Chapter_12
“Isn’t this better for him?” Tyler’s voice was calm but insistent. “Would you rather see him forever bowing to people, or forcing himself into a suit that doesn’t even fit him?”
Olivia swallowed hard, her thoughts racing. No, she didn’t want to see Jacob like that. She didn’t want him humbled and subservient. He deserved more than to be caught in this world of pretenses. Jacob should be spirited, standing tall, neither too humble nor too proud. Not like this—this broken version of him, bowing and scraping.
Her fingers, which had been clenched tightly around his wrist, began to loosen slowly, the tension in her body draining away. Tyler’s words lingered in her mind, echoing through her thoughts. “I can help him achieve success, Olivia. Wouldn’t that make us both feel better?”
Her gaze lifted to meet his. “Really?” The doubt was clear in her voice, as if she was searching for some hint of sincerity, for some sign that this was the right thing to do.
Tyler’s response was a simple, flat confirmation. “Yes.” No embellishment. No reassurances.
A chill swept through her chest, and the guilt began to creep in. If she could help Jacob this way, could she really refuse? If sacrificing something of herself could give him a better life, could she really turn her back on it? Olivia’s hand hung loosely at her side now, the weight of her indecision almost unbearable. She sat before him, feeling like a ship adrift on an ocean without direction.
Tyler, ever calm, reached out again, his fingers brushing lightly against her cheek. The sensation was gentle, almost soothing, yet it sent a strange shiver through her body. They locked eyes, and for a moment, everything around them seemed to fade away. Time slowed, and the air between them thickened with unspoken emotions.
It felt strangely romantic—yet at the same time, it was something she couldn’t quite get used to. She wanted to pull away, to regain some control over herself, but her body wouldn’t listen. She couldn’t escape.
And then, as if by instinct, Tyler leaned in and kissed her. His lips were soft at first, but there was a persistent force behind it that drew her in. Olivia’s first instinct was to push him away, to resist. But the longer the kiss lingered, the more her resistance began to melt away, as if the pressure of everything weighing on her heart had found an outlet in this one moment.
She didn’t know how long it lasted. It felt like an eternity, her thoughts muddled, her emotions swirling. In the back of her mind, she knew this wasn’t right—she knew this kiss was just another piece of the puzzle that she couldn’t quite put together. But in that instant, she couldn’t bring herself to pull away.
Just then, the secretary’s voice broke the silence, hesitant and unsure. “Mr. Tyler… would it be inappropriate…”
Tyler’s gaze flickered toward her briefly, but he didn’t even flinch. His response was curt and flat. “Contact him.” There was no hesitation, no second thoughts. It was a decision already made.
The secretary’s unease was palpable, but she complied, knowing better than to question him further. A few moments later, she returned with news of Jacob’s background. It wasn’t promising—his family came from a rural area, and while his academic record was impressive, there was no solid reason to offer him a managerial role at Harris Group.
“Mr. Tyler…” The secretary tried again, but Tyler silenced her with a look, a single glance that told her everything she needed to know.
Olivia, still processing the kiss, stood frozen in place. Her mind was swirling. She had no idea how to react. Was this really happening? Was Tyler offering Jacob this job for her sake, for her happiness, or because he believed Jacob deserved it? The uncertainty clouded her thoughts.
Tyler glanced at her, his eyes piercing through the haze of confusion she wore. She didn’t speak, but he knew. He knew the conflict running through her. And in that silence, he made his next move.
“Let’s take a walk,” he said, turning to his secretary.
She nodded quickly, but Olivia’s gaze followed Tyler’s retreating figure, her heart heavy with questions she wasn’t sure she was ready to answer.