Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 162

Chapter 162: Window.

Hailee’s POV

For the past two days, I had been watching my plan carefully, turning it over and over in my head. It was risky, maybe even reckless, but it was for the best. For him. For me. For the boys. I knew Frederick too well. If I told him I was leaving, he would never allow it. Even now, after everything that happened in the kitchen, even with the way he’d barely spoken to me except through the boys, I knew the truth: the moment I mentioned leaving, he would fight me. He would shut it down. He’d lock the gates if he had to. So I decided not to tell him. No goodbyes. No explanations. Nothing. Just silence. And then I’d be gone.

This morning, I held onto that thought tightly as we sat at the dining table. Frederick at the head, the boys across from me, their little faces still pale from the stress of the past few days. I managed to chew a little food, though every bite tasted like ash. My stomach twisted with nerves, but I forced myself to smile when Oscar asked for more bread, when Oliver whispered about the toy he lost, when Ozzy quietly picked at his plate. I couldn’t let them see. Not yet.

Frederick barely looked at me. His attention was on the boys—checking their plates, reminding them to eat slowly. When his gaze did flick my way, it was cold, guarded, as if he was still holding onto every word I said in the kitchen that night. His silence hurt deeper than his anger ever could. But maybe that was good. Maybe it would make leaving easier.

Luckily his mother, my mother, even his sister—they were all away, out of the country. That meant no one would notice my absence until it was too late. The servants, yes, but I’d already thought of that. I would tell them I was taking the boys to the park. They would believe it. Why wouldn’t they?

My chest squeezed as I forced another spoonful into my mouth, my eyes flicking to Frederick. He didn’t notice the way my hands shook under the table, or the way my throat caught every time I swallowed. All I had to do was wait. Wait for him to leave for the business trip I knew he was scheduled to take today, and once he was gone, I would leave.

I had no idea where I was going. No plan. No map. Just the desperate knowledge that I couldn’t stay here anymore. Not with Frederick. Not with the walls of this house pressing in, suffocating me with guilt and choices I couldn’t make. Leaving was the only thing that made sense. Even if it was madness.

Across the table, Frederick’s phone buzzed. He picked it up, his voice low and authoritative. "Yes. Make sure the jet is ready within the hour. I’ll be at the hangar soon." The words made my heart pound. It was happening. He really was leaving. My window. My chance. He ended the call, then looked at the boys. His voice softened slightly. "I’ll be gone for just a day. Be good for your mother, do you understand?"

"Yes, Godfather," they chorused. Oliver even tried a small smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes.

Frederick rose, adjusting the cuff of his jacket, his gaze never once lingering on me. He gave one last nod to the boys, then turned and walked out. Moments later, I heard the sound of the car engine growl to life. Then it faded into the distance.

The silence left behind was crushing.

I exhaled shakily and stood. My legs felt weak, but I forced them to move. "Boys," I said quietly, my voice barely holding steady. "Come with me. I have something to tell you." They followed without question, their small footsteps padding after mine down the hall and into my room. I shut the door behind us, my hands trembling against the knob.

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