Page 26 of Billionaire’s Promise

Dr. Rose exchanged a glance with me, seemingly confused. These were the questions that were typically asked by the victim’s loved ones. Not by a doctor. As a doctor, I knew the protocol, and the reasons behind those tests.

“First of all, Jenny was very frightened. But she did calm down after a few minutes and allowed me to inspect some of her body.” Luckily, Dr. Rose played along. She swallowed hard before continuing, “Her body is covered in scars and bruises. Some old and some new. The newest ones haven’t healed properly, and I suspect they are no older than one week.”

“I see. Thank you.” I knew that no matter how many times a doctor had dealt with situations like this, it would never be easy. Perhaps a robot – or a psychopath – would do a doctor’s job better, because they couldn’t feel and could never get emotional regardless of the situation.

“Is there a possibility that she might not have been raped?” This question blurted out from Kai’s mouth.

Dr. Rose and I both knew that this one in particular was one of the most common questions asked, also one of the hardest to answer. After all, it wasn’t something easy to accept.

“Totally. That’s all the more reason to do the test.” Dr. Rose cleared her throat. “Listen, as hard as it may sound, Jenny’s scars and injuries have been there for a long time. At this point, we really should keep a record of her current situation, regardless of whether she has been sexually or physically abused.”

Kai shook his head.

“How are you going to make sure that the test isn’t going to cause her more pain?” He made a good point here.

“It will be hard.” My voice was stern. “I’m not going to lie. But this may be the only opportunity she has to gather evidence against whoever did this to her.”

I knew how hard it would be for the victim. I had been there. Intense emotions were going to get stirred up, tears were going to pour, the body was going to shake. But women are strong, and with the right support they could do it, they could do anything.

“And you’ll make sure she’s okay?” This was the first time Kai made eye contact with me after we sat down. I knew the man behind the body in front of me had returned, but I wasn’t sure I completely recognized this version of him.

“I swear on my best friend’s grave.” I said, knowing he’d get my allusion to Chloe.

Kai rolled his eyes at me but didn’t laugh at my dark joke.

But I knew that it had at least tickled him a little. His lips quirked, even if it was only just a little.

Kai stood up, headed to the drinks cabinet and poured himself another whiskey. This time, he didn’t bother to offer anyone else a beverage. Not that we wanted one.

“The bastard should pay for hurting Jenny.” Kai inhaled the whole glass of golden liquid.

Those words sent a chill down my spine, because it sounded so aggressive. And it was said with so much conviction that I believed every single word. He seemed different, darker as if he was under a shadow. Perhaps it was nothing but the lighting.

In a short time, he had transformed into someone that I didn’t recognize. This man right here was definitely plotting something in his mind. He suddenly seemed like a man on a mission – to destroy his enemy.

“Can you do the test now?” His voice was hoarse from the burn of the whiskey. He sounded calm but that was probably not the case.

“She hasn’t actually given consent. I think we should give her some time.”

“Stupid girl.” Harsh but somehow full of compassion at the same time. Exactly what a caring brother would say to their foolish sister. And I thought that because I knew. “I don’t care. If she wants to remain my cousin, she will do it.”

“I see. Conditional love, huh?” I teased a little and he threw me a sideways glance. He didn’t seem to appreciate it. But how else was I going to check his emotional state?

“I think we should order something to eat, let her get to know me. Perhaps that will help her relax a little around me. Then I’ll try talking to her about the test again. Does that sound okay?” I offered, hoping he’d agree, for Jenny’s sake.

Kai closed his eyes momentarily. Then he raised his hand and pointed at me, “I’ll make her if I have to.”

“I guess my job now is to tell her she has no choice but to do the test. And that her cousin is going to make her whether she likes it or not.” I summarized the situation for him, telling him in no uncertain terms that he was being a dick.

“Fuck. Now you’re making me sound like a real bastard.”

“Yeah, you bet. The last thing she needs is to be forced into doing anything she doesn’t want to.” I said, seeing I was having an impact on him.

I couldn’t help but feel warm and fuzzy inside. His love for Jenny was like the kind Lincoln and Liam had for me. It also reminded me of the times my brothers force-fed me vegetables. Now I ate my veg on my own, thanks to them.

“Calm down, Kai. This test isn’t like forcing some healthy vegetables on a rebellious child because it’s good for them. Please, you have to understand. Let me talk to her. Woman to woman.” Victim to victim.

That was right. I was a victim of a sexual assault too. When I was too young to know what to do, I let someone handle everything for me. In the wrong way. It was something I had still regretted up until today.