Chapter_199
Claude froze, the weight of Olivia’s apology lingering in the air.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you. I didn’t hide it from you intentionally,” Olivia’s voice trembled slightly, betraying the rawness of her emotions. “Thank you for not telling Sophie about it.”
Her words seemed to hover between them, but Claude remained silent, his response coming only after a heavy pause. “Can you tell me why you did this, Olivia? You knew about Tyler and Naomi. Why would you…”
The question hung in the air like a shadow, his words laced with disbelief. Olivia couldn’t bring herself to answer. She sat in stunned silence, her mind racing as the weight of his accusation settled within her.
Claude’s voice pierced the silence, his tone a mix of concern and frustration. “Olivia, is this really what you want for your life? How old are you? Are you really willing to ruin everything for this?”
His words stung, and Olivia found herself paralyzed, unable to form a response. She had never imagined Claude would be so harsh. He continued, his concern deepening with every word. “Are you sacrificing yourself just to save Naomi?”
Olivia’s eyes widened in shock. He knows?
How could he know everything? The full depth of her involvement, the weight of her choices… it was as though he saw straight through her.
Claude’s voice became more insistent. “I’ve been keeping track of Naomi’s condition. She’s basically dying. Tyler did everything he could to find a donor for her. He even went abroad, but no match was found. You’re her sister by blood—the only one who could possibly save her. Apart from saving Naomi, I can’t think of any other reason for you to be with Tyler.”
Olivia’s breath hitched, her hands trembling as she struggled to maintain her composure. She remained silent, the truth too overwhelming to face head-on.
Claude’s words cut through her fragile silence again, his tone growing more urgent. “So, is this what you’re doing, Olivia? Are you going to have his child just to save Naomi?”
The world around Olivia seemed to blur. Her hands grew numb, and she almost dropped the phone in her lap. She sat up, forcing herself to focus on the cold expanse of darkness outside her window.
Claude was right about everything—except one thing. She was already pregnant.
Her breath became shallow, her chest tight with the weight of it all.
His voice came through again, more desperate this time. “Tyler is doing everything he can to save Naomi because he loves her. What’s your role in this? Do you understand that you’ll be the one who gets hurt in the end?”
Olivia’s heart ached as Claude’s words resonated deep within her. He wasn’t just accusing her—he was blaming her for choosing a path that would only lead to her own pain. She wasn’t just sacrificing her happiness; she was sacrificing herself entirely.
But as the crushing reality of her situation settled in, Olivia found her voice again. “I’m sorry, Claude,” she whispered, the weight of her apology heavy in her chest.
Claude’s disbelief was evident. “You’re sorry? To me?”
Olivia’s lips trembled as she struggled to find the right words. “But there’s nothing else we could do. Naomi would die if we didn’t… if we didn’t try this.”
“Olivia,” Claude’s voice softened, tinged with sorrow. “You’re the most important person in the world, even if she’s your sister.”
With those final words, Claude ended the call, leaving Olivia alone with her thoughts. The silence that followed was suffocating. She stared at the phone in her hand, her fingers cold, before it slipped from her grasp and landed softly on the bed.
Later that night, Tyler returned home, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. The maid was waiting for him in the living room.
“Did she eat?” Tyler asked, his tone low.
The maid hesitated, her face full of concern. “She didn’t eat much today, sir.”