Chapter_259
Once they were inside the car, Olivia leaned back against the seat, feeling a sense of freedom wash over her. The world outside the car window seemed different now, more alive, more full of possibilities. She had spent so many days confined to her room, trapped in her thoughts and fears. The idea of stepping outside, even for just a little while, made her feel alive again.
Tyler sat beside her, his presence steady and reassuring. He didn’t speak at first, letting Olivia soak in the quiet moments of being outside her usual environment. But when they reached a nearby park, he turned to her with a soft smile. “How are you feeling now?” he asked, his voice tender.
Olivia hesitated for a moment, still unsure how to express the mix of emotions swirling inside her. “Better,” she finally said, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
He nodded, understanding more than she realized. “I’m glad you’re happy. I know it hasn’t been easy.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, letting the gentle breeze and the sounds of the park soothe their nerves. Olivia looked over at Tyler, wondering if he was still preoccupied with Naomi. She knew he had been juggling so much lately, torn between his obligations to his family and his desire to support her.
“Tyler…” Olivia began, her voice quiet. “I know things haven’t been perfect between us lately. With everything going on…”
He turned to her, his eyes softening as she spoke. “Olivia, you don’t have to apologize. I’ve been distracted, and I’m sorry if it’s made you feel alone.”
“I know you’re busy with Naomi, but I just want to make sure we’re okay, too,” she admitted, her eyes meeting his. “I don’t want to feel like I’m competing with her for your attention.”
Tyler’s expression faltered, and for a brief moment, he seemed at a loss for words. He reached for her hand, his thumb brushing over her skin as if trying to reassure her. “Olivia, you’re not competing with anyone. You’re my wife. I love you, and that won’t change.”
But Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling of insecurity that had been creeping up on her. She had always feared that her position in his life would be challenged, especially now that Naomi was in the picture. The tension, the emotional distance—it was hard to ignore.
“Are you sure?” she asked softly, her voice trembling. “Because sometimes it feels like I’m just… here, and she’s the one who matters most to you.”
Tyler’s heart tightened as he heard the vulnerability in her voice. He squeezed her hand gently. “Olivia, I promise you, I’m not going anywhere. Naomi is my friend, and I’ll always be there for her, but that doesn’t change what we have. You and the baby come first. Always.”
She looked at him, searching his eyes for any sign of doubt, but all she saw was sincerity. Slowly, her anxiety began to ebb, replaced by a sense of warmth and security. Tyler truly cared for her. She knew that. She just had to trust him.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I just… I just want us to be okay.”
“We are,” he said softly. “We will be.”
They sat there together for a few more minutes, letting the peace of the moment settle between them. Olivia felt the weight on her shoulders lighten, the fear that had been haunting her dissipating with every passing second. For the first time in days, she felt a glimmer of hope.
Tyler, still holding her hand, stood up and helped her out of the car. “Let’s take a walk,” he suggested, his voice light, trying to change the mood.
Olivia nodded, grateful for his care. As they walked together through the park, the rest of the world seemed to fade away, and for a few brief moments, it was just the two of them—no complications, no uncertainties—just a quiet, peaceful walk under the fading sunlight.