Chapter_75
Tyler had spent the entire day wrapped up in work, and as soon as he was finished, he made his way to the Harris residence, eager to get to Olivia. Maisy, seeing his weariness, smiled kindly at him. “Go ahead, Tyler. It’s late; you should rest.”
Tyler nodded politely to the elderly family members but didn’t spare a glance for Ana as he quickly made his way upstairs. His footsteps were brisk, purposeful. He entered the guest room, leaving Olivia in his bedroom under the care of the maids.
The family members who had gathered for dinner chose not to comment on Tyler’s actions. They were well aware of the ongoing tension between him and Ana. Tyler’s indifference to her, even in the presence of family, was no secret. The silence between them had become a familiar thing, and they were used to it.
Ana, ever composed, responded with a practiced smile, “It’s alright. He was busy with work. Let him rest.”
With that, the lively chatter resumed as the family continued their evening, but Ana couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling in her chest. Something about Tyler’s behavior tonight made her uneasy. After the dinner ended, she decided to check on things discreetly.
She couldn’t bring herself to believe that Tyler would truly leave Olivia alone in that state, not after everything that had happened—especially when Ana herself had been the one to pressure Olivia into drinking more than she could handle.
Inside Tyler’s room, the situation was more chaotic than Ana had imagined. Olivia’s condition had only worsened. Her movements were erratic, her face flushed, a stark contrast to the elegant girl she usually was. The maids were struggling to undress her, trying to help her change into more comfortable clothes for the night, but Olivia refused to cooperate.
“No, I don’t want that. Go away,” she mumbled, her voice thick with the effects of alcohol.
The maids exchanged helpless glances. One of them sighed and suggested, “Let’s try to sober her up with some soup.”
One maid hurried off to fetch a bowl of soup, but before they could even approach Olivia with it, she slapped the bowl away, sending the contents spilling across the floor.
The commotion caught Tyler’s attention. He stood at the door, his expression darkening as he took in the scene. His brow furrowed with irritation, but there was also concern in his eyes as he watched the maids struggle with Olivia.
Ana, standing a few steps behind him at the top of the stairs, observed the scene with an unreadable smile, her eyes glinting with a mixture of satisfaction and curiosity. She had been right to expect this kind of mess.
Tyler didn’t waste time. Without acknowledging the maids, he spoke in a clipped tone. “Get out.”
The maids hesitated, exchanging unsure looks, but they knew better than to argue. They set the bowl down gently and left the room, closing the door quietly behind them.
Tyler’s gaze softened slightly as he approached Olivia, who was tossing and turning in bed, still caught in the haze of intoxication. He extended his hand, his movements slow and careful, but as he reached for her, she murmured his name—though it wasn’t his.
“Jacob…”
His hand froze mid-air, and for a moment, the weight of her words sank into him like a stone.
Olivia’s dazed, bleary eyes met his, confusion clouding her expression. The recognition wasn’t there, just the fog of drunkenness.
Tyler’s heart twisted, but he quickly regained his composure. He pulled his hand back, stepping away from her as her vision slowly cleared. He stood beside the bed, watching her carefully, his expression unreadable. The room was silent except for the sound of Olivia’s slow breathing.
In that moment, Tyler couldn’t help but feel an odd mixture of frustration, concern, and something darker—something he couldn’t name. He knew she wasn’t herself, and yet, the mention of another name, another person, was a reminder of the distance that lay between them.