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
OpheliaImmediately, the words left my mouth; I knew I meant it. I wanted him, every part of him. I was just teasing him, but the look of desire on his face stirred up my desire.It didn't take him any minute before he pulled me from my seat and pressed his lips to mine. He didn't wait for me to respond before he started attacking my lips with passion and heat I didn't know existed. His mouth tasted like the sweet wine we just drank and he pulled me more to him.“You drive me crazy.” His voice held longing, desire, and hoarseness in it. He placed a lingering kiss at the junction of my neck and shoulder and I angled my neck to give him more space. He placed wet kisses all the way to my ear.“Do I?” I murmured breathlessly.“Yes, you do.” He grazed my bare arm with his fingers while his mouth continued its torture behind my ear, building more tension in my belly.“Oh…” I whispered under my breath at the sudden onslaught of pleasure.He carried me, and I wrapped my legs around him as he
OpheliaWaking up from my sweet dream, I turned and felt someone's body beneath me. It was firm and smooth. I opened my eyes and saw Ryder sleeping peacefully beside me. My greatest fear was that he was going to leave after all that happened, but seeing him sleeping peacefully beside me and hugging me to his chest made me so happy.I observed his features and used my hand to trace his eyebrows to his lips. He is so handsome. After what happened between us, I see myself falling for him all over and harder this time.“No buts Ophelia. You have been living with buts and ifs all your life; it is your time to live in the moment,” Lily's voice sounded in my head. I am tired of living under my sister's shadow. I am now married to Ryder and I am his wife. I am his in every sense now and he is mine.“If you keep doing that, you will excite my little man.” his voice vibrated against my hand, and I returned my attention to him.“Good morning,” I said, removing my hand from his face. “How was
Ophelia“Dress up, we are going out,” Ryder said after we both left the bathroom, and I looked at him. “To where?” “You will know soon, babe” he kissed my lips before leaving the room with his phone. Babe? I froze and tried to grasp what just happened.He called me babe. Happiness filled my heart. I am getting all my wishes done and I couldn't be happier.If I knew this would have happened if I had come here with Ryder, I would have insisted we come immediately after our wedding. I wore a nice printed sundress and carried a hat. I checked myself in the mirror and decided it was okay.I left the room to look for Ryder and found him already dressed in casual wear. He was moving around with his phone in his left ear while he listened to the person from the other side. The white t-shirt he wore hugged his frame, making it obvious he was ripped and good-looking inside the t-shirt. The black shorts gave him a bad-boy look.He looked different from his usual look. He looked sexy white his
Ryder's pov Entering the house, I pulled on my tie, releasing it from my neck and unbuttoning the first button on my shirt.“Welcome dear, Gina said, coming out of the kitchen with an apron. “You must be hungry. Should I set the table?”“Yes Gina, thank you,” I stopped on my way to my room and turned back to Gina.“Gina,” I called, and she turned back to look at me behind the counter.“Has Ryan and Olivia eaten?” I asked.“Ryan has had his dinner but Olivia is still waiting for you so you could have dinner together,” I nodded slowly, tired from the day's work.“I will call her for dinner after I freshen up first,” I told Gina.“Ryder,” she called softly before I could move. “You work yourself too hard, can you try to create time for your family? Ryan misses you,” her eyes gazed at me with care and hope.Since Ophelia left, I have buried myself in work, having no time to think about her. I leave early in the morning and return at night.And that is because I was now in control of Alic
Ophelia's pov Shortly after the security men reached my row, they caught the man with a bag of hidden drugs. It turned out he was referring to the man sitting next to me. His bag was searched and it was filled with clothes dipped in drugs. His flight was canceled, and he was led out of the plane.I breathed in relief when the pilot announced we were about to fly. I closed my eyes as the plane ran through the railway and was to taxi.I felt the plane lift from the ground, and I shut my eyes tightly, clenching firmly to my seat and biting hard on my lips.When the plane was finally in the air I unlocked my seat belt and breathed in relief. After some time, a waitress came to me asking what I wanted and I told her before relaxing back on my seat.I am starting a new life now. A life where no one knew me. Not as Ophelia Hamilton, the daughter of Alice Hamilton, or Ophelia Smith, the wife of Ryder and the mother of Ryan, but as Eva Hunter.I decided to use my other name, Eva, one of my
Ryder's Pov The airport came into view, and I slammed my foot on the brake as I skidded into the parking lot. Barely having time, I turned off the engine before jumping out of the car.I didn’t know what I would say to her if I saw her. I entered the terminal which was buzzing, scanning the crowd for any sign of her with my guard following behind me. Another of my guards joined us there.“I was keeping my eyes on her but she got lost in the crowd,” the new guard who joined us said.Why can't they do a simple task right?“She is just a fucking woman; how could you lose her?” I was losing my cool while staring at the guard.“She was sitting right here waiting before people started moving and I lost her in the crowd. I am sorry sir,” he apologized, bowing his head. My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it. I went to the nearest information desk. “Excuse me,” I barked at the woman who was sitting down there. “I am looking for someone who might have checked in recently. Ophelia
Ophelia's pov The cab pulled up to the airport, and I handed the driver some cash. “Keep the change,” I muttered, stepping out of the cab and I held the scarf tighter around my head. The air was crisp, biting against my skin, but it wasn’t enough to chase away the chill settling deep inside me. I walked into the terminal with my heart pounding with every step I took. The buzz of activity was washing over me. People were rushing past me, some dragging their suitcases, others clutching boarding passes in their hands, and some, their faces a mix of excitement and fatigue. I envied them. They had somewhere to go. They have a good reason. I didn’t know where I was going, only that I needed to leave. The phone I tucked away in the hotel room had been deliberate. I tossed it in the bin before I left the room. Even though it hurt me a lot, tossing a lot of memories away but I had to do it.I couldn’t risk anyone tracking me and finding me. I wanted to live far away from them, away f
Ryder's pov It was just between me and Ophelia. How did it leak out?A video began playing.Ophelia was standing In front of a burning car, and I could hear the pleading from the other side, but Ophelia just stood there, back to the camera, without doing anything.“Thank your stars, your son isn't with you right now; if not, he would have burnt with you to hell,” Ophelia said before walking to her car.I dropped to the couch as disbelief filled me. I was shocked.That was her voice, my body shook with rage as her words kept playing in my head.“Mama,” I heard Ryan's cry and looked down at him.His eyes were on the TV when he heard her voice. The reporter continued, “This video was sent to almost 15 media outlets with the sender anonymous. It leaves everyone to the question of why she would want to kill her sister and threaten to end her son's lie,”The room fell silent as the words sank in, leaving me breathless and with only one question in mind.Why?My heart went numb, I didn't k
Ryder's pov “That's true Ryder. I haven't seen Ophelia yet, why is she?” Mum asked, her eyes settling on me.“She is gone,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but my voice shook a little, almost giving away what I felt. “What do you mean by she is gone? Gone to where?” Dad asked, his voice sharp while his brows furrowed deeply.“She isn't interested in our marriage anymore, Dad. She gave me divorce papers and left,” The words felt heavy and like poison, burning my throat as I said them.“What are you talking about Ryder? She would never do that. I know her” Dad defended her, his voice in disbelief. He took out his phone and began dialing her number.The familiar sound of the ringing tone filled the room, but I knew she didn't pick up. “Did you two fight?” Mum asked, concern lacing her voice.“She was tired of pretending, Mum. She wanted to live her own life.” I shrugged, trying to mask the ache in my chest. Dad’s jaw tightened as he continued to listen to the ringing before the
Ryder's pov Finally, after leaving my office, I went to my room, had a quick shower, and slipped into casual clothes. I got little or no sleep and the pounding in my head demanded one thing—coffee. The house was still quiet, the morning light filtering through the windows. As I walked toward the kitchen, I paused by Ryan's room and pushed the door open slightly.He was still asleep, his small form curled up under the blanket, clutching his stuffed lion tightly, one of the gifts Ophelia got him on his birthday.For a moment, I just stood there, watching him. His soft breathing filled the room, a sound so comforting yet so fragile. He looked so much like her, Ophelia, when he slept.I shook the thought from my mind and headed to the kitchen to set about making coffee. The machine whirred softly, filling the air with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee.I leaned against the counter, staring into the mug in my hands. The silence wasn’t peaceful, it was suffocating. There was a time
Olivia's pov The room was wrecked with the smell of alcohol and cigarettes. The house was in complete disarray with everywhere littered with bottles of alcohol and the table filled with cigarette powder.Clothes were thrown on the couches, discarded, and scattered everywhere. My nose twisted with the smell emitting from his room. How is he able to breathe here? I went to the closed window and opened it, allowing fresh air to enter the house, giving more room for breathing.I turned to him “Why did you call me here? What do you want? I thought I asked you not to call me except I do”He chuckled, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Oh, Olivia. Still as fiery as ever. But we both know why you are here.” I glared at him, my patience already wearing thin. “Stop playing games with me, I don't have time for your nonsense. What do you want from me?” He took a step closer, his smirk fading into something more sinister. “I want what you promised me. Do you think you can just cut
Olivia's povI poured myself a bottle of champagne and drowned it in a go. Everything was falling apart. Everything I thought I would hold back. Ryder might not have told me what happened in detail but I know Ophelia was gone from our lives.I saw the divorce papers on his desk. Ophelia's name and signature were already on it, which only remains Ryder's own.At least one of my plans worked even though it didn't take me so much effort. Ophelia had such a soft heart. She has always been and she is still a pleaser. She was always looking out for people and forgetting herself in the process. I thought she would have changed a little but she didn't surprise me.I knew I wouldn't need much work to do but only Ryder proved difficult. Always following Ophelia like a lost puppy.I eavesdropped on him while he was talking to Ryan who was sleeping. He keeps calling Ophelia Ryan's mum, he even still cares for her after she left. He keeps referring to her as his wife but I was his wife in the fir