Chapter 306
Tyler addressed Nina while Olivia lingered by the door. “You can go now,” he said sharply. Nina didn’t hesitate and left the room immediately.
Turning to Olivia, he asked, “How was the party at the Pearces?” After a brief pause, he added, “Did you have a good time?”
Olivia stayed silent, lost in her thoughts.
Tyler settled casually on the couch, legs crossed, dressed entirely in black—a stark silhouette beneath the warm glow of the lamp. The room felt heavy in the quiet moments that followed.
Noticing her silence, Tyler spoke again. “I’m glad Nina was the one who saw you two. Imagine what others might think.”
That’s when Olivia realized Nina must have already told him. A nervous shiver ran through her.
Tyler continued, his tone laced with speculation, “People might think Mrs. Harris is secretly meeting with her brother-in-law?”
The implication hit Olivia hard, her head spinning with the weight of the accusation.
“No,” she said firmly.
“And what do you suppose people would think if they found out?” Tyler pressed, his expression unreadable.
Olivia met his gaze steadily. “Tyler, I’m here to have this baby. But I still want to make my own choices in life.”
Tyler stood and moved closer, stopping just beside her. “I’ve never said you can’t make your own choices. Because of who I am, I’ll listen to you. But what about everyone else?”
“I have my freedom, right? The baby will be a Harris, but I won’t,” Olivia asserted, standing her ground. She was doing this to protect Naomi—not to be confined.
“So, you’re saying I should stay out of your business with Claude?”
“Yes,” Olivia replied honestly.
Tyler’s demeanor hardened. “After the baby is born, you’ll get what’s owed to you. Until then, as Mrs. Harris, follow our rules. I don’t want any scandals,” he warned sharply.
He paused, then added, “Especially not until you’re no longer Mrs. Harris. We Harrises don’t tolerate gossip.”
Olivia struggled to keep her voice steady. “You don’t need to remind me, Tyler. I understand, and it won’t happen again.”
Tyler’s gaze remained icy. “It better not. I don’t want to repeat myself and drag your family into this.”
The weight of his words pressed down on Olivia, making her feel trapped in a nightmare.
Just then, Ana entered, breaking the tense silence. “What’s wrong?” she asked, sensing the heaviness in the room.
Tyler glanced toward the door and replied coldly, “Nothing.”
Without another word, he left the room, clearly upset.
Ana turned to Olivia, concern softening her voice. “Did you two fight?” she asked, having caught only the tail end of their exchange.
Trying to ease the tension, she added, “Couples argue sometimes. I’ll set him straight for you.”
Olivia didn’t respond, her lips trembling slightly.