Guilty Trap

KAI's POV

“She was always trouble, Adrian.”

My voice was low, cutting through the noisy police station corridor. “You shouldn’t have married Allessa in the first place. You should’ve followed your heart and married Hana like you wanted to. I warned you back then that you will regret later. Now see she nearly killed your twins. Such a woman doesn't deserve you.”

Adrian stopped walking and turned to me, his face hard. “Kai, you know I couldn't say no to my grandfather. What if he decides to threaten my inheritance? You know I am not like you, that is useless to the family.” He arrogantly sneered. “I have responsibilities for the whole family. I can't say no because she is a country side barefoot doctor.”

“You know she doesn't deserve someone like you. You deserve someone like you that acts like you.” I said, tapping his shoulders with a worried look.“Brother, I feel so bad you ended up with such a woman that harmed your kids. Such an uncultured and bitter woman. Back then I knew why I warned you that she wasn't a good match.”

He replied in a sad tone. “If not, you are useless to the family and don't contribute anything. You are a good brother to me so I won't treat you badly.” he touched my shoulders. “Don't worry brother, I will buy you the latest motorbike. My mum blocked your card right?” he asked and I nodded. “Dont worry, I will unlock it right now, you can use some to gamble a bit. You know I am the only one that knows you best and cares for you.”

So I hugged him, patting his back. “Ohhh, sweet brother, you are so good to me. I love you.”

“I am going to check on Hana and my twins. They need me right now. Such a poor girl suffered all this because of me.”

“Of course,” I muttered. “Go play with your family. Hana must be sad without you. As for Alessa, I think I should bail her.”

He stared at me with a frowned face. “Why? She must sleep here for a month before I release her. Do you know how she disrespected me at the hospital? Or are you siding with her?” His tone changed.

I smiled. “Haa..brother no..You know how much I dislike that woman.” I shook my head, showing my disgust. “I am only thinking about you. Won't grandfather get angry at you for that? You know he will hate your Hana more if you keep Alessa locked up.”

He smirked, and hit my arm. “I know you always think about my well being. Just do whatever you want to her. I told the police men to tame her a bit for me. A few slaps that will give her a red face for a week. Make sure they do that. Don't try to pity her, make sure they do that.”

Adrian shot me one last warning look before turning and walking away, his expensive shoes clicking against the tiled floor like nothing in the world was wrong.

I stood there, fists clenched, chest heaving with rage I didn’t know where to put.

Jace-my best friend and assistant stepped beside me, lowering his voice. “This your elder brother is so stupid. He thinks you are a little kid that he wants to spoil rotten. Imagine he is telling a 26 year old to gamble. Does he think you are a little kid that doesn't know right and wrong?” He shook his head. “But Kai, did you really have to talk about your brother’s wife like that?” he asked quietly. “You know that was harsh. You always badmouth his wife in his pretense but nice to her when he isn't there. What is your gain doing that?”

I turned on him instantly. “Shut up, Jace. Mind your business.”

He raised both hands. “I’m just saying…But you….”

I turned to him. "I said shut up." I turned and headed toward the waiting room.

And that’s when I saw Allessa walking in. Her face was red and swollen.

A female officer was gripping her arm, dragging her forward like she was some kind of criminal. Her wrists were cuffed, red and already bruised.

“Move faster,” the officer snapped and shoved her into the room.

That was it. I exploded out of my seat. “Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

The officer turned sharply. “Sir, sit down…Are you not the victim's brother? Who are you siding with?”

“Don’t touch her like that!” I barked, stepping between them. My fists were clenched so tight my knuckles burned.

Allessa lifted her head then, her eyes meeting mine. They were glassy… tired… but still looked pretty and enticing that it melts my heart.

“Kai,” she said softly but firmly. “Stop. Please.”

Her calling my name so softly melted me. I froze, my ears standing.

“Don’t make this worse,” she whispered. “Just… let it go.”

Let it go? How the hell was I supposed to let this go? My mind was beating so fast I was so eager to bounce on the woman and beat her black and blue.

I turned away, breathing hard. If I didn’t step back, I was going to lose control. And that wouldn’t help her.

I waited until the officer left, then went back to her slowly.

She was sitting now, small and fragile on the hard plastic chair. Nothing like the strong, confident surgeon everyone feared and admired. Just… Allessa. I never knew everyone she was nice to will turn their back on her.

I knelt in front of her and gently lifted her hands. The cuffs were too tight. Red marks circled her wrists.

My chest tightened.

I reached into my pocket, pulled out the small key I had stolen from the officer earlier, and unlocked the cuffs.

They fell to the floor with a soft clink.

She didn’t pull away when I touched her hands. I held them carefully, like they were made of glass.

“Are you okay?” I asked quietly.

She laughed, not a happy laugh but a mocking one. “Okay?” she repeated.

Then she looked up at me, eyes sharp despite the wet eyes.

“Didn’t you call the police on me?” she whispered. “Why are you acting all concerned now? You are just like your brother. The only difference is that you are handsome.”

The words came suddenly and my cheeks burned red. “Handsome?” then the other words kicked in. I swallowed. “I am not like my brother. I will never be as stupid as him. Like I said he deserves someone as foolish as him. You deserve someone better. Remember, I sent you a letter on your engagement day. That he wasn't a good person or a good match. But you ignored it and went ahead so you can't blame me.”

Her lips parted. “Why are you two faced Kai? When your brother is here you treat me like trash. When he is gone you…”

“N..noo…” I shook my head fiercely. “I just don't like foolishly in love women. I just wanted you to know his true colors. He never defended you when I said those things. Isn't that a sign that he isn't a good person? ”

She pulled her hands back slowly, then raised one hand to caress my cheek. I placed my hand on her hand that was on my cheek.

“Kai, why say all this? Do you like me? The way you look at me isn't innocent at all? You know I am your brother's wife?” she brought her face closer to my face. Her lip an inch from mine. Her minty breath poured on my face.

Someone barged in, kicking the iron gate. “You little witch!!”

I flinched, flying away from her and I almost fell on my mouth. My step mom Lydia rushed to Alessa and slapped her once as she raised her hand again to slap her.

I instinctively held her hand without thinking. When I realized what I did it was too late.