Chapter 12
11. Ophelia
Overview
Emerging from a week of self-imposed isolation following Sofia's death and her interrogation by Sofia's father, Ophelia attempts to reclaim her life by showering, attending lectures, and confronting Chancellor Carmichael about leaving the university. When Carmichael reveals she owes tuition fees and won't release her from her obligation, and she receives a cryptic email from her stalker signed "Alan Sine," Ophelia becomes convinced Carmichael is her tormentor and redoubles her determination to uncover the truth.
Summary
Ophelia has been confined to her bedroom for a week, paralyzed by guilt and grief over Sofia's death and the trauma of being held at gunpoint by Sofia's father. She receives messages from Vincenzo and Colette inviting her back into university life. After a cold shower and moment of self-reflection, she ventures out to meet with Chancellor Carmichael, ostensibly to withdraw from university. While waiting in his office, she discovers maintenance records for the staff helicopter and finds that it underwent a full annual service the day before her parents' helicopter crashed, with initials "M.S." on the final record. When Carmichael returns, she abandons her mission to investigate the files and instead requests to leave. Carmichael refuses, informing her that her scholarship only covers a completed degree and she owes twenty-three thousand pounds in tuition fees. Forced to attend her social psychology lecture, Ophelia sits beside Alex Corbeau-Green, who apologizes for his previous comments and begins flirting with her. Their banter is charged with attraction despite their mutual suspicion. After the lecture, Ophelia receives an email from "Alan Sine"—her stalker—containing a Shakespeare quote and the subject line "Don't leave me," revealing that only Carmichael knew of her intention to quit. Concluding that Carmichael is her stalker and likely Sofia's killer, Ophelia visits Professor Bancroft, who shares memories of her mother and offers her catch-up notes. The chapter ends with Ophelia's hollow reply that she wishes her dead parents existed outside her heart as well as within it.
Characters
- Ophelia WintersProtagonist dealing with grief, isolation, and the revelation that her stalker knows of her plan to leave university; she attempts to withdraw but discovers financial entrapment and becomes convinced Carmichael is her tormentor
- Chancellor CarmichaelUniversity administrator who denies Ophelia's request to withdraw, reveals she owes tuition fees, and becomes Ophelia's chief suspect as her stalker after she receives a threatening email
- Sofia's father (Mr. Ivanov)Appears in Ophelia's memory as the man who held a gun to her head and interrogated her about Sofia's death
- VincenzoSends Ophelia a text message asking her to unblock Alex's number and seeking fashion advice
- ColetteSends Ophelia an invitation to dinner, expressing that she was missed at the pool
- Eva (Carmichael's PA)Secretary who escorts Ophelia to and from Carmichael's office
- Jaden AdeoyeMentioned as reported missing shortly after Mr. Ivanov's arrival; Ophelia knows he is not to blame for the events surrounding Sofia
- Alex Corbeau-GreenOphelia's coursework partner who apologizes for previous bathroom comments and engages in flirtatory banter with her during the social psychology lecture; his work on their project is nearly complete
- Professor AnderssonSocial psychology lecturer who observes tension between Ophelia and Alex and suggests an icebreaker exercise
- Professor BancroftOffers Ophelia sympathy about her roommate's death, shares that he lost his parents at a similar age, provides her with catch-up notes, and mentions her mother's love of The Great Gatsby and frequent library visits
- DivyaFellow student who believes the false rumor that Ophelia murdered her roommate for snoring