(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
(Lydia)After my conversation with Mama, I couldn’t shake the sense of urgency. Things needed to happen fast, and for that to happen, I couldn’t just sit around waiting for a miracle. I needed allies. I needed people who were part of the industry, people who might know what was really going on behind closed doors. I could no longer afford to keep the circle small.Two names immediately came to mind. The first was Jenna Clairfield, the actress who had cornered me backstage after the award ceremony. Something about her words had stuck with me. She had spoken with such venom about Nathan, a former co-star of hers, in a way that went far beyond mere professional rivalry. Jenna had sounded almost…terrified. Nathan must have done something to her for her to speak like that. The second person I thought of was Naomi Sanders. I hadn’t had much interaction with her, but she was the pink-highlights girl who had helped Thomas find me. She could have kept her mouth shut like so many others, but
(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.