(Lydia)Thomas was waiting for me by the entrance to the mansion. I could tell just by his face that he looked nervous.Good.That was how he should feel exactly.I didn’t know if it was stupidity or what, but he really should have told me what happened.As soon as the car came to a stop, I jumped out of it and sprinted towards Thomas.“How could you?” I told him, coming to a stop in front of him, “You know what those children mean to me, so how could you?”I shook my head not waiting for any answer and passed him to get into the mansion. I ran up the stairs two at a time and was out of breath when I reached the children’s room. It was early in the morning and both of them were fast asleep in their respective beds.My heart filled with warmth when I saw them. It felt like the rest of the weight from my chest had been lifted.I walked towards Mabel and pressed a kiss to her forehead gently before cautiously moving towards Miles. I carefully kneeled beside his bed and pressed a kiss to
(Thomas)I watched Lydia as she came to a decision wordlessly. There was a steely look in her eyes when she said, “I think I know who broke into my home.”My mouth fell open at the insinuation. “What? How do you know that?” I asked, getting closer to put my hands on her upper arms, “Are you okay? Did the stalker attack you or seek you out? Did you see him again?”Lydia took a deep breath and shook her head, “No, he didn’t seek me out, but I know someone and it’s highly plausible that it’s them.”“Who is it?” I asked her.She sighed, her shoulders slumping before she said, “I have reason to believe that it’s Nathan.”I didn’t know what to say to that. A muted kind of horror entered my body and all I could do was blink.The man who had been working so closely with Lydia could be the one who broke into her home.That man was there on our children’s birthday. We had allowed him to be at our place, inside of our home in the vicinity of our children.“How can you be sure it was him?” I aske
(Lydia)I held onto Thomas for as long as I could. We had been standing at the balcony for quite a while now but I needed this moment of respite after getting this heavy burden off of my chest.I burrowed my face into Thomas’ neck and breathed in his scent, trying to bury it into my brain because this was the scent that made me feel the safest in the world. There was nowhere else and no one else with whom I felt more secure than I do at the moment.“Thank you,” I murmured as I nosed along his neck and then the angle of his job, “I don’t know what I would do without you in my life.”Thomas chuckled against my hair, “You are very brave, Lydia. So I’m sure you would have already figured something out.”Despite feeling all sorts of emotions, I laughed out loud at his words. “You give me too much credit, my love.”The endearment slipped off my tongue before I even realized it. I blushed when I remembered this was what I used to call him when we were all lovey-dovey.I didn’t mean to say it
(Thomas)I didn’t want to make it seem like I was disappointed, but the news of Lydia not being able to attend the golden jubilee was disappointing.I was planning to ask her to marry me after the event and now, she would not even be here.After the plethora of emotions we felt, I took the news in stride because I didn’t want to burden her any further than she already was. I had made her a delicious breakfast of eggs and sausage and eaten with her until the children had woken up.Miles had been all sunshine and smiles, happy to see his Mommy back home. Mabel was right there with him. The two of them had not left her sight even as I was leaving for the office for the day.I had to take a two-day off because of Miles and work was piling up for me.I left the car in the parking lot and waited for the elevator while checking up on updates and emails.One of them was from Mabel and Miles’ preschool letting me know that there was a meeting they were holding tomorrow to discuss Miles’ case.
(Thomas)Barely a minute later, Jack was entering my office. He took a seat in front of me and asked, “What is it?”Actually, I had no idea where to even start from. I contemplated it for a moment before I blurted out, “I have decided to go to L.A. with Lydia for this red carpet event.”He raised his brows at me. “What about the proposal? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of doing it in L.A.?”Well, that is a nice thought but I decided to postpone it until we were out of this situation.I shook my head, “I’m not proposing right now. Will you hold onto the ring for me? For now, at least, it’s getting delivered tomorrow, correct?”He nodded, “It’s going to get delivered to my apartment,” then looked at me questioningly, “Did you call me here just for that?”I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose before saying, “I need you and Ruby at the mansion. I know you guys would rather maintain your distance from mother, but Lydia and I will be out of the city and I need to make sure that both of th
(Jack)I left Thomas’ office but my thoughts were muddled by what he said.Initially, I really didn’t think much of it because Amanda had come back into my life so seamlessly. She was not a stranger, she could never be a stranger to me because I spent years knowing her.The friendship between us had always flowed so easily and I never thought to look at it in this way.Amanda had re-introduced to me the act of going out with friends and having fun. I was so engrossed with work that I forgot people my age still went out to party.Then I got together with Ruby and the time I wasn’t working was spent with her instead.When everything was happening, I found Amanda and her friends to be like a breath of fresh air.But maybe Ruby never felt that way.I had taken her to a club with Amanda and her friends. Ruby had sat off in the corner, sipping on her drink while everyone shouted, laughed, and drank to their heart’s content.On the way back, I asked her if she enjoyed the party or not and sh
(Ruby)I just felt so tired of how things were going, especially in my personal life.It felt like my life was turned upside down and while everyone seemed to settle into this new routine, it felt especially difficult for me.I had to take everything I was working on and shift it to Jack’s place.It didn’t take one day. I had to take several trips to and from the house while work was being done. The cameras were all set and now the windows were being changed.It would take another week or two for everything to go back to the way it was.I had enough of Jack’s apartment and I knew Lydia was tired from the journey and spending time with the kids so I had just got up and left the apartment. It felt too big without Jack there and from what I knew of his schedule, it was likely that he was going out with his friends again.Thinking about his friends made my heart pinch. I had not lived or led a privileged life. Jack had and so had his friends. I know these things don’t mean much in the gra
(Ruby)I kept hyping myself up the entire way to the apartment so that I wouldn’t chicken out when it came time to talk to Jack.I didn’t want to cower away from any kind of conversation because this was Jack, the one whom I shared everything with.These doubts had been swimming in my head for more than a week now and my inability to share them was causing the distance between us to grow even more.I wanted to hold onto him tighter but if we keep ignoring the elephant in the room, how would I be able to do that?When I finally reached the apartment, it was quiet though I knew he must be home because he had canceled the plan to hang out.When I entered the living room and rounded the couch, I saw Jack’s prone body on the sofa. It looked like he slept right after he came back from the office. He was still wearing the clothes he had left the house in even though the first thing he did after coming back from the office was to change his clothes.I smiled slightly and walked over to him. J
(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.