Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 346: Lying

Louis’s POV

It was Levi’s voice on the other end, calm and curious. For a moment, I froze. My throat tightened, and a dozen excuses rushed through my mind. I thought of telling him the truth—that I was with Olivia—but the idea died before it could leave my lips. Things between us were already strained, and throwing this into the fire would only make the tension worse.

"I had to check on a contact," I said finally, keeping my tone as calm as I could.

There was a pause, then Levi’s voice cut back, laced with disbelief. "A contact? Since when? Why don’t I know about this? What’s going on, Louis?"

I clenched my jaw, forcing my voice to stay relaxed. "Not everything I do has to run through you, Levi. This one’s... personal. It came up last minute."

The silence on the line stretched uncomfortably, heavy with suspicion. I could almost feel his frown through the mind link, his mind racing to piece together the lie. My heart thudded against my ribs, but I kept my emotions intact.

"When are you coming back home?" Levi finally asked, his voice clipped, businesslike now. "I need your signature on some files."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, shutting my eyes for a moment. "Tomorrow," I said. My voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

"Tomorrow?" Suspicion colored his tone again. "Louis, what are you—"

"Everything is fine," I cut in, sharper than I intended. "Don’t overthink it, Levi. Handle the files for now. I’ll be back tomorrow."

I severed the mind link, shutting out

exhaled and leaned back against the headrest, but peace didn’t last

to him. Of course he had. They always did this—double-teamed me like I was the reckless one, like they needed to watch me closer. As if being born

ground together, annoyance rising. I hated it—how they treated me like a kid brother who couldn’t be trusted, when in truth

His voice was

a slow breath, forcing the tension in my shoulders to ease. "Yes,"

us. Alright?" Lennox’s voice carried that steady, older-brother tone—the one he always

my eyes, though he couldn’t see it. "Yeah, Lennox.

again, but my chest was heavy. That was Lennox—always trying to shoulder everyone’s burdens, always treating me like I needed looking after. And Levi? He was no

They weren’t trying to control me because they thought I was weak—they did it

of Lennox’s constant protectiveness and Levi’s endless scrutiny lit something inside me

step forward instead of being pulled along—that’s what made me the way I am now. A man who takes control even in bed. It’s one

creeping back in. "Have you talked to Olivia? She’s refusing to speak to me. No matter how many times I try to reach

no... but if I did, he’d only keep worrying, and I didn’t want that. "Yes. I just spoke to

exhale

say exactly?" he asked, softer this time, more bothered than

my words short so he wouldn’t sense the unease

and worried. "I’ll talk to Levi tonight... before we go to