Ophelia’s POV I slowly fluttered my eyes open as I felt blinding rays of sunlight seeping through my closed eyelids.I groaned and zipped my eyes shut when an agonizing ache struck my head, causing my temple to throb with immense pain.I heard a gasp beside me as I tried to prop myself on my elbows and sit up. I was too unaware of myself to spin my neck around to see who it was."Ophelia! Finally, you've woken up!" The all-too-familiar chirpy voice of my best friend filled my ears, and I gently tilted my head to stare at her.I frowned as I took in the surrounding of the room that I was currently in. This wasn't my room at home nor was it my room in Ryan's mansion.Now that I thought of it, the ambiance seemed eerie, and everywhere reeked of antiseptic.I steered my gaze back to Ava who was staring at me with tear-laden eyes."Ava, what happened? Why am I in a hospital?" I croaked, wincing as the throbbing pain in my head got worse."Do you need me to call a doctor?" Ava took my fac
Ophelia’s POV I loved attending social functions but if there was one sort of social function that I utterly loathed attending, it was a funeral, regardless of the person's age.Many times, people do term the funeral of an aged person as the celebration of their life. But to me, it was basically the same as a funeral for a young person.Their families were never going to see them again. And anytime I thought of it, it always haunted me.As we stood around Dad's casket–Ava, Dad's oncologist, and I–and the priest prayed for his soul, my countenance remained grim as I stared into nothingness with Ava's arm firmly wrapped around my shoulder.The sight brought back the memory of mum's funeral which I thought I had buried a long time ago, to my mind."Lia, are you okay? Do you need to sit for a minute?" Ava's voice drifted into my ears, and I shook my head in negation with my gaze averting to the casket.The reality of everything was gradually starting to dawn on me as moisture started rol
Ophelia’s POV "I will torture you, petal," Ryan whispered, his eyes dark with a mixture of lust and mania.His words caused trepidation to simmer inside me, and I trembled as he gripped my jaw and forced me to look him in his eyes; his soulless, devilish-looking, ashen eyes."P-please, Ryan. I'm sorry for leaving the house without seeking your permission. It was an emergency that I couldn't help. Please believe me, Ry-""Fucking shut your trap, harlot! Did I ask for your damned explanation? I think the fuck not, so why the hell do you keep bullshiting with me and spitting lies? Do I look stupid?" Ryan bellowed, as his thumb and forefinger harshly dug into my cheeks.I shook my head in negation as I managed to meet his emotionless gaze.He let my face go as he mumbled an incoherent curse, and I thought maybe he had decided to hear me out.I was petrified when I saw him digging into a chest next to the x-cross which was in the middle of the room. I gulped nervously as I waited in the h
Ryan’s POV "Ophelia, wake up," I ordered, in a thunderous voice, thinking that'd scare Ophelia's motionless form, and cause her to flutter her tightly shut eyes open."Okay, let's do this. I'm sorry for my cruelty. I won't do stuff like this to you again, I'll listen to what you have to say. So you can wake up now, petal," I uttered once more, tucking a stray strand of Ophelia's hair behind her ear.She remained stiff with her eyes still closed.Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.What the hell had I done?With shaky hands, I uncuffed Ophelia from the x cross, and gently carried her bridal style, before placing her on the leather bed.Afterward, I crouched on the floor and took her hand in mine with sweat oozing out of my skin in copious amounts. I had no idea what I was supposed to do at that moment. I couldn't perhaps call one of my workers, I couldn't let them walk into my bizarre dungeon, and see my dirty psychopathic secrets. Even if I decided to place her on my bed, all evidence will still poi
Ava’s POV"Ava, are you coming? Rodrigo is asking for you," A coworker, who worked as a stripper in the club asked as I glammed my face.I sighed deeply as I muttered an incoherent curse before I whipped my neck around to face her, "Why?"She tied the straps of her twelve inches heels as she shrugged, "How am I supposed to know? He probably has VIP clients today, and since his precious moneymaker, Ophelia is gone. The responsibility falls on you,"In response, I just shook my head and turned to face the mirror as I added finishing touches to my makeup. I hadn't even called Ophelia since I left the hospital earlier today, I had been cooped up at the club, working overtime as I had some bills to offset.And unlike Ophelia, I had no ridiculously wealthy boss who would be benevolent enough to throw money in my direction.I sighed to myself as I hoisted myself up from the chair before I walked to my assigned closet to place my makeup supplies inside it. Then, I grabbed my phone and checked
Ophelia’s POV I slowly flickered my eyes open as a great wave of migraine hit me, causing me to instantly squeeze my eyes shut. I waited for a moment before I forcefully opened my eyes, and took in my surroundings.Through hooded eyes, I gazed at the beeping machines that were connected to my wrist. It was then the realization that I was in a hospital dawned on me.The last thing I remembered was Ryan's sinister smile as he ruthlessly assaulted me. The thought caused me to suddenly shriek as I writhed under the sheets. "Ophelia, you're awake! Thank goodness!" I heard Ava exclaim, and I tilted my head sideways to gaze at her. Her eyes were swollen and misty with both shed and unshed tears.She also looked pale.I tried to respond to her but all that came out of my throat was a choked shriek. When I realized that I couldn't speak, I tried to get up to speak to her but my limbs suddenly felt heavy like lead.I resigned to fate and settled on staring at Ava.I felt stuffed with drugs. I
Ophelia’s POV "No, you got it wrong. Something is definitely not right somewhere, doctor. I'm not pregnant, I can't be, so I suggest you redo the test," I spat after I had gotten a grip on myself.The doctor sighed, with an underlying hint of exasperation prominent on his mien as he stared at Ava, silently asking for some help.Ava leaped to action, she sat next to me on the small place left on the bed, interlacing our fingers together before she gently caressed my hand in reassurance.But I wasn't having any of that. I was livid with anger.There was no way I was pregnant with Ryan's child. The bastard who ruined my life. There was just no fucking way that could have happened.He always ensured we used protection on every occasion we had sex, except for the quickie we had at the gala, some months ago.Fuck, I had almost forgotten about that. "Miss Ophelia, I can assure you that we carried out the test with the best technologies available. There's no way we got it wrong, you are pre
THREE YEARS LATERRyan’s POV"Have you sent the essential documents to Velasquez? If you haven't, I want you to be fast with it," I barked into the intercom, at my new secretary before hanging up, and reclining against the swivel chair.Alvin had resigned some years ago, to further his studies in Italy while Daphne had gotten married, and had also moved to Japan with her husband. It was as if everything in my life suddenly went upside down ever since the day I committed a heinous crime against Ophelia.Ah, Ophelia. Not a single day goes by that her pretty smile doesn't find a way to slip into my thoughts.I missed her. I knew I didn't deserve to think up such a hypocritical thought after everything I did to her.I sighed miserably as I shook my head to enable my utmost concentration. I had to review some proposals and financial reports.Ever since the day Ophelia left my life, I immersed myself in a great deal of work, and on rare occasions when I wasn't working, I'd drive to a club f
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