Fated To Not Just One But Three novel Chapter 83

Chapter 83: At The Front Door

Olivia's POV

I didn't feel like going to the table for breakfast. I didn't feel like seeing any of the triplets. Since I came back from the woods yesterday, I had been indoors in my room, trying to gather myself.

Now this is a new day, and I wished I could just stay in my room all through today, but I knew I couldn't. I had responsibilities to attend to, and despite how much I hated it, I knew I would have to see them.

So, bracing myself, I left my room and made my way to the dining room for breakfast.

Reaching the dining room, my foot halted for a moment as I watched what was before me. Seated around the table were the triplets and Anita—but that was not what made me halt my step.

What made me halt my step was the scene playing out in front of me.

Lennox was sitting beside Anita, his face softer than I'd ever seen it lately, his eyes full of gentle warmth I didn't even know he was capable of anymore. He was holding a spoon up to her lips, feeding her with care, murmuring something low that made her smile.

She leaned into him like it was the most natural thing in the world, brushing her hand against his thigh as she took the bite he offered. And Lennox—he didn't flinch. He didn't pull away. He just smiled faintly, the way a man might smile at the woman he loves.

Something twisted painfully in my chest.

I gripped the door frame before I lost my balance.

That shouldn't hurt.

But it did.

Because for a moment, I was twelve again.

I remembered that day like it was stitched into my soul—the three of them sitting on either side of me, practically fighting over who got to feed me. I'd refused to eat because I was sick and stubborn, and Louis had brought me soup. Levi had stolen the spoon and made silly faces while feeding me. Lennox, irritated, took the bowl and declared, "I'm feeding her—because she listens to me."

And I did. I always listened to him.

I remembered how I'd looked up at him with wide eyes, and he'd tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and said, "Good girl."

That memory hurt now.

Because that version of him—of them—was long gone.

I forced myself to straighten. I could feel their eyes on me now—one after the other.

First Levi.

Then Louis.

And finally Lennox.

His smile disappeared. The spoon paused halfway back to the bowl.

Anita followed his gaze, then turned to look at me, her expression blank—but I knew how happy she felt.

I clenched my jaw and lifted my chin, walking toward the table with as much grace as I could summon, even though my knees felt like jelly and my heart was pounding far too loud in my chest.

"Good morning," I said, voice steady—too steady.

Levi mumbled a greeting. Louis gave me a short nod.

Lennox didn't say a word.

I slid into the empty chair across from them and reached for a piece of toast, ignoring the tightness in my chest, the heat in my eyes, and the lump forming in my throat.

I would not cry.

Not over them.

Not again.

And definitely not in front of her.

But no matter how calm I pretended to be, one thought kept echoing inside me like a cruel drumbeat.

That used to be me. They used to feed me.

Ignoring the pain I felt, I focused on buttering my toast like it was the most important task in the world.

I didn't look up.