Chapter 404
The moment Naomi entered the room with Tyler by her side, conversations shifted. Heads turned. It wasn’t just her presence—it was the gravity of the Harris name, the implication that came with being seen beside Tyler in public again.
Several women, seated with their partners, quickly gathered around her. Their curiosity was barely veiled, their smiles polite but probing. Naomi, though still visibly frail, held herself with quiet elegance, responding to their questions with warmth and grace.
Meanwhile, Tyler exchanged brief pleasantries with Dylan and a few of the other men. But after just a few minutes, he stood and said, almost as an afterthought, “I’m stepping out for a smoke.”
No one stopped him. Dylan, still caught up in conversation, barely noticed his departure. Naomi, on the other hand, looked up instinctively. Her gaze followed him, as if waiting for a glance, a nod—anything.
But Tyler didn’t look back.
Out in the hallway reserved for VIPs, silence wrapped around him like a cloak. He leaned against the railing, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. The tiny flare of the flame flickered against his face before vanishing into the dark.
He inhaled slowly, the smoke curling upward. Then, pulling out his phone, he made a quiet call. His voice was low and steady. “Is she in the car?”
There was a pause on the other end. The staff at the driver’s office didn’t immediately realize who it was, but the tone of his voice—calm, authoritative—quickly clued them in.
“Mr. Harris… who exactly are you asking about?”
Tyler didn’t answer. He flicked the ash off the cigarette, waiting. Moments later, the staff returned with an update. “Miss Olivia hasn’t arrived yet. The driver said they’re just heading home now—she had a doctor’s appointment earlier.”
“Mm,” Tyler murmured, then ended the call without another word.
No explanation. No comment.
He let the second half of the cigarette burn down between his fingers, then dropped it to the floor and crushed it under his shoe. Without hesitation, he turned back toward the private room.
Inside, Naomi had been watching the door quietly, trying not to let her anxiety show. As the minutes ticked by, a thread of worry pulled tighter. But just as she was about to ask Emma something, the door opened—and Tyler stepped back in.
Her eyes followed him immediately.
He scanned the room briefly before heading in her direction. Naomi sat with the women who had surrounded her earlier, her smile soft but uncertain.
“Tyler,” she called gently. Her voice was careful, almost timid.
Though their relationship had started to mend, she could sense it—something had changed in him. He wasn’t cold, but he wasn’t as open as before either. A quiet distance lingered between them.
Still, she remained hopeful. If it took time to rebuild things, she was willing to wait.
Tyler turned at the sound of her voice and walked over. His expression was neutral—calm for the benefit of those watching.
“Are you cold?” he asked casually.
The room was warm, but the concern in his question touched her.
She shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”
As he leaned closer, she caught the faint scent of smoke on his clothes. Without meaning to, she drew in the smell. Tyler noticed. His features tensed for a brief moment, withdrawing behind a familiar mask.
But Naomi said nothing. Instead, she clung to the warmth of the moment.
“I feel so much better today,” she said quietly. “Do you mind if we stay a little longer?”
He studied her. Then he nodded. “Just be careful not to push yourself.”
“I won’t,” she replied, smiling. “I dressed warmly.”
Just then, the manager quietly entered the room and placed an air purifier nearby. Noticing it, Tyler gave a small nod and said, “Alright. We’ll stay a bit longer. Let’s leave after the cake.”
Naomi beamed, her cheeks tinged pink. “Okay.”
But Tyler had been right.
Later that evening, back at the hospital, Naomi’s breathing grew labored. Her body, still recovering, had been pushed further than it could handle.
She lay in bed, pale and exhausted.
Still—for those few hours—she’d felt like herself again. Like she was still part of the world.
Like she hadn’t disappeared.