SWNOVELS Chapter 175
Chapter 175
so much, and
Back at the apartment, I helped Olive get settled in, her small frame looking even smaller in this unfamiliar place. She had been through so I couldn’t imagine the trauma she must be carrying. As I made up a little nest for her in the living room for the time being, the weight of responsibility felt even greater.
“Welcome to my home, Olive,” I said, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. “Make yourself comfortable.”
Olive clutched her jacket to her chest. It might have been her only source of comfort in this strange place. Thank you.”
I managed a small smile. “You’re safe here, Olive. We’re going to take good care of you.”
Just as I was about to show Olive where she could sleep, a knock at the door startled me. I rushed to answer it and found Timothy standing there, his face etched with concern.
“Hi, Evie,” he began, and he took his eyes away from me for a moment to peer at Olive. “Is Olive okay?”
I nodded, relieved to see a familiar face. “She seems to be fine. I think she’s just overwhelmed by everything that happened.”
Timothy’s brows furrowed as he looked at Olive, who was sitting on the couch, still clutching her jacket. “I’m glad she’s with you. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now.”
I invited Timothy to sit on the worn–out couch. He settled in, and 1 perched on the armrest, the air filled with an unspoken concern that seemed to
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hang between us.
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Just then. Olive seemed to snap out of her silence, her eyes wide with curiosity as she stared at Timothy. She studied him for a moment, her tiny brow furrowing in thought. “Are you going to help my mommy too?”
Timothy’s expression turned somber, and he crouched down to her level. “I’m going to do my best to help your mommy. Olive.”
Olive seemed to accept his words, and she gave him a small, hesitant smile. “Okay.”
As Timothy straightened up. I couldn’t help but appreciate the genuine concern in his eyes. “Thank you for coming, Timothy. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
He shrugged. “I said I’d check in on you two. It was a little later than expected, since I was trying to wait and see if I heard any news. Of course, Stella never came back around.”
I couldn’t help but wonder about Stella. Her absence from the situation felt odd, given that her own sister had been injured.
“So you haven’t heard anything from Stella since she left the hospital?” I asked, my voice tinged with concern.
He sighed and shook his head, the lines of worry deepening on his face. “No, Evie. It’s been radio silence. I’ve tried calling, but I can’t reach her. I’m starting to worry.”
I turned my gaze to Timothy, our eyes locking in an unspoken understanding. “I hope she’s safe, wherever she is.”
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Timothy smiled and he reached out to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Evie, I know this has been a difficult day for you too. Are you all right?
I let out a long sigh. “I’m trying to be, Timothy. Today has been… overwhelming. I don’t know how to process everything that’s happened. I just hope Olive is okay and that we can keep her safe.”
He gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You’re doing a great thing by taking care of her, Evie. I can see how much she trusts you. And I’m here to help, in any way I can.”
His words were like a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. I had felt so alone, but knowing that he was back at my side provided me with a stronger sense of stability.
Just then, Aria emerged from her room, her curiosity piqued by the presence of Timothy and a child in the apartment. She looked from me to Timothy and then to Olive.
“What’s going on, Evic?” Aria asked, clearly puzzled.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the day’s events bearing down on me. “Aria, there was an incident today, and Olive is here because her mom… well, her mom can’t be here right now.”
Aria’s eyes widened, and she immediately came over to us, her concern evident. “Is everyone okay? What happened?”
I briefly explained the shooting and how Olive’s mother had been taken to the hospital. Aria’s eyes filled with sympathy as she listened to the story.
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Timothy chimed in, “We don’t when she’ll be out of emergency surgery, or out of the hospital for that matter.”
Aria’s narrowed her eyes, then turned her attention to Olive, her features brightening immediately. “Have you eaten, Olive?”
Olive shook her head. “No.”
“Not since we left the hospital,” I added.
Aria gasped. “You must be starving! How about I make us some dinner, hm?”
Olive piped up, “Can we have macaroni, please?”
Aria smiled warmly at Olive. “Of course, sweetheart. Macaroni it is.”
As Aria bustled about in the kitchen, entertaining Olive as she did so, Timothy turned to me.
“I should get going,” he said, motioning to the door. “I don’t want to bother you guys for too long.”
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His words almost sent me into a panic. It felt like having my comfort snatched away from me, especially as I’d grown back into having his constant presence. After today in particular, I just needed to feel safe a little longer.
“You don’t have to rush off, you know,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “You can stay a while. I, uh, we wouldn’t mind the extra company.”
Timothy hesitated for a moment, as if considering the offer. Fortunately, he seemed to sense that I was still distressed from the events of the day. “All
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right,” he finally agreed. I’ll stay for a bit
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With Timothy’s presence, the atmosphere in the apartment felt lighter. Aria served us a simple but comforting meal of macaroni and cheese, and as we ate, we talked about less somber topics to ease the tension in the room. Olive, although still quiet, seemed to be slowly relaxing.
After dinner, Timothy and I cleared the table while Aria offered to entertain Olive with a few board games. As we worked in the kitchen, I wondered if Stella’s affair was something Timothy would approach in the future.
For now, I decided to let it be. The wounds were still fresh, and it wasn’t the right time to push for answers.
I glanced at Timothy and smiled. “Thank you for staying over, Timothy. I can’t express how much I appreciate your help.”
He smiled warmly, his hands immersed in the soapy water. “Evie, you don’t have to thank me. I’m here because I care about you and Olive. We’ll get through this together.”
As we continued with our task, I couldn’t help but think about how he had gone the extra mile to make sure everyone was okay. He wouldn’t even let me leave Scarlett’s office, scared that I’d get hurt, and regardless of how little he knows Olive, he’s gone out of his way to befriend her.
We continued washing the dishes in comfortable silence for a while, the rhythmic clinking of plates and utensils filling the room. It was a moment of connection, of shared understanding, and I appreciated the steadiness of Timothy’s presence.
Once the last dish was dried and put away, I turned to Timothy. “Thank you for offering to keep me posted about Stella and Scarlett. It means a lot to
me.”
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He looked at me with a solemn expression. “Of course, Evie. I promise to let you know as soon as I hear anything. I want to make sure you’re
informed.
The gratitude I felt for his words couldn’t be put into words. The situation was complex and emotionally charged, and knowing that I had someone like Timothy in my corner was a source of comfort.
When the dishes were done, we both moved to the living room. Olive had fallen asleep on the couch, nestled against Aria, who looked equally tired. “I’m going to head out,” he said, waving the both of us. “Goodnight, you two. Stay safe.”
“Goodnight, Timothy,” I replied, my own voice soft. Aria echoed my sentiment, bidding him goodnight as well.
As Timothy left, the door closing behind him with a gentle click, Aria turned her curious gaze toward me. “Is there more to this story?”
I hesitated, not ready to unravel the complexities of my feelings. “Aria, it’s not what you think. Timothy was just there when it happened.” Aria arched an eyebrow. “Of course it isn’t.”
As the night wore on, I made up a makeshift bed for Olive in my room, and she hesitated before looking up at me, her eyes filled with vulnerability. “Can I sleep with you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to sleep alone.”
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I nodded, my heart breaking for her. “Of course, Olive. Come here.”
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I tucked her into my bed, and she clung to me as she drifted off to sleep. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the nightlight, and I couldn’t help but think of all the uncertainties that lay ahead for Olive and for me.
As I watched her drift off to sleep, I realized that I had no idea what to do.
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