empty.

It was quiet. Peaceful. The sound of the waves was calming.

I slipped off my shoes and socks, leaving them by the car before following Percy. He kept walking, staring out at the ocean.

"You've lost weight…" he muttered when I reached him. "…Are you eating properly?"

"O-oh…" I hesitated.

This was what I had been waiting for—to face him again.

But now that he was here, my mind and body had no energy to ask the questions that had haunted me for so long.

Right now, it was enough just to be standing beside him again.

I just hoped… he wouldn't leave.

I drank the water he gave me, quickly consuming it as thirst overwhelmed me. I felt dehydrated from crying, and my eyes burned because of it. The pain intensified whenever the sea breeze blew against my face.

"You really don't want to go to the hospital?" he asked.

I immediately shook my head.

"...You have scratches and bruises," he pointed out.

I glanced at my thigh and arm. "I-it happened yesterday."

He paused for a moment and looked at me. "What happened yesterday?"

Honestly, I didn't feel like talking to him, so I just shook my head again. He hesitated for a moment but eventually resumed walking. I followed behind him, my gaze fixed on the fine sand beneath our feet.

This feeling is frustrating. I had so many questions when he wasn't here, but now that he is, I can't bring myself to say anything. I want to know so much, yet if it's this hard to speak, maybe I should just ask one thing first.

"H-how's P-papa?" I whispered.

He stopped walking and looked away.

"They're still in New York..."

"When will he come back?"

He took a deep breath. "I don't know yet."

Why does he seem so reluctant to talk about it? I'm right here, yet he feels so distant. I don't understand! He won't even look at me, as if he's hiding something.

Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. He started walking again, but this time, I didn't follow. Instead, I chose to sit on the sand and stare at the sea.

Can I just drown myself? End it all?

Damn it! Why does everything have to happen all at once? Couldn't fate have given me a break? Does the universe enjoy watching me cry, so it keeps piling things on me? And why does Percy have to add to my misery?

Maybe this is my karma. Maybe I deserve this. I wasn't a good grandchild to Grandma. I was constantly stressed from school, and Guidance became my second home. My classmates hated me, saying I had a bad attitude.

Now everything is catching up to me. Just when I was trying to change, when I was starting to get my life together—at least a little—now, I have to pay for everything.

"This is hard for me too," Percy said as he sat down beside me. "...Mind telling me what happened?"

What happened?!

Instead of answering, the first thing that escaped my lips was a sob. Damn it! The memories came flooding back, flashing before my eyes.

That night—Keifer was furious because of what David did. Then, the day he pushed me away in front of Aries. And Queen—only to find out later that we're siblings. And now… they've all betrayed me.

"Please... say something," Percy pleaded.

I looked at him, biting my lips hard to stop myself from crying.

"Keifer..." I took a shaky breath. "...He tricked me. He just used me," I whimpered like a child.

He suddenly pulled me into a hug, pressing my head against his chest. Instead of pushing him away, I let him. That was all it took for me to break down completely, sobbing louder.

He understood what I was going through without me having to say it. No one even gave me a chance—no one let me fight back or defend myself.

I'm so weak. So, so weak!

"I feel like everyone got closed to me is just fooling me," I choked out.

"Ssshhh... Don't think like that," he murmured.

How can I not? One painful truth after another keeps surfacing. Maybe there's more. Maybe I haven't even seen the worst of it yet.

"A-Aries... he's my brother." My voice cracked as I cried harder.

He's my brother, but he's also the reason for all of this. It's HIS fault!

Then, something clicked in my mind. My body stiffened. I pulled away from Percy's embrace and stared at him.

He knew Aries was my brother. He also knew about Keifer's plan. Could it be...?

My hands clenched into fists, and before I knew it, I punched him—hard.

I immediately stood up and stepped away, watching as he closed his eyes and clenched his jaw in pain.

"You knew..." I pointed at him, my voice trembling with anger. "...You knew Aries was my brother, and you also knew about Keifer's plan!"

He slowly stood up, though he was clearly still dizzy from my punch. He clutched his jaw, wincing.

"...Tell me! Were you part of Keifer's bullshit too?!" I demanded.

"Shit!" he suddenly yelled. "...That freaking hurts! Are you even a woman?!"

His words only fueled my irritation. Was he avoiding my question on purpose?

"Answer me!" I ordered.

He exhaled sharply. "I knew Aries was your brother because of your father. I found out about Keifer's plan through David," he explained. "...Believe me, I tried to get back home as soon as possible to stop Keifer. If I hadn't run into trouble, I might have exposed everything before it even happened."

Shit!

I ran my fingers through my hair, frustration clawing at my chest. I feel like I'm losing my mind. It's so hard to trust anyone now.

Because what if they're just deceiving me too? What if Percy has a plan as well?

"S-sorry... I'm sorry..." My voice broke, and tears fell again. "...I just—maybe—maybe..."

"Maybe I'll hurt you? Maybe I'll betray you? Maybe I'll make you cry like them?" he finished for me.

Everything he said was right. My fear won't go away. It's eating me alive.

"I-I'm sorry..."

"Jay-jay..." His hand rested gently on my head. "...Let them hurt you. Let them make you cry. Let them betray you..." His other hand rested on my back, and I realized he was hugging me again. "...Because after all of that, I'll be here. I'll stand by you. I'll make sure you're never alone."

His words were comforting. I wanted to believe him—but I was scared. I didn't want to risk my trust again.

"P-Percy..."

"If you're scared, that's okay."

I am scared.

If only he knew how much I want to believe him. But if trusting him would lessen this weight in my chest, then maybe... just maybe... I'm willing to give him a chance.

"...I'm willing to prove to you that I'm trustworthy," he said.

In that moment, my tears stopped—without me even trying. His words felt like medicine on an open wound. I pulled away and looked at him. Our eyes met, and he smiled.

"W-who are you... in my life?"

His smile widened, and he chuckled. "I'm glad you asked that... I'm the only one who is yours..." He gently touched my face before dramatically flicking his fingers, as if throwing confetti. "...your conscience," he whispered theatrically.

Oh, my God.

I suddenly wanted to hit my head against a rock. The conversation had been so serious, I had cried all my energy out—yet here he was, acting like a fool.

Should I cry again? Because at this rate, aside from cheaters and liars, I don't think I'll ever have a sane person to talk to. It feels like everyone around me has escaped from a mental institution.

Jay is losing her mind...

"Should I be sad because there's another crazy person in my life?" I asked innocently.

He laughed out loud, shaking his head. "Just kidding... I just wanted to make you smile."

I sighed and looked away. "Tsk! I wanted to know who you really are. I don't have time for your jokes."

Suddenly, his expression turned serious. "I know you want answers, but after everything you've been through, it's better to wait."

Frustration bubbled inside me. Here we go again—he's going to leave me hanging like a fool. It would've been better if someone had picked them up from the plane, but no one did.

"What if there is no 'later'? What if you leave again?" My voice softened as I asked.

He shook his head. "I'm not leaving..."

I took a deep breath. My body felt exhausted, even though I hadn't done anything.

I'm not leaving...

But what if that wasn't true? What if he was just saying it to make me trust him? What if he planned to leave again? What if...

"Tell me, please..." I lowered my head and closed my eyes. "...because I'm so tired."

I felt his hand gently rest on my head. "If you insist... then go ahead."

Suddenly, his hand grasped mine. My eyes snapped open as he pulled me forward. We headed back to his car.

He pressed a button on his key fob, unlocking the door. I watched as he stood still, not moving. I waited for him to get in.

I picked up the shoes I had left earlier and climbed inside. He shut the door and walked around to the driver's side, slipping into his seat.

After closing the door, he started the engine, letting the air conditioner cool the car. The sudden breeze felt good, but it stung my tired eyes.

Argh! Queen! I'm going blind.

"I hope you're ready for this..." I heard him whisper.

From the back seat, he grabbed a black bag and pulled out a brown envelope.

My heart pounded. I didn't know what to expect, but something about his actions made me feel like I was waiting for a big reveal—like a movie premiere.

Despicable Me 3!

"Oh..." he murmured, handing me a photo.

It was a picture of Papa, Mama, and a baby. Mama's dress was the same one she wore in another picture we had taken in front of a church.

"W-wait... Is that us?" I whispered.

"Yes, and that baby with the dumbfounded face... that's you," he replied.

He handed me another photo—a beautiful woman with flawless skin standing beside a foreign man with blue eyes.

"My father," he said.

I recognized the man. I had seen him at Felix's house before. In the picture, they also had a baby with them.

"This is us... our family picture. And that ridiculously handsome baby? That's me," he explained.

Wait, what?!

How come I looked like a clueless baby while he turned out so freaking handsome? That didn't seem fair! Before I could protest, he handed me another picture.

"And this is... their family," he said, his voice tinged with sadness.

Papa was in the picture again, but this time with Percy's mother. They were dressed formally, as if attending an upscale event. Unlike in our family pictures, they weren't smiling.

The only thing that confused me was his use of their family.

I turned to Percy, waiting for him to continue. His eyes lingered on the pictures in my hand, filled with unspoken emotions.

"We're the same..." he finally said. "...We're both children born outside of marriage."