The Beginning Of All Sins

“It got late one night, and I figured we’d catch up again, so I didn’t mention it,” Tyler casually explained, looking away from Claude.

Naomi sensed Tyler was keeping something from her, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. After a moment of silence, she greeted, “Olivia, come on in with Claude. Why are you lingering at the door?”

Olivia realized that, but after what had happened before, she didn’t dare walk in without a proper invitation, so she hesitated.

Claude noticed Olivia’s caution and looked puzzled. Tyler also glanced at Olivia.

Naomi couldn’t help but try to read Tyler’s expression as she saw them outside, but his face remained impassive, revealing nothing.

Olivia still stood there, prompting Claude to say, “Let’s head inside.”

Olivia snapped out of her hesitation and glanced anxiously at Claude before moving forward. “Okay.”

Claude noticed her unease and wondered if her relationship with her sister wasn’t as good as she

claimed.

Olivia entered the room slowly. After observing her for a moment, Claude approached and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Come on,” he said gently, and they proceeded forward.

Naomi felt a sense of intimacy in the gesture, while Tyler’s gaze turned colder and colder.

Claude removed his hand smoothly, showing no sign of awkwardness, as if he’d done it countless

times before.

Naomi was puzzled. “Claude, are you and Olivia…” She trailed off, still fixated on Olivia’s shoulder even after Claude withdrew his hand.

Claude was open about it and said, “I met Olivia at my sister Sophie’s birthday party. I treat her like a

sister.”

Olivia didn’t think much of Claude’s actions, but Naomi’s scrutiny made her uncomfortable. After a brief pause, she added, “I’ve only met Claude a few times, and he’s always been kind to me, like a

brother.”

However, Naomi turned to Tyler. “Did you know they knew each other?”

Tyler, who had been silent until then, met Naomi’s gaze and replied, “Yes.”

Olivia couldn’t shake the sense of chilliness she sensed from Tyler, so she became even more cautious.

Tyler then said to the nurse, “Pour us some water please.”

Claude smiled, and Hillary stood up. “Let me do it, Tyler,” she offered.

Hillary glanced at Olivia and Claude, wondering about their relationship, but then thought it would be

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nice if they were involved romantically. It would mean Olivia and Tyler weren’t together, dispelling her earlier assumptions. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Hillary fetched the water and handed it to Claude, who accepted it and addressed Tyler, “I heard Olivia mention Naomi being in the hospital, so I decided to come along for a visit. I hope you don’t

mind.”

Tyler replied, “Not at all. We’re glad you came.”