CHAPTER 195: CHAPTER 195

Kira’s POV

"Kennedy?"

I whispered again, all the fight draining out of me in an instant.

I stopped struggling against the security guards, my body going completely still as I stared at the man standing in Maxwell’s living room.

Kennedy Hopton.

Olivia’s brother.

The man who’d occupied way too much space in my head for way too many years.

What... what is he doing here?

I looked around wildly, trying to make sense of the situation. This was Maxwell’s house. His mansion. Why was Kennedy here? How did they know each other?

"What... what are you doing here?" I stammered, my voice coming out weak and breathless in a way that made me want to kick myself.

Get it together, Kira. You’re not that awkward college girl anymore.

But apparently, my body hadn’t gotten the memo. Because standing in front of Kennedy Hopton, I felt exactly like that girl again - the one who would visit Olivia during college breaks and turn into a complete mess the moment her brother walked into the room.

I’d been so confident back then. Hotheaded. Ready to fight anyone about anything. But the moment Kennedy appeared, it was like someone had poured ice water over me. My words would tangle, my thoughts would scatter, and I’d end up saying the most ridiculous things.

He’d always looked at me like I was just his little sister’s weird friend. The awkward one who couldn’t string two sentences together. And so he’d started treating me exactly like that - like another little sister who needed patient tolerance rather than... anything else.

Even when I’d finally worked up the courage at my college graduation, when I’d finally confessed my feelings to him in front of my family and friends, he had...

"Kira."

His voice snapped me back to the present, and I realized with horror that I’d been staring at him in complete silence, lost in memories.

Oh God. When will I ever stop feeling this way about this man?

I had Eddy now. A perfectly nice boyfriend who actually loved me. Who spoilt me silly with love and care. Eddy didn’t treat me like a weird kid. I needed to get over this ridiculous...

"Kira," Kennedy repeated, and I caught the tail end of what he’d been saying. "Maxwell is a friend of mine."

"Friend?" I repeated stupidly, still trying to process. "You two are friends?"

"For... for how... how long?" Stop stuttering. Jesus, Kira, pull yourself together.

Instead of answering, Kennedy turned to the security guards. "Let her go."

His voice was commanding - not loud, but carrying an authority that made both guards immediately release my arms.

I stumbled slightly, then caught myself, suddenly hyperaware of how disheveled I must look. My hair was a mess from climbing the gate, my shirt was wrinkled, and I probably had dirt on my face.

Without thinking, I started smoothing down my dress, then ran my fingers through my shirt hair, trying to tame it into something presentable.

"Are you adjusting yourself for me, Kira?"

Maxwell’s sarcastic voice cut through my grooming efforts, and I froze, my hands still in my hair.

Oh God. He noticed.

I dropped my hands immediately, forcing myself to stand still even though every instinct was screaming at me to check if my makeup had smudged.

Kennedy was watching me with those intense dark eyes - the same intense gaze that had made me fall in love with him in the first place. "Are you serious about Maxwell holding your boyfriend hostage?"

The question jolted me back to reality.

Olivia. I’m here for Olivia.

But I couldn’t say that. Couldn’t tell Kennedy that his sister was here, disguised as a man, working as Maxwell’s assistant, trapped in the most complicated situation imaginable, and currently waiting for plan B contraceptives.

If Kennedy saw Olivia like this - as Oliver - he might recognize her despite the disguise. And I absolutely could not let the siblings reunite like this. Not when Olivia’s entire cover was hanging by a thread.

But wait. If Kennedy and Maxwell were friends...

Does Maxwell know about Olivia? Has Kennedy mentioned his sister?

My mind raced through the implications while Kennedy waited for my answer.

"I... I might have been mistaken," I said carefully, trying to sound less panicked. "My boyfriend works as Maxwell’s assistant. He’s been working from this mansion for days on a certain project, and I just... I came to check on him. To make sure he’s okay."

Where is Olivia? Please let her be hiding somewhere safe.

Kennedy turned to Maxwell. "Kira’s boyfriend actually works for you?"

Maxwell nodded, his expression unreadable.

Kennedy shook his head slowly, a small smile playing at his lips. "It’s a small world."

While they exchanged this casual observation like the situation was completely normal, I found myself staring at Kennedy again.

When did he get even more attractive?

The last time I’d seen him - at Olivia’s graduation - he’d been good-looking. Handsome in that effortless way that made it hard to form coherent thoughts around him.

But now? Now he was something else entirely.

He’d filled out more, his shoulders broader, his presence more commanding. He was wearing casual clothes - dark jeans and a fitted shirt - but somehow he made them look like they belonged on a magazine cover. His hair was slightly longer than I remembered, swept back in a way that highlighted his sharp jawline.

And those eyes. God, those eyes hadn’t changed. Still intense. Still capable of making me feel all hot and excited inside.

Stop it. Stop staring. You have a boyfriend. A nice boyfriend who doesn’t make you feel like a complete idiot.

"Kira?"

Kennedy’s voice pulled me back, and I realized with horror that I’d completely zoned out again.

This is pathetic. I’m pathetic.

"How have you been?" he asked.

I swallowed hard. "Fine. I’m fine. Good, actually. Really good."

Could you sound any less convincing?

"And... how’s your wife?" The question came out before I could stop it, and I immediately wanted to kick myself.

Why did you ask that? Why would you bring up his wife?

Kennedy’s expression didn’t change. "She’s well. Still in London. She had some work commitments she couldn’t get out of."

"Right. Of course. London. That’s... that’s far."

Kill me. Someone please just kill me right now.

Maxwell cleared his throat, and I’d almost forgotten he was there. "Kennedy, how do you know Kira?"

"She’s a friend of my sister’s," Kennedy explained. "They went to college together. Olivia’s best friend, actually."

Something flickered across Maxwell’s face at the mention of Olivia’s name, but it was gone before I could identify it.

"I see," Maxwell said, settling back into his chair. "A friend of Olivia’s."

The way he said her name sent a chill down my spine.

He knows something. I don’t know what, but he definitely knows something.

I made a mental note: the moment I find Olivia, I was going to convince her to come clean. To confess everything to Maxwell. Because at this point, with Kennedy here and connections being drawn and Maxwell looking at me weirdly, the truth was going to come out whether we wanted it to or not.

Better to control how it happened than let it explode.

Kennedy had been watching me this whole time, his gaze traveling all over my body.

"Is everything okay?" I asked awkwardly, uncomfortable under his scrutiny.

"I just didn’t expect to see you here," he said. "In Maxwell’s house, of all places. It’s... unexpected."

"Yeah, well." I tried for a casual shrug. "Love makes you do crazy things. Like climb gates, apparently."

Did I just say that out loud? Oh God.

"You really love this boyfriend of yours," Kennedy observed, and something in his tone made my skin prickle.

"Yes," I said firmly, lifting my chin. "I do. I’d do anything to make sure he’s safe."

Kennedy nodded slowly, then moved to sit back down on the couch. His movement was controlled, radiating that quiet confidence that had always made me feel like a clumsy mess in comparison.

"So where is this boyfriend of yours?" he asked, his tone casual.

"He’s probably resting," I said quickly. "Actually, you know what? I should just go home and give him a call instead. I’m sure he’s fine. This was silly of me to..."

"I wouldn’t want you leaving my house and spreading word that I’m a kidnapper or a monster," Maxwell interrupted. He turned to one of the staff members hovering nearby. "Please escort the lady to Mr. Hopton’s room."

My heart stopped.

Hopton? Shit!

Kennedy’s head snapped up. "Hopton?"

Maxwell nodded calmly. "Yes. Oliver Hopton. Your cousin, Kennedy."

The room became silent. So completely silent and it became difficult to breathe.

"I don’t have a cousin named Oliver," Kennedy said slowly, his eyes narrowing.

Maxwell smiled slyly. "When you meet him, you’ll see. Oliver bears quite a striking resemblance to you. And to your sister, actually."

Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

"Really. How interesting. I can’t wait to meet this supposed cousin of mine."

He looked at Maxwell with an expression I couldn’t quite read. "It’s a small world indeed."

"Indeed," Maxwell agreed, and there was something in the way they looked at each other - some unspoken communication that I couldn’t decipher.

The staff member was already at my elbow, gently gesturing toward the stairs.

I looked back at Kennedy one more time, saw the sharp intelligence in his eyes, and knew with absolute certainty:

It was over.

Olivia was going to be exposed tonight.

And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I’m so sorry, Liv.