(Lydia)The hospital smelled like antiseptic and too-clean air, the kind that made everything feel sterile and distant. The bright fluorescent lights overhead buzzed softly, casting an almost clinical glow on the room as I walked alongside my Mama. I held her hand tightly, feeling the faint tremor in her fingers as we made our way down the long, sterile corridor. She wasn’t talking much, but I could tell she was bracing herself, trying to keep it together. I wasn’t sure if I was doing the same. I was terrified. I’d been terrified ever since we’d gotten the diagnosis. But today, as we arrived here, it felt different. The weight of it all was pressing down on me. The reality of what we were facing settled over me like a heavy blanket, suffocating and unrelenting. My Mama was about to undergo surgery, a surgery that would either save her or change everything. And as much as I wanted to believe that she was strong enough to make it through, I couldn’t shake the feeling that nothing was
(Jack)The mansion loomed large and imposing as I pulled up, the gates creaking open just a little too loudly for my liking. I wasn’t exactly in the mood to go in there and face mother, but I promised Thomas I’d spend some time with the kids today. It wasn’t that I didn’t care about them, Miles and Mabel were practically family, and I knew Lydia and Thomas needed some help right now, but the last place I wanted to be was here, surrounded by all the tension and the strange atmosphere that had been hanging in the air since everything went down.Stepping out of the car, I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I hated the way things had changed, how everything felt out of place. It was like a shadow had fallen over the whole house, over everything. But I had a promise to keep, and I wasn’t about to break it.When I walked inside, the first thing I noticed was how quiet it was. Too quiet. Maybe it was because Lydia wasn't here, or maybe it was just because I hadn’t been around much latel
(Ruby)The hospital waiting room is dim, quiet, almost too still. It’s as if the world outside doesn’t exist in here, as if time itself has decided to sit with us, waiting. I sit beside Lydia, watching the clock tick away. She’s next to me, her hands folded tightly in her lap, worry etched across her face. I try to focus on comforting her, holding her hand and whispering reassurances, but my mind keeps drifting, tugged back to memories and regrets I don’t want to face. Jack. How did things get so complicated? He was supposed to be the person I could trust, the person who knew me. And, for a while, he was. We were everything to each other. I can still remember the way his arms felt around me, his steady breaths as he slept beside me. Now, I can hardly look at him without feeling that twist of disappointment and hurt. Part of me wishes I could forget about him altogether, wipe away the memories, but it’s never that easy. He’s here now, showing support, though I can’t seem to really
(Jack)The sterile smell of the hospital hallways clung to me as I paced the waiting room. My mind was still a tangled mess of thoughts, unsure of where to go or what to do next. I hadn’t expected to end up at the hospital today, let alone feel so helpless while Lydia and Ruby dealt with everything. My thoughts were a bit all over the place, drifting from Adeline’s surgery to the unspoken tension in the air between Ruby and me.Then my phone rang. The sudden buzz in my pocket startled me, and when I glanced at the screen, I saw Amanda’s name. I hadn’t heard from her in hours, maybe even a day. I pressed the phone to my ear, half-expecting her usual cheery voice, but instead I was met with an edge of panic in her voice.“Jack,” she said, her voice shaking, “Jack, I think someone’s been following me.”My stomach dropped. The way she said it made everything feel wrong, and I couldn’t ignore the knot that formed in my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was just the fear I could hear in her voice
(Adeline)The sterile smell of the hospital room clung to me as I sat on the edge of the bed, the soft beep of the machines providing a steady rhythm to the quiet. The room was dimly lit, but I didn’t mind. My thoughts had been racing all day, a whirlwind of what-ifs and fears that I couldn’t quiet. This wasn’t a new battle for me, after all, I’d been fighting this damned cancer for a while now, but each time a new step came, a new procedure, I couldn’t shake the sense of unease.I glanced across the room, where Lydia sat in a chair beside me, her face a mixture of worry and exhaustion. I could see it in her eyes, the concern that weighed her down. She’d been so strong throughout this entire ordeal, and it hurt me to see her carry such a heavy burden. I wanted to tell her everything would be okay, but the truth was, I didn’t know.I reached out for her hand, offering her a smile, though I could tell she wasn’t buying it. She squeezed my hand in return, her fingers trembling slightly.
(Margaret)The minutes seem to stretch into hours, each one slower than the last. I walk through the empty halls of the mansion, my heels clicking against the polished floor, but the sound feels distant, almost muffled by the restless thoughts churning in my mind. The air is thick with an uncomfortable silence, the kind that only comes when something heavy is hanging in the air. Lydia is not at home and Thomas is busy with the kids. Jack….well, Jack ran away at the sight of me. He still thinks that I am out to make his life more miserable. Truth is, I didn’t try hard enough to make him believe otherwise. In his mind, I still am the villain that destroyed everything.Adeline’s surgery is tomorrow. My mind keeps circling back to it. I’ve been thinking about it more than I should, more than anyone should. It’s strange, really. I’ve never been one to let myself get too caught up in other people’s drama, especially not when it’s family. But seeing Lydia struggle, seeing her face so worn
(Thomas)Working from home always sounds like it should be easier, a chance to find some balance, especially when the kids need a break. But today, with Miles and Mabel out of their usual routine and missing Lydia, it's proving to be anything but calm. My home office, which is usually a space of focus, a place to think through issues without constant interruptions, has become a revolving door of giggles, questions, and requests for snacks, stories, and, recently, a makeshift fort on the couch. I pause, looking at my email, inbox full of messages waiting for replies, urgent meeting notes piled up. But over in the next room, Miles and Mabel are arranging a kingdom of pillows, draping blankets over chairs and asking if I’d be the dragon guarding the treasure. I can't help but smile at their boundless creativity. A part of me feels frustrated that I can’t focus the way I need to, but another part of me feels something even stronger. Gratefulness.These moments are what I missed for so
(Lydia)I watch as they wheel Mama through the double doors toward surgery, my heart sinking with each squeak of the wheels against the sterile hospital floor. I’ve seen her face dozens of things with more courage than most people could muster, but something about this, knowing she’s going in for surgery, knowing she’s been fighting so hard against cancer, against the odds, it makes me feel helpless. I grip the edge of the chair, struggling to hold on to something real as she disappears around the corner.Even with Ruby beside me, staring straight ahead with a tightness in her jaw that matches my own, and Margaret across the room, flipping through her purse for tissues, I feel like I’m floating on some isolated, vast ocean. The faint hospital smells, the sounds of hushed conversations, the clattering of metal from a distant surgery room, they all press in around me, adding to this thick fog of helplessness. Mama’s always been my rock, my unfailing source of strength, and as I sit 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.