Chapter 18

Ryder 

Sitting down in the boardroom filled with hums of low conversations and papers shuffling, my mind was not present.

I sat at the head of the long table, staring at my presentation on my laptop but all I could see was Ophelia's tear-streaked face.

Her words kept playing in my head, unable to believe some of what she said. 

She has never raised her voice when speaking to anyone, but today I saw another side of her. And that side stirred up something deep inside me.

Damn it.

I gripped the edge of the table until my knuckles turned white. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to be affected by her.

“Mr. Smith,” someone called, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Yes?” My voice was sharp, and I didn’t miss the slight flinch from the junior associate speaking to me.

“We are waiting for your input on the merger strategy,” he said with a slight bow.

I nodded curtly, forcing my attention to the screen of my laptop. I wasn't following the meeting but I had the report with me. Skimping through the report, the room was silent as they all waited for my decision.

“It is too predictable and straightforward. Work on something better and meet me here in 12 hours.” I saw the dreadful look on his face as I stood up, buttoning my suit jacket.

“Sir, I have to attend my wife's birthday party,” the presenter said, and there was tension in the room as everyone watched the interaction between me and the junior associate.

“You can go, just hand over all your duties to someone and take your things with you,” I said and watched him take a huge gulp before nodding in understanding.

My Secretary ran behind me, telling me about my schedule and what I missed. 

“Send everything to my mail and cancel all my other appointments,” I said and entered my office, shutting the door behind me.

I sat behind my desk, the thought of Ophelia in my head. I didn't know she had always loved me, I thought of her as a spoiled girl who just wanted attention.

The look of pain and hurt that was on her face was bothering me. It was like Olivia was standing In front of me.

I opened the third drawer in my desk and brought out Olivia's picture. She was smiling at me with her beautiful green eyes. The eyes I fell in love with as a child.

She was the one who gave me hope to live when we were both locked up as children. I had met Olivia when we were both kidnapped. We were both small but I couldn't forget her eyes. She was my soul mate. 

“I am losing myself, love. I am slowly losing it, seeing your look-alike every day. Every day, she tries so hard to be good to me. She takes care of our son and cooks for me, but I never eat them, but she doesn't give up. She is too perfect for me, too perfect that she is changing everything around me. I miss your imperfections and flaws, I miss being imperfect with you. I miss it when we don't know how to take care of Ryan, and we panic.” I laughed softly, slowly tracing her face with my fingertips.

“She is almost good at everything. She knows when Ryan is hungry, sick, or wants to sleep. She happens to know everything wrong with him. Ryan is growing fast and big and I wish you were still here by my side. I love you” I finished, returning her picture. I finally felt light after speaking to Olivia.

The thought of Ophelia left my mind and I started to do my work.

By the time I could finish up from the meeting, it was late but I still had to finish up some work. 

I called the nanny and asked her to stay with Ryan overnight but she told me Ophelia asked her to take the day off. 

I wanted to call her to tell her I wasn't going to be back till morning but I decided against it. Our encounter in the morning was bad and calling her on the phone afterwards was going to make matters worse.

Early the next morning, I had a meeting to attend and it took about 4 hours. I didn't get a wink of sleep through the night, I just drowned in cups of coffee. I left the boardroom for the car straight away and headed home. 

Ryan's nanny called me on my way home and told me Ophelia asked her not to come. Was Ophelia trying to provoke me or trying to go back on my words? 

Entering the house, sounds came from the kitchen, Ophelia's voice, Ryan's voice, and a male's voice.

The voice was rich and deep. I didn't know any of Ophelia's friends and I didn't take her for someone that keeps friends. None of her friends came to our wedding, and it was strictly friends and family.

Her voice bounced from the kitchen to my ears and there was joy in her voice. That is strange, I have never heard her laugh this way—with so much liveliness and joy.

I had removed my suit jacket from the car so I dropped it on the couch and my legs took me to the kitchen.

“Little champ,” she cooed, kissing Ryan's face, and he giggled. The back of the man was facing me. “Our child would be so adorable,” the man said, and Ophelia laughed. 

What does he mean by that?

“I bet so,” she said, and Ryan's face lit up as he saw me.

“Dada” he stretched his hands for me to carry him.

Ophelia's laugh died down as her eyes met mine. There was a look of surprise in her eyes before it turned blank. That was unlike her.

“Good morning Mr. Smith. I am Dave Turner.” The man turned and raised his hand for a handshake.

I dragged my eyes from Ophelia and looked at the man. He was wearing an apron and held a knife in his other hand. 

He was smiling, waiting for my handshake.

“Ophelia's friend” he completed. I placed my hands in his, for a handshake, forcing a smile. “Call me Ryder,” I said.

He nodded and Ophelia turned to him. “I will finish up with the kitchen. You can go freshen up,” she said, and he nodded, removing the apron and taking Ryan, whose attention had been taken by Dave.

They looked like a perfect family, and it dropped something in my stomach, which I didn't like. Ophelia's smile was gone and for a moment, I wanted to see it again. I wanted the smile she shared with Dave.

“Ryder, are you listening to me?” Her voice was raised and I blinked to grasp what she said. 

What is wrong with me?