Chapter_38
Olivia had been recuperating at the hospital for the past few days, her body gradually regaining strength. During this time, Naomi had successfully pulled through the critical phase and was on the road to recovery. Naomi’s room, once cold and sterile, was now filled with warmth and liveliness, a reflection of the love surrounding her—her parents, Tyler, and the steady presence of care and concern.
Yet, amidst the comfort and care she received, Naomi couldn’t help but think of Olivia. She turned her head to her parents and asked softly, “Mom, Dad, where’s Olivia?”
Mrs. Jones and Darren, so focused on Naomi’s recovery, had hardly given Olivia a second thought until now. Mrs. Jones, looking at Naomi with reassuring eyes, answered, “Olivia is doing fine, dear. She just needs some rest.”
Naomi’s guilt tugged at her heart. She knew how much she had relied on Olivia during her time of need. “Dad, you should visit her more often. I might not have made it without her,” she said, her voice tinged with remorse for not thinking of Olivia sooner.
Tyler, who had been standing silently by Naomi’s side, listened carefully to the conversation. Naomi, noticing the moment of quiet, requested the nurse to turn on the air purifier in her room.
Darren smiled softly at Naomi’s concern. “Sure. Your mom and I will visit her later,” he said gently.
Mrs. Jones added, “Don’t worry, she’s doing well.”
Naomi, not wanting to delay any longer, urged them, “Go now then. She needs you too.”
After a moment of hesitation, Darren and Mrs. Jones left Naomi’s room, as per her insistence.
With just Tyler in the room, Naomi turned her gaze to him, her expression serious. “Tyler, why didn’t you remind my parents to visit Olivia? They’ve been here with me all the time, and it makes her seem neglected. That’s annoying.”
Tyler, after talking to the nurse, approached Naomi’s bed, standing beside her. He didn’t immediately answer, instead brushing a hand through his hair in thought. “I can’t be the one to do that,” he replied calmly, his eyes meeting hers. “After all, she’s your sister.”
Naomi sighed, feeling the weight of his words, but still wanting to do something more for Olivia. “I’ve been receiving so much love, and now I feel like I should share some of it with her too.”
Tyler bent down, his voice lowering gently. “Take care of yourself before anyone else.”
Naomi feigned annoyance, but there was a softness in her expression as she met his gaze. “Why are you like that as well?”
Tyler, momentarily distracted, gave a simple, “Mm-hmm, of course I am.”
Meanwhile, Olivia’s hospital room was filled with nutritional supplements, all sent by Tyler. He had arranged for a nutritionist to take care of her every day, ensuring her recovery went smoothly. Although Olivia knew he had done this as a way of expressing his gratitude for her role in saving Naomi, she couldn’t help but feel that she would have done the same for Naomi, even without any special treatment. After all, they were sisters. She chose not to mention his gestures, not wanting to make a big deal out of it.
Suddenly, the door to her room opened, and to Olivia’s surprise, Darren and Mrs. Jones walked in. She quickly sat up in bed, greeting them warmly.
Mrs. Jones, her face lined with concern, moved toward Olivia’s bed. “Are you feeling better? How are you holding up?” she asked, her voice tender with worry.
Olivia’s heart softened at the care in Mrs. Jones’ words. Instead of dwelling on her own recovery, she smiled brightly and responded, “I’m doing well. How about Naomi?”
Mrs. Jones, her face lighting up with relief, replied, “Naomi’s recovering nicely. Her life is no longer in danger.”
Olivia sighed deeply, a sense of relief washing over her. “That’s great news,” she murmured, genuinely happy for Naomi’s improvement.
Mrs. Jones continued, her voice filled with emotion, “Olivia, you’ve endured so much with Naomi. I can’t express enough how grateful we are.”
Olivia, trying to downplay her role, smiled warmly and responded, “It’s nothing, really. As long as Naomi gets better, that’s all that matters.”
Darren, who had been quietly observing, walked over to Olivia’s bed and gently patted her head, his voice filled with deep gratitude. “Thank you, Olivia,” he said sincerely, his tone soft.
Tyler, standing in the corner of the room, watched the interaction with a quiet, thoughtful expression. It was rare to see such a tender exchange between Olivia and Mrs. Jones. The atmosphere was warm, and for a brief moment, Olivia felt embraced by the family’s kindness. They chatted for over an hour, and Olivia cherished every moment of their company, knowing how much Naomi’s health had brought them all closer.
The following day, after having rested enough, Olivia decided to visit Naomi again. However, when she entered Naomi’s room, the atmosphere felt different. The warmth that had once filled the room seemed to have dimmed slightly, replaced by a quieter, more reserved mood. It wasn’t the same carefree environment she had walked into before.
Naomi, now sitting up in bed, gave Olivia a soft smile. “Hey, how are you?” Naomi asked, her voice a bit weaker than usual, but still filled with sincerity.
Olivia gave a gentle nod, her eyes soft as she met Naomi’s gaze. “I’m good, Naomi. Just happy to see you recovering.”
There was a brief pause before Naomi spoke again, her expression tinged with a sense of guilt. “I hope you’re not feeling left out. I’ve been so focused on myself these past few days. I didn’t mean for things to feel… off.”
Olivia looked around the room, sensing the subtle shift in energy. “It’s okay,” she said quietly, offering a reassuring smile. “I understand. I just want you to get better.”
But despite her words, Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling that something was subtly changing between them. A slight distance, unspoken and almost invisible, was beginning to settle in the air.