Chapter_198
Olivia’s heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t shake the thought—if Claude knew, then Sophie must have found out too. The realization sent a wave of dread over her. How would Sophie react? Would it be with disdain, disgust, or something worse?
For a moment, Olivia hesitated, consumed by a whirlwind of uncertainty. But just as Sophie’s call was about to end, the weight of the situation finally hit her. There was no avoiding this confrontation, no way to hide from it any longer.
She took a deep breath, bracing herself for what was to come, and answered the phone. Her voice came out hoarse, thick with emotion. “Hello, Soof.”
To her surprise, Sophie’s voice wasn’t filled with judgment or anger. Instead, there was a genuine note of concern. “Olivia! Why did you quit school? I’ve been trying to reach you for days! Is everything alright?”
The relief that washed over Olivia was almost overwhelming. Sophie wasn’t asking about her marriage to Tyler. That question, that truth, still hung in the air between them, unspoken. “I… haven’t been feeling well. I just need some time to rest,” Olivia lied, the words slipping out without thought.
Could it be that Sophie didn’t know yet? Was Claude keeping the secret from her?
Sophie’s voice softened with concern. “What’s wrong? Is it serious? I’ll come over right away.”
Olivia quickly shook her head, though she knew Sophie couldn’t see her. “No, I’m fine. I just need to rest at home for a while.”
“Okay. Let me know when you’re feeling better,” Sophie replied, sensing the reluctance in Olivia’s voice. “And don’t worry, I’ll let the others know what’s going on.”
“Mm-hmm. And please tell our classmates I’m sorry for the sudden leave,” Olivia added, the weight of it all pressing down on her chest.
“Of course,” Sophie said, though Olivia could sense a flicker of hesitation in her tone.
The call ended, and Olivia was left in the quiet of the room, her mind still heavy with unanswered questions. She hesitated for a moment, her thoughts circling back to Claude. If there was anyone who knew the full truth, it was him. With a deep breath, she made the decision to call him.
The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before Claude finally answered, his voice distant, flat. “Who is this?”
Olivia tightened her grip on the phone, the coldness in his tone hitting her harder than she expected. She wanted to hang up, to run away from this conversation, but somehow, she found the strength to speak. “It’s me, Claude.”
The silence on the other end was palpable. It wasn’t the warm greeting she had once hoped for. There was no smile, no familiarity in his voice—just cold detachment.
He spoke after a long pause, his words sharp and deliberate. “How’s married life? Are you happy? I’m sure it’s quite the shock. You married your sister’s former fiancé—how does that feel? Do you see him as your husband, or do you still think of him as your sister’s past lover?”
Olivia felt the sting of his words like a slap, each one cutting deeper than the last. She closed her eyes, trying to contain the pain rising in her chest.
Claude waited, his breath heavy over the line, the silence stretching on as he waited for her response. But the words wouldn’t come. She was lost in the weight of it all—her guilt, her pain, and the tangled mess of emotions that seemed impossible to untangle.
Two minutes passed before Claude’s voice broke the stillness. “If you have nothing to say, I’m hanging up.”
His indifference burned. Olivia’s throat tightened, the words she wanted to say stuck in her chest.
“Claude!” she managed to choke out, her voice cracking with emotion.