Chapter_267
Tyler stood still for a moment after the call ended, his fingers lingering on the phone as he processed the conversation. His mind raced, thoughts of Olivia, Claude, and the tension between them all swirling together. It wasn’t just concern for Olivia—it was the quiet, unspoken weight of everything that had been building. Claude’s words, calm but sharp, echoed in his mind, making him more uneasy than he’d like to admit.
He had tried not to let his emotions show, but seeing Claude’s name on the screen had ignited something inside him. The irritation that had simmered below the surface for so long, the unease over Claude’s closeness with Olivia, it was all bubbling up again. Tyler didn’t like the idea of anyone—especially Claude—getting too close to his wife. The conversation, however brief, had brought back the familiar discomfort he felt when he thought of Claude.
Still holding the phone, Tyler stared at the screen for a few more seconds, the silence in the room pressing in on him. His gaze shifted to the door, wondering if Olivia would wake up soon. It was strange to think of her sharing so much with someone else, even if it was just words of comfort. He wanted to be the one she turned to, the one who could ease her mind, not someone else.
He shook his head, letting out a sigh, and placed the phone on the desk. His thoughts were clouded—there were too many questions, too many things unsaid. But for now, he had to focus on what mattered. Olivia needed him, and he needed to be strong for her.
After a moment of stillness, he turned away from the desk and went to check on Olivia. He opened the bedroom door gently, trying not to disturb her sleep. She was still lying there, her breathing steady, her body curled slightly to one side. A small smile tugged at his lips, but it quickly faded as he looked at her more closely. The worry was still there, hidden beneath her peaceful expression—he could see it in the slight furrow of her brow, even in her sleep.
Tyler sat down beside her, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. She looked fragile, and it made his heart ache. He wasn’t used to seeing her this way, and it reminded him just how much was at stake. He had to keep her safe, protect her and their baby from everything—from the stress, the worries, the complications. He couldn’t afford to let anything—or anyone—come between them.
But as he sat there, watching her sleep, the unease about Claude and the situation with the baby lingered in his mind. He wasn’t sure what the future held, but one thing was certain: he wouldn’t let anything tear them apart. Not now, not ever.
After a while, he leaned over and kissed her forehead softly. “Rest, Olivia,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “We’ll get through this together.”
Tyler stood up and quietly left the room, his thoughts still clouded, but his resolve hardening. He wasn’t about to let anyone—Claude included—get in the way of his family. Not when so much was at stake.