Ophelia's Pov I snuggled closer to Ryder but found the bed empty. I sat up from the bed rubbing my eyes. The last I could remember was in Ryder's arms in the bathtub. I must have fallen asleep and he carried me to the bed. I looked down to my body and I was wearing his shirt and boxers.I flung my feet to the floor and stood up from the bed. I went into the bathroom and did my business. I went inside the closet and chose the clothes to wear. Standing in front of the mirror, I stared at my reflection.I looked better than the nights before and my bump was bigger. I put a reminder in mind to visit the hospital. I would be due in a few weeks time and I needed to be very careful. I dressed and left the room, closing the door behind me. Before getting to the living room, I could smell something coming from the kitchen. The smell was faint at first but it grew stronger as I moved closer to the living room. It wasn't until I reached the living room and looked into the kitchen that I di
Ophelia's Pov The air in Joe’s office was thick with tension as the two of them had a stare-down. Ryder’s grip on Joe’s hand was firm, too firm and while Joe maintained a professional posture, I could see the way his jaw tightened ever so slightly.I shifted uncomfortably, moving Ryan in my lap to adjust him as I glanced between them. "Joe was a great help to me when I had no one else," I said quietly, attempting to ease whatever silent conflict was occurring between the both of them. Ryder was the first to release Joe's hand but didn't lean back to his seat. His expression was still stoic, his eyes fixed on the doctor as though looking for something.Joe, though, just nodded and leaned back in his chair. "I can understand why you would this way, Mr. Smith. But Ophelia was in a difficult spot at the time. I simply did what I thought was best to keep her and the baby safe."Ryder's jaw tightened, but he said nothing, his eyes still trained on Joe.I coughed to clear my throat becaus
Ryder's Pov As I drove back home, the ride home was quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way. It was a silence thick with unspoken emotions, a silence filled with thoughts and neither of us knew how to voice out yet.Ryan had fallen asleep in the backseat, his small head resting against the car seat, his little chest rising and falling in steady breaths. I glanced at him through the rearview mirror before shifting my gaze to Ophelia who was sitting in the passenger seat. She was staring out of the window, her fingers gently tracing her belly, lost in thought. The breeze from the window fanned against her face making her hair cover her face.I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. I had seen my child today. I had heard the heartbeat. The heartwarming and rhythmic heartbeat.It was not just a concept or just an obligation, it was an actual tiny human, with a heartbeat strong and steady, with little hands that had moved.It was the life growing inside of Ophelia. I swallowed
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?
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 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 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 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 “Ryan, Richard, Raymond, come down this minute,” I shouted at the top of my voice as I carried plates out from the kitchen to the dining table.I heard multiple steps running down the stairs. I sighed, tired of telling them to stop running around the house.“Mum, I need help with my hair,”“Mum, I can't find my blue shirt,”“Mum, where did you put my socks,”The three of them immediately said as stopped in front of me.I looked at them in awe.Ryan was dressed, but his hair was still damp from the shower, Richard was holding an orange shirt, and Raymond was barefoot.“I will help with your hair after breakfast, Your shirt is in the second drawer by the left, and your socks are in the basket beside your bed,” I answered them and turned, returning to the kitchen.“I didn't see it there,” I heard Raymond complain as his brother's footsteps faded up the stairs.“If you check properly, you will see it,” I shouted from the kitchen and heard him mumble under his breath before
Ophelia's Pov I felt a little hand holding onto my hand. I felt weak and heavy in a kind of way.“She will be fine,” I heard Olivia's voice.I opened my eyes slowly but shut them when the light rays entered my eyes.“Too bright,” I muttered as I opened them again but this time more slowly.“Ophelia?” Olivia came to the other side of the bed. Her eyes were puffy as worry etched on her face.Did she cry? I thought to myself before I heard Ryan's voice beside me on the bed.“Mama,” he had a wide smile on his face as he held onto my hand and the other one on my face.I raised my body up to sit down when I felt like something was taken from my body.“Olivia, where is my baby?” I asked as I looked around the room for my baby.“Relax Ophelia, your baby is fine. He is in another room receiving care,” she smiled at me even though her eyes were saying another thing.“My baby is a boy?” I asked as joy slowly crept into my voice.“Yes,” Olivia replied with a gentle nod, her voice cracking just
Ryder's Pov The voices around me faded as I stared at the door long and hard, the image of her lifeless body boring my head.I slumped to the floor as tears flooded down my face. I didn't know for how long I sat on the floor until I heard a footstep behind me.“Ryder” I heard a familiar voice and raised up my head. Olivia was standing over me, her eyes worried as she looked down at me.“Why are you on the floor? Is the delivery successful?” She asked as her eyes moved to the door swiftly.“The delivery was successful,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper as I kept my gaze on the door. “We have a baby boy.” Her eyes lit up briefly, “That is good news, when will they be done with her in there?” She asked and I didn't reply to her. I didn't respond. Not because I didn't want to but because I didn't know what to tell her exactly. Her eyes dimmed when she noticed the way I was trembling. “Why are you out here like this?” she asked, crouching beside me. “Is Ophelia and t
Ryder's Pov I entered the room where Ophelia was and saw a nurse with her.“Babe, are you okay?” I asked immediately I got to her side, and the nurse excused us. “I started coming immediately the driver called me and told me what happened. Are you in any pain?” My drive to the hospital was a reckless one after I got a call from the driver. I honestly didn't know how I got to the hospital so quickly.She nodded. “I need to have more contractions before I can be fully dilated and go into labor,” she told me, and I rubbed my hand on hers as a sign of support.Her eyes moved behind me, and I followed her gaze to Olivia, who was standing by the door, just staring at us. Just then, her eyes flickered to Ryan, who was sleeping on my shoulder.“Did you talk to her?” she asked, her voice in a whisper only for me to hear. I shook my head.“You should talk to her. It won't be bad to have that talk with her now,” she said and I shook my head.“Not while you are yet to give birth. I am not leavi
Ophelia's Pov I checked myself in the mirror for the last time to make sure I was ready before taking my bag and heading to the living room.“Good morning, babe,” Ryder said from the kitchen as soon as he saw me coming from the stairs. I went into the kitchen where he was cooking wearing an apron. He looked very sexy and hot. I don't know if it was my hormones messing with me but I wanted to jump on him and have my way with him.I kissed his lips, lingering much longer than I anticipated.“Good morning,” I said and peeked at what he was cooking. “You are really good in the kitchen. It is very attractive and hot” I said, inhaling the sweet scent of the food.“You are becoming more daring,” he looked at me in awareness. “Anything for my wife,” he said before taking my lips in his.After a few seconds, I pulled away from him. “We better stop before we return to the bedroom to finish what we started,”“That is far. We could do it right here,” he winked at me, and I slapped his chest play
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