(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
(Lydia)I was dropped off at the front of the hotel in half an hour. Roger was following me along and I knew that soon he would have to change his shifts.Nervousness bubbled up in my gut as I realized that the thing I had planned needed to be executed as well.Clara had told me so many things about Nathan, but until I had proof, there was nothing I could do about it, even if I went to the police.It was unfair but that was how the world worked. And someone like Nathan could easily hide behind his worldwide known persona of being Hollywood’s sweetheart.It would be someone like Clara or me who would have to take the brunt of it.Keeping all of this in mind, I still decided that there was no way I was letting Nathan get away with it. He had dared enter my home and watched me like a creep. He was abusive towards Clara and he hid it all behind this persona of a reserved and cheerful person.We went up to my room and as soon as the door was closed behind me, I was ready to get changed int
(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.