The sun hung low over The Pearl, casting golden hues across the ship’s deck as guests admired the soon-to-be bride. Ophelia stepped forward, radiant in her gown, as whispers of admiration followed her like a delicate breeze.

“She looks like something out of a fairy tale,” one guest murmured.

“She really does, and look—her dress is spectacular,” another replied with a dreamy sigh.

Ophelia blushed at their words, her cheeks tinged pink. “Come on, guys, that’s too much,” she said shyly.

“Aww, look, she turned all red,” a friend teased, and everyone laughed, filling the air with lighthearted joy.

“Please, stop teasing me!” Ophelia giggled, covering her face with her hands. Just then, her phone buzzed, cutting through the laughter.

“Excuse me,” she said with a polite smile before stepping aside to answer the call. “Hello? Who is this?” she asked, but the line remained silent. Furrowing her brow, she hung up and returned to her friends.

She fidgeted with her phone before hesitantly speaking, “Um... can you guys leave for a moment? I actually…”

“Oh, don’t tell me you want to send some pictures to Sen,” one of her friends teased.

“You know me too well,” Ophelia laughed awkwardly, shifting on her feet. “So, can I have a moment alone?”

Her friends exchanged knowing glances before playfully nudging each other and exiting the room, leaving Ophelia alone. She sighed in relief and glanced out the window—only for her heart to plummet to her stomach.

A faint click came from the window latch, and before she could react, Devin climbed in, his familiar smirk sending shivers down her spine.

“Dev... Devin!” she stammered, stepping back in fear. “What are you doing here?”

“How could I stay away, baby?” he said, feigning sadness. “I heard the news... My girlfriend’s getting married.” His eyes darkened as they scanned her trembling form.

“We broke up!” Ophelia whispered harshly. “You shouldn’t be here. Did anyone see you?” She anxiously peered outside, relieved to see the hallway was empty.

Devin chuckled, leaning against the wall casually. “A one-sided breakup, baby. I still love you.” His smirk deepened as he slowly walked toward her.

“Please, Devin,” Ophelia pleaded, her voice cracking. “Don’t ruin my happiness. Just leave.”

“My heart hurts, seeing you like this,” he whispered, reaching out to wipe a stray tear from her cheek. Ophelia recoiled, stumbling backward.

“How do you think Sen will react when he finds out you’re my girlfriend?” Devin taunted, his tone dripping with malice. “What if he sees proof?” He pulled out his phone and flashed a series of intimate pictures of them together, causing Ophelia’s face to drain of color.

“No... Nobody will believe you,” she tried to say confidently, but her voice wavered.

“They will,” Devin said smugly, taking a step closer. “But I won’t do that… if you give me two million dollars.”

Ophelia’s breath hitched. “Two million? Are you insane? I don’t have that kind of money.”

Devin rolled his eyes. “Tsk, tsk. You’re Alex Winter’s daughter and soon-to-be a Williams. Don’t play dumb.”

Tears welled in Ophelia’s eyes. “I can’t get that money, Devin. How would I even explain it? I can't do this.”

Devin’s expression darkened. Without warning, he lunged forward, wrapping his hands around her throat and squeezing tightly. Ophelia gasped in shock, clawing at his hands in desperation. “Let... Let go,” she gasped, smacking his arm weakly.

After a few agonizing seconds, Devin released her with a smirk, and Ophelia collapsed to the floor, coughing and trembling. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked at her trembling hands, barely able to hold herself up.

“I want the money before your wedding,” Devin sneered. “Or else, prepare for a divorce.” He crouched down, gripping her chin and forcing her to meet his eyes. “Bye-bye, baby.”

Before she could react, he pressed a forceful kiss against her lips, making her squirm and push him away. With a satisfied chuckle, he slipped out through the window, leaving Ophelia shattered and alone.

Meanwhile, Kelly sat in the lounge, scrolling through her phone when a text from April arrived.

“Mom, I couldn’t find your room to get the rings. I’m heading back to mine.”

Kelly sighed, exasperated. “This girl,” she muttered, shaking her head.

Deciding it was best she just get the rings herself, Kelly excused herself from the guests and headed to her room. 

Back in Ophelia’s room, she struggled to pick herself up, using the couch for support. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror—tear-streaked, shaken, and vulnerable. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she wiped her face, forcing a smile onto her trembling lips.

“It’s fine. I’ll be fine,” she whispered to herself, repeating the lie over and over. She hastily retouched her makeup, hiding any trace of distress beneath layers of foundation and blush.

Wrapping a lace shawl around her shoulders to cover any signs of the altercation, Ophelia took a deep breath and stepped out into the hallway, cautiously peeking to ensure no one saw her. Her legs felt weak, but she forced herself to move forward.

Her heart pounded as she approached her parents’ room. Knocking twice, she waited, but there was no response. Taking a shaky breath, she opened the door and stepped inside. Moving quickly, she found the safe and entered the familiar code with trembling fingers.

As soon as the safe door swung open and she began removing the stacks of money, a sharp voice cut through the silence.

“Ophelia?”

Ophelia froze, the cash still in her hands, and turned slowly to see Kelly standing in the doorway, eyes wide with shock and suspicion.

Panic welled in Ophelia’s chest as she scrambled to come up with an excuse, but the words caught in her throat. Kelly’s expression shifted from confusion to concern, and Ophelia realized there was no easy way out of this.

She had been caught.