CHAPTER 272: CHAPTER 272

At that moment, hearing what Cora just said, Oliver’s expression shifted slightly his eyes narrowing with quiet concern. She had barely said a word about what was wrong, yet her tone, her posture, the way she avoided his gaze it all pointed to something heavy. He studied her face, trying to read beyond her forced calm, and then finally said, in a softer voice, "Cora... you know me. I don’t play with words. If something’s wrong, we go inside and fix it, not talk about it out here like strangers."

But Cora didn’t budge.

She took a slow step closer, her hands gently clutched together in front of her. "Oliver," she said, her voice slightly trembling now, but still steady, "this... this thing I’m about to say, it’s not something I want to discuss inside for now. It’s not something I want to explain until you promise me. I know it’s not how you work, but I need you to trust me, just like you’ve done before."

Then Oliver looked at her in silence. The wind blew softly around them. He could tell she wasn’t playing games, and this wasn’t a dramatic stunt. There was a look in her eyes a kind of desperation he hadn’t seen in a long time. Whatever it was, it wasn’t small. It wasn’t casual. And it wasn’t just about her. She was scared, not for herself, but for someone or something else.

Still, he folded his arms and gave her a skeptical smirk. "So I’m just supposed to say ’yes’ to whatever this is, blindfolded?"

Immediately Cora nodded slowly.

"Yes. Just this once. Just trust me."

There was silence between them for a second or two.

Oliver sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "You’re making this sound like I’m about to jump into a fire."

She gave him a faint smile. "Maybe not fire... but it’s something I can’t do without you."

His face softened.

Then he finally exhaled and nodded, "Alright then. You’ve got my word. I promise. Whatever you want, I’ll try my best to make sure I do it for you."

At that moment, upon hearing what Oliver just said, Cora slowly nodded her head. Her expression was calm, but her fingers were lightly fidgeting with the strap of her bag. Then she looked up at Oliver and said in a firm yet low voice, "Now that you’ve actually agreed to what I’m going to say, then... we should go inside the house and talk about it."

Oliver noticed the slight hesitation in her tone. She was usually so poised and confident, but right now, there was something different. He didn’t ask any more questions. Instead, he gave a simple nod and turned toward the house, gesturing with one hand for her to follow. Cora followed quietly behind him.

As they stepped into the house, the silence between them stretched but didn’t feel uncomfortable just heavy, like something important was hanging in the air.

Oliver led her into the living room. The space was quiet, well-lit, and neatly arranged, as always. Cora’s eyes briefly scanned the familiar surroundings before she quietly sat down on one end of the soft cream-colored couch. She looked at Oliver and then softly said, "Please... can you sit beside me?"

There was something in her voice that made Oliver’s brow knit just slightly. He didn’t hesitate. He sat beside her, his body turned slightly so he could face her better.

Then, with a curious tone, Oliver gently asked, "You know, without being told, I can already tell this thing that’s bothering you... it’s something really, really important. I can feel it." He looked at her closely now. "And from the way you’re acting... it seems like something big is going on."

He paused, his voice calm but steady.

"So, tell me, Cora... What is it that you want to talk to me about?"

At that moment, Cora then took a deep breath, her fingers slowly folding into her lap as she looked straight at Oliver with a hint of nervousness in her eyes. "First and foremost," she began, her voice slightly low, "I want to apologize for what I’m about to say. It might sound strange... maybe even funny or awkward in your ears, but I need you to know it’s extremely important to me."

Oliver’s brows pulled together slightly. He didn’t interrupt. He just watched her, waiting.

Then, without dragging it further, Cora leaned in just a little and said quietly, "My father... today or tomorrow, he’s coming back to the country."

The moment those words left her lips, Oliver blinked. His posture shifted a little, and he leaned back slightly on the couch, blinking again as if trying to process what he just heard.

"Wait... what?" he muttered in disbelief. "Your father’s coming back?"

She nodded slowly, there was a short silence.

Then Oliver let out a breath, scoffing lightly. "Hold on, that’s it? That’s what’s bothering you?" He shook his head in confusion. "Cora, I mean... that’s actually good news, right? Your father has been away for what? Years? And now he’s finally coming back." He paused and then looked at her closely. "Why does this seem like bad news to you?"

He tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. "You should be happy, Cora. I mean, isn’t this something you’ve probably been hoping for, for a long time?"

But Cora’s face didn’t brighten, her smile never came.

Instead, she sighed again this time deeper than before.

Then softly, she said, "Yes... I’m supposed to be happy..."

She paused.

"But there comes the problem."

Oliver narrowed his eyes. "Problem... as in how?"

At that moment, Cora’s voice dropped slightly as she folded her arms, letting out a quiet sigh before speaking again.

"Well, there was not supposed to be any problem," she said slowly, locking eyes with Oliver. "But it’s not just my father who’s coming back. My uncle, Festus, is also coming. And so is his son Clinton."

Hearing those names made Oliver’s brow tighten a little, but he kept quiet, waiting.

Cora continued, her voice now mixed with a blend of worry and frustration. "You know the bad blood between me and that boy, and even worse between me and my uncle. They don’t just show up for no reason. And them coming back together? At the same time as my dad? That’s no coincidence, Oliver. They’re definitely up to something."