(Thomas)As we drove back to the hotel, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Everything had gone according to plan, right down to the final detail. I glanced over at Lydia, who was staring out the window, her face partially hidden behind the mask she hadn’t taken off yet. I could see the tension in her shoulders beginning to ease, though neither of us would feel completely at peace until this entire nightmare was over. But for now, we’d won this round.My part had been simple, really. After Lydia had managed to snag the original pen from around Nathan’s neck, all I had to do was replace it with an identical one in the confusion. It had been seamless, just as we’d rehearsed. Naomi had done her part, making sure Nathan was far too out of it to notice anything happening around him. In the chaos of helping him stumble into the room, no one had noticed when I slipped the duplicate necklace around his neck. He hadn’t even stirred. The genius behind this plan belonged to L
(Thomas)The door closed softly behind us, and the soft click echoed in the quiet of the hotel room. My fingers were still curled around the small pen that probably contained more than what it was worth. It was a mere piece of plastic and metal that felt heavier than it should. It held everything we had risked ourselves for, everything that could change everything. Yet, for the moment, none of that mattered.I glanced at Lydia. She was standing still, too still, in front of the mirror. Her eyes were distant, her hands bracing against the dresser, and I could almost feel the weight of her thoughts from across the room. We had been through so much, too much perhaps, and I could see it etched in every inch of her. I could see it in her taut muscles, the tired slump of her shoulders, and the quiet storm brewing behind her eyes.I slipped the pen into my pocket, the action automatic and the weight of it vanished from my palm, but the implications of what we had stolen didn’t. We were on t
(Ruby)I sat on Adam's couch with my knees pulled up to my chest, trying to make sense of the mess that had unfolded over the past few days. The blanket I had grabbed earlier felt comforting, but it didn’t do much to calm the storm of emotions that were swirling inside of me. I had been staring at the muted TV, not really watching it, just letting the flickering images distract me. But there was no real escape from the noise in my head. I kept thinking about the pictures, the headlines, and the narrative that was being spun about Jack and Amanda. Adam had been kind enough to let me crash here without asking too many questions. I’d shown up at his door with a hastily packed bag, and he hadn’t even flinched. He’d just welcomed me in, and told me that I could stay as long as I needed. I hadn’t wanted to stay at the mansion after everything. It was too much for me and I’d feel like an unwanted guest.I know Lydia told me to take care of the kids and I hate to leave them behind, but I co
(Jack)I leaned against the cool stone wall outside the Jefferson mansion, trying to catch my breath. My head was still spinning after what had happened at the Golden Jubilee event. I had no idea what to make of everything that had happened. It had all been such a blur. There was the speech I had been worried about, then after that was done, there was the applause, the crowd’s energy lifting me higher than I had been in a long time. And then, like a punch to the gut, my mother’s voice cut through everything, pulling me back to reality.I could still see her on that stage, smiling brightly as if she was announcing the greatest triumph of her life, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. The applause came fast, but my heart sank even faster. She had looked at me then, with that expectant, knowing look in her eyes, and before I could even process it, she turned toward me, extended her hand, and said one word that made me still.“Ring?”I don’t know what happened after that
(Jack)I stood there, staring at Amanda in disbelief. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I asked, my voice low, barely able to contain the anger boiling beneath the surface. "We were best friends, Amanda. Once upon a time, we cared about each other. I thought you of all people would at least be honest with me, even if my mother couldn't be."Amanda flinched at the sharpness of my words, but she held her ground, "Jack, I didn't know how to tell you. It wasn't supposed to go this far, I swear. Your mother…made it seem like it was best for everyone. That it was for your future, for the family. I didn’t think it would get to this point."My hands balled into fists at my sides, "Best for everyone? You thought stringing me along, lying to my face, would be best for everyone? Do you even hear yourself right now? This isn’t just business. This is my life, Amanda! My decisions! And you took that away from me," I took a step closer, and in a quieter voice I said, “What about Ruby? What had she do
(Thomas)I woke up to the warmth of Lydia beside me. Her soft breathing was a gentle reminder that, for a brief moment, everything felt right in the world. The morning light filtered through the curtains, painting the room in a muted glow. I didn’t want to move, didn’t want to disturb the fragile peace that enveloped us. After everything that had happened, after the storm we’d weathered together, this quiet felt like a gift.Lydia stirred beside me. Her eyes fluttered open, and when she saw me watching her, she smiled. It was a sleepy, soft smile that made my chest tighten with something between relief and love. I couldn’t help it; I reached over and tickled her side, making her laugh before she could stop herself.“Thomas!” she squealed, wriggling away, but not going too far. I knew she did not want to be separated. I felt the same, especially after the night we had,Her laugh filled the room, and I couldn’t help but grin. It was the kind of sound I hadn’t heard in a while, not since
(Lydia)I couldn’t shake the feeling that there were eyes on me, even after we shut the laptop and the horrifying contents of the USB were tucked away. My skin tingled as if Nathan’s gaze, or the gaze of whatever twisted cameras he had hidden, was still trained on me. Every corner of the hotel room suddenly felt unsafe, like there could be lenses buried in the walls, hidden in the light fixtures, recording my every move. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to push the feeling away, but it clung to me like a second skin. The silence in the room was suffocating, the air heavy with everything we’d just seen. The pictures, the documents, the video…my mind kept looping back to it, trying to make sense of it all but only feeling more lost. How could anyone do something like this? How could Nathan invade my life so intimately, so horrifically? It made me want to crawl out of my own skin, to hide from the world, to disappear.I glanced at Thomas, who was still sitting beside me on the b
(Thomas)I closed the door behind me, taking a moment to listen for any sounds from the other side. The room had fallen silent, the kind of stillness that happens only when someone finally succumbs to sleep after worrying themselves sick. Lydia needed this rest more than anything right now. I’d spent the last hour trying to soothe her, convincing her that everything would be fine, that we were almost there, almost at the end of this nightmare. But even as I said the words, I could hear the hollow ring in them. Neither of us truly believed it.I made my way across the guesthouse. It was late, the streets quieter now but still lit up, still alive. This place never really slept. I rubbed a hand over my face, trying to wipe away the exhaustion. It had been a long day. Hell, it had been a long few months. Ever since we discovered the truth, Lydia hadn’t been the same. How could she be?The truth. That word felt too simple for what we knew now, for the weight of the secrets Nathan had bee
(Adeline)The front garden was always my favorite place to sit, especially in the morning. The air carried a crisp freshness, and the soft rustle of leaves felt like nature’s whisper of reassurance. Today, I felt lighter, less weighed down by the fog of fatigue that had wrapped around me since the surgery. A week had passed, and though I knew there was still a long road ahead, scans, radiotherapy, and who knew what else, I was grateful for small mercies like this. Lydia sat beside me, her posture relaxed but her eyes distant. She should have been glowing after her date with Thomas last night; I’d seen her excitement all day leading up to it. Yet, there was something off about her today, a subtle undercurrent of worry she couldn’t quite hide. I reached over and patted her hand, drawing her out of her thoughts, “You seem troubled, my dear. What’s on your mind?” She blinked, then gave me a soft smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes, “Nothing to worry about, Mama. Just…think
(Margaret)The mansion was quiet, its grand halls and rooms bathed in moonlight, but I was still awake, as I often was these days. Sleep came sparingly. I’d taken to wandering the mansion late at night, a habit born of restlessness and regret. Tonight, I found myself seated in the parlor, nursing a lukewarm cup of tea, when I heard the faint creak of the front door. Ruby. Her steps were light but purposeful, and as she crossed into the hallway, I caught a glimpse of her face. She looked lost in thought, her brow furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. There was something about her expression that tugged at me, a pang I couldn’t quite place but that settled uncomfortably in my chest. “Ruby,” I called gently, my voice cutting through the stillness. She froze for a moment, her back to me, before turning slightly, her posture tense. Her eyes met mine briefly, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them, before she resumed her stride, heading toward the staircase.
(Jack)The room was bathed in the muted glow of the television, the credits of the movie rolling silently on the screen. Ruby lay beside me, her head resting lightly against my shoulder, her breathing slow and even as she slept. I didn’t dare move. Instead, I let my gaze linger on her, taking in the soft lines of her face, the way her lashes rested against her cheeks, the slight rise and fall of her chest. Her hair framed her face, catching the dim light in a way that made her look almost ethereal. I shouldn’t be doing this, shouldn’t let myself get caught up in the illusion. But in that moment, it felt impossible not to. For years, this apartment had been a space I’d tried to keep void of emotion, a place where I could compartmentalize my life, separate work from personal chaos. But Ruby had changed that. When she’d been here, this place had felt alive, warm. And now, with her asleep beside me, it felt like a dream I didn’t want to wake up from.My mind wandered back to the few
(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