(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)Today marked two months since I last saw Thomas, my husband. My heart raced as I remembered the harsh words he’d flung at me the last time he stormed out.“I wish I never met you.”Those searing words had been endlessly echoing in my mind since that dreadful day.The shrill ring of the phone jolted me from my painful reverie. I glanced at the caller ID and my breath caught. It was Thomas. With trembling fingers, I answered. “H-hello?”“Lydia.” His voice was flat, devoid of emotion. “I'm coming home today.”Home. Was this house still home if he was not here? Despite the anger and hurt brewing inside me, part of me dared to feel a glimmer of hope.“You’re...coming back?”“For now,” he replied curtly. “We need to sort some things out regarding the divorce.”My heart sank at the d-word. Divorce. The gaping wound in my heart reopened, fresh pain seeping through. “But Thomas, I—”“I'll see you later today.” His tone was flat and withdrawn, the way it had been ever since I lost him t
(Lydia)Tears spilled down my cheeks unbidden as I watched him walk away, arm-in-arm with the woman who stole him from me.My heart was broken. I was left to pick up the shattered pieces of my once blissful life. My husband was a soulless stranger, the other half of my heart irretrievably lost. I could only pray that one day, the gaping wound he left will begin to heal over.Until then, I would go through the motions, forcing myself to move forward into a harsh new reality.A cold, unrelenting world where the warmth of Thomas's embrace was but a distant, rapidly fading memory.***“Albert, no!” my mother had screamed as my father hurled a fist into her eye. She had been screaming and crying. And is that the house that I had grown up in. My little sister, Ruby, would hide behind me. I would watch from the top of the stairs as a child. When I grew a little bit older, I began to fight. At first, Mama was grateful for the help. But, over time, I began to feel her resentment. It pierced
(Lydia)When I stepped back into the bedroom, I jerked. Sarah was standing there. She eyed me closely and inquisitively.“Are you pregnant?” she asked.My face went pale. “No … no, not at all,” I bumbled. I didn’t want even Thomas to know, let alone this ungrateful snake.Sarah’s eyes hardened into steel.“I’m going to murder both you and that stupid sister of yours if you are!” she frothed.I clenched my fist at the fact that she’d brought Ruby into this, but then caught an inkling of fear on her face. She was trembling.Seeing her face turn white made me feel a little bit better.I was about to talk back to her but realized that I now had a baby to think of. As a mother, I could not be petty. A mother … The thought inspired a clandestine delight inside me.“Why are you back?” I asked her instead. I eyed her hairstyle, a braided ponytail – it was exactly how I used to do it.This way, I had said to her, twisting a lock of her yellow hair into the intricate plait that I had made.“
(Lydia)It had been difficult for me to afford a life in Denver so I had packed my bags and moved to Welby. Ruby marched beside me in the hospital corridor. We had spent the last few weeks discussing how we would raise the children. Ruby wanted to chip in but, thankfully, I could put my alimony to good use.I had been saving it all this time. I would spend it lavishly on my children.Children, yes. The ultrasound from three months ago had told us that I was having twins: a little girl and a little boy.“I’m going to spoil them,” Ruby had shrugged as she knitted their rompers and mittens.“For the baby girl, I’ve made them all in pink and lilac,” she told me, “And for the baby boy, everything is blue and yellow.”I had looked on adoringly at her.“You’re so warm and full of love,” I whispered.Her presence inspired so much gratitude: my sister had been a steady pillar throughout my pregnancy as she accompanied me to routine check-ups, fed me bread and bone broth, and signed me up for
(Lydia)When will I ever be able to erase him from my memory and never get reminded of him again? I had spent so long removing him from my mind. And here I was, moving back to his city.“Denver’s a big city!” Ruby protested when I repeated my concerns. “You would never run into him there. And, besides, it’s not as though you’re going to live there.”“Yeah, it’s only going to be for a couple of days,” chimed in Adam. He and Ruby had perhaps planned this intervention after I had first told Ruby about the offer.“Honey, this is a great opportunity for you,” continued Ruby. She clasped my hands into hers, her eyes pleading for me to acquiesce.“It’s literally your life’s dream,” agreed Adam, “I would never pass up a big shot like this.”He stared at me intently from across the table.“It’s just that …” I gasped in exasperation, “I’ve spent so long trying to forget him like he forgot me. If I catch even a glimpse of him, I’ll come crumbling down.”“Pfft!” Adam shook his head. “When has th