OPHELIA: Chapter 13

Blurb

Elizabeth Lockwick wants one thing… to ensure Ophelia remains dead.

For years she’s weaved a life seen through rose-coloured glasses in idyllic Vermont with her husband Sebastian Lockwick, an alluring man with a broken moral compass, whose intent lies in protecting his wife. However, apart from her unorthodox understanding of Sebastian’s dark and gritty hidden nature, she finds herself slipping away from her sanity in maintaining this picturesque life.

After receiving a gruesome gift from an unknown sender threatening to expose her, she finds herself haunted and possibly hunted by her buried past.

In order to make things right for herself and ensure that her secret is hidden, she reluctantly travels back to her sleepy small hometown in Wisconsin. A town where young girls seem to be mysteriously disappearing. There, she reunites with the dysfunctional Pierre-Louis’, a French-American family who sheltered her in their manor in her time of need.

With time slipping away, she struggles with her guilt and a dangerous affair and realizes that perhaps Ophelia wasn’t dead after all these years.

Elizabeth suddenly finds herself caught in a game of cat and mouse, unsure of which she really is this time and who she can trust.

Leave a comment/ feedback/ thoughts on this chapter for more.

Chapter 13

 

 A soft sturdy warmth caressed her cheek as her eyelids stiffly opened to view an opened book on someone’s lap. Ophelia hadn’t realized she fell asleep leaning against Stefan’s shoulder. Flushed, she pulled away. “I’m sorry.”

He smiled as she woke and pushed her loose hair behind her ear.  “I just hate unexpected naps,” she continued, “It makes me feel groggy and grey when I wake up.”

“Grey? No.” He gave a soft laugh, “Elle me rappelait un tendre jaune.” (She reminded me of soft yellow). “But not grey.”

Ophelia smiled at his words, knowing that a soft pink was now painted upon her cheeks. Brushing it away, she gathered her belongings. “It looks like we’ve reached our destination, Mr. Pierre-Louis.”

Walking out of the train and into the train station, she felt a sudden rush of anxiety flush over her.

“Are you alright?” Stefan asked, concerned.

“I’m fine.” She placed her bags on the bench at the side and sat, “We should probably get a taxi.”

He nodded in agreement, “I’ll see to it.”

From a distance, she recognized a familiar face. The tall, slender man, with honey brown eyes and his hair neatly tied back into a ponytail was ushering and giving directions to a family. His skin was that same pale yet earthly colour and he wore his stapled officer’s uniform and badge proudly yet humbly on his sleeve. Charlie Russel had been their childhood friend back when they used to live here in Rose Gap. So many years had passed with no contact and yet he looked as youthful as he did the day when they left.

He noticed their presence and let out a subtle smile as he walked towards them. “I never thought I’d see these faces back here in Rose Gap,” he said in his smooth and soft caramel like voice.

“Charlie.” Ophelia smiled warmly, greeting him with a hug.

“We never thought we’d be back,” Stefan added with honesty.

Charlie knitted his eyebrows in concern, “And why are you? This is the last place I’d put on my bucket list if I’m honest.”

“You either leave here mad or dead,” Ophelia whispered to herself. “Why haven’t you left?”

“Because he loves his job too much.” Stefan laughed, knowing his friend fully well.

“Some of us have to stay back to ensure no one ends up mad or dead.” He responded in a wink to Ophelia, “And yes, I do love the job. It makes me feel like I’m doing something right here. What about you, Stef?”

“The bromance is going to make my bladder explode if I stay any longer. I’ll be back.” Ophelia smiled, leaving them behind.

“What’s wrong?” Charlie frowned, noticing Stefan’s shift in expression.

“I don’t like the fact that’s she’s back here,” he admitted, “I get this bad feeling.”

Charlie nodded in understanding, “It’s because you care about her. Because you-”

“No,” Stefan interrupted him, “I’ve been away from her for seven years like she wanted.”

His friend smiled and let out a soft knowing scoff, “Still doesn’t change what I was about to say.”

“Perhaps not.”

“My condolences about your uncle Monty. The funeral was painful to say the least. I’m sure your family would be more than happy to have you back home. Ophelia too, I hope.”

“And what news of Claire?”

“It’s a cold trail right now. The sheriff department’s doing their best right now.” Charlie assured him, “We’ll find her. I promise.”

**

For visual scenes of this novel, follow me on TikTok! I enjoy bringing these scenes and characters to life, so I hope you do too! Love & appreciate you guys for the support. Here’s the link to my TikTok (hope to see you there!)

♡

Your feedback and engagement really helps the blog & motivates me to keep posting more FREE content for you guys!

[mc4wp_form id=”421″]

This is my Instagram if you’d like to connect with me there: @celinekmahadeo

ALSO, as you guys might notice ‘The Catalog by Celine’ is officially a Fashion & Fiction Blog so feel free to browse through and share!

Subscribe to my email list for exclusive bonus chapters of my novels, etc. (Bonus chapters are only sent to email subscribers)

SAVE THIS PIN

A Little More About Our Blog?

The Catalog by Celine is a Fashion & Fiction Blog for anyone who loves fashion, beauty, & books. We aim at inspiring you to look and feel like the best version of yourself. Empowering and providing you with our latest fashion finds, inspo, tips, as well as helping you source the perfect novel.

Enjoying this book? Be sure to also take a peek at my other completed novels as well:

Click the link below to Read:

Fatal Alliances by Celine Mahadeo

Damned by Celine Mahadeo

The Saint Have Fallen by Celine Mahadeo

Trailer Blurb for The Saints Have Fallen: