Leviโs POV
I could see the confused but curious looks on Louis and Lennoxโs faces as they stared at me, waiting. For a moment, I wanted to take it all back, to keep playing the game. But I saw no point anymore. I had already achieved what I wanted.
โActuallyโฆ I have two confessions to make,โ I said.
Lennox raised a brow, clearly intrigued. Louis folded his arms, the muscle in his jaw tightening as he waited.
I took a deep breath, stepped into the center of the room, and stood there. A moment of tense silence stretched between us before I finally spoke.
โIโve been the one sending those gifts,โ I said, loud and clear.
Lennox blinked. Louis frowned. Both looked utterly confused.
โThere is no secret admirer. Olivia doesnโt have a lover.โ I paused. โItโs been me. This whole time. The flowers. The teddy bear. The lingerie. All of it. I sent them.โ
Silence. Then Lennoxโs eyes narrowed. โYou what?โ
โI sent them,โ I repeated, slower this time. โI justโฆ I wanted to see if sheโd smile. I wanted to remind her she was lovedโeven if it had to be anonymous.โ
Louis stared at me like he didnโt recognize me. โYou let us believe someone else was trying to steal her. You made it look like she had a lover.โ
โYes,โ I responded firmly. โAnd I had my reasons for doing that.โ
Lennox frowned, his jaw tightening. โAnd whatโs your fucking reason, Levi?โ
I met both their eyes, no longer backing down. โTo make you two jealous.โ
The words hit the room like a slap. Louis stiffened, eyes narrowing dangerously. Lennox scoffed, disbelief flashing across his face.
โTo make us jealous?โ Louis repeated, stepping forward. โYou played games with her emotionsโfor us?โ
โDonโt twist it,โ I shot back. โI didnโt play with her emotionsโI played with yours.โ
Lennox crossed his arms. โWhy?โ
โBecause neither of you were doing anything!โ I barked, my voice rising with frustration. โI wanted you two to realize that you still love her no matter what!โ
Louis looked like he wanted to argue, but I didnโt give him the chance.
โYou both noticed the gifts. You both reactedโhell, it wasnโt until you thought Olivia had a secret lover that you even considered stepping up. You suddenly wanted to fight for her. You started sending your own gifts, checking in on her more, being present. I saw it. She saw it.โ
Lennox glared at me. โSo this was all a setup?โ
โCall it whatever you want,โ I said. โBut it worked.โ
They both looked furiousโbut deep down, they knew I was right.
โAnd that brings me to my second confession,โ I continued, looking at my brothers. For a moment, I wanted to keep it to myself. But I couldnโt anymore.
โI have decided to forgive Olivia for what she did to me,โ I announced.
Their eyes widenedโLouisโs brows shot up, Lennoxโs mouth parted in disbeliefโbut I didnโt stop.
โI realized that I never stopped loving her. And I never will stop loving herโฆ I want Olivia back in my life.โ
The room fell into a stunned silence. Louis was the first to speak. โAre you serious right now?โ
I nodded. โDead serious.โ
โBut after everything, sheโโ Lennox started, but I cut him off.
โI know what she did. I remember the pain. The heartbreak. The months I spent trying to hate her. But every time I looked at herโฆ every time I saw how broken she looked, how lost she seemedโI just knew. I have hurt her too by my actions. I donโt know why she did what she did to meโฆ why she hurt me so much, but I want bygones to be bygones. And Iโm done punishing both of us for the past.โ
Louis ran a hand through his hair, pacing. โThis is insane, Levi. You forgave her just like that?โ
โNo,โ I said quietly. โNot just like that. It took time. It took everything in me. But yesโI forgave her. And I want to fight for her now. Not from the shadows. Not through tricks or games. For real.โ
Lennox let out a breath, shaking his head. โYouโre telling us this nowโฆ because you want us to? Join you? Forgive her too? Do you know what she did to me? I bet you have no idea.โ
I looked at him, my voice calm but unwavering. โNo. Iโm not asking you to forgive her. Thatโs your decision to make. I donโt know what she did to you two, so I have no right to tell you what to do. But Iโm letting you knowโIโm going after Olivia. I want to love her the way a mate should. Iโm done living in the past.โ
Their angry eyes locked with mine, but I continued.
โI know you both love her too. Iโve seen it. I feel it every time one of you looks at her. But Iโm done sitting on the sidelines pretending I donโt care. I do care. More than anything. And if sheโs willing to give me a second chanceโฆ Iโll take it. Iโll take her.โ
Louis was quiet, his fists clenched. Lennox looked like heโd just been punched in the gut.
I took a step back, my voice softer now. โI donโt know what she did to you two, but I want you to think about itโฆ Olivia was just fourteen. Think of it as a mistake of a little girl, not just as men who feel hurt.โ
Louis frowned. Lennoxโs jaw tensed, but neither said a word.
โIโm not here to beg you to do what Iโm doing,โ I added, voice low. โBut I am here to say that Iโm done hating her. Iโm done running. I still love her. And Iโll be damned if I lose her again without a fight.โ
โIโm going to court Olivia,โ I declared. โOpenly. Honestly. No more secrets. No more games.โ They both froze.
โIโm not hiding how I feel about her anymore. Iโm going to show her that I still want her. That I never stopped.โ I paused, letting the words sink in. โAnd Iโm telling you this now because I respect you. Both of you. Youโre my brothers. I love you. I donโt want to do it behind your backs.โ Louisโs jaw ticked. Lennoxโs brows were furrowed so deep they practically touched.
โIโm not asking for your approval,โ I said quietly. โBut Iโm asking for your understanding. You want to keep hating Oliviaโfine! But Iโve made my choice. Iโm forgiving her.โ
After I spoke, I waitedโfor one of them to say something. Anything. But neither of them did. They just kept staring at me like Iโd completely lost my mind.
Maybe they were right. Maybe I had lost my mind. I was going back to the same woman who had nearly destroyed me.
So yes, I was insane.
โWith no comment, Iโll take my leave.โ
And with that, I walked out on them.