(Ruby)George’s office was tense and dim, filled only with the low hum of computers and the soft murmurs as George’s team continued their search. Two hours had passed since Lydia was taken, and yet every second that ticked by felt like an eternity. I watched George type furiously at his desk, flanked by Thomas and Jack, both of whom looked as though they were on the edge of either rage or collapse. I’d done everything I could to help by calling in favors, scouring the footage, going through leads, but my brain felt sluggish, weighed down by an ache that had rooted itself deep in my chest.I slipped out to the balcony, hoping the cold evening air would wake me up, maybe even numb this gnawing feeling of guilt that had been festering inside me. Leaning against the railing, I took a shuddering breath, trying to ease the tightness in my chest. How could I have let this happen? Lydia was right there, and I’d been the one waiting inside, oblivious and safe, while she had been taken.I star
(Margaret)When I heard the car pull up, I immediately set down my tea and made my way to the front door. Adeline was here. She’d been through so much recently, far more than any one person should endure. And now...now this horrible, unspeakable event with Lydia. I could hardly fathom it myself, but seeing Adeline, weak from her treatment, step out of the car with those tired eyes, somehow made it all sink in.As she took a few steps, I went forward and reached out to help her. She gave me a weary smile, though I could see that even that simple gesture seemed to drain her. “Thank you, Margaret,” she said softly, her voice laced with a weight I couldn’t even begin to understand. She clutched her handbag tightly, as though holding onto that one small object was enough to keep her standing.“Oh, Adeline,” I murmured, sliding my arm around her shoulders, “Come inside, please. You need to sit down. It’s chilly out here, and you’ve been through too much already.”She nodded, looking off t
(Thomas)The drive to the kids’ preschool felt surreal, like I was watching myself from a distance. The day had already been a whirlwind of fear, frustration, and that gnawing helplessness that I wasn’t used to. My fingers tightened around the steering wheel, and I swallowed hard. Today was the longest I’d ever gone without hearing Lydia’s voice in a long while, and I could feel the edges of my control starting to slip.But I couldn’t afford to let that happen now. Not with Mabel and Miles waiting for me. My heart thudded heavily in my chest as I pulled up to the preschool, trying to muster up a smile, trying to look like the father they deserved, even if my insides were in chaos.The school doors opened, and there they were, Mabel and Miles, bounding down the steps hand-in-hand, their faces lighting up when they saw me. I could see Mabel’s ponytail bobbing with every hop and Miles trying his best to keep up with her, his grin as bright as the sun. My heart clenched, and I forced my
(Lydia)The darkness settled around me, thick and unyielding. It pressed against me as I fought to keep my senses steady. Every nerve in my body was on high alert, the raw fear and adrenaline mingling together as I tried to gather my bearings. My head pounded with a dull ache, the aftereffects of chloroform that they had used to faint me had left me dazed, the details blurry. But as my breathing slowed, reality snapped into focus, chillingly clear. I was on the floor, bound tightly at my wrists and ankles, a gag digging uncomfortably into the corners of my mouth.I lay there for a few seconds, forcing my mind to settle, trying to piece together the fragments of what I remembered. Nathan’s face flashed through my memory, his twisted grin and hateful words cutting through the fog. He’d said he wanted revenge, he wanted us to suffer. It made me sick to think about him standing over me, taking pleasure in my helplessness.But I wasn’t helpless. Not completely. I refused to be.Taking a
(Thomas)The weight of regret settled heavily on my chest as I glanced back at the front door, my kids’ laughter echoing in my ears. Miles and Mabel were inside, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing outside, of the chaos that had engulfed our lives. I hated leaving them, but I knew I had to focus on finding Lydia. It was the only way to keep them safe.As I drove to George’s office, the world outside the car blurred by, my thoughts racing a mile a minute. Lydia was missing, and the idea of her in danger gnawed at me, twisting my stomach into knots. I couldn’t shake the image of her terrified face from my mind. Every moment wasted felt like another step further away from bringing her home.When I pulled into the parking lot, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. George, Jack, and Ruby would be waiting for me, and we needed to act quickly. Time was not on our side.I walked into George’s office, my heart racing as I took in the grim expressions on their faces. Rub
(Margaret)Sitting on the edge of the sofa, I stared at the walls of the living room, my mind a swirl of thoughts and worries. The sun streamed through the windows, casting warm rays across the room, but there was an unsettling chill that wrapped around me like a heavy blanket. I could hear the faint sounds of Mabel and Miles playing in the playroom down the hall, their laughter a bittersweet reminder of the joy that was so painfully absent from our lives right now.I had always prided myself on being strong, but with Lydia missing, everything felt different. I had to put on a brave face for the kids, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to mask my anxiety. Thomas had assured me he’d explained Lydia’s absence to them, but I could tell they sensed something was off. Children have a way of picking up on emotions that adults often overlook. As I listened to them giggle and chatter, the guilt washed over me again. I wanted to protect them from this harsh reality, but how could I d
(Lydia)I don’t know how long I’ve been here. Time feels like a distorted concept in this dark room, blending together into an endless stretch of fear and uncertainty. My hands ache as I continue to work on the restraints binding me. I can’t tell if it’s been minutes or hours since I started, but all I know is that I won’t stop. I’ve come too far to give up now.Every small victory feels monumental; the sharp edge I found on this decrepit chair has become my lifeline. With each careful cut, I feel the ropes beginning to fray, but the struggle is exhausting. I pause only when the pain becomes unbearable, taking a moment to breathe deeply, my stomach growling in protest, begging for sustenance. But I can’t think about food right now; I can’t let my mind wander too far from the task at hand.My throat is dry as parchment paper, a painful reminder of my situation, but I force myself to focus. I need to be strong. I need to find a way out of here. I listen intently for any sounds beyond t
(Thomas)The dim, flickering neon sign of The Golden Cage cast a shadow across the street as I parked my car. Beside me, Jack exhaled a low, tense breath.“This place looks like a setup for a bad decision,” he muttered, scanning the scene through the windshield.I gave a slight nod, “But it’s the only lead we’ve got. And if it gets us closer to Lydia, I don’t care what kind of place it is.”Jack glanced at me, his usual calm slipping just a bit when he said, “We’ll get her back, Thomas.”I didn’t answer. All I could think about was Lydia’s face, the way her hand felt in mine the last time I saw her. The determination, the strength…she’d been braver than anyone I knew. But I couldn’t bear the thought of her locked away, maybe hurt or worse, just because Nathan had a score to settle.“Let’s get this done,” I said, stepping out of the car.We walked in silence to the door, the thick smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke hitting us like a wall as soon as we pushed inside.The place was
(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