Chapter 572
Olivia’s POV
The boys finally slept around seven in the morning after crying all night until their little bodies had no more strength. I sat on the edge of Liam’s bed, just watching them breathe slowly. Leo’s face was pressed into his pillow. Leon kept his hand on Liam’s chest, like he wanted to make sure his brother was still alive. And Liam… my sweet Liam… his lashes were still wet, his lips still shaking even in sleep. He looked the most hurt. The most broken. The most scared.
I brushed his hair softly. My heart twisted.
“Liam I whispered. “My sweet boy… how am I going to help you heal from this p>
He was the most attached to Lennox. He loved him the most. Seeing his small body collapse yesterday replayed in my head again, and I felt sick.
“How am I supposed to be strong for you three?” I whispered. “How am I supposed to do this alone p>
I kissed each of their foreheads and stood up slowly.
I walked out of their room and closed the door behind me. The hallway was silent. Too silent. The whole mansion felt wrong… empty… hollow. Even the walls felt like they were mourning. No footsteps. No maids. No guards. No sounds. Nothing.
Every step I took down the stairs made my chest hurt more. Every breath felt heavy.
When I reached the living room, I froze.
The floor where his blood spilled had been washed… but I could still see it. I could still feel his cold skin under my hands.
A tear slid down my cheek before I even noticed. I wiped it fast. “No. I can’t break again. Not right now. The boys need me p>
But my voice was weak.
I walked deeper into the living room. The quiet felt loud. Painful. Like the whole house was waiting for Lennox to walk in. But he never would. Not again. My heart squeezed so tight I had to hold the wall to stop myself from falling.
“I have to be strong,” I told myself. “For them p>
But even as I said the words, another tear fell. Then another. And another.
I covered my mouth so I wouldn’t make a sound.
“I will be strong,” I whispered. “I have to p>
The sound of footsteps approaching made me turn my head.
When I looked up, I saw Annabella… Lennox’s caretaker… standing near the doorway. My heart tightened. I still remembered what she told me in the kitchen—that she loved him.
She held a small bag in her hand. Her eyes were red, like she had been crying too. She walked closer, but her face was cold, full of anger.
“I’m leaving,” she said quietly. Her voice was sharp. “I hope you are happy now. You and your mates finally pushed him to his grave p>
I stared at her. My chest burned. “What did you just say p>
She stepped closer. “All of you hurt him. All of you broke him. And even after everything, he still put you first. He still protected you. He still loved your children. He still risked his life for you p>
My hand shook. “Annabella… don’t p>
She ignored me. “And now he is dead. Gone. Because of you three. Because none of you treated him the way he deserved p>
Her words hit me like knives. “Shut up,” I whispered.
She didn’t stop.
“No. You shut up. He is gone forever. And deep down… that is what you wanted, right? Now you can be free. Now you can be happy. He is finally out of your way p>
Something snapped inside me. Before I knew it, my hand lifted, and I hit her.
The sound filled the whole room.
Annabella’s head turned to the side. She touched her cheek slowly, shocked.
“Get out,” I said through my teeth. My voice shook with anger and pain. “GET OUT of my house p>
She looked at me one last time—hurt, angry, bitter—then picked up her bag.
“Have a great life,” she said softly. “He is finally gone.” And she walked out, closing the door behind her.
I stood there trembling, my hand shaking, my heart breaking all over again. The silence returned. Heavy. Cold. Full of pain.
I sank onto the couch, covering my face as new tears fell. “Lennox I whispered. “I am so sorry p>
I choked on my tears.
“I wish I could see you,” I whispered to the empty room. “I wish I could talk to you… even just one more time. I wish I could turn back time p>
My voice broke again.
I did not even know when I slid down onto the ground and curled into myself.
My body was so tired. My eyes were burning. My heart felt too heavy.
Slowly… without knowing p>
I fell asleep.
When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in the mansion.
I was standing in a bright field full of white flowers. The wind was soft, warm, quiet.
And standing right in front of me p>
Was Great-Grandmother Hailee.
Her long silver hair blew gently behind her.
Her eyes were full of compassion and concern for me.
It had been years since I last saw her in a dream.
“Great-Grandmother I whispered.
She walked closer and put her warm hands on my cheeks.
“Stop crying, Olivia,” she said softly.
But hearing her voice only made my tears fall harder.
“I lost Lennox,” I cried. “He’s gone. He’s dead. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to live without him. Is he here? Please, I want to see him… let me see him p>
She shook her head gently.
“My child… why are you looking for the living among the dead p>
I froze.
“What?” I whispered, confused. “What do you mean? He’s gone—Lennox is gone p>
But she only smiled softly.
Then the field began to fade.
Her voice echoed as everything turned white—
“Remember my words, Olivia… The living… not the dead p>
My eyes snapped open.
I sat up straight on the couch, breathing fast.
“What… what does that mean?” I whispered to myself.
My heart pounded in my chest.
“Why… why would she say that p>