Chapter_289
Olivia felt a wave of sadness wash over her as Claude spoke about the loss in his family. The words brought back memories of her grandmother’s passing, and she couldn’t help but feel the sting of grief once again. She looked at Claude, her voice soft as she asked, “Are you okay, Claude?”
Claude gave her a comforting smile, the kind of smile that seemed to hold a quiet strength. “I’m fine. It happens, you know? He had a long life, so I think it’s better just to accept it.”
Olivia was relieved to hear that he was handling things well. “That’s good to hear,” she said, offering him a small smile in return.
But then Claude’s gaze shifted, and there was something curious in his eyes. “But what about you? Why are you here all by yourself?”
Olivia’s heart fluttered at the question. She had come here seeking solitude, a place to gather her thoughts, but she didn’t want to admit that to him. Instead, she quietly responded, “I just felt like coming here.”
Claude didn’t push her further, respecting her silence. With a soft chuckle, he added, “What’s up with your phone? I couldn’t reach you.”
The memory of her broken phone rushed back to her, and Olivia quickly explained, “Oh, Claude, I meant to tell you. My phone and SIM card are busted, which is why I couldn’t text you back.”
Claude frowned, concern flashing across his face. “They’re broken?”
She nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Mm-hmm.”
Claude paused, his mind working. He remembered the last time he had tried to reach her, Tyler had answered her phone. There was a quiet moment where his gaze lingered on her, and Olivia felt a slight tension in the air.
“What’s wrong, Claude?” she asked, sensing the shift in his demeanor.
“Nothing.” He laughed it off, but Olivia could tell he didn’t believe her explanation about the phone. He studied her, his gaze soft yet knowing. “You seem upset. What’s bothering you?”
Olivia hesitated, unsure how to put her feelings into words. Claude’s gentle questioning continued, nudging her toward an answer. “What is it? Can you tell me?”
She felt a wave of awkwardness wash over her, but she knew Claude wouldn’t press her. He was patient, waiting for her to open up.
Finally, he asked, “Are the Harrises treating you well?”
Olivia nodded, a small, uncertain smile playing at her lips. “They’re… quite good to me.”
Claude’s eyes softened, but he wasn’t satisfied with just that. “What about Tyler?”
At the mention of Tyler, Olivia fell silent. Her heart tightened, and Claude could see the shift in her demeanor. He gave her a knowing look, and after a beat, she spoke softly.
“I’ve got a problem, Claude,” she confessed, her voice shaky.
Claude waited, his patience unwavering. He could guess it had something to do with Tyler, but he didn’t press her for more.
“Is there a way for me to avoid someone?” Olivia asked, her voice laced with desperation. She was searching for an answer, a way out.
Claude, ever perceptive, understood without her saying more. “You just need to be strong and stand up for yourself,” he said, his tone calm but firm.
Olivia felt a knot of helplessness tighten in her chest. She didn’t know how to be strong—not when her emotions were so tangled, especially with Tyler.
Claude reached out, his hand gently cupping her face, urging her to look into his eyes. There was something soothing in his touch, but also something else, something deeper. “All you need to do is focus on yourself and the baby,” he said softly. “Anything else, including the baby’s father, has nothing to do with you.”
Olivia had been trying to tell herself the same thing. She had been trying to push aside the confusion and the feelings she had for Tyler. But it was hard. Too hard.
Claude’s voice dropped to a whisper, and for a moment, it felt as though the world around them had faded away. “There’s a way out. You can…”
He paused, his eyes searching hers as if weighing his next words. “Fall for someone else.”
His eyes, full of quiet temptation, seemed to hold a promise of something different, something she hadn’t considered before. It was a tempting thought, one that made her wonder if there was more to life than the entanglement with Tyler, more than the uncertainty that plagued her heart. But the idea felt both thrilling and terrifying all at once.
Claude’s presence was like a soft pull, drawing her in, offering her an escape from the emotional tangle that had become her reality. But Olivia wasn’t sure she was ready to make that choice. Not yet.