(Thomas)I cannot believe that Lydia was sitting beside me as we both traveled to the mansion where the kids were waiting for us.The entire morning felt like a fever dream.Waking up beside Lydia felt like a privilege I shouldn’t be allowed to have.And then preparing and eating breakfast with her felt like something out of my wildest dreams.An image flashed through my mind. It was of Lydia, standing in the kitchen with a SpongeBob apron on. I don’t know exactly when it had taken place, but I remembered picking her up and twirling her around the kitchen. The surroundings were a bit blurry, what stood out though was that Lydia had the brightest smile on her face that I had ever seen.I vowed to myself that I would see that smile on her face again.My hand on the steering wheel clenched as they wanted to make that happen right at the moment coursed through me. I held myself back because we had decided to keep things cordial for now. However, once she would be back from her tour, I wou
(Lydia)The familiar weight of Thomas’ hand on my thigh felt like it was healing something inside of me.I didn’t speak much after that because it felt like the lump in my throat would burst and I would start sobbing.The years of our separation were some of the hardest years for me. I had lost my partner cruelly. Someone who had told me that they would be there for me in sickness and health suddenly shunning me felt like I had been pierced with a stake directly at the heart.I had missed him dearly in those days.However, what I had missed the most was this. The familiarity that comes between two married people who know each other very well.Like me drowning in guilt and confusion and him placing his hand on my thigh in support and giving me reassuring words with a reassuring smile, knowing that it would make me feel better.It was these little things that I had missed the most during those years.I tried to forget about them. I tried to replace the feeling of emptiness inside of me,
(Ruby)No matter how hard I tried, I just could not focus on work.I had a deadline in my mind, there was a list of locations that I had selected after careful consideration. There was another list of potential names for the boutique.But I just could not work.I don’t think I had ever been this distracted from work even during my most emotionally taxing days.I knew the reason for me feeling like this.Jack.His sudden presence at the house yesterday had not surprised me that much. He did that sometimes, asking me to sneak out because he wanted to see me before going back home.Hence, this time I hadn’t thought much about it either. Until Lydia had seen us. The way she had thundered towards Jack and looked at him with accusatory eyes told me that something was not okay.I knew my sister very well and I also knew that she could not fake an expression for the life of her. Our whole lives, everything she was thinking and feeling was always written all over her face – which meant it wasn
(Jack)I was at lunch with some investors that Thomas was supposed to meet but I could not focus on one word that was coming out of their mouths.I was so utterly distracted by the storm that was my life that work felt like something that I could not prioritize.I had only come to the office today just so I could escape my mother because I knew that if I showed her my face at home, I would be whisked away on another date before I could even think to refuse.The satisfaction of telling mother that her first choice had been thwarted was so amazing that it almost rid me of the headache that I had since my argument with Lydia, however, my heart still felt as heavy as a stone and this feeling won’t go away until I am done with this entire ordeal.I only had about a week to figure out what I wanted to say to Ruby before Lydia told her everything on her own.I wouldn’t let it happen though.I love Ruby, I truly do, and wanting her hurt would be the last thing I would want.I know that just t
(Lydia)There is no better feeling in the world than sleeping in the middle of your children.When I opened my eyes in the morning, I could feel the weight of two people on either side of me. At that moment, I felt like I could conquer the world.Gently, I brushed stray strands out of their eyes and gently rolled them into the middle before leaving the bed, but not before securing the sides with pillows.It was a habit borne out of always making sure neither of them rolled out of bed and injured themselves.Yawning, I opened the door to my room and immediately bumped into Mama.“Wake up early?” I asked her but she shied away from me.My brows furrowed when she kept walking ahead. “Mama?” I questioned, walking after her to stop her with a hand on her shoulder.“Is everything alright?” I questioned.Mama turned and gave me a watery smile, “Lydia? Of course, it’s all fine. You know me and how emotional I am.”There was a smile on her face but it didn’t reach her eyes. Reassuring words we
(Thomas)I picked up the kids and Lydia from their place at around 2 o’clock.After almost a week of missing them, the idea had popped into my head as a way of spending some time as a whole. The want to have my family all together kept me in its grasp for the past few days.I knew I should not get used to this because who knows what would happen during the time Lydia would spend away. She could find someone infinitely better than me and that would be it.However, the way Lydia smiled at me when she took the passenger seat gave me comfort in the fact that I was not alone in feeling this way.“Soooo,” I drawled, looking in the rearview mirror at the kids strapped to their chairs, “Who’s excited to see some real dinosaur bones?!!”Mabel and Miles cheered from the backseat.I knew they would love to visit the museum. One delightful thing about getting to know my children at a stage where they have their own thoughts and interests has been the way I can easily find the similarities between
(Margaret)The house was quiet.It was a weekend, Saturday to be specific, but still, the house was quiet.It didn’t used to be like this.When my husband was still alive, the mansion used to always see people coming and going. There used to be brunches and dinner parties.We even held a ball once.Now, the ballroom so intricately created collected dust because there was no use for it.“Eden,” I stopped a staff member coming out of the kitchen and asked, “Do you know when Jack and Thomas left the mansion?”“Mr. Jack left early in the morning without eating his breakfast and Mr. Thomas left after noon,” Eden replied.I excused her immediately and sat on the living room couch, realizing the fact that none of them had bothered to inform me of their plans.Was I truly such a horrible mother that both of my sons did not even acknowledge my presence while living under the same roof?I didn’t think I had ever done any of them some grave harm. I had only ever wanted the best of the best for t
(Lydia)It felt like things just kept piling over for me.I was worried about Mama, but then Thomas came to the rescue without even knowing and helped me spend a calming day together. By the end of which, I had gotten a call from Nathan.The call was so surprising because I had almost forgotten what we talked about during the dinner. Only when Nathan asked if I had made a decision did it come back to me.To be honest, I wasn’t so sure about this whole thing. If I pretended to flirt or be close to Nathan, that would just put me in more of a spotlight. Did I really want that? Because then it would mean that my family would also be under heavy scrutiny and I did not want that at all.My head hurt just thinking about how I was going to handle the management team and how my reply would affect them.I looked at the time and realized Mama and Ruby must have gotten home by now. I had asked Ruby to accompany Mama to the hospital so that she could have some support.Ruby had been very quiet for
(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.