Chapter 193 - I Shall Return

Jay-Jay's POV

I'm not really ready to face them. The wound is still fresh—it only happened this morning. But Percy is so reckless that he just keeps pushing forward.

"Jay-Jay."

"It's Jay-Jay."

"She's here."

They spoke one after another, their voices filled with concern. Almost all of them tried to approach me, but they stopped when the driver's side door opened. I saw the shock on Felix and David's faces. The others looked surprised—maybe they didn't know Percy.

"K-Brother?" Felix called out to him.

Percy smiled at him. "How are you? Did you miss Kuya?"

Felix was frozen in place, his lips trembling. I took the opportunity to slip away while Percy had their attention. I entered the gate and headed straight for the house.

I stopped when I reached the door. Looks like I made a mistake—I thought he wouldn't be here.

"Jay…" Yuri called out, standing up.

Everyone in the house immediately turned their attention to me. I only just noticed that they were all here. They rushed toward me, except for Tito Julz and Andy.

"Where did you go?" Grandma asked, her eyes full of worry.

"Your classmates have been looking for you for hours," Aunt Gema added.

"What happened? Why did you suddenly leave school?" Mom demanded.

I didn't answer their questions. Instead, I looked at them one by one. Kuya and Aries were glaring at me. I felt the air catch in my throat again. I took a deep breath to steady myself, but it was pointless when my gaze met Keifer's.

Damn it!

His face was unreadable as he crossed his arms and leaned against the sofa. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, but I chose to look away. A tear slipped from my eye.

I turned to Mom, whose face was tight with anger.

"Ma…" I called her softly. "...am I a child who is outsider?"

I kept my voice calm, but their expressions changed instantly. Even Kuya and Aries stiffened.

Mom grabbed my arm, but I immediately pulled away. Her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.

"W-where did you hear that?" she asked, her voice strained.

"Am I?" I repeated.

More tears fell. I looked straight at Mom—I needed to see her reaction.

"Jay… O-of course n-not—"

"Liar," I cut her off.

I gave her a sharp look but quickly tried to compose myself.

"W-what are you s-saying?"

"I'm an illegitimate child because Papa was already married when you met," I stated bluntly.

I didn't care if the others heard. They would find out sooner or later. As for Keifer… he always finds a way, doesn't he?

Mom took a deep breath. "W-where did you get that idea?" Annoyance crept into her voice.

I didn't answer. We stared at each other for a few seconds before her eyes flickered toward the door behind me.

"Good evening," Percy said as he entered.

The reactions of those who recognized him were the same as Felix's earlier—shock and disbelief. Aunt Gema covered her mouth. Kuya Angelo looked completely stunned. Aries's eyebrows nearly touched from how hard he was frowning.

"You've finally shown up," Keifer said coldly.

"Because I missed you," Percy replied.

Even without looking, I knew he was smiling. He walked up beside me. I glanced at him briefly before turning my focus back to Mom, who was still trying to figure out who he was.

"Hi, Aunt…" Percy greeted Aunt Gema. "…Wazzup, Boss…" He nodded at Kuya Angelo. "…Aries, my man!"

Their expressions didn't change. It was one of those 'Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?' moments.

"What the…" Aries finally spoke, realization dawning on him. "…You're fucking alive?"

No! That's a ghost. A damn ghost.

Percy laughed and turned to me before answering, "Alive and kicking."

Aries let out a shaky breath, clearly holding back his emotions. He ran a hand through his hair and wiped his face. It's truly shocking to see someone you thought was dead standing right in front of you.

Percy turned to me, placing a hand on my back. "Is everything alright?"

What do you think?!

I didn't respond—it was obvious that nothing was alright. I could feel everyone's eyes on us, filled with curiosity.

"Excuse me? May I know who you are?" Mom asked irritably.

"Sorry… where are my manners?" Percy extended his hand to her. "I'm Percy Rey Mariano. Son of Reycee Mariano."

Mom's expression shifted immediately, as if the answer to her earlier question had just been handed to her. That meant she knew Reycee—Percy's mother.

She suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to her. I tried to pull away, but her grip tightened.

"Why are you with him?! What does he want from you?!" Mom asked angrily.

Percy simply smiled as if she wasn't yelling at him. "Nothing… I just want to be with my sister."

Aries let out a bitter laugh, full of irritation. I knew things were chaotic, but Percy still managed to stay calm.

He looked at me again. "I'll leave you guys to talk… You need to discuss things," he said, turning to Keifer, Yuri, and Aries. "…And I also have someone I need to talk to."

He smiled before heading out. Keifer, Yuri, and Aries immediately followed. I didn't know what kind of conversation they were about to have, but I had a strong feeling it would turn into an argument.

As soon as they were out of sight, Mom turned back to me, furious. She grabbed both my arms tightly.

"How do you know that man?! What did he tell you?!" she demanded.

"Jeana…" Aunt Gema tried to calm her.

I struggled to pull away, but her grip only tightened, her nails digging into my skin.

"Answer me!" she screamed.

"I went to him!" I shouted back.

I actually wanted to scream 'It hurts!' because it really did. Her grip was so tight it was unbearable.

"What did he tell you?!"

I yanked my arms back with all my strength. The sharp pain from her nails tearing into my skin made me wince.

It hurt like hell!

"He said, 'I'm an outsider's child!'" My blessing is the answer.

I'm holding my arm where she held me earlier. I'm tired of crying, but the way she looks at me makes it impossible to stop.

It's as if I've done something wrong, and I feel ashamed of it.

"What else?!" She asked angrily.

Her eyes are focused solely on me. I follow her gaze. I know she is my mother and deserves respect, but I can't stop myself from feeling angry.

"WHAT ELSE!" Her loud outburst made me step back.

"What do you want to know about what he said?!"

Suddenly, she grabbed my jaw and squeezed it. I could see the fury in her eyes.

"Hon! The child is hurting!" Andy pleaded, but Mama ignored him.

Tears streamed down my face. I struggled, though I shouldn't have. I couldn't breathe, even though no one was choking me. I couldn't move, even though I wasn't being restrained.

"I've had enough of you! Why won't you answer my question?!" She shouted, pushing me.

"Jeana… You're Jay-jay's mother. She's struggling."

"Don't interfere!" Mama snapped, cutting off what grandma was about to say.

"...Let's talk as mother and daughter!"

"Were you ever really my mother?" I asked, my words laced with bitterness.

Her response was a sharp slap. I wasn't surprised she could do that to me, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

"Are you really this disrespectful?!" she asked, delivering another slap.

"Jeana… That's enough!" Aunt tried to intervene, but Mama ignored her.

"I'm trying to fix the damage, but you won't let me!" she cried, landing another slap.

Her voice cracked, and her next slaps lacked strength. Her palm struck me in different places, but I could no longer feel it.

"Why do you have to torment me like this?!"

I didn't respond. I just waited for her slaps, my skin stinging, but nothing hurt more than everything I had been through.

"Why did you become my mother?" I whispered.

"Jay-jay!" Grandma called out in distress.

I braced myself for another slap, but it didn't come. When I looked up, I saw Mama, her tears falling, staring at me in shock.

I felt nothing. I was numb from the pain.

"Jay-jay… Don't talk to your Mama like that." Kuya ordered firmly.

I ignored him. My gaze remained on Mama. It felt like we were the only two people in the house.

"A young mother…" I started. "...a wife of the town, and now a mistress. What title will you claim next?"

Another hard slap landed on my face, nearly knocking me over. My cheek went numb, but the pain in my heart was worse when I saw who had slapped me.

I wasn't numb yet.

"Grandma..." Kuya called out in concern as he rushed to her.

"I didn't raise you like this… You're ungrateful for the life given to you." Grandma scolded me harshly.

Tears continued falling. My lips trembled as I took a deep breath.

"I wish you hadn't saved me..." I said weakly to Mama. "...not if it meant living in this web of lies."

No one spoke. I turned my back on them and walked to my room. My body was exhausted. Even walking felt impossible.

Maybe I was terrible in my past life. Maybe now, I'm paying for all my sins.

When I reached my room, I collapsed to my knees. I let out every tear I had left. My chest felt tight, as if my heart was being crushed. It hurt—so much.

I felt utterly alone. There was no one in this house for me.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Percy's POV

I love the sound of my car engine, especially when I push the speed to the limit.

From my side-view mirror, I could see their cars chasing me, even in the dark.

Go ahead… just try to catch up.

I sped up, and Keifer immediately matched my pace. Rolling down my window, I peeked at him.

"Woooohhhhh! Keep up!" I taunted.

He rolled down his window, flipping me off, his eyes locked on the road.

This is fun! Damn, I missed my friends.

Glancing at the side-view mirror again, I was caught off guard. A car I didn't recognize was tailing us.

Scanning the area, I searched for a place to stop. The road was deserted—it was already late at night. I pulled over, and so did Keifer and Yuri.

Soon, Aries' car and the unfamiliar vehicle stopped as well.

My friends got out, looking exhausted—but of course, I was the most relaxed one here.

The driver of the unknown car stepped out, and I finally saw who it was—David, with Felix by his side, glaring at me.

I crossed my arms, smirking at them.

"Percy..." David called.

"Tsk, tsk! You're not answering my calls..." I shook my head.

He glanced at Keifer briefly before speaking. "S-something happened."

"What the fuck?! Am I the only one who didn't know you were alive?!" Aries shouted.

"We only found out recently," Yuri answered.

"But you should have at least told me as soon as you knew!"

Aries ran a hand over his face, taking a deep breath. I expected this reaction—he wouldn't be happy to see me. He had blamed himself for my disappearance all this time.

"What made you show up now?" Keifer asked indifferently.

"Stupid question." I muttered, facing him with a smirk. "...Of course, my family and Jay-jay."

"Liar!" Felix shouted. "...If we were really the reason, you would've found a way to contact us."

"It was complicated back then… Every time I wanted to reach out, I had to disappear again." I explained calmly.

I understood Felix's anger. They had suffered, too. They had been the ones who faced my father's wrath. They had struggled when he left them for good.

"That's your excuse? You couldn't even call or send a message because you had to leave?" Yuri asked, irritation in his voice.

If I had been calm before, I wasn't anymore. My patience was wearing thin.

"I was paralyzed after 'the accident.' Mom never allowed me to contact anyone." I said, my irritation evident.

I deliberately emphasized "the accident" to remind them. Funny how it seemed like I was the only one who hadn't moved on.

"What the fuck is your connection to Jay-jay?" Keifer asked seriously.

Ugh! Why do I have to explain everything to them?!

"Haaayy... It's tiring to explain," I whispered, and we walked straight ahead. "...She's my stepsister. It just so happens that my mom is her dad's wife. I know you're all aware of my story with my mom."

"Is that really all? It seems like something more," Yuri said.

I glared at him. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"I don't know... Maybe revenge against us?" he said innocently.

I know I'm the one who annoys everyone the most, but right now, I'm the one feeling embarrassed by what Yuri is saying. But I won't back down.

"Revenge? For what? Do I even have a reason to 'take revenge'?" I emphasized every word, making sure they understood my point.

I want them to feel that I have no reason for revenge, even though deep down, I feel like they abandoned Aries and me when we needed them the most.

"Get out! Leave me alone!"

"No! I'm not leaving you here!"

Damn it! I closed my eyes as flashes of that night came rushing back. I don't want to think about it. I need to focus on what I want to do.

"You can't make us. How do we know you're not planning to use Jay—"

I suddenly burst out laughing, cutting Yuri off. They really won't stop insisting on their own version of events.

"I would never do that... I don't even like you," I said, still laughing.

Keifer raised an eyebrow. "Like us?"

"Yeah..." My expression turned serious in an instant. "...Do you think I don't know what you did to Jay-jay?"

Keifer smirked and looked at David. I think I just figured out why David wasn't answering my calls and why his face looked swollen.

"Your dog is loyal to you..." Keifer said, chuckling.

I saw David clench his fists. This guy really doesn't know when to shut up. I had made sure David and I were hiding, yet he still managed to catch us.

"...Did you also order your dog to kiss Jay-jay?" he added seriously.

I didn't react, even though I was completely shocked. Even Yuri, Aries, and Felix turned to look at Keifer and David.

Now I understand!

"You did what?!" Yuri shouted angrily, stepping toward David.

"I ordered it," I quickly said.

Everyone froze and stared at me in shock—except Keifer.

"What for?!" Yuri turned to me, his face red with anger.

I took a deep breath and looked at Keifer. "To expose you and show Jay-jay who you really are."

I just hope my words hit the mark. I have no idea what actually happened, so I'm just taking a gamble.

"Congratulations..." Keifer said sarcastically, clapping his hands. "...Your dog did his job well."

Almost! That was too close...

"What are you planning to do now that you're here?" Aries asked seriously.

I smiled at him. "Make amends with those I've hurt... and introduce Jay-jay to his father."

"That won't happen," he replied coldly. "...Stay away from Jay-jay."

He didn't wait for my response. He got into his car and sped off. I shifted my gaze to Keifer and Yuri.

"He should have said that to you," I said with a laugh.

They both just shook their heads and got into their cars, driving away one after the other, leaving only David and Felix behind. I smiled at my brother, even though he furrowed his brows.

"Come with me... I'll take you. I also want to see Dalia," I said.

He hesitated at first but then walked to my car and got in. David just stood there, staring at me, waiting for me to say something.

"You kissed Jay-jay."