I didn't feel like going to the table for breakfast. I didn't feel like seeing any of the triplets. Since I came back from the woods yesterday, I had been indoors in my room, trying to gather myself.
Now this is a new day, and I wished I could just stay in my room all through today, but I knew I couldn't. I had responsibilities to attend to, and despite how much I hated it, I knew I would have to see them.
So, bracing myself, I left my room and made my way to the dining room for breakfast.
Reaching the dining room, my foot halted for a moment as I watched what was before me. Seated around the table were the triplets and Anita—but that was not what made me halt my step.
What made me halt my step was the scene playing out in front of me.
Lennox was sitting beside Anita, his face softer than I'd ever seen it lately, his eyes full of gentle warmth I didn't even know he was capable of anymore. He was holding a spoon up to her lips, feeding her with care, murmuring something low that made her smile.
She leaned into him like it was the most natural thing in the world, brushing her hand against his thigh as she took the bite he offered. And Lennox—he didn't flinch. He didn't pull away. He just smiled faintly, the way a man might smile at the woman he loves.
Something twisted painfully in my chest.
I gripped the door frame before I lost my balance.
Because for a moment, I was twelve again.
I remembered that day like it was stitched into my soul—the three of them sitting on either side of me, practically fighting over who got to feed me. I'd refused to eat because I was sick and stubborn, and Louis had brought me soup. Levi had stolen the spoon and made silly faces while feeding me. Lennox, irritated, took the bowl and declared, "I'm feeding her—because she listens to me."
And I did. I always listened to him.
I remembered how I'd looked up at him with wide eyes, and he'd tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and said, "Good girl."
That memory hurt now.
Because that version of him—of them—was long gone.
I forced myself to straighten. I could feel their eyes on me now—one after the other.
His smile disappeared. The spoon paused halfway back to the bowl.
Anita followed his gaze, then turned to look at me, her expression blank—but I knew how happy she felt.
I clenched my jaw and lifted my chin, walking toward the table with as much grace as I could summon, even though my knees felt like jelly and my heart was pounding far too loud in my chest.
"Good morning," I said, voice steady—too steady.
Levi mumbled a greeting. Louis gave me a short nod.
Lennox didn't say a word.
I slid into the empty chair across from them and reached for a piece of toast, ignoring the tightness in my chest, the heat in my eyes, and the lump forming in my throat.
And definitely not in front of her.
But no matter how calm I pretended to be, one thought kept echoing inside me like a cruel drumbeat.
That used to be me. They used to feed me.
Ignoring the pain I felt, I focused on buttering my toast like it was the most important task in the world.
I could feel Anita's smug gaze on me, her body language practically screaming I won.
I took a slow bite of my toast, chewing mechanically. The silence at the table was thick, suffocating, but I forced myself to act like I didn't care. Like my heart wasn't quietly breaking in my chest.
Just as I reached for a glass of juice, a maid appeared beside me, clutching a small, elegant box wrapped in gold paper.
"Luna, we found this at the front door. It has your name on it," she said gently, placing it in front of me.
All eyes turned to the box.
I blinked at it, confused.
I hadn't been expecting anything. A note was tagged on it. The mystery sender was back at it again.
I felt Lennox's gaze burn into the side of my face, but I didn't meet it. I was too focused on the strange pressure in my chest as I slowly pulled the ribbon off the box.
Lifting the lid, I froze.
Inside was a stunning set of gold jewelry—delicate, but clearly expensive. A necklace with intricate designs that glittered under the morning light, matching earrings nestled beside it, and a bracelet that looked like it belonged in a royal collection.
My fingers trembled slightly as I lifted the small folded note that came with it.
In neat, typed writing, it read:
"I heard the Alphas burned the teddy bear. This will replace it." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NovєlFіre.net
I swallowed hard, quickly folding the note again before anyone could snatch it. I glanced up only to find all three brothers watching me.
Levi's brows were furrowed.
Louis looked confused.
Lennox—his jaw was clenched tight.
And Anita? Her eyes narrowed on the box like it personally offended her.
"From your lover again?" Levi asked bluntly, breaking the silence.
I shrugged. "I don't know who the hell this person is."
"Really?" Louis added, his tone sharper now.
I didn't answer. I simply closed the box and pushed it to the side like it didn't matter.
Because someone out there saw me. Someone out there cared.
And whether that should terrify me or comfort me…
I honestly didn't know.
Slamming his fist against the table, Lennox got up on his feet, the leg of the chair scraping against the tiled floor.
"It's time we finally find out who your mysterious lover is," Lennox growled, his voice low but filled with rage.
He didn't even wait for a response. He turned sharply toward Louis and Levi. "The CCTV cameras must have caught whoever dropped this off. No one gets near the house without being seen."
Louis was already rising from his seat, lips pressed into a thin line. Levi didn't hesitate either, his expression unreadable. Anita said something under her breath, but no one paid her any mind.
I blinked, my breath caught in my throat.
He was really going to check?
Panic and curiosity tangled inside me—because deep down, some part of me wanted to know too. Whoever kept sending me these gifts… they were getting bolder. Showing up at the front door?
Without thinking, I stood as well.
Lennox frowned at me, but I didn't care. I was going to see this through. I needed to know who this person was.