Chapter 5: What Happened

Lennox’s POV

My heart raced as I followed the maid to Olivia’s quarters. I tried to appear nonchalant, but my worry was evident. Stepping into the room, I saw Olivia lying lifeless on her bed. Her mother knelt beside her, weeping uncontrollably, while a medicine woman attended to her. The sight of Olivia’s pale, still form caused a searing pain. My breath hitched, and I rushed to the bed.

“Why isn’t she breathing?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Her mother, wailing, stood and confronted me. She grabbed my collar, pulling me down to her level, her eyes blazing with pain and hatred.

“Are you and your brothers satisfied now?” she spat, her voice raw with anguish. “Come, eat her dead body!”

Guilt clawed at my chest. I couldn’t speak. Her grip tightened as more tears streamed down her face.

“How can you and your brothers hate Olivia this much?” she demanded, her voice cracking. “You used to adore her! When you were children, she was your world. She worshipped you, followed you everywhere. She would have given anything for you three. And you? You protected her. Cherished her.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper, filled with agony. “But now? Now you despise her. Why? Because her father was accused of stealing? Because she’s an omega? Because she’s no longer the daughter of a gamma?”

A lump formed in my throat. Tears welled in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. That wasn’t why I hated her. My brothers might have their reasons, their twisted justifications, but mine was different—a selfish, painful truth I couldn’t confess.

Another tear fell, and I turned away in shame. Then—a small sound.

A sneeze.

I jerked back toward Olivia, my heart leaping. The medicine woman gasped; her mother froze, her breath catching. Another sneeze. Then, Olivia stirred.

With a racing heart and tear-filled eyes, I watched as she slowly opened her eyes. Her mother, still gripping my collar, released me and crawled to Olivia, who had regained consciousness. Not wanting her to see me crying, I left the room. Instead of going for a run, I returned to my room and found Anita, Levi, and Louis on the bed. Louis and Levi were awake, beside a sleeping Anita.

My brothers knew something was wrong the moment they saw me.

“Lennox?” Levi’s voice held concern as he sat up, reaching for his underwear.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling shakily as I closed the door. My chest felt tight; my emotions were a tempest. Levi’s worried gaze remained fixed on me while Louis sat up, rubbing his face wearily.

“Lennox?” Levi asked again, his voice laced with worry. “What happened?”

I wanted to dismiss it, to pretend everything was fine, but I couldn’t. The image of Olivia, motionless, haunted me. Her mother’s words echoed: Are you and your brothers satisfied now?

I let out a dry chuckle, shaking my head. Satisfied? No. I felt suffocated by something inexpressible.

“She almost died,” I finally muttered, my voice hoarse.

Louis sat up straighter, frowning. “Who?”

I swallowed hard. “Olivia.”

Levi and Louis froze. A heavy silence fell. I saw Levi’s jaw clench, his eyes filled with fear and worry, despite his attempts to conceal them. Louis, usually composed, exhaled sharply.

“What do you mean she almost died?” Louis asked, his voice controlled, but tense.

“She wasn’t breathing,” I admitted, my throat tightening. “She looked—” I stopped, shaking my head. I couldn’t, wouldn’t, say it. “Her mother… she lost it. She blamed us.”

Levi scoffed, running a hand through his hair. “Of course, she did.”

“She’s not wrong,” I blurted, surprising myself. Levi’s eyes met mine; for a moment, neither of us spoke.

Louis exhaled slowly, swinging his legs off the bed. “And now?”

“She woke up,” I said, looking away. “I left before she saw me.”

Levi narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

I clenched my jaw. “Because I didn’t want her to see me.”

Louis stood, stretching, then ran a hand down his face. “You’re acting like this because you still care.”

I gave a bitter laugh. “Care?” I repeated, shaking my head. “I hate her.”

Louis raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”

Levi crossed his arms, watching me intently. “You sure?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I knew the truth: I never hated Olivia. I hated what she made me feel.

“And you? Don’t you still care? I see the worry in your face,” I accused Levi.

Levi scoffed angrily. “I don’t care about that bitch!” His hateful words made me frown. Years ago, I would have sworn Levi, like me, had feelings for Olivia. What happened? What did she do to make them hate her?

“Good thing she’s alive,” Louis sighed, but I also raised an eyebrow at him. My curiosity burned. I had to know what happened five years ago.

“Louis, Levi… tell me… what happened? Why did you two suddenly hate Olivia?”