Chapter 527
Olivia’s POV
I opened my mouth p>
But no words came out.
How could I answer him?
How could I explain something I couldn’t even explain to myself?
I could not give a four-year-old boy a good reason.
I could not give anyone a good reason.
What excuse existed for abandoning Lennox for four years?
What reason would make sense?
If Lennox were here—standing in front of me the way Liam was—the same question burning in his eyes p>
“Why didn’t you come for me p>
What would I say?
“I was scared p>
“I was confused p>
“Louis and Levi said to wait p>
“I didn’t know what to do p>
All of them sounded weak.
Stupid.
Cruel.
What ridiculous reason could justify not visiting a man who almost died because of me?
What excuse could I offer a man who would have torn the whole world apart just to save me?
None.
There was no excuse.
Fresh tears rushed down my cheeks—hot, sharp, unforgiving tears.
My throat burned as I tried to speak, but my voice broke every time.
Liam’s small frown deepened as he reached up and gently brushed my tears with his tiny fingers.
One by one.
Soft. Careful. Loving.
“Stop crying, Mom,” he whispered.
The softness in his voice made the guilt worse.
I shook my head weakly, taking his little hand in mine. “I-I can’t… I don’t know what to say, Liam. I don’t know how to explain p>
He tilted his head, serious—far too serious for someone his age.
“It’s okay if you don’t know,” he whispered. “But… we can fix it now, right p>
My heart twisted painfully.
He kept wiping my tears, his small brow pulled together in concentration like he was trying to erase my guilt with his touch.
“Don’t cry anymore, Mom,” he whispered again. “You’re not bad. You just… forgot your heart for a while p>
His words stabbed deep—right into the wound I’d been hiding for years.
I started shaking as a fresh sob escaped. “Baby… Mommy didn’t forget. I just… I didn’t know how to face him p>
Liam blinked up at me with those impossibly wise eyes.
“You can face him with me,” he said simply.
Four words.
Four small, innocent words.
And I broke all over again.
I hugged him tightly, burying my face in his hair.
“Oh, Liam… I’m so sorry,” I whispered over and over. “I’m so, so sorry p>
He wrapped his arms around my neck, holding me with surprising strength.
“It’s okay, Mom,” he murmured. “Let’s just go see him p>
A small gasp escaped my lips.
Because he was right.
No excuses left.
This time I am looking for Lennox myself… Suddenly the door opened behind us.
Two familiar scents hit my nose.
Levi.
Louis.
They stopped in the doorway when they saw me on the floor hugging Liam, tears all over my face, Lennox’s shirt beside me.
Louis’ breath hitched.
Levi’s eyes widened in alarm. He never expected to see Liam here with me.
Louis was the first to move.
His eyes softened when he saw Liam wiping my tears with his tiny fingers.
He swallowed hard, guilt and worry mixing on his face.
He crouched down slowly.
“Hey, little man… come with Daddy Louis, okay? Mommy needs a moment p>
Liam hesitated.
He looked at me.
Then at Lennox’s shirt on the floor.
Then at Louis.
“But I want to stay with Mommy p>
My heart squeezed.
I kissed his forehead. “It’s okay, baby. Go with Daddy. I’ll come soon p>
Liam pouted, then nodded slowly. Louis lifted him into his arms and carried him out of the room.
Louis paused at the doorway, looking back at me—not with anger, not with confusion, but with a deep, worried sadness.
“Liv he whispered.
I looked away.
I couldn’t handle his softness right now.
Not when my heart felt like it was being cut open again.
Louis left, closing the door gently behind him.
I wiped my face with the back of my hand, took Lennox’s shirt from the floor, placed it carefully back in the wardrobe… and walked out.
I didn’t go to the room I shared with Levi and Louis.
I went to my old room.
My personal room.
Luckily, neither of them followed me.
Maybe Levi was smart for once.
Maybe he finally understood that if he came near me right now p>
I would explode.
I lay in bed but didn’t sleep.
Not even for a second.
My heart kept replaying Lennox’s dream-face.
His hollow eyes.
His broken voice.
“You abandoned me p>
I couldn’t breathe.
By the time the sun began to rise, I was already on my feet.
I took a quick bath, tied my hair, put on a light sweater, and stepped into the hall.
Today… I wasn’t waiting anymore.
I wasn’t asking Levi.
I wasn’t asking Louis.
I was finding Lennox myself.
And there was only one man who might know the truth—Sir Damon.
Lennox is his son.
He would never lie to protect Levi.
My steps were fast as I headed toward the east wing—Sir Damon’s quarters.
I reached his door and knocked firmly.
A moment later, it opened.
Sir Damon stood there in his robe, eyes widening when he saw me.
“Olivia? At this hour? Are you alright p>
“No,” I whispered.
He stepped aside immediately. “Come in p>
I walked in.
Didn’t sit.
Didn’t breathe.
I faced him directly.
“Where is Lennox p>
He blinked. “What p>
I didn’t waste time. “Sir Damon… please. I know you care for him. I know you know what Levi doesn’t tell me. So please—tell me. Where is Lennox p>
He looked genuinely shocked. “Olivia… I don’t p>
I stepped closer, voice breaking. “Don’t lie to me! Please. I am begging you—if you know where he is, tell me. I need to see him. I need—” My voice cracked.
His brows pulled together in confusion and sadness.
Then slowly—painfully—he shook his head.
“Olivia… I swear on my life… I do not know where Lennox is p>
I shook my head hard. “No… no, Sir Damon, please… don’t do this. Don’t protect Levi. Don’t protect anyone. Just tell me where Lennox… your son… is p>
He placed a gentle, heavy hand on my shoulder.
“I am not lying to you p>
I stared into his eyes, searching for even a flicker of deception.
There was none.
He sighed heavily. “Levi did not tell me. He did not tell Louis. He did not tell the council. He hid Lennox far away—somewhere he believes Lennox’s treatment won’t be disturbed p>
I swallowed hard.
“He hid him away from us I whispered.
Sir Damon nodded sadly. “Yes. Levi believes it is for Lennox’s safety and treatment… according to him he didn’t want Lennox’s enemies to find him p>