Chapter_294
Olivia was taken aback by Ana’s sudden suggestion, especially after everything that had been happening with Tyler and the growing tension with Claude. She had barely had time to process her own emotions, let alone prepare for another social obligation.
Ana, sensing Olivia’s hesitation, smiled softly. “You’re still part of the family, Olivia. These things are important.”
Olivia didn’t respond immediately. She looked at the invitation in Ana’s hands, her thoughts drifting back to Claude and his message. I’ve been feeling down. It weighed on her, the idea that Claude might be struggling, but she couldn’t ignore the turmoil Tyler had left in her heart after their conversation.
“Olivia?” Ana’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Are you coming?”
Olivia blinked, then nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll come with you tomorrow.”
Ana smiled approvingly. “Good. It’ll do you good to get out. Plus, I’m sure you’ll meet some interesting people there.”
As Ana turned to leave, Olivia’s eyes followed her, but her mind was elsewhere. She was still tangled in the feelings from her conversation with Tyler, the chilling words about Morgan’s death, and the unanswered questions surrounding her own relationship with the Harris family. What exactly was Tyler’s expectation of her? And what about Claude? She couldn’t deny there was a part of her that felt drawn to him, despite everything.
After Ana left the room, Olivia sat down by the window, staring out at the garden below. The calmness of the outside world contrasted sharply with the chaos inside her heart.
She reached for her phone again, staring at the blank screen for a moment before unlocking it. The notification from Claude was still there, but she didn’t immediately reply. Instead, she scrolled through her messages, finding that nothing from her family or Tyler seemed to offer her the clarity she sought.
Olivia leaned back against the cushions, her mind restless. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to go to the event tomorrow, but a part of her knew it would offer a distraction from the growing sense of dread that seemed to follow her. The idea of facing another day in the Harris household without fully understanding where she stood felt overwhelming.
The sound of a soft knock at the door broke her reverie. Olivia stood up, hoping for some form of relief or clarity from whatever awaited on the other side.
When she opened the door, it was Tyler, looking composed and calm, though his eyes betrayed the weight of whatever thoughts he was carrying.
“Olivia,” he said quietly, stepping into the room without waiting for an invitation. “I wanted to talk.”
She nodded but didn’t speak, letting him continue.
“I know things have been complicated lately,” Tyler began, his voice softer than usual. “But I don’t want you to feel like you’re trapped, or that you have to stay here out of obligation.”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat, unsure of how to respond to his words.
“I never wanted to make you feel uncomfortable, especially when it comes to everything about Morgan,” Tyler added, his gaze steady. “I understand if you need space from all of this.”
Olivia stood frozen, unsure whether she was hearing the words she needed to hear. Did he really mean it? Or was it just another way of keeping her at arm’s length, so he could control the situation?
“I appreciate that, Tyler,” she said finally, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “I just… need to figure things out. For myself.”
Tyler looked at her for a long moment before nodding slowly. “I understand. Take the time you need.”
With that, he turned to leave, but just as he reached the door, he paused and turned back to her.
“One more thing,” Tyler said, his expression shifting slightly. “Please be careful with Claude. I don’t trust him.”
Before Olivia could respond, he was gone, leaving her with his words hanging in the air. The warning was clear, but so were the emotions she was struggling to suppress.
Olivia sat back down on the bed, feeling more conflicted than ever.