Chapter_83
Tyler’s grip on Olivia’s hands loosened slightly as he processed her words. A rush of guilt swept over him, the realization hitting him harder than he expected. He had been cold, distant, and sometimes too harsh with her. She was in pain, and instead of offering comfort, he had only added to her distress.
He sat on the edge of the bed, his expression softening. “Olivia…” he whispered, his voice quieter than before. “I didn’t mean to make you feel like that.”
Olivia barely looked at him, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. “It’s not just you… Everyone… they all just…” Her voice trailed off, her chest rising and falling with the strain of her words. The vulnerability in her tone made Tyler’s heart ache. She was right. He had been too caught up in his own frustrations, taking his anger out on her when she was just trying to navigate everything.
“I know I’ve been hard on you,” he admitted, his voice laced with regret. “But I promise, I’ll try to be better. I’m sorry for making you feel like you don’t matter.”
Olivia shifted slightly, the faintest of sighs escaping her lips as she clung to the pillow for support. She didn’t respond immediately, and Tyler, sensing her fatigue, leaned back and allowed her some space. There was no point in forcing anything now. She needed rest, not more words.
The doctor’s instructions echoed in his mind, and he glanced over at the maid who had gone silent, clearly still worried. “Help her take the painkillers,” Tyler said quietly. “And make sure she gets some rest.”
The maid nodded quickly, still anxious but understanding Tyler’s shift in demeanor. She went to Olivia’s side, her hands gentle as she helped her take the prescribed medication. Tyler remained sitting at the edge of the bed, watching Olivia carefully. His thoughts were a whirlwind—he knew that things couldn’t stay this way, that he had to change how he treated her.
After the maid had administered the painkillers, Tyler gently pulled the blanket over Olivia, making sure she was comfortable. He hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on her tired face, before he finally stood up.
“If you need anything, just call,” he said softly, his tone devoid of the earlier harshness. “I’ll be right outside.”
He turned to leave, but paused at the door, looking back at her one last time. Olivia had already closed her eyes, her breathing deep and steady, the pain beginning to ease with the medication.
Tyler let out a quiet breath before closing the door behind him, stepping into the hallway. He needed to rethink everything—to reassess how he’d been handling things. Maybe it wasn’t just Olivia who needed to change; maybe he did too.
For the first time in a long while, Tyler felt the weight of his own actions. And he knew that, moving forward, he had to do better for her. She deserved that much.