Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 267

Chapter 267: What About Us

Hailee’s POV

"Where are you going?" Callum asked... his eyes narrowing as if he already knew he wouldn’t like the answer.

"Going home," I replied instantly.

"My brother wants to see me."

I didn’t wait for permission.

I didn’t wait for his reaction.

I simply turned around and began searching for Oscar so we could leave.

I heard Callum speaking behind me, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. Not right now. My emotions were too raw, too tangled, too painful.

I finally spotted Oscar in the hallway. His face lit up when he saw me, and something inside my chest loosened.

"Mother!" he squealed, running into my arms.

I picked him up, hugging him tightly as if I needed him to anchor me before dropping him down.

"Let’s go, sweetheart," I whispered.

But before I could take another step, Callum’s voice echoed again—louder this time, edged with frustration.

"Hailee, just wait."

I didn’t.

I kept walking.

Hurried footsteps rushed behind me, and then Callum appeared in front of me, blocking the hallway.

He looked... hurt. And angry. And desperate.

"Why are you running from this?" he asked softly, but the hurt in his voice was obvious.

"I’m not running," I said. "I just need space. And my brother needs me."

"But you’re leaving," Callum whispered. "You’re always leaving."

I closed my eyes for a second, breathing deeply.

"I’m overwhelmed. I’m confused. I need to think, Callum."

He swallowed, his jaw tightening.

"Think about what? Whether you want the child?"

My chest stilled.

He took a step closer, his voice rising, cracking.

"I’m... scared, Hailee. Scared for our child."

My frown deepened. Even Oscar stiffened in my arms.

He ran a hand through his hair, pacing.

"You clearly don’t want this! You’re choosing Nathan, you—you don’t even look at me—to you this child is a mistake. You are risking their life."

My frown deepened. "Nothing is going to happen to this child," I snapped, my voice shaking with fury.

Callum looked up, startled.

I stepped toward him—rage replacing every ounce of fear in my body.

"How dare you call my baby a mistake?"

"I—I didn’t mean—"

"No!" I yelled. "Don’t you dare try to take that back. Don’t you ever call my child a mistake again."

Tears burned in my eyes, but they weren’t from sadness.

They were from rage.

"I will never—" my voice cracked, "never see my child as a mistake. No matter how complicated the situation is. No matter who the father is. No matter what happens between us."

Callum’s face crumpled, guilt crashing over him.

"Hailee... I spoke out of anger. I didn’t mean—"

"You meant it," I cut in.

"You may be the father, but that does not give you the right to decide if my child deserves to live."

"I’m scared," he whispered. "I’m scared to lose you. I’m scared of everything."

"So am I!" I breathed out. "But this child... this innocent little life... is mine."

He looked down, ashamed.

"And I will have this child," I said firmly, lifting my chin.

"But without your mark."

I turned to leave, but Callum stopped me by holding my arm.

"Hailee... wait."

His voice cracked, softer now, drained of all the shouting from minutes ago.

"Where... where are we going to see each other again?"

I swallowed.

The truth was painful.

But I wasn’t going to sugarcoat anything anymore.

"I don’t know," I said honestly. "I just... I need to go home. I need time to breathe."

He blinked, hurt flickering across his face. "Hailee... I’ll come see you."

"Fine," I whispered. "But not today."

Before he could say more, I gently pulled my arm from his grip.

"Goodbye, Callum."

I held Oscar and walked past him—without looking back.

I kept walking until I reached Oscar’s room.

I set him down and forced a small smile. "Let’s pack your things, sweetheart. We’re going home."

Oscar nodded quietly and walked to his small closet, picking out his clothes with his usual neatness. He was only ten... but sometimes he acted older than me.

We packed in silence for a few minutes, folding shirts, placing books in his small bag, picking up toys from under the bed.

Then suddenly, he sat on the edge of the mattress and stared at me.

Long.

Serious.

Almost like an adult.

"Mom," he said quietly. "You’re pregnant."

My hands froze around one of his shirts.

I turned slowly. "Who told you that?"

He shrugged. "Nobody. I heard it. And... I can feel it. You don’t have to lie to me."

Oscar... my sweet boy.

Too smart for his age.

Too observant.

Always watching even when no one thought he was.

I exhaled, sitting beside him. "Yes, baby... I’m pregnant."

He studied my face before asking softly:

"Is the father... Alpha Callum?"

My chest tightened. "Yes."

Oscar looked down at his hands.

He didn’t complain.

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