**Chapter Thirty-Four: Concealed Worries**

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The sun was already high in the sky by the time Olivia began her day. The morning had started out uneventfully, but a nagging discomfort persisted—an occasional, sharp pain in her chest that she tried to ignore. Despite her attempts to focus on her duties, the feeling grew more persistent, turning into a series of worrying coughs.

### **An Alarming Discovery**

As Olivia sat at her desk, sorting through her correspondence, she was suddenly overtaken by a violent coughing fit. She grabbed a nearby tissue, pressing it to her mouth in an effort to muffle the sound. When the fit subsided, she glanced at the tissue and was horrified to see a small amount of blood staining the once-clean surface.

Panic surged through her. Olivia's heart raced as she tried to steady her breathing. She knew she should seek medical attention, but the thought of confronting her family with this revelation was daunting. Her mind swirled with fears of how it might affect her position and the delicate balance she had worked so hard to maintain.

### **The Decision to Conceal**

With trembling hands, Olivia tucked the blood-stained tissue into a drawer, hiding it away from prying eyes. She couldn't bear the thought of anyone discovering her condition, especially not when she was still grappling with so many other challenges. The fear of what might be wrong was overshadowed by her concern over maintaining her image and responsibilities.

Instead of calling for Dr. Alistair or any medical help, Olivia resolved to handle the situation herself. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her racing heart. There was a part of her that wanted to confront her fears head-on, but another part feared the potential consequences of revealing her condition.

### **A Facade of Normalcy**

Olivia attempted to carry on with her day as if nothing were amiss. She attended to her duties with a determined focus, masking her discomfort behind a facade of normalcy. She engaged in meetings and social functions, all the while pushing the growing concern about her health to the back of her mind.

Her interactions with others were punctuated by polite smiles and carefully managed conversations. She was determined not to let her fears affect her performance, even though every cough and pang of pain reminded her of the unsettling discovery.

### **A Quiet Dread**

As the day wore on, Olivia's anxiety about her health grew. She couldn't shake the image of the blood-stained tissue from her mind. The pain in her chest persisted, and she found herself becoming increasingly fatigued. Despite her best efforts to maintain her composure, the weight of her concealed worry was beginning to take its toll.

In the privacy of her room, away from the eyes of the staff and family, Olivia allowed herself a moment of vulnerability. She leaned against the desk, her mind racing with thoughts of what might be happening to her. The fear of a potentially serious illness weighed heavily on her, compounded by the knowledge that she had chosen to face it alone.

### **Seeking Solace**

Olivia found herself longing for comfort and support, but she was reluctant to confide in anyone. She thought of Gabriel Thornton, whose recent kindness and understanding had been a small solace in her turbulent life. Despite her hesitations, she wondered if she could reach out to him for support, if only to alleviate her emotional burden.

As she considered her options, Olivia resolved to maintain her usual poise and diligence. She knew that her role required her to be steadfast and composed, even in the face of personal turmoil. The decision to conceal her condition from others was a heavy burden, but one she felt compelled to bear on her own.

### **A Lonely Resolve**

As evening approached, Olivia prepared for dinner, her mind preoccupied with the ongoing uncertainty about her health. The blood-stained tissue remained hidden, a silent testament to her unspoken fears. She knew that she could not continue to ignore the issue indefinitely, but for now, she chose to keep her struggles private.

With a deep breath, Olivia steeled herself for the evening ahead. The challenges she faced were formidable, but she resolved to confront them with the same determination she had shown throughout her journey. The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty, but Olivia remained committed to navigating it with the strength and resilience that had defined her so far.

As she joined her family for dinner, Olivia forced a smile and engaged in conversation, determined to keep her personal turmoil hidden. The weight of her concealed worries was a constant companion, but she was determined to face whatever lay ahead with courage and grace.

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