Chapter_173
Olivia’s stomach twisted at the mention of Mrs. Jones. The last thing she wanted right now was to face Naomi’s mother, especially with everything that was hanging in the air. She tried to steady her breathing, but her hands still trembled slightly as she placed the fork down.
Tyler noticed her discomfort but said nothing. Instead, he stood and walked toward the door. “We’ll handle it. Don’t worry,” he said over his shoulder, his tone oddly reassuring.
Olivia watched him leave, her thoughts in disarray. What was happening to her life? It felt like everything was slipping out of her control, and yet she was powerless to stop it.
A few minutes passed, and Olivia rose from the table. The empty plate and cold breakfast in front of her didn’t interest her. Her eyes lingered on the phone resting on the counter, and she almost reached for it again to read Claude’s message. But something stopped her. Maybe it was the guilt, or perhaps it was the looming presence of the banquet, the IVF, and Tyler’s expectations.
Just as she was about to leave the room, there was another knock on the door. This time, it was the maid. “Mrs. Jones is asking for you, Ms. Olivia. She’s in the living room.”
Olivia’s chest tightened, but she forced herself to nod. She couldn’t avoid it forever. “I’ll be right there.”
The moment she stepped into the living room, her eyes met Mrs. Jones’ sharp gaze. The older woman was seated, her posture immaculate, as always. She held a sense of authority in the way she looked at Olivia, and for a brief moment, Olivia felt like a child again, under the scrutiny of someone who expected far more than she could give.
“Olivia,” Mrs. Jones began, her voice cool and measured. “I trust you’re feeling better?”
Olivia nodded, offering a tight smile. “Yes, thank you.”
“Good.” Mrs. Jones’ eyes flicked to the side, her gaze falling on the empty seat next to Olivia. “I trust you’ve discussed the IVF plans with Tyler?”
“We’ve… talked about it,” Olivia said cautiously, keeping her voice steady. She didn’t want to give away her true feelings, but she also couldn’t completely hide the uncertainty in her eyes.
Mrs. Jones seemed to notice, but she didn’t comment. Instead, she moved on, her voice taking on a more businesslike tone. “I’ve heard that you’ve been spending quite a bit of time with the Pearces recently. Is that true?”
The question took Olivia by surprise. “I… I ran into them a couple of times, yes.”
Mrs. Jones raised an eyebrow, her gaze piercing. “I hope you understand that it’s crucial for you to maintain certain relationships, Olivia. The Pearces are… well, let’s just say they’re not entirely in line with what we’re trying to achieve here.”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat. What is she implying?
“I don’t have any personal involvement with them, Mrs. Jones,” Olivia said, trying to remain composed. “I’m simply being polite.”
“Politeness is fine,” Mrs. Jones replied, her tone now dangerously cold. “But be mindful of who you associate with. There are expectations here—expectations that come with being part of this family. You need to remember your role, Olivia.”
The words hit harder than Olivia expected. It wasn’t just about the IVF or the banquet; it was about her place in this world Tyler had drawn her into, a world where she was nothing more than an object in a strategic game.
Olivia stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. She needed to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the room, to get away from the pressure building inside her.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned to leave, but Mrs. Jones’ voice stopped her.
“Remember, Olivia, it’s not just about what you want. It’s about what’s best for all of us. Don’t forget that.”
Olivia’s heart raced as she made her way to the door. What’s best for all of us? She tried to ignore the bitterness that rose in her chest. There was no “us,” not really. It was just Tyler’s world, his plans—and she was just a pawn in it.
As she stepped out into the hallway, her phone buzzed again. She glanced down, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to open Claude’s message.
“Olivia, I just wanted to check on you. I hope you’re doing okay.”
Her breath caught in her throat. The sincerity in his words cut through the fog in her mind, offering a brief moment of clarity in the midst of her confusion.
But she couldn’t answer. Not yet. Not until she understood what she really wanted.
With a deep breath, Olivia put the phone away. Focus, Olivia. Just focus on getting through the next step.
As she moved down the hallway, she heard Tyler’s voice calling her from the other side of the house. The banquet. The IVF. Her role. They were all waiting for her. But somewhere inside, a small voice whispered, Is this really the life I want?