Ophelia“You need to stop this,” I summoned the strength to push past him, grabbing a dishcloth to occupy my shaking hands. “Stop what?” he asked, his tone too casual, too calculated. “This. Whatever game you’re playing.” I turned to face him, forcing my voice to stay steady. “One moment, you’re cold and distant, and the next, you are doing this.” Ryder didn’t move, but his piercing gaze seemed to pin me in place. “Maybe I’m not the only one playing games, Ophelia.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” I demanded, clutching the dishcloth like it was a lifeline. “I am not the one that brought another man into the house without my concept,” he said, his voice sharp. “He is all over you, so now tell me, what game are you playing?” I scoffed in disbelief as he finished talking “He is my friend, just a friend,” I said, emphasizing it. “You know what, think anything you want to think” I turned back to the sink, determined to focus on anything but him. But Ryder didn’t leave. Instea
OpheliaThe next morning, the house buzzed with activities. Dave was a ball of energy, moving around to make sure everything was done and perfect. Fresh flowers were delivered, the guest room was tidied, and the cook prepared a special meal. The Nanny was with Ryan so I had time to help Dave.“Ophelia, is this okay?” Dave asked, holding up a vase filled with white lilies.“They’re beautiful,” I assured him, smiling at his nervousness.“Not as beautiful as her,” he said with a dreamy look, and I couldn’t help but laugh.“You’re hopeless,” I teased.“Hopelessly in love,” he shot back, his grin infectious.As much as I wanted to tease him more, a pang of longing hit me. I shoved it aside and focused on helping him.I asked Ryder if I could use the house to welcome my friend, Lily, and he gave a stiff reply stating I should just not disturb him. Well, that is what I am doing; I am helping Dave secure his girl. He would have planned a trip with her to propose to her but he was scared of h
Ophelia“I love my ring so much, it is beautiful,” Lily said, looking at her finger, admiring it.“It is beautiful. He was scared if you were going to love it” I told her, placing my hand under my head.“I would have loved anyone he picked for me,” she said, sitting down and facing me.“I know you would” I gave her a teasing look. “You love him after all”“Are you alright?” Her voice became serious. “What do you mean?” I asked, confusion taking over my features.“You look different, I don't know. You smile, but your smile isn't reaching your eyes,” he said, looking at my face.“I am ok; I am just trying to adjust to this world,” I told her, not wanting to dwell on my feelings.She didn't believe me but she didn't intrude.“Let's go on a double date” she suggested. “I haven't met your husband yet”"I don't know," I replied, not sure if Ryder would accept to go. "Tell him it is for me," she teased, winky confident in her charm. "I promise not to embarrass you… much." I laughed shor
RyderDamn it. Yes, I am jealous.I hit my hand on my desk and ran my hand through my hair.This is so foreign to me. I have never felt this way towards a woman before—jealousy and possessiveness. Just the thought of that man with Ophelia was messing with my head.Seeing him around her, holding her and smiling at her, makes my blood boil. I hate the way he looks at her, the way he talks to her and makes her smile at his words. “Arghhh” I groaned, hitting the table again. She should only smile at me, not him. Why doesn't she smile when I talk or look at me the way she looks at him?‘Because you don't smile at her’ I heard in my head.‘I smile at her’ I defended myself.‘Oh, you mean the dirty smirk you always give her,’ I heard, making me roll my eyes.‘You are even rolling your eyes like her, such a lovesick boy’ that's it.“Shut up,” I snapped, and the voice moved to the back of my head.I think I am going crazy. I sighed ******I looked at myself in the mirror again and left the r
Ryder "I don't want to move," she whined, continuing to stand still. We were just going to leave the restaurant, and Dave had to take Lily home with much ado; Ophelia was being difficult as well. "Ophelia, we have to go home," I told her, trying to reason with her. "I don't have a home," she gulped and sat back down in her seat. "The house is too cold for me. It is not my home." "But Ryan is there," I said, and her eyes lit up. "I miss him so much, my little champ," she said, hugging herself. Suddenly, she burst out laughing in no time. Nobody was in the restaurant; if there was, it would have been a story in every news media the next morning.“Are you really taking me on a honeymoon?” She asked, looking at me with her brown orbs.I nodded and a frown masked her face. “Nothing will happen there, right? You don't want me, I disgust you”“Ophelia stop this, and let's go,” I said, but she shook her head."Why don't you like me, Ryder?" she explosively asked, her voice going up wi
OpheliaI felt the sheets beneath me and sat upright. I opened my eyes and took in my appearance. I was still in my dress from last night.How did I end up here? I wondered. I placed my legs on the floor and wanted to stand up when I slumped back on the bed with the wave of headache that hit me.“Ouch,” I groaned in pain as I held my head.“I don't have a home, The house is too cold for me. It is not my home." A flash memory of what I said yesterday hit me, and my head pounded more.Just how much did I say? I hope I didn't embarrass myself further, especially in front of RyderI slowly went to the bathroom and washed up, washing off the residual from the previous night.I wore a white top and blue shorts. Heading to the living room, the aroma of food from the kitchen made my stomach growl in hunger. Getting to the living room, I heard Ryan and Ryder's voices.“Mama,” Ryan called on seeing me entering the living room from the dining table.My eyes met Ryan's voice and I got a flashback
OpheliaI have been avoiding Ryder since the night of the restaurant, afraid of confronting him, but I knew it was not possible, especially when he was making every move to talk to me.We were on the plane on our Honeymoon, but he still hadn't told me where we were going, and I didn't know how to ask.He was sitting a little far from me, working on his laptop while I was reading a novel. My eyes met his for a moment before I removed my eyes and returned my gaze to my book but nothing I was reading was registering in my head.“Are you okay? Do you need anything?” His voice reached me and I looked at him again. He had closed his laptop and was now standing close to meAs if my stomach knew what was happening, it rumbled loud for him to hear, and my checks hit up. “I am hungry” he smiled and sat on the chair next to me, pressing a button and speaking to it. “I need a flight attendant here now” he ordered.Within minutes, the flight attendant came in with a bottle of wine and two cups.
RyderThe big smile on her face and her excitement assured me that I didn't make a bad decision bringing her here.She stood up in excitement and went out of the plane. I followed her closely and watched as she greeted the pilot and plane attendants who were already standing beside the plane. I gave a stiff nod to them, acknowledging them.“Do you like it?” I asked and she turned to me. “Thank you. I love it so much” she hugged me.A car pulled up In front of us and she pulled away, looking at the car in confusion. The man behind the wheel came out and stood in front of us, bowing slightly. "Mr. Smith, welcome," he said respectfully before his gaze shifted to Ophelia. He offered her a polite smile, which she returned, though her confusion lingered. "Thank you, Paul," I said, stepping forward. "This way, sir, ma'am," Paul said, gesturing to the car and opening the door for us. After a moment, Ophelia stepped inside, her eyes darting to me as if searching for answers. I followed
Ophelia’s povI lay in Ryder’s arms, my body still tingling from the intense moment we shared in his office. His fingers lazily trailed patterns on my back, a rare smile playing on his lips. It felt like a moment of peace, a reprieve from the emotional storm that had been brewing since Olivia’s return. “I have never done anything like that,” I said, breaking the silence. He hummed and I asked the question in my mind. “What now?” his fingers, which were trailing lazily on my back, stopped. “I mean, what is going to happen now that Olivia is back?” “I will take her to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up, and hopefully, she will regain her memory,” he continued, trailing patterns on my back. “What about me? Will I still remain in your life now that your first wife is here?” His fingers froze on my back before he replied.“You are my wife and I won't leave you. You are Ryan's mother as well as my wife and you bring so much happiness to our lives. Don't think about it too hard” he ki
Ophelia's pov.I don't know the nagging feeling that came over me suddenly as I served breakfast on the table. “Breakfast is ready,” I said out loud and took out my chair, sitting down. Ryder and Olivia came to the dining table and sat down.I helped Ryder with his plate and turned to help Olivia. Olivia normally ears light and she eats only 2 pancakes because she used to watch her weight. But if she wanted to forget about her diet, she takes 3 to 4 pancakes so I just put 3 for her on her plate and added strawberry syrup for her on it.“Thank you,” she smiled, and I smiled back before serving myself.Between the two of us, I was the foodie. While Olivia cared about her beauty, shape, and skin, I cared about food, movies, and novels.And that makes us so different. I remember always stealing her food because I knew she wouldn't finish it, the memory brought a smile to my face.I looked down at my mountain of pancakes and dug in immediately. Almost halfway into my food, Gina arrived, a
Ophelia's pov I felt the space beside me and found nothing. I opened my eyes but didn't find Ryder beside me. “Babe,” I called out, thinking he was in the bathroom, but I didn't get a response. I flunked my legs to the floor and said my silent prayers before leaving the room and going to Ryan's room.His room was empty. First, my heart raced with different possibilities before settling with the thought of Ryan with Ryder. I might have slept so deep and late. I headed to the living room.I heard Ryan's voice before I saw him. He was sitting beside Ryder while opposite them was Olivia. She was dressed in her old clothes, and she looked clean and tidy, unlike the previous day. Ryder's gaze was fixed on Olivia with pain, longing, and something else I could place my hands on.Ryan kept on talking to Ryder, and Ryder only nodded his head as paying attention to him.Something about the setting struck something in my heart and I couldn't look away. “Mama” Ryan shouted and tried getting of
Ophelia's povMy eyes met Ryder's and he came to me, holding me by my shoulder, and whispered, “Ophelia, please calm down”“B-but-” I couldn't form words as tears filled my eyes. “Shhhh, take a deep breath and breathe out,” I did as he said, “You are not going to get answers like this, you are scaring her.” he turned to Olivia, who was observing us under her eyelid.“Please, let us have our seats and talk,” he gestured to the couch.All seated, I couldn't help but observe Olivia. She looked confused and tense. She still carried that aura with her but there was something amiss in her.“Where have you been?” I couldn't hold myself any longer but ask. I was running out of patience which was not my attribute.“In my world,” she answered in a ‘duh’ tone. I wanted to ask another question when Ryder spoke before I did.“What is your name?” I could see behind his composure. He was shaken by her appearance. His eyes hadn't left hers since she appeared, and his gaze was soft and tender towards
Ryder’s POVThe hum of the engine vibrated beneath me as the cab sped through the city streets. My mind was on Ophelia. She’d sounded different on the phone—quieter, almost... sad. Unlike her usual self. I didn’t tell her I’d wrapped up everything early just to surprise her. I wanted to see her face light up when I walked through the door. “Could you go a little faster?” I asked the driver, meeting his eyes in the rearview mirror. He nodded and picked up speed. For days, she’d been on my mind more than usual. Ophelia wasn’t just managing the house or caring for Ryan—she’d become the center of my world without me realizing it. She made me want to be better, to carve out time for moments that weren’t filled with business or deals. Just her, Ryan, and me. I couldn’t wait to see her reaction when she realized I’d returned early. I wanted to watch that smile of hers, the one that seemed to light up everything around her. The thought was interrupted when the cab slowed. Up ahead, a
OpheliaIt happens that Ryan just wanted me. He had fallen asleep in my hands, and I cradled him against myself as I relaxed on the couch, my thoughts wandering to Olivia. His steady, soft breathing was a calming rhythm, and I couldn't help but allow my thoughts to be all over. The moment I saw Olivia replayed over and over in my mind.Why did she deny knowing me? Why didn't she run into my arms like she used to? Why did her eyes hold a stare of indifference instead of recognition? Why was she there? Every detail stuck to my thoughts, dragging me into an endless storm of questions with no answers.She was dead, right? I had seen her lifeless body. I had stood at her funeral, watching as the casket was lowered into the ground, feeling my heart shatter in ways I hadn’t thought possible.That day, the raw grief had consumed me, leaving behind a scar I thought I’d carry forever. How could all of it have been a lie?How in the world was she alive? Or could it be her lookalike? But I knew
OpheliaI stared at her, frozen. My breath was stuck in my chest, my mind refusing to process what my eyes were seeing. "Olivia?" I whispered again as if saying her name would make her disappear or confirm she was real. She didn't say a word, but there was an unreadable expression on her face, mixed between confusion and fear. "How…" My voice shook, and I took one step forward with hesitation. "Olivia, is it really you?" Her green eyes danced, darting around as if in search of some form of escape. "Olivia, it's me, Ophelia," I tried again with a very trembling voice. "I don't know you," she said, her tone low but sharp as if the words were meant to cut. Her denial hit me like a slap. "You really don't know me at all?" I stuttered. "I'm so sorry. You must have me mistaken for someone else." She reached for her veil, pulling it tightly around her face to cover herself once more. "Don't lie to me!" The words had come out sharper and harsher than I had intended, but I co
OpheliaRyder was coming back the next week and I couldn't wait for his return. I have missed him so much, his touch and smile. I was so much expecting his return.My phone went off and Ryder's name flashed on the screen. A broad smile made its way to my lips. “Speak of the devil,” I said while going to the walk-in closet. “You were thinking of me, weren't you?” He asked.“I am looking forward to your return, I miss you” I put the phone on speaker and started changing my dress.“I miss you so much. I have been experiencing blue balls for days now.” I laughed at his complaint.“It is just 4 days Ryder, I think you are exaggerating”“Well, you will understand when I return” my cheeks heat up. I still haven't gotten used to him talking dirty.“And what will you do when you return?” I teased him while leaving the walk-in closet.“Ophelia, don't start what you can't finish” he warned, “Where is my son?” “He is with Gina; I am about to step out to meet Mum. She sent for me” he went silen
OpheliaI looked at myself in the mirror; I liked what I saw, then took my pulse and headed outside to meet Ryder and Ryan, who had been waiting patiently for me.Getting to the living room, the two of them were dressed in a black tuxedo with a golden breast pocket cloth that went with my dress. Ryan's hair was styled, while Ryder's hair was messy, but it looked hot. Their attention was both on the television as they watched Ryan's show. Seeing Ryder so into the movie was so cute.“I am ready,” I announced, and their attention moved from the TV to me. Their eyes stayed on me, checking me out, but they didn't say anything, and my smile slowly turned into a frown.“Does it not fit?” I asked, worried there was a problem with my clothes.“Yes, No,” he looked at me, “I mean, you look absolutely beautiful.” he stood up and came to me. “I knew the dress would look good on you.” his eyes ransacked me once again before pulling me closer to him. “If we weren't running late, I would have carr