Chapter_122
Tyler seemed to drift into thought as the lecturers continued talking. He lifted his wine glass and took a slow sip. “That was a long time ago,” he murmured, his voice distant.
One of the lecturers, not picking up on the subtle shift in tone, added, “I’m sure Ms. Olivia is just as talented on the piano as her sister.”
The compliment hit Olivia like a wave. She couldn’t play the piano at all. She wasn’t artistic in any way, and the attention felt suffocating. She had spent most of her life in the background, quietly observing, never in the spotlight. To be praised like this, especially when it was clearly all because of Naomi, was deeply uncomfortable.
Tyler seemed to notice her discomfort, and without hesitation, he interrupted smoothly, “Olivia is Naomi’s sister, but she’s not a piano prodigy. Everyone has their own strengths, and they’re not obligated to share the same talents.”
The lecturer, suddenly realizing the misstep, fell silent, his enthusiasm deflated.
A subtle flicker of annoyance crossed Tyler’s face, but it was gone as quickly as it came. He quickly redirected the conversation. “Let’s talk about something else,” he suggested, his tone calm but firm.
Olivia kept her head down, her fingers fidgeting with the napkin on her lap, as if she could somehow shrink into herself. The discomfort lingered, the silence between her and the rest of the table almost tangible.
The lecturer, oblivious to the sensitive nature of his comment, shifted the topic to fundraising, which lightened the mood around the table. Olivia let out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful for the distraction.
As the dinner went on, Olivia found herself withdrawing further. She barely said a word, feeling invisible, like a ghost sitting at the table. It wasn’t just the praise that made her uncomfortable; it was the fact that all of this attention, even the small gestures, were still tied to Naomi’s name. She was a shadow in the room, and Naomi’s brilliance seemed to haunt her every move.
By the time dinner ended around 10 p.m., Olivia didn’t even bother bringing up her plans to return to the lab. Tyler hadn’t mentioned it either, and she wasn’t about to draw attention to her lies.
Once they were in the car, the cool night air rushing in as the door clicked shut behind them, Olivia remained silent, staring out the window. Tyler leaned back in his seat, his eyes closing for a moment, as if the evening had drained him too.
“You seem really busy lately,” he said, breaking the silence. “Weren’t you supposed to go to the lab? Why didn’t you?”
Olivia’s stomach tightened. He knew. She had lied, and now he had caught her. She didn’t dare meet his gaze, her fingers clenching around the fabric of her skirt.
But Tyler’s hand reached out and gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. His gaze was intense, almost tender, and she felt her pulse quicken.
“I just wanted to have dinner with you,” he said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that made Olivia’s chest tighten. “Is that so hard?”
His words lingered in the air, heavy with meaning. His tone had shifted, something more intimate and soft creeping into his voice. She felt an inexplicable pull toward him, yet the closeness unnerved her. She wanted to pull away, but when her hand brushed against his, he gently stopped her.
“You’re just as good as anyone else, do you know that?” His voice was quieter now, as if he were telling her a secret.
Olivia’s hand froze in midair, her breath caught in her throat. His words were like a balm to the raw nerves she hadn’t even realized were exposed.
Tyler must have noticed the way she tensed because he reached over, his fingers tracing the line of her face with a gentleness that took her by surprise. “You’re not Nicole, and you don’t need to be overshadowed by her,” he murmured, his voice low, soothing.
The words, meant to comfort, only made Olivia’s heart beat faster. But then, Tyler leaned in just a little closer, his face so near to hers that she could feel the heat from his breath, tinged with the faintest trace of alcohol. His presence enveloped her, and for a moment, all she could focus on was the soft hum of his voice and the quiet thudding of her own heartbeat.