Chapter_209
Tyler helped Olivia into the car. Once they were both seated, he turned slightly, his gaze falling on her pale face.
“You know about Claude and Morgan, right?” he asked, voice low.
Olivia didn’t respond, her eyes fixed blankly ahead.
Tyler continued, slower this time. “She died… because of him.”
The words hit like a thunderclap. Olivia’s head turned toward him, her eyes wide with shock.
Tyler didn’t elaborate. His tone remained calm, but there was a storm just beneath the surface—a pain he was trying to suppress.
Olivia’s lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. She looked down, her hands tightening in her lap.
“Do you really want to get involved with the man my sister loved?” Tyler asked. His voice carried no judgment, just a quiet warning.
After a pause, he added, “I’m not here to control your choices. But staying away from Claude would be… wise.”
There was no anger in his voice, no jealousy—just a tired kind of resolve. He wasn’t trying to win her over. He was trying to protect her from something she didn’t fully understand.
Olivia couldn’t grasp the full story, but she could feel the weight of Tyler’s resentment toward Claude. Still, she forced herself to say, “He’s just a friend.”
Tyler gave a nod, his gaze unreadable. “I hope so.”
After a moment, he leaned back in his seat and spoke again. “You need rest. I’ll take you to my family estate in a few days. It’ll be quiet there.”
Olivia didn’t respond immediately. In her heart, she had always believed things would end once the child was born. Her debt to the Jones family would be repaid. That was all that mattered.
“Whatever. I’ll do as you say, Tyler,” she said flatly.
Tyler said nothing more. He didn’t look at her again during the rest of the ride.
When they arrived home, Olivia went upstairs without a word.
Downstairs, Linda approached Tyler, her expression grave. “I think what happened has something to do with Jacob and Sophie.”
Tyler had already guessed as much. Office gossip had made it to his ears, and he’d heard about Jacob and Sophie’s relationship. What he hadn’t expected was for Olivia to witness it firsthand.
“She’s not over him yet,” Linda added softly.
Tyler’s jaw tightened. “Let her take her time. But this… has to end. Jacob doesn’t deserve her.”
He could see it clearly—Olivia still hadn’t let go of her first love. But maybe now she would.
That evening, at Claude’s house, Sophie walked in, clearly distracted. Claude, sitting by the window with a book in hand, glanced at her.
“You saw Olivia?” he asked.
Sophie hesitated before nodding.
Claude closed his book and studied her. “What happened?”
She avoided his eyes. “I’m… dating Jacob.”
Claude’s face darkened. “Jacob. That’s Olivia’s ex.”
“I know,” Sophie said softly. “But I really like him.”
Claude’s tone turned sharp. “Are you sure this is worth it? Do you even know who he is?”
“I do. And I can help him,” Sophie said quickly, almost defensively.
Claude raised an eyebrow. “Help him? That’s your plan?”
Sophie went quiet, her earlier confidence unraveling under his scrutiny.
Claude let out a quiet sigh. “Just think carefully, Soof. Liking someone doesn’t mean you should sacrifice everything for them. Especially not your sister.”
Sophie said nothing, but her heart twisted with guilt.
Upstairs, Olivia lay on her bed in silence, one hand resting on her stomach. Her thoughts were a tangled mess of memories, betrayal, and uncertainty.
And in the quiet house, everyone had their own burden to bear.