(Jack)The time I spent with Ruby was still fresh in my mind, and no matter how hard I tried to shake it, the memory clung to me like a stubborn vine. She had been there, right beside me, her head resting against my shoulder as the movie credits rolled on the screen. I didn’t even remember what the film was about, but I could recall every little detail about her. The way her breath had softened as she dozed off, the faint scent of her perfume that reminded me of summers we used to spend together, and the warmth of her presence that seeped through every layer of my guarded exterior.After everything, I never thought we’d share a moment like that again.I rubbed the back of my neck and paced the room, glancing at my phone for the hundredth time that morning. My mind was a storm of thoughts surrounding Ruby, Marco, and Thomas’s advice. I hadn’t been able to focus on anything, not the board meetings, not the messages from Stanton, not even Amanda’s situation. Everything seemed to orbit
(Jack)I don’t know what I was thinking when I made the decision to meet Marco like this but I knew Thomas would not approve of it.I hated doing this behind his back but sometimes, I felt like Thomas was too cautious about certain things and if I let Marco toy with me like this, it would just be more embarrassment from me.I truly didn’t know what his deal was. A rejected lover? A possessive ex? Or just a psycho freak?The café loomed ahead, its warm light spilling onto the street through the rain-smeared windows. Inside, patrons nursed lattes and pastries, their conversations blending into the low hum of jazz filtering through the speakers. It was the kind of place where power moves were made over espresso, where the polished oak tables and leather chairs lent an air of civility to even the ugliest business.I paused at the door, brushing the rain off my jacket, before stepping inside. The faint aroma of freshly ground coffee mixed with the sharp undertone of tension that followed
(Lydia)The wait was excruciating. For two days, I had wrestled with my thoughts, trying to piece together what Clara might be hiding. Her cryptic warnings, her desperate plea for money, it all felt tangled in a web I couldn’t unravel. When George’s call finally came, I didn’t hesitate.“Lydia, I’ve got some information,” he said over the phone. His tone was neutral, but I knew him well enough to detect the tension beneath it, “Can you come to my office?”“I’ll be there in twenty,” I replied, already grabbing my coat.The drive to George’s office was quiet, save for the rhythmic hum of the car engine. It was still morning and everyone was busy with their own thing.I had started to feel somewhat bored with living at the mansion and waiting for people to get back home, perhaps that was also the reason why I was so interested in what Clara wanted. It gave me something else to think about.When I arrived, George was waiting for me in his modest office. The space was clean and organized,
(Thomas)The investors filed out of the conference room, their chatter fading as they moved down the hall. It had been a grueling two-hour session, but judging by their firm handshakes and approving nods, I’d won them over. I loosened my tie, allowing myself a moment of relief before the next storm hit.Charlotte Ellis, my newly hired assistant, walked beside me, her tablet balanced effortlessly in one hand, her other hand poised to jot down notes. She’d only been here a few days, but already she was proving to be indispensable. Her sharp focus and ability to anticipate what I needed before I even asked were refreshing after the chaos of the past few months.At the moment, I felt like I had made the right decision by bringing her onto the team. She also seemed to blend effortlessly with the staff that worked on our floor.“That went well,” she said as we exited the conference room, her heels clicking against the polished floor.“It did,” I replied, “Though I’m not celebrating yet. Inv
(Thomas)I was finally starting to make some headway on the pile of reports cluttering my desk when my phone buzzed. George’s name flashed on the screen. A call from him was rarely casual.“What is it, George?” I asked, bracing myself.“You might want to see this,” he replied, his tone grim.A moment later, a link landed in my inbox. Clicking it, I was greeted by the bold headline of an online article: Jack Lombardi Spotted with Marco della Torre - What’s Brewing Between the CEO’s Brother and the Billionaire’s Son?I scanned the piece quickly, my irritation mounting with each line. The article speculated on why Jack had been seen meeting Marco, complete with grainy photos of the two sitting across from each other at what appeared to be a high-end restaurant.Cursing under my breath, I closed the tab and leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my hair.I had explicitly told Jack not to do anything about Marco without consulting me. Yet, here he was, blatantly ignoring my advice
(Lydia)I found myself pacing back and forth in the hallway outside Mama’s room, my thoughts a tangled mess. The texts from Clara were still fresh on my mind, her words clawing at my sense of calm. I couldn’t shake the image of her desperate tone, begging me to meet again, insisting that she had more to say.I was trying to ignore her, trying not to spiral, but the weight of it all was getting to me. The lies, the secrecy, the uncertainty of who Clara really was and what she wanted, it felt like too much. I couldn’t tell Thomas. I couldn’t tell anyone.I needed a distraction, a place to vent without revealing everything. Mama’s room was the closest thing I had to a safe space.Taking a deep breath, I knocked lightly on the door before stepping inside.Mama was sitting in her favorite armchair by the window, wrapped in a shawl despite the midday warmth. Her pale face lit up when she saw me.“Lydia, darling,” she said, her voice warm but weary. Dr. Roberts had started with her radiother
(Lydia)When I heard the front door open, I hurried downstairs, my nerves taut with excitement. Thomas had just returned from the office, his tie loosened and his jacket draped over one arm. He looked tired, as he often did these days, but I couldn’t wait to share my news.“Hey,” I greeted him with a bright smile, “You’re home.”“Finally,” he said, running a hand through his hair, “It’s been one of those days. What about you? How’s your day been?”I hesitated, suddenly feeling a bit shy about what I was about to say, “Actually, something exciting happened today.”He raised an eyebrow, curiosity sparking in his tired eyes, “Oh? What is it?”I took a deep breath, trying to contain my bubbling enthusiasm, “I got an email from Matthew Langford. The director.”Thomas paused, his brow furrowing, “Matthew Langford? As in the Matthew Langford?”“Yes!” I said, unable to keep the grin off my face, “He wants me to audition for a role in his next project. He even mentioned how much he liked my pe
(Thomas)The steady hum of the city outside my office window was a constant backdrop to my thoughts as I reviewed yet another report. The weight of running the company pressed on me as usual, but I had developed a rhythm for managing it. Still, my mind wandered briefly to Lydia. Her determination to re-enter the acting world was both admirable and concerning. I was wrestling with my own fears about her choice, even as I tried to respect her decision.Just as I reached for my coffee, the phone on my desk buzzed. “Mr. Lombardi,” came the voice of one of the building’s security guards, tense and urgent.“What is it?” I asked, already dreading the answer.“There’s been an incident in the underground parking lot, sir. Your car…someone slashed the tires.”I froze, my grip tightening on the phone, “Slashed the tires? How did someone get into the parking lot in the first place? Isn’t it supposed to be secure?”“We’re still reviewing the footage,” he said quickly, “But whoever did it was quic
(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.