The Beginning Of All Sins

Olivia couldn’t help but wonder if she might be infertile. After all, despite trying for a long time, she hadn’t been able to get pregnant.

In a choked voice, she said, “I know you have no interest in me, but we will only be free as soon 1 as I get pregnant. You and Naomi will be together forever by then, and you’ll stop fighting.”

Her words seemed to add fuel to the fire. Tyler looked at her with a grim expression as he heard her pitiful plea.

She didn’t know why she had said it, but she meant nothing more than her plea for his understanding.

He remained silent and continued kissing her, though it was clear he was trying to control and suppress his emotions.

The next morning, Olivia helped the maid cook again, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. Her hands moved mechanically, and she didn’t seem to be fully aware of her actions.

The maid noticed that she had placed tomato skins into a bowl, saying, “Ms. Olivia, you might cut your hand!”

Suddenly, Olivia’s hand slipped, and she saw blood welling up from a cut on her fingertip. The pain startled her, causing her to drop the tomato and knife into the sink with a loud clatter. She quickly brought her bleeding finger to her lips.

Tyler, who had been sitting at the dining table reading the newspaper, heard the commotion. He immediately set the newspaper aside and rushed into the kitchen.

The maid was clearly concerned about Olivia’s bleeding finger as she checked the injury. “Oh no, it’s bleeding!”

Tyler, now in the kitchen, saw Olivia sucking on her injured finger. Her lips were stained with the redness of her own blood. She appeared slightly panicked but quickly looked away.

The maid quickly informed Tyler about Olivia’s wound when he entered the kitchen. “Mr. Tyler, Ms. Olivia accidentally cut her finger while she was cutting the tomato.”

Without much warmth in his tone, Tyler said, “Get the first aid kit to stop the bleeding and clean her wound.”

Olivia remained standing, her back to him, and she didn’t make eye contact.

He looked at her for a few seconds, then left when the maid brought the first aid kit over.

After the maid cleaned Olivia’s wound, she instructed her to stay away from the kitchen. Olivia obediently sat down at the dining table when she noticed Tyler.

It was still dark outside since it was only six in the morning. Silence enveloped them; neither of them

Chander 45

spoke.

Tyler set aside the newspaper he had been reading and asked, “Is the cut deep?” It sounded like he was asking out of courtesy.

Olivia bit her lip and shook her head. “It doesn’t hurt.” She avoided eye contact, and her eyelashes trembled slightly in the gentle glow of the room.

Tyler gave a flat response, and they lapsed into silence once again. He resumed reading his

newspaper.

Shortly afterward, the maid brought the first dish to the table and then returned to the kitchen. Wondering why they were up so early and appeared to have not slept much, she continued preparing

food.

Tyler put down the newspaper when the food was served. He noticed Olivia was still sitting there. Let’s eat. You can take a nap later.”

Olivia had a class in two hours, but her feelings were difficult to discern. Her pale face was tinged with a faint blush, resembling a delicate porcelain doll with a touch of color.

“Okay,” she replied.

They ate their breakfast in silence while the maid continued to serve each dish.

By 8 A.M., Tyler offered to drive Olivia to school. This time, she accepted his offer as it was more convenient than taking public transportation, which might make her late for class.

With the driver at the wheel and Tyler engrossed in documents, Olivia gazed out the window at the beautiful morning sunlight, painting the world in golden hues.

Tyler, still focused on his documents, asked casually, “Is your finger really alright?” Although hist eyes remained on the documents, he listened closely for her response.

She turned her attention from the window and replied softly, “I’m really fine.” Curiously, she added, “Does Naomi feel better today?”

“I’m going to the hospital after dropping you off at school,” he answered..

Olivia sensed that their argument must have been resolved since he was visiting Naomi. She whispered, “She’ll feel much better as long as you’re not mad at her.”

Tyler didn’t respond to that.

As they arrived at the school, Olivia reached for the door handle but momentarily forgot about the cut. on her finger. She gasped in pain just as she touched the handle.

Quickly, Tyler reached out and grabbed her hand.

Their eyes locked, and they both looked surprised, followed by an awkward yet romantic silence. Olivia, in particular, hadn’t expected him to hold her hand, and he hadn’t anticipated doing so either.

For a few moments, they just stared into each other’s eyes. Olivia didn’t dare to pull her hand away

and kept her gaze down in silence.

After a while, Tyler didn’t release her hand immediately. Instead, he simply said, “Watch out.”