Ophelia's Pov The quiet in the house was unbearable. Dust hung motionless in the stale air, soaking up the weak light sneaking through broken windows.Olivia leaned back against the freezing wall, pressing her hand onto her belly as if shielding life inside. Not a word passed her lips. She just looked at us— suspiciously, cautiously.Ryder took a step closer, his voice sharp and adamant. "Tell me, Olivia. Who is the father of your baby?"She breathed in slowly, her gaze skittering back and forth between him and me before focusing on the detective behind us. "Can we speak in private and not in front of anyone else?"Ryder's jaw worked. "Not going to happen."The detective turned to us, then Olivia. "Miss Hamilton, if you do have information that can help us, you need to share it now. We are investigating a series of crimes, including the case of your disappearance and Paul's participation in a kidnapping act. If you are in harm's way, we need to know from whom."Olivia laughed— bitter
Ophelia's Pov The interrogation room seemed to be closing in on me, weighted down by unspoken questions, thick with the seriousness of Olivia's confession. They had barely been spoken when she had first said them, but now that I let them settle in my mind, they tumbled at me like a starving beast. "Running from myself," she had said.I did not get it. Who was she really running away from? Hadn't she always been the confident and perfect daughter? Hadn't she always been the one to get everything she wanted? But here, in front of us, I saw something else. I saw the vulnerability, the seething self-loathing that burned in her eyes.I wanted to know. I needed to know. But the more I thought about what she had said, the more obvious it was that I didn't know her at all. "Olivia," I began gently, trying to hold back the tremble from my voice."What did you mean? What is going on here?"She didn't answer at first, hands clenched in her lap, knuckles white with the pressure of her hold.
Ophelia's Pov Getting home, Ryder went straight to his study while I headed to the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. I poured the water into a glass cup and brought the cup closer to my mouth. What was that about? Olivia was into drugs?I drank the water inside the cup at a gulp and set the cup down in the sink. She didn't look like someone who does drugs, so how? How did she end up that way?I shook my head, trying to shake off the thought.I dropped the cup and headed to Ryan's room. The door was slightly ajar, so I pushed it open and saw Ryan beside Mum as they were both sleeping.They both looked peaceful. Mum's hands were over him in a protective manner while he snuggled closer to her. I walked closer to the bed and bent a little, brushing my hand over Ryan's hair. He turned and snuggled more into Mum. They both look cute and so much alike. The aging line in Mum's eyes was so where to be seen. I stood there just staring at the both of them
Ophelia's Pov The silence of the moment enveloped us, and for the first time in days, I could finally breathe. Ryder's presence was an anchor, it was grounding me in the center of the hurricane I could feel brewing inside. I leaned back against him, allowing the warmth of the water and the strong beat of his heart to fill the empty spaces in my head. The weight of my worry didn't lift from me, but for a moment, it was easier to carry."I don't know what to do, Ryder," I panted, the words tumbling out before I could catch them. "I keep thinking about Olivia most of the time, I keep thinking about all of it. I don't even know her anymore."Ryder's arms wrapped me close, pulling me more against him, giving me the unspoken reassurance of his presence. I attempted to steady my breath, keeping my eyes shut, but uncertainty within me was cruel. Olivia was changing before my own eyes, and I was uncertain how to relate to her anymore.The woman who spoke to me wasn't the Olivia I grew up w
Ophelia “I brought out the leftover spaghetti I made in the morning and took my phone. 15 missed calls from my sister. Instead of returning the call, I walked to the kitchen and grabbed out the leftover spaghetti. I must have put my phone on silent during work. The day has been a blur with me rushing out the door in the morning, getting caught in the rain and accepting a ride from a colleague. But now back in my apartment, the missed calls lingered in my mind.After a deep breath, I finally called her back and she picked on the first ring.“Olivia, you called me 15 times” I took out a fork, “I said I'm not coming home to the anniversary”“Ophelia it's me, Ryder” The fork with spaghetti hung in the air. The voice brought back some memories and I gulped hard. “Why are you with Olivia's phone?” I asked him. He was the very last person I wanted to talk with.“Olivia is dead and-” The phone fell from my hand and I quickly took it but it was off.My hands were shaking as I tried turning
Ophelia A year laterI looked at the empty room and sighed. Getting married to my sister's husband wasn't my idea rather was it a good decision. I went to the bathroom to change from my wedding dress and wore my pajamas. I sat down in front of the dresser removing all the pins in my hair and washing off my makeup.My mind wandered off to a month before my wedding.******I was called by my mum to come to New York immediately and I took an early leave from work.On getting there, there was a meeting between Ryder's family and my family. I was surprised I was called for the meeting because of my last encounter with Ryder.“I don't know why you all are here,” Ryder said with exhaustion showing on his face and I felt pity for him.“You are killing yourself dear, you need help,” Ryder’s mother, Sandra, said beside him.“I can handle everything, Mum, Things have just been hard recently” Ryder explained. “You can take a break off work, son, have time for your son and yourself,” Ryder's fa
Ophelia I placed my hands on my chest. That scared me.I opened the door and found Ryder standing outside the door, still dressed in his suit from the wedding. His eyes briefly met mine before dropping to the pajamas I was wearing.“Why are you still up? Do you need something?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.His gaze lingered on my clothes, and I could see a flicker of something in his eyes—anger, or perhaps pain. “Why are you wearing Olivia's clothes?” he asked, his voice cold.“I am not wearing her clothes” I denied immediately, feeling a lump form in my throat.His expression hardened. “First, you took her family, and now you’re taking her clothes?” The accusation stung, and I felt tears welling up.“They are mine” I snapped, raising my voice as I met his gaze. For a moment, his eyes left the cloth, locking into mine, and I saw confusion and anger in them. “Olivia's are still in your wardrobe,” I explained to him.Before he could say anything else, I shut the door, leani
Ophelia Ryder’s last words from Mum’s office echoed through my mind as I strolled to the kitchen to make Ryan's food. “No, Olivia didn't die in an accident.” What does that even mean? “She was killed.” The phrase stuck with me, swirling in confusion. Both Mum and Ryder had always insisted she was hospitalized, fighting to survive. So how had she died? And why would anyone want her dead?Who could possibly want Olivia dead? She was loved by everyone. She was everyone's favorite.As the thoughts spiraled, my head started to ache. A sudden dizziness hit me and I reached to steady myself, accidentally knocking over the kettle of hot water.“Ouch!” I screamed in pain as the hot water splashed down my waist. Fighting back tears, I dashed to the bathroom and went under the shower without taking off my clothesI sighed in relief as the running water managed to ease the burn. The relief was instant, but the ache lingered. Consumed by my thoughts, I barely noticed my hand grazing the kettle
Ophelia's Pov The silence of the moment enveloped us, and for the first time in days, I could finally breathe. Ryder's presence was an anchor, it was grounding me in the center of the hurricane I could feel brewing inside. I leaned back against him, allowing the warmth of the water and the strong beat of his heart to fill the empty spaces in my head. The weight of my worry didn't lift from me, but for a moment, it was easier to carry."I don't know what to do, Ryder," I panted, the words tumbling out before I could catch them. "I keep thinking about Olivia most of the time, I keep thinking about all of it. I don't even know her anymore."Ryder's arms wrapped me close, pulling me more against him, giving me the unspoken reassurance of his presence. I attempted to steady my breath, keeping my eyes shut, but uncertainty within me was cruel. Olivia was changing before my own eyes, and I was uncertain how to relate to her anymore.The woman who spoke to me wasn't the Olivia I grew up w
Ophelia's Pov Getting home, Ryder went straight to his study while I headed to the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. I poured the water into a glass cup and brought the cup closer to my mouth. What was that about? Olivia was into drugs?I drank the water inside the cup at a gulp and set the cup down in the sink. She didn't look like someone who does drugs, so how? How did she end up that way?I shook my head, trying to shake off the thought.I dropped the cup and headed to Ryan's room. The door was slightly ajar, so I pushed it open and saw Ryan beside Mum as they were both sleeping.They both looked peaceful. Mum's hands were over him in a protective manner while he snuggled closer to her. I walked closer to the bed and bent a little, brushing my hand over Ryan's hair. He turned and snuggled more into Mum. They both look cute and so much alike. The aging line in Mum's eyes was so where to be seen. I stood there just staring at the both of them
Ophelia's Pov The interrogation room seemed to be closing in on me, weighted down by unspoken questions, thick with the seriousness of Olivia's confession. They had barely been spoken when she had first said them, but now that I let them settle in my mind, they tumbled at me like a starving beast. "Running from myself," she had said.I did not get it. Who was she really running away from? Hadn't she always been the confident and perfect daughter? Hadn't she always been the one to get everything she wanted? But here, in front of us, I saw something else. I saw the vulnerability, the seething self-loathing that burned in her eyes.I wanted to know. I needed to know. But the more I thought about what she had said, the more obvious it was that I didn't know her at all. "Olivia," I began gently, trying to hold back the tremble from my voice."What did you mean? What is going on here?"She didn't answer at first, hands clenched in her lap, knuckles white with the pressure of her hold.
Ophelia's Pov The quiet in the house was unbearable. Dust hung motionless in the stale air, soaking up the weak light sneaking through broken windows.Olivia leaned back against the freezing wall, pressing her hand onto her belly as if shielding life inside. Not a word passed her lips. She just looked at us— suspiciously, cautiously.Ryder took a step closer, his voice sharp and adamant. "Tell me, Olivia. Who is the father of your baby?"She breathed in slowly, her gaze skittering back and forth between him and me before focusing on the detective behind us. "Can we speak in private and not in front of anyone else?"Ryder's jaw worked. "Not going to happen."The detective turned to us, then Olivia. "Miss Hamilton, if you do have information that can help us, you need to share it now. We are investigating a series of crimes, including the case of your disappearance and Paul's participation in a kidnapping act. If you are in harm's way, we need to know from whom."Olivia laughed— bitter
Ophelia's Pov The sun burst through the curtains and illuminated the bedroom with a warm golden hue. I hadn't slept at all. Regardless of how many times I attempted to shut my eyes, Ryan's screams haunted me, screaming repeatedly in my head. His tiny hands had clasped me all night, and even now, as I inched cautiously to check on him, his tiny fingers gripped tightly in fear that he would lose me.I smoothed out his curls, planting a soft kiss on his forehead. "I am here, baby."He stirred slightly but didn't wake.Ryder was up already, in the armchair by the window, sitting there with an unreadable face."You didn't sleep either?" I whispered to him.He breathed deeply and ran his hand through his hair. "I didn't. I had to make sure you two were okay."I nodded. We were both running on fumes of anxiety and fatigue.And today, I was not moving. I was home with Ryan, keeping him safe.*****The morning passed quietly, and I thanked God. I made Ryan's favorite breakfast of chocolate
Ophelia's Pov The sun pierced the curtains, its golden beams casting soft lines on the room. I woke up, my body aching, fatigue clinging to me like a second skin. But it was not fatigue— it was the weight of all that had happened.Beside me, Ryan’s tiny fingers were still curled around my nightgown. Even in sleep, he held onto me as if I would vanish the moment he let go. His face, usually so full of light, was troubled, his small brows drawn together in distress.I threaded my fingers through his hair, my heart shattering for him. He had endured too much. The kidnapping, the fear, and the terror are still imprinted on his mind.A gentle tap at the door. I went to find Ryder standing there, his gaze gentle but concerned."How is he?" Ryder breathed, stepping closer.I sighed, rolling slightly. "Still sleeping. But he continued to mutter in his sleep, Ryder. He is terrified."Ryder's eyes clenched tightly as he leaned against the foot of the bed. "I should have better protected him."
Ophelia's Pov That night, I was discharged and we went home. On getting home there was a little welcome party for Ryan organized by Sandra. Mum, Jacob, Sandra, and Desmond were there already.Fatigue clung to my frame like a heavy blanket by the time we arrived home, but I set aside the desire to fall. The golden glow of the living room lamps welcomed us, and the soft hum of conversation drifted toward me as we walked in."Surprise!"Ryan blinked, his pinhead eyes stretching wide as he took in the decorations— blue and white balloons attached to table legs, a small cake sitting on the table, and a homemade sign reading ‘Welcome Home, Ryan!’ in bold, happy letters. Sandra came over, her own face sporting a look of sheepishness. "I thought he should have something after all that he had endured."My chest tightened as I soaked it all in. The soft but significant ornamentation, the affection of those around us, and the gentle way Sandra clasped Ryan like she was trying to comfort him i
Ryder's Pov There was stunned silence.My heart was racing in my chest as Desmond dropped his gun. I looked around to confirm what I was seeing. Paul was on the ground, blood gushing out from under him. His men had fended off the threat, but my attention was elsewhere.Ophelia.She was immobilized, her chest heaving in short, ragged breaths. Her hands shook as she clutched her belly, her face white.And then, Ryan.His wail cut through the stillness, urgent and raw. "Mommy!"Then I moved.I was beside them in a moment, drawing Ryan into me and reaching out to Ophelia. "Are you hurt?" My tone was sharper than I meant it to be, but I had to know.She didn't stir. Her eyes were fixed on Paul's body, her mouth slightly open as if trying to take it all in."Ophelia." I boxed her face, forcing her to look at me. "Are you hurt?" I asked again, wanting to be sure.A single tear rolled down her cheek as she shook her head. "No… I—" Her voice broke, and her legs gave out before she could fini
Ophelia's Pov My breath lodged in my throat. My universe tilted, and for a moment, everything blurred before me."No," I whispered, attempting to shake my head as though refusing the truth would retract what Paul had just said to me.“Oh, Ophelia." Paul chuckled menacingly. "You are so innocent. So desperate for love, for acceptance. Olivia knew exactly how to play you.”I tightened my fists, my nails piercing the skin of my palms. "You are lying."His smile broadened. "Am I?"I felt like screaming, like insisting on answers, but I made myself remain calm. Ryan. I needed to think about Ryan first."Why are you telling me this now?" I insisted, trying to keep my voice firm.Paul's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Because I need you to know the truth before this is finished. Before I claim what is mine."I bristled. "Ryan is not yours."He laughed once more, head shaking. "Oh, darling. You still don't understand, do you? I never cared about the kid. I cared about control. Power. Money.