(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)I didn’t know what to wear to my dinner with Nathan.I had asked him to meet up on the same day because I wanted to spend the rest of the time with my kids before I left for the tour.I had already informed Thomas that I would be picking them up tomorrow after school and then they would be living with me until the day I depart.Just the thought of leaving them was making my heart heavy. I don't know what I would do once the time for me to leave actually comes.I rummaged through my closet in frustration and then sat on my bed which was filled with all kinds of clothing. Only after driving myself crazy did I think about the fact that I was thinking too hard about this dinner.This was just a casual meet-up between two coworkers, hence, that meant that I didn’t have to dress so formally.Just then my phone pinged with a notification and I realized that it was Nathan providing me details on the meet-up.He had planned to meet up at a posh steakhouse, which meant that I definitely
(Lydia)When I woke up in the morning, I felt completely refreshed. Today was special. Thomas and I had a date planned, just the two of us. It had been far too long since we’d had an evening to ourselves, and the thought of spending uninterrupted time with him filled me with excitement. Thomas was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed as he adjusted his tie. His usual morning routine was precise, and I admired how calm and collected he looked, even when I knew his day would be busy. “Good morning,” I murmured, leaning up on my elbows. He turned, smiling warmly, “Good morning, love. Sleep well?” I nodded, sliding closer to him, “You’re leaving early today.” “Lots to do before tonight,” he said with a wink. I couldn’t help but smile at the playful glint in his eyes. Recently, he had been waking up looking like he didn’t get much sleep the night before. But today, he looked like he rested well. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kissed him passionately, savoring the
(Thomas)The drive back to the mansion was quiet, the city lights a blur as they passed by the windows. My mind replayed the events of the day, the chaos with that one candidate, the interviews that went nowhere, and then Jack. That wound, the tension in his voice, the possibility of Marco being involved, it all left a sour taste in my mouth. But I pushed it aside for now. I didn’t want to bring that storm home with me.By the time I pulled into the driveway, the mansion was bathed in soft light, welcoming and warm. I exhaled deeply, the weight of the day slowly lifting as I reminded myself of what mattered most, my family.Inside, the familiar sounds of home greeted me. Miles and Mabel’s laughter echoed from the living room, where they were playing with a set of blocks. Lydia sat nearby, her eyes flicking between them and her phone. When she looked up and saw me, her face brightened in a way that made the tension in my chest ease instantly.“Daddy!” Miles and Mabel shouted in unison
(Thomas)The hallways of the office were unusually quiet as I left the disaster of the last interview behind me. My steps echoed faintly as I made my way toward Jack’s office, needing a moment to vent about the absurdity of the day. Jack always had a way of grounding me, even when the world felt like it was spiraling out of control.But when I arrived at his office, it was empty. The blinds were drawn, the desk cleared except for a mug of cold coffee. I frowned, pulling out my phone to call him.He picked up after a few rings. His voice was low and somewhat strained when he spoke, “Thomas?”“Jack,” I said, glancing at my watch, “Where are you? I just came by your office.”“I’m at my apartment,” he replied, his tone clipped. “At your apartment?” I repeated, my frown deepening, “It’s the middle of the day, Jack. What’s going on?”There was a pause, long enough to make me suspicious. “I had to step out for a bit,” he finally said, “I’ll be back soon.”“Jack-”“Thomas, I’m fine,” he int
(Lydia)As we pulled into the driveway of the mansion, I couldn’t help but glance at Ruby in the passenger seat. Her face was calm, her usual cool composure firmly in place, but I could tell she was exhausted. Whatever had happened earlier was still playing in the back of my mind, but I didn’t press her further. Ruby had always been good at deflecting, and I knew better than to push when she wasn’t ready to share. The front door opened before we even reached it, and there stood Mama, smiling weakly but genuinely. She leaned on her cane, her movements slower since the surgery, but her spirit was intact. Ruby was by her side in a flash, steadying her and guiding her gently back into the living room. “Ruby, you didn’t have to come all the way here if the boutique was busy,” Mama said softly, though her eyes betrayed how much she appreciated the gesture. “I wanted to,” Ruby replied simply, her voice steady, “And you know me, I don’t trust anyone else to make sure you’re properly ta
(Thomas)The office felt unusually stifling today, as if the walls were closing in on me. My desk was piled with documents, but my attention was split. Half of my mind churned through what would happen when I met Nathan again.I had not seen him face to face since the last time, the night I found Lydia after he had kidnapped her. My blood boiled just thinking about that moment. I would have made a rash decision if it wasn’t for Lydia’s hand in mind and the thought of our kids, their smiling faces flashing through my mind.They had already spent so much time without me, their dad, I wasn’t going to make a horrible decision by harming Nathan and landing myself behind bars.I was glad that I hadn’t acted out of emotion, but that was also due to the fact that Lydia was right in front of me, looking relatively unharmed. If he had done something to her…then I would have taken it into my hands.Apart from this, there was also the added stress of finding another personal assistant for myself.
(Lydia)By the time I reached Ruby’s apartment, I could hardly breathe. My legs burned from climbing the stairs two at a time, but I didn’t care. My mind was racing, filled with every worst-case scenario I could imagine. Ruby’s phone going unanswered and her not showing up at the mansion had sent my thoughts spiraling into dark territory.I pounded on her door, my fist landing hard against the wood.“Ruby? Open up! It’s me!”The hallway was eerily silent, my frantic knocks echoing off the walls. I pressed my ear to the door, hoping to catch even the faintest sound of movement inside.“Ruby, please! Are you okay?”The seconds stretched unbearably. Then, finally, I heard the muffled shuffle of footsteps. Relief surged through me, but it was fleeting.The door opened just a crack, and Ruby appeared, peeking through the gap. Her face was calm, but her eyes held a flicker of something…annoyance? Discomfort?“Lydia,” she said, her voice carefully even, “What are you doing here?”I pushed th
(Lydia)I spent the car ride back home in relative silence, my thoughts consumed by everything that had happened in the past few months. The whirlwind of Nathan’s threats, Jack’s complicated relationship with Ruby, and Mama’s illness. It felt like I was constantly running a marathon with no finish line in sight.Now, as I crossed the threshold into the house, a surge of relief washed over me. At least for a few hours, I could breathe.My speech in the Assembly Hall had been well-received and I was grateful for that. What I had done was a long time coming because I had been worried about Mabel and Miles’ school for quite some time. Ever since they came home one day and told me what the kids were talking about, I had a thought in the back of my mind that this was going to be a problem moving forwards. And it was.Well, I hope all of that was settled now. As I walked into the living room, I saw Mama sitting in a recliner, bundled in a blanket despite the warmth of the room.“Back alread
(Ruby)I left the boutique in the afternoon to go to my apartment. I had some chores to do and I knew the apartment was probably a mess. When I reached there, I immediately started to do laundry. It took time, but I got it done just in time.As I folded the last of the laundry, I couldn’t help but think about what to eat since I’d planned to grab a quick bite before heading to the mansion to look after Mama. One of my workers was closing the boutique for me today, a rare reprieve I desperately needed. I had just gathered my things when a knock at the door startled me. I paused, glancing at the clock. I wasn’t expecting anyone. Peering through the peephole, I saw nothing but the empty corridor. My first thought was that it might be another bouquet. Curiosity got the better of me, and I opened the door. What I saw made me gasp so loudly I nearly dropped my bag. “Jack!” He was on his knees, his face pale and sweaty, twisted in pain. Blood stained his shirt and pants, and his han
(Jack)The tension had been building inside me all morning, a storm of frustration and unanswered questions I couldn’t shake. Thomas’s decision to meet with Nathan still gnawed at me. It wasn’t just the secrecy of it, though that alone was bad enough, it was the recklessness. The risk. But as much as that boiled my blood, there was another matter weighing heavily on my mind, and this one had a name: Marco.By midday, I’d had enough. I wasn’t going to get anything productive done sitting in my office, stewing over things I couldn’t control. I grabbed my jacket, told my assistant I’d be out for the rest of the day, and headed for Amanda’s apartment. If anyone could give me answers about Marco, it was her. When I reached her apartment, Amanda opened the door, her eyes widening slightly in surprise as she asked, “Jack? What are you doing here?” “We need to talk,” I said, stepping inside before she could protest. She frowned but didn’t argue, closing the door behind me. Her apartme