Ophelia's Pov Camilla was still smiling, still pleased with her little discovery that Daniel indeed has a girlfriend, but I could hardly pay attention. My attention was on something else or rather someone else.That look. It hadn’t left me. It was an invisible weight pressing against my skin, the undeniable presence of a gaze I had grown too familiar with. I could feel it—heavy, searching, stripping away the layers I had carefully built to protect myself. Ryder wasn’t just looking at me. He was studying me. I forced a smile at Camilla as she spoke of something entirely different, though my mind wandered elsewhere. I needed to pull myself together. “You okay?” Daniel’s voice was low, but it cut through my thoughts like a blade. I looked up at him as he moved closer, his usual playful glint replaced by something sharper, more serious. “I’m fine,” I replied far too quickly. His brow arched. “You sure? You seem a little…” He looked for the word, finally settling o
Ophelia's pov “Yes,” I said.I was not lying but I wasn't completely honest either.I was happy with my life now. I have Nichole as my best friend in my life. There was Daniel. I might just have met him but he treated me like a senior brother would treat his sister. I have a job that is putting food on my table and a roof over my head.I might not have gotten everything I wanted but it was enough for now.I could feel the tension building, but I wasn’t going to let him see it.I stood up straighter, pushing my shoulders back as I met his gaze. No more vulnerability. No more second-guessing myself in front of him. I wasn’t that naive girl anymore, and I wasn’t going to fall for whatever game he was trying to play.He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, I cut him off.“Why didn’t you stop the news from escalating?” I asked, my voice colder than I intended. Ryder froze, his brows furrowing. "What are you talking about?"I swallowed my frustration, feeling the tightness in my
Ophelia PovAfter Daniel dropped me at home and I entered my apartment, I let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of the evening settle over me. My confrontation with Ryder had drained me, leaving behind an exhaustion that seeped into my bones. I kicked off my shoes and walked straight to my bedroom, not bothering to turn on the lights. The room was dimly lit by the glow of the street lights outside, casting faint shadows across the walls. I peeled off my dress and went to the bathroom, going under the shower and turning the water open. After staying under the shower for less than one minute, for the water to wash the sweat and stress from my body, I slipped into a comfortable singlet that covered only my breast and shorts, my body aching for rest. Climbing into bed, I pulled the blankets up to my chin, hoping that sleep would come quickly and wash away the turmoil churning inside me. But even as I closed my eyes, Ryder’s face lingered in my mind. The way he looked at me, th
Ophelia’s POV By the time I finished packing— with Nichole’s not-so-subtle supervision— I was already exhausted. The weight of everything I had been holding in the past few days, combined with the upcoming trip, left my mind spinning. Still, a part of me was looking forward to it. Maybe, just maybe, a change of scenery would help. After freshening up, I dressed in a casual but stylish and comfortable travel outfit, high-waisted maternity leggings, and a loose-fitting blouse that made me feel comfortable and put together. Daniel drove us to the airport, where we would meet up with the others. The private terminal was quiet, with only a handful of people waiting for the flight. David was already there with Camilla when we got there. When Camilla spotted me, her eyes lit up, and she rushed over, pulling me into a warm hug. “Eva! I am so happy you came.” I smiled, returning her hug. “Well, I was not given a choice to reject it,”Camilla laughed, pulling back to study me. “You
Ophelia’s PovThe flight was smooth, but my mind was anything but it I kept my hands folded in my lap, my eyes focused on the clouds outside, pretending I wasn’t hyper-aware of the man sitting next to me. Ryder hadn't said anything else after our brief exchange, but his presence was suffocating. Every now and then, I could feel his gaze on me, and it took everything in me to act like I didn’t notice them. Camilla and David were still chatting excitedly about the vacation plans, while Daniel and Nichole whispered between themselves, lost in their little love bubble. I envied them. Just as I thought I could survive the rest of the flight in silence, Ryder leaned in slightly. His voice was low, almost thoughtful. “You still grip the seat during takeoff.” I tensed, my fingers curling slightly. “It is normal. A lot of people don’t like flying.” He hummed as if considering my words. “You didn’t let go of my hand immediately, though. Like you didn't want to” My head snapped t
Ophelia's Pov The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the ocean. The laughter of my friends filled the air, but I was only half-present. My body was here, floating in the cool water, but my mind was restless. Ryder’s words still echoed in my head. "Or maybe you are just avoiding something."I wasn’t avoiding anything. At least, that was what I told myself. Daniel and David were competing to see who could stay underwater the longest, while Camilla cheered them on from the shore. Nichole was floating beside me, her arms stretched out as she sighed in contentment. “This is perfect,” she murmured. “I wish we could stay here forever.” I nodded absently, my gaze drifting to the shore. Ryder stood near the water’s edge, his hands in his pockets, watching them compete in the water, but occasionally, his eyes flickered to me. Watching me.A small wave rocked my balance, and I sucked in a sharp breath as I steadied myself. “You okay?” Nichole asked, glancing
Ophelia's PovI should have said no. I should have excused myself, claimed exhaustion, or feigned a sudden need to check on something in my room. But instead, I let Nichole and Camilla’s excitement pull me in, and now here I was— stuck in a game I wanted no part of.The game is nothing different from truth or dare. Camilla came back with the cards, shuffled the deck of cards, and spread them in the middle of the table, a grin on her face. “Alright, I will go first.” She picked a card and flipped it over. “It says tell us about your first kiss.” David groaned. “Really? We all know your first kiss was in Paris with that guy from your art class.” Camilla gasped, smacking his arm. “Ugh, don’t ruin my moment, David!” Laughter rippled around the table, but I barely heard it. Because Ryder was watching me again. Why can't he take his eyes off me? He is keeping his eyes on me, watching me like a hawk. I clenched my fists under the table. One by one, the game continued, eve
Ophelia's pov I was breathing hard, my chest rising and falling rapidly. My hand stung from the impact, but it was nothing compared to the fire raging inside me.His gaze flickered with something— regret, maybe— but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He exhaled sharply, his fingers flexing at his cheeks. “I needed to know.” His voice was rough, low, but firm. “You don’t get to ask me that.” My voice rose, heat rushing up my neck. “You don’t get to stand here and throw disgusting accusations at me.” I shook my head in disbelief. “You are disgusting. Do you really think so little of me?”I heard footsteps approaching, but I barely registered them before a voice cut through the tension between Ryder and me.“What the hell is going on ?” Camilla. I turned sharply to see her standing at the entrance of the bar area, her eyes flicking between me and Ryder. Behind her were Nichole and Daniel, who just appeared with their faces marked with confusion and concern. David also ap
Ophelia's PovThe morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, warming my face. I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling.I remembered what happened the previous night, and I turned my face in the direction of the sunlight from the slightly opened curtain, but it did nothing to chase away the cold emptiness in my chest. I lay still, my body heavy with exhaustion. My head ached from all the crying from last night, my throat raw from the sobs and screams I had let out the night before. I had tried to hold myself together, but everything had come crashing down when I saw Daniel. I was just sitting staring out at the beach, holding myself from breaking down but the look on Daniel's face broke me.And he had seen me break. Ryder had seen me at my worst. He had seen me in my vulnerable state. A part of me hated that he had seen me like that— weak, vulnerable, shattered. But another part of me was too tired to care anymore. If at all, I was glad I was able to cry out my pain.A s
Ryder's PovI stood outside her room, waiting for Daniel to come out, my fists clenched at my sides, jaw tight. I saw her sobbing in his arms by the beach. I had seen her sobbing in Daniel’s arms. I had seen the way she had broken down and cried, the way her body had trembled with a pain so raw it had gutted me. It was a sight that burned itself into my mind, a knife twisting in my gut. I could hear the hurt in her voice as she cried and screamed, clutching into Daniel.Seeing her break down like that, seeing her clutch onto Daniel as if he were her lifeline, made something dark coil inside me. The door finally opened, and Daniel stepped out. He closed the door gently behind him and let out a sigh. His face was unreadable at first, but when he saw me, his expression hardenedI pushed off the wall. “How is she?” Daniel sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “She cried herself to sleep.” Something in me twisted. It was all because of me. I made her cry. I made her break down
Ophelia's pov I was breathing hard, my chest rising and falling rapidly. My hand stung from the impact, but it was nothing compared to the fire raging inside me.His gaze flickered with something— regret, maybe— but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He exhaled sharply, his fingers flexing at his cheeks. “I needed to know.” His voice was rough, low, but firm. “You don’t get to ask me that.” My voice rose, heat rushing up my neck. “You don’t get to stand here and throw disgusting accusations at me.” I shook my head in disbelief. “You are disgusting. Do you really think so little of me?”I heard footsteps approaching, but I barely registered them before a voice cut through the tension between Ryder and me.“What the hell is going on ?” Camilla. I turned sharply to see her standing at the entrance of the bar area, her eyes flicking between me and Ryder. Behind her were Nichole and Daniel, who just appeared with their faces marked with confusion and concern. David also ap
Ophelia's PovI should have said no. I should have excused myself, claimed exhaustion, or feigned a sudden need to check on something in my room. But instead, I let Nichole and Camilla’s excitement pull me in, and now here I was— stuck in a game I wanted no part of.The game is nothing different from truth or dare. Camilla came back with the cards, shuffled the deck of cards, and spread them in the middle of the table, a grin on her face. “Alright, I will go first.” She picked a card and flipped it over. “It says tell us about your first kiss.” David groaned. “Really? We all know your first kiss was in Paris with that guy from your art class.” Camilla gasped, smacking his arm. “Ugh, don’t ruin my moment, David!” Laughter rippled around the table, but I barely heard it. Because Ryder was watching me again. Why can't he take his eyes off me? He is keeping his eyes on me, watching me like a hawk. I clenched my fists under the table. One by one, the game continued, eve
Ophelia's Pov The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the ocean. The laughter of my friends filled the air, but I was only half-present. My body was here, floating in the cool water, but my mind was restless. Ryder’s words still echoed in my head. "Or maybe you are just avoiding something."I wasn’t avoiding anything. At least, that was what I told myself. Daniel and David were competing to see who could stay underwater the longest, while Camilla cheered them on from the shore. Nichole was floating beside me, her arms stretched out as she sighed in contentment. “This is perfect,” she murmured. “I wish we could stay here forever.” I nodded absently, my gaze drifting to the shore. Ryder stood near the water’s edge, his hands in his pockets, watching them compete in the water, but occasionally, his eyes flickered to me. Watching me.A small wave rocked my balance, and I sucked in a sharp breath as I steadied myself. “You okay?” Nichole asked, glancing
Ophelia’s PovThe flight was smooth, but my mind was anything but it I kept my hands folded in my lap, my eyes focused on the clouds outside, pretending I wasn’t hyper-aware of the man sitting next to me. Ryder hadn't said anything else after our brief exchange, but his presence was suffocating. Every now and then, I could feel his gaze on me, and it took everything in me to act like I didn’t notice them. Camilla and David were still chatting excitedly about the vacation plans, while Daniel and Nichole whispered between themselves, lost in their little love bubble. I envied them. Just as I thought I could survive the rest of the flight in silence, Ryder leaned in slightly. His voice was low, almost thoughtful. “You still grip the seat during takeoff.” I tensed, my fingers curling slightly. “It is normal. A lot of people don’t like flying.” He hummed as if considering my words. “You didn’t let go of my hand immediately, though. Like you didn't want to” My head snapped t
Ophelia’s POV By the time I finished packing— with Nichole’s not-so-subtle supervision— I was already exhausted. The weight of everything I had been holding in the past few days, combined with the upcoming trip, left my mind spinning. Still, a part of me was looking forward to it. Maybe, just maybe, a change of scenery would help. After freshening up, I dressed in a casual but stylish and comfortable travel outfit, high-waisted maternity leggings, and a loose-fitting blouse that made me feel comfortable and put together. Daniel drove us to the airport, where we would meet up with the others. The private terminal was quiet, with only a handful of people waiting for the flight. David was already there with Camilla when we got there. When Camilla spotted me, her eyes lit up, and she rushed over, pulling me into a warm hug. “Eva! I am so happy you came.” I smiled, returning her hug. “Well, I was not given a choice to reject it,”Camilla laughed, pulling back to study me. “You
Ophelia PovAfter Daniel dropped me at home and I entered my apartment, I let out a deep breath, feeling the weight of the evening settle over me. My confrontation with Ryder had drained me, leaving behind an exhaustion that seeped into my bones. I kicked off my shoes and walked straight to my bedroom, not bothering to turn on the lights. The room was dimly lit by the glow of the street lights outside, casting faint shadows across the walls. I peeled off my dress and went to the bathroom, going under the shower and turning the water open. After staying under the shower for less than one minute, for the water to wash the sweat and stress from my body, I slipped into a comfortable singlet that covered only my breast and shorts, my body aching for rest. Climbing into bed, I pulled the blankets up to my chin, hoping that sleep would come quickly and wash away the turmoil churning inside me. But even as I closed my eyes, Ryder’s face lingered in my mind. The way he looked at me, th
Ophelia's pov “Yes,” I said.I was not lying but I wasn't completely honest either.I was happy with my life now. I have Nichole as my best friend in my life. There was Daniel. I might just have met him but he treated me like a senior brother would treat his sister. I have a job that is putting food on my table and a roof over my head.I might not have gotten everything I wanted but it was enough for now.I could feel the tension building, but I wasn’t going to let him see it.I stood up straighter, pushing my shoulders back as I met his gaze. No more vulnerability. No more second-guessing myself in front of him. I wasn’t that naive girl anymore, and I wasn’t going to fall for whatever game he was trying to play.He opened his mouth, but before he could speak, I cut him off.“Why didn’t you stop the news from escalating?” I asked, my voice colder than I intended. Ryder froze, his brows furrowing. "What are you talking about?"I swallowed my frustration, feeling the tightness in my