Three Alphas Beg For the Triplets They Never Wanted

Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Gone Without Trace

Derek’s POV

The tension at dinner had reached a breaking point. I set down my fork with deliberate force, the metallic clink echoing through the uncomfortable silence.

"I want everyone to pack up and head home. This isn’t some family vacation," I said, my voice cutting through the air like a blade.

My patience had worn thin over the past few days. What was supposed to be a straightforward work assignment had turned into a circus, with my entire family treating this place like their personal resort.

"I was assigned to handle this case alone, and instead I’ve got all of you breathing down my neck, interfering with everything I do." The words came out sharper than I intended, but I was past caring about diplomacy. freeweɓnøvel.com

Serena let out a bitter laugh, not even bothering to look up from her barely touched plate. "Work? Is that what we’re calling this now?"

Even after Bella had managed to smooth things over with her earlier, Serena had returned from their conversation more hostile than before. She’d made it crystal clear that she believed my reasons for being here had nothing to do with professional obligations and everything to do with spending time with Bella.

"What exactly are you implying? That I should abandon my responsibilities while you all set up camp here indefinitely?" I shot back, watching as she instinctively turned toward my father for backup.

"Take it down a notch, son." My father’s voice carried that familiar patronizing tone as he continued cutting his steak with methodical precision. "It’s not like you’re chained to a desk eighteen hours a day. And when you are actually working, we stay out of your way. The rest of the time, you’re holed up in Bella’s suite anyway. Have any of us given you grief about that? No. So what’s the real issue with us being here?"

The sight of Felicia hanging on his every word made my skin crawl. Every conversation felt like navigating a minefield when she was present, which unfortunately was most of the time. I had to grit my teeth and endure her constant presence.

"Fine, you’ve all made your position clear. Now can you please do me the favor of returning home? I can’t concentrate on anything important with this constant circus going on around me." I tried once more to inject some reason into the conversation.

But the smug expression spreading across my father’s face told me he’d rather stay here and push my buttons than show me any consideration. fгeewebnovёl.com

"Speaking of important things," Felicia interjected with that saccharine smile I’d grown to despise, "when are you planning to give your father a grandchild?"

My hands clenched into fists under the table. This wasn’t her first time crossing this particular line. We’d had multiple conversations about boundaries, about how she wasn’t my mother and had no business inserting herself into my personal life. But she seemed to take perverse pleasure in ignoring those boundaries.

Her comment had already darkened my father’s expression, but this time I had the perfect ammunition.

"Why don’t you two handle that yourselves, since you’re both so eager for a baby?"

Felicia’s head snapped up, her eyes flashing with genuine anger for the first time since I’d known her. It was oddly satisfying to see her mask slip.

I realized I’d found her weak spot, and I intended to exploit it.

My father’s gaze shifted between us, and I couldn’t help but wonder if their claims about not wanting children at their age were actually true.

"You know," I continued, letting my smile turn razor-sharp, "sometimes life has a funny way of evening the score. Women who destroy other families often find themselves unable to start their own."

The implication hung heavy in the air. I was clearly referencing how Felicia had contributed to my mother’s suffering, but Serena took it as a personal attack.

She slammed her palm against the table and shot to her feet.

"Serena, sit down. That wasn’t directed at you," I said quickly, but she was already storming toward the hallway.

I exhaled heavily and pushed my fork away from my plate.

"I’m going to check on Bella. At least one of us remembers why we’re actually here," I announced, rising from my chair.

"Shouldn’t you be making things right with your wife instead?" Felicia’s voice followed me.

I dismissed her with a wave of my hand and headed for the door.

My earlier confrontation with Hugo had left me concerned about Bella’s state of mind. Every time I tried to rebuild what we’d lost, either Parker or Hugo would materialize and sabotage my efforts.

They were complications I didn’t need, and I couldn’t understand why they insisted on inserting themselves into our situation. It felt like our friendship existed not just for mutual support, but for mutual destruction of each other’s chances at happiness.

As I stepped into the hallway, I spotted Hugo already approaching Bella’s suite, with Parker close behind.

I quickened my pace, but they disappeared inside before I could catch up.

When I finally entered, the atmosphere was thick with stress. The children were in various states of distress throughout the living room. Tara had retreated to a corner, surrounded by scattered toys. Leah was sobbing on the sofa, while Zack was harassing Chloe about something, his voice reaching an irritating pitch.

Chloe looked like she was barely hanging on to her sanity.

"What’s happening here?" I asked, joining Hugo and Parker in the center of the chaos.

Parker immediately moved to Tara’s side, while Hugo approached Zack to understand his demands. I settled beside Leah on the couch.

"Where’s Bella?" I asked, scanning the room.

Zack appeared to be in a sugar-induced frenzy, still demanding more candy despite clearly having had too much already. Hugo surprised me by gently lifting the boy and setting him on the couch with unexpected tenderness.

"Bella left hours ago for some kind of appointment, and she hasn’t returned," Chloe explained, her exhaustion evident. "She received a call from someone called the librarian. She seemed urgent about it and promised she’d be back quickly. I’ve been trying to reach her and the driver, but no one’s answering."

My blood turned to ice. Hugo and Parker looked confused, but I felt sweat beginning to form along my hairline.

"Derek, do you know something about this librarian?" Hugo asked, settling Zack back down.

"Remember that outing you accused me of turning into a date?" I replied carefully. "We actually went to the library. We were researching some things, and..." I glanced at Chloe, who was clearly listening to every word.

"Chloe, why don’t you take the children to their rooms? We’ll track down Bella and bring her home. She’s probably just caught up with the librarian," I said, forcing a reassuring smile.

But something felt wrong about the entire situation, and I couldn’t shake the growing sense of unease.