Chapter_132
After Olivia left, only Naomi and Tyler remained in the room. Hillary was there too, but she was quiet, almost invisible in the background. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts, and Naomi, sensing the silence, finally spoke up.
“Tyler, do you think Olivia left to meet Claude?” Naomi asked, her voice hesitant but tinged with concern.
Tyler’s response was nonchalant. “Do you think so?”
Naomi wasn’t entirely sure, but her worry was evident. “If Olivia and Claude are seeing each other, then—”
Tyler’s tone dropped, almost a murmur. “Talk to her then. She’s your sister. It should be easy to have a conversation with her.”
Meanwhile, Olivia didn’t expect to find Claude still there. As she approached, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you still here?”
She noticed the cigarette between his fingers, the smoke curling up into the cool night air. Claude saw her staring at it and quickly extinguished the cigarette, his lips curling into a sheepish grin. “Sorry for indulging my bad habit.”
Olivia smiled, though it was faint. “I don’t mind at all.” But as she looked at him, something struck her. He wasn’t the usual upbeat Claude; there was a sadness in his eyes. She asked gently, “Are you upset?”
Claude didn’t immediately deny it. He just stood there, his expression distant. “Yeah, a bit. Being here brought back some unpleasant memories.” His gaze wandered to the dark horizon, lost in thought.
Olivia, caught off guard by this side of him, couldn’t quite understand why someone so kind and cheerful would have a shadow hanging over him. She watched him quietly, her gaze soft.
Claude, sensing her eyes on him, met her gaze, his usual gentleness returning. “Why are you staring at me?” he asked, his voice low, almost teasing.
Olivia quickly shook her head, the moment feeling more intimate than she intended. “Nothing. I just think you’re a wonderful person.”
Claude’s heart fluttered at her words. He hadn’t expected such a compliment and didn’t quite know when his expression softened. Smiling, he replied, “I’m not wonderful, Olivia.”
But Olivia, steadfast in her admiration, shook her head with conviction. “No, you’re a wonderful person.”
Claude’s smile lingered, but he couldn’t hold back the question that had been on his mind. “Why are you so cautious around your family? Didn’t you say your relationship with your sister was okay?”
The question made Olivia stiffen. She hesitated, a nervousness creeping into her voice. “No, it’s not like that.”
Claude’s eyes softened, knowing something wasn’t right. From the moment she hesitated at the door, he realized that her family dynamics weren’t as simple as she made them out to be. He took a small step closer, his tone quiet but sincere. “You need to tell me if you’re unhappy,” he whispered.
Olivia, taken aback by his sudden concern, met his gaze, puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Claude’s expression softened, yet there was an underlying helplessness in his eyes. He didn’t speak again, but his gaze said it all—he cared deeply, more than she realized.
Olivia shook her head gently, wanting to reassure him. “Don’t get me wrong, Claude. My family is nice to me.”
Claude’s smile faded, but there was no bitterness in his response. “As long as you believe they’re nice,” he said softly. “Remember, you can come to me if you need help.”
His words, simple yet filled with genuine care, warmed Olivia in a way she hadn’t expected. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Of course.”
The exchange left her feeling both comforted and conflicted, but there was a part of her that appreciated Claude’s honesty. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but in that moment, she felt seen—truly seen—and that, for now, was enough.