(Jack)I stood outside the mansion, feeling a wave of hesitation wash over me. My hand hovered near the doorbell, nerves still tingling after what happened at the press conference. I felt like someone had played the biggest joke on me.Still, there was hope in me. After everything that had happened, I was still hoping that the one person who I knew loved me, the one person who believed in me, would give me a chance to make it all better.That person was Ruby.That was why I was here, not for any other reason.The problem was that I didn’t even know where she was right now, but Lydia would know. She had to.The last few days had been a whirlwind, and I still couldn’t wrap my head around how I’d ended up here. It feels like my whole life has spiraled out of control. The image of that reporter flashing those photos at me was seared into my mind. I hadn’t known I was being followed by paparazzi when I went on those dates. Hell, I hadn’t even wanted to go on them, but I couldn’t say no to
(Lydia)The room was dark, save for the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains. Thomas was asleep beside me, his breathing soft and steady. I watched him for a moment, the calmness of his face in sleep offering me no comfort tonight. I slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake him, and padded down the hall to check on the kids. I pushed open the door to Mabel and Miles’ room and peeked in. They were fast asleep, their small bodies curled up in their blankets, peaceful and unaware of the storm swirling in my mind.I lingered there for a moment, watching their tiny chests rise and fall. They always looked so innocent when they slept, and in those quiet moments, it was easy to forget the chaos waiting just outside our bubble. But I couldn’t sleep. The unease that had settled in my chest after Jack’s visit earlier still hadn’t left me. I closed the door gently and made my way back down the hall, my feet instinctively carrying me toward the balcony.Jack’s face had been etc
(Lydia)The morning was still quiet, the sun barely cresting the horizon, when I stepped into the kitchen. I knew it was early, but the message I’d sent out the night before would be read soon if it hadn’t been already. All of them had already read it by now so there was no avoiding what needed to happen today.I moved to the counter and began prepping breakfast. I could have asked the cook to handle it, but I liked doing it myself. Cooking gave me something to focus on, something to keep my hands busy when my mind was swirling. I cracked eggs into a bowl and whisked them, my thoughts moving just as fast as my hands.We had to move on Nathan, and we had to do it soon. But bringing Ruby and Jack into this, after everything…was going to be hard. I’d seen the hurt in Ruby’s eyes after what had happened between them. I wasn’t sure if they were ready to work together, but we didn’t have much of a choice.As I poured the eggs into a pan, I felt Thomas come up behind me. He pressed a kiss to
(Thomas)After we finished explaining the plan to Ruby and Jack, Lydia and I left the mansion, heading back to her house. The conversation had gone as well as I could have expected, but there was still tension in the air. Jack’s protectiveness was a force to be reckoned with, and Ruby’s concern wasn’t far behind. It had taken everything in me to convince them that using Lydia as bait was the best course of action. The anger simmering beneath their words was obvious, but they’d agreed. We didn’t have much of a choice if we wanted to catch Nathan.As we pulled up to Lydia’s house, I could feel Lydia tense. This was the first time we had come back here after everything went down. It felt like it happened a long time ago but barely two weeks had passed since then. The house stood in stark contrast to the madness we were about to unleash. It was a place that should have felt like a sanctuary, but with Nathan lurking in the shadows, nowhere felt truly safe. I knew Lydia could feel it too
(Lydia)Sitting on the couch in what was once my sanctuary, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my house didn’t feel like home anymore. Every corner of this place, once filled with warmth and safety, now felt foreign. The walls that used to protect me seemed to have eyes because of the hidden cameras, surveillance equipment, and an entire security system that George and Thomas had set up to keep us safe. But in doing so, it had stripped away the one thing I valued most: peace.The knowledge that Nathan was out there, watching, lurking, had turned my home into a carefully orchestrated trap. I understood why it had to be this way, but it didn’t stop the knot of unease that sat in my stomach. How could I feel safe knowing there were cameras in nearly every other room? Knowing that George, our private investigator, was constantly watching? The paranoia crept in at the edges of my mind, and I couldn’t help but glance at the ceiling now and then, wondering if the cameras were catching the e
(Lydia)Ruby returned to the house just before noon, her car packed with boxes of clothes, books, and everything else she had collected during her time with Jack. The sight of her, standing there on the doorstep with her things, tugged at my heart. She looked tired. No, not just tired. There was a kind of weariness that went beyond exhaustion. It was the weight of too many emotions, too much disappointment. I could see it in the way her shoulders slumped as she carried her things inside, in the way she avoided meeting my eyes.“Let me help you with those,” I said, walking over to grab a box from her hands. She didn’t protest, which was unusual for Ruby. Normally, she would insist on doing it herself, on handling her own problems. But today, she seemed too drained to fight me on it.We carried her things up to her room. As we placed the boxes down, I could feel the silence growing heavier between us, pressing down on both of us. I knew she was thinking about Jack and about everything
(Lydia)The waiting had stretched on like an eternity. Every creak in the house, every shift of the wind outside felt like it could be him. Nathan. For two long, grueling days, Thomas, George, and Jack took turns sitting in the surveillance van, watching the monitors, tracking every movement. George was actually there full-time and when I told Thomas how that must not be a healthy lifestyle, he told me that George was being compensated heavily for all his efforts.Inside the house, Ruby and I tried to keep going about our lives, but there was always this heavy, looming presence in the air like we were waiting for a storm to hit, but we didn’t know when.I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Nathan’s face, cold, calculating, and always watching. I could feel him getting closer, even though I didn’t have any proof. It was just this gnawing sensation in my gut that wouldn’t go away, the knowledge that we were on borrowed time. Ruby tried to keep things normal, making coffee,
(Lydia)I was still trembling when Thomas, George, and Jack arrived, their faces tight with the intensity of the moment. My heart was thudding in my chest, each beat hammering in my ears as if trying to drown out the fear still coursing through me. Ruby sat next to me on the bed, pale and silent, but I could feel the same tension radiating from her as well. We had locked ourselves in the room for safety, but knowing Nathan had been inside this house, so close to us, left a kind of chill I couldn’t shake.Thomas remained with me on the phone and alerted me when he came inside. I rushed to push away the dresser and rushed downstairs, feeling like my legs would give out beneath me, but I needed to see him. I needed him to tell me everything was going to be okay. He took one look at my face and wrapped his arms around me, his body strong and reassuring, but I could feel his pulse racing. He was scared, too, though he wouldn’t say it. “We saw him leave,” he said, his voice low but contro
(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