Dangerous game
1308 Words
Rome wasn’t too far away when he heard Ophelia scream. He immediately dropped the call and rushed to where the voice came from.
He saw Ophelia holding a box of rings. Crying and shaking all over.
“What happened?” He asked unhurriedly.
“It's Celine” Ophelia murmured pointing a shaky finger towards the pool.
Looking in that direction, he understood what she was saying, he off his jacket urgently and dived into the pool. He carried Celine's body out, blood was still oozing from her head profusely.
Thankfully, she was breathing, her vitals weren’t hit. Rome immediately began CPR, trying to stabilize her.
Moments later, everyone came running out.
“What happened?!” Old Man Sinclair roared.
“Call an ambulance!” Rome commanded without looking up.
His father turned and rushed off to make the call.
Mrs. Sinclair was shocked at the whole scenario, she looked at the shaking Ophelia and saw the engagement rings she got for her son and Celine in her hand.
“You crazy freak!” she shrieked. Walking closer to Ophelia, She slapped her hard across the face, making the girl stumble backward. Snatching the box from her, she passed it to a maid. “Take this upstairs!”
“How dare you?!” she yelled. “You pushed her because you’re jealous? Who told you Rome would ever marry you?!”
“Mom!” Rome barked, glaring at her. “We don’t even know what happened yet. You’re jumping to conclusions. No one was there!”
Ophelia’s hot tears streamed down her cheeks. She wanted to speak but the words wouldn’t come. Would anyone believe her?
“Why can’t we decide?!” Old Man Sinclair thundered. “All the evidence points to her!”
“We’ll decide when Celine is awake,” Mr. Sinclair said, stepping forward. “We can’t just assume Ophelia is guilty.”
“She will be okay!” he assured, glancing at Ophelia.
“The ambulance is here!” a maid shouted, running towards them.
They carefully placed Celine in the ambulance. Mrs. Sinclair and Old Man Sinclair climbed in and left with her.
Rome hesitated, but after some persuasion from his father, he eventually got into his car and followed.
Mr. Sinclair helped Ophelia inside. He showed her the room and asked her to freshen up.
She thanked him. And settled in the room.
After a while, an Old maid came with food and a new cloth.
“Thanks,” Ophelia said, rising from her corner.
“Don’t worry, dear,” the old maid said kindly. “Celine has always been a cunning girl.”
Ophelia blinked. “What do you mean?”
“She framed young master Dave two years ago and caused chaos in this household. That was the last time he stepped foot in this house. Not even for Old Man Sinclair’s birthday.”
“You mean… Dave?” Ophelia asked, wiping her tears.
“Yes,” the woman nodded. “He was almost ruined because of her lies.”
Ophelia gave a small, weary smile. “What’s your name, ma’am?”
“Oh, just call me Sister Lana. I’m the eldest maid here. Been serving this family since before Master Rome was born.”
“Okay… Sister Lana,” Ophelia said gently, “what do I do now? How do I save myself from this mess?”
Lana sighed. “That… I can’t say, dear. Even Master Dave wasn’t spared. But I pray for you. Mr. Sinclair seems to like you, that’s a good sign.”
“Thank you. Your words mean a lot,” Ophelia said with a grateful smile.
“Don’t cry anymore, sweetheart,” Lana said, patting her hand. “I wish you all the best.”
“Don't cry anymore, darling, I wish you all the best”. Sister Lana said, patting her hand.
She left the room quietly.
Ophelia sat still, thinking deeply. The only person who came to mind now was Dave. He had once promised to protect her. She looked at her phone, hoping for a miracle, but there was none. And she didn’t even have his contact number.
In the Hospital
Celine stirred awake after her treatment. Old Man Sinclair and Mrs. Sinclair sat beside her, anxious.
After a long moment, Celine began to speak, tears pouring down her cheeks.
“I was just admiring the ring… she asked me who it was for. I told her it was mine and Rome’s engagement ring. Then she tried to snatch it.”
She paused to sob harder, her voice breaking.
“I tried to hold on, but she strangled me and ripped it from my hand. Then she pushed me into the pool… without mercy.”
Mrs. Sinclair gasped, pulling her into a gentle embrace.
“Don't worry! My daughter. I’ll take revenge for you,” she promised, wiping her tears.
Rome stood nearby with his arms folded, watching it all unfold with cold detachment.
Once his parents were sure Celine was stable, they left the hospital.
Rome walked up to her bed, eyes narrowed.
“You expect me to believe that nonsense schemes right!?” he asked, his voice both calm and terrifying. “Ophelia can't even look you in the eyes, how the hell can she attempt to kill you”.
“You don’t have any other options, honey,” Celine said smugly. “You can only marry me no one else.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Celine,” Rome warned, his voice low. “If this ends up in the media… I will destroy you. Completely. You’re just my crazy ex. Nothing more.”
Celine’s expression faltered. “Y-you mean… you’ll reveal the secrets about her?”
Rome didn’t answer. Before he could speak, his phone rang it was Adrian.
“Hello,” Rome answered.
“There’s trouble at the company,” Adrian said. “The management team needs you immediately.”
“Okay will be there in a minute” Rome replied ending the call.
Without saying anything more he took his jacket and left.
Celine bites her lips in frustration. She took out her phone and dialed a number.
“Come to the hospital now,” she ordered. “And make sure not a word about today leaks to the press.”
“Yes, ma’am,” came the obedient reply before the call ended.
***********
Back at the Mansion
Bring that evil girl out for me I need to teach her some lessons Mrs. Sinclair yelled commanding the maids.
“I can't believe she can do this with all her innocent face” That girl is a devil Old man Sinclair shouted in annoyance.
After a while, the maids came back with Ophelia following behind.
“You evil girl!” I will make sure you end up in jail for what you did today. The old man said coldly.
“I did nothing,” Ophelia said boldly, sending shivers down everyone's spine.
Everyone was shocked only Mr. Sinclair who was just descending the stairs smiled brightly he was happy because Ophelia could finally summon her courage to talk.
“You rat!” how dare you talk back to me. Old man Sinclair screeched.
You can't keep calling your daughter-in-law vulgar names, after all, she is Rome’s real wife Mr. Sinclair said taking a seat beside his wife.
Ignoring his word, Old Man Sinclair stood up in rage and raised his cane ready to strike Ophelia with it.
Ophelia squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the misery to strike her.
But it never came.
Instead, she felt a body cover hers shielding her from harm.
She opened her eyes and stared into a familiar, comforting gaze.
It was Dave.
The very person she had been hoping for.
The one who had promised to save her.
- Writer
