Chapter_61
Olivia felt a painful knot tighten in her chest, but she suppressed it, forcing her expression to remain neutral. “Hmm, okay. I understand.” Her voice was quiet, but the words carried an undercurrent of something unspoken, something that both of them knew but refused to acknowledge.
Tyler, sensing the weight of her unvoiced thoughts, softened his gaze. He took a step closer and reassured her in a low tone, “You don’t have to overthink it.”
She nodded, her eyes not meeting his as she whispered, “Okay.”
He didn’t push her to say more. Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving Olivia alone with the ache in her heart. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, but she pressed them down, unwilling to confront the vulnerability that threatened to overwhelm her.
The birthday party Tyler threw for Naomi was nothing short of extravagant. The house was filled with laughter and chatter, relatives and friends surrounding Naomi, all eyes on her as she stood by Tyler’s side. Naomi, with her radiant smile and flawless appearance, looked every bit the picture of perfection. Together, they were a perfect couple, the kind of couple that everyone admired from afar.
Olivia, on the other hand, lingered in the background, unsure of where she belonged. She wasn’t part of the crowd, not really. She didn’t know if she should join the conversation or quietly fade into the shadows.
“Olivia has grown so much. Oh my, she’s so pretty,” someone remarked, breaking the silence.
Darren and Mrs. Jones added their approval, their smiles wide but not quite genuine. “Yes, indeed. She’s blossomed into such a lovely young lady.”
In truth, their words were more out of obligation than sincerity. Olivia knew this. She had caused enough controversy among the relatives in the past, and the last thing they wanted was to bring her into the fold. Even though they spoke kindly to her, Olivia could feel the undercurrent of judgment, the unspoken criticism that followed her name.
As the adults continued their chatter, no one invited Olivia to join in. Not even her parents made an effort to include her. The silence was deafening, but Olivia was too perceptive not to notice. She nodded politely to a few relatives before quietly retreating upstairs to her room.
The party continued below, but Olivia felt invisible, like a mere shadow in the background. Her place in the family was uncertain—neither Naomi’s rival nor the cherished daughter she once hoped to be.
Downstairs, Tyler’s attention was still divided. He swirled his wine glass absentmindedly, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere. That’s when Naomi, who had been standing beside him, suddenly retched, her hand flying to her mouth in a frantic attempt to contain the wave of nausea that overwhelmed her.
A hush fell over the room. The relatives exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to do. Tyler’s gaze sharpened, his concern evident as he immediately moved to support her.
“How do you feel?” he asked softly, his hand gripping her arm to steady her.
Naomi managed a weak smile, suppressing the nausea as she replied, “It’s just a reaction from the chemo.”
Tyler’s worry deepened. “Don’t drink wine,” he advised, his voice laced with concern.
Naomi gave a small, understanding nod. “Mm-hmm, got it.”
Her words, though calm, didn’t completely quell the unease in Tyler’s mind. But he didn’t press her further. Instead, he returned to the gathering, his eyes scanning the room, briefly landing on Olivia before turning away.
Later that night, when the house had quieted down and the last of the guests had left, Olivia found herself alone in the hallway. She was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, but her thoughts were racing. As the clock struck midnight, she found herself standing outside Tyler’s door, hesitating.
Inside, Tyler stood by the window, looking out into the night, his mind caught between Naomi and Olivia. He hadn’t meant for things to become so complicated, but the pull he felt toward Olivia was undeniable.
The moment the door opened, he stepped toward her, his voice low, almost gentle. “You were really pretty tonight. Did you know that?”
The words caught Olivia off guard. She had spent the entire evening watching Naomi steal the spotlight, listening to everyone praise her, while she remained invisible in the background. No one had complimented her. No one had acknowledged her presence. And yet, here was Tyler, telling her she looked pretty. A simple comment, but it felt like so much more.
She didn’t know how to respond. The compliment made her feel both seen and unseen at the same time. Was he pitying her? Or was he offering something more—something deeper?
Tyler must have sensed the distance between them because he gently reached for her wrist, pulling her closer as he softly said, “You would look even more beautiful in that red gown.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Should she take them at face value, or was there something else there—something Tyler himself wasn’t sure of? Was he offering her a kindness, or was there something more he hadn’t yet recognized within himself?
Olivia’s heart raced. She couldn’t tell if she was being flirted with, or if this was simply a moment of misplaced kindness. But deep down, she knew she wasn’t the only one confused by the situation. Tyler himself seemed to be navigating his own internal conflict.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Naomi lay in her sterile, quiet room, feeling an overwhelming sense of loneliness. Despite the birthday celebration, despite the attention she’d received from Tyler, something gnawed at her. She found herself wondering what Tyler was doing at that very moment. Was he still thinking about her? Or was he with Olivia?
Her thoughts spiraled as she reached for her phone, dialing Tyler’s number once again.