Chapter 3

Ophelia 

I placed my hands on my chest. That scared me.

I opened the door and found Ryder standing outside the door, still dressed in his suit from the wedding. His eyes briefly met mine before dropping to the pajamas I was wearing.

“Why are you still up? Do you need something?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

His gaze lingered on my clothes, and I could see a flicker of something in his eyes—anger, or perhaps pain. “Why are you wearing Olivia's clothes?” he asked, his voice cold.

“I am not wearing her clothes” I denied immediately, feeling a lump form in my throat.

His expression hardened. “First, you took her family, and now you’re taking her clothes?” The accusation stung, and I felt tears welling up.

“They are mine” I snapped, raising my voice as I met his gaze. For a moment, his eyes left the cloth, locking into mine, and I saw confusion and anger in them. “Olivia's are still in your wardrobe,” I explained to him.

Before he could say anything else, I shut the door, leaning against it as the tears finally spilled. The weight of his words pressed down on me, and I let the tears fall freely, my shoulders shaking as I slid down to the floor.

Waking up the next morning on the floor against the door made my body ache. My eyes were heavy, my face cranky with tears.

I went to the bathroom, had a warm bath, and dressed up. I was going to take Ryan from my mum and I was excited.

I left my room and heard nothing inside the house. Not giving it much thought, I went to the kitchen to fix myself something. 

There was nothing in the kitchen to make a proper meal so I settled for a coffee and biscuits. I needed it. 

Getting to Mum's place, she wasn't there. I took out my phone and called her. She picked up the call on the fifth ring, her voice coming through the other end of the phone.

“Alice Hamilton speaking,” I sighed in disbelief. She didn’t even bother to check the caller ID.

“Mum, it's Ophelia. I came by to take Ryan with me, but the two of you are nowhere to be seen,” I said.

“Sorry, I had an urgent call from work. You can come to the company to take him”

“Mum you-” I started, trying to protest, but before I could get a full sentence out, she cut me off.

“No excuse, Ophelia. You either come to the office to take him, or I will have Ryder come get him.” Without waiting for a response, she ended the call. 

I had no other option than to go to the company. As much as I hate the attention there, I have to go get Ryan.

With a resigned sigh, I hailed a cab and gave the driver the address.

As we drove through the city, the Hamilton Enterprises building, with its name emblazoned in bold letters across the facade, stood tall and beautiful.

It stood as a monument to my mum's hard work and determination. My dad, Clinton Hamilton, and my mum started the company, but my dad passed away when I was little, a little after my abduction. Having the responsibility of taking care of two girls and fulfilling her and dad's dream, Alice worked hard to get the company up.

My thoughts drifted to my father, Clinton Hamilton, the man whose wisdom I carried in my heart. A man whose quiet and reserved nature I took after. He had been my best friend, my confidant, and my source of strength. His absence still stung, leaving an ache in my heart. I miss him so much. I longed to see him one last time.

I stared at the tall building with a bittersweet smile on my lips. “Your dreams came true, Dad. I wish you were here to see it” I said softly, hoping he would hear wherever he was.

“Ma'am, we have arrived,” the driver's voice broke through my train of thought. I blinked and found my cheeks wet with tears. This happens any time I remember Dad. Quickly, I wiped them away.

“Thank you” I murmured and gave the driver his fare before stepping out of the cab. Making sure my face was clear of traces of tears and wandering thoughts, I took a deep breath before walking into the building. 

I walked into the lobby and my eyes scanned through the bustling environment.

People in crisp suits moved with purpose, and the air smelled of coffee and fresh paperwork.

I walked to the receptionist. “Good morning” I greeted with a polite smile. She raised her head from her computer, her fingers halting mid-typing as her eyes landed on me. 

Her eyeballs grew wide like she had just seen a ghost, a flash of confusion in them. “Ma'am Olivia?” She stuttered. 

“Ophelia” I corrected, though I wasn't surprised by her reaction. It was easy to mistake me for my sister, especially since I hardly came to Mum’s place of work. 

“I am here to see my mum” the receptionist still looked stunned.

Rather than waiting for her to regain her composure, I made my way to the elevator.

I took the elevator to the top floor, where Mum's office was. The doors slid open, and I saw them—Ryder standing tall in the hallway; on one arm was Ryan, who was happily poking his face as Ryder listened to what Mum was saying. 

As I approached, Ryder's eyes flickered from Mum to me and lingered longer than I expected. I didn't expect him to be here. “Mum” I greeted and hugged her. “You shouldn't have called him; I was going to come pick Ryan,” I said.

“I needed to discuss something with you,” she said and motioned to her secretary, who carried Ryan with her.

We entered Mum's office, which carried a faint scent of her favorite vanilla candles, and sat down.

She took an envelope and gave it to Ryder. “That is my wedding gift to you too” 

Ryder opened it, and his jaw tightened, “This is not necessary, Alice,” Ryder said sharply, not sparing me a glance. “There’s too much work going on, and it’s not the right time.”

“It is the right time,” Mum said, ignoring Ryder's tone. “You have more on your plate now and you haven't spent time with your new bride yet. Once you are done with the honeymoon, you will barely have time for yourself” 

Honeymoon? With Ryder? That was the last thing I needed right now. The idea made my stomach churn. We could barely stand to be in the same room, let alone share a romantic getaway. 

Ryder dropped the envelope on the desk and I took them. Inside were two tickets to Bora Bora. “Mum,” I started setting the tickets down, “you have forced things too far and have gotten things your way. But this—this is too much” 

I felt Ryder's gaze on me before he shifted it back to Mum, his expression hardened

“It is what newlyweds do. They go for their honeymoon after their wedding”

“Ophelia and I's wedding is different. It was not out of love, so there isn't a need for a honeymoon,” he replied coldly and stood up and headed to the door.

Just before he left, he turned back, his voice more serious “I am investigating the cause of Olivia's death and I don't want anything to sabotage it”

“She died in an accident,” I protested, my voice barely a whisper. That had always been the official conclusion. It was all we knew.

“No, Olivia didn't die in an accident” his gaze met mine, “She was killed”