Chapter 119

Olivia returned home expecting everyone to be in their rooms, but she found a man sitting on the couch, which surprised her.

Tyler put the magazine down. “Welcome back,” he said calmly, as if he had been waiting for her.

The hall was so quiet that Olivia could hear her own voice echoing. “You’re not asleep yet?”

“I even thought about calling you,” he said instead.

“I… I’ve been busy at the lab lately, that’s why I’m coming home late. Sorry, I should’ve called you,”

Olivia explained.

“It’s fine. Just make sure you come home safe. But try not to stay out late, it’s not safe,” Tyler advised.

Olivia nodded. “I know.”

After a brief silence, he got up. “I’m going to my room.‘

“Okay. See you.”

Once Tyler went upstairs, Olivia hurried to her room, closed the door, and locked it. She felt like there needed to be some distance between them.

They couldn’t be any closer than this now. There had to be distance.

There had to be.

She closed her eyes, her face a little pale.

The next morning followed the same routine. Olivia took a few bites of her breakfast before deciding to leave.

Tyler spoke first, “Another morning class?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go together. I have some personal business to take care of at your university anyway.”

Olivia wanted to refuse, but she couldn’t think of a good reason to decline. “Oh… okay.”

Sitting next to him, Olivia noticed Tyler making several calls. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but she saw him frown and fall silent often, making it hard to guess the purpose of the calls.

When they arrived, Tyler dropped her off but didn’t go inside himself. “I won’t be seeing you inside,”

he said.

“That’s fine.”

Olivia arrived early for her class since she had come with Tyler, but she still hurried inside.

Tyler watched her before his car entered an alternative entrance meant only for the university’s board of directors.

Olivia had decided to pass the time in the library.

Suddenly, a figure jumped out from behind and hugged her. “Aren’t you early today!” Sophie chirped.

“Um, I’ve got nothing to do lately, so I thought I should just come here early,” Olivia replied hesitantly.

Sophie could tell Olivia’s excuse was weak. She knew her friend had been acting strangely lately.

A thought struck Sophie, and she leaned close to Olivia’s ear, whispering, “Did you hear? The Harris Group made another big donation to the school. They’re going to build a new block soon.”

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