Beauty and the Billionaire

OPHELIA'S POV The night was perfect. The sky was clear, filled with a sprinkle of stars. The yacht party was in full swing. Laughter, clinking glasses, and soft music floated in the air. It was supposed to be a celebration, an engagement party to remember. But something gnawed at me, a feeling I couldn't shake off. Where could Ryan be at this time? This rare night brought a genuine smile to my face, a warmth I lost in the past four years since losing my parents in a plane crash. I pushed through the crowd, smiling at friends and acquaintances. "Has anyone seen Ryan?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light. The usual smiles and nods greeted me, but no one seemed to know where he was. "Probably enjoying the view," someone laughed. I nodded, trying to hide my growing unease. I made my way to the upper deck, hoping to find Ryan there. As I approached the secluded corner, I heard hushed voices. "Ryan, stop. Someone might see us," a familiar voice giggled. "Relax, babe. No one's coming up here," Ryan's voice, low and husky, sent a chill down my spine. I stepped closer, peering around the corner. Ryan wasn't alone. Veronica, my stepsister, was pressed up against him, her lips locked on his. My breath caught in my throat. f**k. This couldn't be happening. "Ryan! Veronica! What the hell?" My voice trembled with a mix of anger and betrayal. They pulled apart, but instead of looking guilty, they both glared at me. "What the f**k, Ophelia? Who badges in like that? 'Privacy!' Ophelia. Don't you know what that word means?" Ryan's voice was cold, and for a moment, I wondered if he was the man I was engaged to. Veronica smirked, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. "Yeah, don't you know how to knock?" She laughed, a cruel sound that made my blood boil. "Are you f*****g serious? You're my fiancé, Ryan! And you, Veronica, gosh!" My voice rose. "C'mon Ophelia," Ryan stammered, taking a step towards me. I backed away, my heart pounding in my chest. "Don't touch me!" I spat, tears brimming in my eyes. "How could you do this to me? Both of you!" "Ophelia, calm down," Ryan said, trying to reach for me again. "You're overreacting." "I am overreacting?" I laughed bitterly. "I just saw you with your tongue down her throat! How the hell am I supposed to react?" Veronica crossed her arms, her smirk widening. "Oh, grow up, Ophelia. You're so naive. Did you really think he was faithful to you?" "Shut up, Veronica!" I screamed, my voice breaking. "You're my sister!" "Stepsister," she corrected, her tone icy. "And Ryan was never yours to begin with." Her words pierced my heart like a dagger. Of course, I should have known it would happen. I should have known he would go back to her. Ryan, his face twisted with anger came closer to me. "This is your problem! You always act like a goddamn saint. Can't you mind your own damn business for once?" Veronica giggled, leaning against Ryan. "Yeah, maybe if you weren't such a stuck-up b***h, Ryan wouldn't need to find comfort elsewhere." I felt a rush of heat to my face. My hands clenched into fists at my sides and I tried so hard to hold back my tears. "Comfort? Cheating on me with my sister at our engagement party is comfort?" Ryan's eyes flashed with fury and then he went on to tell me how much he loved Veronica, his ex-lover. There was no atom of remorse as he spoke and for the first time we started dating, I realized I was merely filling in her space until they reconciled. My world felt like it was crumbling around me. Their betrayal cut deep, deeper than I ever thought possible. "How long?" Was all I managed to ask. "Does it matter?" Ryan interjected, his voice suddenly cold. I stared at him, the man I thought I would spend my life with, now a stranger. "You're both disgusting," I said, turning to leave. But Ryan grabbed my arm, his grip like a vice. "Don't you walk away from me, you b***h. It's our engagement night and you must not embarrass me!" I shot him a warning glare. "Get your disgusting hands off me." Ryan pulled me back, tightening his grip around my wrist. "Where do you think you're going? We're not done here," "Let go of me!" I struggled, but his hold was too strong. Veronica stepped closer and grabbed my other arm, her eyes glinting with malice. "No, I think you need to learn a lesson, Ophelia," she hissed, her nails digging into my skin. She glanced at the ocean, dragging me closer to the edge of the deck. Ryan seemed to immediately realize what she was trying to do. "Veronica, seriously?," he said, but his voice lacked conviction. She looked at him, then back at me, her eyes filled with hate. "She needs to learn her place," Veronica said, her grip tightening. Before I could react, Veronica shoved me hard. I stumbled, my heel catching on the deck. The world tilted, and then I was falling. "Ryan, no!" I screamed, but it was too late. Splash! The cold water engulfed me, the impact knocking the air out of my lungs. Panic surged as I struggled to surface. I could hear muffled laughter and shouts from above, but the water was pulling me down, down, down. "Help!" I tried to scream, but water filled my mouth. I kicked and tossed my arms, desperate to stay afloat but it was like something was pulling me down. Above me, Ryan and Veronica peered over the edge, with a wicked smile to show their satisfaction. "Serves you right, b***h!" "Enjoy your swim, Ophelia!" Veronica added with a laugh. I fought against the water, my limbs growing heavy but it was no use. I didn't know how to swim and it was impossible to learn in a minute. I started to sink and the yacht was moving away, the lights fading. No one was coming to help. I was alone. I would die alone, killed by my step sister and fiance. My vision blurred, darkness creeping in. "Stay awake, Ophelia. Don't you dare give up," I muttered to myself, teeth chattering. But my body was betraying me. Just as I was about to slip into unconsciousness, I heard it. The faint hum of an engine. It grew louder, and closer. My heart leaped with a flicker of hope. I tried to scream, but my voice was barely a whisper. "Help..." A bright light shone on me, blinding me for a moment. "Over here!" "Get the lifebuoy! Hurry!" In a second, strong hands reached into the water, grabbing me. "We've got you. Hold on!" I was lifted onto a boat. I coughed out water from my lungs, and then darkness claimed me.