Chapter 28

Nathaniel walked into the dining room with a heavy heart, his mind still occupied with the conversation he had just had with the agency and the weight of the decision he was contemplating. He had hoped to find some rest or distraction at home, but instead, he was greeted by Olivia's sudden departure from the dining table. "But she isn't done with her meals. Why does she want to leave?" He asked silently.

He watched as Olivia hastily pushed her plate aside and stood up, her chair scraping against the floor, the sound echoing in the room with an uncomfortable tension. Her eyes, once warm and inviting, were now guarded, her features betraying a mix of emotions. perhaps even a touch of anger.

The silence between them hung in the air like a heavy cloud, suffocating any attempt at casual conversation. Nathaniel wanted to explain, to share the weight of his decision with her, but the words caught in his throat. How could he possibly convey the complexity of the situation?

Olivia's swift exit