(Thomas)Seeing Lydia shaken after Nathan’s intrusion stirred something deep inside me. It was a combination of rage and protectiveness that I couldn’t fully control. I needed to be there for her, to make her feel safe. So after the encounter, I didn’t waste any time. I took her hand, gently leading her out of the venue and into the waiting car, where our security team was already on high alert. The whole ride to the hotel, I kept glancing at her, watching the way her hands trembled in her lap despite her efforts to keep calm.Lydia was a strong woman, but after the way she had been treated by Nathan, anyone would be shaken after another encounter.The car pulled up to the penthouse suite I had arranged for Lydia’s stay, away from prying eyes and unwanted attention. The security team did a sweep of the hotel earlier to ensure everything was secure, but even so, I wasn’t taking any chances. Roger and the rest of the team would stand watch, just in case.I helped Lydia out of the car,
(Thomas)I woke up to the soft sound of Lydia’s breathing beside me with her body curled up close to mine. The comfort of her presence grounded me for a moment, but my phone was buzzing non-stop on the nightstand. It was vibrating so much it almost fell off the edge. I carefully reached over, trying not to wake her up.The screen was lit up with endless notifications. There were texts, emails, and social media alerts. Something big had happened. My heart sank for a split second, fearing that Nathan had already made some sort of countermove. But as I opened the first message, then the next, I realized it wasn’t bad news at all. I quickly scanned through the dozens of links and comments. One of them stood out: Have you seen this? followed by a video clip. I clicked on it. It was a video from last night. Of me storming into that makeup room and confronting Nathan, shoving him away from Lydia. The camera angle wasn’t perfect, but it captured everything, including the look on Nathan’s fa
(Thomas)Lydia had been restless all morning. I could see it in the way she moved, the way she kept glancing at her phone, flipping through news articles, her fingers tapping against the screen with increasing frustration. I knew what she was thinking. She was beginning to doubt the path we had taken with Nathan. And part of me understood. Muddying his name in the media was a dangerous game, one that could come back to haunt us if we weren’t careful. But it was necessary. Nathan had backed us into a corner, and if we didn’t fight back, he would only tighten his grip.Lydia set her phone down on the table with a sigh, and I could feel the weight of her thoughts even before she spoke.“Thomas,” she began, her voice hesitant, “I’m just not sure this is the right way to handle things.”I looked at her, trying to read between the lines of her words, “You’re worried about the media.”“I’m worried about everything,” she admitted. “Nathan is dangerous, and pushing him like this could backfir
(Lydia)I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing incessantly on the nightstand. It had been like that after Thomas’ and Nathan’s confrontation got out. It took me a moment to shake off the remnants of sleep, my mind still foggy from everything that had happened. Nathan’s confrontation at the screening, Thomas’ arrival just in time to protect me, the media frenzy that followed and Nathan's phone call. It all felt like a bad dream, but the truth was far more unsettling. As I reached for my phone, I noticed the sheer volume of notifications. Social media was on fire.I scrolled through my feed, trying to make sense of the chaos. News outlets were running with the story of Nathan and Thomas’ altercation, and while George had carefully crafted our side of the narrative, painting Nathan as the aggressor, it seemed like people were starting to dig deeper. I clicked on one post that had been shared hundreds of times. A woman, whose name I didn’t recognize, was detailing an encounter she
(Jack)The tension in the boardroom was palpable. I’d been here before, seated in this same chair, defending both my brother and myself against a barrage of questions. But today felt heavier, the pressure more suffocating than ever. With Thomas away again, the spotlight had squarely fallen on me, and I was once again thrust into the role of damage control.I could feel the weight of their eyes, each member of the board studying me with varying degrees of skepticism. Some leaned forward, arms crossed, others flipped through their papers, as if the solution to our problems lay somewhere between the lines. But I knew what this was. It was another test, another battle to prove that I could handle the chaos that surrounded my brother and this company."Mr. Lombardi," Richard, one of the board members, began. His voice was sharp as he continued, "with Thomas absent, and now this media frenzy about his involvement in the latest incident, how exactly do you plan to steer the company through t
(Ruby)I woke up with a jolt with my heart racing and my entire body drenched in cold sweat. The remnants of my nightmare clung to me like a second skin. Images of Jack and of everything that had happened with Nathan were swirling together in a mess of confusion and hurt. I tried to steady my breath, but it was hard. The room felt stifling, even though I knew it wasn’t. My thoughts wouldn’t stop spinning.I glanced over at the clock on the bedside table. It was 4:12 am. Great. Another sleepless night. Another nightmare I couldn’t shake.I turned on the couch, trying to find a comfortable spot. It was hard though. Even after living on it for a week straight I wasn’t used to sleeping on it. I managed to pass out before actually getting comfortable.For a moment, I considered what to do. I know sleep would come with some difficulty now. After the fragmented dream that my subconscious had pulled out of all my worst moments, all the thoughts and the emotions felt too loud.Quietly, I slip
(Thomas)I had just hung up the phone with Jack, the weight of our conversation pressing down on me like a lead blanket. My brother had sounded exhausted, but he held his ground as he always did. I could tell he was under immense pressure, and the board was giving him hell again.Rubbing a hand over my face, I let out a long, slow breath. The penthouse was quiet, too quiet, but outside the window, the city buzzed on, unaware of the tension brewing inside. We’d managed to keep the crowd at bay, at least for now, thanks to the police who were called in to clear out the chaos. I wasn’t naive enough to believe it would be the end of it though. The media frenzy had a way of finding us no matter where we were. Nathan had stirred up enough trouble to keep the public fixated for days, maybe even weeks and months to come.Beside me, Lydia stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she stretched beneath the sheets. She looked peaceful, her red curls spilling over the pillows, her skin still glowing
(Margaret)The house was quiet, too quiet for a place that should be filled with the sounds of children. I stood at the top of the grand staircase, listening for something. Anything that would tell me Mabel and Miles were alright. The absence of both Lydia and Thomas weighed heavily on this place, and without Ruby or Adeline around to keep them entertained, I could feel the shift.Adeline had taken to her bed after her last round of treatments and the panic attack which she had suffered through. Her frailty was a constant reminder that she couldn’t help, not like she used to. Her panic attack had shaken her, and now, more often than not, she needed rest, not responsibility. Ruby was gone too, off doing whatever it is she does to run from everything. I knew I should not be the one to pass judgements on what Ruby does but what happened didn’t mean she should have left the children unattended. And if I were to bring that up then I would be the wrong one.The children had been very under
(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