(Lydia)Leaving Thomas behind felt bittersweet. It felt like there were tendrils of hope blooming between us and now there will be distance.I’m scared of that distance bringing something between us again, whether it be my feelings or something outward. When he hugged me, it felt like I could breathe again and I melted in his hold. Alas, I had to leave.Some of the team members and makeup artists were also traveling with us. The director would follow suit the next day while we settled. There were interviews to be done with the entire cast as well including directors and producers. Other than that, I had a lot with Nathan and a few of them with just me as well.They were hoping for a big movie role and I hope I don’t disappoint them because I know I would feel like it was because of me. I didn’t want to ruin their marketing plans but I had some of my own principals as well. They couldn’t expect me to just leave all my morals behind and do a stunt just for the sake of it.A crew member
(Ruby)We stopped at a fast food joint on the way back because I hadn’t eaten breakfast and only now I felt hungry.Jack looked at me amused as I excitedly ordered chicken nuggets along with a spicy chicken sandwich.“You sure you don’t want some fries?” I asked him one more time before ordering only for myself.While we waited for the greasy meal to arrive, I sat across a cozy booth from him and looked at him with a narrow gaze.“What?’ he asked with a laugh.“Have you been eating alright lately?” I asked him, genuinely concerned about the state of his well-being.Over the course of the week during which he had ignored me, Jack’s cheekbones have become more prominent and his stubble remains unshaven when he absolutely hated having a stubble.“Ruby, I’m okay,” he reassured me but I was still not convinced.Silence followed between the two of us. It was odd because previously we could not shut our mouths whenever we were together.After we patched up, it still felt like there was a wal
(Lydia)It felt like the vein in my head would burst from the amount of commotion Clara had caused. The leader of our management team had come over, and more air hosts and hostesses were trying to calm down Clara by bringing her water and asking her to just take a seat so they could see what could be done next.Nathan had somehow been pushed behind all the commotion. By the look on his face, that’s what he’d prefer anyway.This mess would have been avoided if Clara wasn’t present at all. There was something off about the entire situation anyway. Was Clara here as some kind of a replacement for the role I was supposed to play?I was done with all this bother so I stood up from my seat, glad that I only had my purse with me, and loudly announced, “Excuse me, everyone, I can just change seats with Miss Clara, if that’s okay.”Silence resounded in the small space and then the initial air hostess nodded in my direction, “Follow me, ma’am, I’ll take you to your seat.”I picked up my purse a
(Jack)I think I could say that I was officially lost.When I had accepted my mother’s proposition, it felt like I still had some semblance of control over the situation. I hadn’t thought much about the consequences of it all – most of all Ruby’s heartbreak.You have to believe me when I say that I never wanted to hurt her. I wanted to protect her from everything she might face. Who would have thought that one day I would need to protect her from my own actions?I should have refused mother’s offer, but every time I try to think about how that conversation would go, I remember her pleading face as she tried to guilt me into agreeing with her and I just don’t have it in me to experience that.I try calling Ruby, but she doesn’t pick up. I don’t know what to do. A part of me wants to chase after her right this moment and another part of me wants to give her space so she can come to terms with this whole thing.I sit in my car and groan out loud.A notification pops up on my screen and m
(Thomas)I park the car in front of the kids’ preschool and wait for the tell-tale bell to ring, after which the entire area at the front will be filled with kids laughing, screaming, and running.I leaned against my car door and decided to ignore the stares I knew I was getting. Most of the local people know who I am, and if they don’t then they think I look vaguely familiar to a celebrity.Either way, I am used to getting stared at wherever I go. It has been like that since I was very young and my father used to take me to work functions and engagement parties. People used to come up to me and praise me just because they wanted to get into my father’s good graces.I know it worked mostly.The experience has left a lasting impact though, because now whenever anyone tries to compliment me, it makes me feel like they want something from me.Perhaps that’s why Lydia was the one I fell for. She never tries to suck up to me or be nice to me just to get into my good graces. Thinking about
(Lydia)I had to take a painkiller before the plane had even landed in New York City. I could not stop thinking about Clara’s words.Was she misleading me on purpose? Was that why she said what she did?I’m obsessed with you because he’s obsessed with you.The words just kept repeating again and again in my head. I thought about all the possibilities and the only plausible meaning behind her cryptic words was that she was talking about Nathan.However, there was a very glaringly obvious point that I just could not ignore. Clara had lied about me previously as well, in front of the whole world might I add.Could I trust someone who had a penchant for exaggerating? I don’t think so.If I were to explain her motives for lying, then she could have taken such a drastic approach because of the way Nathan was treating her and she was somehow thinking that it was my fault. Perhaps that’s why she lashed out like she did.I don’t know what changed for Nathan to bring her here like this, but it
(Ruby)After I had some time to cool off, I realized that I may have overreacted a bit.I don’t know what came over me but in that moment, after having somewhat of a spat with Jack, I felt like I needed some space.It's evening now and I know Jack called multiple times, but if he really wanted me to talk to him then he could have come here, to my home.There was no sign of him though. I tried not to let this thought consume me as I went about my work while waiting for Lydia to call.Now that I knew that she had been the one to push Jack to tell me the truth, I felt infinitely more grateful to her. Sometimes, all you needed in life to protect you was your older sister.I don’t know how long Jack would have kept it from me if Lydia didn’t give him an ultimatum, or didn’t talk to him knowing I could be watching it all play out and grow suspicious.I didn’t know how to bring up this subject before she left so I just kind of hugged it out with her. Now that I have gone and fought with Jack
(Jack)I clicked my phone shut, pissed off at the sheer amount of notifications that kept bugging me, each one making me think it might be Ruby but every single time I was disappointed.“Got some news you don’t like?” the girl sitting opposite of me said, playing with her straw in her drink as she made eyes at me.I grimaced, “Something like that.”I’m going to be very real when I say that I haven’t the faintest clue what to talk to about the women my mother had set me up with. I already knew about most of them because we grew up in the same social circles, but I never really talked to any of them growing up because most if not all of my attention was given to either Thomas or Amanda.I know these girls only on the surface and to think that mother makes me go with them on a single date as if I would have some kind of epiphany and change my mind about Ruby in a heartbeat was a funny concept if it wouldn’t hurt Ruby’s feelings.This was the reason why I didn’t want her to know in the fi
(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.