"I couldn’t tell him..." Sofia whispered, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup.
My brows drew together, a mix of concern and curiosity swirling in my chest. "Why?"
She sighed deeply, her gaze falling to the table as if the truth weighed too much to look me in the eye. "First, he thinks he can’t get a woman pregnant."
My eyes widened. "But your son—"
"Is his," she confirmed softly. "There’s no doubt. But I never told him. I was too afraid of what it would mean for him... for us."
"And the second reason?" I asked gently.
Her shoulders slumped. "Because we’re related."
That word hit harder than I expected. It’s funny how I was also in this shit with the triplets.
"And the third?" I asked quietly, though I already knew.
She looked up at me, her brown eyes filled with a tired kind of sadness. "Our families have been at war for decades. Everything about us... screams we’re not supposed to work."
I was silent, absorbing all of it.
"But you still love him," I whispered.
She gave me a sad smile. "With everything I have. But sometimes... love isn’t enough."
I reached across the table and gently placed my hand over hers. "He deserves to know he has a son."
"I know," she whispered. "I will someday... but not just now..."
Before she could finish, the bell above the café door chimed softly again.
I glanced up instinctively—and froze.
My breath caught in my throat.
Because walking through that door, dressed in a dark navy suit and carrying himself with the same quiet confidence I remembered... was Lord Frederick.
His steps faltered for the briefest second.
He hadn’t expected to see me either. That much was clear.
But then he gave a polite nod and continued further into the café, accompanied by another man I didn’t recognize. They took a seat near the far window, their backs partially turned... but Frederick’s gaze found mine again.
I quickly looked away, pretending to stir my empty cup.
She smirked slightly, her voice teasing. "You know Lord Frederick?"
I cleared my throat and tried to keep my expression neutral. "Not really... I only met him during my welcoming party. Briefly."
"Mmhmm," she hummed, glancing toward him, then back at me. "Well, he’s definitely not looking at his coffee."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
She leaned forward just a little. "He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since he walked in."
I rolled my eyes and muttered, "Great..."
Sofia chuckled softly. "Seems like someone has a little crush."
I shot her a look. "Please don’t."
She raised her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But... in all honesty, he’s a good man. A bit serious. But polite. He has a long-standing relationship with our family."
My brow arched. "Why is he here, though? I thought he lived outside the territory."
"He does," she replied, sipping from her cup again. "But he visits often. Something about trade routes and estate borders... he has business here. And our late father trusts him."
I looked away, my gaze drifting to the window beside us. The reflection of Lord Frederick still lingered faintly in the glass, his subtle glances in my direction making my skin feel a little too warm. I hated the feeling. The attention.
Sofia didn’t press it further, thankfully.
Instead, her voice shifted tone—softer now, a bit more serious. "Can I ask you something?"
I turned back to her. "Of course."
Her brown eyes searched mine. "What’s going to happen... between you and the triplets?"
The question settled heavily between us.
I looked down at my hands. "I don’t know," I admitted truthfully. "I really don’t. It’s complicated. Everything is... confusing. But they’re my mates. My second chance mates."
There. I said it out loud.
Sofia didn’t look surprised. Instead, she nodded slowly like she already suspected it.
"Olivia," she said gently, "I don’t know everything you’ve been through. And I won’t pretend I understand all the pain you’ve carried—but I do know one thing. I’ve seen the way those men cherish you."
I frowned slightly, unsure of what she meant.
"They love you," she said firmly. "All three of them. No matter what has happened—or is happening—you should never question that. It’s obvious in the way they speak about you. That kind of love... doesn’t disappear. Even when it’s messy."
I stared at her. I knew she was right.
I never doubted their feelings.
I only doubted if their love was enough.
Still... hearing Sofia say it made something inside me settle.
A small, fragile piece of me that had been fighting to breathe.
I nodded slowly, blinking away the sting in my eyes. "Thank you."
She smiled softly. "Just don’t let fear make the choice for you."
I nodded. "Thank you."
Sofia and I sat in silence, sipping the last of our drinks. There was something strangely comforting about sitting with her . We’d missed so many years of sisterhood, but somehow... this felt easy.
Then, from the corner of my eye, I noticed movement.
I turned slightly—and there was Lord Frederick.
He had left his seat and was now walking directly toward us, his presence calm but commanding. His eyes, sharp and unreadable, were fixed on me.
I stiffened slightly, unsure of what he was doing. Sofia sat straighter.
"Lady Olivia," he said smoothly as he stopped at our table.
Before I could respond, he reached for my hand.
And gently—far too gently—he lifted it and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
My breath caught in my throat.
"Forgive the interruption," he said, his voice as smooth as velvet. "But I couldn’t walk out of here without saying hello. It’s good to see you again."
My lips parted, but no sound came out.
Then he turned to Sofia, reached into his coat, and pulled out a black envelope sealed with gold wax. He handed it to her with a small smile. "And this—this is for you."
Sofia took it cautiously. "What is it?"
He straightened and glanced between us. "An invitation. Tonight is my birthday. Nothing grand. Just a quiet gathering with wine, music, and maybe a little dancing if the mood allows. I’d love it if you both came."
His eyes rested on me for a beat longer than necessary.
"I’ll be expecting you."
And just like that—he nodded politely and turned away, walking back to his seat, where the other man was now standing, ready to leave.
I blinked, still processing.
Sofia held the envelope, staring at it like it might explode. "That man is... dramatic," she muttered with a half-smile.
I looked at her, still stunned. "Are you going?"
She glanced at me and shrugged. "Yes. I think I need it. A little air, a little music... maybe a drink or two to clear my head."
I hesitated... then slowly nodded. "Then I’m coming too."
Her eyebrows lifted. "Really?"
I offered a small, dry smile. "Why not? I could use a distraction."
She grinned. "Great. Let’s wear something fabulous and make the whole room stare."
I couldn’t help but laugh.