Chapter_300
As they walked out of the lounge, Claude led the way with a casual confidence that put Olivia on edge. She felt a mix of unease and curiosity, unsure of what to expect from him after everything that had happened between them.
The corridor was quiet, save for the soft click of their shoes against the polished floors. Olivia kept her distance, feeling the weight of his presence beside her. She could feel his gaze on her occasionally, but she refused to meet it, focusing instead on the decor around them.
Claude, however, didn’t seem to mind the silence. “So,” he started, his voice soft but carrying a certain undertone of something unspoken, “how have you been, Olivia?”
She hesitated. How was she supposed to answer that? She felt so many things—torn between the past she couldn’t shake and the future she was trying to build. She kept her voice steady. “I’ve been… fine. Just trying to get through everything.”
Claude nodded, his expression unreadable. “That’s good to hear.” His tone was nonchalant, but there was a strange heaviness in the air.
They continued walking in silence for a while until they reached a balcony overlooking the event outside. The night was cool, the lights from the party casting soft glows over the guests. Olivia instinctively stepped away from the railing, trying to put a little more space between them.
Claude noticed, but didn’t comment. He turned his gaze toward the crowd below. “You must be tired,” he said after a moment, “but I thought you might want a change of scenery.”
Olivia nodded. “It’s a lot to take in, but I’m fine.” She didn’t want to admit how out of place she felt, how uncomfortable it was to be here among people who seemed to move in a world she wasn’t sure she belonged to.
There was a long pause before Claude spoke again, his voice lower this time. “You know, Olivia, I’ve been thinking… about how things ended between us.” He didn’t look at her, but she could feel his words lingering in the air, like a reminder of a chapter she wasn’t ready to revisit.
Her stomach twisted at his words, but she didn’t let it show. She kept her gaze on the party below, her hands folded tightly in front of her. “I don’t think there’s anything more to say, Claude,” she replied, trying to sound firm but not entirely succeeding.
Claude’s lips curled into a small, almost sad smile. “Maybe,” he said quietly, “but I still think about it. About us.” He looked at her then, his expression softening slightly. “I just want you to know that I never meant for things to end like they did.”
Olivia’s heart skipped, her mind racing. She had heard him say something similar before, but this time it felt different—like a subtle plea. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear it.
Instead, she shook her head. “I think we both have to move on, Claude.” The words were heavy, and they tasted bitter in her mouth. She wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince him or herself.
For a moment, Claude didn’t respond. He simply stood there, his eyes on her, waiting, perhaps hoping for something more. But Olivia refused to give it to him. She had made her decision.
Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly. “I understand,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.
Olivia felt the tension lift, but it left behind a hollow ache. She couldn’t afford to dwell on the past. She needed to keep moving forward—for herself, for the baby, and for the future she was trying to build with Tyler.
“Thank you for showing me around,” she said quietly, her voice just above a whisper. It wasn’t much, but it was all she could offer without letting the conversation drag on further.
Claude didn’t seem to mind the distance between them. He gave a slight nod. “Take care, Olivia,” he said, his voice still holding that strange, almost wistful tone.
She nodded in return, watching him walk away as she turned back toward the lounge. As she reentered the space, she saw Ana’s eyes following her with a curious gaze, but she didn’t ask any questions. For now, Olivia was grateful for the silence.
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