Chapter_159
Startled, Olivia instinctively turned toward the source of the sound. Sure enough, her phone—left on the bedside table—buzzed softly under the lamp’s glow. She walked over and checked the screen.
It was an unknown number.
Her brows knit in confusion. Glancing briefly at Tyler, who still sat on the couch, Olivia hesitated before answering. “Hello?”
There was a pause on the other end before a woman’s voice replied, cautious yet familiar. “Olivia? It’s me… Emma.”
Olivia’s heart skipped. Emma. Her friend from university—the one she hadn’t spoken to since the news of her sudden marriage broke out. “Emma?” she whispered, surprised.
Tyler didn’t react outwardly, but his eyes flicked toward her, sharp and unreadable.
“Yes, it’s me. I wasn’t sure this was still your number. I just… heard about everything. Are you okay?”
Olivia’s fingers tightened around the phone. “I’m fine,” she said automatically, even though the quiet weight in her chest said otherwise.
Emma lowered her voice. “You don’t sound fine. I know you probably can’t talk right now, but if you need anything—or if you just want someone to listen—I’m here, okay?”
Olivia swallowed hard. “Thank you. I’ll call you back later.”
“Promise me you will.”
“I will.”
She ended the call and slowly turned back toward Tyler. He was staring at her—not with anger, but with something more enigmatic. Indifference? Curiosity?
“Friend?” he asked.
Olivia nodded. “Yes.”
Tyler said nothing more, simply leaned back against the couch, closed his eyes again, and exhaled through his nose. The weight of the ring still glinted under the lamplight, his fingers relaxed now, no longer gripping anything.
Feeling the strain of the night settle over her shoulders, Olivia stood silently, unsure whether to speak or retreat. After a moment, she returned to the table and sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes lingering on the untouched food, the quiet room, and the man she had married, yet barely knew.
The silence between them stretched—familiar now, almost expected.