Chapter_163
Colleen clearly wasn’t buying it.
“No way! I saw you crying on your bed!” she exclaimed, crossing her arms with suspicion.
Feeling cornered, Olivia spotted Maisy in the hallway and quickly walked over to her, forcing a small grimace.
“Sorry… I woke up late today.”
She felt out of place—like the only one in the Harris family who hadn’t risen early. It made her feel careless and impolite.
Maisy, however, waved it off with a chuckle.
“Sweetie, you’re apologizing for sleeping in? Please! You were busy last night. It’s only natural you’d sleep in. When I was your age, I slept even more!”
Before Olivia could respond, Maisy leaned in, lowering her voice like she was sharing a secret.
“Now, if Tyler ever bullies you, just let me know. I’ll support you no matter what!”
“Yeah, we’ve got your back!” Colleen added, nodding eagerly.
Olivia felt her cheeks flush. She hadn’t meant for things to spiral like this. The situation was slipping further out of her control, and she didn’t know how to pull it back.
Maisy reached out with a gentle smile.
“Come here, child. I’ll treat you better than that silly boy. Can’t believe he managed to upset you so soon after the wedding!”
Colleen nudged Olivia forward and steered her over to sit next to Maisy, who welcomed her with open arms. Trapped in the warm but misplaced concern, Olivia realized there was no way to explain now. Tyler hadn’t mistreated her at all—it was just her own frustration and emotions—but now it was too late to clarify.
At lunch, Ana brought it up again, cutting straight to the point.
“I heard Tyler mistreated you today. Is that true?”
“N–No! Not at all, Aunt Ana!” Olivia said quickly, sitting up straighter.
Ana raised an eyebrow and set down her fork and knife.
“Aunt Ana?” she echoed, clearly displeased.
Keith watched from the side, his expression unreadable.
Olivia’s eyes flicked toward Tyler, silently begging for help. But he remained still, indifferent, offering her no guidance.
Keith’s lips thinned in disapproval. He and Ana had always wanted Olivia to regard them as true parents—not as distant relatives.
The tension was palpable.
Then Tyler finally spoke, his voice calm but pointed.
“Old habits die hard, huh? Good thing there’s still a grace period for you.”
Olivia lowered her eyes, her voice tight as she corrected herself.
“Right… Mom. Dad.”
Keith’s expression relaxed ever so slightly.
“Now that’s better.”
Ana smiled warmly.
“Tyler may come off cold sometimes, but don’t forget, we all care about you, dear. You’re part of the family now.”
Olivia nodded faintly, still adjusting to the sudden shift in identity and expectation.
Keith glanced at his wife, brow raised.
“Wait, did these two already have a fight?”
“Who knows?” Ana replied with a laugh. “Why don’t you ask them yourself?”
“We didn’t fight. Colleen made it up,” Tyler cut in, his tone flat and dismissive.
Keith studied both of them for a moment, then said nothing. Parents could only get so involved before it crossed a line.
Olivia couldn’t recall how lunch wrapped up after that. Everything blurred together.
They remained at the Harris estate for one more day before returning to Sandalwood Palace that evening.
The car ride was quiet—neither of them made an effort to speak, and the silence lingered like a wall neither dared to cross.