Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 228

Chapter 228: Back Home

Hailee’s POV

The flight home felt longer than it really was.

Even though the jet was quiet and smooth, my mind was loud, full of worries that refused to rest.

Peter sat across from me, reading something on his tablet, while the boys stared out the window. None of them spoke. Not even Ozzy.

I kept glancing at them, wanting to say something, anything, but every word felt heavy, trapped somewhere in my throat.

The silence was worse than noise.

It was cold.

It reminded me of the distance I had built between us, a distance made from lies, secrets, and years of fear.

I looked outside at the clouds drifting by and whispered softly, "We’re almost home."

No one answered.

Peter looked up from his tablet and gave me a small smile. "You’ll be fine, Hailee," he said gently. "Stop worrying."

I forced a weak smile. "I can’t help it," I said honestly. "It’s been ten years, Peter. Ten years since I left that place. Since our father banished me."

Peter leaned back in his seat, his calm voice filling the cabin. "And three years since I became king," he reminded me. "You don’t have to be scared anymore. He can’t hurt you. No one can."

I looked down at my hands, twisting them together. "Still... going back there feels strange. Like I’m walking into a memory that doesn’t want me."

Peter sighed softly. "Sometimes, the only way to heal the past is to face it."

I nodded, though my heart still raced.

A few minutes later, the pilot’s voice came through the speakers. "We’ll be landing shortly, Your Majesty."

Peter looked at me. "Ready?"

"I guess I have to be," I whispered.

The jet descended slowly. My palms felt sweaty, and my stomach twisted. I hadn’t been home since the day I was forced to leave, the day my father shouted at me, calling me a disgrace. I had walked out with tears in my eyes and a promise never to return.

And now, here I was, coming back with three sons and a heart full of fear.

When the jet finally touched down, the wheels bumping softly against the runway, I let out a shaky breath.

Peter noticed. "Hey," he said softly. "You’re safe with me. You always will be."

I nodded, forcing a small smile. "Thank you."

He stood first and gave a signal to the guards. "Let’s go," he said.

We stepped out of the jet into the bright afternoon sun. The air smelled familiar, a mix of pine and roses from the palace gardens.

Two black cars were waiting for us. The guards bowed deeply when they saw Peter, calling him Your Majesty.

The boys looked around with wide eyes. The city had changed. Tall glass buildings stood where small markets used to be. The streets were cleaner, the signs newer, but everything still carried the scent of home.

We climbed into the first car. Peter sat in front, while I sat with the boys in the back.

As the car began to move, I looked out the window, pointing at the buildings we passed. "That’s the old market," I said softly, smiling a little. "Your grandmother used to buy sweet bread for me there when I was your age."

Ozzy didn’t look up.

Oliver glanced briefly, then turned back to the window.

Oscar sat stiffly, his arms crossed.

I tried again, keeping my tone light. "And that’s the river where I used to play with your uncle when we were little."

Still nothing.

Peter looked at them through the mirror. "Boys," he said calmly. "Your mother’s trying to talk to you. You could at least listen."

Oscar’s lips pressed into a thin line. "We’re listening," he muttered, but he didn’t look at me.

My heart sank.

I turned back to the window and sighed quietly. Maybe they just need time, I told myself. Maybe they’re still processing everything.

The drive continued in silence until the palace walls came into view, tall white stone with gold designs shining under the sun. My breath caught. It was exactly as I remembered, yet it felt completely different.

Guards stood in neat lines by the gate, and when they saw Peter’s car, they saluted and bowed deeply. The big iron gates opened slowly, and we drove through.

The gardens were still beautiful, filled with roses, tulips, and tall trees that swayed gently in the wind. The fountain in the middle still sparkled with crystal water.

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