Ophelia's POV
"Woah, hold on. Wait a minute, what are you saying? Ryan said what?" Ava screeched loudly from the other end of the phone.
I sighed miserably to myself as I rinsed my hands clean in the sink, freshened up my makeup, before I grabbed my bag and phone.
"You heard me, babe. Ryan found out he's Jeremy's dad, and now, he's threatening to take my baby away from me," I muttered as I trekked out of the bathroom to pick Jeremy up from kindergarten.
Usually, Daphne always helped me with picking Jeremy up, and taking him to her condo pending the time I'd get back from work. But that day, my paranoia and overthinking got the best of me.
I almost stopped Jeremy from boarding the bus when it arrived at the bus stop earlier that morning because I was scared. I was scared of Ryan or anyone taking my ball of sunshine away from me.
"He won't dare. What the hell? I thought he said he changed. Who the fuck goes around threatening the estranged mother of their child that they'd take their baby away from them, who does that?" Ava grunted, and I silently agreed.
I also thought Ryan had changed. But apparently, I had only been deluding myself seeing how he had threatened me in the elevator yesterday.
"Honestly, I'm so scared, Ava. What if he takes Jeremy away from me? We both know he can just snap a finger and have some bribed lawyers make stuff up to take my son from me. What do I do, Ava?" I cried, getting into the driver's seat.
I buried my face in my hands as I wept bitterly. Being the sweet and ever-understanding best friend she was, Ava remained silent throughout my crying fit.
"I-I'm sorry about that. I just got very scared," I croaked, moments later as I dabbed my tears and some of my mascara off with some tissues.
"It's fine, babe. I can understand. You said you were filing a restriction order against the brute, right?"
"Yeah, I am. I went to the cops yesterday after our encounter in the elevator but they told me Ryan had to do something horrible and dangerous to me before they could grant the restraining order. So that is cancelled, and I have no idea what else to do. I'm so confused and tired," I confessed, switching the ignition on, and driving out of the parking lot.
"Oh, goodness. What do we do now?" Ava asked.
"Like I said earlier, I have no idea. My mind is literally devoid of ideas. Maybe I'd have to move away from here eventually if his threats persist," I mumbled with a sigh.
"You're moving away from London? Babe, we both know that option is also out of it. We both know that that psychopath Ryan will find you even if you move to the moon. What we have to do is to find a solution to permanently settle this once and for all. Or would you rather move from continents to continents once in three years because of that fucktard?" Ava questioned which made me inhale deeply.
I hadn't given it much thought. Ava was right. Moving away clearly wasn't it. Apart from Ryan finding us again, it could potentially jeopardize Jeremy's life in the future.
I wanted to give Jeremy a happy life. One with immense peace of mind. Not having him move countries like a dispatched soldier.
"Yeah. I guess you're right. I'll give it another thought and see what I can do," I said before a smile creeped onto my features when I sighted the kindergarten's building.
"Or what if you settle with him?" Ava quietly asked, and I almost ran into an electric pole by the roadside with how abruptly I parked my car.
"Wait, Ophelia, before you attack me and accuse me of being on Ryan's side. Listen to me," She chirped which made me huff in annoyance.
I gruffed anyway, "Okay. I'm listening,"
"Thank you, so what I mean is that you both can coparent or something. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean you have to settle your issues with Ryan. I'm just worried about Jeremy. Maybe put your pride aside for a moment, and think about Jeremy," She gently advised.
Though I wanted to resent her for that statement, deep down, I knew she was right. I was Jeremy's mum and I wanted him to always be happy.
"You remember you told me about his moodiness and him randomly asking for his dad?"
"Yeah," I replied, pulling my car to a halt.
"You can put an end to it by accepting Ryan's offer. If you sense any funny stuff with him, that'd be a good leverage to get the restraining order. You can tell the judge that you agreed to coparent with him, but he did otherwise. I'm sure, they'd grant you the order if that happens. But you never know if he could be a great dad to my godson though," Ava rambled.
I hummed in agreement before I grabbed my phone and exited the car.
"Maybe. I'll think carefully about it," I mumbled, trekking into the lobby. I nodded at the familiar young lady at the reception before I plopped on a chair at the center of the lobby.
I wanted Jeremy to easily locate me.
"Okay. I trust you'll make a great decision,"
"Yeah,"
"Take care of yourself and my nephew, okay? I love you and you know I'll always want the best for you, right?" Ava questioned softly.
"Yeah. I know. Thanks for everything, babe. I love you too, take care," I replied.
"Okay, bye," Ava said, and hung up.
Shortly after a moment, I saw Jeremy running towards the reception but he didn't notice me. He was cheerfully chatting and giggling with some toddlers who I presumed were his friends.
My weariness temporarily dissipated on sighting Jeremy's sweet smile.
I got up from the chair and yelled, "Jeremy!"
Instantly, Jeremy spun around to face me. His cheeks were bunched up in a wide grin as he ran towards me and threw himself at me.
"Mummy! You came today," He squealed.
I rubbed his back with a chuckle after he released me from his hold, "Surprise, baby,"
"I like surprise," Jeremy giggled, slipping his little hand into mine as we headed towards the car.
"What do you want for lunch today, baby?" I asked him after I had strapped him to his car seat.
"Gummy bears and chocwit," He cheered with a giggle.
I huffed, although a smile spread on my face, "Yeah, right,"
I catched a glimpse of Jeremy's grin through the rearview mirror, and a shiver of anxiety passed through me.
There was no way I'd be able to live without seeing that cheerful smile everyday of my life.
I would do everything I could to protect Jeremy. Even if it meant throwing my pride in the mud.