Chapter 8

Ophelia 

“I’m sorry,” a voice said, and I looked up. The woman holding the tray of what had just crashed was staring at me with an unsettling glint in her eyes.

“I didn’t see you there… I mean, I didn’t see anyone there,” she added, glancing over at Ryder, her expression shifting instantly. “I didn’t mean to spill the wine on her. It slipped from my hands” She moved closer, pretending to help me clean up but she was only making it worse by spreading the stain further across my dress.

“Sophia, stop it—you’re making it worse,” Elina snapped.

“It’s not like the dress looks expensive, so it shouldn’t be too hard to clean up,” Sophia muttered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. I held her gaze, struggling to stay calm and trying to read her intentions.

“Elina, please take Ophelia to the bathroom so she can clean up,” Ryder said, and my eyes shot to him.

“That’s all you have to say to her?” I asked, disbelief tightening my voice.

“She apologized for spilling the wine on you. What else is there to say?” Ryder replied dismissively. I scoffed and turned my attention back to Sophia.

Behind her, the rest of the family had gathered, watching with keen interest. Sandra looked as if she wanted to say something, but I spoke up before she could.

“I know you all are finding it hard to accept me here because I am not Olivia.But has it crossed your minds to think about what I’m going through? Have you thought of how this is affecting me more than anyone in this room? You all just want your pound of flesh but you are forgetting that I am also a victim here. I might not be like Olivia or fit your image of a perfect wife, daughter in-law, sister or friend but I am Ophelia not Olivia. I am different from her. The sooner you realize and accept that, the more better it will be for all us”

As I spoke, a weight lifted off my chest, and I finally felt a sense of relief. When I looked around, I saw shock, guilt, and even a hint of shame in their faces.

My gaze landed on Ryder, whose eyes were fixed on me, but I couldn’t dwell on him right now. I needed to get out of these ruined clothes—it was like a Halloween dress of blood.

Elina guided me down the hall, her hand on my shoulder, steady and reassuring. We reached the bathroom door and she opened the door. “This is your room for the night” immediately we entered the bathroom. It was spacious with warm lighting, a big bathtub that could contain up to 5 people and soft towels. 

I didn't pay attention to the bathroom in details. I leaned against the counter, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

"That was intense, Ophelia,” Elina said quietly, handing me a damp towel. “But I think they needed to hear it."

I nodded, releasing my dress from my body allowing it to drop to my feet. "It’s exhausting being compared to someone I can never be."

Elina met my eyes in the mirror, her gaze understanding. “Honestly, I didn’t know Olivia well. I was away for school most of the time. But from what I heard, you two were very different.”

I let out a short laugh. "That's putting it mildly."

Silence hung between us as I wiped the stain from my body, but I could feel Elina’s curiosity. Her glance darted between my reflection and her own hands.

“What?” I asked

“Was it always like this with them?” she asked finally, her voice hesitant. “I mean…you being compared to her?”

I paused, staring at my reflection. “Growing up, it was always Olivia,the perfect one, the golden child while I was…well, just there, I guess. But I didn’t mind. She was my sister, and I loved her.” A tight knot formed in my throat, but I swallowed it down.

Elina was quiet, her gaze thoughtful. "You know, I think it’s good you finally stood up for yourself."

Before I could respond, a knock sounded on the door. I stiffened, half-expecting Ryder to barge in for speaking to him like that in front of everyone and standing up to his family. Instead, it was David, Elina’s cousin.

“Everything okay in there?” he asked from the other side. “I brought a new dress for Ophelia”

Elina collected the dress from him and gave it to me before leaving the bathroom, giving me time to wrap my head over what happened. I put on the dress and wiped my face clean. It was a short blue dress and it fit my body. I wonder how he got my right size.

I shouldn't have spoken to them like that, especially Jacob and Sandra. I was just agitated and I wanted them to see me as Ophelia. I should apologize to them.

After dressing, I came out from the bathroom and met David with Elina discussing. I walked in on them with a small smile. 

“I heard the speech you gave out there. It was Impressive.”

I looked away, suddenly feeling awkward. "I didn’t mean to cause a scene."

David shrugged, “Sometimes scenes are necessary. Especially when people don’t know their boundaries. She went overboard with spilling wine on you”

A warmth spread through me at his words, and for a moment, I allowed myself to relax. Elina’s presence was comforting, and David’s easygoing nature helped ease the tension that had been building up.

“You’ve got some courage,” Elina said, giving me a respectful nod. “I don’t think anyone’s ever stood up to Ryder’s family like that.” David added. Him and Elina shared a look.

The mention of Ryder made my stomach clench, and I bit my lip. “Yeah, well…I don’t know what came over me.”

David chuckled. “Maybe it’s about time someone in this family remembered that Olivia wasn’t the only one who mattered and it is now Ophelia that mattered.”

His words left me speechless, I couldn't help the feeling of relief and gratitude swirling in my chest. I felt like someone truly saw me, not just as Olivia’s replacement but as myself, Ophelia.

Elina squeezed my hand, and I could see encouragement in her eyes. “Come on, let’s get you back out there. But this time as Ophelia and not Olivia's twin sister”