Chapter 226
The Beginning Of All Sins
âIâll go with you when I have time?â
Naomi used to care a lot about her looks, but ever since she got sick, she hasnât been taking care of herself as much. She canât even remember the last time she got dressed up.
Smiling, she explained, âI was just a bit confused when I got the message. Thatâs why I asked. I mean, how can I go shopping looking like this?â She paused, then continued, âolivia is really careful with her money. Even though sheâs my sister, my mom doesnât treat her the same because theyâre not actually related. Itâs pretty sad.â
Tyler was listening but didnât say anything.
Naomi added, âHer mom died when she was fifteen. She also got her period really late. I remember her accidentally staining her pants red the first time it happened. She thought she had a serious illness and cried by herself in her room. I was the only one at home, so I went to see why she was crying. I was the one who had to explain periods to her.â
It seemed like she was just sharing a story without meaning to, but then she suddenly asked, âDonât you think Oliviaâs had it tough, Tyler?â!
Tyler looked at her calmly and said, âHow has she had it tough? She has you.â
âIâm just her sister living in the same house. A young girl really needs her mom at that age, and she didnât have that.â
âWerenât you independent when you were fifteen?â
Naomi smiled. âYouâre right. I was at a boarding school when I was fifteen, but my mom spoiled me whenever I was home.â
âLook, lots of people have it tough. Oliviaâs doing okay, and at least sheâs not starving. You need to look after yourself first,â Tyler replied, putting an end to the conversation Naomi started.
She chuckled. âYouâre right. I thought I was the one having a hard time. I should be envious of her instead.â
âPeople have their own paths. Lifeâs not always easy. Now, take your medicine.â He always kept her company when she had to take her medicine.
âIndeed. We need to make sure weâre there for Olivia when the baby comes.â
âMmâhmm, we will.â
After taking the medicine, Naomi felt tired and fell asleep. Tyler stayed with her for a bit, then left when he saw she was sleeping well.
As he walked down the hall, Naomiâs words played over in his mind.
Did Olivia really have it tough? Tyler wasnât sure. When he saw her old, illâfitting clothes, he could &
guess what her life at home was like.
Whenever he saw her scared and shaking, or when Hillary was mean to her, he felt bad for her, Wasnât her situation sad? She was over twenty and wearing clothes that didnât fit right, She grew up in a place where no one paid much attention to her, especially living in the same house where Naomi was treated so well.
No matter how you looked at it, Oliviaâs situation was sad, As Tyler walked, his grim expression slowly faded.
But really, he thought, he shouldnât feel sad or sorry for her. How could he?
At the cocktail party, Olivia stood quietly in front of Claude.
âGo ahead. And remember, call me if you need anything,â he said, smiling gently.
Olivia couldnât understand why he was so nice to her when they hadnât known each other very long.
She couldnât help saying, âYouâre like a brother to me, Claude.â