Fated To Not Just One But Three novel Chapter 282

Chapter 282: Can’t Tell Him

Olivia’s POV

"I couldn’t tell him..." Sofia whispered, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup.

My brows drew together, a mix of concern and curiosity swirling in my chest. "Why?"

She sighed deeply, her gaze falling to the table as if the truth weighed too much to look me in the eye. "First, he thinks he can’t get a woman pregnant."

My eyes widened. "But your son—"

"Is his," she confirmed softly. "There’s no doubt. But I never told him. I was too afraid of what it would mean for him... for us."

"And the second reason?" I asked gently.

Her shoulders slumped. "Because we’re related."

That word hit harder than I expected. It’s funny how I was also in this shit with the triplets.

"And the third?" I asked quietly, though I already knew.

She looked up at me, her brown eyes filled with a tired kind of sadness. "Our families have been at war for decades. Everything about us... screams we’re not supposed to work."

I was silent, absorbing all of it.

"But you still love him," I whispered.

She gave me a sad smile. "With everything I have. But sometimes... love isn’t enough."

I reached across the table and gently placed my hand over hers. "He deserves to know he has a son."

"I know," she whispered. "I will someday... but not just now..."

Before she could finish, the bell above the café door chimed softly again.

I glanced up instinctively—and froze.

My breath caught in my throat.

Because walking through that door, dressed in a dark navy suit and carrying himself with the same quiet confidence I remembered... was Lord Frederick.

Our eyes met.

His steps faltered for the briefest second.

He hadn’t expected to see me either. That much was clear.

But then he gave a polite nod and continued further into the café, accompanied by another man I didn’t recognize. They took a seat near the far window, their backs partially turned... but Frederick’s gaze found mine again.

I quickly looked away, pretending to stir my empty cup.

Sofia had noticed.

She smirked slightly, her voice teasing. "You know Lord Frederick?"

I cleared my throat and tried to keep my expression neutral. "Not really... I only met him during my welcoming party. Briefly."

"Mmhmm," she hummed, glancing toward him, then back at me. "Well, he’s definitely not looking at his coffee."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

She leaned forward just a little. "He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since he walked in."

I rolled my eyes and muttered, "Great..."

Sofia chuckled softly. "Seems like someone has a little crush."

I shot her a look. "Please don’t."

She raised her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But... in all honesty, he’s a good man. A bit serious. But polite. He has a long-standing relationship with our family."

My brow arched. "Why is he here, though? I thought he lived outside the territory."

"He does," she replied, sipping from her cup again. "But he visits often. Something about trade routes and estate borders... he has business here. And our late father trusts him."

I looked away, my gaze drifting to the window beside us. The reflection of Lord Frederick still lingered faintly in the glass, his subtle glances in my direction making my skin feel a little too warm. I hated the feeling. The attention.

Sofia didn’t press it further, thankfully.

Instead, her voice shifted tone—softer now, a bit more serious. "Can I ask you something?"

I turned back to her. "Of course."

Her brown eyes searched mine. "What’s going to happen... between you and the triplets?"

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