Chapter 54

Ollie’s POV

I still can’t figure out why Sylvia came to the ice cream shop today. She had to be up to something, but I can’t quite figure it out. Maybe she just wanted to see my work and my coworker so she could have a better idea of my situation, so she can start plotting something else against me.

Or maybe – I feel paranoid thinking this – she wanted to meet Jake. She did leave right after he did. Could she have gone and talked to him?

That seems unlikely. Sylvia doesn’t like to associate those she deems lesser than herself. I don’t know much about Jake, but I don’t think he’s high ranking in the pack. I’m not even sure if he’s in university, or if he took up a trade skill, or if he even has a job at all.

He must work out a lot, to stay so slim while eating so much ice cream, but that’s more of a speculation on my part than actual fact.

The only thing about Sylvia’s appearance that I liked was that after she left, she didn’t come back.

The rest of the day was no real joy though. I tried to obey by the quadruplets’ rules, but in doing so, I alienated a lot of the customer base. Many complained to Nancy about how rude I was being.

Nancy tried to defend me, telling them that I was just having a bad day, but that didn’t seem to be enough of an excuse for my behavior.

I was being rude. I had to be. It was in my rules.

Now, finally home, I shower and change and try to push the memories of the day out of my mind. Just as I’m on my way up to dinner, the doorbell rings. I happen to be near the door when one of the servants opens it.

A florist stands on the other side, holding a bouquet of wildflowers of every color. “I have a delivery here for… Ollie?”

I freeze. For me? That can’t be right. Who on earth would send me something?

Before I can even react, Declan steps around me and heads to the door. I jump, startled at his sudden presence.

Before I had my wolf to help heighten my senses, I had thought he moved silently. Now that I can hear better, I fully realize just how stealthy he is. He doesn’t make a single sound as he moves. Likely only his Alpha scent would give away his presence, but since the estate already smells like the brothers, it’s difficult to tell when he appears by scent alone.

Declan accepts the flowers, and even tips the florist. Then holding the bouquet, he turns toward me. His cold gaze falls onto my face.

Even though he doesn’t say a word, I can feel the weight of his accusation.

“I don’t know who would send those,” I say.

His expression doesn’t change. There is a card jutting up from among the flowers. It’s tucked inside a tiny envelope and has my name written on it. Reading it would solve this mystery.

Yet Declan makes no motion for it. Instead, he just continues to stare at me for another long minute. Does he expect me to suddenly confess?

“I’m not lying,” I insist. “I genuinely don’t know who those are from.”

Suddenly, he moves. Walking around me, he makes his way down the hallway. I have a feeling I’m in trouble so I quickly follow him, ready to explain myself.

He carries the flowers into the dining room where, Conrad, Hugh, Wes, Diana, and Sylvia are all just sitting down. He lowers the vase into the center of the dining room table, claiming everyone’s attention.

“Those are beautiful, Declan,” Diana says.

His expression remains icy. “They are for Ollie.”

Conrad stands up. “From who?”

“She claims not to know,” Declan says. Everyone looks at me.

“I don’t know,” I tell them as I march closer to the table on the other side of Declan.

“There’s a card,” Hugh says. “Should we look?”

“I’d rather Ollie tell the truth,” Wes says.

“I am telling the truth,” I say. Looking at him, I implore him to see that. He was so kind to me during our date, when he didn’t know who I was other than his soul mate. I wish he could feel a shred of that kindness when I’m just Ollie.

My hopes crash as he looks at Hugh. “Read the note.”

Hugh snatches the note off the flowers and tears it open.

As he does, Sylvia says, “I don’t know why you always have to make things so difficult for yourself, Ollie.”

My paranoid thoughts want to accuse her for whatever this is, but I know that wouldn’t be productive. The brothers would only turn on me worse, becoming angrier, if I even look at Sylvia too harshly.

Hugh clears his throat, then reads, “My dearest Ollie, Allow me to express for you how much I care for you. I loved you at first sight, and I continue to fall more in love every day. My intentions are pure. Someday, I hope to be the father of your children. Yours, Jake.”

Every eye in the room is again on me.

“Poor thing is in love with you,” Sylvia says with pity.

Again, my suspicion flares. I’m so certain she has something to do with this, but I can’t prove it. I can’t accuse her, no matter how sure I am.

My only defense I have is my ignorance, and even I know that’s flimsy at best.

“I don’t know why he sent me those,” I say.

“He’s in love with you!” Wes says, voice raising.

“I haven’t reciprocated at all,” I tell him.

“I saw you holding hands,” Declan says.

“He was holding my hand. I wasn’t holding his.”

“Stop lying, Ollie,” Conrad insists, a new edge in his voice. “Tell us this man is your lover. We know now. He even says he wants to father your children.”

That particular line makes my skin crawl. What could Jake be thinking, being that overly familiar? We haven’t talked about any of this, he has no idea of my feelings or lack thereof. Yet he still felt it necessary to tell me he wants to father my babies?

It’s too much, too far. Next time I see him, I’m going to put an end to this and tell him I have no interest.

That doesn’t get me out of this situation, though. Right now the brothers are looking at me like they want to throttle me.

Even Diana has disappointment in her eyes and in her voice as she says my name, “Oh, Ollie. Where did we go wrong with you?”

The only one in a good mood by any of this is Sylvia. After checking to be sure no one is looking at her, she starts to smirk.

“I swear this isn’t what it looks like,” I try once more to convince them.

Yet, none of their expressions change.

Conrad looks at his brothers, and they seem to have a secret exchange that only one of the quadruplets could read.

A pit opens in my stomach. I’ve seen this same look on them before, right before they declared me Omega.

“Ollie,” Conrad says. “You are quitting that job.”