Keifer's POV
I woke up with tears in my eyes. Even in my dreams, the weight of everything still lingers.
"Keifer..."
Her voice. My mom's voice—it haunts me.
I tried to get up from lying down, but pain immediately kicked in.
"Damn it," I whispered while massaging my head.
I looked at the time on my wristwatch. It's 1:04 AM. I only slept for a short time, but it felt like a whole day.
I lay back down, forcing myself to sleep. I need strength. I feel like I lost it all because of my overwhelming anger.
As I closed my eyes and drifted back to sleep, my mom's face appeared.
"Keifer, if you're watching this, it means that I didn't make it to your 18th birthday." she said, and my tears started to fall.
Mom…
Her eyes looked so sad. My knees suddenly felt weak. Seeing her talk now makes me long to see her even more. It feels like she's alive because of this video.
For so long, I wished to hear her voice again—her voice when she called my name, her voice when she sang a lullaby for me and Keigan, and her voice when she said, "I love you" to me.
"Mom… I miss you so much." I said between sobs.
"I'm sorry, my Keifer," she said, and I noticed how she touched her belly.
She's pregnant?
I wiped my tears and looked at her intently, trying to figure out the time or date when this video was taken.
From the way she looked, she seemed to be pregnant with Keiren. Her belly was huge—around eight to nine months. She also looked a bit bigger than when only Keigan and I were her children. This proves that this was likely taken during her pregnancy with Keiren.
But why? Why during that time?
"I'm sorry for giving you such a huge responsibility. You're still too young to go through this, but we have no choice," she said, taking a deep breath.
"My family owes a lot to your grandfather. When he asked me for a favor, I didn't hesitate to say 'yes' because it was the only way I could repay everything he had done for us."
She forced a smile.
"They asked me to marry your father. Even though I was against it, I agreed, especially after they explained everything to me."
I got confused. I knew they had an arranged marriage, but what did she mean by "explained everything"?
"I will explain everything to you. After hearing this, it's up to you whether you will keep the money or give it away," she said in a serious tone.
Is there still something I don't know? I thought Mr. Ryder had already explained everything to me. What now?
"The Watson family is related to the Royal Family of England, though they are not officially recognized for some unknown reason. But that didn't stop the Watsons from rising in status. Your great-grandfather was an explorer who made significant contributions to various museums."
I blinked. I was completely dumbfounded. I had never heard any of this before.
"...He left a great fortune to your grandfather when he died..." she continued, "...and that fortune is the root of the problem. Your father knew that a huge amount of money would be his once your grandfather passed away, and because of that, he tried to kill his own father..."
I wasn't even surprised by what I heard. He could kill anyone he wanted for the sake of money.
"...But he failed. That's when your grandfather started taking action. He decided to name all his assets and liabilities under Kaizer's firstborn child. But there was a problem—because of how many women your father had been with, they couldn't monitor who among them might bear his child..."
"...That's why they approached me and my family. I didn't know what to say, but they still explained everything to me."
Is that why they forced her to marry? Just because of that f*cking money? Is money more important than life? They asked Mom to sacrifice her life just for that damn money.
My fist clenched. I wanted to stop the video and burn this whole place down. Mom suffered so much because of that man, all because of my grandfather's request.
But I couldn't do it. I still wanted to see my Mom.
"…Kaizer, your Dad joined a Mob, but this is no ordinary mafia group. They are the masterminds behind every illegal operation in the world. In order to be part of them, your Dad had to invest a lot of money—we're talking about 100 million here."
So that's why he tried to kill Grandpa. He's out of his mind.
"…Your Dad never stopped trying to kill your Grandpa. Even after we got married, he never stopped. Until your grandfather gave up and let his son do whatever he wanted. What Kaizer didn't know was that all the necessary papers had already been prepared, transferring everything he owned to his firstborn grandchild."
"No lawyer showed up at his funeral, which made Kaizer suspicious. I tried my best to make sure he would never find out why he never received his inheritance."
Mom looks at me—or at the camera—but it feels like she's looking straight into my soul.
"If he gets his inheritance and all of the Watson family's wealth, the entire Watson family will lose its resources. Even the people they have been helping, including my own family. The schools, hospitals, and livelihoods your grandfather built—they will all disappear."
A lot of people are depending on us. Is that why Mom fought so hard for that money?
"Keifer… This is not just about the money. It's also about the people who have supported and believed in us. My family and I did everything we could to protect you and every single property that will soon be yours."
Mom and Uncle Sin… They sacrificed their lives for Grandpa and for the Watsons.
Does that mean… I have to do the same?
That's it! I finally understand. My grandfather didn't leave me his wealth as an inheritance. He left it to me to protect—just as Mom did.
This isn't about money.
This is about protecting the people around the Watson family.
"Oh my God…" I whispered to myself.
"But there's another thing you should know. You must take action before your father and the elders find out."
Mom's eyes were serious, like this was something huge.
Please don't tell me…
"Your Dad had a child before you…"
Damn!
I ran my hands over my face in frustration. So it's true—that bastard had a child before me. I thought it was just a rumor since we never found any leads on who that person could be.
"…Your father or the elders will use that child against you if you don't act first. You need to find them and, if necessary…" She closed her eyes for a moment. "…kill them."
My jaw dropped at what she just said.
I can't believe she's asking me to kill someone. I never thought my Mom was capable of something like this.
"If you don't, there's a chance that they will kill you—and your siblings." A tear fell from her eye.
I understand.
She just wants to make sure we're safe.
Even in the end, she's still thinking about us.
She wiped her tears and took a deep breath.
"…I don't have a clue where to find that child, but I know someone who does—the mother of your friend Aries, Gema Fernandez."
What does Aries' mother have to do with this?
"Talk to her and ask her about your Dad's child."
But why her? Why am I supposed to talk to her—to Angelo?
People have always said that he and I have similar mannerisms and appearances. Even our personalities aren't that different sometimes.
Could it be—no! Impossible!
That only happened because we practically grew up together. Besides, he himself said that he knew who his father was, but he never got the chance to meet him because he was already buried underground.
So there's no way it's him! He can't be the child Mom was talking about.
Mom forced a smile and took another deep breath.
"I hope you and your brothers are doing well." She smiled sadly. "…Maybe you even have a girlfriend now. I hope you and your friends aren't causing too much trouble."
How I wish you were here, Mom. Maybe you could have helped me when Percy and I had that accident.
Maybe we wouldn't be in this mess right now.
I wish you were here—I want to introduce her to you. The girl who keeps messing with my mind. I imagine you talking to her, smiling, having a cute conversation about us.
If only you were here, Mom, I would tell you how karma came back for me. How I fell for her without even realizing it. How she drives me crazy with her antics. How she swears like she's always picking a fight. How she makes my head ache with her nonsense. How she makes me go insane. And how she makes me cry.
I want to protect her. I want to protect my life, my world… my Queen.
She's my everything.
"Just to be fair, I want you to know that your Dad used to love me…" She said, stopping me in my tracks.
Love? He loved my Mom?
That guy knows nothing about love. And yet, even after all that, he loved Mom? I can't believe this.
"…But I never loved him back. Maybe that's why he turned out the way he did. If I had been stronger, I would have never let your Dad hurt you."
No.
If I had been stronger, maybe he wouldn't have hurt you either. Maybe you would still be with me, Keigan, and Keiren.
Mom smiled, as if she were smiling directly at me.
"I'm leaving everything to you now. The card you got along with the remote control is your password."
I looked at the card I picked up earlier. Now that I'm in the dark, I can finally read it clearly.
"Press the end button now, Keifer. It's time for you to decide."
The video gradually faded to black. I did as Mom said.
A light turned on to my right—not too bright, just enough to reveal a door and a small monitor beside it.
I walked over and looked at the screen.
'Scan the barcode.'
A small arrow pointed toward an infrared scanner.
What barcode?
I checked the remote in my hand. No barcode.
I checked the card but saw nothing.
I flipped it over—and froze when I saw a silver-colored print. It shimmered slightly under the dim light, unlike the golden print on the front.
I moved it around and noticed fine lines—this must be the barcode.
I scanned it through the infrared light. The screen changed.
'Read the code.'
What code?
I don't understand this process. All I wanted was to find the vault. No one told me I had to go through all this.
I sighed. I can't believe I have to deal with this right now. My head is starting to hurt.
I looked at the card again. I had to step into the dark to read the golden print properly. I memorized it before stepping back in front of the monitor.
"Love is not free, it's the most expensive thing in the world. It costs more than a life, and you're paying for it without even realizing it."
I paused for a moment, thinking about what I had just said.
What's the connection of love in all this?
The screen display changed again.
'State your name.'
I hope this is the last step. My head is already hurting from everything I have to go through.
This must be the only bank that requires such an excessive process. Other banks only need an account number or an ATM card.
"Mark Keifer Watson." I stated my name.
Out of nowhere, a robotic voice, similar to Siri, spoke.
"Welcome, Mr. Keifer."
It seemed to come from the monitor. I was about to tinker with it when I suddenly heard the door lock click open. It opened automatically, revealing the vault door. That, too, opened on its own.
As I peeked inside, the lights slowly turned on. I cautiously stepped forward.
I ran my fingers through my hair. I was speechless—I didn't know exactly what to say.
Now I understand why my relatives are desperate to have this.
Inside the vault wasn't money, but gold. And this wasn't just an ordinary vault. It was a room—bigger than mine—and it was filled with bars of gold.
They were neatly stacked, each row perfectly arranged. I had assumed it was just gold, but as I walked further inside, I saw more.
A table full of diamonds and jewelry. A cabinet filled with antique vases and plates that I was sure were worth millions.
This is what treasure looks like.
I sat down on a pile of gold. It was so damn cold, sending shivers down my spine.
I still couldn't believe it.
This is what my Mom died for.
And now, I have to protect all of this too.
My knees felt weak.
How am I supposed to protect this much gold?
What am I even going to do with it?
Where will I even use it?
I need to think carefully before I accept all of this.
I stood up and walked toward the door. As soon as I stepped out, I turned to the monitor beside the door and pressed 'Close'. The vault door automatically shut, followed by the exit door opening.
I immediately walked toward the exit. The brightness outside momentarily blinded me.
"How is it?" Uncle Sin asked, handing me a bottle of water.
I refused it. "Not good. I-I don't know what to do."
"Relax… You still have time to think until your birthday."
I looked at him in disbelief. "My birthday is next month."
He smiled. "So? That means you have a month to think."
A month isn't enough. I need more time.
If possible, I want a whole year.
"I don't even know what to think about," I said, starting to walk toward the tunnel.
"Keifer." Uncle Sin called my name. "You have to think wisely."
I turned to him. "Don't f*cking pressure me!" I shouted and walked away faster.
I reached the gate and immediately approached Mr. Ryder, who was patiently waiting. He was just standing next to the car, slightly leaning against it.
"Keifer… What happened?" he asked. Honey got out of the car and approached me.
"I want to go back to the hotel," I said and got into the car.
Neither of them said anything. They got in as well and didn't ask any further questions.
I remained silent. My headache was getting worse.
I felt like I was going crazy from all this thinking.
Almost half an hour passed before we reached the hotel where we were staying. I was the first to get out of the car and headed straight to the elevator.
I waited for no one. I just wanted to be alone.
I stepped out of the elevator when it reached my floor. As I was about to open my door, I noticed that it was already ajar.
I took a step back, but someone suddenly pushed me inside.
I was about to fight back when I saw a very familiar face inside my room.
"What are you doing here?" I asked in a plain tone.
"Don't play stupid with me. You know exactly why I'm here."
It was my cousin, Clyde.
He's the current CEO of Watson Enterprise. He claimed the position before someone else could. I don't know if I should be grateful for that, but I do know he won't give up the position easily.
"You'll get nothing from me. You can leave now," I said while removing my coat and tossing it onto the nearest chair.
He raised his hand, showing me a picture.
I froze.
It was Jay-jay.
He smirked. "Now, shall I pay your girl a visit? Or can we settle this here?"
I clenched my fists. "Don't you dare."
"Oh, I will. You know me."
"You son of a b*tch!"
He suddenly laughed, like he was enjoying watching me get mad.
"You're turning into a beast. You must be in love."
I looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"
He smirked. "It's a family curse. Once a Watson falls in love, he turns into a beast."
I laughed bitterly. "That's a f*cking myth."
"But it's half true. Just look at you and your father. Both of you are living proof."
Nonsense! That's just an old wives' tale.
The so-called family curse.
It was ridiculous.
People used to say that a Watson should never fall in love because it makes them weak.
"I don't care about that curse," I said, pointing at the door. "Leave!"
"Don't test me, Keifer. Give me what I want!"
I met his gaze. He knew I had no intention of speaking.
He wanted the vault's password.
But he'd get nothing from me.
I'd make sure of that.
His brows furrowed in anger. "You asked for this. I'll make you pay."
He said this before tearing up Jay-jay's picture.
A sudden wave of panic hit me.
No! No! Not Jay-jay.
Out of nowhere, a man grabbed me from behind.
Another man appeared and punched me in the stomach.
They didn't give me time to react. They kept hitting me, again and again, until I couldn't take it anymore.
Barely able to breathe or stand, they finally stopped and left me there.
"This is your first warning. The next one will be for your girl," my cousin said before leaving with his men.
I wasn't able to fight back because they caught me off guard.
I had thought Jay-jay was his target.
I need a plan.
I can't let them involve Jay-jay in this.
I have to make sure she's safe.
I have to protect her.
But how?
How will I do that when I'm too far away from her?