Silas stormed into his father's office, frustration etched on his face. The weight of his omega responsibilities bore down on him.

"Dad," he said, his voice laced with desperation.

Mr. Nicholas looked up from his desk, concern in his eyes. "Silas, what's going on? You've been avoiding this conversation for weeks."

Silas sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... marriage. I'm not ready to choose between Arlo and Caspian."

His father leaned back in his chair. "You're an omega, Silas. You need to think about your future. Arlo's an alpha with a promising career – he can provide for you, protect you."

Silas shook his head. "What about Caspian?"

Mr. Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "Are you considering them both?"

"No, that's not it," Silas clarified, frustration creeping back. "I just... I can't choose. It feels like I'll be hurting one of them."

His father leaned forward, a hint of a plan in his eyes. "Why don't you live with them? Get to know them better, see who you connect with."

Silas's eyes widened. "Dad, have you heard them fight? It's toxic."

Mr. Nicholas chuckled. "That's how you'll figure out who's worthy of your love. You can find a way to make it work."

Silas stood, his mind racing. "I'll think about it."

"When you figure it out, come thank me," his father said with a smile.

Silas shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Okay, Dad."

Silas's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden burst of movement. He looked up to see Caspian standing in front of him, eyes red-rimmed from tears.

"Silas, I've been worried sick about you," Caspian said, his voice trembling. "You haven't been answering my calls."

Silas's expression softened. "I was busy, Caspian."

Caspian didn't seem to care. He leaned in, pecking Silas's cheek before settling onto his lap. "I've missed you," he whispered.

Silas's lips curved into a gentle smile. He returned the kiss, his voice low and husky. "Yummy. I've missed you too."

Caspian's eyes turned puppy-like, his tears threatening to spill over again. "What about Arlo? Do you miss him more?"

Silas's expression turned soothing. He patted Caspian's back, trying to calm him down. "Stop crying, okay?"

Caspian's words tumbled out, laced with desperation. "What can I do to make you love me more?"

Silas's gaze turned serious. "I want to talk to you and Arlo about something."

Caspian's eyes lit up. "What is it? Are you finally choosing who you'll be with?"

Silas's grip on Caspian tightened. "No, it's not that. Dad suggested I live with you both. Get to know you better."

Caspian's face transformed, a mix of hope and excitement. "Really? You'll do that?"

Silas nodded. "Yeah. But we need to make it work. No more fighting, okay?"

Caspian's grin was back. "Deal. I'll be on my best behavior."

Silas smiled

Arlo stormed into Silas's office, his eyes blazing with fury. "I refuse to compete with that... person," he spat. "How could you even consider it?"

Silas remained calm, his voice soothing. "Please, Arlo, hear me out. Dad came up with this idea so I could give you both a fair chance."

Arlo's anger intensified. "A fair chance? What does that even mean? I have the upper hand in everything – education, looks, financial status... I'm the obvious choice. Why do I have to be an option?"

Silas's expression turned introspective. "So, you're saying if I'd considered all that, I would've chosen you already?"

Arlo's gaze narrowed, his voice laced with emotion. "That's not what I meant."

Silas approached him, his eyes locked on Arlo's. "If you claim to love me, you'll stay and fight for me."

Arlo's jaw clenched. "Why does this feel like a contest?"

Silas's voice was gentle. "Love isn't a contest, Arlo. It's how you see it."

Arlo shook his head, his anger simmering. "I'll get back to you. I can't believe I'm even considering this."

Arlo sat across from his sister Mandy at a cozy coffee shop, his frustration simmering. "I can't back down now, Mandy. I love Silas so much, and I'll do whatever it takes."

Mandy raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like desperation, Arlo."

Arlo's jaw clenched. "You haven't been in love. If Caspian can agree to this, then I must show Silas I love him more."

Mandy's expression turned thoughtful. "Caspian's trying to figure himself out – it's no big deal for him to cling to Silas. But you're... influential, well-done. You deserve someone who'll love you without competition."

Arlo shook his head. "You don't get it. If I quit, Caspian gets Silas's heart. I can't risk that."

Mandy sighed. "Arlo, I've tried to reason with you, but if you're set on this... I'll support you."

Arlo's lips curved into a faint smile. "Thanks, sis."

Mandy's voice turned determined. "You'll get Silas, no matter what."

Arlo's grin grew. "That's my sis."

Mandy leaned in. "You must marry Silas – I'll fight with you."

Silas stood at the door, watching as Arlo and Caspian brought in the last of their boxes. The day had finally arrived, and it didn't sit well with him. He knew it was for the best – he had to take any chance to be with either of them. The whole situation felt like a work of fiction, and he was already wondering how they'd cope when he eventually left one for the other. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he turned away, not wanting to let them see. He wouldn't be the cause of their suffering.

In that moment, Silas made a promise to himself – he'd give both men equal attention and see where fate took them. Deep down, he knew it was chaos, but he'd choose this for the peace of his conscience.

After settling in, Silas ordered the maid to prepare lunch for them in their respective rooms. Caspian tried to sit next to the head seat, waiting for Silas to come down, but Arlo swooped in, aiming for the coveted spot.

"You better budge, I'm sitting here," Arlo said, his eyes flashing with determination.

"And what if I don't?" Caspian replied, his voice firm.

Arlo's expression darkened. "I don't wanna repeat myself, Caspian. Find another seat."

Caspian stood his ground. "You have no right to command me. I was here first."

Arlo's anger boiled over, and he pushed Caspian out of the chair. Caspian landed on the floor with a groan, his eyes blazing with pain and anger. Just as he tried to stand, Silas' footsteps echoed in the hallway. Arlo quickly dropped to the floor, fake-crying.

Silas rushed in, concern etched on his face. "What's going on here?"

Arlo sniffled, pointing an accusing finger at Caspian. "Silas, Caspian pushed me. He argued with me over who'd sit next to you. My ankle hurts badly."

Silas' expression turned cold as he gazed at Caspian. "Why did you do that, Caspian?"

Caspian trembled, his eyes pleading. "I didn't, love. He's pinning it on me. He pushed me."

Silas hesitated, unsure who to believe. "Kate, get Arlo to his room and check his ankle," he instructed one of the maids.

Arlo's voice turned pitiful. "My omega, please come stay with me."

Silas took the food tray and headed to Arlo's room. Caspian watched, tears rolling down his cheeks. "What can I do? I need my omega for myself," he whispered, his heart heavy with despair.

Caspian thought Arlo was hurting himself to shift blame and get Silas closer. Desperation clawed at his heart, and he walked to the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and cut deep into his hand. A scream of pain escaped his lips as he rushed to him.

Caspian's hospital room was filled with the beeping of machines and the faint scent of disinfectant. Silas sat beside him, his eyes filled with concern as Caspian forced a weak smile.

"How are you?" Silas asked, his voice gentle.

"Fine," Caspian replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Silas' expression turned serious. "What happened? You scared me to death."

Caspian hesitated, "I...I mistakenly cut myself with a knife."

Silas' eyes widened in shock. "What for? That's so careless. The wound is so deep."

Caspian looked away, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry I made you worried."

Silas stood up, his expression tense. "I have to go check on Arlo."

Caspian's heart sank, and he grabbed Silas' hand. "Ouch, Silas, love, please stay with me. I'm more hurt than Arlo is." He broke down in tears. "Or do you love Arlo more?"

Silas' expression softened, but he pulled his hand away. "It's not that, Arlo broke his arm, and I'm going to see how he's doing. I'll come back to you later."

Silas left, and Caspian's tears turned to sobs. The pain in his hand seemed to intensify as reality set in.

Mrs. Lane, Caspian's mother, rushed into the room, her eyes red from crying. "Caspian!" She hugged him tightly, examining his wound with a worried expression.

"Mum, I'm fine," Caspian reassured her.

Mrs. Lane's voice trembled. "What happened?"

Caspian looked away. "I accidentally cut myself."

His mother wasn't convinced. "Stop lying, this doesn't look accidental. Tell me, did Silas allow Arlo to hurt you?"

Caspian stayed silent, and his mother's expression hardened. "I'll send people to help you move your things from Silas' house. I can't bear seeing you hurt."

Caspian's eyes widened. "Mum, stop crying. I'm so much in pain already."

Mrs. Lane wiped her tears. "Where's Silas? Why isn't he here to take care of you?"

Caspian looked away, feeling guilty.

His mother scoffed. "You see the kind of omega you want to marry? A ruthless and irresponsible one."

"Mum, don't speak ill of him," Caspian pleaded.

Mrs. Lane's voice rose. "He didn't take care of you, that's why you're this hurt."

Caspian sighed, feeling exhausted. "He just has other things to attend to."

His mother's expression turned incredulous. "And it's more important than you?"

Caspian closed his eyes, unable to respond.

Mrs. Lane stayed the night, taking care of Caspian as his hand pain intensified. The nurses assured her it was just the healing process.