Chapter_153
Olivia’s heart raced at the mention of informing others about their marriage. She had hoped to keep things under wraps for a while longer, but now, it seemed like her secret was slipping away, thread by thread. She glanced nervously at Tyler, who remained stoic, his face unreadable.
The room was buzzing with the sounds of casual conversation, but to Olivia, it all felt distant, muffled. The questions from Tyler’s family about the wedding, the expectations surrounding it, the pressure to meet everyone’s standards—it all felt suffocating. She had been thrust into this world without warning, without any sense of control.
“Tyler?” Keith’s voice broke through her thoughts. “When should we inform the guests?”
Olivia froze, her fingers tightening around the edge of her seat as the attention shifted to her husband. Tyler’s gaze briefly met hers before he turned to his father and replied, “I’ll handle the details. We’ll keep it small for now.”
Olivia could feel her pulse pounding in her ears. She wasn’t sure what was more unsettling—the idea of a grand ceremony or the realization that she had no say in any of it. Her marriage, her life, was becoming more and more like a performance, and she was merely an actress playing a role she hadn’t rehearsed for.
Maisy, always the cheerful one, chimed in again, “Well, I think we should celebrate regardless! I’m so happy for you two.” She smiled warmly at Olivia, though the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Olivia gave a small, polite nod, not trusting her voice enough to speak. She was too overwhelmed by the sense that things were moving too fast, that she was being swept along by a current she couldn’t control. She looked at Tyler, searching for something—some reassurance, some sign that this was still her choice. But his expression was unreadable, his attention now on his father as they discussed the finer points of the wedding.
“Do you need anything, Olivia?” Ana asked gently, sensing Olivia’s discomfort.
Olivia shook her head quickly, offering a strained smile. “No, I’m fine, thank you.”
She didn’t know what to do. She hadn’t been prepared for this. The whole situation—married at such a young age, thrust into this wealthy, high-profile family—felt like a dream she couldn’t wake up from.
“Let’s eat,” Keith finally said, breaking the tension in the air. The momentary focus on the wedding dissipated, and the family began settling into their seats. Olivia followed suit, her movements stiff, still processing the weight of what had just transpired.
As they ate, Olivia tried to focus on the meal, but every time her mind wandered, it would land on the same unsettling thoughts. How long could she keep pretending? How long would it take for the Harrises to truly accept her as part of their family?
The pressure was mounting, and she didn’t know how much longer she could keep up the act.
Tyler, sensing her unease, spoke quietly across the table, “Don’t worry. I’ll handle everything.” His voice was soft, but there was a firmness to it, as if he were trying to reassure her—though Olivia wasn’t sure if it was for her sake or his own.
Olivia forced a small smile, nodding as she took a bite of her food. She tried to focus on the present, on the moment. But in the back of her mind, the same question kept repeating itself: What had she gotten herself into?