The wedding venue was a masterclass in opulent, forced hospitality. The tension in the room was so thick it could have been sliced with a knife. Keifer stood at the entrance with his hand firmly on the small of Jay-jay's back, his posture stiff and his eyes scanning the room like a tactical commander. Keira, dressed in a sharp, tiny power suit that matched her father's, stared at the wedding decor with utter disdain, while Jayden was already fussing in a dramatic, velvet-frilled tuxedo, making it clear he was not a fan of the fabric.
"Try to breathe, Jay," Keifer murmured, his voice low and cool. "We are here for the optics. Nothing more."
"I'm fine," Jay-jay hissed, her grip tightening on her clutch as she spotted Honey at the front of the aisle, looking smug. "I just hope she doesn't think she can play 'sister-in-law' with me."
Just as they reached the front, the reception hall doors opened again. Jay-jay's eyes narrowed instantly as she spotted Aries walking in with Ella.
Aries smirked as he spotted them, pulling Ella toward the small group. "Well, if it isn't the happy couple. I didn't think you'd actually show up to congratulate the newlyweds."
Keifer didn't blink. He reached out, his hand shaking Angelo's with cold, robotic precision. "Congratulations, Angelo. I'm surprised you actually went through with it, but I wish you the best."
Angelo laughed, a dark, mocking sound that masked a hidden layer of their complex, bitter-sweet history—a bond defined by years of constant friction and unspoken respect. He turned his gaze to Honey. Jay-jay stepped forward, her smile as tight as a steel trap. "Congratulations, Honey. It's certainly a surprise."
The words dripped with sarcasm, and Honey barely managed a stiff, artificial nod in return.
While the pleasantries were being exchanged, Jay-jay couldn't help but notice how Ella lingered near Keifer, her gaze drifting over him with an old, unsettling familiarity. A spike of hot, sharp jealousy pierced through Jay-jay's chest. She shifted, subconsciously pulling the twins closer as if to mark her territory.
Keifer, who had been watching his wife's reaction with hawk-like intensity, felt a surge of amusement. He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear.
"Is that a scowl I see, my Mutya?" he teased, his voice vibrating with a low, taunting hum. "Don't tell me you're intimidated by the past. She doesn't have your fire, Jay."
"I am not scowling," Jay-jay snapped back, her face flushing a deep, annoyed pink. "I'm just... observing the strategic risks of your dating history."
Keifer's eyes danced with wicked mirth. He adjusted his cufflink, glancing over at Ella with complete, calculated indifference before focusing entirely on Jay-jay. "You have nothing to worry about. Besides, seeing you jealous is... exceptionally entertaining. Perhaps I should go say hello to ensure you're thoroughly irritated?"
"If you move one inch toward her, you're sleeping in the nursery with the twins," Jay-jay threatened, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.
Keifer chuckled, a rare, genuine sound that drew confused looks from the other guests. He pulled her closer, his thumb stroking her waist in a possessive motion. "Relax. My attention is already accounted for."
Even as Aries watched them with a knowing, mocking glint in his eye, Keifer didn't look away from his wife. The wedding was currently being overshadowed by the silent, simmering power struggle between the Watson power couple and their unwelcome guests.