Fated To Not Just One But Three novel Chapter 406

Chapter 406: Apology

Olivia’s POV

I went speechless... Of course I won’t mind... I hated the idea of me and Frederick having dinner alone or being seen alone with him, but then the realization that Frederick suggested that Selene could come with us was something unexpected....

This was Frederick—the same man who had cornered me with his obsession, who had sworn fire and brimstone if I didn’t belong to him. The same man who had snarled and threatened to tear down everything I loved if I dared to reject him.

And now?

Here I was, playing my part, pretending to want him, and he was the one suggesting she should come along. Suggesting Selene—Selene—could join us at dinner. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

It felt wrong. Twisted. Like somehow, I had become the third wheel in a game I was supposed to control.

I forced a smile. "Of course I don’t mind," I said sweetly, though every word burned on my tongue. "Why would I?"

Selene’s lashes fluttered, and the faintest curve of triumph touched her lips. Frederick didn’t notice it, too busy pouring another glass of wine like this was all normal.

"I’ll go home and get something to wear," I said flatly. Frederick only gave a small nod, swirling his drink before taking another slow sip.

That was it. No protest. No insistence. No promise to provide me with anything.

Before I could fully process that, Selene’s soft little voice slipped into the air. "I... I don’t have anything proper to wear."

And without missing a beat, Frederick leaned forward, his eyes softening. "Don’t worry about that," he said smoothly. "I’ll get you a dress."

The words made me raise a brow.

A dress. For her.

I waited—just waited—for him to say the same thing to me. To at least glance my way, acknowledge me. But nothing came. His gaze stayed on her, his attention only given to her.

I waited another second, but Frederick said nothing about getting me a dress. It’s not like I wanted one... but he was supposed to at least say it... he was supposed to put me first and not Selene... I’m the one he wants... the one he is obsessed with, so why is he ignoring me all of a sudden and pouring all of his attention into Selene?

I didn’t like this for many reasons. One reason—he clearly likes Selene, which is pretty obvious, and I don’t care. But my fear is Selene. What if she falls in love with him too? Then what happens to our plan? Of course Selene wouldn’t want to kill a man she was in love with.

Unable to stay in the room any longer, I teleported back to my room in the Nightshade Pack.

I sucked in a deep breath and glanced around the room. It had been more than two days since I came here.

I sat on the bed, staring at the walls of my old room in Nightshade pack, my thoughts heavy and restless.

My wolf stirred. "Maybe something good might come out of this."

I frowned. "Good? What good?"

She responded instantly. "If Frederick truly starts liking Selene... then maybe, just maybe, he’ll finally let go of you. Isn’t that what you wanted? To be free of him?"

The thought made my chest tighten. Free. That was the dream, wasn’t it?

But then, another fear pricked at me. What if Selene fell for him too? What if she stopped caring about the plan, stopped caring about revenge, and tells him the truth? What if she betrayed us?

I dragged a hand over my face, groaning. "This is a mess," I muttered to myself.

"Why should I believe you?" I asked, looking away.

He moved closer, earnestness hardening his features. "Because I love you—always have—and because I’ll do anything to prove it. I’ll respect your decisions. I’ll follow your rules. I’ll be patient. If being with the triplets makes you happy, I’ll agree to it. If you want me in your life as a brother and nothing more, that’s all I’ll ever ask for. Just let me try."

Let him try.

Letting him in feels risky. Trust feels like a fragile thing I don’t have enough of to throw around. But hearing him speak so sincerely made me want to believe him.

I study him for a moment. Finally I breathe out. "You hurt me, Calvin. But I really want to forgive you."

His shoulders slump with relief and remorse all at once. "I know. I’ll earn it. I’ll earn you back one day at a time."

I picture the weeks we lost. It won’t knit overnight. Boundaries need to be set. Tests might be thrown. But the idea of not having him at all anymore after everything feels worse.

"All right," I say at last. "Let’s build our relationship."

His face brightens like dawn. "Thank you. I wasn’t your brother when you needed me, Liv. But if you let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to be."

He means it. I can feel it in the way his voice settles, in the way his eyes refuse to look away.

There’s one more thing, a thought that has been at the edge of my mind. "If I choose them—if I choose the triplets—will you... are you okay with that?"

Calvin’s answer was quick and simple. "You’re my sister. Your happiness comes first. If loving them makes you happy, I’ll support you. Always."