Chapter_108
Olivia hadn’t expected that question. Her chest tightened as she tried to deflect. “Please don’t do this, Tyler.”
But he didn’t let up. His voice was low, insistent. “I want to know.”
Cornered, she gave a name. “Jacob.”
Tyler paused. It was clear he didn’t believe her. “That’s not the answer I’m looking for.”
Her voice faltered. “…A man like you.”
Tyler studied her in the darkness. “Are you sure? Think carefully.”
But Olivia fell silent, lips pressed together, unwilling to say more.
Gently, he pulled her into his arms, fingers brushing through her hair. “Is this about the cat?” he asked. “Don’t worry, I sent it to a good pet store. We can go visit it soon.”
He hugged her a little tighter, his voice softening to a murmur. “Maybe I’ll ask the store to get more cats. I’ll take you to see them every day, how about that?”
His words were gentle, coaxing, but Olivia didn’t reply.
The next morning, Olivia woke early and went downstairs to help Ana in the kitchen. Although there were maids, Ana preferred to prepare meals herself.
A little later, Tyler made his way down, bleary-eyed from the previous night.
Maisy greeted him with a half-smile. “You’re finally awake. Look at Olivia—she’s been helping your mother since early this morning.”
Tyler sat at the table with a groan. “I drank too much last night.”
Maisy leaned in, speaking in a low voice. “You have to control yourself.”
Tyler gave a slow nod after a pause, but Maisy was secretly pleased. One of the maids had overheard noises from the room during the night and informed her that morning.
Seeing the opportunity, Maisy said quietly, “Tyler, you’re still young. You can’t be expected to care for someone sick your whole life.” She sighed. “You’ve been through a lot. Olivia’s a good girl—gentle and understanding. You like her, don’t you? Why not marry her by the end of the year?”
Just then, Olivia stepped out of the kitchen with a plate of toast and froze. She had heard every word.
Ana, following behind her, caught the end of Maisy’s suggestion. Without acknowledging Olivia’s startled reaction, she walked over and sat across from Tyler. “I agree,” she said calmly. “It’s a good time. Olivia will be finishing university soon. The timing is perfect.”
Looking straight at Tyler, she added, “What do you think?”
Olivia felt a chill creep up her spine. She wanted to move, to speak, but her feet refused to cooperate.
Before Tyler could respond, a maid entered. “Mrs. Ana, should we turn the power back on in Ms. Olivia’s room?”
The table fell into an awkward silence. Tyler and Ana both froze.
Ana recovered quickly. “Didn’t I ask the electrician to fix that? If it’s done, switch it back on,” she said, forcing a smile. Then, shifting the mood, she turned to Maisy. “There’s plenty of food. You should eat more.”
Tyler’s voice suddenly cut through the air, cold and sharp. “It’s not enough that you’re worried about my father?”
Ana stiffened, her smile faltering as she met his gaze.
Maisy quickly stepped in to ease the tension. “Alright, alright. Let’s just enjoy our breakfast.”
Tyler didn’t speak again, flipping open the newspaper and pretending to focus on it.
Olivia remained by the kitchen doorway, still holding the toast. So the lights in her room hadn’t been broken at all. Ana had deliberately cut the electricity. She never would have guessed.
Ana, unbothered, glanced over and said warmly, “Sit down, dear. Let the maid take that.”
Still feeling as if she were treading on ice, Olivia walked slowly to the table and sat beside Tyler, who hadn’t touched his breakfast.
Trying to remain composed, Olivia turned to Maisy and gently placed the jade bracelet back into her hand. “I can’t accept this, Grandma.”