Chapter_54
Olivia returned to Sandalwood Palace, her body more exhausted than it had been the day before. She walked to the door in a daze, her gaze fixed on the floor, her mind heavy with the thoughts she couldn’t shake.
The maid greeted her softly, “Ms. Olivia.”
Olivia didn’t even look up. Her response was flat, a barely audible murmur, as she dragged herself toward the stairs.
Sensing Olivia’s mood, the maid didn’t ask any questions this time. Instead, she offered gently, “Rest on the couch. I’ll bring you a glass of juice.”
Olivia nodded absently, not even registering the kindness in the maid’s voice. As the maid headed to the kitchen to prepare the drink, Olivia made her way to her room without a second thought.
Tyler arrived home earlier than usual, just around 5 P.M. When the maid approached him in the living room, she informed him, “Ms. Olivia is home, but she went straight to her room.”
Tyler nodded, his mind elsewhere. He was holding a box of cakes, which he placed down on the table. The maid, noticing the familiar box, remarked, “You must have brought these from your family home.”
Tyler replied, “Grandma asked me to bring them home. Please, put them on a plate.”
The maid nodded and began preparing the cakes. As she arranged them, her thoughts wandered to Tyler’s grandmother—always fond of her tiramisu, which, while delicious, was incredibly expensive. The cake had become a signature of the Harrier family, a tradition.
She couldn’t help but wonder why Tyler was being so considerate toward Olivia today. He rarely indulged in dessert himself, so why now? But then it clicked—Olivia was Naomi’s sister, after all. His kindness, even if subtle, might be rooted in that connection.
Once the maid finished, she stepped out of the room, and Tyler headed upstairs. After a few steps, he paused, turning back to the maid.
“Olivia’s home?” he asked, his tone unreadable.
“She doesn’t look well,” the maid replied, her concern evident.
Tyler had noticed the change in Olivia over the past few days—the weariness, the distance. “Okay, got it,” he said, his voice clipped, before continuing to his room.
Later, he came downstairs, freshly changed, speaking on the phone as he stood near the large window, gazing out over the estate. His words were soft, work-related, but the tension in his posture spoke volumes. He ended the call and returned to the living room, where he surveyed the space briefly before settling onto the couch.
At that moment, Olivia appeared, walking toward the kitchen in an attempt to keep herself busy, to distract her mind from the weight of everything that had happened. But as soon as she saw Tyler sitting there, reading the newspaper, she froze.
She hadn’t expected him to be home so early. Her heart thudded in her chest, her breath catching in her throat. She hesitated for a moment before speaking his name.
“Tyler.”
He lowered the newspaper, his gaze locking on her. “Come here.”
Olivia stopped in her tracks, uncertainty flashing in her eyes. She stood there for a beat, unsure whether to walk toward him or run in the other direction. Finally, her feet moved, and she made her way toward him, standing awkwardly nearby.
Tyler’s eyes softened as he sensed something was wrong. His voice was quieter now, more insistent. “What happened? Tell me.”
Olivia’s lips parted, but no words came. She remained silent, staring at the floor.
Tyler’s patience began to wear thin. His brow furrowed as he spoke again, this time more forcefully. “You don’t want to tell me?”
Olivia shook her head slowly, still unable to find her voice.
Frustration flared within him. He pulled out his phone, a new resolve in his actions. “Then I’ll call your friend.”
At his words, Olivia’s panic flared. She rushed over to him, her hand grasping his firmly. She looked completely drained, her eyes rimmed with exhaustion, as she pleaded with him.
“It’s really nothing, Tyler. Please.”
His gaze remained cold, his expression hardening as he stared at her. “You’re still not telling me?”
Olivia’s heart sank. She knew then that she couldn’t hide the truth from him any longer—not when he was determined to know. It would be worse if he heard it from Sophie. She took a shaky breath and finally, in a voice tinged with resignation, began to speak.