“I get it now. I finally understand why you’ve been so cold to Ophelia all these years. You’ve been punishing me through her, haven’t you? Using her as collateral damage in your grudge against me. Humiliating her, neglecting her… God.“]
Bastien watched his mother’s eyes fill with angry tears. “Ophelia agreed to the arrangement,” he said weakly.[]
His mother let out a bitter laugh. “Of course she did. She’s so goddamn accommodating she agreed to let her husband install his ex–girlfriend in her own property.
“Bastien,so ridiculous!“]
“You want Anastasia so badly? Go with her, NOW![]
“But remember, Bastien–I paid seven hundred thousand dollars. If you end up together after all this, you’re paying me back every penny.”
(0)
Chapter 13
After sixteen exhausting hours in the air, Ophelia finally touched down at Heathrow.
She hadn’t even collected her luggage when her brother called.]
Expecting just Connor at arrivals, she was stunned to see her entire family waiting.
Her throat tightened as she hurried toward them, wheeling her suitcase.]
“Mom, Dad–what are you doing here?”
Her mother reached out to touch her face. “Oh, darling,we miss you so much.“]
Her sister–in–law, Emma, explained gently. “They’ve been missing you terribly. They can’t wait to seeing you.“]
“Welcome home, love.”
Ophelia hugged her. “Thank you.“[]
Connor studied his sister’s exhausted face and disheveled hair. He reached out and smoothed a strand back from her forehead. She looked drained and painfully thin.
Whatever had happened with Bastien was clearly devastating, but she hadn’t volunteered any details, and they wouldn’t push her.
Back at her childhood home, surrounded by her family, Ophelia felt some of the tension leave her body. Connor organized a welcome party for the weekend. which made her both laugh and embarrassed.]]
“I’m not sixteen.”
“You’ll always be my baby sister.“]
Her father nodded in agreement.
Emma appeared with fresh coffee.]
Five–year–old Lily came tearing in from the playroom, abandoning her toys to join the conversation. “Me too, Auntie Ophelia! You’re always gonna be my favorite!”
Ophelia swept her up for a proper cuddle.
After a light meal, jet lag hit her hard. She excused herself and crashed for nearly fourteen hours.
When she finally woke, sunlight was streaming through the curtains. She reached for her phone to find dozens of unread messages.]]
She’d only texted Piper after landing to let her know she’d arrived safely. She hadn’t responded to Mrs. Moreau or Bastien.[]
She opened Mrs. Moreau messages first. There were many–text, voice notes, and finally just asking her to confirm she’d arrived safely.
Taking a deep breath, Ophelia gave her a call. Whatever happened between her and Bastien, their families had been friends for decades. Mrs. Moreau answered almost immediately.]
“Hi, Mom,” Ophelia said softly, the familiar term of endearment still automatic. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you and Dad about the divorce before it happened.“[]
There was a moment of silence before Mrs. Moreau responded. “We’re the ones who should apologize. Are you in London now?“] Ophelia nodded. Mrs. Moreau told her she was apologizing on Bastien’s behalf, but that Ophelia didn’t need to forgive him.[]
“Please don’t feel guilty,” Ophelia said. “Better to acknowledge it now while we’re both have time to start over.“]]
She could see the remorse in Mrs. Moreau’s eyes, but cut the conversation short, saying she needed to head down for breakfast.
Next, she opened Bastien’s messages.
The one claiming their divorce was “just for show” made her laugh bitterly []
She didn’t bother responding. The marriage was over; there was no point in prolonging contact. []
She was just pulling back the covers to get up when Bastien called.]
She declined. He called again. She declined again. Third time.[]
After the fifth call in a row, irritation won out and she answered.]
“What do you want?”
Her icy tone made Bastien falter. She sounded like a stranger.]
“Have you arrived in London?“]
Ophelia frowned. “Did you have something to say?”
Bastien seemed thrown by her directness. He recovered slightly. “What exactly are you doing, Ophelia?“[]
“Doing about what?”
“Why did you disappear without saying anything?”
Ophelia let out a short, humorless laugh. The irony wasn’t lost on her–Bastien had often gone days without checking in when she traveled for work, and now he was demanding explanations.]
“Do I need to report my whereabouts to my ex–husband now?“]
Bastien’s voice grew sharp. “We agreed it was a temporary divorce! Remember?“]
Ophelia’s eyes hardened, though her voice remained calm. “Bastien, we signed legal divorce papers. There’s nothing temporary about that.“]
