Chapter_214
Ana smiled gently, her expression softening as she spoke, “You’re going to have a baby, so you should stay here and rest.”
The morning sun streamed in through the windows, casting a warm glow on the room as Ana carefully arranged the flowers on the table. Despite the delicate and serene scene, Olivia couldn’t shake the sense of discomfort. Though she was now living in Tyler’s family home, it still didn’t feel like her space. She wasn’t used to the luxury, nor the feeling of being dependent.
She moved closer to Ana, offering her help despite the awkwardness. “Let me help you.”
Ana was known for being reserved, not the kind to easily share her space or time. But to Olivia’s surprise, she accepted the offer with a quiet nod. The older woman understood Olivia’s discomfort and made her feel at ease, guiding her through the simple task of arranging the flowers.
“If you behave, everything will be fine,” Ana began, her tone more motherly than usual. “Once you have the baby, you’ll be the lady of the Harris family. You’ll have everything you desire, and no one will question you. Your only job now is to ensure that the baby is born healthy.”
Olivia listened, her heart heavy with the weight of Ana’s words. There was so much uncertainty in her life, but for now, she knew one thing for certain: her primary responsibility was the baby. The rest could wait. She nodded softly. “Okay, Mom.”
“We’ll eat with Tyler when he comes down,” Ana suggested, as she carefully placed another flower in the vase.
“Sure,” Olivia replied, her voice quiet but steady.
They spent the next little while arranging flowers together. Though Olivia wasn’t familiar with the task, Ana was patient, teaching her step by step, making her feel as though she was contributing, even in the small moments.
It was then that Tyler came downstairs. The sight of Olivia among the flowers caught his attention. She looked more at ease than she had in days, her presence soft and peaceful against the backdrop of the bright, floral arrangement.
The maid appeared at the foot of the stairs, breaking the silence. “Breakfast is ready, sir.”
Tyler turned, nodding in acknowledgment. It wasn’t until the maid had spoken that Olivia and Ana noticed his presence. Ana, still holding a rose in her hand, smiled warmly at him. “Why are you just standing there quietly, Tyler?”
Olivia, startled by his gaze, looked up. Her breath caught in her throat, and she instinctively put down the scissors she had been holding. Her eyes flickered toward him, her heart beating a little faster.
Tyler, sensing her unease, shifted his gaze and approached them. “What are you two doing?” he asked, his voice calm but curious.
Ana didn’t miss a beat. “I’m not being harsh on her. I’m doing this for her own good. If my daughter-in-law is going to socialize with the wealthy wives, she needs to learn how to hold her own,” she explained, her words both matter-of-fact and gentle.
Olivia didn’t respond. She knew Ana was right, but she felt a pang of vulnerability at the thought of what was expected of her. She kept her silence.
Tyler glanced at Olivia then, his tone softening as he asked, “Have you eaten?”
“Not yet,” Olivia replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Let’s eat then,” he said, the invitation clear in his eyes.
Ana, still with a playful smile, allowed Olivia to go. “Go on, then. I don’t want him to think I’m bullying you,” she teased lightly.
Olivia, taken aback by Ana’s lighthearted tone, couldn’t help but feel a little more at ease. She followed Tyler without saying anything more, leaving Ana to finish her task with a quiet smile on her face.
As they sat down at the dining table, the morning calm continued to settle around them. Olivia felt a bit better, her appetite slowly returning as her morning sickness faded for the time being. The food before her—whole wheat toast, bacon, and beef—was more than she expected to eat. Still, the absence of nausea made it easier to enjoy her meal.
Tyler, as always, ate with quiet elegance, his movements deliberate and graceful. He served her some bacon and beef, his gaze lingering on her for a moment.
“If you don’t feel like eating them, just leave them,” Tyler said, noticing how Olivia hesitated before taking a bite.
Olivia tested the bacon, surprised by how agreeable it tasted. She didn’t feel nauseous, and for once, she found herself eating more than she had in days.
Tyler resumed his own meal, his expression neutral. The silence between them was comfortable, though the weight of unspoken thoughts hung in the air.
After a few moments, Tyler broke the silence. “If you want to go out, make sure the maid accompanies you,” he said, his voice low and thoughtful.
Olivia nodded in acknowledgment. She didn’t feel the need to respond, but the quiet concern in his voice touched her.