(Lydia)I’m not going to lie, I really did not want to leave for L.A.I wanted to remain at home, spend time with the kids, and forget about everything that was waiting for me here.But I knew I had work. I knew this was something I was passionate about and I also knew that there was someone who needed my help even when they were not ready to admit it.Throughout the flight, the only thing that had been going through my mind was how to go about helping Clara.I had distracted myself from everything that happened back home that I had completely forgotten about the image of bruises down her arms. Now, they came back to me very vividly and I wanted to get my hands on the person who did that.All fingers led to Nathan and no one else. Only if I was able to make Clara say it, just once would also be enough for me to confirm.When I landed at L.A.X., Thomas had told me that there was a bodyguard waiting for me with my name on a board.Sure enough, at the front of the waiting line, there was
(Lydia)I walked out of the elevator and Roger followed me.Clara had still not said anything but I could feel her footsteps behind us. She had also gotten out of the elevator.As my room came into sight I opened the door with my key, and I had just taken a step inside when there was a thud and a loud wail. I turned around to see that Rogers had pinned Clara to the wall and was holding her into place.Clara tried to wriggle out of his hold but there was no use, he was too strong for her. “Get off me you!” she said, gasping and struggling.My mouth had dropped open at the sight but then I gathered myself again and said, “Roger, let her go. I know her, she’s part of my team.”Roger looked at Clara suspiciously and then back at me, “I don’t remember her face from the file containing the people you are close to or work with.”My brows raised until they were touching my hairline. Just how meticulous was this company?“She’s a new friend, Roger, you can let her go,” I told him, “You should
(Lydia)Clara calmed herself down before she started speaking again.“I don’t know when Nathan got to know you exactly, but I remember he started to go to theaters when he wasn’t interested at all. I think one of his director friends took him there because he seemed interested in starting a theater company and after that, it was like this switch had flipped. He seemed more and more interested in everything to do with some play that I don’t even know.”Dread started to build in my chest the more I heard what she had to say. A sick feeling spread throughout my body, making me want to throw up. I wished I could stop her talking, tell her that I did not need to hear anymore and that I had heard enough, but I knew that wasn’t the option.There was a predator ruling over the hearts of Hollywood and sooner or later, he was going to harm someone irrevocably. We needed to stop him before that happened, not let him roam around freely, acting like he was the sweetest person in the entire world.
(Thomas)“What do you think about it?” I asked Jack who was sitting in front of me in the office.We had met up early in the morning, ready to discuss another idea that I had for the golden jubilee. I wanted to hold a fundraiser at the event dedicated to people who struggled with memory loss. I had a list of causes and non-profit organizations that helped people suffering from memory loss in getting the help they required.There was another cause that I wanted to raise funds for. It was for single mothers and mothers requiring shelter after escaping from domestic violence.“I would be donating my fair share to these causes, of course, but I also wanted to have this fundraiser so other people could know about it as well. I will invite representatives from these organizations and ask them to give speeches of awareness. I think it would be good to do something like this,” I told him.Jack looked at me like I was a saint or something. “You’ve never done anything like this, or at least in
(Thomas)I didn’t know how and when I got to the hospital. My panic made me forget about anything else as I rushed through the parking lot and haphazardly parked the car. I was sure I was taking two parking spots but I didn’t care about anything at that moment.I immediately went into the emergency ward where I knew Miles had been taken in and immediately asked where he was at the reception. I followed a nurse through multiple hallways and rooms until she took me to a single room where Miles was.Tears entered my eyes when I looked at him lying down in the hospital bed looking so tiny and vulnerable. From what I could see, there were hives all along his arms.“Daddy!” Another voice caught my attention and Mabel’s small body collided with my legs. I immediately picked her up and kissed her forehead, “Oh, baby, what are you doing here?”She was wearing a face mask and spoke through it, “I wanted to go with Miles.”There was a teacher standing just outside of the room. She came over to g
(Lydia)I had to face Nathan soon again. I had not gone down for dinner last night and I asked for breakfast to be brought up to my room. Having Rogers with me was honestly amazing.I wasn’t worried about anyone just waltzing up into my room or knocking at my door. I preferred it that way.After having breakfast in my room, I knew that sooner or later I would have to go. We had an interview and a photoshoot scheduled for a magazine at 3 p.m. and if I wanted to be there on time, then I would have to leave now.All the things that Clara had told me came rushing into my mind. I felt nothing but revulsion coursing through me at the thought of everything.I didn’t want to be in his presence but I knew this was a sacrifice that I must make if I wanted to plan for something ahead.I would need to smile at him and talk just like I did previously so that he didn’t catch on that I was suspicious of him.I had not been able to talk to Thomas. I had tried calling him last night but my calls had g
(Thomas)I had asked for Miles to remain at the hospital until all of his hives had gone down and he was no longer in discomfort. I wanted to make sure that he was getting the best care in the world and nothing short of that.I had asked Ruby to take Mabel with her to the mansion and remain there for the time being. She had seemed hesitant but I told her that I would ask my mother not to bother her and I had done exactly that. I didn’t know if she would listen to me but I truly hoped that for her son’s sake, she remained passive for this once.Lydia had been calling me at night but I didn’t have the heart to pick up the call and lie to her. I didn’t want to see her worried sick about Miles and I knew she would be.“Ow,” Miles moaned as the nurse made another prick. He was getting tested for allergies. He also had her blood work done to see whether something came up. We would be receiving the results later on and finally know what had caused such a reaction.In the meantime, the doctor
(Lydia)Throughout the day, I kept thinking about what I should do next. If I kept sitting on all this verbal information then I felt like I would combust one day.I needed to do something about it and I needed to make sure whatever I did gave me some sort of advantage or benefit.As the crew packed up and I waited with Roger for my car to arrive, Nathan came to stand beside me and lightly touched me on my upper arm.It took everything in me not to flinch away from his touch. Plastering a smile on my face, I turned to look at him. “Yeah?” I asked.He raised a questioning brow at me, “Are you coming with the rest of us or are you still eating in your room.”I chuckled, “Still eating in my room. I like to talk to my kids, you know, I’ve been missing them fiercely.”“Oh, yes, how are they?” he asked with a nonchalant look on his face.“They’re good, you know, they’re happy with their dad,” I told him.“And are you happy with their dad?” he asked me. I was taken aback by the question.“Wa
(Ruby)I stood outside Jack’s apartment door, my hand hesitating over the knocker. I shouldn’t be here. I’d already done more than enough, stitched him up, watching him avoid my questions like he always did. But despite every logical reason to stay away, I was here. Because this wasn’t just anyone, it was Jack. The Jack who had once made me laugh so hard I cried, who had shared countless quiet evenings with me in this very apartment. The Jack who, despite all the hurt and chaos, still managed to make my heart skip a beat when I thought of him. I pressed my lips together, pushing the memories aside. This wasn’t about rekindling anything; it was about making sure he was okay. He had shown up at my door injured and vulnerable, and no matter how much time had passed or how complicated things had gotten, I couldn’t ignore that. Taking a deep breath, I knocked. When Jack opened the door, his surprise was clear, though he quickly masked it with that practiced cool demeanor of his.
(Jack)I sat on the edge of my couch, staring at the bandage on my side, frustration boiling just beneath the surface. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. The family doctor had left about an hour ago after re-dressing my wound. He was efficient and professional, as always, and I appreciated the care. But damn it, why hadn’t I thought to call him in the first place? The moment I got injured, my instincts hadn’t pointed me toward practicality or logic. No, instead, I’d ended up at Ruby’s apartment, bloodied and in desperate need of stitches. I didn’t even remember the exact route I’d taken to get there, just that I had. Like my brain had been hardwired to seek her out, even when it made no sense. It embarrassed me now. Ruby had been nothing but calm and steady as she stitched me up, but I could tell how unsettled she was underneath that brave exterior. And I’d put her in that position, dragged her into something she had no business being
(Lydia)The drive back to the mansion felt electric, charged with an energy I couldn’t quite put into words. Thomas’s hand rested on my thigh as he navigated the quiet streets, his fingers brushing gently against my skin. Neither of us said much; the connection between us was palpable without needing words. By the time we reached the house and stepped through the door, it was as if the air around us crackled with anticipation. Ruby had left a note on the counter saying the kids were asleep and she’d see us tomorrow. I smiled, grateful for her support, but my focus was entirely on Thomas. As soon as the door to our bedroom clicked shut behind us, it was like a dam broke. His lips were on mine in an instant, hot and urgent, pulling me into him as if the space between us was unbearable. My hands found their way to his shoulders, then his hair, as I pressed closer, feeling the hard lines of his body against mine. “Lydia,” he murmured, his voice low and thick with desire. I didn’t
(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