Chapter_263
Olivia lay in bed, her thoughts tangled with the uncertainties of the day. She heard the soft sounds of the house settling around her, but none of it could quiet the anxiety swirling in her chest. She had wanted to rest, to escape into sleep and forget the worry over the baby, but it was hard when her mind wouldn’t stop racing.
Tyler sat by the bed, watching her with concern, though he said nothing. He had always known how deeply Olivia felt things, how her emotions could overwhelm her, especially when it came to the baby. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face, his touch soothing.
“Olivia,” he said quietly, “try to rest. Everything will be okay.”
She nodded, though her eyes remained wide open, the weight of his words not quite reaching her heart. “I just don’t know, Tyler… What if something’s wrong? What if I can’t protect it? What if…”
“Shh…” Tyler interrupted softly, placing a finger on her lips. “Don’t go down that path right now. We don’t know anything for sure yet. Let’s focus on what we can control, okay? We’ll get through this together.”
Olivia wanted to believe him. She really did. But the fear lingered, gnawing at her, telling her that the worst was inevitable. She could feel the pressure building in her chest, the familiar tightness that came with feeling completely powerless.
Meanwhile, Naomi sat in her room, still struggling with the thoughts that had been consuming her for days. She couldn’t sleep, and the words Hillary had said to her earlier kept echoing in her mind. Her mother had been insistent—Olivia was part of the family now, and Naomi’s position as the rightful Mrs. Harris had to be protected. Naomi knew Hillary had her own interests in mind, but the pressure was mounting. What did it mean for her if Olivia’s child became the focus of everyone’s attention? Naomi had spent so long building her own place in the Harris family, and now it felt as though everything she had worked for was being threatened.
She had been pacing the room when Hillary arrived, looking troubled but determined. “Naomi,” she said, her voice low, “have you thought about what I said?”
Naomi felt a flutter of anxiety at her mother’s words. She had, indeed, thought about it, but she wasn’t sure what to do. “Mom, I—”
Hillary cut her off. “Naomi, Olivia is part of the family now. She’s your sister, and we need to take care of her and that baby. That child is important, and we can’t let anything happen that would jeopardize it. It’s crucial for the family’s future.”
Naomi’s chest tightened as she listened, but she wasn’t sure she could follow through on what Hillary was asking. She had always been careful, measured in how she approached things, especially when it came to Tyler and the Harris family.
“I don’t know, Mom. I can’t be the one to bring this up with her. She’s living with Tyler now. I… I don’t want to make things worse,” Naomi admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Hillary’s eyes softened with understanding, but she was resolute. “You need to talk to Tyler. Have you tried? I’m sure he won’t disagree with you.”
Naomi went quiet, her mind whirling. She knew what her mother was suggesting, but she couldn’t shake the doubt that had settled in her heart. If she confronted Tyler, would it push him away? Would it make him choose Olivia over her?
After a long pause, Naomi sighed, her shoulders slumping as if a weight had been placed on them. “I’ll talk to him,” she said, though her voice was uncertain. “But I don’t know what good it will do.”
Hillary’s expression softened, and she placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Naomi. Your father and I will take care of Olivia. We won’t let anything happen to her.”
Naomi gave a small nod, but a sinking feeling remained in her chest. What did it mean for her future, for her place in the family, if things shifted in Olivia’s favor? It wasn’t just about the baby—it was about everything she had worked for. Would Tyler still see her as his equal, his partner, if Olivia’s presence in their lives grew stronger?
As Naomi contemplated these questions, Hillary turned to leave, her words lingering in the air. “Just make sure you handle it carefully. It’s important.”
Naomi sat in silence, her thoughts a jumble of conflicting emotions. She knew her mother was right about one thing—the situation with Olivia and the baby couldn’t be ignored. But Naomi wasn’t sure if she was ready to confront Tyler or accept what might come next.
Back in the bedroom, Tyler watched Olivia drift into a restless sleep, her brow furrowed with worry even in her dreams. He knew the stress of the day was taking its toll on her, and he hated seeing her like this. But there was nothing more he could do at the moment. All he could do was be there for her, a steady presence in the midst of the storm.
He brushed a gentle kiss against her forehead, whispering, “Everything will be alright, Olivia. We’ll get through this together. I promise.”