Chapter_50
Olivia could sense something was off with Naomi. “What’s wrong, Naomi?” she asked, concerned. She knew that Tyler and Naomi had been having their disagreements, but she thought things were improving, especially since Tyler had mentioned visiting her recently.
Naomi’s voice was tinged with uncertainty. “I know he must still be mad at me.”
Olivia paused, wondering if Tyler had been distant with Naomi because of their unresolved issues. She tried to comfort her friend, replying gently, “Don’t worry. I don’t think he’s really mad at you.”
Naomi seemed to accept this, replying, “Hmm, okay. Go to class, Olivia.”
Olivia agreed, feeling relieved that Naomi seemed to calm down. “Okay.”
Just as she was about to hang up, Naomi surprised her with a question. “Oh, Olivia, did you two… you know… do it the past few days?”
Olivia froze, caught off guard by the question. After a moment of hesitation, she answered truthfully, “We… did.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Olivia’s heart raced as she wondered how Naomi would react to her response. Eventually, Naomi spoke, her tone polite but distant. “Okay, don’t worry. Go on with your thing.”
Olivia felt a knot form in her stomach as the call ended. Something about Naomi’s words left her uneasy, but she pushed the feeling aside as she entered her classroom, trying to focus on her studies.
After class, Olivia felt the need to check in on the situation and decided to visit the hospital. When she arrived at Naomi’s ward, she was taken aback.
Tyler was there, and Naomi was in his arms, crying, her face buried in his chest. Olivia stood still at the doorway, watching the scene quietly. The love and concern Tyler showed for Naomi were unmistakable. Olivia felt a sense of relief, realizing that Tyler hadn’t been angry with Naomi, and that nothing was more important to him than her well-being.
Their eyes met briefly, and Tyler’s gaze softened before he looked away. Olivia took a step back, silently leaving the room without making a sound. Her heart felt heavy as she walked away, unsure of what she had witnessed.
Later that night, when Olivia returned home, Tyler was still out. It wasn’t until close to 1 A.M. that he finally returned, likely from the hospital. As she heard the sounds of his footsteps in the corridor, Olivia emerged from her room, and they happened to meet.
She took the opportunity to ask, “You’ve made up with Naomi, right?” Concern was clear in her voice, but she tried to remain composed.
Tyler looked tired, his face weary from the long day. He gave a short, tired nod. “Mm-hmm. We’re fine. She just likes to act up sometimes, that’s all.”
Olivia felt a wave of relief wash over her. “That’s great,” she replied, her voice soft.
But before she could say anything else, Tyler’s demeanor shifted. His expression hardened, and he curtly added, “Okay, go to bed. Leave me be.”
Olivia nodded silently, sensing the chill in his words. She stood still as he brushed past her and retreated to his room, his scent faintly carrying the sterile smell of the hospital.
She returned to her own room, but as she stood in the dark, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of sadness. The weight of everything—the unresolved feelings, the tension—pressed on her chest, and despite her best efforts, she felt tears threaten to fall.