Chapter_270
Hillary’s grip on Olivia’s hands tightened for a moment, a flash of frustration crossing her face. She had come to visit her niece, to make sure she was okay, and now she was being pushed away by Ana’s silent authority. The last thing she wanted was to get into another power struggle with Ana, but the indignation simmered beneath her calm facade.
“I don’t care what Ana says,” Hillary muttered, mostly to herself, but loud enough for Ben to hear. “I came here to see Olivia, and I won’t leave until I’ve had enough time with her.”
Ben stood still, his expression neutral, but there was no mistaking the firmness in his voice as he replied, “I understand, Ms. Hillary. But Ms. Ana has requested you leave, and it is not my place to ignore her instructions.”
Olivia sat quietly, her mind racing. She knew the tension between Hillary and Ana had been building ever since she had arrived at the Harris home. It wasn’t just about her—it was about old wounds, about alliances and loyalties that went back years. She hated being stuck in the middle of it all.
“Ben, you don’t have to do this,” Olivia finally said, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft but firm, carrying the weight of her own frustration. “I’m fine. There’s no need to make things more complicated.”
Hillary gave Olivia a pointed look, clearly displeased with the situation. She opened her mouth to argue, but Olivia spoke again before she could.
“Aunt Hillary, please… let’s not make this harder than it needs to be.” Olivia’s voice wavered slightly as she looked up at her aunt, her exhaustion visible in the way her shoulders sagged.
Hillary hesitated, the anger and frustration still simmering beneath her calm exterior. But she could see the genuine plea in Olivia’s eyes, and it softened her stance. She exhaled slowly, letting go of the tension that had built in her body.
“Fine,” Hillary said through gritted teeth, her eyes flashing with unspoken frustration. She stood up from the bed and gave Olivia a quick, tight hug. “I’ll go, but you better take care of yourself. And remember, I’m always just a call away.”
Olivia nodded, her throat tight. She could feel the weight of the unspoken words between them—the things they both wanted to say but couldn’t. She watched as Hillary walked toward the door, her movements sharp with irritation.
Ben followed Hillary, his presence silent but imposing as he escorted her out of the room. Olivia stayed on the bed, staring at the door, her thoughts in turmoil. The world around her seemed to be closing in, with forces she couldn’t control pulling at her from every direction.
She didn’t want to be caught in the middle of the conflict between Ana and her family, but it seemed like that was exactly where she was.
Tyler, who had been standing outside the door, walked in after Hillary had left. His expression was guarded, his eyes studying Olivia carefully.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice low and calm, but there was something in his eyes that betrayed the underlying tension.
Olivia managed a weak smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m fine, just tired.”
Tyler sat down next to her, his hand resting on the bed next to hers. “You don’t have to deal with all this alone, Olivia. Whatever happens, I’m here.”
She glanced at him, the gratitude and uncertainty in her eyes mixing. She wanted to believe that, but the situation was so much more complicated than either of them could control.
“I know,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
There was a long silence between them, both of them caught in the uncertainty of what would come next. The weight of the day, of everything that had happened, seemed to settle heavily in the room.
Finally, Tyler broke the silence. “If you need to talk, or if you want to get away for a while, we can do that. Just say the word.”
Olivia looked at him, her gaze softening. Maybe she couldn’t fix everything, but for now, at least, she had him. And that was something she could hold on to.
“Thanks,” she said quietly, her voice thick with emotion. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Tyler gave her a small smile, though his eyes were still filled with concern. “Anytime.”
As the evening wore on, Olivia sat by the window, lost in her thoughts. The quiet hum of the house felt like a distant echo of the chaos swirling in her mind. For a moment, everything seemed still—just the two of them, together in the midst of the storm. But even in that stillness, Olivia knew there was no escaping the coming challenges.