Chapter 425
Claude sent Olivia the name of the movie. To her surprise, it turned out to be one of her favorites. She paused before replying.
[I’ve seen it.]
Claude’s response came quickly, tinged with genuine surprise. He suggested another movie title.
To Olivia’s amazement, she liked that one too. She found herself at a loss for words.
[Don’t tell me you’ve seen this one as well?] Claude teased.
Though their texts carried no emojis, Olivia could vividly imagine him chuckling in person, his gaze soft and calm.
[I have.]
[Looks like someone out there shares my taste. Guess I’m not alone anymore.] Claude replied warmly.
Olivia gripped her phone tightly, a faint smile touching her lips. She lowered herself onto the carpet beneath the couch, feeling a strange comfort.
That evening, Tyler was unusually eager to return home. After dropping Naomi off at the hospital, he hadn’t lingered, instead heading straight back.
The driver opened the car door for him as he arrived. The house felt unusually still, the dreary weather casting a quiet hush over everything. It was only 7 p.m., yet no one was in the living room.
Without hesitation, Tyler went straight upstairs and entered the bedroom.
There, he found Olivia sitting cross-legged on the carpet, absorbed in her phone.
“What are you up to?” Tyler asked, his eyes flickering with curiosity toward the device in her hands.
Startled, Olivia looked up abruptly. Seeing Tyler, she quickly shielded her phone screen against her chest.
Tyler hadn’t been suspicious at first, but her sudden reaction drew his full attention.
Olivia set her phone down gently on the carpet and rose to her feet, trying to appear calm.
“You’re home already, Tyler?” she said, noticing his gaze lingering on her phone. Her heart thumped unevenly as she instinctively lowered her head.
Tyler shifted his focus from the phone back to her. “Who are you texting?”
“A classmate,” Olivia answered softly.
He stepped closer. “Didn’t the doctor say to use your phone less?”
“I don’t use it much,” Olivia explained quickly, “Just… a bit bored studying.”
Tyler closed the distance, and Olivia instinctively took a step back, eyes widening just slightly.
He stopped, watching her carefully. “What? Am I that scary?”
Olivia looked away, murmuring, “No.”
Tyler studied her blank expression, a shadow darkening his eyes. “You’re studying?”
“Yes,” she replied quietly.