(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)It was nearing the end of the day when my phone buzzed, and I saw a message from Ben, the new bodyguard I hired for Lydia and the kids. I didn’t even have to open it to feel something was wrong. The subject line read, Incident at school pickup. My stomach twisted as I clicked on the message.Miss. Lydia ran into some trouble with a group of mothers. They confronted her about the Nathan situation. The kids heard everything, Ben’s text read. Everyone’s home safe, but it was rough.I shut my laptop, barely holding back my frustration as I tried to focus on getting home instead of spiraling over what must have happened. I should’ve been there. I hated that, after everything we’d already been through, Lydia and the kids were still facing this fallout. The thought of anyone speaking about her, or our family, with such cruelty sent a surge of anger through me. It had to stop.When I finally got home, I could hear Lydia talking quietly in the living room. I paused in the hallway, ga
(Lydia)I sat on the edge of Mama’s bed, taking in the familiar comfort of her room. She was propped up on the pillows, her face paler than usual but still carrying that quiet strength that had seen us through so much already. The room felt warm and safe, now filled with little things she loved, framed photos, a stack of her favorite books on the bedside table, the light scent of lavender lingering in the air. But today, the space between us felt heavy with all the things we hadn’t yet said.“Are you all set for tomorrow?” I asked gently, though I already knew the answer.Mama smiled, reaching over to pat my hand, “As ready as I’ll ever be, darling. Dr. Roberts is the best, and we’ve been through plenty together already, haven’t we?”I nodded, knowing it was true. Dr. Roberts had been with us since her diagnosis. He was thorough, compassionate, and always willing to answer our endless questions. After everything with Nathan and that horrible day in the hospital, Thomas had asked if
(Jack)I stared at the ceiling in my apartment, thinking how rare it was to have a weekend without something urgent pulling me into the office or the endless demands of family obligations. There was a comforting quiet here. My phone buzzed on the table, breaking through the calm. I leaned over to grab it, the familiar name on the screen making my stomach clench.“Amanda.”Her voice poured through the line, smooth but tinged with an edge of anxiousness, “Jack, we’re going to Vesper tonight. You should come.”Vesper, the upscale bar where the old money and young elite rubbed shoulders, a place I normally wouldn’t touch, especially on a weekend.“Why?” I asked, dragging a hand through my hair.“I have some friends in town, and we thought we’d have a little fun. Besides,” she paused, her tone shifting to sound fearful, “Marco frequents Vesper, and we’re kind of going there to…show him I’m not alone.”I sat up, suddenly more alert, “You’re trying to bait Marco?”“Not bait. I’m just…making
(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