Chapter 4
Ophelia felt a wave of relief and instinctively dropped her gaze, working the hair oil between her palms before running her fingers through her damp hair.]
“Just helping a friend out,” she said.
“We’ve got Martin on retainer for exactly this kind of thing. Why drag Piper into it?“]
His tone had that edge to it. Ophelia shrugged. “Not someone I’m close with.“]
The lie rolled off her tongue so naturally it almost scared her.
Bastien had already showered before she got home. When she went to bed,he did the same.
But instead of her usual nighttime scroll through Instagram, she just turned onto her side, back to him, saying nothing.
Had they always been this awkward together? Since coming back from Phoenix, Bastien couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted with Ophelia.]
There was this weird tension that hadn’t been there before.
He rolled toward her and slipped an arm around her waist.]
“Hey baby. What’s up with you?“]]
Ophelia’s body stiffened under his touch. That’s when it hit him that they hadn’t made sex for a long time?]
As he leaned in closer, Ophelia pushed him away.[]
“Tired. Sleep now.“]
Bastien lay back down. “Is this about Anastasia?”
Ophelia’s lips curved in what wasn’t quite a smile. Why did she have to be upset? wasn’t that what good trophy wives did–smile and nod?]
“No.“After a beat, she added, “Why?“]]
Her response made something twist in Bastien’s chest. Why would she be upset? Oh, maybe because her husband was taking care of a bitch and had moved said her into the house next door. Shouldn’t any normal wife be livid?
She should be throwing things. Yelling. Something.]
But she seemed completely silence.Bastien felt like Ophelia is unfamiliar.[]
“She could have died in that crash. Her career might be over!“]
“There’s nothing going on. Don’t care the online gossip.”
Ophelia thought about Anastasia’s post. If Bastien was denying it, he must have seen it. Yet he hadn’t asked Anastasia to take it down. []
When Ophelia was said as the calculating homewrecker years ago, he’d never set the record straight. So what was one more tweet?[]
“What’s everyone saying recently?”
Bastien’s shoulders visibly relaxed.
“Nothing. Get sleep.“]]
Ophelia drifted off quickly, but Bastien stared at the ceiling, restless. Eventually, he got up and wandered downstairs, pausing at their bookroom. []
The door was slightly ajar, and he noticed the cardboard boxes in the corner were now sealed with packing tape.[]
But hadn’t she said she was just tidying up?
le glanced around and spotted their wedding portrait frame propped against the wall–empty. The photo itself was nowhere to be seen.[]
Standing in the dim room, he mentally replayed the last few days.]
Finally, despite it being after midnight, he texted his assistant.[]
“Ophelia’s medical report from last week. Now.“]
Moments later, the file appeared in his inbox.
He scanned the report carefully. Everything checked out normal–mild anemia.]
Finding nothing concerning in the report, Bastien felt a little release.]
