Chapter_221
Olivia stood before Ana, feeling a calm sense of confidence in her new outfit. She looked every bit the part of a woman who belonged in high society—graceful, poised, and perfect for a gathering like this. The two of them made quite an impression, side by side, drawing admiring glances from the other women.
They were at a posh event, hosted at a club in the mountains. It was a gathering of wealthy wives who came together to chat, arrange flowers, and bask in each other’s company. Olivia quickly became the subject of the group’s conversation. Compliments flooded in, with many praising Ana for having such an impressive daughter-in-law.
Ana soaked in the praise, her smile widening with each compliment. “Tyler adores her, and what can I do? She’s even expecting,” she said, with a modest yet satisfied tone.
The Harris family’s news of Olivia’s pregnancy was kept relatively private, shared only among close friends and family. It was just for the inner circle, so none of the other wives knew.
One of the women in the group, unable to hold back her thoughts, remarked, “Wow, you must be thrilled. Tyler really should’ve ended things with his ex sooner. She was sick and couldn’t contribute much. It’s so much better now that he’s with Olivia and they’re starting a family.”
Ana, who had once been embarrassed by Naomi’s illness and the attention it brought her family, now held her head high. She had endured the whispers, the snickers behind her back, but now, she could finally take pride in her son’s new life with Olivia.
Smiling, Ana replied, “True. But it shows Tyler’s loyalty, sticking with her despite everything. Now, with Olivia, he’s really seeing the joy of having a family.”
Olivia felt a wave of discomfort wash over her as she stood silently, absorbing the conversation. She could feel the sharp edges of their words but said nothing, remaining close to Ana, trying to keep a calm demeanor.
Tyler returned home at 10 p.m., finding Olivia in the dressing room, sorting through clothes. He stood at the doorway, watching her for a moment before approaching.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice breaking the silence.
Olivia jumped in surprise, quickly turning around to lean against the wardrobe. She hadn’t noticed him standing there.
He looked at the clothes in her hands and took them from her. “What’s this?”
She stiffened when she saw what he was holding: a tiny, white onesie. Panicking slightly, she reached for it but stopped midway. “Grandma gave it to me today,” she said, her voice soft.
Tyler examined the fabric, his fingers lightly brushing over it. Olivia watched him intently, wondering what kind of father he might be. It was his first time holding something so small, so delicate. There was a quiet warmth in his gaze as he inspected the onesie, almost as if he could feel the baby in his hands.
“Hmm, it’s good,” he said, his voice low.
Olivia, still unsure, stuttered, “I-I’ll put it away.”
But she hesitated again, her hand hovering over the clothes. Something about holding the onesie felt… real, in a way that she wasn’t ready for.
Tyler handed it back to her gently. “It’s too early for this, but it’s really cute,” he remarked.
She took it from him, feeling touched by the thoughtfulness behind the gift. Maisy must have been saving it for a grandchild, a legacy passed down. Olivia felt a strange mix of emotions—gratefulness, nervousness, and a growing sense of responsibility.
As she held the onesie, an indescribable feeling began to stir within her. It was as though the baby had suddenly become tangible, no longer an abstract idea but something real she could hold in her hands.
“I’m not sure what to do about the baby clothes,” she said, her voice uncertain. “Should I put them separately or…?” She wasn’t sure where to place them in the wardrobe, feeling lost in this unfamiliar territory.
Tyler, noticing her confusion, responded simply, “Keep them separate.”
Olivia nodded and continued sorting through the clothes, trying to focus on the task. But Tyler’s question lingered. “How was your day at the event?” he asked, his tone casual.
“It was okay… Nothing much happened,” she replied quickly, her eyes avoiding his as she turned around to continue sorting. She didn’t want to talk about the conversation she’d overheard, especially the comments about Naomi and Ana’s subtle criticisms.
She didn’t want to acknowledge it, didn’t want to admit how it made her feel, but she couldn’t shake the unease.
Tyler studied her, sensing her discomfort. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
Olivia merely nodded, not sure what else to say. She kept her focus on the clothes, trying to push the uneasy thoughts from her mind.
Just then, a small object fell from the pile of baby clothes. Olivia looked down, startled. “W-What’s this?” she asked, bending down to inspect it.
Tyler picked it up, his eyes lingering on it for a moment before handing it to her. “It’s a birth locket.”
“A birth locket?” Olivia was confused. She had never seen anything like it before, but it was undeniably cute, with tiny bells that jingled softly as she held it.
Tyler didn’t expect to see it, his eyes softening as he stared at the locket for a moment. He handed it to her, his voice quiet. “Keep it.”
Olivia studied it carefully, turning it over in her hands. “It’s so cute… Do you wear it on the neck?”
“Mm-hmm, when the baby’s a month old,” Tyler explained, his voice distant as Olivia ran her fingers over the locket’s delicate pattern. It felt like a tiny piece of her future, a symbol of what was to come.