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. *