Chapter 27
836 Words
Chapter 27: Twin Instinct
Kian drove through the city without remembering a single traffic light.
His grip on the steering wheel stayed tight the entire way home.
Too tight.
The words kept replaying in his head.
Future Princess of Montclair.
Engagement preparations have already begun.
Every time he remembered it—
his chest burned all over again.
And worse—
Monica hadn’t denied it.
Kian shut off the engine sharply and stepped out of the car, running a frustrated hand through his hair before walking into the house.
The lights were still on downstairs.
Kailey sat on the couch in oversized pajamas, scrolling through her phone while eating chips straight from the bag.
The second she looked up—
she froze.
“…Whoa.”
Kian looked terrible.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
“What happened?” she asked immediately, sitting up straighter.
Kian didn’t answer right away.
He walked past her first, tension practically radiating from him before finally stopping near the kitchen counter.
Kailey frowned deeper.
“Kian.”
He exhaled sharply.
Then laughed once under his breath.
But there was no humor in it.
“She’s staying there.”
Kailey blinked.
“…What?”
“At the palace.”
The chips in her hand slowly lowered.
“What do you mean staying there?”
Kian looked exhausted now.
Angry.
Heartbroken.
Confused.
All at once.
“He moved her into the estate.”
Kailey stared at him.
“Who moved her?”
Kian’s jaw tightened instantly.
“The prince.”
Silence.
Kailey sat there for a second trying to process everything.
“…Wait.”
She pointed at him.
“Back up.”
But Kian was already pacing now.
Restless.
“He announced her publicly. She’s living there now. Security everywhere like she already belongs to him.”
Kailey slowly stood.
Her expression turning serious.
“Kian, what exactly happened tonight?”
Kian finally stopped moving.
And for the first time since entering the house—
his anger cracked enough for the hurt underneath to show.
“He said they’re preparing an engagement announcement.”
Kailey’s eyes widened instantly.
“…What?!”
“She didn’t even know.”
“What do you mean she didn’t know?!”
Kian ran both hands through his hair again in frustration.
“That’s exactly what she said!”
Kailey stared at her brother in disbelief.
“This is insane.”
Kian laughed bitterly.
“Yeah.”
Kailey shook her head slowly.
“No, seriously. Monica would never agree to something like that without telling me.”
“I know.”
The answer came too fast.
Too certain.
And somehow—
that made everything hurt worse.
Kailey’s expression softened slightly as she looked at him.
Because underneath the anger—
her brother looked destroyed.
“She didn’t come with me,” Kian said quietly.
Kailey’s chest tightened.
“I asked her to.”
That part hurt the most.
She could hear it in his voice.
“And she stayed.”
Silence settled heavily between them.
Kailey walked closer slowly.
“Kian…”
He looked away immediately.
Like he hated how affected he was.
“I don’t even know what she’s thinking anymore.”
Kailey frowned slightly.
“That’s Monica.”
“What does that mean?”
“She overthinks everything when emotions get too big.”
Kian let out a frustrated breath.
“Well, this is pretty big.”
A tiny smile almost appeared on Kailey’s face.
Almost.
But it disappeared quickly.
Because this wasn’t funny anymore.
Not even a little.
“She looked confused,” Kian admitted quietly.
Kailey looked at him carefully.
“She didn’t look happy?”
Kian hesitated.
And somehow—
that hesitation said enough.
“…No,” he answered honestly.
Kailey crossed her arms slowly, thinking.
Processing.
“Then maybe she feels trapped.”
Kian looked at her instantly.
“Or pressured,” Kailey continued. “Monica hates disappointing people. Especially when family or expectations are involved.”
Kian clenched his jaw again.
“He’s using that.”
Kailey didn’t answer immediately.
Because honestly—
she didn’t know if that was true.
Or if things had already become more complicated than either of them realized.
Finally she sighed.
“I need to talk to her.”
Kian looked up immediately.
“Kailey—”
“She’s my best friend.”
A pause.
“And you’re my brother.”
Kian stayed silent.
Because that was exactly the problem.
Kailey stepped closer and placed a hand lightly on his arm.
“I’m not promising anything.”
His expression tightened slightly.
“But I’ll find out what’s really going on.”
For the first time that night—
Kian looked slightly less lost.
Not okay.
Not even close.
But less alone.
“She won’t shut you out,” he said quietly.
Kailey hoped he was right.
Because deep down—
a terrible feeling had already started forming in her chest.
What if Monica wasn’t being forced anymore?
What if—
little by little—
she was starting to stay by choice?
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