Chapter_258
Olivia smiled faintly at Tyler’s response. His presence always brought her some comfort, but there was still a part of her that felt uneasy. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, something that had been lingering ever since she learned about the complications with the baby.
She watched him as he moved around the room, adjusting his shirt, his movements graceful yet purposeful. There was a coldness about him today, a distance that hadn’t been there before. She tried to dismiss it, thinking perhaps it was just her own emotions clouding her judgment.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Tyler asked softly, his voice gentle, yet there was a hint of concern in his tone. His eyes lingered on her face, searching for any signs of discomfort or unease.
Olivia nodded, though the lie felt bitter in her throat. “I’m fine. Just a little tired, that’s all.” She didn’t want him to worry more than he already did.
He didn’t seem convinced, but he let it go for now. He sat beside her, his hand resting lightly on hers. “You should take it easy today. I know you’re anxious about the scan, but everything will be fine.”
Olivia wished she could believe him fully, but a part of her couldn’t shake the dread she felt. The uncertainty was gnawing at her, and the fact that Tyler was so preoccupied with Naomi—so emotionally distant—only added to her unease.
As the maid finished tidying up, she left the room, leaving Tyler and Olivia alone. The silence between them stretched, heavy and thick. Tyler’s hand gently squeezed hers, but Olivia could feel the underlying tension, the space between them that seemed to grow every day.
“Tyler…” Olivia began hesitantly, unsure how to voice the feelings she had been suppressing. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been so distant lately, and I don’t know how to handle it.”
His gaze softened, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. He paused before responding, “I’m just trying to juggle everything, Olivia. There’s a lot going on, and I want to make sure you’re okay, especially with the baby.”
She looked down at their joined hands, feeling the weight of his words, but also the coldness she couldn’t ignore. “I know you’re trying, Tyler. But I feel like… I’m losing you.” Her voice trembled slightly as she admitted it, the vulnerability raw and real.
Tyler’s expression faltered for a moment, and he let out a long breath. He leaned closer, his forehead brushing against hers. “You’re not losing me, Olivia. I’m right here, okay?” His voice was low, filled with sincerity. “I’ll always be here for you. I just need you to trust me.”
Olivia nodded, though doubt lingered in her heart. She wanted to trust him, more than anything, but it was hard when every conversation seemed to carry an unspoken distance. Still, she clung to his words, hoping that they would be enough.
“I trust you,” she said quietly, though it was hard for her to fully believe it. The fear that had been bubbling inside her wasn’t just about the baby anymore. It was about everything—about Tyler, about Naomi, about the future.
Tyler stayed close, his hand never leaving hers. “Good. I promise, Olivia, we’ll get through this together.”
But as the words left his mouth, he couldn’t help but feel the tug of conflict within him. His mind kept returning to Naomi—her pain, her vulnerability, the promises he had made. How could he balance it all? How could he assure Olivia when his own heart was so torn?
The day ahead loomed large, filled with the unknowns of the scan, the uncertainty of the baby’s health, and the growing tension between the two women in his life. For the first time, Tyler wasn’t sure if he could keep all the promises he had made.