(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
(Jack)I felt a knot in my stomach as Thomas and I walked down the hallway toward the boardroom. The echo of our footsteps bounced off the polished floors, and I could feel the weight of what was about to happen pressing down on my shoulders. I had told Thomas that I’d handle it, that I was ready to step up and take control, but there was still that gnawing fear in the back of my mind. What if I wasn’t good enough? What if I couldn’t pull us out of this?I glanced over at Thomas, his face calm but tight with worry. We hadn’t said much to each other since this morning. It wasn’t that we didn’t trust each other, we did. But the stakes were high, and both of us knew it.“Jack, are you sure about this?” Thomas asked, his voice low as we neared the door. I nodded and said, “Yeah, I’ve got this. Just trust me.”He looked at me for a moment, and I could tell he wanted to say more, but instead, he nodded back and let it drop. I knew he was counting on me, and that was all the motivation I ne
(Lydia)As I stood in the middle of the living room with my packed suitcase by my side, my departure loomed heavily in my mind. My heart felt heavy with a mix of fear and uncertainty, emotions I couldn’t shake no matter how much I tried to focus on the task ahead. The flight was in a few hours, and I wasn’t ready. Not emotionally, at least. Physically, I had packed everything I needed, but mentally, I felt like I was spiraling.The sound of Mabel and Miles playing in the next room reminded me of what I was leaving behind. I didn’t want to go, and a part of me resented having to make this trip without Thomas. I had hoped he would come with me, that his presence would make me feel stronger, more in control. But his responsibilities to the company were too important, and I knew it. It wasn’t his fault. Still, knowing that didn’t make it easier.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to push away the memories of that night at the house. The footsteps on the stairs, the panic that
(Lydia)The car ride to the airport was quieter than usual, the kind of silence that felt thick with unsaid words and unresolved emotions. Thomas sat beside me, his hands gripping the steering wheel just a little too tightly, and I could feel his tension, mirroring my own. I glanced out the window, watching the familiar scenery rush by, knowing that soon I’d be leaving it all behind, if only for a little while.I turned to look at Thomas, taking in the familiar lines of his face, the way his brow furrowed slightly in concentration as he drove. He caught me looking and gave me a small, tired smile.“I hate this,” he admitted softly, “Dropping you off like this. Not being able to go with you.”I reached over, resting my hand on his arm, “I know. I hate it too.”We pulled into the airport parking lot, and the tension between us seemed to grow even heavier. As we parked, Thomas turned to me fully, his eyes locking onto mine. There was a seriousness in them that made my chest tighten.“Lyd
(Lydia)As I sat in the waiting area with the sounds of the airport buzzing around me, I realized I hadn’t even checked my phone since I’d passed through security. I hadn’t wanted to be distracted, hadn’t wanted to deal with anything outside of my own thoughts and the wrenching feeling in my chest from leaving Thomas and the kids behind. But now, with some time before the flight and nothing else to do but wait, I figured it was a good time to catch up on whatever had piled up in my notifications.I unlocked my phone, quickly scrolling past the usual emails, missed calls, and a few texts from people I didn’t have the energy to respond to yet. But then I saw it. A message from Jenna Clairefield. I blinked, surprised, and immediately clicked it open.Jenna Clairefield: “Lydia, I’m so sorry it’s taken me this long to get back to you. Things have been…complicated. But I’d really like to meet. Let me know when and where.”I stared at the screen, processing the fact that she’d finally repli
(Thomas)I leaned back in my office chair, staring at the ceiling, trying to suppress the frustration that had been gnawing at me. Lydia was on a flight to D.C. and I would have been much more calmer if we hadn’t let Nathan slip right through our fingers. Again. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. We had him right where we wanted, the perfect setup. The plan was airtight, George had assured me of that. But Nathan had vanished like a ghost, leaving us with nothing but dead ends.I picked up the phone and dialed George. I didn’t even wait for him to say hello before I started in, my voice tight with irritation, “We had him, George. We had him right there.” It was something that I had repeated to him continuously.I didn’t talk to Lydia about how that night bothered me because I knew she was already shaken by the experience.There was a long pause on the other end, then George exhaling deeply and said, “I know, Thomas. Believe me, I’m as frustrated as you are. He must’ve caught on to
(Adeline)The hospital smelled the same as always, sterile and cold, with that faint, unpleasant antiseptic scent that seemed to cling to the air. I sat in the waiting room, staring at the bland, pale walls, trying to settle my nerves. I’d been here more times than I cared to count, but today felt different. Today, Dr. Roberts would look at my scans and tell me if the chemotherapy had done its job, if there was any improvement. I’d been through months of treatment, some of the hardest months of my life, but nothing had felt harder than waiting for these results after they had changed my chemo dosage to see whether there was any effect or none at all.I adjusted my scarf, the one Ruby had given me the last time she visited. She had picked out the softest fabric, something to “wrap myself in comfort,” she’d said. I smiled faintly, thinking of her thoughtfulness, her quiet concern that mirrored Lydia’s. But I knew they worried about me more than they let on. They had enough on their pla
(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