Chapter_82
Olivia’s breath came in shallow bursts as she pressed a hand against her stomach, the pain sharp and unexpected. She had been managing the discomfort for most of the day, but now it seemed to hit her all at once, overwhelming her senses. She closed her eyes, willing herself to stay upright.
The tension with Tyler had added to her unease, and now this… it was all too much. She couldn’t just sit there and wait for it to pass. Slowly, she made her way to the bed, her movements slow and careful, as though each step might worsen the pain.
Her mind wandered back to the way Tyler had been acting. The coldness in his voice, the way he’d shut her out earlier—it felt like a wall had been put up between them. She hated that she couldn’t understand why. Had she done something wrong? Was it because of Jacob?
She winced again, gripping the edge of the bed as the pain surged. Her head felt dizzy, and she fought the urge to collapse onto the sheets. She didn’t want to be weak, but right now, she couldn’t help it.
Meanwhile, Tyler sat in his study, his mind racing. He couldn’t understand why seeing Olivia with Jacob had stirred something in him. The anger that had surfaced so suddenly had surprised him—he hadn’t expected it to bother him so much.
His thoughts kept circling back to the image of them walking in the rain, the way Jacob had smiled at Olivia, the way she had looked at him. It made something twist uncomfortably in his chest. But he hadn’t said anything when he’d seen them; instead, he’d just kept his silence, his feelings locked away.
Now, as he sat there staring at the screen, his mind replayed the evening’s events. What did you expect, Tyler? he asked himself bitterly. She’s allowed to have friends. She’s allowed to see whoever she wants. But that didn’t stop the gnawing feeling in his stomach.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. It was Olivia, holding the glass of water. Her voice was barely above a whisper when she entered, and he noticed her hesitance. What’s going on with her? he wondered.
“Olivia,” he said, more softly this time, though the tension still lingered. “You don’t need to be so formal. You can just leave it.” His words came out cooler than he intended, but he couldn’t shake the frustration boiling beneath the surface.
As she turned to leave, he saw the way her lips trembled slightly. What’s going on with her?
Before he could stop himself, he called out, “Olivia.”
She froze, her hand on the door handle, and slowly turned back to face him.
Her voice was faint. “Yes?”
Tyler’s expression softened, though only a little. “Come here.” He gestured toward the seat across from him.
Olivia hesitated, but with a slight nod, she obeyed, walking towards him slowly, as if each step was weighted with some invisible burden.
As she sat down, he noticed the way she clenched her stomach slightly, as if trying to hide the discomfort. She’s not well. The thought struck him unexpectedly, and before he could think further, he found himself asking, “Are you feeling alright?”
Olivia, caught off guard, looked up at him, her face pale. “I’m fine. Just a little… uncomfortable. It’ll pass,” she reassured him weakly, though she didn’t look convincing.
Tyler studied her closely, his gaze lingering for a moment. He had to admit, despite his own frustrations, seeing her like this stirred something in him. He reached for the glass of water she had brought and offered it to her.
“Drink this,” he said, his tone softer now, betraying a trace of concern.
Olivia hesitated for just a second before taking it, grateful for the simple gesture. The cool liquid helped ease her dry throat, but the pain in her abdomen still lingered.
Tyler watched her, unsure of what to say. There was something unspoken hanging between them. The tension hadn’t vanished, but for the first time that evening, it felt slightly less suffocating.
“Olivia,” he began slowly, breaking the silence. “We need to talk. About… everything.” His voice was quiet but firm, as though he had made a decision to clear the air, to address whatever had been festering beneath the surface.
Olivia nodded slowly, unsure of where this conversation would lead, but knowing they couldn’t avoid it any longer.