Chapter 15

Ophelia

When we entered the house, Ryder started instructing his guards while I went to put Ryan on my bed so that he could sleep well. When I returned to the living room, Ryder had dismissed the guards.

As I stepped into the living room, his eyes turned to me, stormy and dark.

“Did you even think for a second?” He started, his voice calm. But I knew and could feel the undercurrent of anger beneath his voice. “ How could you leave the house without the driver?” 

“I didn't think of a need to go with him. I knew my way” I answered, careful not to make him more angry.

“Exactly. You didn't think. Do you know what would have happened to you if I had not come there at the right time? Should I tell you what was going to go wrong?” He asked, his voice raising as he spoke.

“I am sorry. I didn't know all this was going to happen. I just wanted to get groceries. I didn't know people were going to recognize me so quickly and even judge me”

He scoffed with a mocking look. “Of course, anyone would recognize you. You are a splitting image to my wife and she isn't breathing on earth anymore. They recognized you because they were looking for any excuse to drag us through the dirt. People will use anything, and you gave them the chance to run with these stories.”

“I am sorry,” I said slowly.

“Ophelia, this isn’t just about you anymore. You’re a part of my family now, and I need you to realize that every action has consequences—on me, on Ryan, and everything connected to us. I am a businessman, I have enemies from different corners so you have to think about anything you do”

“I didn't try to jeopardize you. I just wanted to pick up groceries, Ryder. I didn’t think—”

“As from now on, don't do anything without informing me,” he interrupted, each word sharper than the last. 

I wanted to argue, to tell him he was being unreasonable.

“What?” I asked in surprise. Was he going to control my life now?

“As from now on, don't take Ryan anywhere without my permission and if I grant you the permission, you will take the driver and guards with you”

“Ryder you—” he interrupted me again.

“Don't leave the house without protection and stay low for some days. The mass is aggressive” he completed.

I sneered, frustration and anger already getting the better of me. “You can just instruct me like I am a teenager and expect me to listen. I said I am sorry. You don't have to restrict me. This is my life here, and I am not used to this,” I said all in one breath.

“Well, you have to get used to this life. Olivia was good at this so you can try to adapt. Ryder is mine and Olivia's son and I wouldn't forgive anyone who allows any harm to come to him. Even you, so if you want to do as you like. Fine. But leave my son out of it. I would burn the earth down if anything should happen to him” his eyes were burning in anger and threat.

He maintained eye contact with me for brief seconds before storming out of the room. 

How did I get to this? I had spent yesterday thinking things could change, but today, he was reminding me that I was still on the outside, looking in.

Comparing me with Olivia was out of it but stating clearly that Ryan was not my son caused a sharp pain in my heart. 

Dead and alive, Olivia is constantly compared to me. When will people accept me for who I am? When will they realize that I can't be like Olivia because I am Ophelia?

I sat down on the couch, holding my head as a sharp headache hit me. My phone started ringing, making the pain worse.

Groaning, I answered without checking the caller ID. “Ophelia speaking,” I muttered.

“Well, well… Long time, Hamilton Ophelia,” a voice on the other end said, making me sit up at the mention of my name.

“Who is this?” I asked, my voice wary.

“Surprise, surprise,” they replied, followed by a low, chilling laugh