(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
(Thomas)I spent the next fifteen minutes weaving through the crowd, calling out Lydia’s name again and again, but it was useless. The music was too loud, the lights too disorienting, and the people were far too absorbed in their own drunken fun to notice me.I scanned every face, and pushed through every group of partiers, but Lydia was nowhere to be found. My heart was racing, the anxiety clawing at me like a feral animal. I couldn’t shake the sickening feeling that something was wrong.I finally made my way to the far end of the mansion, where the music wasn’t as overpowering. The sound was muffled here, and the air felt different. It was calmer for sure but also much more eerie.I stumbled upon a small room, the kind of hidden spot where people went to escape the chaos for a while. The door was half-closed, and as I peered inside, I saw a group of people sitting in a loose circle, playing some sort of game.Laughter spilled from the room, but it was subdued compared to the riotous
(Lydia)Warning: The following chapter contains a depiction of attempted sexual assault, which may be distressing for some readers. Please go right to the next chapter if this topic can upset you.Everything was hazy, like I was underwater and the world around me was a blurry and distant echo. The sounds filtering into my ears felt like they were coming from another dimension, muffled and distorted as if someone had turned the volume down on reality.I could see colors in bright and swirling shades that didn’t make sense, dancing in front of my eyes, refusing to stay still. I tried to focus, tried to make sense of what was happening, but everything felt so far away.I tried to speak, but my tongue felt strange like it was too big for my mouth, thick and useless. I tried to call out for help, tried to form words, but all that came out was a small, pitiful sound. Panic surged through me, but even that felt dull like it was swimming through molasses before it could fully reach my mind.W
(Thomas)I ran up the stairs, my breath ragged and my heart pounding in my chest. Every second felt like it was slipping away from me like I was too late. I couldn’t shake the image of Lydia, vulnerable, alone, possibly in Nathan’s grip. The thought made my stomach turn. I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t.The upper floor of the mansion stretched out in front of me with wide hallways on both sides and the doors lined up like an endless maze.I paused for a split second, feeling a strange tug in my gut, something primal telling me to go left. I didn’t question it. I followed the instinct, veering left and charging down the hallway, throwing open doors as I went.Most of the rooms were empty, though some were locked. I pressed my ear to each locked door, straining to hear any sound or any kind of movement. But there was nothing except for silence. Some of the rooms I opened had small groups of people inside, sitting around in threes or fours, laughing or talking in hushed voices.Th
(Thomas)As I looked down at Lydia’s unconscious form, my chest tightened. I couldn’t leave her like this, not even for a second. Her skin was pale, her breathing shallow, and my heart raced with fear that something worse might happen.I didn’t have my phone to call for help, and every second spent waiting felt like too much. So I did the only thing I could.I scooped her up in my arms, bridal style, as gently as I could and cradled her head against my chest. Her body felt light, almost weightless, but that didn’t ease the sickening knot in my stomach.I couldn’t just leave Nathan’s jacket either. It might have something important, some clue, anything that could be used against him.He was a ghost now, disappeared down those stairs, but I wasn’t going to let him vanish without consequences. I grabbed the jacket, tucking it under my arm as best I could, even though I loathed touching anything that belonged to him.With Lydia in my arms, I headed toward the stairs that Nathan had taken.
(Ruby)The sound of giggles echoed in the living room as I watched Mabel and Miles play on the floor. Their little hands were busy with the blocks I’d given them just minutes ago.They were so full of energy, full of life, that you’d never guess everything they’d been through. I smiled softly, but beneath it, there was a heavy weight in my chest.Lydia had left them behind while she went to L.A., and it wasn’t rare of her to leave them with me, but it was definitely the first time where she was out of the country and I had to look after them.She rarely left them with anyone until Thomas had come along and she trusted him because he was their father.Lydia had always been fiercely protective of her kids but it increased after the kidnapping. The thought of what could have happened to them and what did happen to them... I shook my head, not wanting to dwell on it.I could only imagine how hard it had been for her to walk out the door when leaving for the airport, but I had reassured he
(Margaret)The door felt heavier than usual as I raised my hand to knock on it. Thomas’ office, though rarely used by him anymore, still carried his presence.Once, he had spent nearly all his time here while working, thinking, shutting out the world. But Lydia coming back into his life had changed things.Now, when Thomas wasn’t at his actual office, he was with the children or Lydia. A small mercy, I supposed. At least she had given him that – time with his children, a family, a semblance of normalcy.The children being here at the mansion, running through the halls, filling the air with laughter made things feel less empty. I’d seen the way Thomas smiled when they were near him, the way his eyes softened when he held them. It had been so long since I’d seen him that way, and I couldn’t deny that it did some good to see him happy. Small mercies, indeed.I knocked again, this time hearing a hurried, “Yes?”I opened the door to find Jack in the room, rummaging through the desk like a
(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.