#Chapter 229: Too Quiet

Olivia Nathan’s heavy sigh filled the silent room, echoing in the vast space between us. It was a sigh laden with a thousand words, a thousand fears. Each time he inhaled, the weight on his shoulders seemed to grow heavier. His hesitation was clear, but so was my resolve. “If that’s truly the path you want to follow,” he began, his voice slow and deliberate, each word chosen with care, “then I guess I don’t really have a choice in the matter, do I?” The quiet intensity of his eyes locked onto mine, searching for any hint of falter. But they found none. “Nathan,” I began, my tone matching his, “this is about me, too. It’s about our children. I can’t just stand back and let you face Ryan alone.” His jaw tightened, a slight tremor betraying his struggle. “Liv,” he murmured, “I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you.” “You think I can handle it?” I countered, my voice rising with desperation. “You think I’m not equally as terrified at the idea of