Chapter_139
Olivia’s heart pounded in her chest as Tyler’s words sank in. Everyone’s been looking for you?
The weight of his anger was suffocating, and she could feel the tension radiating from him in waves. She’d never seen him like this—so furious, so desperate. It was as if she had done something unforgivable, when all she had done was spend a day reconnecting with her past.
“Tyler…” she started, her voice trembling slightly, trying to make sense of everything. “I didn’t think it would matter this much. I just needed some time away. I didn’t think anyone would be so worried…”
Tyler’s grip on her tightened, his jaw clenched as he spoke through gritted teeth. “You didn’t think? That’s the problem, Olivia! Do you realize how dangerous this could’ve been? You disappear without telling anyone, and you think it’s nothing?”
Olivia’s eyes flickered to his face, seeing the raw frustration etched there. But beneath the anger, there was something else—something darker that she couldn’t quite place. Was it fear? Concern? It made her head spin.
“I… I didn’t mean to cause trouble,” she whispered, trying to pull away from him, but his hold was unyielding.
“Of course you didn’t,” Tyler replied sarcastically, “But that’s not the point! You put yourself in danger, and I had no idea where you were. You didn’t even know where you were! What if something happened?”
His words stung, but more than that, they confused her. Why was he acting like this? She understood that he was concerned, but this felt like more than just worry—it was as though he was angry that she had chosen to do something on her own, without his permission.
Olivia took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. “I’m not a child, Tyler. I can take care of myself. I don’t need someone to watch over me all the time.”
Tyler’s eyes flashed with something unreadable. For a moment, the air between them crackled with an intensity that made her feel small and vulnerable, like she was being suffocated by his emotions. But then, just as quickly, his face softened, his hand loosening its grip on her shoulder, though his anger still lingered.
“I know you can take care of yourself,” he muttered, his voice quieter now, almost resigned. “But you don’t see it from my side. You’re not the only one worried.”
Olivia was silent for a long moment, processing his words. She didn’t understand why he was so angry, but there was one thing she could sense—he wasn’t just worried about her. He was upset that she hadn’t kept him in the loop. She had stepped out of his control, even if just for a day, and that was something he couldn’t tolerate.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel like that,” she finally said, her voice softer now. “But I’m still my own person, Tyler. I’m allowed to make decisions, even if they don’t line up with what you expect.”
His eyes softened briefly, but he didn’t respond right away. Instead, he stared out the windshield, lost in thought, before pulling the car into motion. They drove in silence for several minutes, the weight of the tension between them thickening the air.
Olivia’s mind raced. She didn’t like where this was going. She didn’t like feeling controlled, feeling like her choices were being scrutinized, even if they were small ones. It was suffocating. And she wasn’t sure how much longer she could take it.
“I didn’t think it would be such a big deal,” she said quietly, almost to herself. “I just wanted a day to reconnect with a part of my life I had left behind. It wasn’t about anyone else.”
Tyler didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at her. The silence stretched between them, and Olivia felt the gap widening. She hadn’t expected things to unravel so quickly. She didn’t know where they stood anymore.
When they finally reached Sandalwood Palace, Tyler didn’t wait for Olivia to get out of the car. He opened the door for her, his movements stiff and mechanical. She glanced at him before stepping out, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion swirling inside her.
He didn’t say a word as she walked up to the door, and she didn’t try to engage him either. The evening had left too much unsaid, too much unresolved. And as Olivia entered the house, the heavy silence between them seemed to follow her, making her question everything she thought she knew about their relationship.