Chapter_253
Naomi sat in the car, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery, but her mind was elsewhere, replaying the scene she had just witnessed in the garden. Her heart ached as she saw Tyler and Olivia walking together, so perfectly at ease in each other’s company. It was like a private world they shared, and Naomi was no longer part of it.
She had once been at the center of that world—Tyler’s world—and now she felt like an outsider, watching from the sidelines as someone else took her place. The way he supported Olivia, the way she smiled at him—it was all so natural, so effortless. Naomi clenched her hands tighter, the feeling of being replaced settling heavily in her chest. She tried to shake it off, but the weight of it pressed down on her, making it harder to breathe.
The car sped through the streets, but Naomi didn’t notice the time passing. She was lost in her thoughts, fighting back the frustration and jealousy that were bubbling up inside her. How could this happen? How could Tyler, the man she once thought she would build a life with, turn to someone else so easily?
As the car approached the Harris estate, Naomi felt a sharp pang in her chest. She had come here hoping for something—a reconciliation, maybe, or at least some clarity. But now, all she felt was a deep sense of displacement. She wasn’t even sure what she was hoping to find anymore.
When the car finally came to a stop, Naomi didn’t immediately get out. She sat there for a moment, gathering her strength, before stepping out onto the driveway. The air felt colder now, and she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off the chill.
As she made her way toward the front door, the house loomed large in front of her, its imposing presence making her feel smaller than ever. She paused before knocking, her mind racing. What was she even doing here? She wasn’t sure if she wanted answers or if she just needed to confront the pain she had been ignoring.
Inside, Tyler and Olivia were in the living room, the atmosphere light and calm as they continued to talk. But when Naomi entered, all conversation stopped. Tyler’s gaze flickered to her, and for a moment, Naomi could have sworn she saw a flicker of surprise—or perhaps guilt—in his eyes.
Olivia, too, looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. The maid, seeing Naomi’s condition, hurried over. “Miss Naomi, you shouldn’t be up like this,” she said softly. But Naomi ignored her, her focus entirely on Tyler.
“I… I wanted to see you,” Naomi said, her voice barely above a whisper. The words felt foreign on her tongue, but she pushed them out anyway.
Tyler’s expression hardened. “Naomi, you shouldn’t be here. You need to rest,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind.
Naomi didn’t back down. She stepped further into the room, feeling the weight of their eyes on her. “I’m not here to argue, Tyler. I just… I just needed to see you,” she repeated, her voice cracking slightly.
Olivia shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension that was thickening the air. Tyler looked at Naomi, his eyes softening for a brief moment before he turned away. “You need to take care of yourself, Naomi. This… this isn’t healthy for you.”
Naomi nodded, but her heart was sinking. “I know. I just didn’t know where else to go.”
Tyler didn’t respond, his silence saying everything she didn’t want to hear. Naomi turned toward the door, her steps slow and heavy. As she walked away, she could feel the coldness of the room pressing against her back. This was no longer her home, no longer her place in Tyler’s life. She was just another memory, a part of the past he was moving on from.
She stepped back into the car, her face pale and eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and sorrow. The driver started the engine, and Naomi, staring out the window once more, let the tears fall silently.