(Lydia)I took a deep breath to steady myself and took a look at myself in the mirror. My face was pale and beads of sweat were forming on my forehead. My stomach lurched horribly. This was going to be tough. But I opened the car door and walked towards the office.I was meeting with both Jonathan Nilson as well as Aaron Abrams. The latter was the director of the film and I was pretty sure that he, having seen how good I was in front of the camera, would consider still keeping me on the film.As I walked inside, I spotted at least twenty young women seated in the waiting area.These must be my potential replacements, I thought. I swallowed hard.“Come in,” said Abrams when the secretary told him that I was at the door.“Hello,” I said nervously, stepping in through the door.“Well?” said Abrams, looking up with his brows raised expectantly.“Sir, I’m terribly sorry about what happened yesterday,” I said, “And I assure you that nothing of this sort will ever happen again. Being a part
(Lydia)He was sitting in the living room. “Ruby!” I called out, “Could you come here please?”. But before Ruby could come outside, I heard the sound of Thomas’s boots thud over the marble floor as he approached in my direction.“Uncle Thomas!” the children exclaimed. They ran up to him. Thomas immediately bent down and picked up both of the twins in either arm.Ruby walked up slowly and hesitantly behind him. Her eyes were wild and worried.“I’m just here to get the kids,” Thomas said gruffly.“Hang on a second,” I said to him.Just then, my phone began to ring. It was production. I answered the call.“Hello Miss Lydia,” said Abrams himself, “How are you?”“Uh,” I said, stepping over to the side.“Is this a bad time?” he asked.“No, no,” I said, “Absolutely not.”I glanced over nervously at Thomas, the twins, and Ruby.Then I looked down at the floor. “I can speak,” I said, “Sure.”“Great,” he replied, “Well, I just wanted to call to let you know that I’ve gone over everything that y
(Lydia)“It’s not just about the tabloids either,” I said to Mama, “It’s also that – I genuinely feel as though … as though … Thomas thinks that I’m lesser than him, somehow.”“Oh, honey,” Mama said, “Whatever makes you think that way?” She put the palm of her hand gently on my cheek and looked at me.“Because Margaret thinks that way!” I said, “And if Thomas could agree to marry Sarah because Margaret asked him to do so, then I need to work on becoming someone worthy and of note. That’s the only way that I’ll be able to fully integrate into their world!”“Thomas got engaged to Sarah,” Ruby countered, “Because she’s a spoiled rich kid!”. She tossed a peanut in her mouth from the tray in front of her.“That’s exactly my point!” I exclaimed, “Sarah would have never been able to snatch Thomas away from me if I had had any social standing in front of her. Margaret would have backed me, not her!”“For someone who claims to hate Thomas right now,” Ruby said, “You certainly sound like you w
(Lydia)“You’ve planned an entire itinerary?!” Ruby exclaimed. I showed her the list at the breakfast table. “Mhm,” I nodded, “Yes, I have.”“Lyddie!” Ruby laughed, “This is really cool. But don’t you think this would be exhausting?”. Ruby scanned through the list. “Theme park … theater show … movie night … dinner … scavenger hunt … How in God’s name are you planning to pull off all of this within forty-eight hours?”I took the list from her and smiled slightly. “You’ll understand when you have children,” I said. I cupped my face in my palms.“Well,” she said, “Jack should be back from dropping them off at school any minute now. So, maybe he can help you set all of this up.”“Yeah, I know,” I said, “I did tell him to let the teacher know that the twins wouldn’t be coming to school tomorrow.”Ruby gave me a quizzical look.“It’s not easy being both a mother as well as a career woman, Ruby!” I exclaimed defensively, gripping the table, “I’m just trying to squeeze in as many joyful memor
(Lydia)The twins squealed in delight when I came to pick them up at the school. I met the principal at her office before I went to the children’s classroom.“Mabel and Miles are progressing wonderfully,” she said to me, “I've never failed to be amazed at how well they’re doing.”I beamed with pride. “Thank you so much,” I said.“It seems as though you’ve worked exceptionally hard on them,” she remarked, her eyes gleaming with admiration.I chuckled. “I try,” I said.Hearing the principal say this made me feel a little less horrible about how little time I’d been spending with the children lately.***“So,” I said, “Who’s up for a fun trip to the theme park?”. Mabel and Miles practically jumped up and down in their seats as they cheered. I got them McDonald’s through a drive-through and played their favorite nursery rhymes all the way to the park.***“Look, Mommy!” Mabel laughed at a Despicable Me! minion mascot. Miles began emulating a Buzz Lightyear robot. “Buzz Lightyear to the re
(Thomas)In the first few days of being at the mansion, the twins had been delighted to be there. But after the first three weeks had gone by, neither Mabel nor Miles could live without their mother.I enjoyed having the children around. I watched with pleasure and joy as Miles played with the train set that he had gotten for him, the twins rode tricycles outside, and chased each other around the house.Miles had been particularly fond of my collection of cars. “Would you like for me to teach you how to drive?” I asked him, my heart swelling up with love for his bright blue eyes and intent stare. Miles nodded, so I picked up my son and took him to the driver’s seat.“Vroom, vroom!” exclaimed Miles, turning around the steering wheel of a stationary car.So, the next day, I had shown up with a mini-Ferrari for Miles to drive. I had also gotten one for Mabel – a white one – but she had told me that it wasn’t very ladylike to drive a racecar.“Whatever do you mean?” I had laughed.Mabel h
(Lydia)Things had been a bit awkward between Nathan and I for the first couple of weeks after I resumed working with him. As soon as the shots were cut, we would go our own separate ways. In all truth, I hadn’t been expecting this from Nathan. I had thought that, being the joyous, bubbly, and carefree person that he was, he would probably come up to me and tell me that the way that I had responded in that situation with Clara was hilarious.But he looked down and walked away. I startled a little but then shook my head and went my own separate way.“I’m sorry about how brutal the tabloids were at you about this whole thing,” Jane said.“It’s okay,” I sipped my coffee. We were sitting outside in the main area outside the studio.The grass was bright green and the sky shone and happy blue above us. But I didn’t feel that way. I missed my children. I missed … Thomas.***“Hey,” Nathan said when I approached the yoga room. A bunch of people were practicing inside it.“Hi,” I said, surpris
(Lydia)The children’s birthday party was being held at the mansion. This was the first time in a long time that the whole family would be gathered together: the twins, Ruby, Jack, Mama, Margaret, Thomas, and I.I had also invited Adam over to the party, seeing as how he had practically raised the children for the first three years of their lives.“Are you excited about turning four?” I asked Miles through the FaceTime screen.“Yes!” he exclaimed, “And because I am four, I will have four cars!”“Four cars?” I raised my brows in surprise.“Yes,” he said, showing me a grin.“Hey,” said Nathan as he walked past, “Did I hear something about a birthday?”I nodded. “Yeah, we’re holding the twins’ birthday party tonight.”“Really?” he said.“Yeah,” I nodded, ‘Would you like to come?”“Of course!” Nathan said.“Mommy,” Miles said through the phone, “Is that Uncle Nathan?”“Yes, love,” I said to him. Behind him, I felt Thomas shift uncomfortably, shaking the camera that he was holding.“Hey, b
(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.