Chapter_79
Tyler’s expression remained neutral as Naomi’s words hung in the air, but inside, a tinge of discomfort stirred. He wasn’t sure how to respond to the complexities of Naomi’s questions. He knew Naomi had always been protective of Olivia, but her words felt laden with deeper concerns—concerns he wasn’t sure how to address, especially in her current state.
Naomi’s tone softened as she continued, “I just want what’s best for her. She’s always been so fragile… I’ve never been able to protect her enough.”
Tyler’s gaze shifted, his eyes meeting Naomi’s. He knew that her protectiveness, while well-intentioned, was also rooted in a fear of losing control over the people she cared about. It was a fear he understood all too well.
“Olivia will be fine,” he said, his voice steady. “She’s strong, even if she doesn’t always show it.”
Naomi gave a small nod, still looking weary and fragile in her hospital bed. “I just… I just don’t want her to be hurt. She’s never been prepared for the world like I have. And now, with everything happening, I can’t help but worry.”
Tyler reached out and placed a hand gently on Naomi’s, an attempt to comfort her without saying too much. He knew that in this moment, words weren’t enough. There was only so much he could do to ease Naomi’s anxieties.
“We’ll make sure she’s okay,” Tyler assured her quietly, squeezing her hand lightly. “You don’t have to worry about her. I’ll take care of it.”
Naomi let out a soft breath, clearly feeling the weight of her worries lift, even if just a little. “Thank you, Tyler. I know you care for her, but don’t forget about yourself too. You can’t carry everything alone.”
Tyler nodded, though his thoughts were already drifting to Olivia. There was so much on his plate—balancing family obligations, Olivia’s own uncertainties, and Naomi’s fragile state. It felt overwhelming at times, but he wasn’t one to let any of it show. He would do what needed to be done, even if it meant shouldering more than he ever had before.
As he stood to leave, he paused and looked back at Naomi, her weary eyes watching him with a mixture of gratitude and concern. “I’ll check in on you later,” he said quietly, offering her a faint smile.
Naomi nodded, her eyes fluttering shut as she finally allowed herself to rest. Tyler turned and left the room, his footsteps echoing softly down the hospital hall.
Back in the car, Olivia was still fiddling with the bracelet, her mind clouded with questions. She had hoped the conversation with Tyler would be a distraction, but instead, her thoughts kept circling back to Naomi’s words, to the weight of the bracelet on her wrist, and to the ever-growing tension between them all.
Tyler noticed her unease as they drove. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gently probing but not pressing.
Olivia hesitated, her fingers tracing the cool metal of the bracelet. “It’s just… this,” she said quietly, her voice almost drowned out by the hum of the car’s engine. “It feels like I’m trapped. I don’t belong here.”
Tyler reached over and placed a hand on hers, offering a small, reassuring squeeze. “You do belong. Don’t let the weight of all this get to you.”
Olivia met his gaze, but for the first time, there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. “But what if it’s not just the bracelet? What if I’m not ready for all this… for what it means?”
Tyler let out a soft sigh, his hand still resting over hers. “No one’s ever fully ready. But that doesn’t mean we can’t try. And I’m here, Olivia. You don’t have to carry everything alone.”
She gave him a small, thankful smile, but her mind still swirled with thoughts of Naomi, the pressure of the expectations, and the uncertainty of what was to come. But as Tyler’s steady presence anchored her, she felt a flicker of hope—maybe she wasn’t as alone as she had thought.