(Lydia)The mansion was quiet, still, almost too empty for my comfort. I wandered from room to room, trying to settle into some kind of calm, but restlessness had wrapped itself around me, making it impossible to relax. Thomas was at the office, and Mabel and Miles were at preschool, their laughter and chaos temporarily absent. I glanced at the kitchen clock. Only a few hours until they would be home, but right now, time seemed to stretch on endlessly.Usually, in moments like these, I would check social media, browse through photos, or catch up on whatever the world was up to. But after everything that had happened with Nathan and the press, I’d cut myself off from that world. It was a relief in some ways, but in moments like this, the silence grew too loud. My thoughts drifted to Mama, who was at the hospital right now for her chemotherapy. The treatments had taken such a toll on her. Each time I saw her, she looked more tired, more fragile. She’d tried to assure me that she was fi
(Thomas)The dream was so vivid that it took a few seconds for reality to settle back in. My heart was pounding, my chest tight, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. I sat up, my eyes scanning the darkness, my hands gripping the sheets, half-expecting the nightmare to reach out and pull me under again. I could still feel the desperation from those last seconds of the dream, the way Lydia had disappeared into a crowd, her figure slipping further and further away no matter how fast I ran. I’d called her name, over and over, but she’d kept fading, like mist dissipating in the sun.I swung my legs over the side of the bed, rubbing my temples, trying to shake off the last tendrils of sleep. The house was quiet, bathed in a thin layer of moonlight that seeped in through the windows. I glanced over to Lydia’s side of the bed, instinctively reaching out. The emptiness hit me with a hollow pang.I immediately threw on a sweatshirt and made my way through the hallway, the familiar creaks unde
(Ruby)I hated that I wasn’t with Lydia when she was going through such a horrible time, but there were some things I had to care about as well.I stood in the middle of the mostly empty living room, glancing around at the stacks of boxes scattered everywhere. My new apartment was modest but charming, with a sunlit kitchen and a little balcony where I could set up a small herb garden. For the first time in months, I felt a sense of calm I hadn’t realized I was missing. Adam was lugging another box through the door, setting it down with a dramatic sigh before wiping his brow with the back of his hand."Honestly, Ruby," he said, breathing heavily, "Do you really need this many books?"I laughed, rolling my eyes, “They’re essential, Adam. Imagine living here without them!”He gave me a mock-scowl, “You say that now, but wait until you realize that I’m your only bookshelf.”"Fair enough," I grinned. He’d been jokingly griping since he’d arrived, but he’d been a saint through all of this.
(Jack)I leaned back in my office chair, looking over the cityscape outside my window. My mind was barely registering the high-rise buildings and the stream of cars below; all I could focus on was Thomas. He’d been through the wringer lately, and I’d noticed it each time he walked through the doors of this office. His usual confidence and unbreakable energy were still there, but faded, as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.I’d seen him come in that morning, his gaze distant, his movements slower than usual. Thomas had always had this way of seeming invincible, untouchable even. I never thought I'd see him this worn down. Sure, he was handling it, or at least trying to. But every now and then, there was this moment, like a crack in his armor, a glimpse that maybe he was exhausted, worn out from dealing with more than even he could handle.My phone buzzed on my desk, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked at the screen: Lydia.I picked up, hoping she might be
(Ruby)I strolled through the empty storefront, imagining my vision filling the blank walls, the open floors. It was almost perfect: lots of natural light, big front windows, and space that I could easily picture filled with the racks of carefully curated pieces I’d spent months collecting. The boutique was so close to becoming a reality that I could practically feel the fabric under my fingers, smell the new paint, hear the bell above the door ringing as customers walked in.But still, a part of me felt oddly disconnected, as if I was floating somewhere between excitement and doubt. It had nothing to do with the space itself, this was a beautiful location, and I could see it working. No, it was something inside me, a restlessness I couldn’t quite name. And if I was being honest with myself, I knew exactly where it came from.As I wandered through the back rooms, considering where I’d set up a little office, my phone buzzed. I glanced down and saw Adam’s name. A slight smile tugged a
(Lydia)I jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat, my heart pounding so loudly I could almost hear it in the stillness of the room. Disoriented, I took a deep, shuddering breath, forcing myself to remember where I was. The nightmare had been vivid with Nathan’s face looming, his voice dripping with threat, his hands reaching out, trapping me again in that dark, isolated room. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to dispel the memory of his grip, the suffocating feeling of helplessness. But as the remnants of fear began to fade, I realized something else: Thomas wasn’t in bed.It didn’t take long to guess where he was. Sighing, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and tiptoed downstairs. The living room was cloaked in shadow, and there he was, just as I’d thought, sprawled on the couch, his head drooping to the side, looking like he’d sat down “just for a moment” and then succumbed to exhaustion. I leaned against the doorway, watching him for a moment, a familiar ache settling in my ches
(Thomas)I leaned back in my chair, absently twisting a pen between my fingers, my thoughts still tangled up in last night’s conversation with Lydia. Her worry clung to me, sharper than I wanted to admit. She wasn’t wrong, I hadn’t been sleeping well. But I had everything under control. Or, at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.It wasn’t the first time Lydia had suggested therapy. I knew she thought I was pushing too hard, spreading myself too thin, that I was letting the weight of everything crush me. She could see the cracks, even when I tried to hide them. And maybe she was right, maybe I was fighting to keep my grip on things. But therapy? I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. Or even that it would help.The tension of our talk had settled into me like an ache I couldn’t shake off. Lydia was hurting, too. Nathan’s threats, the media, the endless questions, none of it was easy for her, and it showed. The thought of her suffering alone left me feeling...helpless. But I couldn’t
(Lydia)Ruby showed up at the mansion this morning, grinning as I opened the door. Her energy was unmistakable, her face glowing with the excitement of change. There was a new sparkle in her eyes, one that I hadn’t seen in a long time, not since…well, not since things with Jack and Margaret had complicated her life.“Hey, Lydia!” she said, giving me a warm hug, “It’s so good to see you. I’ve been dying to tell you about the new place I found!”“Come in, come in!” I stepped back, leading her into the living room. The kids were at preschool, so we had the whole place to ourselves for a little while, well, almost the whole place. There was also Mama and Margaret somewhere around the house. Ruby kicked off her shoes and sat on the couch, pulling her legs up and looking more relaxed than she had in ages.“So,” I began, settling beside her, “About this new apartment, tell me everything!”Her face lit up, and she launched into a description of the space, every detail coming alive through he
(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.