(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
(Lydia)I woke up to the soft hum of Thomas talking on the phone. His voice was low, but I could hear the tension in it, the way he spoke in clipped sentences, like he was trying to hold something back. I blinked slowly, trying to shake off the grogginess, and turned my head to see him standing by the window. He was facing away from me, one hand pressed to his temple as he spoke to whoever was on the other end of the line.“…we’ll be leaving in a few hours, George. Just make sure everything’s in place. I don’t want any surprises.”I could tell he was speaking to his private investigator, George. They’d been in contact constantly over the past few weeks, ever since everything with Nathan came to light. I shifted slightly in bed, and the movement must’ve caught Thomas’ attention because he glanced over his shoulder, his eyes softening when he saw I was awake. Without another word, he ended the call, slipping his phone into his pocket as he walked over to me.“You’re awake,” he said soft
(Thomas)As the plane touched down in Denver, I could feel the tension in my shoulders begin to ease. It had been a long flight, longer than it should’ve been, but I knew it was more than just the hours in the air that made me feel like that. We were both exhausted, emotionally and physically, after everything that had happened in L.A. But as we got closer to the mansion, I noticed something shift in Lydia.She had been quiet most of the flight, lost in her own thoughts, but now, as we drove through the familiar streets leading home, her face softened. Her eyes lit up, a spark of warmth breaking through the fatigue. I didn’t have to ask what she was thinking about because I already knew.Mabel and Miles. Our kids were the center of her world, the one thing that could pull her out of the darkness that Nathan had dragged her into. And honestly, I felt it too. It had been too long since we’d seen them, too long since we’d been a family under the same roof. I glanced at Lydia as she loo
(Thomas)As I closed the door behind me, the soft laughter of Mabel and Miles faded into the distance, and the sound of Lydia’s voice, gentle but firm, carried faintly through the hallway. I hesitated, just for a moment. The warmth of that room, the safety of being with them, was hard to step away from. But I had other matters to tend to. I couldn’t ignore what was happening between mother and Jack any longer. It had been brewing ever since mother announced Jack’s so-called “marriage” to Amanda. It was a marriage that wasn’t even real. The entire family was thrown into confusion, and Jack, well, he hadn’t been himself since then. I needed to get to the bottom of this, for his sake and everyone else’s.I called one of my workers and kept my voice measured when I said, "Please send mother to my office." As I stood there waiting, a knot of unease twisted tighter in my stomach. What would I even say to her? Would she listen? Mother had always been strong-willed, determined, and so utterl
(Thomas)Jack stepped into the room, and I could feel the way he was done with all of it just by the look in his eyes. He looked worn out, his shoulders slouched in a way that wasn’t typical for him. His eyes flicked between me and mother, and though he didn’t say anything, the tension was palpable. The room was already thick with it.Mother let out a loud, deliberate sigh, breaking the silence. “Well,” she began, her voice sharp with finality, “What’s done is done. We can’t change it now.” She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair as if that settled everything.But it didn’t settle anything. “No,” I interjected, my voice firmer than I intended. “Something can still be done about it. Jack can hold a press release, and announce that this whole thing was a misunderstanding. He and Amanda are just friends and nothing more. They never had any intention of getting married.”I glanced at Jack, hoping he would back me up, but I could see the hesitation in his eyes. He shifted on his
(Lydia)There’s nothing better than spending a day with your kids. After being apart from Mabel and Miles for what felt like ages but were only a few days, it felt like I could finally breathe again. The moment I got out of the car and they came running toward me, their little faces lighting up with joy, I felt like a part of me that had been missing fell back into place. The rest of the day was a blur of laughter, macaroni and cheese, and reading The Little Prince at least three times. And honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Every page we turned, every bite of food shared, made me realize how much I had missed them.For a while, it was like the outside world didn’t exist, like nothing else mattered except being with them. But there were other things, other people, who needed my attention. Ruby, especially, needed my attention. She’d been staying over at Adam’s apartment, and though I was grateful to him for looking after her, I knew I should be seeking her out to find
(Lydia)When I got home, the first thing I saw was Thomas in the garden with the kids. Thomas, Mabel, and Miles were all huddled together, hands deep in the soil, their faces full of concentration. They were planting something and when I asked, the gardener who was standing to the side and watching them create a mess in the dirt, I got to know that they were planting sunflowers. I guess it was a little project Thomas had come up with for them. The idea was that we’d plant something new every year, a symbol of what we’d done together, and watch it grow. He had said something about it yesterday but I hadn’t paid too much attention. It was a beautiful plan, really, but at this moment, it was mostly messy. They were all covered in dirt, head to toe, and I couldn’t help but laugh. They looked like little garden gnomes, including Thomas. Mabel had a streak of mud across her cheek, and Miles was gleefully patting dirt down around the plant as though it was the most important job in the wo
(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