(Jack)After talking with mother, I spent some more time at the mansion. Actually, it was because mother wanted me to stay since I had been living at the apartment for more than a week now.According to her, I had lost a substantial amount of weight and had dark circles under my eyes. I had hoped that she would realize that it was because I worried too much and she was the cause of my worries.I had texted Ruby that I would come to visit the house and to wait for me there, but when I went there, Ruby’s Mama opened the door, a weak smile on her features.“She’s not home is she?” I had asked her with a pained smile on my face.She had shaken her head, looking like she wanted to say more but had likely held herself back because Ruby probably told her to do so.Now, sitting in the living room of my empty apartment once again, I tried calling Ruby but there was no reply. All my texts were going unread as well. I had apologized to her for sending her away so harshly, but there was still no
(Ruby)I looked at Adam sitting in front of me as he clicked the call off. I was chewing my nails out at what had just happened.Would Jack be angry at that?Well, he had no right to be.Instead of defending me in front of his mother and being on my side, he childishly sent me away.“I don’t know anymore,” I said shakily, “It feels like I’m losing my mind.”“You’re not,” Adam replied shortly, “You have the right to stand up for yourself and your relationship. If Jack doesn’t accept that and believe that, then I don’t think you guys were a good match at all.”Hearing the words felt like piercing myself with a sharp object. The thing was, I had asked Adam out as a way to escape my own thoughts and to also be realistic after I had told him about every detail.Lydia had been busy today and Mama’s fatigue made her sleep more often than not. I didn’t know who to go to so that I could rant about Jack all I wanted.Adam popped into my mind like a great option. He had been there for us during
(Lydia)It had been another testing morning and afternoon. I had given my first sets of interviews and most of them went smoothly. I got asked to talk about movies and my inspirations in acting and I was to follow through with well thought out answers.I did my homework on the interviewers as well and realized they asked a familiar set of questions with most actors they interviewed. I’m not going to lie, doing so helped me a lot even though I had to lose a few hours of sleep at night.The busy schedule had kept me thinking about anything or thinking much at all. I preferred it that way because sooner rather than later, my thoughts would make me spiral.I was noticing every single person and how they acted around me then comparing it to Nathan. There wasn’t much of a difference though, but what bugged me was that everyone else treated me uniformly, while with Nathan it felt like we were buddies one moment and then almost strangers the next.This up and down was making me feel confused
(Lydia)The ice cream tastes flavorless in my mouth. Now that I was here anyway, there was no point in trying to get out of it. The photographers had probably gotten a great shot of Nathan kissing my forehead and were well on their way now to publish whatever drivel they wanted to.I looked across from me at Nathan suspiciously.“Did you plan this?” I asked him outright. I wasn’t scared of him because I had faced a lot worse than the likes of Nathan who merely wanted attention.He looked back at me in shock. “No, how could you even say that?”“Well,” I drawled, sitting back, “You’re not exactly sad that your girlfriend did not make it here. I did instead.”Nathan scoffed, “What girlfriend?”I was taken aback. “The one at your arm for the past like three days?” I said, looking at him like he had lost his mind.“Clara is not my girlfriend,” he stated seriously, “She was just a last-minute addition.”Last minute addition? Who talked about anyone like that?Clara might be a lot but she wa
(Thomas)If someone told me I would once again be nervous about going to school again I would laugh in their faces but as I stood in front of the mirror, ready to take Mabel and Miles to their preschool, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.Today was parent’s day and I was about to accompany my kids to their school, something I wouldn’t have thought possible a year ago.I wanted to scream and shout from happiness that I felt flowing inside of me.I remembered Lydia’s expression when I told her last night how the kids had asked me to come to their school. At first, I was hesitant because I didn’t want her to feel left out, but I really wanted to share my happiness with someone, so I shared the news.***Lydia was telling me about something funny that occurred during one of her interviews. I could still see that she was bothered by something but as she said, she would tell me when the time was right and I trusted her wholeheartedly.When she fell silent, I took this as my chance.“Hey, Lyd
(Jack)Once again, I was standing in front of Ruby’s house.There was no car in the driveway and I knew if I went up to knock on the door, Ruby would not answer.She had been ignoring my calls, messages and voicemails for two days now.I was spiraling. I had gone out with Amanda and her friends to a club and got smashed pretty much as soon as we got there. I don’t even remember the rest of the night.My phone started ringing. It was Adrian, my assistant.I picked it up and said, “It’s my lunch break, Adrian.”Adrian cleared his throat, “Yes, sir, and that is very well, but the meeting of the board of directors just got rescheduled and it’s by 3 pm today. The topic of discussion is the upcoming golden jubilee of the company.”“Ah,” I whispered. It had completely slipped my mind. Since Thomas was busy these days, it had become my responsibility to handle all the celebrations for the company celebrating its 50th year.This company was started by our grandfather and it reached its peak wh
(Lydia)It was the last day of promotions in New York before I would be going back home for the weekend. I was so glad that I had made the decision to return.It’s not like I was missing anything. It would just be a couple of red carpets and those were not the priority in my life. Josh moaned about the fact that he would have loved to style me for a few red carpets, but I confidently told him that he would have the chance to do that later.I was sitting in the lobby of the hotel when I saw a flash of blonde in my peripheral vision. The figure that had caught my attention was covered from head to toe, even wearing gloves, a hat, and a pair of dark glasses.But I knew the gait. It was a model’s gate and there was only a model with that height and hair that I knew about. I checked my watch to see that there was still time before I had to leave, so I got up from my chair and tried to follow the figure as conspicuously as possible.Clara did not take the elevators, instead she entered the
(Margaret)Charlotte and I had been friends for a long time.We met up in university and met our husbands who were also best friends.The two of our families were very close growing up and once upon a time, we had dreamt about how our children would get married and we would go from friends to finally being one family.I cannot believe that our thoughts almost became reality when Jack started to date her daughter, Amanda.I was over the moon at that time but I never let it show because I knew how much it meant that my sons made their own decision because soon they would have to take over their father’s company.Tragedy had struck though, making the two of them separate, so when I saw that Amanda was back in town, I did not waste the opportunity to meet her.If there was anyone who could change Jack’s mind, it was his first love because no matter what, boys always remember their first love.It was a plus that Amanda was a lovely girl full of drive and came from a family of good standing
(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.