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."

further, I severed the mind link, shutting out his presence. The silence

but peace didn’t last

me like I was the reckless one, like they needed to watch me closer. As if being born a few minutes after them made

a kid brother who couldn’t be trusted, when in truth I

are you okay?" His voice was quieter than I

the tension in my shoulders

that steady, older-brother tone—the one he always used when he was

he couldn’t

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

was weak—they did it because they

protectiveness and Levi’s endless scrutiny lit something inside me early. I wanted to take charge of my own life. I

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

his tone shifted, frustration creeping back in. "Have you talked to Olivia? She’s refusing to speak to me. No matter how many times I try to reach her through the link, she

say no... but if I did, he’d only keep worrying, and I didn’t want that. "Yes. I just spoke to her a few minutes ago," I

Lennox exhale over the

say exactly?" he asked, softer

keeping my words short so he wouldn’t sense

pause, then his voice returned, strained and worried. "I’ll talk to Levi tonight... before we go to bed. We’ll sort this out. Whatever it