CHAPTER 543: HIS ROOM

Olivia’s POV

"I said, step back." Lennox yelled again. This time his rage-filled voice echoed through the hall of the room.

I faltered hard but didn’t take a step away; instead, my gaze stayed locked on Lennox, who was already halfway out of his wheelchair. My heart sank, and all I wanted to do was run to him and help him up.

Annabella came up to me and frowned. "With all due respect. Please, you have to leave."

I glared at her, but before I could speak, she continued. "This is not good for the patient... for his health’s sake, you must leave." She wasn’t pleading; her words were orders.

My wolf howled angrily inside me, but I knew she was right; right now I had to respect Lennox’s wish.

Glancing at him one more time, my heart twisted, and I forced myself to turn away and leave.

Outside Lennox’s door I leaned against it, and a tear rolled down, but I quickly wiped it off.. Now wasn’t the time to cry... now was the time for action.

Gathering myself and my emotions, I made my way to the dining table, and on getting there I saw everyone was there. Everyone was there except Levi.

Leo smiled at me. "Good morning, Mom." He greeted.

His brothers Liam and Leo joined. "Good morning, Mom."

I smiled as I responded to their greetings with kisses on their cheeks.

Liam started. "Is Father Lennox not going for breakfast?" He asked while his curious eyes stayed fixed on me.

I weakly responded while putting on the best composure I could. "He is still resting; let’s let him be."

The look Louis gave me told me he knew I was lying.

Leon joined. "Father Levi isn’t down yet for breakfast."

I nodded. "I’ll go call him... he must be so busy. Just eat your meal... don’t wait for us."

I said, and with that I turned and took the direction to Levi’s room.

Reaching his room.

I knocked softly.

"Levi...?"

No answer.

I waited a few seconds and knocked again, a little louder.

"Levi, it’s me... open the door."

Still nothing.

My chest tightened. Something didn’t feel right. The silence... the stillness... it wasn’t normal. After everything that happened yesterday, he should’ve been awake. Or pacing. Or growling. Not silent like this.

I tried the handle.

Locked.

Of course.

Levi always locked his door when he wanted to block the world out... and today... today he had every reason to.

I leaned my forehead on the door.

"Levi... please," I whispered.

Nothing.

No footsteps. No movement. No sound.

Just silence.

Fear crawled slowly into my chest.

I took a step back, placed my palm on the door, and pressed my energy into the lock. The door clicked open instantly.

I pushed it gently and walked inside.

The smell hit me first.

Alcohol.

Strong. Heavy. Bitter.

My heart sank.

The room was dim. The curtains were still drawn. The clothes he wore last night were on the floor. His shoes were scattered. A chair was knocked over.

And Levi...

Levi was lying on the bed.

Still fully dressed. One arm dangling off the side. His shirt wrinkled. His hair messy. His breathing soft but uneven... like he had cried himself to sleep.

My chest twisted painfully.

"Levi..." I whispered and stepped closer.

He didn’t move.

Empty bottles were on the floor—two, maybe three. My eyes burned.

He drank. He actually drank.

Levi never drank unless he was drowning inside.

I walked closer and sat gently on the edge of the bed. His face was turned toward the pillow... eyes swollen... eyelashes wet. He had cried until he passed out.

My heart cracked.

"Levi... why did you do this to yourself..." I whispered, brushing a strand of hair off his forehead.

He stirred slightly but didn’t wake up.

I placed a soft hand on his cheek. His skin was a little cold.

"Why are you hurting alone..." I whispered.

His brows twitched, like he was fighting something in a dream.

I sighed and wiped his cheek softly. "Levi... you don’t have to hurt yourself because you feel guilty."

I looked around the messy room... then at his sleeping, exhausted face... and a heavy ache filled me.

Everything was falling apart.

Lennox pushing me away.

Levi drowning in shame and regret.

Louis trying to hold everyone together.

And me... stuck in the middle of loving all of them and still hurting each one without meaning to.

I leaned down and whispered near Levi’s ear.

"I’m going to make this work."

His breathing hitched softly.

Just a little.

My heart squeezed.

I placed his blanket over him gently and stood up slowly.

I was about to leave the room when I heard the soft rustling of sheets behind me.

I turned slowly.

Levi’s fingers twitched first... then his head moved... and finally his eyes opened, red and swollen as if they had fought a war all night.

He blinked weakly.

When his gaze landed on me—really landed—his whole body tensed. His eyes widened a little, pain rushing into them so fast it almost sucked all the air from the room.

"Olivia..." His voice cracked. "You’re... here?"

I nodded slowly. "Yes."

He swallowed hard and sat up a little, but winced like his head was pounding. His eyes never left my face.

"Please..." he whispered, "don’t hate me."

My heart sank.

He rubbed his face with both hands, shaking. "I can handle anything. Anything. Pain. Anger. Punishment. But not..." He sucked in a shaky breath, "not you hating me. I won’t survive that."

I stepped a little closer. "Levi..."

He shook his head, tears already gathering in his eyes again. "I thought... I thought what I did was right. I thought keeping you away from Lennox would protect you. I thought rejecting him for you would save your life. I thought pushing you away from him would stop you from hurting."

His voice got smaller. "I thought I was doing the right thing."

I felt my chest tighten painfully.

"You hurt me, Levi," I whispered.

His face crumpled instantly. His lips shook. His eyes dropped.

"I know," he whispered. "And I hate myself for it."

I stepped closer, reaching out and brushing my thumb along his jaw.

"But you’re not the only one at fault," I said softly. "I should have tried harder. If I really wanted to see Lennox... I should have pushed more. I should have fought more. It wasn’t only you."

He looked up sharply, shocked. "Olivia..."

I sighed. "We both made mistakes. Big ones. And it hurt all of us."

Levi nodded slowly, tears sliding down his cheek. "So... what happens now?" His voice was quiet... scared... almost like a child. "What will happen to us?"

I didn’t hesitate.

"Nothing is happening," I said and took his hands gently. "We are mates. We will figure this out together."

His breath shook. Relief washed over his face so strongly that it almost broke my heart.

He squeezed my hands softly, holding them like they were the only thing keeping him alive.

"Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you for not giving up on me."

I shook my head. "We will fix it... everything... step by step."

Levi looked at me with so much love, pain, and fear mixed together that it made my chest ache. He lifted one trembling hand and placed it against my cheek.

"I’ll do better," he whispered. "I swear it."

I nodded softly. "We all will."

His shoulders dropped in relief, and he exhaled like he had been holding his breath all night.

"Come downstairs after you shower," I said softly. "The kids are asking about you."

He nodded. "I will."

As I turned to leave, I heard his voice again... quiet, shaky, raw.

"Olivia... thank you."

I closed my eyes for a moment, then whispered, "Always."

And stepped out of his room.