Chapter_70
“Why would you ask that?” Tyler’s voice was steady, but his piercing gaze made Olivia shudder. She quickly averted her eyes, sensing the weight of his unspoken question.
“Nothing,” she said hastily, the words slipping from her lips before she could stop them.
Tyler’s brow furrowed, his instincts telling him something was wrong. But when Olivia didn’t offer any explanation, he chose not to press her.
She added quickly, “I’m tired. I’m going to my room.”
Tyler, noting her obvious exhaustion, nodded. “Get some rest,” he said, though his concern for her was still evident in his tone. He didn’t push further, knowing she needed space.
Once in her room, Olivia sat on the edge of the bed, her mind still racing, but she couldn’t shake the exhaustion that weighed her down. After a few moments of quiet contemplation, she slowly stood and made her way to the bathroom, hoping a splash of cold water would clear her head.
But that night, sleep wasn’t kind to her. A nightmare gripped her, twisting her dreams into something dark and suffocating. She woke with a start at three in the morning, her heart racing, drenched in sweat. It felt as if only a few minutes had passed since she had closed her eyes, yet the terror still lingered, making it hard to calm her racing thoughts.
By eight the next morning, she still hadn’t fully recovered. The maid, seeing Olivia’s absence from the breakfast table, checked on her and reported back to Tyler. “She’s still sleeping, sir. I can’t wake her.”
Tyler, concerned but trying to remain composed, stood up from the dining table. “I’ll check on her.”
But the maid hesitated, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. “Mr. Tyler, isn’t it… inappropriate for you to go into her room?”
He ignored her objection and made his way upstairs, his steps deliberate.
When Olivia finally stirred, she felt disoriented at first, her mind hazy as if she were still caught between the realms of sleep and waking. Then, her senses sharpened, and she realized she wasn’t alone. Someone was sitting at her bedside.
At first, she thought it was a dream, but when Tyler removed his hand from her forehead, the realization hit her with full force. Her eyes widened as she registered his presence.
“Do I have a fever?” she asked softly, her voice hoarse, still heavy with sleep.
Tyler’s gaze softened as he brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead. “Didn’t you know?” His voice was gentle, but there was a hint of concern in his tone.
Olivia was too dazed to process much, but she felt an uncomfortable heaviness in her limbs. Her throat was dry, and she couldn’t shake the dizziness that had plagued her since she’d woken up in the middle of the night.
“I’ll have the doctor come and check on you,” Tyler said, his hand lingering on her forehead for a moment before he pulled it away. His touch was tender, his movements calm, as though he’d done this a thousand times before, but his eyes betrayed a deep concern.
Olivia nodded weakly, unsure of anything but the strange, comforting warmth in his actions.
Her pale cheeks and the faint flush of fever made her look even smaller, more fragile. Tyler’s heart tugged unexpectedly. He hadn’t anticipated feeling this kind of compassion for her—this sense of protectiveness. His hand instinctively reached out to stroke her cheek, the touch soft and careful.
Olivia’s eyes fluttered, and she instinctively turned her head away, uncomfortable with the closeness. But she didn’t move far, lowering her gaze instead. Her small, delicate face looked vulnerable beneath his touch, and he couldn’t help but feel the need to stay by her side.
“Let’s have some porridge when the doctor arrives, okay?” Tyler murmured, trying to distract her from the discomfort, even if he knew she was too unwell to fully process the offer.
Olivia responded faintly, “Okay.”
Tyler gave a small nod, his hand retreating from her cheek. He stayed there, hovering in the quiet room, his attention focused entirely on her.
Moments later, the maid returned with the doctor. They knocked softly at the door, and Tyler’s voice called out to invite them in.
The doctor entered and immediately went to work, checking Olivia’s temperature. He noted the fever—above 38 degrees Celsius—and turned to Tyler. “She needs to rest, but we should administer an IV drip to help with hydration. Her body is under stress from the fever.”
Tyler’s eyes narrowed in concern. “How serious is it?”
“It’s not critical, but if we don’t address it quickly, it could worsen. We’ll get an IV in her to bring the fever down,” the doctor explained.
Tyler nodded, his face hardening slightly with worry, but he trusted the doctor’s judgment. “Do what’s necessary. Make sure she’s comfortable.”
As the doctor prepared the treatment, Tyler stood by the bed, keeping a close watch over Olivia. His thoughts were focused entirely on her well-being, and despite the unusual nature of their relationship, he couldn’t shake the sense that she needed him in this moment—maybe more than he realized.