Chapter_130
“It got late one night, and I figured we’d catch up again, so I didn’t mention it,” Tyler explained casually, his gaze turning away from Claude.
Naomi, sensing that Tyler was holding something back, couldn’t quite figure out what it was. She paused for a moment, the silence thickening. Finally, she spoke, “Olivia, come on in with Claude. Why are you lingering at the door?”
Olivia realized that Naomi was trying to draw her in, but given everything that had happened before, she didn’t want to make any assumptions or enter without a proper invitation. She hesitated at the door.
Claude, noticing her caution, looked at Olivia with a puzzled expression, unsure of what was causing her hesitation. Tyler’s eyes also flickered briefly in her direction, though his face remained neutral.
Naomi, aware of the subtle tension, glanced between the two, but Tyler’s impassive expression told her nothing. She squinted at him, trying to read his thoughts, but found herself coming up short.
Seeing Olivia still lingering in the doorway, Claude spoke gently, “Let’s head inside.” He offered her an encouraging smile.
Olivia snapped out of her hesitation and glanced anxiously at Claude. “Okay,” she responded, her voice soft but uncertain.
Claude noticed her unease and couldn’t help but wonder if her relationship with Naomi wasn’t as close as Olivia made it seem.
As Olivia stepped into the room, Claude followed, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Come on,” he said gently, guiding her forward.
Naomi, who had been observing the subtle exchange, noticed the intimacy of the gesture. Her eyes lingered on Olivia’s shoulder even after Claude removed his hand, and her expression shifted. She wasn’t sure how to interpret it, but the action had felt oddly familiar, as though it were something Claude had done many times before.
Tyler’s gaze grew colder as he watched the interaction. The more he observed, the more his expression hardened, his earlier calm giving way to something more guarded.
Naomi, still puzzled, couldn’t help but ask, “Claude, are you and Olivia…” She trailed off, her curiosity getting the better of her as she focused on the spot where Claude had just touched Olivia’s shoulder.
Claude, noticing Naomi’s scrutiny, simply responded, “I met Olivia at my sister Sophie’s birthday party. I treat her like a sister.”
Olivia, who had thought little of the gesture, felt Naomi’s intense gaze on her and suddenly became uncomfortable. After a brief silence, she added, “I’ve only met Claude a few times, and he’s always been kind to me, like a brother.”
Naomi, still not satisfied, turned to Tyler, her brow furrowed in thought. “Did you know they knew each other?”
Tyler, who had been silent up until this point, met Naomi’s gaze steadily. “Yes,” he replied simply.
Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling of coldness emanating from Tyler, and it made her even more cautious. She felt herself withdrawing a little, unsure of how to navigate the undercurrent of tension that seemed to be building.
Tyler broke the silence, turning to the nurse. “Pour us some water, please.”
Claude, sensing that the atmosphere had shifted, smiled politely. Meanwhile, Hillary, who had been quietly observing the dynamics, stood up. “Let me do it, Tyler,” she offered, her voice warm.
As Hillary moved to fetch the water, her gaze flickered toward Olivia and Claude. She couldn’t help but wonder about their relationship. A thought crossed her mind: If they were involved romantically, that would mean Olivia and Tyler weren’t together. It would also explain some of the tension she had noticed earlier. Perhaps Olivia and Tyler were no longer on the same page.
Hillary returned with the water and handed it to Claude. He took the glass, offering a smile as he addressed Tyler. “I heard Olivia mention Naomi being in the hospital, so I decided to come along for a visit. I hope you don’t mind.”
Tyler’s expression softened ever so slightly. “Not at all. We’re glad you came.”