Chapter_116
Tyler’s response was calm as he handed Naomi the prescribed medication. After a brief pause, he spoke again, his tone neutral yet firm. “We’ll need a marriage certificate for IVF.”
Naomi blinked, stunned by his words. She hadn’t expected such a practical matter to come up in this context.
Meeting her gaze, Tyler continued, his voice measured. “IVF might not work on the first try. I could talk to Olivia about this, but she’s only in her twenties. We can’t predict the risks she might face. You wouldn’t want her to experience those, right?”
Naomi hadn’t fully considered these aspects before. She felt a pang of guilt. “I didn’t know all of that,” she admitted awkwardly, her mind racing with the implications.
Tyler nodded, his expression somber. Without saying another word, he turned to leave the ward. His assistant murmured something as he passed, but Tyler walked away without acknowledging it, his thoughts clearly preoccupied.
Olivia was completely unaware of the situation Naomi found herself in. She had spent the entire day at school and then in the lab, her mind occupied with her own world of assignments and deadlines. When she finally returned to Sandalwood Palace, she went straight to her room, deliberately avoiding any common areas.
Later that night, Tyler returned home. The maid informed him, “Miss Olivia has already gone to bed.”
Without a word, Tyler headed to his room, his steps measured and quiet.
For the past two days, this had been their routine. Their interactions were limited to brief encounters in the mornings, and by night, their paths never crossed. Olivia would either return home too early, or Tyler would arrive too late.
It was Olivia’s choice. She preferred not to see Tyler if she could avoid it, the space between them growing wider with each passing day.
This routine continued for about a week. Then, one afternoon, Olivia received an unexpected call.
“Hello, is this Olivia Jones?”
Startled, she hesitated before answering, unsure of the caller’s identity. “Who… who is this?”
A gentle voice responded, “It’s Sophie’s brother, Claude.”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat. “How can I help you?” she asked, standing at the entrance of the library, the quiet of the space amplifying her nervousness.
“I found a necklace, and I think it might be yours,” Claude explained, his tone polite and calm.
Olivia’s grip tightened on the phone. “Does it have a heart-shaped pendant?”
“Yes, it’s made from platinum.”
“It’s mine, Claude! Please, where are you?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly with relief and urgency.
They arranged to meet at a nearby cafe. When Olivia entered, she immediately spotted Claude, seated at a table by the window.
“Claude?” she called out, her voice tentative but hopeful.
He stood as she approached, a smile spreading across his face. “Olivia!” he greeted her warmly.
A soft laugh escaped her as she walked closer. “I hope I didn’t make you wait,” she said, the tension in her body easing just a little at the sight of him.