Ophelia's pov Later that evening, after I had tucked Ryan into bed, I found her sitting on the balcony, staring out at the stars. The cool night breeze ruffled her hair, and for a moment, she looked peaceful, almost like the Olivia I remembered from years ago. “ Do you mind if I join you?” I asked, stepping out onto the balcony. She glanced at me and smiled faintly. “Of course not.” I sat down beside her, my hands fidgeting in my lap. The words I wanted to say felt heavy on my tongue, I didn't know how to begin. “Olivia, there is something you should know” I began, my voice barely above a whisper. She turned to me, her brow furrowing in concern. “What is it? I hope it isn't another bombshell on me. I am getting exhausted with taking information in” “It is about your life before the incident,” I said, taking a deep breath. “There is something you don’t know.” Her confusion deepened, and I could see the gears turning in her head. “What do you mean?” I hesitated, my hand
Ophelia povThe drive home felt like a blur with my mind racing with possible thoughts. But the ones that stood out were: what does the note mean? Why was it placed on my car and who did it?When I arrived, the house was quiet, but I brushed it aside and went to the refrigerator, opened a bottle of water, and drank from it. I breathed out in relief as I closed my eyes.“Welcome, ma'am.” Gina appeared beside me. “How was your day?” She asked with a smile.I nodded, returning her smile, “It was good. Where is everyone?” There was no sign of Ryder and Olivia. I didn't see Ryan either.“Sir took Miss Olivia to the hospital and Ryan is fast asleep in his room. Do you want me to make anything for you” she asked, her eyes looking at me with concern. “No, thank you. You do a lot already for me already” “No, it is nothing. I am free anyways,” she insisted, and I gave in. “Anything is fine by me,” she nodded her head and started opening cabinets to prepare something and I walked out of the ki
Ryder's povNothing I was reading was registering in my head. I have to finish this project work before I resume officially to work and I couldn't concentrate.With Olivia in the house, Ophelia has withdrawn back into her shell, making it hard for me to read her. She has been on my mind all morning since she left the house. I knew I accepted I love Olivia to Ophelia but the truth is I don't fucking know anymore. I miss Olivia, I am happy she is alive and back in our lives but there is Ophelia—my wife.I pushed my chair from my desk and stood up messing my hair as I pulled on it. What is wrong with me? Why am I finding it hard to confront Ophelia, I really want to talk to her.‘Because you claimed to love someone else in front of her,' the little voice in my head said.I honestly didn't mean to tell her that; it just came out, and I couldn't take it back. The look of hurt in her eyes and the tears that filled her eyes broke something in me.She has been pushing me away, avoiding me, a
Ophelia's pov The water cascading down my face couldn’t wash away the storm raging in my heart. I leaned against the cool tiles of the bathroom, gripping the sink's edge with trembling hands with the water from the shower washing over me. I looked at the mirror, my reflection staring back at me.I looked pale, drained, and tired. For the last few days, I have barely eaten, and I was thinking too much.What do I do now? Ryder’s words echoed relentlessly in my mind, his voice filled with emotion. “I miss us.”I felt the same way. I miss hearing his voice, I miss his teasing and flirts. I miss him so much but I can't stop the guilt in my chest. The guilt of missing him while Olivia was back. I felt like I stole her man from her. Many thoughts keep invading my head. What if? What if Ryder was really sorry?But what about me? What about the anguish I felt when he admitted he still loves Olivia? His betrayal had cut me deeper than I ever thought possible. I couldn’t just erase that pain b
Ophelia's pov“When Ryder told me he was getting married to Olivia years back, I was happy for him and wanted to meet Olivia, but I couldn't because my daughter gave birth, and I went to help her raise my grandchild. He changed, he was happy and more vibrant. But his happiness was short-lived when he lost his wife. I wanted to come back and be with Ryder because I know how disheartening it is to lose your spouse When I heard he married the quiet sister of his late wife, I was skeptical about you. I was concerned about Ryder, and that is why I came here to work for you.” She stopped and took both my hands in hers. “You were not close but I couldn't see some changes in him. You challenged him, and you didn't make it easy for him, and that is what made you special.I saw you care for Ryan like your son, I saw you made sure there was good on the table when Ryder came back from work. I saw you ask about Ryder's every day, and I told myself Ryder was in good hands.You are the best thing
Ophelia pov Olivia sat across us, staring at me and Ryder. After watching the show, I put Ryan to bed and we told Olivia we wanted to talk to her.I was ready to let her know everything but now I was nervous. I didn't know where to start from or how to begin.“You've got this,” Ryder whispered to me, squeezing my hand in comfort. I nodded before returning my attention to Olivia.“Erm, Olivia, there is something you should know,” I said, and her gaze shifted from me to Ryder before settling back on me.“Ryan is my son. You told me that already” Ryder looked at me. I didn't tell Ryder, I told Olivia about Ryan and that was because I felt guilty for hiding that.“No, that is not what we want to tell you. The thing is that…” I trailed off, my resolve breaking. The words felt heavy in my mouth. I looked at Ryder for assistance and he continued, “You were married before your accident”“I was married?” She asked as if trying to understand what she heard, “but how? Where is he? Does he know
Ophelia's pov Morning sunlight filtered through the windows, warming the room with its soft glow, but I felt none of its comfort. I had barely slept all night, tossing and turning all night, my thoughts consumed by Olivia’s reaction. I checked my phone for the time and frowned. She hadn’t returned last night.“She is probably just cooling off,” I murmured to myself, though my stomach churned uneasily. I was worried about her. Where Is she? Is she safe? I went about my morning tasks, preparing breakfast and getting Ryan ready for the day. But her thoughts were still heavy in my mind. Last night, things went from zero to 100 real quick, and she has been missing since last night.“She has been gone all night, Ophelia,” Ryder said as she was dressed for work already, his voice tight with concern. “We should call someone.”I shook my head, trying to remain calm. “She needs time, Ryder. We have to give her that.”“Time is one thing,” he countered. “But disappearing like this without a wo
Ophelia's pov Olivia's request kept repeating in my head even after leaving her room hours ago. She made it seem so easy like they were some sort of objects to move or possessionsMy eyes moved to Ryan who was playing with his toys. A smile made its way to my face as he struggled to get an unruly hair off his face. His face was irritated as he tried to brush it away from his sight but it kept falling back to his face. “Mama,” he cried in frustration. I wanted to help him but I continued watching in amusement. My phone buzzed, allowing me to take my eyes off Ryan and check my phone. It was a message from Ryder. There was an invitation photo and a message under it. “There is a welcome party being held this evening. You can take Ryder to your mum's place and get ready by 7, my driver will come and get you.”I read the message again and looked at Ryan. He had successfully removed the hair that was falling on his face, and his attention was back on his toys.An idea struck in my head.
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