(Ruby)Standing in the middle of my new boutique, I took a deep breath and looked around, letting the moment sink in. The walls, freshly painted in soft ivory, gave the space a timeless look, while the deep green accents I’d carefully chosen lent a touch of sophistication. This place was finally coming to life, and in a few days, it would be filled with customers, people who would come in and see my creations, my vision. It had been such a journey to get here, and now, after months of setbacks and distractions, it was real.I bent down and opened a box labeled “decoration,” taking out small frames with delicate floral prints and vintage gold borders. Each piece had been chosen with such care, down to the smallest detail. I wanted this space to feel warm, inviting, a little escape for anyone who walked in. I began placing the frames on the shelves, arranging and rearranging them until each one felt just right. I’d bought candles too, ones with scents that reminded me of fresh linen a
(Jack)Agreeing to help Amanda was not a decision I’d come to lightly. Memories of the past, of how we’d ended things, the betrayal, the fallout, flashed through my mind as I sat across from her in my office. I’d spent days wrestling with this, questioning if I’d be better off walking away from this entire situation. But then again, Amanda wasn’t just anyone. Despite all that had happened, we had history, a friendship that had meant something, and I wasn’t about to let her deal with this on her own.“Amanda,” I began, meeting her gaze, which flickered between hope and something close to relief. “I’ll help you. But we do this on my terms. I’m not going to fake a relationship with you, not even for show. What I am willing to do is spend time together, as friends. If Marco sees that I’m around and that you’re not alone, that should be enough.”She nodded, almost eagerly, “Yes, yes, of course. Friends. That’s…that’s fine, Jack.”I studied her for a moment, wondering if she was truly as c
(Ruby)Opening night of the boutique was finally here, and I could barely believe it. Months of preparation, from handpicking fabrics and designing every detail, had come together in this small yet elegant space I could now call my own. I’d wanted every corner of the boutique to speak of grace and style, from the chandeliers casting a soft glow on carefully arranged displays to the vintage mirrors reflecting the excitement on guests' faces. There were flowers on every table, each bouquet delicate and colorful, just like the clothes I’d created with so much care.People were already flowing in, dressed to the nines. I had invited a lot of people, some potential clients, friends I had made because we shared the same interests, and, of course, my family. Seeing their faces was what I anticipated most, hoping they’d understand the blood, sweat, and heartache that had gone into building this place. I caught my breath when I saw Lydia and Thomas walking in with the kids, Miles and Mabel,
(Lydia)I have no idea why it’s so hard to bring up the proposal with Thomas, or why talking about our living situation feels like trying to tiptoe through a minefield. We’ve been through so much together. We had been married once and now are the parents of two little whirlwinds, and here I was, still getting all nervous over something as simple as talking to him. It’s ridiculous, really. This wasn’t the first time he’d be proposing to me. We were married once, after all, and yet here I am, finding every excuse to avoid the topic. Every time I think I’ve mustered up the courage to bring it up, the words evaporate the moment I see him.Maybe it’s the months filled with unrelenting chaos that we’ve had to go through, or maybe I just don’t want to rock the boat now that things are finally settling down. We’re living at the mansion, which was supposed to be temporary, yet every day, it feels a little less temporary. I know I need to ask him about it, about what we’re doing, whether we’l
(Thomas)The fluorescent lights in my office buzzed quietly, the glow casting shadows across stacks of papers, files, and notes sprawled across my desk. I’ve gone over the same document three times, yet nothing is sticking. My mind is stuck somewhere else entirely, pulled in a direction I’ve been fighting to ignore.Lydia’s voice drifts back to me, gentle but firm, as she suggested therapy a few weeks ago. I remember the conversation well. She brought it up carefully, like she was testing the waters, and I immediately brushed it off. I didn’t need help. I’d managed to survive worse things on my own. Therapy had always sounded to me like something other people needed, a step for those who couldn’t shoulder their burdens alone. But here I am, unable to shake the lingering doubts and shadows that have haunted me since everything happened with Nathan. Since Lydia’s kidnapping. Since those nights when my mind twisted into worst-case scenarios that stole hours of sleep. I can’t keep prete
(Lydia)The moment I read Thomas’s message, my heart jumped into my throat. Something important to talk about, he said. I knew I’d told myself a hundred times not to think that every quiet moment or cryptic text from him was a sign of a proposal, but this one was different, it was vague, yes, but it had an air of finality as well. He wouldn’t phrase it like that unless it was serious, right? I couldn’t help but feel that maybe, just maybe, he was finally ready.So, I threw myself into preparations. If tonight was the night, then I wanted everything to be perfect. I gave myself a list to keep my excitement in check: first, get the kids settled. I made up a special story for them, told in soft whispers with Mabel on one side and Miles on the other. They asked questions, stretched it out, and I was happy to oblige. An extra bit of time together before what felt like a big moment for their parents. Afterward, I tucked them in, making sure they had their favorite stuffed animals, and kiss
(Lydia)When I arrived at Ruby’s boutique, I couldn’t help but smile. The place had her stamp all over it: chic, stylish, with just a hint of rebellion in the clothes she’d chosen to display. Ruby’s boutique had become her sanctuary, her new world. I could feel her pride as she gave me a quick wave from behind the counter, signaling for me to meet her in the back.We found our way into her small office tucked behind a thick curtain, far from the bustle of customers and the hum of city sounds. She motioned for me to sit on a cushioned chair in the corner while she took her own seat across from me, her brows already drawn in curiosity.“So,” she said, folding her arms, “What’s going on? You looked a bit preoccupied the moment you walked in here.”I let out a long sigh, leaning back in my chair, “It’s Thomas. I thought he was going to propose last night.”Ruby’s eyebrows shot up, and she leaned in, her interest piqued, “And?”“And…he didn’t,” I felt my cheeks flush with a mix of embarras
(Lydia)I checked my watch, hurrying up the steps to the preschool entrance, where Mabel and Miles would be waiting for me. The chilly November air was biting, and the first wisps of winter fog were settling over the city. But seeing my kids’ bright faces as I picked them up was the best part of my day, especially now, after everything we’d been through. Thomas insisted I take a bodyguard with me even for errands as simple as picking them up, and today, Ben was by my side. Although it did make me feel safe, but I couldn’t help but remember the ones that used to be there before Ben…the ones that lost their lives protecting me.I shook my head, right now was not the time to think about how Nathan had murdered my driver and bodyguard. My heart hurt something fierce at the reminder.As we approached the door, I heard a group of mothers talking in hushed, urgent voices by the side of the building. I couldn’t make out the words, but they turned to look at me as soon as I appeared. I wasn’t
(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