Chapter 346

Seeing their hesitation, Olivia stepped forward and took Isabella's hand. "Cinda, you can trust me with her."

"I promise I'll bring her back safe and sound."

"Alright then," Cinda said, nodding reluctantly.

With Cinda and Olivia, her good friends, around, Renee didn't ask any more questions. She gave them a slight nod and headed back to her room to rest. She hadn't slept well these past few days, trying to get Jessa to come.

Meanwhile, Isabella and Olivia walked towards the hall together.

As they approached, they saw Atticus was indeed there. But Olivia seemed to have moved on. She didn't look at him, focusing instead on the portrait of Daniel in front of her. She bowed respectfully and laid a bouquet of flowers.

Isabella stood quietly beside her, looking at the familiar face of her grandfather in the photo, feeling waves of sadness.

When it was time to speak with the family of the deceased, Olivia calmly nodded slightly to Atticus and said, "My condolences."

Atticus nodded in response.

Just as Olivia thought their interaction was over, Atticus suddenly called out to her from behind.

"Olivia! How have you been lately?"

Olivia felt a complex mix of emotions, but reason told her not to overthink it. Their relationship had ended long ago. He had personally severed the only possibility between them.

She turned, linking arms with Isabella, and smiled faintly at him. "I've been good, busy with work every day, almost losing track of time."

She remembered the last time she saw Isabella and him was shortly after learning Isabella was pregnant. Now, Isabella's belly was already showing. It had been over two months since she last saw Atticus. In all that time, they had no contact. Even though they were in the same city, he never called her. Not even a single message.

If they were really together, she would have been the only one making an effort, and the outcome was obvious. As he said, they were not from the same world. Even if they were together, it would only cause trouble for each other.

Olivia quickly looked away, a faint smile on her face. "Atticus, you go ahead. Don't worry about me. Isabella and I have things to do, so we'll be leaving now."

With that, Olivia pulled Isabella and quickly walked out. It was as if someone was chasing her.

Isabella watched their strange interaction and couldn't help but glance at Olivia. The usually fearless Olivia seemed to be afraid of Atticus? But when she saw the loneliness in Olivia's eyes as she turned away, she finally understood.

That made sense. Olivia liked Atticus. But Atticus was always so composed and restrained, only having room in his eyes for his family and career. Plus, there was an age gap of over ten years between them. Even if Olivia could accept it, Atticus might not be able to accept such a relationship.

However, she had never asked Atticus about his feelings on this matter. She didn't know how he truly felt about Olivia.

Thinking of this, Isabella instinctively glanced in Atticus's direction and found him looking their way, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Isabella's eyes lit up. Atticus rarely stared at someone like that. She was sure he wasn't looking at her.

He was looking at Olivia.

It seemed Atticus did have some feelings for Olivia.

What if Atticus and Olivia ended up together?

Then her long-time best friend would become her aunt?

She would definitely support such a wonderful thing.

Atticus's marriage had always been a wish of Daniel's. If a beautiful story could come true, Daniel would be happy to see it in the heaven.

As Isabella pondered how to help Atticus and Olivia clear up their misunderstandings and get together, Olivia thought Isabella was feeling sad again about Daniel's death. She gently comforted her.

"Isabella, don't be sad. Daniel knows you miss him, but you have a baby and all of us. You need to take care of yourself."

Seeing Isabella's pale face, Olivia felt even more heartbroken for her.

"I'm fine."

Isabella patted Olivia's hand and led her to a nearby resting area to sit down.

"I know you all care about me, and I understand that life and death are beyond our control. My grandfather didn't suffer much pain when he passed, and that's enough."

"It's good that you can think that way."

Olivia knew that no words could make Isabella forget this for now, but if she could come to terms with it, it would be good for her and the baby.

But she knew Isabella was just holding on.

Even the words she said were just to keep others from worrying.

Seeing Isabella's pale lips, Olivia called over a staff member and asked for a cup of hot milk.

A few minutes later, the hot milk was in Isabella's hands.

Olivia worried about her strength and the cold weather, urging her to warm up.

"Isabella, you're not alone now. You have a baby. Even for the baby's sake, you can't stay so sad."

"Your grandfather would be heartbroken to see you like this."

Olivia's last words seemed to unlock Isabella's emotions.

Tears streamed down her face.

She clutched the cup of milk tightly, sobbing, "I know my grandfather would be upset, but I can't help it."

"If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have suddenly fallen ill, and he wouldn't have had to undergo surgery during his recovery. It was my impulsiveness that harmed him."

"If I had stayed by his side and not gone anywhere, I wouldn't have been kidnapped by Bianca, and my grandfather wouldn't have died so tragically."

By this point, Isabella was crying so hard her voice was hoarse.

She wished everyone would blame her, put all the fault on her. Maybe then she would feel a bit better.

But her uncles all said it wasn't her fault.

But her grandfather fell ill because of her. If not her, then who?

Olivia only now understood why Isabella was so heartbroken at the funeral. Knowing this made her feel even more for her.

She held Isabella's hand tightly, offering warmth and support. "Isabella, you can't think like that. Blaming yourself will only trap you in a dead end."

"You have to know that your grandfather and uncles' love for you is pure. Daniel's sudden illness was unpredictable. If it were you, would you blame your own family?"

Olivia's words flowed into Isabella's heart like a warm current.

Isabella suddenly recalled her grandfather's loving look before he passed.

His face had only a faint smile and reluctance, with no trace of blame or anger.