(Thomas)The hum of the office felt almost comforting, a constant background noise as I stared at the files in front of me, trying to get ahead of the chaos that had been the past few weeks. Nathan’s arrest, the media circus that followed, the emotional scars both Lydia and I had to deal with, and then Adeline’s surgery, it was all a lot to manage. But we were starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The court date was coming up, and it felt like justice was finally within reach. I thought, for the first time in a while, that maybe things could start to calm down.But, as always, life had other plans.I was hunched over a set of financial reports, scribbling notes, when the door to my office opened without a knock. I didn’t even need to look up to know who it was because I knew it would be my assistant. He’d been with me for years now, ever since the early days of the company, and I’d come to trust him like family. His punctuality and his no-nonsense attitude paired with t
(Lydia)I briskly walked down the hall toward the ICU. My steps echoed softly against the linoleum floors, the rhythmic sound grounding me. It had been 24 hours since Mama's surgery, a nerve-wracking stretch of time that felt like an eternity. But now, the wait was over. The doctors had said she was strong enough to be moved to a private room. It was a sign that she was healing, that we were finally stepping away from the edge of uncertainty.Ruby was already at the hospital when I arrived. She gave me a small, reassuring smile as we entered the ICU together. There Mama lay, her frail frame nearly swallowed by the expanse of the bed, monitors softly beeping in the background. Even though she was still, there was a peacefulness about her that hadn’t been there before.I settled into the chair beside her bed and gently took her hand in mine. Her skin was warm, her pulse steady. Ruby stood beside me, her presence was a silent strength I leaned on. We didn’t speak, didn’t need to. We wer
(Thomas)The files on my desk were a mess of folders, loose papers, and resumes. The sheer number of candidates for my assistant’s position was both impressive and overwhelming. The shoes were enormous to fill, not just anyone could manage the chaos of my schedule while keeping the rest of my life in balance. I wish I could do something to stop him from leaving. I had even offered his wife a position at the company, but I guess they were looking for a fresh start. I wish I could do something like that. Just leave this city behind and start from scratch in a place where nobody knew me and my background. I wonder how far I would go in life that way.I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my temples. I had been staring at these resumes for what felt like hours, and the pile of “maybe” candidates was laughably small compared to the mountain of rejections. I flipped through the topmost resume again, scanning it quickly. The candidate had good credentials, but something didn’t sit right. It
(Thomas)I sat in my office, staring out the window at the Denver skyline. The city was bathed in the soft orange glow of the setting sun, but I hardly noticed. My thoughts were far from the view, tangled in the words Aiden had said earlier. Nathan is interested in having a conversation with you. The request hung over me like a cloud. A part of me wanted to brush it off, ignore it entirely. But another part, a louder, more persistent voice, kept nagging at me to think it through. Nathan had never been the type to make meaningless moves. If he wanted to talk, there had to be a reason. The question was, did I want to know what it was? I rubbed a hand over my face and leaned back in my chair. My mind drifted to Lydia. She’d been through so much already, more than anyone should have to endure. Writing that victim impact statement had drained her, but it had also been a cathartic moment for her. She’d told me afterward that she felt lighter, like she’d finally let go of the weight
(Thomas)The night was quiet, save for the soft hum of the fan and the occasional rustle of the trees outside our window. Lydia’s steady breathing beside me was a comforting rhythm, grounding me in the present. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the cold sweat soaking my shirt or the racing beat of my heart.I sat up in bed, the tangled sheets sticking to my damp skin. Another nightmare. They’d been less frequent lately, but this one had clawed its way back with a vengeance. Nathan’s face had appeared so vividly that for a moment, I thought it wasn’t a dream at all. It was the way he had smiled, twisted, smug, and entirely too real. I glanced at Lydia, her features soft in the moonlight. She looked so peaceful, her hair spread across the pillow like a halo. I didn’t want to disturb her. She had enough on her plate without me adding my burdens to the mix. Carefully, I slipped out of bed, grabbing my robe from the chair and heading toward the kitchen. The tiles were co
(Lydia)The morning sunlight filtered through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow on the breakfast table where Mabel and Miles sat, swinging their little legs under their chairs. The scent of waffles and eggs filled the room, and I was focused on getting the twins to eat before I had to leave for the hospital. “Come on, Mabel, one more bite,” I encouraged, nudging her plate closer. Mabel frowned at her fork, clearly less interested in the eggs than the syrup-covered waffle she’d already devoured. Miles, on the other hand, was happily munching away, humming a tune under his breath. “Mama,” Mabel said suddenly, putting her fork down and looking at me with wide eyes, “I miss school.” The words caught me off guard. I paused, waffle in hand, and turned to look at her, “You miss school?” Miles, quick to chime in, nodded enthusiastically, “Me too! I miss playing with Liam and drawing pictures. Oh and also story time!” The unexpected confession left me momentarily speechless.
(Ruby)I glanced at the duffle bag by the door, its half-zipped contents mocking my hesitation. My resolve to leave for the mansion was firm in theory, but in practice, my feet felt glued to the floor. This wasn’t just about visiting the mansion or spending time with Lydia and Mama. It was about Margaret.Until now, I had managed to navigate around her, skillfully dodging most interactions. A quick hello here, a polite nod there, but nothing deeper. If I was under the same roof as her for an extended period, there’d be no avoiding it. At some point, I’d have to look her in the eye and say something that went beyond pleasantries or stilted indifference.The thought made my stomach churn.But I had decided to help Lydia in taking care of Mama and I was not going to back out now. If I were to remain staying at the apartment and have the boutique to look after, then I wouldn’t have time to go to the mansion to look after Mama and I was not going to neglect her health just because Margaret
(Jack)The meeting had been a disaster from the start. Sitting across from the businessman in the dimly lit, exclusive restaurant, I’d tried to keep my expression neutral as he pitched his idea with a level of enthusiasm that bordered on desperation. Expanding the company into the world of surveillance electronics? It was risky, to say the least, not to mention completely out of line with the company’s longstanding focus. He’d gone on and on about cutting-edge devices: smart home systems, discreet personal trackers, and security cameras so advanced they could identify a face in a crowd of thousands. While the market was growing and potentially lucrative, the ethical and legal pitfalls alone made my head spin. Thomas would need to hear about this, though I already had a strong sense of what his answer would be. “Let me be clear,” I finally said, setting my glass down with deliberate calm, “This company has been around for years because we’ve built a reputation on reliability and
(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.