Chapter_138
Claude hesitated before answering the phone, his fingers lingering over the screen. Olivia watched him, a sense of unease creeping over her. She knew the call was from Tyler, and she could feel the tension in the air shift.
Claude brought the phone to his ear, his voice steady but guarded. “Hello?”
Tyler’s voice came through the line, sharp and impatient. “Where is she, Claude?”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of Tyler’s voice. She wasn’t sure why, but hearing him now, after everything, made her feel like she was caught between two worlds—one where she had her freedom, and another where expectations weighed heavily on her.
Claude glanced at her, sensing her discomfort, before replying, “She’s with me. We’re in Sereneville.”
There was a brief silence before Tyler’s voice cut through again, colder now. “What’s she doing there?”
“She’s reconnecting with her past, cleaning up her childhood home,” Claude responded, his tone calm but tinged with something more protective.
Olivia looked down at her hands, feeling the weight of Tyler’s unspoken concern. It wasn’t as though she owed him an explanation, but she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Had she done something wrong by coming here with Claude? She hadn’t thought it would cause any problems.
Tyler’s response came quickly, terse. “She didn’t mention anything to me about this.”
“She didn’t mention it to me either,” Claude said, his voice dropping slightly as he gave Olivia a quick glance. “But she’s fine. We’ve been working on the house, and she’s happy. There’s no reason to worry.”
There was a long pause, and Olivia could feel the tension in the air growing thicker. Tyler’s voice finally returned, colder than before. “Make sure she gets back by tomorrow.”
“I will,” Claude assured him, though his words were more of a promise than a reassurance. He glanced at Olivia again, his gaze softening slightly before he ended the call.
Claude lowered his phone, exhaling a frustrated breath, before looking over at Olivia. She felt the weight of his gaze and met his eyes, silently asking for reassurance.
“He’s worried about you,” Claude said softly, his tone lacking the sharpness it had moments ago. “You know how Tyler is.”
Olivia nodded slowly, unsure of what to feel. “I didn’t mean to worry anyone,” she said quietly, glancing at the table, suddenly feeling very small. “I didn’t think it would be a big deal.”
Claude’s expression softened as he stood up and walked over to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. But sometimes, people worry because they care.”
She swallowed, her emotions a little tangled in her chest. Tyler had always been distant, yet this moment felt different. Was his coldness just his way of caring? Or was there something else?
After a moment of silence, Claude returned to his seat, a light smile tugging at his lips. “You look like you need a distraction. How about that microwave macaroni I mentioned earlier?”
Olivia managed a smile, her heart lightening at his attempt to cheer her up. “Sure, that sounds good.”
The phone call with Tyler had stirred something in her, but Claude’s playful banter helped her shift her focus back to the present. They shared a quiet evening, with laughter and the warmth of their shared work filling the space between them. But even as they ate their ramen, Olivia couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something was shifting, both within her and in her relationship with Tyler.