Chapter_73
Olivia remained silent, unsure of how to respond to Ana’s words. She wasn’t sure if she should be grateful for the invitation or nervous about what it might mean. The atmosphere in the car was thick with unspoken tension, but Ana said nothing more as they drove on.
When they arrived at the Harris residence, Olivia was immediately struck by the difference in atmosphere. The house was grand, filled with elegant people engaged in animated conversation, laughter, and clinking glasses. Olivia felt like an outsider among them, each of them seemingly more sophisticated than the last, and all of them gathered around Maisy, who appeared to be the center of attention.
As they made their way inside, a woman of Ana’s age approached them. She eyed Olivia curiously before asking with a smile, “Who is this, Ana?”
Ana replied smoothly, her voice tinged with pride, “Tyler’s new girlfriend.”
The woman’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? Tyler’s new girlfriend? But isn’t he with Naomi…?”
She trailed off abruptly, realizing the implication of her words. Ana smiled sweetly, a practiced curve of her lips, and gestured to Olivia. “Say hello, Olivia.”
Olivia felt a flush of heat spread across her face, her discomfort rising. She hesitated, the weight of the room’s gaze making her feel exposed. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, but Ana didn’t push her any further.
“Let’s go, Olivia,” Ana said smoothly, her tone laced with an edge that Olivia couldn’t quite place. “I think Grandma misses you.”
As they walked through the living room, Olivia felt the weight of every stare, every whispered conversation, and the curious looks from the guests who had clearly been briefed on her supposed role in the family. By the time they reached Maisy, Olivia’s nerves were frazzled. She hesitated for a moment before calling out, her voice barely audible, “Grandma.”
Maisy’s face lit up at the sound of Olivia’s voice. “What a good girl,” she cooed, her voice warm and affectionate. “I’m happy with Tyler’s choice this time.”
Her words caught Olivia off guard, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure if she was being congratulated or scrutinized. Maisy looked at her as if she were already part of the family, a future granddaughter-in-law.
Ana’s voice interrupted the moment. “I’m glad you’re happy, Grandma,” she said, her words curt. Then, with a cold glance at Olivia, she added, “Aren’t you going to pour Grandma some tea?”
Olivia swallowed hard, trying to mask her unease, and nodded. She did as she was told, her hands trembling slightly as she filled the teacup, her mind spinning with questions she couldn’t answer.
Tyler didn’t arrive until later in the evening, around six, by which time Olivia had already been at the Harris residence for hours. She was exhausted from the weight of the attention and the mounting anxiety, but she tried to keep herself composed.
One of Tyler’s younger cousins approached him with a wide grin, clearly excited. “You’ve got a new girlfriend, Tyler?!”
Tyler, initially taken aback, quickly found himself surrounded by curious family members, all eager to learn about his “new” relationship.
“Tyler, why didn’t you tell us you got a new girlfriend? We heard it from your mom,” one of his aunts chimed in, her voice teasing.
It only took a moment for Tyler to piece together who had spread the news. He remained silent, choosing not to engage with their questions. Instead, his eyes scanned the room until they found Olivia, standing alone under the soft glow of the chandelier.
His expression darkened as he noticed her, and he quickly made his way toward her. The scene around her seemed to have gotten more chaotic as the evening wore on. Olivia was standing near a table, swaying slightly, her gaze unfocused.
“Tyler.” She called out his name weakly, but her voice was slurred, and her body wobbled as she tried to stay upright.
Tyler’s expression hardened as he approached her. “Who made her drink?” he demanded, his tone sharp, his eyes scanning the surrounding group.
The girl next to him immediately raised her hand. “It wasn’t me, Tyler. I didn’t make her drink.”
Tyler’s gaze shifted to Ana, who was standing beside Maisy, watching the scene unfold with an unreadable expression. “Of course, we drink at family dinners,” Ana said calmly, her voice smooth. “It’s a celebration.”
Tyler didn’t respond. He walked toward Olivia, his face tightening with frustration and concern. When she saw him coming toward her, Olivia instinctively leaned toward him for support, her body unsteady.
“I—I wanted to drink,” she mumbled, her words thick with the effects of the alcohol. The scent of it clung to her, sharp and overpowering, and Tyler’s expression turned cold as he reached her side.
“Don’t,” he said quietly, his voice a low warning. He wasn’t angry at her—he was angry at the situation, at how easily things had spiraled out of control.
Olivia, still dazed, struggled to meet his eyes. She could sense the tension in the air, but she couldn’t quite grasp the full extent of what was happening.