Chapter_68
Ana greeted her mother with a smile, her voice light and unbothered. “Mom, I brought a guest.”
The elderly woman scoffed, her tone sharp. “I wonder who you’ve brought this time.”
Ana merely smiled cryptically, not responding immediately. She turned to the door as if inviting a mystery to unfold.
The old lady’s gaze shifted to the doorway, narrowing slightly. “Who is this?” she asked, her curiosity piqued yet wary.
With an enigmatic smile, Ana stepped aside, allowing Olivia to step into view. “Olivia, come here and meet Grandma,” she said, her voice almost casual in contrast to the heavy atmosphere she had created.
The old lady studied Olivia carefully, a frown crossing her face as if trying to assess the situation. Olivia, for her part, hesitated for a moment, her nerves making her movements stiff, but she obeyed. She walked toward the elderly matriarch, trying to steady her breath.
“Grandma,” Olivia said softly, as if the word alone could somehow ease the tension.
The weight of so many strangers in one place, all observing her, left Olivia feeling overwhelmed. She had never imagined herself in this position, let alone being introduced to this family.
Ana, sensing the discomfort in the air, quickly explained, “She’s Naomi’s sister, Olivia.”
The old lady’s expression faltered. The smile that had been there just moments before faded into something more measured. “Naomi’s sister?” she asked, her voice laced with doubt and something else—perhaps distaste.
Ana only smiled, offering no explanation or defense, leaving the old lady to make her own assumptions.
The older woman’s eyes, once warm, grew cold as she took in Olivia’s features, her scrutiny sharp. “They don’t look alike.”
Olivia lowered her gaze, her pulse quickening. She didn’t mind the criticism. She had grown used to it over the years. Instead, she focused on keeping her composure, letting the silence linger in the room.
Before the old lady could make any further remarks, Ana interjected smoothly, “They don’t. They share the same father but have different mothers. But she’s much more obedient than Naomi. You’ll see.”
The old lady raised an eyebrow at this. In a family like the Harris’s, where status and expectations ran deep, an obedient daughter-in-law was considered a precious commodity. Though she may not have been thrilled by the revelation of Olivia’s sisterly connection to Naomi, the old lady’s eyes softened, approving of Olivia’s quiet nature.
“She does seem obedient,” the old lady mused, her tone a little less cold but still distant.
Olivia nodded slightly, though she didn’t offer any further comment. She was in no position to argue. Instead, she found herself sitting beside the old lady, watching television as the hours stretched on in this unfamiliar home. The air was still, the weight of the family’s expectations bearing down on her. Her mind kept returning to the cryptic words Ana had said earlier and what they might mean for her future.
As evening fell, Tyler finally arrived.
The front door opened, and the sound of footsteps filled the space. Tyler entered, his expression unreadable. His dark suit clung to his broad shoulders, his movements sharp and purposeful. He didn’t greet anyone, his gaze scanning the room with a coldness that made the air feel heavier.
The maid, ever dutiful, spoke up. “Madams, Tyler is back.”
Ana, unruffled by the tension, glanced toward the door, her smile unwavering. “You’re home, Tyler?”
Olivia, standing near the elderly lady, felt a strange sense of relief wash over her at the sight of him. The worry that had settled on her chest all day seemed to dissipate as her eyes met his. The tightness in his face loosened, his attention shifting fully to her.
Without acknowledging anyone else in the room, Tyler’s gaze locked onto Olivia’s. His expression softened, and for a brief moment, the distance between them seemed to narrow. But the warmth was fleeting, and the chill of his usual aloofness returned quickly.
Ana, noticing the unspoken tension between them, stepped forward with feigned innocence. “I’m sorry, Tyler. I should have informed you that I brought Olivia here.”
Tyler’s face remained stoic, though there was a noticeable edge to his voice as he responded. “Did you kidnap her? I won’t hesitate to call the police if this happens again.”
His words cut through the room, sharp and unyielding. The mention of the police made the air crackle with tension. Tyler had already been informed of Olivia’s disappearance earlier, and the weight of his concern was evident, though it wasn’t directed at Ana’s actions—it was about Olivia’s safety.
Ana, ever the tactician, ignored the severity in his tone. She only smiled, as if nothing had happened. “You’re right, it’s my fault. I should have told you beforehand if I planned to invite Olivia over in the future.”
Her words were smooth, but they didn’t erase the underlying tension in the room. Tyler’s gaze never wavered, and it was clear that his patience was wearing thin.