Chapter 4

Ophelia handled her discharge paperwork alone, then took a cab home by herself.

The moment she opened the door, she saw Rowan seriously cooking in the kitchen while Lydia stood beside him, fooling around and making him laugh.

They looked like a couple of newlyweds hopelessly in love.

If this had been the old Ophelia, she would have gone completely crazy. She would have screamed, smashed the kitchen to pieces, and beaten the woman standing beside Rowan.

However, she would not do that anymore. She would not make a scene. She simply stood there in silence, watching them quietly before saying,

“Take your time. I’m going upstairs.”

There was not a hint of emotion in Rowan’s voice.

“Go back to the Hart residence and take your punishment if you’re jealous. Stop pulling little tricks behind my back. If you do it again…”

He paused for a moment, then continued in an unhurried voice, "I won’t let it slide so easily next time.”

Ophelia’s footsteps faltered. Then, without turning around, she replied, “There won’t be a next time.”

He gave a mocking laugh. “Better not.”

There truly would not be a next time. In two days, she would leave this place for good, and she would never come back.

This time, she only returned to collect her belongings.

In another couple of days, this house would have a new lady. It would not be appropriate for her to keep living here, so she might as well leave early.

By the time Ophelia came downstairs with her suitcase, Rowan and Lydia were sitting at the table, having dinner.

He smiled when he saw her carrying the suitcase. “What? Playing the runaway-from-home game this time?”

Ophelia smiled. “Yeah. I’m playing the runaway-from-home game this time.”

“Sure. My birthday is tomorrow. Come to my birthday party first, then you can get back to your little runaway act.”

“Okay.”

Just like that, Ophelia walked out of the villa right in front of them.

After dropping her suitcase off at a hotel, she was about to head out and buy a few more things when, the moment she stepped out, someone grabbed her from behind, clamped a hand over her mouth and nose, and dragged her into an empty valley.

When Ophelia opened her eyes again, she found herself suspended over the open sea.

She was not alone. Lydia was there too, standing alongside the kidnappers.

It was obvious that this was her doing again.

“Lydia, what the hell do you want?!”

Ophelia frowned and demanded in a cold voice.

Lydia stared at her beautiful face. A flash of jealousy crossed her eyes. Then she suddenly raised her hand and slapped Ophelia across the face.

“Rowan is already sick of you! Yet you still cling to him and refuse to divorce him? Fine. You don’t want a divorce? Then die in the ocean today!”

Ophelia’s heart sank.

“Lydia, you won’t get away with this. Rowan and I are husband and wife. If I disappear, he’ll definitely come looking for me. And when he finds out who you really are, do you think he’ll still love you?”

Lydia let out a soft chuckle. She called the kidnappers over and had them suspend her as well.

“Guess who Rowan will choose.”

Ophelia pressed her lips together and said nothing more.

After a while, Rowan arrived on the ship with a black case in his hand.

Lydia’s eyes were red as she hurriedly cried out before Ophelia could speak.

“Rowan, save me! Ophelia has gone crazy! She was the one who arranged this kidnapping! I’m scared!”

Ophelia immediately explained, “That’s not true! Lydia is the mastermind behind this! Rowan, you have to believe me!”

The usual laziness was gone from Rowan’s demeanor. He looked utterly cold and indifferent, his voice even more so.

“Ophelia, I believe I warned you not to pull tricks behind my back. Why won’t you listen? First, you got Lydia’s private photos exposed, and now, you’re trying to have her killed?”

Her face went deathly pale. She shook her head frantically, but no matter how desperately she tried to explain, Rowan refused to listen to a single word.

The kidnapper’s eyes gleamed as he shouted, “Mr. Cabell, you have to choose. One’s your wife, and the other is…”

Rowan cut him off. He casually tossed the black case forward and said with a cold, icy voice, “Don’t bother. I choose Lydia. This is the 30 million dollars you asked for. Count it.”

The kidnapper froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“Good! I don't need to count the bills. I trust you, Mr. Cabell. Come on, untie Lydia.”

Ophelia gave a bitter smile.

Rowan had never believed a word she said. He only believed Lydia.

The moment Lydia was lowered onto the deck, she rushed straight into Rowan’s arms. The sea breeze swept past them as they embraced in front of everyone, looking like lovers who had just survived a disaster and were simply relieved to know the other was still alive.

“Rowan, what about Ophelia…”

Lydia hesitated for a moment, her face filled with concern. However, from the angle Rowan could not see, she looked straight at Ophelia with a smug, provocative smile.

Rowan held Lydia in his arms and walked away without looking back. His voice was indifferent.

“Wasn’t this kidnapping her own doing? I already gave them 30 million. Isn’t that enough?”

“I’m not sure Ophelia really arranged it. Shouldn’t you save her…”

“No, I’m not saving her. Let her die.”

Those words completely shattered the last sliver of hope in Ophelia’s heart.

The rope holding her was cut, and Ophelia plunged straight into the dark, swirling depths of the sea.