(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
(Lydia)I stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, watching the city below pulse with life. From here, everything seemed so distant, as if the chaos outside couldn’t touch us. But I knew better. We were at the eye of the storm, hiding away while George tried to manage the media frenzy that had erupted around Nathan. Every passing hour felt like we were teetering on a knife’s edge, waiting for something to tip it all one way or the other.My phone buzzed again, the screen lighting up with more notifications. I hadn’t looked in hours, knowing it was just more noise from social media, more opinions from people who didn’t know the half of it. Some of the headlines flashed across my mind and felt like they were from some twisted alternate reality. "Nathan Is the Real Victim Here!" or "A Powerful Man Brought Down by Lies?"But there were just as many posts in support of the victims. Stories, real stories, of women who had been too scared to speak up before now. One after
(Lydia)The hotel room felt too quiet, even though Thomas was just in the washroom, taking a well-deserved shower. I looked at my phone, noticing that I had missed a text from Margaret earlier this afternoon. She had been taking care of the kids while we were in D.C. handling this nightmare with Nathan. I opened the message, feeling a twinge of guilt as I read her words: The kids miss you both terribly. Mabel keeps asking when you're coming back. Miles has been quiet, too. Just thought you'd want to know.A deep ache settled in my chest. Mabel and Miles. I imagined their little faces, Mabel’s inquisitive eyes and Miles’ soft smile, both of them wondering when their parents would come home. It wasn’t the first time we had left them, but this felt different because Ruby wasn’t with them either and from what I know from Thomas, Mama had not been feeling that well either. There had been so much uncertainty swirling around us since the Nathan ordeal started, and I hated that they had to f
(Thomas)The flight home felt like it couldn’t move fast enough. Lydia and I sat side by side, not saying much, but our minds were in the same place. Back in Denver, with Mabel and Miles. I’d seen the look on her face after that call with the kids, the one that said it all. We couldn’t stay in D.C. any longer. There was nothing here that mattered more than getting back to them.I squeezed Lydia’s hand as we descended, watching the lights of Denver flicker into view beneath us. She turned to me, a tired but determined look in her eyes. We were both exhausted mentally and physically but there was this shared relief between us, knowing we’d be home soon.The moment we touched down and the seatbelt sign dinged off, we were on our feet. I grabbed our bags, and Lydia was already moving, her body full of urgency. We didn’t say much on the drive back, just exchanged a few words about how glad we were to be home. I could tell Lydia was anxious to see the kids, and honestly, so was I.When we p
(Thomas)Sitting in George’s office, I couldn’t shake the urgency pressing down on me like a weight. Lydia sat beside me, her posture tense but composed, while George leaned back in his chair, the USB drive resting between us on the table. That tiny piece of plastic and metal had the power to change everything, or to blow up in our faces.“Are you sure we’re ready for this?” George asked, his tone careful, but he already knew where I stood. He’d seen it on my face the moment we stepped into his office.“Yes,” I said firmly, meeting his gaze. “We’ve held back long enough. The longer we wait, the more dangerous this becomes.”Lydia shifted beside me, and I could feel her glance at me from the corner of her eye. I knew what she was thinking, and I didn’t blame her. But something in me needed to act. Every day that passed with Nathan out there, felt like a countdown. We couldn’t just sit back and hope for the best.George let out a low sigh, picking up the USB and turning it over in his f
(Lydia)It had been a couple of days since Thomas and I returned to the mansion. I wandered through the quiet rooms, my mind elsewhere, thinking of all the things that needed to be done.The kids were at preschool, and Thomas had gone into the office early, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The weight of everything sat heavy on my shoulders, a quiet pressure I couldn’t shake.I pulled out my phone and tried calling Ruby. She’d been on my mind ever since we got back, and though I knew she was avoiding the mansion, I wanted to check in with her. But as the phone rang and rang, I already knew she wouldn’t pick up. It went to voicemail.I sighed, typing a quick message instead: Hey, Ruby. I hope you’re okay. Let’s catch up soon. I miss you.To think we used to live under the same roof and now I have to text her like this.Within a minute, her response came back. Hey, Lyds. Sorry I missed your call. Been really busy looking for an apartment with Adam. I’ll call you soon, okay?I stared a
(Lydia)The sound of the front door clicking shut signaled Thomas’s return from the office. I was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for dinner, trying to busy my mind with something tangible. Since we’d come back to the mansion, I’d been living in a strange sort of haze. I’d disconnected from social media, blocked out the news, and even avoided conversations that veered too close to what had happened in D.C. The only thing grounding me now was the routine: the kids, Mama, keeping the house running.“Hey,” Thomas called from the hallway, his voice low, likely not to wake the kids. He walked into the kitchen, his tie already loosened, the usual fatigue lining his face.“Hey,” I replied, giving him a tired smile, “How was your day?”He came over to kiss me on the forehead before glancing at the chopping board. “Long,” he admitted. “But nothing I couldn’t handle.” He glanced at the half-prepped ingredients, “Let me help.”I knew I could easily call on the cook that lived in the servant
(Thomas)It was late, well past midnight, and the house was quiet except for the occasional creak of the old wooden floors beneath our feet. Lydia and I were sitting at the kitchen table, the soft glow of the lamp above us casting long shadows across the room. The kids had been asleep for hours, and we’d spent the evening turning over our options, trying to make sense of the mess we were in.Nathan was a looming storm, and the legal chess game he was playing was far more calculated than we had anticipated. But we couldn’t let him control the narrative. We couldn’t let him paint himself as the victim while the real victims were dragged through the mud.“We need to be strategic about this,” I said, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my temples. My head was pounding from the sheer amount of information we’d been processing, “We can’t just react to what he’s doing. We need to build our own case.”Lydia nodded, her hands wrapped around a mug of tea, though it had long gone cold. “We can
(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.