(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
(Ruby)As soon as I got to the mansion, Lydia and Mama had just arrived from the hospital. Immediately, Lydia and I worked together to settle Mama into her room at the mansion. The space was warm and welcoming and it was Mama who had made it that way. I remember when we had shifted to the mansion. The room was filled with all kinds of furniture but something had still felt empty and cold here.I had realized later on that it felt cold and empty because no one had probably ever lived there. But Mama somehow, had changed the energy of the room in just a couple of months. Now, she sat propped up against the pillows, her frail hands resting in her lap. Though her energy was still low, her serene expression gave me hope.Lydia tucked the blanket around Mama’s legs, her movements tender and deliberate. “There,” she said, her voice soothing, “Everything you need is right here. Call for us if you need anything, okay?”Mama smiled faintly, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. “You girls spoil
(Lydia)The sound of Thomas’s car pulling into the driveway was like a signal for the day to shift gears. I had spent the afternoon going over the details of Mama’s care and ensuring Mabel and Miles had everything they needed, but the conversation with the kids that morning still weighed on me. Their innocent expressions as they talked about missing school tugged at my heart, leaving me unsettled.I had wondered if I should talk to Ruby about it but then I thought better of it. Ruby was already under a lot of pressure with the boutique and Mama, I didn’t want to put more pressure on her by telling her about what the kids said. I had decided to wait for Thomas to arrive before letting out all of my worries.When Thomas walked through the door, his shoulders slightly slumped from what I imagined had been a long day, I gave him a small smile. He smiled back, weary but warm, and leaned down to kiss me on the forehead.“Hey,” he said, his voice low, “How’s everything here?”“Busy,” I repli
(Thomas)When I woke up, the first thing I felt was the weight in my chest. Not the kind of weight that comes from a poor night’s sleep or a bad mattress—this was heavier, like a stone pressing down on my ribs. Guilt. I hadn’t done anything, not yet at least, but the feeling was there, gnawing at me. I stared at the ceiling, listening to Lydia’s even breathing beside me. Her face was peaceful, the lines of worry from the last few weeks smoothed out in the soft light of morning. She deserved that peace. We’d talked last night, sitting on the couch like we always did when something big was on the table. Trusting each other, making decisions together, being a team—that’s what we promised. And yet, here I was, already going against that promise, or at least preparing to.Nathan.His name sat bitterly in my mind, as unwelcome as ever. The idea of meeting him, of willingly putting myself in the same room as the man who had caused so much pain, felt wrong on every level. But the truth wa
(Lydia)I kissed the top of their heads as I set plates of waffles and scrambled eggs in front of Mabel and Miles. They were buzzing with excitement, barely able to sit still as they talked about going back to school. Their little voices overlapped, Mabel describing how she couldn’t wait to show her friends the new glitter markers we’d bought last week, while Miles was eager to tell his classmates about all the drawings he had done.Their energy was infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile. This was the right decision. After taking a week off to help Mama recover and regroup as a family, it was time for the kids to get back to their routine. Their happiness depended on it, and truthfully, so did mine.Thomas had left for the office earlier, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead before disappearing out the door. His support meant everything. Knowing he trusted me to handle the school situation gave me the confidence to move forward with my plan. Today, I was determined to meet the pri
(Lydia)Walking into the principal’s office, my hands felt unusually steady. The incident from a week ago rang in my mind, those mothers standing in front of the school, blocking my way, their condescending smirks and venomous words spilling out like poison in front of my children. I had been humiliated, sure, but more than that, I was enraged. Not because they had said those things to me, but because Mabel and Miles had heard every single word. It wasn’t just me they had attacked, it was my family, my children. And no one, not even a clique of overzealous parents with too much time on their hands, was going to make my children feel unworthy or unsafe.The principal’s office was predictably neat and orderly, the faint smell of coffee lingering in the air. She was a woman in her late fifties with kind but firm eyes and she greeted me with a professional smile when I entered.“Ms. Lydia, please have a seat,” she said, gesturing toward the chair opposite her desk.I sat, straight-backed
(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.