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
RyderI felt my side of the bed, wanting to pull Ophelia towards me, but I found the bed empty. I opened my eyes and sat, looking around the room. Her space was cold, like she didn't sleep next to me but she did. “Babe,” I called out, going into the bathroom, but she wasn't there.Her phone was next to mine, meaning she didn't go far. I quickly went to the bathroom to wash up and left the room to look for her. After checking around, I finally spotted her sitting down on the sand next to the beach. She was wearing a white dress, and her hair flew as she stared in the direction of the sea.I walked to her and sat quietly beside her. She turned to me for a brief moment, her eyes void of emotions before turning back.“I didn't see you next to me,” I quietly said, and she hummed. “Are you okay?” I asked after some moments of silence.She nodded her head, “I just want my space.” My eyes narrowed on her, trying to grasp what had happened. Since she had the nightmare the night before, somet
RyderThe rest of our days on vacation were filled with laughter and quiet moments. We spent the days exploring the small town, walking hand-in-hand down the beach, and telling stories over candlelit dinners and evening strolls.For the first time in what felt like forever, I saw Ophelia unwind, her smiles coming easily and her laughter ringing out like a melody.Every night, we tangled so that our arms could be around us, passion weaving its path in our growing bond. No more was she standoffish, and her guard was crumbling bit by bit. It was a totally different side of her—fearless to be even fragile and unapologetically herself.But all vacations come to an end. Reality waited for us back home, with its responsibilities and complications. The drive back was quieter than usual, the silence heavier between us as we approached the estate. Ophelia stared out the window, lost to her thoughts, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dress.“Nothing is going to change.” I intertwined my
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
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 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
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