(Lydia)The air was cool and quiet in Mama’s room as I sank into the armchair across from her. I’d missed the warmth of her presence, her gentle way of making everything seem more manageable.Mama looked up from her knitting, giving me a curious but gentle look, “What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”I hesitated, weighing my words carefully. “It’s about Thomas,” I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. She nodded, her soft gaze urging me on, “Things are...well, they’re better,” I continued, “But not entirely.”The words felt heavy. I wanted things to be whole again, but each day reminded me that some pieces were still missing. Thomas was trying, I could see that. Yet, despite his efforts, he still struggled with nightmares and the exhaustion that weighed him down. And then there was the ring, something he hadn’t mentioned to me, though Ruby had quietly let it slip.Mama set her knitting down on her lap, her fingers still, as she gave me her full attention. “Have you thought ab
(Lydia)It was late, and the house was quiet as I waited for the right moment. I’d spent hours going back and forth, letting Mama’s advice sink in, hoping to find a way to approach Thomas about the ring. I knew we had to talk about it, about what he’d wanted to do before everything went sideways. I couldn’t ignore it anymore. The air between us was thick with things unsaid, moments I wanted back but couldn’t reclaim without stepping forward.Thomas was sitting in his home office, the light casting shadows over his face, making him look even more worn than usual. I knocked lightly, hoping he’d sense the calm resolve I’d finally gathered.“Hey,” I said softly as I stepped inside.He glanced up, offering a tired but genuine smile, “Hey, my love.”I felt a pang as I looked at him, the lines of exhaustion etched deeply into his face. He looked as though he’d barely slept in days, his skin a little paler, his eyes unfocused. This was my chance, but I knew I had to tread gently.“Thomas…do y
(Lydia)Restlessness had seeped into my bones, the kind that made staying inside the mansion feel unbearable. I’d tried reading, cleaning, and even meditating, but nothing could quiet the constant buzzing in my mind. I needed to get out, to feel the crisp evening air against my skin, to escape the walls that felt like they were closing in more and more lately.So, after a bit of convincing, I grabbed my coat and decided to make a trip to the grocery store. It wasn’t far, just a short drive down the road, and I hadn’t been out alone in weeks. Just a simple errand, nothing more. A trip that would, hopefully, make me feel grounded again.The two bodyguards were insistent on coming, even if they tried to keep a respectful distance. They were dressed in civilian clothes, at least one concession that let me blend in a little better. I hadn’t minded the guards at first, grateful for the added security, but tonight, they felt like a reminder of all that had happened, of the lingering tension
(Lydia)As I stepped through the door of the mansion, my heart raced with a strange mixture of excitement and anxiety. I had just learned that my movie had premiered and was receiving critical acclaim, with my performance being highlighted as the best of the year. It was a thrilling moment, but I could feel the weight of everything hanging over my head as I anticipated Thomas’s reaction. Would he be proud? Would he see it as a reminder of my tumultuous past with Nathan? The house was quiet, the kind of stillness that felt heavy, like a blanket suffocating me in its silence. I took a moment to collect myself before heading upstairs, the grocery bags rustling softly at my side. I busied myself with keeping everything back in its place.As the day went on, I got even more excited about telling Thomas the news and I wanted to wait until he got home. However, he went straight into his office when he came home. Even after the kids had been put to bed, I could see the faint glow of light
(Thomas)The mansion was unusually quiet when I returned from the office, the kind of silence that wrapped around me like a thick blanket, stifling yet oddly comforting. I made my way to the living room, the familiar sights of home welcoming me back. But I couldn’t shake the weight of everything that had been piling up on my shoulders, work, my own deteriorating mental health, and the uncertainty surrounding my family. As I settled into the armchair, the doorbell rang, jolting me from my thoughts. I opened the door to find Jack standing there, a look of determination on his face. “Hey, Thomas,” he said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him, “I don’t think I filled you in about what George said.”“Good. What did he say?” I gestured for him to take a seat, my curiosity piqued. “Marco,” Jack began, his tone serious, “He’s not just some random guy. George found out that he’s the heir to a European billionaire, someone with a lot of connections and a reputation for being invo
(Thomas)The morning sun streamed through the large windows of the mansion, casting a warm glow across the spacious living room. I stood by the window, looking out at the well-manicured gardens, my mind buzzing with excitement. Lydia's movie had just broken records for the opening week, and I knew it was time to celebrate in a way that showed her just how proud I was of her. I’d been mulling over this idea for a while now, and today felt like the perfect day to put my plan into action. I picked up my phone and shot a quick text to Jack: “Let’s plan a surprise party for Lydia at the mansion tonight. It’s a celebration of her movie success.” A moment later, my phone buzzed with his response: “Count me in.” That was a relief; I wanted this to be a family affair, a chance for all of us to come together, especially after everything we’d been through.Next, I reached out to Ruby, keeping it all under wraps. “Hey, Ruby, can you come by the mansion later? We have something to celebrate.” I
(Lydia)The night had been nothing short of magical. I lay in bed beside Thomas, still feeling the buzz from the evening. They had all managed to surprise me, Jack, Ruby, Mama, and even Margaret. The kids had also gotten so excited, immediately catching onto the surprise. I couldn’t believe it, and I was still amazed by the love and support from everyone in that room. The party had been a celebration of the movie, of course, but it had turned into something so much bigger, something that had reminded me just how lucky I was.The moment I’d walked into the room and seen the decorations, my heart had skipped a beat. The balloons, the lights, the cake, all of it had been so thoughtfully planned, and seeing Thomas there, beaming with pride, had made my heart swell. It wasn’t just the success of the movie that made tonight so special; it was seeing everyone come together, the laughter, the joy, the kids running around with chocolate-covered fingers, Mama beaming at me, Ruby giving me a te
(Margaret)The idea of calling Ruby had gnawed at me for days. I knew she wouldn’t be eager to see me, not after everything that had happened, but I couldn’t ignore the guilt twisting inside me. I had wronged her, more times than I could count, and now it was time to make amends. Whether Ruby would accept or dismiss my apology was beyond my control, but I had to try.The phone call had been brief and awkward. She’d agreed to meet me at a café, her voice cautious and distant. That familiar pang of regret tugged at me, but this was why I was so willing to meet her. I didn’t want these regrets any more.As I arrived at the café, I spotted Ruby almost immediately. She was seated by the window, her expression impassive as she stared out into the street. She’d always had that graceful, poised air about her, a quiet strength. She wore it even now, like a shield.Taking a deep breath, I walked over to her table. She looked up as I approached, her gaze steady, unreadable. I noticed how her sho
(Thomas)The last time I saw Jack, he was deflecting my questions about what had happened to leave him injured and refusing any professional help. Typical Jack, always shielding others from his chaos, carrying the weight of his decisions like a stubborn mule. I knocked firmly on his apartment door, which was closed this time, knowing he’d hear the sound even through the thick, industrial-style door. After a moment, the door creaked open. Jack stood there, shirtless, a fresh bandage wrapped around his side. He looked tired but not beaten. That was my brother, gritty, relentless, and unyielding even when life knocked him down.“Thomas,” he greeted with a nod, stepping aside to let me in, “Didn’t expect you to drop by.”“Clearly,” I replied, gesturing to his appearance, “You could’ve at least put on a shirt for the occasion.”He smirked faintly, closing the door behind me. Jack’s apartment was neat but lived-in, a mix of modern decor and personal touches that reflected Jack’s no-nonsen
(Lydia)The morning passed quietly, but my mind was anything but still. Talking to Mama in the garden earlier had eased some of the heaviness pressing down on my chest, but it hadn’t erased it entirely. It felt like smoothing a wrinkle in fabric only to have another one pop up. There were so many reasons for my hesitance, and the biggest one gnawed at me: I hadn’t told Thomas. I could still see his face from last night, relaxed and content, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled at me over dinner. It had been a perfect evening, something we hadn’t shared in a long time. I hadn’t wanted to taint it with this...complication. But now, the silence I’d kept about Clara weighed on me like a stone. I stirred my coffee absently at the kitchen counter, staring out at the bright day outside. Mabel and Miles were at preschool, their laughter and chatter missing from the house, leaving it quieter than usual. Thomas had kissed me on the forehead before leaving for work, his expression one of
(Thomas)The faint hum of my office phone was drowned out by the stack of emails I had been working through since the moment I arrived at work. The buzz of productivity was always welcome, a way to focus my mind, especially after the whirlwind of emotions from last night. The date with Lydia had been everything I hoped it would be, a moment of calm amid the chaos. I found myself smiling as I clicked through a report, her laughter from last night still echoing in my mind. It had been a while since I’d seen her truly happy, her guard down, and it reminded me of why I fought so hard to protect what we had built together. My cell phone vibrated on the desk, breaking my thoughts. I glanced at the screen: Aiden. That name always brought a mix of feelings. Reassurance, because he was a solid ally, and apprehension, because his calls often came with heavy news. I picked up, leaning back in my chair, "Aiden, what’s the update?" His voice was steady but carried an edge, like a surgeon
(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