(Thomas)“What are you talking about?!” I exclaimed when Jack had finished. My head was spinning. This was too much information for my brain to handle all at once.Axiom had been one of Lombardi’s core partners right from the very beginning.“They were father’s friends!” I yelled.Jack let out a deep sigh. “I know,” he said.“How do we know that this Matthew guy isn’t lying?” I said.***Greg and Matthew stood before Jack and I. I peered at them, eyes hard and narrow, a cigar dangling from my fingers.“Do either of you have any proof,” I said, “for anything that you’re saying?”Greg nodded. He put his hand in his inside coat pocket, extracted a small bottle and placed it on the table.“It’s poison,” he said to me, “I was told to give it to Mrs. Lombardi.”I banged a fist on the table, furious.“Don’t say my wife’s name!” I yelled.Jack stood up, put a hand on my shoulder, and said, “I’ll handle this.”“It’s Greg, is it?” he said, turning towards the small man in front of me.Greg nodd
(Ruby)“Come on, babies,” I said, strapping them into the backseat, “Let’s go and get some ice-cream!”. Mabel and Miles had caught a faint glimpse of Lydia’s teary eyes. Mama had pulled me to the side and said, “Take them outside while I take care of Lydia.”I had nodded and immediately grabbed the car keys.Lydia had been devastated since last night. She might not be able to forgive and forget all that had happened with Thomas but that did not mean that she did not love him, nor did it mean that she did not want to be with him.But for the twins to witness this much drama and chaos would be absolutely terrible for them.I put on some nursery rhymes in the car.“The wheels on the bus go round and round!” Mabel and Miles sang along as they clapped.“Aunt Ruby?” Mabel called out to me.“Yes, dearest?” I asked with a bright smile.“Why does Uncle Thomas not tell Mommy that he loves her?” she said.“Yeah, please tell Uncle Thomas to tell Mommy,” Miles said, “Because if he don’t say it, Mo
(Jack)Sarah petulantly narrowed her eyes at Thomas. “What do you mean?” she huffed, “On the day of our wedding?”I saw Thomas clench his fist but keep his composure. “Yes, Sarah,” he murmured slowly, “On the day of our wedding. Where were you?”Sarah cocked her head. “I was confronting you about your crime, wasn’t I?” she said, “For sleeping with that bitch?’Thomas shot up. “NO, YOU NEFARIOUS IMBECILE!” he roared, “WHAT WERE YOU DOING AT ALMOST NOON THAT DAY OUTSIDE MY WIFE’S HOUSE?!”Sarah’s nostrils flared. “You can’t talk to me like that!” she shrieked, also standing up.I needed to interject before this got out of hand.“Stop it, both of you!” I exclaimed.“Sarah,” I turned my face sharply at her, “We have video evidence of you wrecking Lydia’s car which will be used against you in the court of law. You will be sent to prison for attempting to murder her. And your parents will face similar charges for both Lydia as well as Thomas for the car accident that happened four years ag
(Lydia)I wept and sobbed. Mama sat beside me on the sofa, a hand on my back as I let my pain out. “It’s okay, darling,” she murmured softly to me.“No, Mama,” I shook my head, tears streaming down my cheeks, “It’s not okay. I don’t know how things will ever go back to normal between us.”Mama stared at me, her eyes large and pitiful. “You shouldn’t say things like that, darling,” she said.“It’s the truth!” I wept, unable to contain myself, “I’m doomed to spend the rest of my life alone because the person I love has broken my heart –b-broken my trust and—and I don’t think we’ll ever again be all that we were!”“What makes you think that, my love?” Mama asked. Her lips were tightened into a small dot.“Because—he—he hasn’t yet bothered to propose! And how will I ever be able to move past the way that he treated me all those years ago?”Mama put her arms around me. I cried into her shoulder.“People make mistakes sometimes, Lydia,” she said, “That doesn’t mean that they can’t learn and
(Thomas)Watching her barge away from me was devastating. But what could I say? I had brought all of this on to myself? I should have never let her go in the first place!Why had I been so stupid? How could I have been so stupid?According to Matthew, Sarah had been instructed by her parents to entrap me into marriage. But how could I have walked into that trap? How could I have abandoned the woman I loved?“Please, please, Thomas,” Lydia had wept before me, “I’m your wife, Lydia!”She had been holding my hand and squeezing it. I had rashly brushed it away and glared at her. She had sobbed and cried.How could I have done this to her? Could I not see in her eyes how much and how deeply she loved me? How could I have been so blind?“She’s just a nasty little gold-digger, Thomas,” Sarah had said to me as the priceless jewels that I had bought for her glittered at her collarbone, “She never cared for you – only your money. And all of us friends warned you against her. You just wouldn’t
(Sarah)“Have you no self respect?” he had asked me.I could not believe that Thomas could ever say such a thing. All my life, I had loved him. Thomas and I had been friends ever since I was a young girl. My parents had shipped me off to Denver to live with my Aunt Clara when I was fifteen and I had gone to school with Thomas and Jack.But our families had known each other since long before that. My parents had known Thomas’s parents and had been good friends with his father while he was alive.They had always doted on Thomas. And I could see the appeal. What I did not understand was why both of my parents loved my brother, William, so much more than me.I had flown home after I graduated from high school and barged into my father’s study one time.“How come William doesn’t even have to go to boarding school while I have to live all the way apart from you and Mother in another state?!” I had demanded.My father had put down his cigar and slowly risen from his chair. He had walked up t
(Lydia)“How are you feeling?” Mama asked me, clutching my hand tight as we sat on the sofa in front of the TV room. It had been like this for the past few days: I would come home from work and sit here silently with Mama.“Life has become surreal, Mama,” I said to her, “And not in a good way. I don’t understand why I can’t stop thinking about Thomas. I don’t understand why I keep missing him.”Mama squeezed my hand as my eyes welled up.“But I also can’t forgive him!” I sobbed, “I can’t forgive his cruelty towards me!”Mama put her arms around me. “Shush, Lyddie,” she murmured softly at me.But I could not stop crying.Thomas had been around to see the children. He would come home and play with them for a while every day. But, at those times, I would simply get up and leave.Why did it have to be this way?Mabel and Miles were noticing the tension between us. “Would you like to see what Mabel drew?” Thomas said the other day. The twins looked up at me expectantly.I blinked. “Mabel,
(Thomas)Sarah’s mother stared at me through her piercing gray eyes. “What kind of a ridiculous accusation is this?” she spat, “How could you say such a thing?!”“That’s regrettable,” I said, “I was hoping that we could arrive at some kind of middle ground. I didn’t expect this from you.”“The boy’s lost his mind, Catherine,” her father said to his wife. He turned his stony eyes away and took a puff of his cigar.I took a deep breath and shifted my gaze to the floor. Beside me, Mother’s nostrils flared. “Look, Edward. I came here to talk to you both about this because of the relationship that our families have shared,” she seethed, “Business – family. We’ve always been good friends.”Her gaze turned steely as she clenched her fist. I caught sight of the veins pulsing through the top of her hand. “But if you’re not going take this chance to apologize, I’m afraid we’re going to have to go down another route.”“Another route?” Catherine murmured softly. Her right brow was arched. “Do you
(Lydia)The reception was everything I had dreamed of and more. The air was filled with the sound of laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. The venue, bathed in the soft glow of fairy lights, felt magical, as though we were all living in a dream. Thomas and I had just shared our vows, but now the celebration was in full swing, and the joy in the air was palpable.Mabel and Miles were the stars of the evening, as expected. They had barely left the dance floor since the music started, their little feet moving in uncoordinated yet adorable ways. Miles was trying to spin in circles, his arms flailing around as Mabel, ever the perfectionist, tried to keep him in check. They were a sight to behold, so carefree and full of life. Their giggles and shouts of “Look at me!” filled the room, and I couldn’t help but laugh along with them.Thomas was by my side, his hand gently resting on my back as we watched our children steal the show. The evening felt like it was slipping by in the most
(Thomas)The day had finally arrived. Our wedding day.I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie for the fifth time, trying to focus on the simple task instead of the rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I couldn’t stop the memories from creeping in, images of Lydia in a wedding dress years ago, her radiant smile lighting up the room, and the way my heart had soared knowing she was about to become my wife.And then, the accident. The chaos, the pain, the years we spent finding our way back to each other.Today wasn’t just about vows or rings. It was about us. About the journey we had taken, the battles we had fought, and the love that had carried us through it all.A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Jack stepped in, looking sharp in his suit, his usual easygoing expression replaced by something softer.“You doing okay?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe.I nodded, though my reflection betrayed me. “Just...a lot to process.”Jack walked over, clapping
(Lydia)With only a week left until the wedding, the house felt like a beehive, everyone buzzing with purpose, energy, and, occasionally, a touch of chaos. I stood in the middle of it all, both exhilarated and slightly overwhelmed.Ruby was in the corner of Mama’s room, hunched over her sewing machine, her brow furrowed in concentration. My wedding dress hung on a nearby mannequin, almost complete but still needing those final, intricate touches that only Ruby could master. She was doing this here because if she needed to know any adjustments, I would just be a few rooms away.She was holed up in Mama’s room because she didn’t want Thomas to get a glimpse of the wedding dress, not until the day of the wedding as I walked down the aisle.“Are you sure you don’t need a break?” I asked, holding out a cup of tea for her.Ruby looked up, her eyes tired but determined. “Not until this hem is perfect. You’re going to look stunning, Lydia. Just trust me.”“I do,” I said softly, setting the te
(Thomas)The moment we pulled up to the venue, I felt a mix of anticipation and pride. The sprawling garden, framed by blooming flowers and soft sunlight, looked like something out of a dream. This was it, the place where Lydia and I would officially start the next chapter of our lives.Mabel and Miles were already buzzing with excitement, craning their necks to get a better look as the car slowed to a stop.“Is that where we’re going to walk with the flowers?” Mabel asked, pointing to the long stone pathway that led to the main garden.“It is,” I said, glancing at Lydia, who was smiling softly.“It’s so pretty!” Miles added, practically bouncing in his seat.Once we were out of the car, the kids ran ahead, their laughter echoing in the crisp air. Lydia and I followed at a slower pace, her hand tucked into mine.“Can you believe it’s almost here?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.I shook my head. “It feels surreal. But seeing this place again...it makes it all feel real.”T
(Lydia)Sitting at the dining table with Thomas, a notebook in front of me and a pen in hand, I felt an odd mix of excitement and dread. Finalizing the guest list for our wedding should have been a straightforward task, but when Margaret got involved, nothing ever stayed simple for long.I glanced at Thomas, who was scrolling through his phone, cross-checking names. He looked calm, but I knew better. We were both bracing ourselves for the inevitable drama.“Are we really going to put up with Margaret’s list of distant cousins and relatives we’ve never met?” I asked, my voice low but pointed.Thomas sighed and set his phone down. “You know how mother is. She thinks a wedding is a chance to show off family connections.”“Well, it’s not her wedding,” I said firmly. “It’s ours, and I want it to feel personal, not like some society gala.”Thomas reached over and squeezed my hand. “I agree with you. But let’s try to handle this delicately. You know how she can get.”Before I could respond,
(Thomas)The house was alive with energy, and it all revolved around two very determined little people: Mabel and Miles. Ever since we’d told them they were going to be the flower girl and flower boy at the wedding, their excitement had reached a whole new level. They were taking their roles very seriously, perhaps even more seriously than Lydia and I were taking the rest of the wedding planning.This morning, the focus was on their outfits. Lydia and I had arranged for a tailor to come to the house to ensure everything fit perfectly. Mabel was already dressed in a soft pink dress with layers of tulle that made her look like a little princess. She twirled in front of the mirror, her curls bouncing with every spin.“Do you think I need a tiara, Daddy?” she asked, her big brown eyes wide with sincerity.I crouched down to her level, brushing a stray curl from her face. “I think you’re perfect just the way you are, sweetheart. But if you really want a tiara, we can look for one.”Mabel c
(Lydia)The morning sun streamed through the windows as I parked outside Ruby’s boutique. My heart fluttered with a mix of nerves and excitement. In just two weeks, I would be walking down the aisle to marry Thomas, the man who had stood by me through everything. But today, all I could think about was my first fitting for the wedding dress Ruby had been tirelessly designing.As I stepped into the boutique, the soft chime of the bell announced my arrival. Ruby appeared from the back room, her face lighting up with a smile that instantly put me at ease.“You’re here!” she said, walking over to hug me. “I’ve been waiting for this all week.”“I’ve been counting down the days,” I admitted, hugging her back. “I’m nervous, though. What if the dress doesn’t feel right? What if-”Ruby placed her hands on my shoulders, her expression firm but kind. “Stop right there. This dress is going to be perfect because it’s made for you, by me. Trust me, Lydia.”I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. I t
(Lydia)The sunlight poured down as I stepped out of the car, grocery list in hand. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t looking over my shoulder or scanning the parking lot for anything suspicious. Ben, my personal bodyguard, walked a few paces behind me, his presence a quiet reassurance. But today, I didn’t feel like I needed him as much as I had in the past.The air felt lighter, and so did I. It was as if the dark cloud that had loomed over my life for so long had finally dissipated. Nathan was gone, Lucien was behind bars, and the world was moving on. So was I.Inside the grocery store, I grabbed a cart and started down the aisles. It felt good to do something as ordinary as picking out apples and comparing cereal brands. For so long, I’d avoided public places, afraid of the whispers and stares. But today, there were none. People walked past me, absorbed in their own lives, and it was blissfully normal.I paused by the bakery section, tempted by the scent of fre
(Lydia)The sleek glass doors of the event management company slid open, and Thomas and I stepped inside. The lobby was stunning, a perfect balance of elegance and modernity. Polished marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of chandelier lights, and a gentle floral scent wafted through the air. A cheerful receptionist greeted us, offering sparkling water while we waited for our meeting.Thomas leaned toward me, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. “This place screams ‘perfect wedding,’ doesn’t it?”I smiled, squeezing his arm. “Let’s see if they can live up to the hype.”It was Margaret who had given us the name of this event management company after making her calls and asking around for suggestions. And as far as I could tell, the place looked like the sort of company I would have chosen for myself.Moments later, a tall, impeccably dressed man approached us with a wide smile. His tailored navy suit and silk pocket square spoke volumes about his attention to detail.