(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
(Thomas)It’s been a full day since Nathan slipped through our fingers, and I can’t shake the frustration. The way he managed to find the one weak spot, the one window that wasn’t reinforced, it feels like a punch to the gut. I’ve been playing it over and over in my head, trying to make sense of how we could have missed something so obvious. George had done a thorough job, but it wasn’t enough. I should’ve checked it myself. I should’ve made sure everything was perfect. I failed to protect Lydia and Ruby, and that’s what eats away at me the most. We’d planned so carefully, and yet Nathan managed to outsmart us.We couldn’t even use the footage we had because like always, his face was all covered up. He could easily prove that it wasn't him.I sighed as I stared at the file in my hands. The fear in Lydia’s eyes, the way her hands shook after it happened…I can’t get that image out of my head. She’s been trying to act strong, to keep going, but I know this has taken a toll on her. I’ve
(Thomas)After the board meeting, I couldn’t shake the weight of their words. I’d been too distracted lately, juggling too much at once. My position as CEO, Jack’s situation, Lydia’s safety…Nathan. It was all spiraling, and I was losing control of everything. The company was in trouble, that much was clear, but how could I focus on business when my family was under threat?As I sat in my car, staring at the city skyline, I realized the truth. I couldn’t go to D.C. Not right now. As much as I wanted to be by Lydia’s side, to help her put an end to this nightmare, I couldn’t abandon the company. Not when the board was already questioning my leadership. If I wasn’t there, if I let things slip any further, they wouldn’t hesitate to force me out.And if I lost my position as CEO, what kind of future would that leave for us? For Lydia? For our children?I know I owned most of the shares of the company, but the Board could work together to demote me if they wanted to.I ran a hand through my
(Lydia)When Thomas told me he wouldn’t be coming to D.C. with me, the words hit me like a cold wind. My chest tightened, my hands went still, and I couldn’t help but feel that maybe he didn’t care enough anymore. Maybe I was being unreasonable, but wasn’t this important to both of us? I swallowed hard, trying to mask my disappointment with a calm nod. I knew how much the company meant to him. It was his father’s legacy, after all, and Thomas had worked tirelessly to maintain the position he held today. The board was always circling like vultures, waiting for the slightest sign of weakness. No, he wouldn’t leave that responsibility in anyone else’s hands. It was too important, too personal.But it still stung. I know how tired he is. How exhausting it must have been to pour so much energy, so much of ourselves, into the plan to catch Nathan, only to fail. We’d been so close, but Nathan slipped through our fingers like smoke. That failure still hangs heavy in the air between us, unsp
(Thomas)I watched Lydia as she slept beside me, her breathing slow and steady, her face soft in the dim light of our room. She had been quiet all evening, ever since I told her I wouldn’t be going to D.C. with her. I could feel the tension, the weight of her disappointment hanging between us, though she hadn’t said much. Lydia had always been good at keeping her emotions locked away when she didn’t want to burden me, but I knew her too well. I knew she was hurt, even if she tried to hide it.I hated being the cause of that silence.Part of me wished I could just say to hell with it all and go with her, be by her side where I belonged. I knew how hard going to D.C. would be for her, what it would dredge up, the fear she wouldn’t admit to. But there were other forces pulling at me, responsibilities that I couldn’t ignore. The company was in trouble. I’d been gone too long already, focusing on Nathan, on the threat he posed to our family, and in my absence, things had started to fall
(Jack)After Thomas left, I leaned back in my chair and went back to staring out the window again. His words still echoed in my mind. None of this was your failure. Maybe he was right, maybe the media storm that followed my statement wasn’t entirely on me. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that things might have been different if I’d taken a stand earlier. If I’d gone against our mother from the beginning instead of letting her pull the strings, maybe I wouldn’t be sitting here in this mess.I let out a long breath, rubbing my temples. Mother had always been difficult, but when she started meddling in my life, in Ruby’s life, I should’ve put a stop to it. Ruby had tried to warn me, had tried to make me see how much of an influence our mother was having on everything. But I’d been blind. Stubborn, even. I’d believed that I could keep things separate, that mother’s interference wouldn’t reach that far. But I was wrong. If I’d stood up to her, if I’d set boundaries early on, maybe Ruby a
(Ruby)I still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lurking in the corners, something left over from the house. Even now, at Adam’s apartment, I felt unsettled, like the shadows were hiding things I couldn’t face. I had told myself it would pass, that the panic and the unease would fade sooner or later. But it hadn’t. It clung to me, wrapping itself around my mind in the quiet hours, especially when I was alone. I had no place to live after moving out of Jack’s apartment. I had thought that once Nathan was behind bars, I would be able to go back to our house, but that was not possible anymore.I couldn’t go back to the house, not after everything that had happened there. And as for the mansion, well, that was out of the question. Margaret was there, and even thinking about being under the same roof as her again made me feel suffocated and also angry, though that anger subsided within me with every passing day.I had to move on. That much was clear.Adam had been kind enough
(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.