Chapter 39 Punishment
Ophelia’s POV
I loved attending social functions but if there was one sort of social function that I utterly loathed attending, it was a funeral, regardless of the person’s age.
Many times, people do term the funeral of an aged person as the celebration of their life. But to me, it was basically the same as a funeral for a young person.
Their families were never going to see them again. And anytime I thought of it, it always haunted me.
As we stood around Dad’s casket–Ava, Dad’s oncologist, and I–and the priest prayed for his soul, my countenance remained grim as I stared into nothingness with Ava’s arm firmly wrapped around my shoulder.
The sight brought back the memory of mum’s funeral which I thought I had buried a long time ago, to my mind.
“Lia, are you okay? Do you need to sit for a minute?” Ava’s voice drifted into my ears, and I shook my head in negation with my gaze averting to the casket.
The reality of everything was gradually starting to dawn on me as moisture started rolling down my face.
“Take heart, babe. Everything will be fine,” Ava whispered, gently stroking my back.
I wanted to yell at her. I wanted to tell her to quit uttering that nonsense. We both knew it was nothing but a lie, and the statement was gradually starting to irk me.
Nothing had ever been fine in my life even before dad’s death but at least, I had someone to live on for and be the best version of myself.
But at that moment, everything sucked. I had no family left in the world.
Soon, the priest finished with the prayers and the casket was lifted by the undertakers to the crematorium.
My vision was blocked by the sight of Dad’s oncologist as I stared at the retreating casket. She smiled warmly at me and encased my hands in hers.
“I’m so sorry for your loss, Ophelia. I wish we could have done something to make him live but we all know Man proposes and the heavens dispose of. Please take heart and take care of yourself. If at all, you need my help, feel free to let me know and I’d try my best to help,” She reassured, with an undertone of seriousness present in her voice.
I nodded in affirmation as I smiled back at her, “Alright, I will. Thanks for everything,”
“You don’t need to thank me, Ophelia. I didn’t do anything,” She shook her head.
“You did a lot for me. You helped Dad and me in the worst possible situations. I can’t thank you enough, doctor. I wish you all the best and I hope the heavens bless you,” I sniffled, feeling Ava’s warm squeeze once more.
“Take care, Ophelia, and good luck to you,” She concluded and darted a sweet smile at me before she exited the funeral room.
“They should almost be done with the cremation now, right?” I asked Ava, tilting my head sideways.
She nodded, “Yes, do you want to go now?”
“Yes, I want to. I have to get back to work soon. I haven’t been at work in two days nor have I switched my phone on and I’m sure my boss must be worried about my whereabouts,” I muttered with a sigh.
“Let’s go,” Ava agreed, to which I nodded.
We went to the florist shop by the entrance of the crematorium, where we bought dad’s favorite flowers; Dahlias, and some lilies.
When we got there, I was handed his urn, and tears brimmed in my eyes as I held the ceramic.
Ava was swiftly by my side, tenderly patting my back as I cried softly at the entrance of the crematorium.
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“Please extend my greetings to mum and tell her that I really miss her and I love her so much. I’ll come back soon with more flowers and a picture, take care, dad. I love you and I miss you so much,” I wept as I gently caressed the urn.
Ava had headed to the strip club an hour ago for her shift, and I was the only one at the columbarium.
I smiled once more at the urn before I forced myself to release it and place it on the shelf. Afterward, I left the large hall with tear-laden eyes and a sore throat that was a result of my immense wailing.
I flagged down a taxi and got into it with a sigh.
Now, dad was gone and I had to start living all by myself in the cold, harsh world.
I fished out my phone from my pocket to place a call to Ryan. But then I realized the battery was dead.
“Ah, fuck!” I cursed as I brandished the device in both hands.
I had been so grief-stricken that I didn’t charge my phone in two days.
I just hoped Ryan would believe me when I told him everything that happened to me in the short span of two days.
The cab drew to a stop in front of the mansion’s tall, imposing gates, and I felt my heart plunge into my stomach in fright.
I settled the driver and got out of the car with a sharp exhale.
Then, I stared at the mansion for a split second before I inhaled deeply, and braced myself for my impending doom.
The security guards wordlessly bowed to me as I trekked past the gates into the compound.
“Miss, you are back! Where were you?” Lilian’s yelp greeted me as I trekked into the hall.
I cringed to myself before I whipped my neck, “I had an unavoidable emergency,”
“Oh,” She said, clearly not believing me.
“Yeah,” I mumbled before I trekked upstairs and made my way into my bedroom.
I was about to thank my stars that I had not seen Ryan when…
“Where the hell are you coming from dressed like a fucking slut?” Ryan hollered, causing me to stare at the outfit Ava had lent me for dad’s funeral as I didn’t take any spare outfit to the hospital.
It was a black turtleneck with a plaid sleeveless gown that stopped slightly above my knees; a normal outfit for a grown woman like me.
“Are you deaf?” He yelled, and I quickly spun around to face him.
He was clad in a white button-down shirt which was neatly tucked into a pair of navy slacks, with its sleeves rolled up to Ryan’s elbows. His hands were slotted into his pants pocket and his grey eyes were menacingly rooted on my face.
“N-no,” I shook my head, trying to avoid his gaze.
“I don’t have enough time to listen to your lies. I’ll show you what disobedient slaves get,” And with that, he yanked me by my arm, crossed the hallway to his bedroom, and flung the door open.
I gazed at him as flashbacks from the first day I got to know about his dungeon hit me.
I knew I had to save myself as he dragged me into the dungeon, “Ryan, please don’t do this. Let me explain. I didn’t mean to go awol, something came up. My dad d-”
I didn’t expect the thunderous slap I got on my face before I was violently pushed to the floor.
I scrubbed my cheek as I winced from the burning agony of the sudden hit.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.
“Do you think I’m fucking daft, huh?” Ryan whispered, crouching in front of me.
I briskly shook my head in negation with my hand still cradling my face as I stared at him.
“You are a slut. Even after I warned you not to go out without informing me, you still did as you pleased, didn’t you?” He hollered, harshly cupping my jaw.
I shook my head once more as I whimpered in fright.
“Don’t worry, I’ll show you who your fucking owner is today, do you hear me? You are just a damned pet that I bought, okay?” He spat, releasing my jaw.
“D-don’t hurt me,” I cried.
He chuckled mirthlessly as his eyes darkened with lust and mania, “I will torture you, petal,”