Olivia's POV
When I arrived at Frederick's home, I was met by his sister instead. She stood in the doorway, calm and friendly, and told me Frederick had gone back to his estate with his son.
"Frederick isn't a bad man, Olivia," she said softly, her eyes searching mine. "People paint him as a monster, but he just wants to be loved."
I couldn't help the scoff that escaped me. "Loved by force? Is that what you call love—clinging to someone who barely wants you? Can't he let another woman love him instead?"
Her lips curved faintly, though her eyes held something like pity. "You don't understand him. Frederick grew up with everything except affection. Power, respect, fear—he had those in abundance. But love? Genuine, unconditional love? He's never truly had it."
I folded my arms, my wolf bristling. "That's his fault. He doesn't know how to treat people right. He pushes, manipulates, forces. That's not how you win love."
