Chapter_157
Tyler’s voice was sharp, and his cousin, caught off guard, quickly set the ring back down on the table. She mumbled an apology, avoiding Tyler’s gaze as she backed out of the room.
Olivia stood there, still processing the surprise. The ring—the Heart of Sakura—was far more than she had expected, both in price and significance. She hadn’t known it was considered the most precious piece in the store, or that it could cause such a reaction. The weight of the situation hit her again—this wasn’t just about a simple marriage or a commitment between two people. It was a show of wealth, status, and expectations.
Tyler gave his cousin one last look before turning back to Olivia. “I’m sorry about that,” he said, his tone softening. “She can be a bit… much.”
Olivia managed a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s okay. I didn’t know it was that valuable. I just… I don’t know what to do with it.”
Tyler looked at the ring for a moment, then placed it carefully back into the box. “You don’t have to worry about it,” he said with a finality that suggested he was trying to put her at ease. “It’s just a ring. It doesn’t define anything between us.”
But Olivia couldn’t help but feel that it was exactly the opposite. She felt like everything was being defined for her, from the jewelry to the wedding to the expectations of his family. She swallowed her unease and nodded, though she wasn’t sure if she could completely shake the feeling that she was simply part of a larger arrangement, not an individual.
“I’m just trying to figure it all out,” she said quietly, her fingers grazing the edge of the ring box.
Tyler studied her for a moment, as if weighing his next words. “We don’t have to rush anything. Take your time. And if there’s anything you don’t like or feel uncomfortable with, you just have to say it.”
She nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure what she could say that wouldn’t make things worse. “I’ll try.”
The silence between them stretched out until Tyler spoke again. “The dinner will be starting soon. We should probably go downstairs. My family is eager to see you.”
Olivia’s stomach tightened. The thought of facing everyone downstairs made her feel like she was about to step onto a stage in front of an audience that was already judging her. But she knew there was no way to avoid it. Taking a deep breath, she nodded.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
They made their way downstairs together, and the moment they entered the living room, the chatter and laughter from the guests died down. All eyes turned toward them, and Olivia suddenly felt very small.
Maisy, sitting with a glass of wine in hand, smiled at Olivia. “There you are, dear. Everyone’s been waiting.”
Tyler stepped forward, putting a hand on Olivia’s back, guiding her into the room. “Sorry for the delay. We were just getting settled.”
Olivia offered a shy smile, but it felt like a mask—one that was already beginning to crack under the weight of expectations and scrutiny.
The evening passed in a blur of conversations, clinking glasses, and probing questions. Olivia tried to stay in the background, but it seemed like everyone wanted a piece of the new “Mrs. Tyler.” The attention was suffocating.
At one point, Tyler’s aunt leaned over and said with a sly smile, “How do you like the jewelry? I hope it’s everything you expected. You certainly deserve it.”
Olivia could only force a polite smile in response, feeling more like an outsider with every passing moment. She wasn’t sure what kind of life she was stepping into, but she knew it was nothing like what she had imagined for herself.