Chapter 2

Ophelia 

A year later

I looked at the empty room and sighed. Getting married to my sister's husband wasn't my idea rather was it a good decision. 

I went to the bathroom to change from my wedding dress and wore my pajamas. I sat down in front of the dresser removing all the pins in my hair and washing off my makeup.

My mind wandered off to a month before my wedding.

******

I was called by my mum to come to New York immediately and I took an early leave from work.

On getting there, there was a meeting between Ryder's family and my family. I was surprised I was called for the meeting because of my last encounter with Ryder.

“I don't know why you all are here,” Ryder said with exhaustion showing on his face and I felt pity for him.

“You are killing yourself dear, you need help,” Ryder’s mother, Sandra, said beside him.

“I can handle everything, Mum, Things have just been hard recently” Ryder explained. 

“You can take a break off work, son, have time for your son and yourself,” Ryder's father, Jacob said but he rejected it.

“I am not doing any of that, I have it under control” he said and I wanted to insist on it but who was I kidding? He was never going to listen to me.

“Ophelia dear, how was your flight?” Ryder's mother, Sandra asked, changing the topic and the spotlight was on me. 

“It was okay thank you” I smiled at her and I nodded hoping her attention returned to her son.

 “Why did you call me here?” Ryder interrupted, seeming impatient.

“I called you all here about the contract between the Smith and the Hamilton” my mum finally voiced out the reason for calling a meeting.

 “The main reason the contract existed was because your company was at the verge of collapsing and Olivia convinced me to help and now the reason for the contract, which was Olivia is no more. The contract will have to end”

“What?” He asked in disbelief. “But that was not the reason I married olivia. I married her because I loved her”

“I know you loved my daughter Ryder, but the contract clearly stated that as long as you stay married to Oliver you own 50% share of the company” my mum said with a voice of courage and command.

“Olivia didn't divorce Ryder Alice, she died” Jacob said.

“It is barely a year after Olivia died,” Ryder cried out in frustration. “I haven't moan my wife enough”

“Alice, you know Ryder has worked so hard to attain the position he is today, it will be unfair to void the contract now” Jacob tried to reason with mum. 

I wasn't aware such a contract existed. Then why was I called to the meeting? All I knew was mum had business with the Smiths but not her giving 50% shares to them.

“I will propose a new contract with you but that is if you agree with a condition of mine”

“What is it?” Ryder asked, curiosity written all over his face.

What condition could it be? What is she thinking? And if I knew my mum well, I know she was up to something and I don't think anyone will like it.

“The 50% shares won't alone be yours but the entire company will be” she paused and glanced at everyone in the room creating suspense and tension, “If you marry Ophelia” I choked on the water I sipped and spilled it on the floor. 

I didn't hear correctly or did I? “Mum, what are you saying?” I whispered to her and he shifted her eyes to me before returning her eyes to Ryder.

Ryder burst out laughing. The kind of laugh that makes you want to cry.

“Sorry come again”

“I said what I said Ryder and I know this will come as a shock to you but that is the price for the contract” mum said.

“I am sorry Alice, I can't throw away Olivia's love for me for the sake of a contract” Ryder finally recovered from the bomb my mum threw on all of us.

I have seen the genuine love he has for my sister and I have wished he had it for me. Now that I think of it, I was selfish. Why would I ever wish that when my sister was happy?

“Ophelia and Olivia are identical twins. She is just like Olive” my mum explained.

 “She is not Olivia, she can't be Olivia. They’re like night and day” Ryan began, “Ophelia here is shy, reserved, the type who rather stays in the background but Olivia-” His voice became softer “Olivia was carefree, confident, smart and the kind that walk into the room and instantly take over” 

I quickly looked away, blinking back the tears.

I felt like the ground should open up and swallow me. 

They are talking about me and making decisions for me like I wasn't there or I don't have to make a decision for myself. I wanted to shout at them to stop what they were saying and that I was against it but no words could come out of my mouth.

After a few seconds, I spoke to my mum.

“Mum, what are you saying? I have my life in London” I held her hand. She looked at me before removing her gaze

“Declining my offer also means returning all the help I offered to you when your company was at its lowest” mum stood up to leave. “You have just 24 hours to accept my terms and don't forget I hate waiting” mum took her bag and walked out. 

If there was something I knew about Alice Hamilton, it was that she never fails to get what she wants and this was one of it. I know she has made a decision and she wasn't going to change her mind. Alice Hamilton gets whatever she wants.

“Think about it Ryder,” Jacob said, patting Ryder's shoulder. “Remember Olivia is gone and she wouldn't want you to lose everything you have attained. I will support whatever decision you make” Sandra said, after kissing his head after which they both left.

It was just the two of us remaining in the room. “I am sorry, I didn't know this was the reason I was called” He didn't reply, his head was just bent. He might need his space.

I stood up to leave quietly when his voice stopped me. “Why are you doing this to me?” He asked, his voice sharp and laced with frustration.

“What?” I asked back confused.

“Why did you come back? What is your purpose?”

“Nothing. I-I left when you asked me to” I stuttered.

His eyes, usually cold and unreadable, now glinted with anger.

“I never-” I started but he interrupted me. 

“I know you put this in your mother's head but know one thing, you will never be Olivia and you will never take her space.” His voice was low and firm, each word dripping with hatred and contempt, “I will never care for you, love you, or see you as my wife” Saying that he stood up, his frame looming over me for a moment, before leaving me standing.

*****

 My phone rang, pulling me out of the memories that plagued me. I blinked back the tears threatening to spill and answered. It was Lily from work. 

“Why didn't you tell me you were getting married today?” That was the first thing I heard from her, her voice coming through with a mix of shock and accusation

“Hi, I missed you too” I replied, rolling my eyes as a smile tugged at my lips.

“Is this funny to you? Do you know how surprised I was when Dave told me this afternoon?” Lily’s exasperation was clear, and I hit my forehead with the palm of my hand. I had told Dave that morning, hoping to ease my nervousness, and made him swear not to tell Lily. I should have known not to trust him.

“I’m sorry. I didn't want to bother you,” I said, trying to sound casual. The truth was, I didn't want to bother her. She has been dealing with her own struggles and I didn't want to add to her burden. 

“Bother me? You know you can always count on me” she said, assuring me. “So tell me, Is he hot? Wait, I am switching to video call!” She said excitedly, not giving me the chance to respond before she switched the call, the screen lit up with her face.

“So, spill the details!” She wrinkled her eyebrows, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I walked to the bed and laid back.

“Yes, he is,” I admitted, still smiling.

Lily let out a delighted scream. “You lucky champ! Here I am, stuck with an ugly man,” she said, wiping away imaginary tears.

“That is not what you screamed about a few minutes ago,” a male voice said beside her and Lily blushed.

“Dave, I didn't know you were there” I said, grinning at her lily flustered face.

“Hello to the newest beautiful bride in town,” He greeted me warmly, taking the phone from her. “I see you are all smiles today”

“Aren’t you two still fighting?” I asked, amused by the sight of them together. They were the most complicated couple I’d ever seen. When I returned to London, I’d had to make up for canceling a lunch date by actually going to lunch with Dave, and I’d noticed him stealing glances at Lily the entire time.

To smooth things over, I’d struck up a conversation with Lily and invited her to join us at our table. That simple act had somehow sparked something between them. A few months later, they were dating, though their relationship was as unpredictable as ever, with frequent breakups and reconciliations.

“Well, he came begging with expensive gifts and flowers. You know how much I love flowers, I just had to take him back,” Lily said with a dreamy look on her face.

“I just showed up at your place, and you pounced on me immediately,” Dave retorted.

“With flowers and gifts, that was begging,” she shot back, and they launched into one of their cute couple arguments, full of playful banter and affection. 

I ended the call before things got too mushy, smiling at the screen as it went dark.

I heard the soft click of Ryder’s door as it opened and closed down the hall. He went back to his room. I had chosen the guest room to avoid crossing paths with him too often and to give him the space he seemed to need.

I was getting ready for bed, when a knock on the door startled me.