Chapter 90 Chapter 90
Hailey’s POV
I stared at Louis and Kai, suddenly seeing the resemblance clearly now that I was looking for it.
The same build. The same strong jaw. The same eyes, though Kai’s were colder, more guarded.
How had I missed it before?
“You’re brothers,” I said, the realization hitting me fully.
“Yes,” Louis confirmed with a gentle smile. “Kai is my older brother.”
But Kai’s expression remained stern, his eyes fixed on Louis with clear disapproval. “Louis, you’ve been giving her a tour for over thirty minutes. She needs rest. The doctor was very clear about avoiding stress and exhaustion.”
“I’m fine…” I started to protest, but Kai cut me off.
“No,” he interrupted firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You fainted yesterday. You’re pregnant and under enormous stress. You collapsed in front of everyone. You need to rest, not wander around this house exhausting yourself further.”
He turned to Louis, his voice hardening. “Show her to her room. Now.”
“Of course,” Louis said, completely unbothered by Kai’s harsh tone. There was no defensiveness, no irritation. Just calm acceptance. “This way, Miss Hailey.”
I followed Louis down the hallway, glancing back to see Kai gently but firmly taking Benita’s arm and steering her toward her own room. Despite his stern words and cold demeanor, his touch was careful, almost protective.
The contrast between the brothers was striking. Kai was all hard edges and cold professionalism, barking orders and maintaining rigid control. While Louis seemed warm and approachable, speaking softly and moving with easy grace.
Complete opposites in personality, yet undeniably related.
“Here we are,” Louis said,
I stepped inside, taking in the soft neutral colors, the comfortable-looking bed with its thick duvet, the windows with heavy curtains for privacy. There was a sitting area with plush chairs, a private bathroom visible through an open door, and elegant furniture that looked both expensive and welcoming.
It was lovely. And importantly, it didn’t feel like Elena’s space, which was a relief. Nothing about this room screamed her presence or her taste.
“Thank you, Louis,” I said, then hesitated at the door. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” he said kindly, leaning against the doorframe with relaxed ease.
“Why haven’t I seen you before? You clearly know this family well, you know this house inside and out, but you’ve been… absent from everything.”
Louis’s expression became thoughtful, and he glanced down the hallway as if checking to make sure Kai wasn’t listening.
“Kai is highly suspicious,” he said carefully. “Cautious to an extreme degree. He sees threats everywhere, which makes him excellent at his job protecting the family. But it also makes him… overly protective of the people he cares about.”
“You mean protective of you,” I said, understanding dawning.
Louis nodded, a slight smile playing at his lips. “He made me head guard of the safe house because it’s less frequently attacked by enemies. It’s remote, secure, completely off the radar of most rival organizations. He wanted to keep me safe, away from the violence and danger of the main compound.”
“So you can’t protect yourself? Or your brother believe you can’t protect yourself?” I said, reading between the lines.
“I can protect myself,” Louis admitted with a slight smile, his eyes twinkling with humor. “I’m very capable, actually. Kai trained me himself when we were younger. I’m probably just as skilled as he is, maybe even better in some areas. But I don’t have the balls to bring that up with him. My brother can be… harsh when he thinks he knows what’s best.”
I smiled despite myself, imagining that conversation. “He does seem to care deeply, even if he hides it under all that coldness.”
“Exactly,” Louis said, his smile widening. “Kai feigns this dark coldness, puts on this intimidating front for everyone. But underneath all that ice? He’s one of the most caring people I know. He just shows it differently than most people would.”
It made sense. I’d seen glimpses of that caring nature in how Kai treated Damien, how he’d protected us during the attack, how carefully he’d just guided Benita to her room despite his harsh tone.
“Thank you for telling me,” I said, feeling like I understood the security chief a little better now.
“Rest well, Miss Hailey,” Louis said, starting to close the door. “If you need anything at all, just call.”
He left, closing the door softly behind him with a quiet click.
I turned to survey my new room more carefully, my eyes drawn to something on the bed.
A phone. Brand new, still in its packaging, sitting on top of the pillows like a present.
I picked it up, turning the box over in my hands. It was a high-end smartphone. I assumed it must be my new phone.
Damien had probably arranged it without telling me, just another layer of his protection and control.
I was about to open the packaging, my fingers finding the edge of the plastic wrap, when there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” I called, expecting it to be my mother checking on me one more time, unable to resist making sure I was actually resting.
The door opened, and my mother did walk in, her expression cautious.
But Isabella was right behind her, her posture perfect as always, her face an unreadable mask.
I tensed immediately, surprised and wary to see them together. What could they possibly want that required both of them?