Ophelia's Pov I sat on my bed, staring at the packed suitcase beside me. I was leaving. My hands trembled slightly as I zipped the bag, my mind spinning with emotions. Anxiety. Fear. Guilt. But above all, there was an overwhelming need to see my son. Ryan needed me. That was all that mattered. A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Eva?” Nichole’s voice was gentle. “Come in,” I said, trying to steady my voice. She stepped inside, her eyes filled with unshed tears. “Are you ready?” I nodded, but the weight on my chest made it hard to breathe and I shrugged my shoulders, standing from the bed. “I guess so.” She walked up to me and took my hands in hers. “You are doing the right thing.” “I hope so,” I whispered. There was a brief silence before she pulled me into a tight hug. “I will miss you so much, Eva.” I shut my eyes, breathing her in. “I will miss you more.” A voice from the hallway made us pull apart. “Time to go,” Daniel announced, standing
Ophelia's POVThe moment we landed in New York, reality hit me harder than ever. I was back. Back to the life I had run from and tried so hard to move on from, but yet here I was, stepping into it once again.There was a car waiting for us as we left the airport. From there, we headed straight to the hospital.The drive to the hospital was quiet, except for the occasional sound of Ryder drumming his fingers against his thigh. He was getting impatient but hiding it very well.I kept my hands folded in my lap, my mind racing. What if Ryan didn’t recognize me? What if he had changed so much that I wouldn’t recognize him? I knew it was just four months since I left but kids grow fast. What if he doesn't want to see me? The fear was suffocating.Above all, I was more scared for my baby. The pain he must be in. The discomfort he must be in. ‘I pray he is fine. I pray he shouldn't be in a critical condition’ I prayed silently in my heart with my fingers crossed.As the car rolled to a sto
Ophelia's Pov Olivia walked up to Ryan to check up on me but Ryan's eyes still looked in my direction.When she saw that Ryan's eyes hadn't left mine, she turned and looked at me. I walked up to Ryan's bedside where Ryder and Olivia were standing.“Hey, baby. What do you need?” I asked bending to his lips to hear him.“Water,” he said and I nodded.“I will bring some for you now,” I straightened and went to the table in the room. I poured water from the jug into the cup and went back to him.I helped him drink the water before laying him back on the bed. He closed his eyes and I guess he went back to sleep.The room was suffocatingly silent, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on us like a thick fog. Beside me, Olivia's eyes bore into me, sharp with her expression unreadable. But for a moment I saw it— the flicker of something dark beneath her composed facade.Jealousy? Rage? Betrayal?Her gaze drifted to my belly once more, and I instinctively placed a protective hand over i
Olivia's PovI clenched my fists so tight by my side that my nails bit into my palms. The sight before me, the way Ryder looked at Ophelia, his closeness with her and the way he confessed his feelings to her made my blood boil. I turned away from the door, my breath uneven. My plan had failed. Again. Everything I had done, every calculated move, every carefully placed doubt, it had all been for nothing. Ophelia still had him. She still had a way to get to him.Even after all these months, after my return, after everything I had orchestrated, Even when she left she had a hold on him and Ryan. That little brat didn't make it easy for me either. He was either throwing a tantrum, crying for Ophelia, or being too quiet.He was meant to bring me closer to Ryder, but instead, he was just useless, making me care for him all day.For a little boy, he was able to tell me and Ophelia apart.My body shook with anger, but I forced myself to breathe. I can’t lose my composure now. Losing cont
Ophelia's Pov With my eyes closed, I tapped repeatedly on the bed, my other hand not leaving Ryan's hand.It looked like I was sleeping or at peace but I wasn't. My mind was racing with different thoughts.Ryder's confession still echoed in my head like a song played over and over again. I wanted to believe him, but doubt crept inside my heart like a shadow, whispering uncertainties. Was it real? Or was it just the heat of the moment, the emotions of him happy that he was doing to be a father? Was it just mere words to keep me from running again?He said he never loved me or felt anything towards me four months ago. Then what changed now? Why was he confessing love to me?I opened my eyes and turned my head slightly to look at Ryan. His tiny hand rested in mine, his face relaxed in deep sleep. He was my anchor, the only constant in all of this. I felt so guilty for leaving him behind like that, but I wasn't going to anymore. I had to be strong for him, no matter how much my heart w
Ophelia's Pov I detached myself from Ryder's side and bent to Ryan's level.“Don't mind him. Will you eat now?” I asked, diverting his attention and he stopped.I helped him with his food, feeding him. Unlike his usual chattering and playing, he was very obedient and cooperative. My little boy had grown. I wish he could be like this forever.The nurses came to give him his medicine and check him up so Ryder and I moved out of the room.Olivia and Mum had gone home already, so it was just Ryder and me outside the door.“I am not your wife anymore,” I said after sitting down on the chair outside. “Don't lie to Ryan again,”I could feel his eyes on me. “I was not lying to him,” I scoffed, “You told him I was yours when, in fact, I am not. He should start knowing the truth,”“Even about his biological mother?” He asked and I turned to him.“I am still his mother. This doesn't change anything even as you have gotten back with Olivia. I love him as my own and I always will.” “We are not
Ophelia's Pov Ryan was discharged after three days in the hospital. I haven't left the hospital in those three days. Ryder and Joe persuaded me to go to the house, rest, freshen, and ear, but I declined. I didn't want to leave Ryan's side.When they saw I wasn't going to leave, they stopped talking about me. Ryder made sure to bring new clothes and food for me every day, while Joe made sure to check up on me and my baby every day to make sure we were both doing well. He also spares his lunch break to keep me company.I haven't really seen Olivia since the day we met but I have heard her voice outside the room. There was a gap between us that was too large to cross for any of the two of us to cross, and I got it. What I did was unforgivable but I hope to get her forgiveness. The car pulled In front of the house, and I remained in my chair, staring at the house from the glass.Ryder came to the passenger's seat and carried Ryan in his arms. “Ophelia, are you not coming?” He asked
Ophelia's Pov After dinner, I went to Olivia's door and knocked. She opened the door and walked back to the bed. I entered the room and shut the door behind me.“Can I sit?” I asked, standing in front of her.“You should. You are pregnant,” she looked at my stomach before dropping her gaze back down.I sat on the bed but my mind was in chaos. What should I start the conversation with?Should I start with, It has been a long time since we spoke or I am sorry?“You wanted to talk,” she said after some seconds.“I didn't see you at the hospital,” “I was giving you space and I didn't want to be the third wheel,” “Third wheel?” I asked, confused. “You were never a third wheel” “Is that what you came here for?” She asked, impatient.“I wanted to apologize for everything I cost you. I am so sorry. I don't know how and why I did it. It is still a memory to me…” I trailed off not knowing what to say.“You tried to kill me, Ophelia. Your sister. What if you had succeeded in killing me? I t
Ophelia's Pov I opened my eyes to the cold room. I checked beside me but didn't find Ryder with me. The duvet was on me which I didn't do myself.I swung my leg to the floor and stood up from the bed. I headed to the living room, and I saw Mum sleeping on the couch.What is she still doing here? I thought she went home.I walked past her to the kitchen to make myself something to eat. At the sound of moving about and making noise, she woke up and sat straight, rubbing her eyes.When her eyes settled on me, she stood up immediately.“You should go home, Mum. You will have body pain by sleeping on the couch,” I said without giving her a glance.“I am not leaving until you talk to me,” I continued doing what I was doing.“And I don't want to,” I said.“Please, even if it is the last thing you do if I join your father,” I froze before turning to look at her.“Are you threatening me with that now? I have lost Dad, not you, again. Is that how you want to play it? I am angry with you but I
Ophelia's Pov I moved my eyes from the bottles on the table to Mum.“What truth mum?” I asked, curiosity eating me up.“I would like you to listen to the story I am about to tell you,” I said slowly, trying to gain my acceptance and I nodded.“When your father died, it was the darkest time of my life. I couldn't handle a kid all by myself not to talk more of two girls.I tried to handle both of you together, bring you closer, and make sure you are alright, but you withdrew yourself totally. I should have put in more effort but I didn't. I only made sure you were safe because of your illness, but emotionally, I didn't try.Olivia was the only one who I was close to so when the two of you went to university, I didn't monitor her like I did to you. I knew nothing about her love life or health,” she paused before continuing.“Few days for you both to graduate, I stumbled across your book when you wrote about hating a guy Olivia was with. Then I started looking after her and that was when
Ophelia's Pov As the car drove from the station to the house, Olivia's confession didn't leave my head.How? How did it happen? I have always blamed her for everything but I was the villain in her story. She was hurt because of me.As I rested my back on the passenger's seat, my thoughts went back to 20 minutes before I left the station.******“Since when and how long do you have more?”“Since I was in university. I had a breakdown and was rushed to the hospital, tests were conducted and I knew about it. I don't know how long I have but I know it isn't soon.”“Why did you tell Mum or me?” I asked as a tear escaped my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.“It was bad enough I was the black sheep. I didn't want to make Mum worried. It was hard seeing her breakdown during Dad's death and how she struggled. If you don't notice, she still dies and that is why she buried her head in work.”“You should have told someone, we could have helped. Is there any treatment for it or any way you can man
Ophelia's Pov “Why?” I paused trying to brace myself together, “I didn't take dad from you. I never did,”“Really? You didn't?” She moved her chair and fixed her gaze on me. “Who was his perfect princess? Why read day and night to make sure Dad is proud of her? Who goes to meet Dad any chance she gets so he can spend time with her? Who was Dad's favorite?”“Olivia—” I started, but she interrupted me.“You made him distant from me. Then you came sick and all the attention was shifted from both of us to only you. Only Ophelia deserves to rest while I go to school activities. Only Ophelia deserves 24/7 monitoring. I began to fade and I became your shadow. It was all about you,” she screamed with tears flowing down her eyes.She is getting it all wrong, or is she right with what she said?I was suffocated and choked. I blamed my sickness for that and envied Olivia whenever she could go anywhere she liked or do anything she wanted.“I didn't know you felt that way,”“You wouldn't because
Ophelia's PovI sat in the interrogation room waiting for the officers to bring Olivia out.The sound of the door opening reached my ear, and I saw Olivia enter the room.My eyes met mine immediately, and I offered a little smile, which she returned forcefully.“Hi,” I said as she took her seat.“How are you doing?” I asked and she shook her head.“Shitty,” she replied and I nodded, looking down my fingers.“I know. It isn't the best place to be in,”“Are you finding means to get me out?” She asked.“Not yet—,”“Why?” She interrupted me with her voice harsh. I looked into her eyes, and for the first time, I saw something I had not noticed before.Anger.“Olivia, why?” I asked, maintaining eye contact with her. I watch her eyes transition from anger to confusion.“What?”“Why did you do all of these? Why did you hurt your family? Why did you hurt me?” She didn't reply to me; she only held my gaze for a few seconds.“Do what, Ophelia. You and Ryder should find out how to get me out of
Ophelia's Pov Three million dollars.The amount kept ringing in my head. The amount was huge. Why did she take a loan of that amount and what did she use it for?“Got it,” Dave said and gave me his phone.I read through her information, and every line I read got me more confused.I looked up from the phone back to Ryder. “How is this all true?”“There are pictures to prove it; scroll down,” Dave said, and I did as he said.There were a few pictures of her, from old to recent, but a picture caught my eye, and I zoomed in on the picture.The cloth. It looks familiar. I went to the search bar and typed my name. Many articles popped up, but I went to the videos and searched for the video of that day's accident. There was no video of the accident on the web. But I saw it while I was in Brazil.At that moment, Ryder came down and I turned to him immediately.“Ryder, the accident video is not on the web anymore,”“Yes, I took them all down,” he said, sitting down next to me. “Why?” he a
Ophelia's Pov As I watched the video, I felt a strangling knot in my stomach.Paul was on the call with someone as he placed about.“Did you do everything I asked you to?” He asked the person on the other side.“Listen to me. Go to my place and do exactly as I instruct you unless the boy dies,”“Talk to you later, Olivia. I have to feed the boy,”On hearing Olivia's name, the knot in my stomach tightened.I turned to Ryder.“She knew,” I said and he nodded.“That is the only evidence we got that the kidnapping is tied to Olivia,”Wow.“I need time to process this,” I stood up and walked to our room.I lay on the bed and closed my eyes, wishing that what I saw would disappear, but it only got clearer.I knew Olivia was tied to it one way or the other but confirming it now was hurting me more than I thought.After some time, I felt fatigue slowly kicked in and I slept off.******Waking up from the bed, I stood up and went to the bathroom to wash my face before leaving the room.I went
Ophelia's Pov Desmond and Ryder were checking all the CCTV cameras around the side where we found Ryan.They are looking for any connection with Olivia.I was with Ryan as he played with his toys. His little fingers moved busily as he stacked colorful blocks on top of each other. His soft giggles filled the room.I felt my phone vibrate beside me and I removed my eyes from Ryan to my phone.I saw 5 missed calls from Dave. When did he call that I didn't pick up? My brows furrowed. I looked at Ryan to make sure he was alright before calling him back.“Hi,” “Ophelia, are you alright?” He asked directly.“Yes, I am. How is Lily?” I asked.“She is fine. We are married,” the line went silent after that.The words settled in, a strange tightness forming in my chest.“Erm,” I cleared my throat. “That is good; I am happy for both of you,” I said, my voice coming out tighter than I intended.“Ophelia, I—”“It is okay.” I cut in, forcing a small smile even though he couldn’t see it. “You are
Ophelia's Pov A heavy silence fell over the room. The implications of what we had just uncovered were unsettling. Could Olivia have orchestrated Ryan’s kidnapping? Why would she do that if she did?I glanced at Ryder, his jaw tight, his hands clenched into fists. His expression was unreadable, but I could sense the storm brewing beneath the surface. Gina sat stiffly on the couch, her fingers twisting together. “I— I don’t want to believe it,” she whispered. “But if she could do this to Ryan, what else is she capable of doing?” Ryder exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face. “If Olivia did this… If she put our son in danger…” His voice trailed off, but the quiet fury in his tone was unmistakable. “She faked her death and framed me, what else can she not do?” I asked aloud, trying the grasp the realization we just made.A cold shiver ran down my spine. Olivia had always been manipulative, but would she really go that far? To harm an innocent child? Her biological child?