Chapter 346
“Come on,” Jacob said quietly, turning to Sophie. “Let’s go.”
Sophie hesitated, torn between her brother and the scene she’d just witnessed. Jacob gently took her hand and gave a light tug, guiding her forward. She stumbled a step, her wide eyes still fixed on Olivia.
Without a word, Jacob slipped an arm protectively around Sophie’s shoulders and steered her out of the corridor. From behind, Olivia silently watched them disappear.
As the space cleared, Claude turned to face her again. His sharp gaze locked onto Olivia, making her instinctively step back, as if to shield herself.
She hadn’t been inside the cafe for long. Outside, Alisa had been watching anxiously. When she didn’t spot Olivia through the windows, she grew worried and ventured inside. After a quick glance around, she finally caught sight of Olivia standing in the corridor.
“Ms. Olivia!” Alisa called out, her voice filled with relief.
The sound jolted Olivia, snapping her out of her thoughts. Both she and Claude turned toward the maid.
Alisa hurried over and grabbed Olivia’s wrist. “You scared me! I thought you were lost.”
“I want to go home,” Olivia said softly, exhaustion weighing heavy in her voice. “I’m tired.”
Though Alisa didn’t fully understand the situation, she sensed something was wrong. Without questioning, she took Olivia’s hand and gently led her away. Claude stood silently, watching them leave without saying a word.
As they walked, Olivia’s foot throbbed painfully. Claude’s earlier grip had been too harsh, leaving her foot aching with every step.
“Are you alright?” Alisa asked, noticing Olivia’s wince.
“I’m fine,” Olivia replied quietly, though her expression betrayed the truth.
Just then, the driver emerged from the car. Olivia hurried forward. “Let’s go. I need to rest.”
Alisa found Olivia’s urgency unusual but followed her lead. With the driver’s help, they helped Olivia into the car.
The ride home was quiet. Olivia stared out the window, her mind clouded with tangled emotions—Claude’s words, Sophie’s expression, Jacob’s unexpected presence. It was all too much.
Alisa, misunderstanding her silence, asked gently, “Do you have a stomachache, ma’am?”
“It’s nothing,” Olivia whispered, shaking her head.
When they returned to the Harris residence, Ana and Maisy were sitting in the living room. Both looked up in surprise as Olivia entered so soon.
Supported by Alisa, Olivia limped slightly through the doorway, her face pale from fatigue and discomfort.
Ana hurried over. “What happened?”
“Ms. Olivia’s foot started hurting after we got back,” Alisa explained.
Maisy rose in concern. “How did this happen? You were just meeting a friend. Maybe we should call a doctor—”
“No, Grandma,” Olivia interrupted softly. “I just need to rest. I’ll be fine.”
Her gentle reassurance didn’t fully ease their worry, but neither Ana nor Maisy pressed further. Olivia wanted nothing more than to retreat upstairs, away from all the questions—and from the memories of the cafe.