Chapter 1863

Olivia answered softly, "Mm-hmm, go ahead." She then continued gazing at the sunlight outside. That golden glow seemed to hold the power to make people forget their pain, like a miraculous remedy for the world. * After Mary finished preparing breakfast, she hurried upstairs. But when she got to the room, the bed was empty. Panic flashed across her face; she had no idea where Olivia could have gone. Frantically, she searched the room. Suddenly, a noise came from the bathroom door. Mary looked over and saw Olivia—who had been in her nightgown earlier—now fully dressed, standing there, looking at her. Seeing her, Mary quickly walked over. "Ma'am," she called. Olivia asked, "Is the soup ready?" Mary answered, "Yes. Shall we… go have some now?" Her voice was careful, as if she worried about breaking the silence. Olivia simply said, "Mm-hmm, okay." * In the days that followed, Olivia lived as if nothing in the outside world concerned her. It was as if the news about Tyler hadn't a