Chapter_111
Ana had no intention of protecting Tyler or keeping secrets. She was there to expose everything and to shake up whatever fragile understanding existed between Naomi and her son.
“What were you guys talking about?” Naomi’s voice broke the silence as she peeked through the partly open door.
Olivia was the first to react. Her face drained of color, and she turned to face Naomi. Tyler followed, frowning, sensing the tension in the air.
Ana, noticing their discomfort, glanced up with a smirk. “Well, why don’t you take a guess?”
Olivia’s heart sank as she sensed the brewing storm. She quickly stepped forward and grasped Ana’s hand, her voice barely a whisper. “Please, don’t do this to her. Don’t hurt her… please!”
Ana heard the plea clearly but only smirked in response. It was clear her only intention was to torment Olivia, to make her feel the sting of humiliation, and she seemed to be succeeding.
Seeing Olivia’s distress, Ana’s expression softened ever so slightly. “Fine, then. Since you’re so upset, I’ll do you a favor, just this once. Go inside and keep your sister company. I’ll stay out here.”
Olivia reluctantly released Ana’s hand, her legs weak as she stumbled back. Ana turned to Tyler, locking eyes with him in a tense, wordless exchange. “I suppose there’s no need for me to talk to Naomi today,” she said with a confident smile before turning and walking away.
Olivia felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, as if she were caught in a scandal she didn’t understand. She turned to Naomi, who was still waiting for an explanation, her gaze expectant. What could she possibly say now?
Naomi, still uncertain, asked, “What was that about?”
Tyler, sensing Naomi’s unease, approached her calmly. “We had a disagreement,” he explained, his voice soothing. “Did Ana upset you?”
Naomi’s expression slowly relaxed. “No… she was just sitting there silently. What could she do to me while I’m in this condition?”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat. Her worst fear was that Naomi had overheard Ana’s harsh words. But judging by Naomi’s reaction, it seemed the conversation had only startled her a little.
Naomi, still looking fragile, took Tyler’s hand. “I… I feel a bit uneasy,” she admitted quietly.
Tyler squeezed her hand gently, his tone reassuring. “Don’t be. I’m here with you.”
Naomi sighed softly, looking so fragile that Olivia almost expected her to collapse under the weight of her illness. Tyler wrapped his arms around her, providing her with a sense of safety. “It’s alright now,” he whispered.
Olivia stood back, watching them, a wave of unease settling in her chest. She couldn’t understand why Ana would say such things, nor why Tyler hadn’t immediately objected. The entire situation felt off, and Olivia was unsure how to process it.
After a few moments in Tyler’s embrace, Naomi beckoned Olivia closer. “Come here, Olivia. Don’t just stand there.”
Reluctantly, Olivia approached, her heart heavy with guilt and confusion. But as she neared, Naomi’s gaze shifted to her wrist, where Olivia wore the bracelet Maisy had given her. Tyler, noticing Naomi’s attention, watched quietly, waiting for a reaction.
Olivia didn’t realize Naomi had noticed the bracelet until it was too late. She quickly tried to cover it with her other hand, stammering, “Er, this? It’s… uh…”
Naomi raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Did Maisy give you that? Have you been to the Harrises’?”
Before Olivia could find the right words, Tyler stepped in, his voice calm but firm. “Yes, my grandmother gave it to her during a visit.”
Olivia let out a quiet breath of relief, but the weight of the conversation lingered in the room. Naomi, still staring at the bracelet, didn’t seem entirely convinced, but she said nothing more.