Chapter_37
Tyler’s brow furrowed as he gently patted Naomi’s head, his voice soft but firm. “Don’t worry, you’ll be alright. You hear me?” Naomi nodded, her trust in him unwavering. He held her head for a moment longer, his fingers lingering on her soft hair, but then he was reminded of Olivia’s presence. He turned his head slightly toward Darren and said quietly, “Olivia is behind her.”
Darren, momentarily lost in the rush of emotions and worry for Naomi, snapped back to reality and quickly walked over to Olivia’s bed. She had been watching everything unfold from her spot, silently observing their interactions. Darren’s concern for Naomi had overshadowed his attention to Olivia, but now that he was at her side, he tried his best to offer her some comfort. Still, his concern for Naomi was far more evident in his actions.
Tyler noticed all of this. His eyes grew cold as he observed Darren’s behavior—his overprotective focus on Naomi and the almost dismissive way he treated Olivia. It stirred something in Tyler, though he kept his emotions in check, allowing nothing to show on his face.
Naomi, looking up at Tyler, asked weakly, “Tyler, did Olivia donate blood for me?”
Tyler did his best to mask his concern, though it wasn’t entirely successful. He nodded and replied, “Yes. Your blood type is rare, and they couldn’t find a match, so we had to ask Olivia to donate.”
Naomi’s face softened as she closed her eyes and whispered, “Thank you, Olivia.”
Tyler’s voice was tender when he replied, “Rest now.” Naomi nodded in response, and soon the medical staff wheeled her away, leaving Olivia in the room with a heavy silence.
Mrs. Jones and Darren continued to fuss over Naomi, but their concern seemed to leave Olivia in the background. She responded to their attempts to comfort her with silence, offering only a few words. Her eyes, however, betrayed her disappointment and sadness—feelings she could no longer hide.
Tyler, standing at a distance, noticed everything. He saw the hurt in Olivia’s eyes, the way her posture seemed to shrink, and the way she tried to put on a brave front. His expression hardened, but he said nothing, unsure of how to approach her in that moment.
After Naomi was taken to the ward, Mrs. Jones and Darren turned to Tyler, eager for information.
“She’s stable now,” Tyler informed them, his voice cool. “They’ve taken Naomi to the ward. Her life is no longer in danger.”
Mrs. Jones, relieved but still anxious, said quickly, “Let’s go see her.”
Tyler didn’t respond immediately, his gaze flicking between the Jones family and Olivia. Darren, ever the supportive father, agreed, “Since Olivia is fine, let’s visit Naomi.”
Tyler gave a short, noncommittal nod, not offering much more information. His inscrutable expression gave away little, though the tension in his jaw was unmistakable.
Once they had left, Tyler stayed behind, standing quietly by Olivia’s side. He watched her, still feeling the weight of everything that had transpired. Olivia, too, seemed awkward in the silence between them. She finally spoke, her voice soft, almost too quiet for him to hear. “I’m relieved that Naomi is okay. I’m fine.”
Tyler felt a pang in his chest, not sure how to respond to her exhaustion. He didn’t know if he should say anything more, so he stayed silent for a moment. After some thought, he finally spoke, his voice low and sincere. “Thank you, Olivia. Naomi is safe because of you.”
She nodded, her eyes distant. “Mm-hmm… it’s all good,” she mumbled, though her voice was tinged with exhaustion. “As long as Naomi is safe, I’m truly fine.”
Tyler noticed the way she said it, almost as though she were trying to convince herself. He knew she was trying to downplay the strain, but he couldn’t ignore the vulnerability in her voice.
“If you feel sad, Olivia,” Tyler said quietly, his eyes softening just a fraction, “it’s okay to cry.”
Olivia shook her head faintly, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I don’t want to cry,” she muttered, almost to herself. “I just feel a little dizzy.”
Tyler’s heart ached as he listened to her. There was something almost childlike in her voice—so vulnerable and raw that it made something inside him tighten. Without thinking, he gently took her hand, holding it for a brief moment, offering her his warmth.
Olivia, surprised by the contact, felt the heat of his hand in hers. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to steady herself, but she didn’t pull away. She remained silent, letting the moment linger between them.
After a short while, Tyler withdrew his hand. His expression returned to its usual controlled demeanor, though there was still an unspoken softness in his gaze. “Get some rest,” he said in a flat tone, though the concern in his eyes was evident.
Olivia gave a quiet nod. “Okay,” she whispered, her voice tired but sincere.
Tyler lingered for a moment longer, but after seeing that Olivia had settled, he quietly stepped away, leaving her to rest. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this situation than he was willing to admit, but for now, he stayed quiet, letting her have the space she needed.