Ryan’s POV "I know, Ophelia. I am Jeremy's dad. You don't need to keep hiding it from me anymore," I uttered to Ophelia as I stared down at her, with a sinister smile curving my lips upward.She seemed horrified as her mouth faltered and opened before it immediately flapped shut. She couldn't meet my gaze, and her breathing rate fastened.I quickly shuffled back to give her some space to process everything I just said. Thankfully, her breathing rate stabilized and she glared up at me."What do you mean you're Jeremy's dad? What gives you the audacity to make that sort of a baseless statement?" She spat, her glare faltering when I didn't back down, and instead fixated my gaze on her.I laughed mirthlessly and shook my head, "I know everything, Ophelia. I know more than you think I know. And overall, I know Jeremy is my son. I have eyes and ears everywhere, so of course I'd know that. I was waiting for you to tell me the truth, but it seemed that'd never happen, so I had to take the b
Ophelia’s POV "Woah, hold on. Wait a minute, what are you saying? Ryan said what?" Ava screeched loudly from the other end of the phone.I sighed miserably to myself as I rinsed my hands clean in the sink, freshened up my makeup, before I grabbed my bag and phone."You heard me, babe. Ryan found out he's Jeremy's dad, and now, he's threatening to take my baby away from me," I muttered as I trekked out of the bathroom to pick Jeremy up from kindergarten.Usually, Daphne always helped me with picking Jeremy up, and taking him to her condo pending the time I'd get back from work. But that day, my paranoia and overthinking got the best of me.I almost stopped Jeremy from boarding the bus when it arrived at the bus stop earlier that morning because I was scared. I was scared of Ryan or anyone taking my ball of sunshine away from me."He won't dare. What the hell? I thought he said he changed. Who the fuck goes around threatening the estranged mother of their child that they'd take their b
Ryan's POV"Good day, ladies and gentlemen. From this moment onward, I will be the new president of the branch here, and I hope we all get along throughout the duration of my stay," I uttered to the shareholders who were sat on the same table with me in the conference room."We hope so, too. It's a pleasure having you here," The vice president replied with a nod which I mirrored.Afterward, I stood up from my seat, and they all followed suit. Then, I headed to my new office.The company's branch in London was significantly smaller than the head branch at Texas. But regardless of that, I still looked forward to working there."I have no meeting left to attend today, right?" I asked my secretary, and she shook her head in affirmation."Perfect," I mumbled, hoisting myself up from the chair to grab my coat and briefcase."I'll see you tomorrow then," I said as I draped my coat on.She nodded, "Alright, sir. Goodbye,"Then, I headed to the parking lot. It had been two weeks since I moved
Ophelia's POV"Be a good boy for Miss Daphne, okay? If she tells me otherwise, I won't get you the spider-man boots anymore, okay?" I instructed, crouching down to Jeremy's height, and straightening the collars of his t-shirt."Yes, mommy," Jeremy nodded before he threw his arms around me in a warm hug."Take care, baby," I muttered after we disengaged from the hug."Yes, mommy. Bye," He waved cheerfully, slipping his hand into Daphne's."Daphne, thanks for this. Please don't forget to give me a call if he gets too much, and I'll come pick him up immediately," I said, to which Daphne smiled."Okay, Lia. I have heard you. We'll be on our way now," She waved at me before hoisting Jeremy to her waist.I watched their retreating figures until it disappeared before I headed back to my place. Daphne had offered to take Jeremy to her son's place that morning. She had a grandchild who was the same age as Jeremy, so I had accepted her offer. I wanted Jeremy to play with people his age. I didn
Ophelia's POV "Lia, can you bring two bottles of beer to table 17? It seems Sir Arnold wants to have a little chat with you," Ava Castillo, my best friend, and a co-bottle girl at the strip club said to me as she stepped into the dressing room.I sighed in frustration on hearing the name of the club's most valued patron and one of the numerous old men who had proposed to be my sugar daddy from the first day I started working at the “Sex in a bottle” strip club."Okay, I'll go now," I feigned a smile at her, to which she nodded as she walked up to me and stood at my back with a calm mien.I looked into the mirror and mentally cringed as I took in my sultry outfit which consisted of a tiny black leather short, with half of my ass cheeks exposed, and a leather bra, which had a great amount of my soft boobs exposed. I slowly ran my fingers down the leather strap which was joined from my shorts to my boots and sighed again. The make-up I had on my face made me look like a whore and hones
Ophelia's POV I hummed to myself as I flung my makeup supplies and bottle uniform into my bag. Afterward, I draped my bag around my chest and trudged out of the dressing room.I retrieved my cell phone from my jogger's pocket and connected it to my headphones as I walked towards the entrance to the club as various unhinged thoughts assailed my mind.I had gotten a call the night before from the doctor who was in charge of his treatment to report to the hospital as soon as I could because she had something important to discuss with me. When I heard that, my heart almost flew out of my chest in worry, I couldn't sleep throughout the night as I tended to overthink everything."Lia, wait!" I heard someone yell my name from behind and I halted in my steps as I whipped my neck around to deduce who it was.A small smile adorned my face amidst my worries when I saw that it was my kind boss at the club, Rodrigo Fernandez."Rodrigo," I greeted him with a nod as I took an airport out of my ear.
Ophelia's POV "I'm sorry I didn't inform you before I left the club, don't get angry at me, Ava. It was an emergency and I needed to see the doctor as fast as I could," I spoke into the phone with a sheepish grin twisting my lips upward.Just like I had expected, Ava was quite pissed at me because I didn't wake her up to tell her that I was leaving the club before her, she was such a baby at times. I thought to myself even though I knew I couldn't say it aloud to her face."Okay, I'm not mad anymore. So, how is your dad feeling now? Is he getting better? What was the emergency you were called for?" Ava questioned me, and I sucked in my breath through my teeth to repress the resurgence of panic inside me.I had almost forgotten about the fact that I needed to get three million dollars in a week. I had transferred everything in my bank account to the hospital for the treatment to commence on my dad and I only had about fifty cents left in my account balance.I had no idea how I was goi
Ophelia's POV About an hour and a half later, the cab wheeled to a halt In front of a huge building and I gasped In fascination as I stared at the magnificent exterior of the building.Was this a strip club? Had I gotten the wrong address? I asked myself because I knew there was no way in hell that a place as opulent as the luxurious glass skyscraper that I was currently gazing at was a mere strip club, so I swiped through my phone and read through the address again. To my utter bewilderment, I realized that it was really the building I was looking for.I settled the driver with the extra change which I had thankfully found wandering in my pocket before I made my way into the gargantuan edifice.At the entrance, I was met with the sight of a plain-faced woman who was dressed formally in a black, knee-length gown wIth a pair of black dress shoes to match. She looked like an imposing, evil stepmother."Are you Miss Ophelia Alvarez?" She asked in a strict, business-like tone."Yes," I a
Ophelia's POV"Be a good boy for Miss Daphne, okay? If she tells me otherwise, I won't get you the spider-man boots anymore, okay?" I instructed, crouching down to Jeremy's height, and straightening the collars of his t-shirt."Yes, mommy," Jeremy nodded before he threw his arms around me in a warm hug."Take care, baby," I muttered after we disengaged from the hug."Yes, mommy. Bye," He waved cheerfully, slipping his hand into Daphne's."Daphne, thanks for this. Please don't forget to give me a call if he gets too much, and I'll come pick him up immediately," I said, to which Daphne smiled."Okay, Lia. I have heard you. We'll be on our way now," She waved at me before hoisting Jeremy to her waist.I watched their retreating figures until it disappeared before I headed back to my place. Daphne had offered to take Jeremy to her son's place that morning. She had a grandchild who was the same age as Jeremy, so I had accepted her offer. I wanted Jeremy to play with people his age. I didn
Ryan's POV"Good day, ladies and gentlemen. From this moment onward, I will be the new president of the branch here, and I hope we all get along throughout the duration of my stay," I uttered to the shareholders who were sat on the same table with me in the conference room."We hope so, too. It's a pleasure having you here," The vice president replied with a nod which I mirrored.Afterward, I stood up from my seat, and they all followed suit. Then, I headed to my new office.The company's branch in London was significantly smaller than the head branch at Texas. But regardless of that, I still looked forward to working there."I have no meeting left to attend today, right?" I asked my secretary, and she shook her head in affirmation."Perfect," I mumbled, hoisting myself up from the chair to grab my coat and briefcase."I'll see you tomorrow then," I said as I draped my coat on.She nodded, "Alright, sir. Goodbye,"Then, I headed to the parking lot. It had been two weeks since I moved
Ophelia’s POV "Woah, hold on. Wait a minute, what are you saying? Ryan said what?" Ava screeched loudly from the other end of the phone.I sighed miserably to myself as I rinsed my hands clean in the sink, freshened up my makeup, before I grabbed my bag and phone."You heard me, babe. Ryan found out he's Jeremy's dad, and now, he's threatening to take my baby away from me," I muttered as I trekked out of the bathroom to pick Jeremy up from kindergarten.Usually, Daphne always helped me with picking Jeremy up, and taking him to her condo pending the time I'd get back from work. But that day, my paranoia and overthinking got the best of me.I almost stopped Jeremy from boarding the bus when it arrived at the bus stop earlier that morning because I was scared. I was scared of Ryan or anyone taking my ball of sunshine away from me."He won't dare. What the hell? I thought he said he changed. Who the fuck goes around threatening the estranged mother of their child that they'd take their b
Ryan’s POV "I know, Ophelia. I am Jeremy's dad. You don't need to keep hiding it from me anymore," I uttered to Ophelia as I stared down at her, with a sinister smile curving my lips upward.She seemed horrified as her mouth faltered and opened before it immediately flapped shut. She couldn't meet my gaze, and her breathing rate fastened.I quickly shuffled back to give her some space to process everything I just said. Thankfully, her breathing rate stabilized and she glared up at me."What do you mean you're Jeremy's dad? What gives you the audacity to make that sort of a baseless statement?" She spat, her glare faltering when I didn't back down, and instead fixated my gaze on her.I laughed mirthlessly and shook my head, "I know everything, Ophelia. I know more than you think I know. And overall, I know Jeremy is my son. I have eyes and ears everywhere, so of course I'd know that. I was waiting for you to tell me the truth, but it seemed that'd never happen, so I had to take the b
Ophelia’s POV I strolled through the hospital hallway with the bouquet of dahlias mixed with daisies clutched in my hand. "Room thirty one," I mumbled to myself as I gazed at the room number slates which were firmly glued to the doors.Soon, I got to room thirty one. I knocked gently and waited quietly for the inhabitant to usher me in."Is that Miss Ophelia? Please come in," Isabelle's voice came out in the form of a weak whisper and I smiled to myself before I pushed the door open, and quietly slammed it shut.I took in the sight of Isabelle lying on the bed, clutching her newborn in the small bundle, and nostalgia swept over me.I recalled the day I gave birth to Jeremy. No one was beside me while I pushed him out of me, nobody came to drop flowers and congratulate me at the hospital.I cried so hard for some weeks after I got home. It was after then that I decided to make friends with Daphne.Isabelle's situation was also similar to mine. But she was raped by her boyfriend, and
Ryan’s POV I stood at the center of my new condominium with a tired but accomplished smile rooted to my face as I nodded to myself.Damon's men had done a great job with the interior decorations. The place didn't look the slightest bit comfortable for me, given that I was used to living in my humongous yet lifeless mansion.I was slightly excited about living in a place without my helpers at my beck and call for the first time in my life. Everything I was doing was for Ophelia and Jeremy. I reassured myself as I grabbed the plastic bag containing two boxes of pizzas, a pack of banana milk, and a box of apple juice.Then, I headed out of my place to the elevator. I was going to visit my newest neighbor with some gifts.Moments later, I reached my neighbor's door which I knocked tenderly on. "Coming," I heard her tiny voice screech which made me chuckle fondly.I waited patiently by the door with the bag clasped tighter in my hand, and my heart beating rapidly with nervousness.Short
Ophelia’s POV I trekked through the condominium gates with my brows furrowed in confusion as I stared at the moving trucks that were parked inside the vast compound with some men who were professionally clad in black suits clustered around it.The image of the various bulky men in suits brought an offensive image of Ryan's mansion to my mind which I immediately shrugged off before I walked past them, deciding to ignore them and their commotion.I walked into the elevator with a sigh, stared down at my wristwatch, and palmed my forehead as I felt the painful throbbing of an impending migraine.I had been working quite late recently at the restaurant to prevent my mind from straying away from a certain grey-eyed monster. With a smile, I knocked gently on Daphne's door and tightened my clutch on the package in my other hand.Moments later, she opened it with a grin. My smile turned wan when I didn't see Jeremy bolting past her to hug me."Hi, Daphne," I greeted as she widened her door
Ryan’s POV I sighed deeply as I scribbled my signature on the paperwork in front of me, even though my mind was far away from my body.It had been two weeks since I asked Damon to find out about Ophelia's partner and the father of her son, but I hadn't received any helpful leads yet from Damon.I was gradually starting to accept my fate and that Ophelia would never be mine in this universe. I was about to take a long puff of the vape that was enclosed in between my fingers when I heard a knock on the door."Come in," I grumbled, easing the vape back on the desk.Damon marched in with a brown envelope. He bowed before handing me the envelope, "You have to see this, sir,"I frowned but collected the envelope from him regardless, "What's this?""The true identity of the man who impregnated Ophelia," He revealed, motioning to the envelope.My eyes doubled in surprise as I stared at the envelope, "Really? Are you sure of what you're saying?""Yes, sir,""So, is she married?" I asked, tear
Ophelia’s POV I was jolted out of my siesta by my phone vibrating against the nightstand with an incoming call.I grumbled as I gently disengaged myself from Jeremy's vice grip before I retrieved the offending device and answered the call without glancing at the caller id."Who's this?" I mumbled, scrubbing a hand over my face to clear the lingering bits of sleep in my eyes."Hi, babe. I'm sorry I haven't called you in a while," Ava said, which made me sit up properly and rest against the headboard.I yawned, "Nah, it's fine, babe. How's work and how's everything over there?" "Fine, fine. I have an off day today. So, I can stay on the phone for as long as I want," She squealed, to which I giggled."Oh, really?""Yup. Can we FaceTime or are you busy with something? It's been a while since I last saw my nephew, and I want to see him," She said, which made me sigh."Sure, let's do that. I'm not busy, I don't have work today. I had to call in sick because Jeremy suddenly started throwin