(Thomas)The room was dimly lit, just enough to see the outline of Lydia resting beneath the covers. Her breathing had steadied, a little shallower than usual but calm, as if her body was finally giving in to the rest it so desperately needed.I sat by her side, watching her closely, waiting for any sign of discomfort or unease. Every now and then, she stirred, and I’d gently press the cool cloth to her forehead or offer her another sip of water.The doctor’s words from earlier replayed in my mind like a mantra. He had told me to hydrate her, keep her comfortable, monitor her breathing, and call if anything changes. I’d followed the instructions to the letter, making sure Lydia had everything she needed throughout the night. I wasn’t going to let anything slip, not when her health was at stake. She was my world, and I couldn’t afford to let anything happen to her. Not again.I reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the water glass, gently placing it against her lips. "Just a litt
(Lydia)I woke up feeling like my head was swimming. The world around me felt unfocused and unfamiliar. My eyes fluttered open to the soft light filtering through the curtains of the hotel room. For a moment, I felt a pang of confusion, disoriented by my surroundings. But then I felt the weight of Thomas beside me, his presence grounding me instantly.I exhaled in relief, letting the tension in my body dissolve. Thomas was right there, as solid and steady as ever, lying next to me with his hand resting protectively on my arm. My throat felt scratchy and parched, and I instinctively shifted.He noticed it immediately.“Here,” Thomas said softly, his voice warm and comforting. He grabbed the glass of water from the nightstand and helped me sit up just enough to take a few slow sips. The cool water felt like a balm against the dryness in my throat, and I sighed as the fog in my head began to clear, if only slightly.Once I finished, Thomas set the glass down and sat on the edge of the b
(Thomas)I could feel it, the way Lydia was processing everything. The silence that stretched between us worried me though. She was deep in thought, her brow furrowed slightly, her lips pressed together in the way they always were when something weighed heavily on her. But she wasn’t saying anything.I hated that. I hated that I didn’t know what was running through her mind. I didn’t want what happened to scar her, to leave a mark.I’d seen her shaken before after Nathan had broken into her house. The memory of that night still sat heavy in my chest. I stayed with her afterwards, unable to leave her side. I could still hear her muffled cries, the way she had jolted awake from a nightmare that had ripped through her like a storm.It had pained me then, and it pained me now. I couldn’t stand the thought of her carrying that kind of fear again.“Lydia,” I said softly, shifting closer to her on the bed. Her hand was still in mine, warm but slightly tense. “Talk to me,” I said softly, “Wha
(Lydia)I paced around the hotel room, my feet tracing the same path over and over on the soft carpet, trying to work off the restless energy pulsing through me. The dim lighting from the bedside lamps gave the room an unsettling coziness, like a false comfort in a place I couldn't truly feel at ease.I could hear the steady sound of water rushing into the bathroom where Thomas was taking a shower. He hadn’t been able to stand the sticky, disgusting layer of sweat and grime that had clung to him after the party. I couldn’t blame him. That party was more than filthy in every way imaginable.But I wasn’t just pacing because of that nightmarish party or Thomas’s need to scrub it all off. No, it was because of Nathan. That slimy, arrogant bastard who thought he could get away with everything. How could he be so reckless? Did he honestly believe there would be no consequences? That he could do whatever he wanted and no one would come after him?I stopped by the window and stared out into
(Lydia)As soon as Thomas stepped out of the bathroom, steam trailing behind him, I turned to him, unable to hold back any longer.“I have a plan,” I said, my voice steady even though my heart was racing.Thomas raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing in curiosity as he dried his hair with the towel. He knew me well enough to understand that when I said I had a plan, I meant it. I wasn’t someone who jumped into things half-prepared.“You sure about this?” he asked, but there was no doubt in his tone. It was more like he was already on board but wanted to hear the details before committing completely.I nodded, “I’m not backing down, Thomas. I’ve had enough of Nathan, and it’s time to show him he can’t do this to me, or anyone else.”He didn’t say anything, just sat on the edge of the bed, waiting. That was the thing about Thomas. He was always calm when I needed him to be. Never pushing, just waiting for the right moment to dive in.I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and dialed Josh
(Lydia)Thomas and I sat across from each other in the hotel room, our plans for the next few days forming rapidly in our heads. It was clear that we couldn’t leave L.A. now, not with Nathan’s birthday party in just a few days. This was the opportunity we had been waiting for, and if we left the city, we might miss our only chance to gather the dirt we needed on him.“We’ll stay,” I said, breaking the silence between us, “At least until after the party. We need to see this through.”Thomas nodded, already pulling out his phone, “I’ll let my assistant know. She can move things around and make sure everything else is handled remotely.”I could hear him tapping away at his screen, his voice low as he made the necessary arrangements, but my mind was already elsewhere. I picked up my own phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found Ruby’s number. I hadn’t checked in with her since yesterday, and it was unlike her not to send me updates about the kids.Mabel and Miles. I missed the
(Thomas)When I decided to call Jack, I had a bad feeling gnawing at the back of my mind. Something about this whole situation with Jack’s supposed engagement didn’t sit right with me. It felt like everything was unraveling at once. But if there was anyone who could shed light on what was happening, it was Jack. He was always the one who kept his ear to the ground.As soon as Jack picked up the phone, I cut right to the chase, “Jack, what’s this I’m hearing about an engagement?”There was silence on the other end, and for a moment, I thought the call had dropped. But then I heard a deep, frustrated sigh. Jack wasn’t the type to stay quiet for long, and his silence now was more telling than anything else.“You really want to know?” Jack finally said, his voice low and strained, “Because it’s a mess, Thomas. A complete mess.”I frowned, pacing around the room. Lydia sat on the bed, watching me closely, her own concern evident on her face as I asked, “What do you mean? Just tell me what
(Lydia)I dialed my Mama’s number after Thomas was done talking with Jack. My mind was racing with worry. Ruby had gone silent, and that wasn’t like her. Now I knew what the reason was and I tried reaching her again through texts, calls and everything but there was no response.The lack of response only made my anxiety worse. I needed to know what was going on, not just for my own peace of mind, but to make sure that Ruby was okay.The phone rang twice before I heard my mother’s familiar voice on the other end, “Hello?”“Mama,” I said, my voice coming out a bit too fast, “It’s Lydia. I need to talk to you about Ruby. Do you know what happened?”Mama sighed softly, and even over the phone, I could sense the weariness in her voice, “Oh, Lydia, it’s been a mess here. Ruby came home last night in tears. She packed up her things and told me she was heading over to Adam’s place.”I sat down on the edge of the bed, trying to keep my voice steady when I said, “Did she say why? What happened t
(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