Chapter_27
Olivia’s hands trembled as she tried to collect herself. She sat there next to Tyler in the car, feeling as though the weight of everything—Jacob, the fight, her words, and her chaotic thoughts—was all crashing down on her at once. She felt hollow, drained, and uncertain about what to say or how to ask for help.
Tyler’s gaze was still fixed on her, his eyes cold and calculating, but there was something in them now—something that resembled concern, maybe even a hint of frustration. He didn’t push her to explain, but his next words were soft, almost uncharacteristically so.
“How would you like me to help him?” Tyler repeated, his voice steady, though she could hear the undercurrent of tension in it.
Olivia bit her lip. What could she possibly say? The situation was so tangled—Jacob had caused this mess with his own reckless behavior, and now she was the one scrambling to fix it. But she couldn’t let him ruin his future, not because of her. Not after everything that had already happened between them.
“I… I don’t know,” Olivia admitted, her voice small. “I just know that he… he needs help. This isn’t just about him getting into trouble. He’s going to lose everything if he ends up with a criminal record. His future, his job—everything is at stake.”
She let out a shaky breath, trying to compose herself. “I don’t even know who he fought with, but I’m sure it’s someone important. He’s in so deep, Tyler. I don’t even know where to start.”
Tyler didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the situation. His expression softened just a fraction, but his voice remained calm and detached when he spoke again.
“I’ll find out who he fought with. As for the rest… I’ll make some calls. I’ll see what can be done. But you have to understand that I’m doing this because of the situation, not because of him. You’re involved, and that’s enough reason for me to help.”
Olivia nodded silently, her heart beating erratically in her chest. She had no idea how much Tyler was willing to do for Jacob, but hearing him speak so matter-of-factly about helping made her feel a little lighter, even if it was just for a moment.
“Thank you,” she whispered, barely audible. She couldn’t bring herself to say more. The guilt was eating her up inside, but she couldn’t change what had already happened. All she could do now was hope that Tyler’s influence could pull Jacob from the mess he had created.
The car was silent for a while, the only sound the hum of the engine as they made their way to wherever Tyler was taking her. Olivia kept her gaze fixed on her lap, trying to steady her breathing, to focus on anything other than the storm inside her head.
Tyler, however, didn’t seem content to leave the silence between them. After a few moments, he spoke again, his tone gentler this time, though still carrying that edge of control.
“You don’t need to do this alone, Olivia. I know you feel responsible for him right now, but you don’t have to shoulder this weight. You have people who can help you. And if you need me, you just have to ask.”
Olivia’s throat tightened at his words. She hadn’t realized until now how much she had been carrying by herself, how much she had been holding back. It was almost as if, for the first time in a long while, she was allowed to be vulnerable, to let go of the burdens she’d been carrying alone.
“I don’t know how to ask for help,” she admitted softly, still avoiding his gaze. “I’ve never been good at it. Especially not with him.”
Tyler’s expression softened, just for a moment, before he gave a slight nod. “We all need help sometimes, Olivia. It doesn’t make you weak. Don’t forget that.”
She felt a strange sense of comfort in his words, though the gnawing guilt still remained. But for the first time in what felt like forever, she didn’t feel completely alone. Maybe, just maybe, she had someone she could rely on to help her make things right.