Chapter 325
Olivia lay in bed with her eyes closed. Alisa, thinking she had finally fallen asleep, quietly settled down on the nearby chair, careful not to disturb her.
But Olivia wasn’t asleep. She was wide awake, gently resting a hand on her swollen stomach, listening to the steady hum and soft murmurs of the ward throughout the long night.
By mid-morning, around ten o’clock, Ana entered the room. Her first words were sharp and pointed, “Hasn’t Tyler come yet?”
Alisa hesitated, unsure how to answer.
Ana’s expression darkened as she strode deeper into the ward.
Olivia, sitting up and slowly eating her breakfast, called out softly, “Mom.”
Ana didn’t reply to her. Instead, she turned to Alisa and handed her a thermos. “Take this to Naomi.”
Olivia paused mid-bite, her eyes narrowing slightly. Ana was clearly sending a pointed message—reminding Tyler to visit.
Alisa understood perfectly. She took the thermos quietly and said, “Okay, ma’am,” though a hint of hesitation lingered in her voice.
She made her way to the ICU, but when she arrived, she wasn’t allowed inside. She waited outside until a nurse noticed her and asked, “Can I help you?”
“This is for Ms. Naomi,” Alisa said gently. “Could you please give it to her?”
The nurse took the thermos with a nod. “Sure. You can go now—I’ll make sure she gets it.”
Alisa thanked her and left.
Meanwhile, inside the ICU, Tyler was feeding Naomi soup, careful and focused. Linda approached, holding the thermos Ana had sent.
“Mr. Tyler, Ms. Ana sent this food,” she said quietly.
Tyler glanced at the thermos, his face tightening with awareness of Ana’s intentions. Without looking back, he told Linda coldly, “Throw it away.”
Linda was taken aback, unsure how to respond.
Naomi, who was slowly regaining strength, caught the unspoken tension and spoke softly, “Wouldn’t it be mean, Tyler?”
Tyler continued feeding her another spoonful of soup and replied, “What’s mean about it?”
“She sent it because she cares,” Naomi insisted gently. “Maybe I should try some.”
“You’re already eating,” Tyler said firmly. “This is enough.” He offered another spoonful, but Naomi didn’t open her mouth, only looked at him silently.
“Eat it before it gets cold,” Tyler urged.
Linda, still holding the thermos, lingered uncertainly before quietly leaving the room.
Naomi sipped the soup reluctantly, worry still clouding her eyes. “Should we really do that? She meant well.”
Tyler’s voice dropped to a calm but probing tone. “Do you really think she meant well?”
Naomi was left speechless, the question hanging heavily between them.