Chapter_119
Olivia returned home expecting the usual quiet, but instead, she found a man sitting on the couch. It was Tyler.
He looked up from his magazine, his expression calm. “Welcome back,” he said, as though he had been waiting for her.
The silence in the hall felt heavy, and Olivia’s voice seemed to echo as she asked, “You’re not asleep yet?”
“I even thought about calling you,” Tyler replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
Olivia shifted uncomfortably. “I’ve been busy at the lab lately, that’s why I’m coming home late. Sorry, I should’ve called you.”
“It’s fine. Just make sure you come home safe. But try not to stay out too late—it’s not safe,” Tyler advised, his voice laced with concern.
Olivia nodded, a tightness forming in her chest. “I know.”
After a brief silence, Tyler stood up. “I’m going to my room.”
“Okay. See you.”
Once Tyler went upstairs, Olivia rushed to her room. She locked the door behind her, her hands trembling slightly. She felt a desperate need for distance, even though the space between them already felt too large. They couldn’t be any closer than this—not now, not ever again. There had to be distance, she reminded herself.
Closing her eyes, Olivia’s face went pale as a wave of emotion passed over her. It wasn’t just the fatigue from the lab, but the weight of what was hanging between them.
The next morning unfolded in its usual rhythm. Olivia picked at her breakfast, barely touching the food before deciding to leave.
Tyler spoke first, breaking the silence. “Another morning class?”
“Yes,” she replied, her tone flat.
“Then let’s go together. I have some personal business to take care of at your university anyway.”
Olivia hesitated, wanting to refuse, but she couldn’t come up with a good enough reason. “Oh… okay.”
They drove in silence for the most part, but Olivia noticed Tyler making several calls. She couldn’t hear the conversations, but she saw him frown and fall silent often, his usual composure giving way to something unreadable.
When they arrived at the university, Tyler pulled up in front of the building but didn’t get out of the car. “I won’t be seeing you inside,” he said, his voice as steady as ever.
“That’s fine,” Olivia replied quickly, not meeting his eyes as she stepped out of the car.
She walked into the building, her mind already racing. She arrived earlier than usual, having come with Tyler, but the extra time only made her feel more restless. Instead of heading to her class right away, she decided to pass the time in the library.
As she wandered the aisles, lost in thought, a voice suddenly called out behind her. “Aren’t you early today!” Sophie chirped, jumping out from behind a shelf and hugging Olivia.
Olivia gave a hesitant smile, trying to hide her unease. “Um, I’ve got nothing to do lately, so I thought I’d come here early.”
Sophie raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. She knew something was off with her friend. Leaning closer, Sophie whispered conspiratorially, “Did you hear? The Harris Group made another big donation to the school. They’re going to build a new block soon.”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of the Harris Group. She couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was somehow connected—Tyler, the business dealings, the way he was constantly watching her. Yet she pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on her friend.
“Really?” Olivia said, trying to keep her voice steady. “That’s great for the school.”
Sophie nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, it’s going to change everything around here. I heard they’re even offering scholarships for top students.”
Olivia nodded absently, her thoughts drifting once more.