(Thomas)When I saw Nathan standing in the doorway of our hotel room, my first instinct was to slam the door in his face. The sight of him, leaning casually against the frame like he owned the place, set every nerve in my body on edge.He had an infuriating smirk on his face that most people would see as a reserved smile. But I could read every expression on his face. He really thought he had the best of us, and we didn’t have any idea of what kind of person he was.Oh, how wrong you thought Nathan. Because we knew exactly who he was and what he was capable of. His presence well and truly pissed me off but I couldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he pissed me off.Not here. Not now.I clenched my jaw, keeping my voice steady as I asked, “Nathan, what are you doing here?”He didn’t bother answering right away. His gaze flicked to Lydia, who was standing behind me, and then back to me. That smile of his grew wider like he was enjoying some private joke at our expense. Wi
(Thomas)After Nathan left, Lydia and I moved quickly to get ready for the party. I couldn’t believe we were actually doing this, heading straight into a situation Nathan had orchestrated, but we needed to get that USB.I don’t know what was in it but if the information stored in it was incriminating and we got a hold of it, then that would give us the reason to go to the higher authorities.I could see the tension in Lydia’s face as she got dressed, and I knew she was just as on edge as I was.The plan was risky, no question about it. But this was the opportunity we’d been waiting for, and I wasn’t about to let it slip through our fingers.Once we were ready, I sent a quick message to Roger and Gerard, our two bodyguards, whom I trusted a lot. Both of them were former military, sharp and reliable. They weren’t just muscle, they also knew how to read a situation, and right now, I needed their eyes on everything.We left the hotel and made our way to the address Nathan had shared. The
(Lydia)The moment we stepped into the mansion, everything got a bit too overwhelming. The music was blaring, so loud that it felt like it was vibrating through my entire body.The flashing lights cut through the dark, casting fleeting shadows over a crowd of people moving in unison, lost in the pounding rhythm of the bass. The air was thick with sweat and perfume, a heady, overwhelming mix that made it hard to breathe.Thomas kept his hand firmly on my back as he guided me through the crowd. People danced around us, their bodies grinding against each other, oblivious to anything but the music and the moment. The space was provocatively decorated. It was minimalistic, with barely any furniture save for a few chairs scattered in the corners.The entire room seemed designed for chaos, for movement, and I felt myself becoming disoriented as the lights flashed in my eyes and the music pulsed relentlessly.My hand tightened on Thomas’s arm as we weaved through the crowd, his steady presenc
(Thomas)I made my way through the crowd toward the bar, walking around the clusters of people dancing and drinking under the flashing lights.It was too loud to think and the music was pounding relentlessly in my ears, but my focus was on one thing, which was getting the drinks and going back to Lydia. I could tell she was nervous when I left her, and I didn’t want to leave her alone for long.As I reached the bar, I ordered our favorite drinks. It was almost instinctual, her favorite drink, a gin and tonic with a twist of lime, and mine, an old fashioned. The memory came back to me in another flash of me ordering the same thing, many, many times before. I remembered the details and it felt strange, the familiarity of something as simple as a drink order amidst the chaos of this party.I leaned against the counter, glancing around while I waited for the drinks. The bar area was just as packed as the rest of the mansion. People were crowding around, some laughing and others clearly in
(Lydia)I kept my smile fixed on my face, letting Nathan stand near me. I had to do this because we had a goal and I needed to do everything in my power to get it done.Every second I spent in Nathan’s presence made my skin crawl. The weight of everything I knew hung over me like a heavy cloud, thickening the air between us.Clara’s words echoed in my head, louder now than ever. How he could charm anyone with a smile and his easy going nature, but underneath it all, there was something else. Something darker.Clara hadn’t held anything back. She told me how possessive Nathan could get, how he crossed lines that normal people wouldn’t dream of crossing. The image of the two of them sitting together entered my mind again and I had the sudden urge to recoil away from Nathan.He was so close that I could smell his breath that was hitting the side of my neck in hot puffs.Nathan had been stalking me for who knows how long. He had broken into my home and yet, here I was, standing next to hi
(Thomas)I pushed through the crowd, my heart pounding in my chest, but Lydia was nowhere in sight. She couldn’t have gone far. Just minutes ago, I had left her at the edge of the dance floor, telling her I’d be back after grabbing us drinks.It was so crowded that it was difficult to breathe. People were packed in together like it wasn’t a big deal for them to be in a room this stuffy. I know most of them were probably intoxicated on more than just drinks. I didn’t care about all that though, I only wanted to get to Lydia before anything could happen to her.I called her name, "Lydia!" but the sound was swallowed by the pounding bass and flashing lights. I knew it was no use but I couldn’t help but cry out for her. All around me, people were laughing, spinning, and dancing, oblivious to the knot of anxiety tightening in my gut.I elbowed my way through, scanning faces, hoping she was just blending into the crowd. Maybe she was having fun, dancing with some friends she bumped into. Bu
(Lydia)The room buzzed with low chatter and bursts of laughter, but I couldn’t focus on any of it. I sat there, surrounded by Nathan and his friends, feeling like an outsider despite the circle of people closing in around me.From the way they joked and leaned into each other’s words, it was clear they had known each other for a long time. Their comfort with each other was palpable, yet it unsettled me.What did they really know about Nathan? Did they know what kind of man he was, the manipulative, deceitful monster hiding beneath his charming facade? Or were they just as blind to it as I had been at first?Maybe, like Clara, they were trapped in his web, each of them tangled in different ways, each of them tolerating his bullshit because they didn’t know how to escape. Or worse, maybe they were just like him, a circle of people who shared his darkness.I shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the others as they continued with their small talk. One of them, a tall guy with a sleeve of ta
(Lydia)Utter silence followed my words as everyone blinked at me. And then as if synchronized, everyone started screaming, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” at the top of their lungs.The noise around me was deafening, the chant reverberated in the room like the pounding of a drum. The cacophony of noises made my head swim until I didn’t know what to do. My throat tightened, a lump forming so large I could barely swallow. I shook my head, unable to speak, unwilling to do what they were asking. No. I couldn’t do this. Not with him.Nathan’s eyes were on me too, gleaming with something cold, calculated, hidden beneath a mask of charm. He didn’t say anything, just leaned back slightly, watching as his friends screamed louder, egging me on like I was a piece of entertainment.I swung my head around, to see whether there was at least one person who would be at my side, but no one stood out.I shook my head again, more firmly this time. "No," I managed to croak out, but my voice was drowned out by the n
(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.