Chapter 4

Ophelia 

Ryder’s last words from Mum’s office echoed through my mind as I strolled to the kitchen to make Ryan's food. 

“No, Olivia didn't die in an accident.” What does that even mean? “She was killed.” The phrase stuck with me, swirling in confusion. 

Both Mum and Ryder had always insisted she was hospitalized, fighting to survive. So how had she died? And why would anyone want her dead?

Who could possibly want Olivia dead? She was loved by everyone. She was everyone's favorite.

As the thoughts spiraled, my head started to ache. A sudden dizziness hit me and I reached to steady myself, accidentally knocking over the kettle of hot water.

“Ouch!” I screamed in pain as the hot water splashed down my waist. Fighting back tears, I dashed to the bathroom and went under the shower without taking off my clothes

I sighed in relief as the running water managed to ease the burn. The relief was instant, but the ache lingered. Consumed by my thoughts, I barely noticed my hand grazing the kettle until I felt the burn from the hot water.

Coming out of the bathroom, I quickly changed into dry clothes and hurried to complete Ryan's food. The little champ must be hungry. Today was eventful for him. Same as me.

When I got to the living room, I found Ryder carrying Ryan. His face hardened when he noticed me “How could you leave Ryan alone?” His accusing voice filled the room.

“I–I bu– I was” I stammered, unable to find my voice. My cheeks flushed under his scrutiny.

“Cat caught your tongue?” He asked, impatience slipping from his voice.

“I didn't mean to,” I said, giving up explaining to him. He removed his hardened gaze from me and his expression became soft as he looked at Ryan.

“Ryan will stay with me for the night,” he said and took him along with him. I wanted to stop him and tell him Ryan hadn't had anything to eat yet but decided against it. I will just take it to him. While I am at it, I could make something for Ryder, too. He must have not eaten anything the whole day.

With that in mind, I returned to the kitchen. After some minutes I was done with their food and proceeded to Ryder's room, trying to balance the food in my hands. I knocked and waited but heard nothing from the other side. I knocked again and there was still no reply.

I was about to leave when the door opened. “I brought Ryan's food,” I said, raising the plates I was carrying. “And also made something for you” I quickly added. His eyes stayed on the plates and I gulped the spit forming in my throat, scared of his reply.

I don't think I can take any hurtful words from him again. I am exhausted and need a good sleep on a bed this time.

He opened the door wide for me to enter, much to my surprise. Ryan was playing with his toy on the bed and when he saw me, he smiled and started speaking his gibberish. 

Forgetting Ryder was in the room with me, I cuddled him in my hand and rained kisses all over his face, causing him to giggle. He loves it when I kiss him. 

“You can feed him. I am going to the bathroom.” I nodded my head, and Ryder disappeared inside the bathroom. I heard the sound of running water. The thought of the running water washing down his body consumed me and I shook my head to remove such thoughts.

After feeding Ryan and cooing him to sleep, he slept off, and I laid him on the bed.

After putting Ryan to sleep, I hesitated before leaving, my eyes catching a glimpse of Ryder's cloth by the corner of the room. Instead of leaving, my legs took me to the corner. I took the worn shirt and inhaled it. It smelt just like him—the mixture of cedar, sandalwood, and something else–something distinct. 

 Without thinking, I hugged one of his shirts to my chest, breathing in the scent, the very essence of him, comforting and maddening all at once

Just then the bathroom door swung open suddenly, making me spin in reflex, dropping the shirt back. 

His eyes landed on me before roaming his room and he settled his gaze back on me. “What were you doing?” He asked. 

“I just finished feeding and putting Ryan to sleep,” I said, breaking eye contact, afraid he was going to catch on to my lie. His eyes looked at me suspiciously. 

“What are you still doing here?” his hard voice shook me to my bones 

“I was just leaving” I replied in a hurry and took Ryan's plate. Turning, I bumped into Ryder. He was standing so close to me, fresh out of the shower with just his towel hanging low on his waist and water glistening on his skin.

I gulped hard as water escaped from his damp hair which fell across his forehead and disappeared into his waist.

His voice dropped to a murmur. “Why do you smell like me?”

He was close, so close I could feel his warmth and the faint scent of his aftershave. 

My gaze drifted up to his face, meeting his intense stare. His eyes searched mine and I felt exposed. “I–I don't know W–what you are talking about,” I stuttered slightly; his closeness was doing something to me.

He took a step closer, his eyes lingering on my lips before moving back to my eyes. I licked my lips unconsciously, feeling it dried all of a sudden.

 “I was just about to leave.” My cheeks were flustered as he continued staring at me. But this time, his gaze was soft. I almost believed he felt something. I wanted to believe our close proximity was affecting him also.

My hope was shattered when his expression changed and he took a step back. “Take the food away, I am not hungry”

I took the chance and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind me and releasing the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.