Chapter_218
Olivia was grateful to Tyler for the thoughtful gestures earlier that day, but she was still processing the weight of it all.
“Where’s the credit card I gave you?” Tyler’s voice broke through her thoughts.
“In my purse,” Olivia replied, her voice steady but unsure.
“Use it,” he said, his tone casual yet firm.
She looked up at him, noticing the quiet intensity in his gaze. His eyes, deep and focused, met hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink around them.
“You’re Mrs. Harris now,” he continued, his voice soft, carrying an unspoken promise. “It makes sense for me to take care of you, doesn’t it? I don’t want you to look like you’re lacking anything. If people who don’t know us saw that, they might think I’m not treating you right.”
There was a warmth to his words that made Olivia listen intently, a quiet reassurance in them that she hadn’t realized she needed. His black shirt, casual but elegant, made his features seem even sharper, his presence more striking. Standing next to him, Olivia felt both small and cared for, as if she were a precious thing he was determined to protect.
She couldn’t deny the grown-up charm he exuded, the kind that would make any woman find him irresistible. Her heart fluttered with a mix of gratitude and something deeper, something unfamiliar.
“Thanks, Tyler,” was all she managed to say, her voice soft.
He nodded, gesturing toward the room. “Come on.”
Olivia hesitated, her eyes flicking to the room he indicated. It seemed clear now—they would be sharing it. In the Harris household, privacy seemed a distant luxury. The thought crossed her mind that, being pregnant, certain things might be off-limits, but she couldn’t be sure of his intentions. Moreover, with the emotional distance she still felt from him, it was hard to imagine him desiring anything beyond her presence.
“Oh… okay,” she replied, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
She lingered at the door for a moment, as if unsure of how to proceed. Tyler, already inside, moved without hesitation. After a brief pause, Olivia followed, her footsteps slow.
“I’m pregnant now,” she explained quietly, still standing by the door with a pillow in her hands. “I don’t sleep well, so I wake up in the middle of the night. I’ll sleep on the couch, okay?”
Tyler, now in his pajamas, looked at her with a quiet consideration. “I’ll take the couch,” he said, picking up a pillow and a blanket. “You rest.”
Olivia watched as he settled onto the couch, his movements gentle and deliberate. A strange warmth spread through her chest. It wasn’t just the act of him offering to give up the bed—it was the way he seemed to truly care, a tenderness she hadn’t fully expected.
“Time to sleep,” he said softly, his voice tinged with affection.
Olivia felt a pang of guilt but pushed it aside. She was tired, and the day had been overwhelming. Deciding not to dwell on it, she crawled into the bed, curling up beneath the blankets.
That night, her mind was restless. In the dark recesses of her subconscious, she found herself in the grip of a terrifying dream. A child was chasing her, never ceasing, always just a step behind. The more she tried to escape, the faster the child seemed to close the gap.
Suddenly, she woke with a gasp, her heart pounding, unsure whether she was still in the dream or not. She threw off the blankets, struggling to break free from the nightmare’s grasp. As she stumbled out of the bed, her movements frantic, she almost lost her balance.
But then, in the darkness, a steadying presence caught her. Tyler’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her back to safety.
“Olivia?” His voice was soft, concerned.
She blinked, disoriented. It took a moment for her to realize where she was, in his arms, not in the nightmare anymore. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she looked up at him, still shaken.
He caressed her cheek gently, his touch warm and reassuring. “You had a nightmare?”
Olivia, still processing the remnants of fear, nodded slowly. She didn’t know how to explain the weight of it, the suffocating dread she had felt. In the quiet darkness, she felt the full comfort of his embrace, a security she hadn’t realized she craved so much.
Tyler held her a little longer, as if anchoring her to the present, his steady presence a balm for her frayed nerves. Even though her pregnancy wasn’t visible yet, she sensed that he was already aware of the life growing inside her. It was as if the bond between them was being quietly recognized, piece by piece.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Olivia shut her eyes, drawing in a shaky breath. “Mm-hmm…”
He waited for a moment before asking, “What was the dream about?”
Olivia didn’t answer right away. Her mind was still tangled in the fear, but Tyler’s presence, so strong and unwavering, made her feel safe enough to take her time. She didn’t need to rush—he was here, and she was here. That was enough for now.
In the stillness of the night, Tyler held her close, gently helping her calm down. He didn’t press for answers. He simply stayed with her, making the darkness feel a little less lonely.