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Claimed 7
Ophelia“I never thought that in all my life I would see you again.” I look up to see a smiling Dominic. That proud smirk sitting on his face proves that he may have changed, but the same old Dom was still in there. Standing up and hugging him was the first instinct that I had, so I followed it. Part of me felt angry at myself for doing it, but most of me was happy to see an old friend. No matter what had happened in the past, it didn’t change the fact that somewhere deep inside, I still considered him a friend.“Never thought I would be here.” I say..“I’m so happy to see you. Knowing that I’m incredibly late with it, I’m sorry. As your friend, I should have told you up front about it all. Hell, I never should have taken part in anything so stupid. I’ve learned my lesson and would love to make all this up to you.” Dom says.“It’s over and done with. Don’t let this mistake stay with you forever. Were you right about what you did? Of course not. Do I forgive you for being a stupid kid
Claimed 8
OpheliaI turn my head and see him standing there, grey eyes burning holes into mine. Cole’s dark brown hair pushed back away from his eyes and looking like he had just rolled out of bed. The smile on his face was a genuine one that went all the way to his eyes and held happiness. Part of me wanted to know what had put that happiness in his eyes. Part of me wanted to put that look there. Even though years had passed and I had loved my husband deeply, I still had some feelings for Cole. And that thought scared me. How could I have feelings for someone who had hurt me so deeply? What person in their right mind even entertained the thoughts of liking the person who shattered their heart? But then again, I think about how old we were when everything happened. Can I really hold a grown man who is doing well for himself, accountable for the actions he did as a stupid teenage boy? The answer is yes and no. What Cole did was horrible and should have never happened to anyone. But the Cole sta
Claimed Chapter 1
OpheliaMost people see moving as a new beginning or the end of something, a fresh start in life. I see it as more of the same old same old. Moving is not going to make me more popular with kids at school. It’s not going to make my parents stop favoring my sister more, and start remembering my existence. It all boils down to we’re are going to be living in a new town that’s it.As I follow my parents, who are following the movers, I know that nothing will change. My sister will still be a spoiled brat, and I will be the one who picks up the pieces of everything she burns in her path. I can see her lounging in the back of my parent’s car talking on her phone without a care in the world. As cliché, as it sounds the girl, does live to make my life a living hell. Before we moved I had finally met someone that I liked a lot. We had begun to talk and had a date planned.I had only ever held the guy's hand. I haven’t had my first date or my first kiss, so this was a big deal for m
Claimed Chapter 2
Ophelia As I followed my GPS toward the store, I notice just how small this town was. Most of the stores are located in the town square. It looks almost like something out of a fairytale. I laugh a little at myself for thinking that. I have always been an avid reader, and sometimes I think it is to my detriment. I try to stay in reality because my life is certainly not a fairytale. It is without a doubt as boring and unhopeful as you can get in some opinions. I still have hope though. I hope that I will get into a good college and will escape my family. I don’t think my parents hate me. I think they're easily influenced by my sister. Even after all this time, I still don't know what changed in my family. I get out of my car and start to walk around looking at all the different shops. There is a small house goods store, a book store, grocery, and even a clothing store. They all have the name Henson in the title. I am guessing that a rich family started thi
Claimed Chapter 3
OpheliaGetting ready the next morning my thoughts were jumbled up. At my last school, many of my teachers had to make special curriculums for me because I was more advanced than most of the kids in my school. The area I grew up in is not one known for producing many scholars. I try to not let on to my family how well I do because I don’t want it to come back and bite me in the butt later. I just hope that my principal did as he said he would and sent all the information that the school would need so that I will hopefully be able to still be on track for scholarships and to get into a school that I want.My dream is to teach college literature and I’m hoping that my track record so far will put me on that track. At a young age, I discovered my love for books. It was a chance for me to escape all the cares of this world and to find peace in a story. I often used to sit and imagine myself as the characters in the books in hopes of making myself happy.
Claimed Chapter 4
Ophelia After the teacher gives us instructions, she tells us we can scatter throughout the school and find a place to sketch. Without saying a word, Mason takes my hand and leads me out the door and out into the courtyard of the school. He takes a seat leaning against a tree and motions for me to sit as well. “So you are the famous Ophelia?” I look at him like he has just dropped a bomb, and he chuckles at my look. “Maggie didn’t shut up about you when she came home. I was visiting Cole and heard her.” I shake my head in understanding. “Cole is her brother.” “Oh, so that is the one that everyone is trying to sink their claws into.” I laugh at this. Mason smiles at me like he completely agrees. “Maggie was amazing last night. That girl won herself a spot in my heart.” I smile at him. “So, mind if I start first?” “No, go right ahead. Mind if I talk while you do?” I shake my head no letting him know he is free to talk. “So you seem different from your s
Claimed Chapter 5
Ophelia I have never been so thankful in all my life for someone to walk into a classroom. The teacher I have for English was embarrassing me with all his praise for my grades and writing. My old school had sent over some of my writing, and Mr. Nash thought it was great. He was encouraging me to think about a job in literature. I told him multiple times that I wanted to be a literature professor. There was nothing wrong with our conversation, it just bothers me a lot when people overly praise me since I’m not used to getting that much praise. My old teachers had figured that out and made sure to keep the praise to a minimum. I quickly sat down and felt eyes staring at the back of my head. I turned around and saw the most gorgeous creature God had ever put on the earth. His dark brown hair was slicked back, and he was covered in tattoos. He had piercing gray eyes that held something I couldn’t place, was it mischief, curiosity, or something else entirely. He suddenly
Claimed Chapter 6
OpheliaAs I sit down to eat Dominic and Pearce follow behind and sit at the table with me. I notice all of the whispers, and I notice Katherine walking in with a squad of look-alikes. I knew that she would find a spot right in the middle of the popular kids. The girls walk over to the table where Cole and Mason are sitting with a couple of other guys. I watch as Katherine tries flirting with Cole.I feel my heart hurt, and my stomach drops. The scene in front of me makes me look away. I can’t sit here and watch, as once again, she takes something I want. Wait, did I just think that I want Cole? That’s impossible. I just met him, and he is an arrogant man-whore.“I see she wastes no time going after what she wants,” Pearce says with a snarl. “I had a feeling this would happen. Some of the guys at this school go for the quick, easy lay. Cole is one of those guys. He just sleeps with a girl and moves on. I have never seen him date som
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Claimed 8
OpheliaI turn my head and see him standing there, grey eyes burning holes into mine. Cole’s dark brown hair pushed back away from his eyes and looking like he had just rolled out of bed. The smile on his face was a genuine one that went all the way to his eyes and held happiness. Part of me wanted to know what had put that happiness in his eyes. Part of me wanted to put that look there. Even though years had passed and I had loved my husband deeply, I still had some feelings for Cole. And that thought scared me. How could I have feelings for someone who had hurt me so deeply? What person in their right mind even entertained the thoughts of liking the person who shattered their heart? But then again, I think about how old we were when everything happened. Can I really hold a grown man who is doing well for himself, accountable for the actions he did as a stupid teenage boy? The answer is yes and no. What Cole did was horrible and should have never happened to anyone. But the Cole sta
Claimed 7
Ophelia“I never thought that in all my life I would see you again.” I look up to see a smiling Dominic. That proud smirk sitting on his face proves that he may have changed, but the same old Dom was still in there. Standing up and hugging him was the first instinct that I had, so I followed it. Part of me felt angry at myself for doing it, but most of me was happy to see an old friend. No matter what had happened in the past, it didn’t change the fact that somewhere deep inside, I still considered him a friend.“Never thought I would be here.” I say..“I’m so happy to see you. Knowing that I’m incredibly late with it, I’m sorry. As your friend, I should have told you up front about it all. Hell, I never should have taken part in anything so stupid. I’ve learned my lesson and would love to make all this up to you.” Dom says.“It’s over and done with. Don’t let this mistake stay with you forever. Were you right about what you did? Of course not. Do I forgive you for being a stupid kid
Claimed 6
ColeBusiness trips have been the bane of my existence since I started working with the company. Dad had always told me they were a great way to get some alone time. I found they sucked the life out of me. Running from meeting to meeting, trying to make things work, was something that I hate. Henson Tech has taken over my life for the last five years.Since I found Ophelia and made my peace with our relationship, I have focused solely on work. Gaining peace about Ophelia really just means that I want her to be happy. I still love her more than anything in this world and I would drop everything to make her happy. When her husband died, it took all of my willpower to not see her. I wanted to console her and tell her that everything would be alright. I wanted her and her son to feel safe and loved.I knew that if I did, I would cause her more stress. Instead of giving in to my desires, I ask Maggie daily how she was doing. I have removed any problem that could have come her way. I never
Claimed 5
Ophelia Light hits my face as I roll over in my sleep. My body fights the light and wants nothing more than to return to the darkness of my slumber. My sleep last night was nothing short of glorious. Thinking back, I realise I haven’t slept that well since Chris passed. The safety and love that he gave me always made me fall into a sleep that was deep and peaceful. Rubbing my eyes, I sit up in the bed and see that the sun is high in the sky. How late did I sleep? Looking at the clock, I see it is almost 11:30 in the morning. Jumping up, I head into the en-suite bathroom and get myself ready. I can’t remember the last time that I slept this late. There is no doubt in my mind that my dad and Bess have taken care of Ethan all morning. For the last few years, they have both begged me to make more time for myself and stop focusing all my attention on everyone else. Looking into the mirror, I see exactly why they have been telling me that. My face looks refreshed a
Claimed 4
Ophelia The time flew by while getting everything ready for the move. Ethan was over the moon, knowing that he was going to have his Papa in the house and that his Grandma Bess was coming with us. I put the house up for sale with all the furnishings left in it for the sale. We packed away all our things and hired movers to get them to Frankford. We have grown closer each day because Bess has been a lifesaver. Bess got out of her lease and sold all the things she didn’t want to take with her. Bess has been talking about how excited she is to meet Dad and to see the town that made such an impact on my life. I always tell her the same thing, you’ll be surprised. “Mommy, can I take some art stuff in the car with me?” Ethan asks as we load up the car. “I already set a bag of things in the seat for you.” I smile at him. “Yay!” I hear Ethan yell as he jumps up and down. “That child is always wanting to do something creative. He
Claimed 3
Ophelia Monday morning came all too soon, and I felt my nerves getting the best of me. The weekend had gone quickly, with Ethan and me playing at the park and painting. Ethan loves to teach me how to paint. I’m not the greatest at it, and he loves to tell me when I do something wrong. I have been out of practice since high school and it shows. I left him with Grandma Bess this morning. He adores her, and she feels the same about her. They like to spend their time doing many things together, and I think the child loves her as if she were his grandmother. Bess is nowhere near old at 52. But to Ethan, she is the right age to be his grandmother. Bess has always lived alone and has never been married. She said that there has never been a man that is good enough. I have often wondered if she and Dad would be interested in one another. Both of them claim to have never found someone who lights their fire. Maybe next time Dad’s in town, I should invite her over to meet him. I walk into th
Claimed 2
OpheliaThe sound of the doorbell brings a chorus of squeals from the stairs, and I know Ethan has heard it. The child gets more excited to see Alex and Emily than he ever does me. I can’t help but laugh at the tiny body flying through the house, racing toward the door. Ethan knows to not open the door until I get there, but that doesn’t mean that the kid won’t stand by the door, dancing around impatiently, waiting for me. If I could have a quarter of the kids’ energy, then I would be in great shape. And getting more work complete than I thought possible.“Okay, okay, calm down there, big guy. I will let them in.” I say, watching as my child is wildly jumping around.I no sooner get the door open than Ethan runs and jumps into Alex’s arms, and I hear them both laughing together. Alex has been a positive force in Ethan’s life, and I do not know where we would be without my friends. Chris wanted them to be the Godparents for Ethan, and I made sure that wish was a reality. “I’m thinkin
Claimed Claimed Again Chapter 1
Ophelia The saying goes that some people are in your life for only a reason or a season. The question for me has always been, is it only the bad people or is it anyone that can disappear from your life? Does that mean that those that leave are only there for a season, and those that stay are there for a reason? I had been living the last four years of my life in pure happiness. I married a man that loved me and we had a beautiful son together. The problem is that he was only in my life for a season. I lost Christopher when our son turned a year old. The car accident happened just two days after his birthday. A drunk driver took him away, and they left me a shell of a person with a small child to raise alone. If it wasn’t for Emily and Alexander, I don’t know that I would have made it through. They helped me pick up the pieces of my life and move forward. Chris would have wanted me to live my life regardless of whether he was here. This thought alone helped me through many nights o
Claimed Chapter 26
Ophelia Once the door closes, and Cole is gone, I turn to look at the people who mean the most to me in this world. I am hoping that they are not angry at me for lying to them for four years. What I see makes me almost cry. I see love on their faces. Not a single look of anger, hurt, or even hate is there. "So, does this mean we should start calling you Ophelia?" Emily asks with a smile on her face. "Yes. I am going to change it all back. Now that my family can't get to me and I am finally free from my past, I want to be me again. Are you guys upset at all?" I silently pray that there is nothing that is upsetting them. "Are you kidding? We are just glad that you finally opened up to us. We are
