Chapter_15
Olivia couldn’t believe Tyler had chosen to bring up such a private matter in front of others. While his gesture was meant to be caring, the timing felt incredibly inappropriate, especially considering the way everyone was watching.
Her mind raced, torn between the desire to leave the situation entirely or accept the ointment, which now felt like an awkward token of something she wasn’t ready to face. A long silence stretched between them, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, the warmth spreading all the way to her ears.
Tyler, ever perceptive, seemed to understand the cause of her discomfort. He gave her a reassuring smile, trying to ease the tension. “It’s just a normal ointment. You don’t need to be embarrassed.”
Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and the reassurance seemed to break the spell of her hesitation. Olivia quickly reached out to take the ointment from his hand, muttering a soft, “I’m going outside for some fresh air, Tyler.”
He withdrew his hand, his expression unreadable as he nodded. “Sure, go ahead.”
The ointment felt like an unwanted weight in her hand, something that didn’t belong to her, but she couldn’t bring herself to toss it away. Keeping it felt just as uncomfortable. She walked away from the ward, her thoughts in turmoil as she tried to find some clarity amidst the confusion.
Inside the ward, Tyler returned to find Naomi completely absorbed in conversation with her parents. Despite her illness, Naomi looked effortlessly put together, always mindful of her appearance, even without makeup. She smiled brightly as she chatted with Darren and Mrs. Jones, a vision of happiness and lightheartedness. Her infectious energy filled the room, the very picture of youth and vitality.
Olivia, in stark contrast, had always been the quiet one, the invisible sibling. Tyler had been aware of her existence as Naomi’s sister for as long as he could remember, but she had always been the unacknowledged, illegitimate child in the background. He recalled the day of their engagement, how Olivia had been so young, standing in the shadows, her presence barely noticeable. Even as a child, she had always kept her distance, a quiet observer, never quite fitting in.
Unlike Naomi, who was loved and doted on, Olivia had often been overlooked, blending into the background, like a mere shadow. Tyler could still recall the way she had looked back then—slender, with skin so fair it seemed almost fragile. A delicate beauty that seemed capable of breaking with the slightest touch.
His hands clenched at his sides as the memory resurfaced. The image of Olivia, fragile as a freshly bloomed flower, made his chest tighten, as if he were caught between an inexplicable protectiveness and something darker. He didn’t understand it, but he couldn’t shake it either.
Later that evening, after returning home with Mrs. Jones and her father, Olivia found a text message on her phone from Jacob. It was short but direct: I’ve been hired by the Harris Group.
For a moment, a smile tugged at Olivia’s lips. Jacob had made it. It was a small victory, but it was something they both needed, something to give them hope. But as the smile faded, a sense of dread quickly replaced it. She gripped her phone tightly, her stomach sinking with uncertainty.
Before she could process the emotions swirling inside her, there was a knock on her bedroom door. The sound startled her, causing her to freeze. She pressed herself against the door, her heart hammering in her chest. She glanced nervously at the door as if it might open at any moment.
“Olivia, aren’t you going to bed yet?” Mrs. Jones called from the other side.
Olivia wiped away the tears that had unknowingly gathered on her cheeks. “Yes, I’m going to bed,” she replied, her voice soft, almost lifeless.
Mrs. Jones, sensing nothing amiss, only left after she noticed the lights were off in Olivia’s room. Olivia remained in the darkness, her thoughts spiraling. She needed to escape, to disconnect from everything. But the guilt gnawed at her.
In the days that followed, Olivia kept a low profile. She went to school, worked her part-time job, and tried to avoid any contact with Tyler. She hadn’t crossed paths with Jacob either, and Sophie had mentioned he was so busy with his new position at the Harris Group that he couldn’t even attend school.
Olivia felt a strange sense of relief upon hearing this news. It gave her the space she needed, a small reprieve from the chaos that had been building up inside her.
The routine of her day was predictable, and yet, it never felt like enough. After attending her classes, Olivia hurried to the hotel where she worked. She quickly changed into her uniform and was given the task of serving drinks to guests in a private room.
Carrying a tray with several glasses of wine, she approached the door and knocked softly. “Hi, I’ve brought the wine you ordered.”
Inside, Tyler was seated, leaning back in his chair as he conversed with someone nearby. He looked up suddenly as he heard her voice and immediately froze, his eyes locking with hers.
“Olivia?” His expression faltered slightly, a frown forming as he raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Olivia stood there, caught off guard. She was dressed in her hotel uniform—a tube top with a fitted jacket, a snug mini skirt that emphasized her slender legs, and black stockings. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun, revealing her delicate face. She felt exposed under his gaze, suddenly aware of how she must look to him—and to the other men in the room.
The moment stretched out longer than it should have, until she realized the others in the room had also turned their attention toward her, their eyes lingering, their gazes sharp and hungry. Olivia’s stomach churned as she felt like a piece of prey being sized up by a group of predators.
Tyler, seemingly unaware of the effect his presence had on her, merely raised his glass in a subtle toast before turning back to the conversation. But Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, of being objectified by the men in the room. It made her skin crawl, and she fought the urge to retreat.