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
Ophelia“I will be there before nightfall,” I said to my phone while driving. I came back for Olivia. I didn't want to leave London but I just had to be with Olivia this time that she needed me. She just gave birth to Ryan. He was a cute little boy.“The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Ophelia, make sure you are here before then,” the other person said from the other side before ending the call, “Yes sir, I will.” For a brief second, I took my eyes off the road to call my mum. Bringing my eyes back up, I saw a car coming at speed in front of me. I pressed my foot hard on the brake and my car stopped. My hands were shaking as I sat down looking at the crashed car in front of me. My phone fell from my hand as I hurriedly left my car to check on the person in the other car. I looked into the car and blood drained from my face. I froze and couldn't move. What have I done?I couldn't move from my spot. Tears escaped my eyes as I stared at the person who was in the car.‘I killed some
Ophelia's Pov I held my laugh as I glanced at Ryder who was laying on his floor but his legs and arm were coming out of the couch.I felt guilty of chasing him out of the bed but I had my reasons.I didn't want him to think I had entirely forgiven him and I was conscious of my body. I had gotten fatter and fuller.I removed the duvet and covered him with it before arranging the bed and going inside the closet to choose clothes to wear.There was nothing really to wear in my closet since they weren't maternity dresses. I pulled my box which I brought and opened it I haven't offloaded my bag since I came. The bags were taken to the house and when I needed clothes in the hospital, Ryder bought them for me.Removing a blue floral maternity dress from the bag, I left the closet and spread it on the bed with my undies.Ryder turned in his sleep, making the duvet fall off his body. Wanting to cook for the family after a long time and not wanting him to wake up meeting me in the room, I qu
Ryder's Pov Ophelia spent time with Ryan before putting him to sleep. I waited for her to lay Ryan to bed before we both headed to our room.When we stepped into the room, Ophelia headed straight for the bed, her hand resting on her stomach as she exhaled heavily. I shut the door behind me and watched her, waiting for her to say something to ease the tension within me. She didn't. "You okay?" I finally asked. She turned to face me, exhaustion evident in her eyes. "I am tired. My leg hurts,” I looked at her feet and saw it was slightly swollen.Kneeling on the floor, I took her leg and placed it on my thigh.“What are you doing?” She asked, taking her leg from my thigh. I put her leg back on my thigh. “I will give you a leg massage,” I said, applying pressure while rubbing and pressing her leg.“Thank you,” She said before closing her eyes and moaning.I smiled and continued to message her leg, seeing it was relieving her of the pain.After some while, she yawned.“Feeling s
Ophelia's Pov After dinner, I went to Olivia's door and knocked. She opened the door and walked back to the bed. I entered the room and shut the door behind me.“Can I sit?” I asked, standing in front of her.“You should. You are pregnant,” she looked at my stomach before dropping her gaze back down.I sat on the bed but my mind was in chaos. What should I start the conversation with?Should I start with, It has been a long time since we spoke or I am sorry?“You wanted to talk,” she said after some seconds.“I didn't see you at the hospital,” “I was giving you space and I didn't want to be the third wheel,” “Third wheel?” I asked, confused. “You were never a third wheel” “Is that what you came here for?” She asked, impatient.“I wanted to apologize for everything I cost you. I am so sorry. I don't know how and why I did it. It is still a memory to me…” I trailed off not knowing what to say.“You tried to kill me, Ophelia. Your sister. What if you had succeeded in killing me? I t
Ophelia's Pov Ryan was discharged after three days in the hospital. I haven't left the hospital in those three days. Ryder and Joe persuaded me to go to the house, rest, freshen, and ear, but I declined. I didn't want to leave Ryan's side.When they saw I wasn't going to leave, they stopped talking about me. Ryder made sure to bring new clothes and food for me every day, while Joe made sure to check up on me and my baby every day to make sure we were both doing well. He also spares his lunch break to keep me company.I haven't really seen Olivia since the day we met but I have heard her voice outside the room. There was a gap between us that was too large to cross for any of the two of us to cross, and I got it. What I did was unforgivable but I hope to get her forgiveness. The car pulled In front of the house, and I remained in my chair, staring at the house from the glass.Ryder came to the passenger's seat and carried Ryan in his arms. “Ophelia, are you not coming?” He asked
Ophelia's Pov I detached myself from Ryder's side and bent to Ryan's level.“Don't mind him. Will you eat now?” I asked, diverting his attention and he stopped.I helped him with his food, feeding him. Unlike his usual chattering and playing, he was very obedient and cooperative. My little boy had grown. I wish he could be like this forever.The nurses came to give him his medicine and check him up so Ryder and I moved out of the room.Olivia and Mum had gone home already, so it was just Ryder and me outside the door.“I am not your wife anymore,” I said after sitting down on the chair outside. “Don't lie to Ryan again,”I could feel his eyes on me. “I was not lying to him,” I scoffed, “You told him I was yours when, in fact, I am not. He should start knowing the truth,”“Even about his biological mother?” He asked and I turned to him.“I am still his mother. This doesn't change anything even as you have gotten back with Olivia. I love him as my own and I always will.” “We are not
Ophelia's Pov With my eyes closed, I tapped repeatedly on the bed, my other hand not leaving Ryan's hand.It looked like I was sleeping or at peace but I wasn't. My mind was racing with different thoughts.Ryder's confession still echoed in my head like a song played over and over again. I wanted to believe him, but doubt crept inside my heart like a shadow, whispering uncertainties. Was it real? Or was it just the heat of the moment, the emotions of him happy that he was doing to be a father? Was it just mere words to keep me from running again?He said he never loved me or felt anything towards me four months ago. Then what changed now? Why was he confessing love to me?I opened my eyes and turned my head slightly to look at Ryan. His tiny hand rested in mine, his face relaxed in deep sleep. He was my anchor, the only constant in all of this. I felt so guilty for leaving him behind like that, but I wasn't going to anymore. I had to be strong for him, no matter how much my heart w
Olivia's PovI clenched my fists so tight by my side that my nails bit into my palms. The sight before me, the way Ryder looked at Ophelia, his closeness with her and the way he confessed his feelings to her made my blood boil. I turned away from the door, my breath uneven. My plan had failed. Again. Everything I had done, every calculated move, every carefully placed doubt, it had all been for nothing. Ophelia still had him. She still had a way to get to him.Even after all these months, after my return, after everything I had orchestrated, Even when she left she had a hold on him and Ryan. That little brat didn't make it easy for me either. He was either throwing a tantrum, crying for Ophelia, or being too quiet.He was meant to bring me closer to Ryder, but instead, he was just useless, making me care for him all day.For a little boy, he was able to tell me and Ophelia apart.My body shook with anger, but I forced myself to breathe. I can’t lose my composure now. Losing cont
Ophelia's Pov Olivia walked up to Ryan to check up on me but Ryan's eyes still looked in my direction.When she saw that Ryan's eyes hadn't left mine, she turned and looked at me. I walked up to Ryan's bedside where Ryder and Olivia were standing.“Hey, baby. What do you need?” I asked bending to his lips to hear him.“Water,” he said and I nodded.“I will bring some for you now,” I straightened and went to the table in the room. I poured water from the jug into the cup and went back to him.I helped him drink the water before laying him back on the bed. He closed his eyes and I guess he went back to sleep.The room was suffocatingly silent, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on us like a thick fog. Beside me, Olivia's eyes bore into me, sharp with her expression unreadable. But for a moment I saw it— the flicker of something dark beneath her composed facade.Jealousy? Rage? Betrayal?Her gaze drifted to my belly once more, and I instinctively placed a protective hand over i
Ophelia's POVThe moment we landed in New York, reality hit me harder than ever. I was back. Back to the life I had run from and tried so hard to move on from, but yet here I was, stepping into it once again.There was a car waiting for us as we left the airport. From there, we headed straight to the hospital.The drive to the hospital was quiet, except for the occasional sound of Ryder drumming his fingers against his thigh. He was getting impatient but hiding it very well.I kept my hands folded in my lap, my mind racing. What if Ryan didn’t recognize me? What if he had changed so much that I wouldn’t recognize him? I knew it was just four months since I left but kids grow fast. What if he doesn't want to see me? The fear was suffocating.Above all, I was more scared for my baby. The pain he must be in. The discomfort he must be in. ‘I pray he is fine. I pray he shouldn't be in a critical condition’ I prayed silently in my heart with my fingers crossed.As the car rolled to a sto