Chapter 370

Olivia

The subtle buzzing of the amulet around my neck as I glanced back at Nathan, lying sick in bed, sent a shiver down my spine. It was a sensation I couldn’t ignore, a silent alarm that something wasn’t right.

And with Nathan’s sudden ill state and the unexpected behavior of the amulet, my mind was already racing with concerns and questions.

As I walked down the hall, clutching the amulet in my hand, I knew what I had to do: I had to call Layla. Surely she would know what to do in this situation. And as much as I hated to bother her, I felt as if I had no other choice.

This wasn’t just about baseless worries anymore; it was about Nathan’s health and safety.

I quietly padded down the stairs, making my way to the living room where I could speak freely. Pulling out my phone, I dialed Layla’s number, hoping she could shed some light on the situation. She was the one who had given me this amulet, after all, and her knowledge of its workings far exceeded mine.

The phone rang a few times before diverting to voicemail. I hesitated for a moment, collecting my thoughts before speaking.

“Hey, Layla, it’s Olivia,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady. “I have another question about the amulet. There’s something happening with Nathan, he’s sick all of a sudden, and I just... I felt the amulet buzz when I was near him. I don’t know if it’s related, but I’m really worried.”

I paused for a moment, licking my lips. “I was wondering if you would consider making a trip to visit again, so you could see for yourself. I really think I could use your help in understanding what’s going on.”

I hesitated and cleared my throat. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’m really concerned about Nathan. And after what happened the last time you were here, with the witch and everything, I just feel like there might be something more to this than just a regular illness.”

Taking a deep breath, I finished, “Please call me back as soon as you get this. I’m not sure what to do, and I could really use your guidance. Thank you, Layla.”

Once I ended the call, I lowered the phone and let out a sigh, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness. The uncertainty of the situation with Nathan, coupled with the lack of immediate answers, left me feeling unsettled. Maybe it was nothing, but I couldn’t be too safe at this point.

I walked over to the window, gazing out at the peaceful morning landscape. The ocean was gently lapping against the shore as a soft breeze rustled the trees. It was the perfect picture of peace and quiet, and yet my mind felt anything but that.

I was still clutching the amulet in my hand. It had stopped its vibrating, but I couldn’t get that sensation out of my mind. It was almost as strong as the time it vibrated when I picked up that box that belonged to Edward.

Was it possible that Edward had something to do with this after all?

I thought about Nathan, lying in bed, his usually robust and energetic demeanor reduced to one of illness and fatigue. It was so unlike him, and the timing, coming right after the confusion with Edward and the therapy session, seemed more than coincidental in my eyes.

My mind drifted to Edward then, his sudden prominence in Nathan’s life, and the unease I felt about him. There were too many unanswered questions, too many coincidences that didn’t quite add up.

But all I could do now was wait for Layla. Maybe she would have some sort of explanation, or maybe she would agree to come and see it for herself. Either way, I didn’t have time to dawdle and worry now.

Shaking off my concerns for a moment, I focused on the immediate task at hand: taking care of Nathan. I went to the kitchen, preparing a light soup and some tea, hoping it would help him feel a bit better. As the kettle whistled and the aroma of the tea filled the kitchen, I felt a small sense of normalcy in the midst of the chaos.

Returning to the bedroom with a tray, I gently nudged Nathan awake. “Here, I made you some tea and broth,” I said softly, setting the tray on the bedside table.

He opened his eyes slowly, a faint smile touching his lips. “Thanks, Liv,” he murmured, attempting to sit up. His movements were slow and strained, and I had to help him. Already he seemed worse than before. How was that possible?

I helped him adjust the pillows behind his back, watching as he took a slow sip of the tea. “How are you feeling?” I asked, my hand brushing his forehead. It felt a bit clammy.

“A bit better, thanks to you,” he replied, his voice still hoarse. “But I’m sorry for adding to your workload.”

I shook my head, brushing off his apology. “Don’t worry about that. You need to rest and get better. That’s all that matters.”

As Nathan settled back to rest, I checked on Elliot and Aurora in the nursery. The twins were awake, their little faces bright and curious. I picked up Aurora first, cradling her in my arms as she cooed and babbled. Elliot, not wanting to be left out, began to fuss until I scooped him up as well.

Balancing the twins on my hips, I made my way back to the living room, setting up a play area for them. I kept one ear tuned to the sounds of the nursery and the other to any signs from Nathan.

The day passed in a blur of feeding, changing diapers, and soothing the twins, interspersed with checking on Nathan and ensuring he drank enough fluids and rested.

As the afternoon sun began to dip below the horizon, I realized I hadn’t stopped for a moment. The twins, now finally napping in their cribs, gave me a slight break. I slumped onto the couch, my body aching from the constant running around.

But before I could rest for long, the thought of Nathan needing something pressed into my mind, and I pushed myself off the couch to check on him. My legs felt heavy as I walked up the steps, expecting another request for tea or some cold medicine—not that I minded, although I was tired.

“How are you doing?” I asked, leaning in the doorway.

“I’m okay,” he replied, trying to muster a smile. “I don’t need anything right now. You should get some rest; I’ll be fine.”

I offered a tired smile in return. “I will, in a bit. Just making sure you’re alright first.”

Returning to the living room, I sank back onto the couch, my mind still whirring with thoughts of Nathan’s condition, Layla’s potential insights about the amulet, and the general unease about Edward’s role in all this.

But exhaustion caught up with me before long, my eyelids growing heavy. The concerns and worries of the day began to fade as I drifted into a fitful sleep, still in my clothes.