(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 hours crawled by, each one heavier than the last, as I sat here waiting for any news from behind those sterile white doors. Mama’s operation has been going on for hours now, and all I can do is watch the seconds tick by, hope growing harder to cling to with each passing minute. Suddenly, Ruby comes over, balancing two cups of coffee and a couple of pastries wrapped up in napkins. She hands one to me with a small, sympathetic smile, and I take it gratefully, realizing that I’d forgotten to eat anything since we got here.“Thought you could use some fuel,” she says softly, sitting down beside me. Her presence is warm, grounding, and I can’t help but feel a little bit of relief knowing she’s here. Ruby and I have always had each other’s backs, but today, it means something even more.“Thanks,” I murmur, taking a sip of the hot coffee, “I don’t think I could’ve managed to leave this seat even if I’d tried.” I give her a small, wry smile, and she chuckles, though it’s tinged w
(Lydia)Dr. Roberts walks out of the double doors leading from the operating room, his expression serious. My heart skips a beat, and I immediately rise from my seat, Ruby standing beside me, both of us desperate for any news. I hold my breath as he approaches, bracing myself for what he’s about to say. "Lydia," Dr. Roberts begins, glancing between Ruby and me, "We’ve run into some complications."I feel a tightness growing in my chest, and I can barely speak. “What happened?” I manage to ask, my voice shaking.Dr. Roberts sighs, looking down briefly before meeting my eyes again. “The cancerous growth was larger than we initially anticipated. It was intertwined with more tissue than the scans showed, which means it’s going to take us longer to remove it all safely.”I feel the words hitting me like weights, each one heavier than the last. More invasive. More complex. Longer. This isn’t what we wanted to hear, not after all the worry that led up to today. I search his face for any hi
(Thomas)When I get the call, I feel myself tense even more. I feel a surge of urgency flood through me, a raw helplessness I don’t know what to do with.“I'll be fine, Thomas,” she says softly, like she can sense my unease through the phone, “It’s the least I could have done. Mama needs me.”I can almost see her sitting in some sterile hospital room, rolling up her sleeve without a second thought, resolute in that gentle way only Lydia can manage. It stings me that I can’t be there, standing beside her, watching over her the way I want to. I want to tell her to sit down, to let someone else do this; but I know how Lydia is when her heart is set on helping. She’s spent her life giving everything she has to the people she loves, and right now, it’s her mother who needs her.I take a breath, forcing myself to keep calm for her sake. “Lydia, just…make sure to rest, okay? I don’t want you pushing yourself too hard.”Her quiet laugh on the other end softens my anxiety a fraction, “I am, I
(Lydia)I close my eyes, letting the back of the cold hospital chair press against my head as the wave of dizziness takes over. The blood draw left me feeling hollow, like a drained version of myself, and though I know I’d do it all again in a heartbeat, the faintness in my body is an unsettling reminder of the helplessness I keep pushing aside. It’s all just hitting me now, Mama’s surgery, the weight of what it means, the sliver of hope we’re clinging to. And the fear. It’s a dark, looming cloud, the kind that sits heavy and constant.Ruby’s gentle touch on my arm pulls me back. She’s holding a small carton of orange juice, her eyes shimmering as she offers it to me with a soft, supportive smile. “Here,” she whispers, her voice thick with the same emotions I’m barely managing to hold down, “Drink this. It'll help.”I take the juice, sipping it slowly, feeling the coldness soothe my throat and slowly ease the wooziness. I don’t realize I’m crying until I taste the salt of my tears. T
(Lydia)Ruby’s hand squeezed mine, grounding me. As the rush of emotions settled and my breathing steadied, the room seemed to right itself, and my head cleared enough to sit up a little straighter."Lydia," Ruby began gently, her voice full of concern, “You should go home for a bit. Get some rest, maybe a shower, something to eat…I know you haven’t left this place since we got here.”I shook my head immediately, "No, I can’t leave now. I need to be here when Mama wakes up.""Lyd, you’ll do her no good if you’re half-conscious from exhaustion," Ruby pressed, “You can come right back after a break. Just a couple of hours. I’ll stay here with her.”I gave her a look that I knew was as stubborn as I felt. “Ruby, I’m staying. I have to be here for Mama when she opens her eyes. And besides,” I added, “You’re the one who should take a break. You have the boutique to look after. It must be exhausting, getting it all up and running. This is your dream, you need to be there, not sitting around
(Ruby)The hallways of the hospital stretch on endlessly as I pace, my nerves fraying as every second passes. We’re well over two hours into waiting, and the silence around me feels like it’s pressing down, making it hard to breathe. Lydia is seated with her head in her hands, not daring to lift her gaze from the floor. I want to comfort her, but I can barely keep my own hands from trembling, my own heart from racing in anticipation.Just when I think I can’t stand another second of it, the door swings open, and Dr. Roberts steps out. Lydia and I both stand immediately, the question hovering in the air between us, unspoken but so painfully loud.He looks tired, his face drawn, but he offers us a small smile. “The surgery was a success,” he says, and those words hit me like a weight being lifted. My knees go weak as relief floods through me, and I feel a small, disbelieving laugh slip out of me. Mama made it. She fought, and she made it through. Lydia lets out a choked sob of relief,
(Jack)Sitting at my desk, I find myself unable to focus. My office feels smaller today, the air heavier, my usual calm replaced by a quiet unease. Amanda’s call echoes in my mind, the way her voice trembled, her breath sharp with fear. She’d sounded terrified, and yet, after rushing over, searching her apartment complex, and finding nothing, there’s this uncomfortable knot in my gut that I just can’t ignore.I try to brush it off, to push her voice out of my mind, but it stays. I’d reassured her, promised her everything was fine, that no one was following her. But the doubts lingered, creeping in, pulling me back to all the ways my trust has been chipped away, bit by bit. I know I’m supposed to believe her, she’s in a difficult spot, and with Marco still lurking in the background, I don’t doubt she’s genuinely afraid. But still, I can’t shake that sinking feeling that maybe I’m not getting the whole story.The phone rings, a sharp break in the silence, and I grab it too quickly. Jus
(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.