Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One
Chapter 49: Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 49: Unexpected Visitor

Hailee’s POV

I frowned at him. Why was he here? He was the last person I wanted to see right now. Honestly, if I had the strength, I would’ve told him to turn around and go right back to wherever the hell he came from. But I knew he wouldn’t.

So I didn’t bother. Instead, I inhaled deeply, turned away, and walked up the stairs toward my room. Of course, I heard his footsteps following right behind me. He was always like this—persistent, annoying, and way too involved in things that didn’t concern him.

I pushed open the door to my room and went straight to my bed. I sat down heavily, not even bothering to change clothes. My limbs were heavy. My heart heavier.

He stood in front of me, arms crossed like some soldier waiting to scold me. I didn’t look at him.

"What is it?" I muttered, my voice low and flat.

He didn’t answer immediately. But when he did, his tone was sharp. "They’re angry."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Tell them I don’t care. And it doesn’t concern them."

That made him frown. "Of course it concerns them."

I raised my eyes to his, anger starting to build in my chest. "What I do with my life—is none of their business."

He opened his mouth, but I didn’t let him speak.

"They made a declaration. They made a choice. Did they forget that part?" My voice cracked, but I held steady. "I’m sticking to my side. They should stick to theirs."

He sighed and dropped his arms, then walked around to sit beside me on the bed.

There was a pause before he said quietly, "I heard rumors."

I didn’t answer. _{free we\bnove(l).com}

"That you’re seeing three boys."

Still, I said nothing.

He looked at me, exasperated. "You know you’re not supposed to be in a relationship right now. You know now is not the time."

I turned to him slowly; my frown deepened "I’ll live my life the way I want," I said firmly.

And I meant it. I didn’t care what they wanted, what they planned, or what they expected. I wasn’t their little doll anymore.

He sighed. "You haven’t been answering their calls. Or responding to their letters."

I looked away, my jaw clenched. "Because I have nothing to discuss with them."

"Don’t say that... they care about you."

"No," I cut in coldly. "They made their choice. I’m just following through on mine."

He let out a long, tired breath. "Your attitude toward them... it’s starting to make them take it out on Violet."

That made me turn sharply toward him.

"What?"

"They’re angry," he said, his voice lower now. "They’re yelling at her, all because of you."

I stared at him, stunned. No wonder mother looked the way she was when I walked in.

"My mother has nothing to do with this," I said in disbelief.

"I know that. You know that. But they don’t care. They’re frustrated, and they’re blaming her for your attitude."

A fresh wave of guilt clawed at my chest, but I shoved it back down.

He looked at me, his eyes pleading. "Please, Hailee. Just... change a little. For Violet’s sake. She doesn’t deserve this."

I didn’t respond. I didn’t know what to say.

Then he pulled his phone out, pressed a few buttons, and brought it to his ear. "Tell them to get the jet ready," he said calmly. "I’ll be there in twenty."

Jet?

I looked at him, startled. "You’re leaving?"

He nodded as he ended the call. "Tonight."

A strange heaviness settled in my chest. I didn’t know why. It’s not like I wanted him to stay.

He looked at me again, softer this time. "How are you?"

I didn’t answer.

He reached forward slowly and pulled me into a hug.

I stiffened in his arms. I didn’t hug him back. Even though deep down... I wanted to. I had missed him. I missed being comforted by someone who knew everything about me. But I couldn’t bring myself to show it. Maybe I didn’t want to get used to it. Maybe I didn’t want to feel anything at all.

He held me for a moment longer, then finally pulled away and looked me in the eye. "I love you," he said gently. "I’ll see you soon, okay?"

And then he stood up, gave me one last look, and walked out of the room.

Left alone in my room, I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to move.

My frown deepened at the thought of them taking it out on Mom. I hated it. It was my decision, so why was she the one being blamed?

I turned my face into the pillow and exhaled shakily.

Then my phone rang.

I reached into my pocket slowly, still lying on my back, and pulled it out.

Lila.

I hesitated, then answered in a quiet voice. "Hello?"

"Hailee," her voice rushed through the line, full of worry. "Oh my goddess, I’ve been calling you all day! I just heard what happened to Nathan. Are you okay? Please tell me you’re okay."

I closed my eyes. "I’m fine," I whispered. "Just... tired. Exhausted, actually. Can we talk tomorrow?"

There was a short pause. Then she said softly, "Okay. I understand. Just know that I love you, okay? So much."

"I love you too," I whispered, and ended the call.

I placed the phone beside me on the bed and finally closed my eyes, letting exhaustion pull me under.

Suddenly I was no longer in my room or lying on my bed; rather, I was standing in the middle of a huge crowd. The air was thick and heavy, filled with low murmurs and the sound of muffled sobs. Everyone was dressed in black.

And at the center... a coffin.

My feet moved on their own as I stepped closer, the people parting silently for me. I didn’t want to look inside. I didn’t want to know who it was. But my body didn’t stop.

I reached the edge of the coffin, my hands trembling, and leaned over to look. Only for my eyes to widen when I saw Nathan’s still form inside.

"No," I whispered in horror. "No—no—please, no."

I gasped and jolted awake, sitting upright in bed. My chest heaved, my dress damp with sweat, my heart racing like it was trying to break out of my ribcage.

It was a dream. Just a dream. But it felt so real... so terrifyingly real.