Ophelia I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my hands nervously smoothing over the simple black dress I chose. It hugged my body, bringing out my curves. My heart raced with excitement as I brushed my hair, leaving it behind my back. I hummed, my mood light the ruined night between Ryder and me.Ryder’s words from this morning replayed in my head, “Just the two of us. No interruptions, no distractions.” It had been so long since we had shared something so intimate, just us. The last time we were so intimate without any worry was our lovemaking in his office.I heard a knock on the bathroom door which I ran into after Ryder left the bathroom after me. Due to excitement, I dressed in the bathroom, not wanting Ryder to see any part of me till tonight. “Ophelia, are you ready?” Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. Ryder stood there, looking effortlessly handsome in a crisp white shirt rolled at the sleeves and dark trousers. His intense gaze swept over me, and for a moment,
Ophelia povI looked at Ryder when I didn't get a response from him.His eyes were fixed on me, but I knew he was far from his thoughts. Was he going to reject me? Is he going to tell him he was back with Olivia? Or is he going to tell me he loves me too? There were a lot of things going through my mind that I didn't know what to think anymore. “Ophelia, I—” Before he could say anything further, I placed my finger on his lips.“You don't have to give me your response now. I just wanted to let you know” I said, laying back in his arms. He tightened his hold around me and kissed my forehead as we both stared forward, our wine long gone.Should I tell him about the baby now? Will it make him accept me? What if he does not want the baby, what will I do? I thought long and hard over it and I decided to keep it from him until I was sure of how he felt about me.I can't let my child suffer for my sake. I have to do everything I can to make my child experience the right love he/she needs.
Ophelia pov I stared at her long and hard as she finished talking and laughed hard, taking her by surprise. Tears threatened to fall but I held it in even when the situation was enough to make me cry.“You are mistaken Olivia, if you think I was going to believe that. You couldn't sleep, and you called him to come to the hospital, and he left very early to get me a present. You can try to fool me but I won't fall for your tricks,” I shook my head.“Then you should have heard me crying to your husband that I needed him and he ran back here to take me in his hands. His firm strong arms round around me comforting Mr until he—” “Enough,” I shouted, unable to hear any more nonsense she was spilling. The image of Ryder doing everything he did to Mr last to Olivia caused my heart to ache so much that I was afraid it was going to start bleeding.“You should know this because you deserve to. Didn't you stop to reason why Ryder just came with the thought of taking you out, out of the blues? I
Ophelia's pov Waking up from my nightmare, I was drained of sweat. It was this same nightmare tormenting me. I have been hospitalized for two days and I still haven't heard anything from Ryder.Was that how little I meant to him? Even if he didn't love me back, I was still his wife.I sat up from the bed unable to sleep. My recovery was fast and I will be leaving the hospital bed this morning.I swung my leg to the other side, and immediately, I saw a flash of my memory.I was standing in front of the burning car as the person inside yelped for help. I only stood there, watching the person burn. After a while, I got into my car and drove off, leaving the person there to burn to death.How could I do that? How could I be so heartless? It wasn't me. Why would I do that?There was a knock on the door, breaking the me from my thoughts and the doctor came in with a basket of food.I composed myself and smiled at him. “How are you doing now?” He asked, setting the basket down beside me.“
Ophelia pov Days went by really fast and I saw little of Ryder day after day. Because of the time he took to take care of Olivia, he had tons of work to attend to.And when he comes back, he goes to see Olivia in her room and spends some time with Ryan before coming up to our room.I tried everything to avoid him. Not only because he didn't come to check up on me but because I was scared to meet him face to face after confessing my feelings to him.I was already doing fine and my cut had healed well. I decided to stop my former medication, and I started using the new one the doctor prescribed for me.Olivia was recovering quickly, and with every passing day, her presence in the house felt more permanent. She had begun to assert herself, taking over small routines and making sly comments whenever Ryder wasn’t around. It was as if she wanted to remind me of her hold on him, on this family.I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy when I saw Ryder with her, even though I told mysel
Ophelia povThe shower water poured over me as if it could cleanse the guilt clawing at my chest. My sobs echoed off the tiles, raw and uncontrollable as I let the tears fall. How hard did I bury this memory so deep? How had I convinced myself I was blameless and I didn't do anything when I had taken everything from Olivia, her family, her husband, her life? How did it happen? How could I travel back to London with remorse or guilt? How?I couldn’t stay here. Not like this. Not after I have learned the truth.If I could do that to Olivia, I was scared of what I could do to Ryan, to Ryder. The thought of hurting them caused me so much more pain than I knew.Quickly, I turned off the water, wrapped a towel around myself, and stumbled back into the bedroom. Ryder was still asleep, his chest rising and falling peacefully, oblivious to the storm raging within me. I stared at him, a lump forming in my throat. He deserved to know the truth, but how could I tell him? How could I admit th
Ryan's POV I stared at the divorce papers in my hands and they felt heavier than anything I had ever held. Ophelia’s words echoed in my head, louder and more crushing with each replay. “I was the cause of her accident.”How was I supposed to process that? The woman I had been falling for, the woman who stepped into my life when everything was crumbling, was the same person who tore it apart. I stared at the pictures, unable to reconcile the vibrant woman in my memories with the shadow of betrayal now hovering over everything. My chest tightened. My mind raced with questions. How did it happen? I didn't see Ophelia the last time she came when Olivia was still alive but I knew the day I received the call of Olivia's accident, Ophelia was on the plane back to London.So how?I need more answers. I need clarity. I stared at the door she left and bolted out of the room, my anger and confusion fueling each step. She wasn't in the house anymore. I ran out of the house, gaining a glan
Ophelia's pov The cab ride felt endless, even though the city center was only a few miles away. I kept my gaze fixed on the window, watching the world blur past and fast. My chest aches while I manage to keep my tears in by biting my trembling lips, my hands shaking as I clutched my bag tighter.I didn’t know where to go or what to do next. All I knew was I just had to leave. But where? Where was I running to?London flashed in my mind for a moment. Was it back to my life in London? I can't go back there. London reminds me of my old life. The life I have forgotten. The life I didn't want to return to.Staying back also meant facing Ryder, his anger, and the storm of emotions I had unleashed. I deceived him, I broke his family apart, and even worse, I played the victim card on everyone.I can't stand looking into Olivia's eyes. I can't stand her accusing stares. I have caused her more sorrow. I always had, even as a kid. There was no reason for me to stay.I pressed a hand against my
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