(Thomas)“Is there anything else that needs my attention?” I asked Robert, my executive assistant.“No, sir, not today. You do have lunch tomorrow with the executives of a start-up, I believe,” he said, sliding the glasses up his nose as he concentrated on my schedule.“Cancel it. I have lunch with the kids tomorrow,” I told him, getting up and fixing my dress shirt.“Isn’t that today, sir?” he said hesitantly.“Well, it's tomorrow as well,” I replied to him, “rescheduled the lunch for next week.”“Very well, sir,” he nodded dutifully.“I really do appreciate you, Robert. You know that, right?” I tell him with a sheepish smile.Robert chuckled, “Yes, sir.”Robert truly has been a big help. I file it in my mind to give him a bonus at year-end because he truly has been a big help in managing the tasks in times when I have been distracted.Now that things were moving forward, my full concentration was on work. Although I can always cancel lunches to focus on my kids.I have missed so man
(Lydia)I left Thomas standing there with a beautiful bouquet of daffodils in his hand.I felt bad but I had also just come to the decision that I would take some time to gather my own thoughts before letting Thomas in again once and for all.But then again, does Thomas want that at all?The flowers were a nice gesture, and I really appreciated it, but when I told him that I would be leaving, he was enthusiastic about that. He did not seem sad at the prospect of me leaving.Was I perhaps thinking about it too much?Maybe he was happy about this new experience I was going to have and was utterly devastated at the thought of being away from me yet, still put a smile on his face to make it seem like everything was okay.My head hurt by thinking of all these things as I climbed up the steps in the mansion. I didn’t see the kids downstairs so they must be in their room with Margaret.I knocked lightly on the door before popping my head in to see that Margaret had put them to bed and was no
(Adeline)The oncology ward was as depressing as ever.There were people my age, but there were also the young ones; the teenagers with a hopeful future snatched from them like a rug and the children who should be running around but were now sitting in their wheelchairs, slumped.They had learned about the horrible side of life even before knowing what life truly meant.My heart hurts for all of them. I wish I could do something to make their disease vanish, but I was not a doctor, nor a researcher.At this stage of my life, I wished I had led a better life than I had but what was the point of crying over spilled milk?Today was my monthly appointment where the doctor told me all about how the cancer was shrinking after a month of chemotherapy. Until now, the results were exceptional and I hoped that it was the case now as well.I did not want to bother any of my daughters because they had their own things to worry about. Lydia was busy with making preparations for the tour and Ruby w
(Lydia)I was driving my car, on my way back home when my phone started ringing. I ignored it because ever since the last accident, I have made it a mission that whenever I am in a car, either if I’m alone or with anyone else, I will not pick up any calls or do anything that would require my attention to be diverted from the road ahead.I know previous accidents weren’t because of my fault, but being extra cautious would hurt no one.The phone stopped ringing, causing me to relax once more but just as it had stopped, the call started coming again. My shoulders tensed and worry started to settle in my gut.Was it the kids? Has something happened to them? Or perhaps Thomas?My heart started beating rapidly and I immediately opened my indicator light to park the car to the side. While I found a good spot to park at the side of the road, the phone had turned off and started ringing again.Once I finally managed to park the car, I picked up my phone from the passenger seat to see that Ruby
(Jack)I never had any trouble buying things but as I stared back at the cases upon cases filled with rings of different sizes and designs, I didn’t know what to do.“Mr. Lombardi, is there anything to your liking?” the store manager asked.I was at Tiffany & Co. and the staff had kindly shut the entire store for me, just for privacy as I tried to think about what kind of ring I should buy for Ruby.I wanted to propose to her for a while now and was just waiting to see what my mother thought about her. Mother's attitude at the twins' birthday had made my fears settle down. She was nice to Lydia, Ruby, and their mother.Perhaps it was too soon to make a decision like this, but I wanted to marry Ruby. I wanted to start a life of my own and also have beautiful children like my own brother.I never imagined to find someone like Ruby and now that I have, I don’t want to lose her.I spared another look at the case in front of me filled with opulent and showy crystals atop golden and silver
(Lydia)I woke up early today even though it wasn’t me who had to drop off the kids at school. I had left them at Thomas’ yesterday and came home in a panic after Ruby had called.The rest of the day was spent cuddling together with Ruby and Mama. We had watched a couple of movies and ordered in because we were just too lazy to get up and make something.It felt nice to just lie down with my family and do nothing. I did not have many chances to do that recently.I had also called Jonathan Nilson to let him know that I would be joining him for the tour. He was happy that I decided to come and immediately called a meeting of the cast members to discuss our schedules.Apart from Nathan Andrews, there were a couple more B-star actors who had a lot of fan-following. As for me, I don’t think I had any fans, however, the media had surely been interested in the kids because of everything that went down.I don’t know how, but Thomas took care of the people who were following the twins around a
(Jack)When I walked into the living room, a bit late in the morning, my mother was sitting quite stiffly in the living room.“What’s up, mother?” I asked, pressing a kiss to her cheeks as I waited for our cook to prepare some breakfast for me.Mother did not say anything and instead, turned to face me and just stared.“What?” I asked again, my suspicions rising.Quietly, she slid her phone towards me. Confused, I picked up the phone to see what had made her so weird early in the morning.What I saw left me a bit slack-jawed.It was a picture of me leaving the Tiffany & Co. store and then getting into my car. I pressed my lips together and returned the phone.“So?” I asked her with my rows raised, “I know you want to say something, just tell me what it is.”“Who is she?” my mother asked, her lips trembling.I looked at her with a sardonic smile on my face, “Don’t act like you don’t know already. It’s Ruby, who else would it be?”She bit her lips for a while and then said, “I didn’t kn
(Ruby)I was in my room, preparing one of the pieces for the boutique I had hopes of opening soon when there was a knock on my door.“Come in!” I shouted. The door opened to reveal Lydia with a look in her eyes that I did not quite catch.“What is it?” I asked her, returning back to my work because I should have been starting on another piece today but yesterday we had spent lazing off and now I was behind my set time of finishing the piece.“You’re not too busy are you?” Lydia asked sheepishly as she came to sit on the bed beside me.“No,” I told her, then looked at her suspiciously, “Why have you suddenly started to grin so weirdly?”“I have something to show you,” she whispered, darting her eyes to the door. I know mother had come back from her chemo and was resting in her bed, so what had Lydia almost vibrating?“Did Thomas ask you to be his again?” I asked teasingly and received a smack on my head in return.“No!” Lydia said almost in a panic.“Chill, I was only joking,” I told h
(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.