(Ruby)The evening had unfolded just as I had expected, a glamorous affair, with luxury at every turn. I walked into the grand ballroom of the hotel, my heels clicking against the marble floors as I took in the breathtaking space around me. The chandeliers above shimmered like stars, and the air was thick with the scent of fresh roses. The guests were dressed to perfection, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight. It was elegant, luxurious, everything I had imagined a gala to be. And yet, my nerves still felt like a tight knot in my stomach.Jean, or Marco as he was truly named, had already made his rounds, greeting the most influential people in the room, his smile as charming as ever. I tried to shake off the unease I felt, reminding myself that this was just another event, another high-society night where I was simply a guest, no more important than anyone else. But with every passing second, the sinking feeling in my gut grew stronger.I had dressed with care in a
(Margaret)It’s been too long, I thought as I stood at the doorway of Jack’s room. The mansion was as quiet as it always was when he wasn’t around. And though I would never admit it, the silence here had always felt like an empty space, a void that only Jack’s presence could fill. But here I was, about to finally have the conversation that I should have had years ago.I took a deep breath, my hand lingering on the doorknob. The moment was too important for me to squander it, for both of us. So much time had passed. So many misunderstandings, so much bitterness. I could hear him moving inside, his footsteps heavy as if he had something weighing him down.With a quick turn of the knob, I opened the door, and there he was, Jack, sitting by the window, his face caught in the dim light. He didn’t look up at first. I almost wondered if he was pretending not to notice me. But I wouldn’t let him run away this time.“Jack,” I said, my voice soft but firm.He turned, meeting my eyes for the fir
(Adeline)It was just past midnight when I woke up, the room bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight slipping through the curtains. I turned over in bed, adjusting the pillow beneath my head, and tried to drift back into sleep. My body, though tired, wasn’t quite ready to surrender to rest. But then I heard it, the soft rustle of footsteps, too light to be Thomas’s or Lydia’s. The delicate sound of someone sneaking around.I sat up, my heart instinctively quickening. My mind raced as I wondered who could be awake at this hour. The soft tap of the footsteps came closer, and before I could make sense of it, the door creaked open."Ruby?" I whispered, squinting in the dim light as she quietly slipped into my bed beside me, curling into the space she had once slept in as a little girl."Ruby, sweetheart," I said, my voice trembling with the sudden weight of concern. I didn’t need to ask if something was wrong, the way she clung to the sheets, the soft tremble of her breath, it was clear
(Thomas)I woke up in the middle of the night, the air in the room still and heavy, as though the world outside was holding its breath. My mind had been restless, but sleep had still managed to slip through the cracks, until now. The silence was broken by the shrill sound of my phone ringing beside me on the nightstand. It was a sound that cut through the fog of half-sleep and immediately sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through my veins. There was no such thing as good news in the middle of the night.I glanced at the screen, my heart sinking when I saw George’s name flashing on the display. I sat up quickly, the bed creaking beneath me, and swiped the phone to answer.“George?” I rasped, my voice thick with sleep. “What’s going on?”There was a pause on the other end, long enough to make my anxiety spike. Then George’s voice came through, his tone serious and clipped.“Thomas, you need to sit down. I’ve just received some news. It’s about Nathan.”I felt the words drop like stone
(Lydia)The room feels too quiet, like the world has moved on without me. I’ve never been one to retreat into isolation, but today, it’s like I’m a stranger in my own life, disconnected from everything and everyone around me. I close the door to the room and lock it behind me, the sound of the bolt clicking into place almost reassuring. I don’t want anyone to come in, not Thomas, not the children, not even George. I just need to be alone.The bed is still unmade, and the scattered papers on the desk seem insignificant now. Everything feels wrong. I can hear the faint hum of the TV from the living room, the sound of it muffled behind the door, but I can’t bring myself to go out there. I don’t want to know what they’re saying. The chaos of the world outside, the reporters who have camped outside our gates, the phone calls that keep coming, it's all too much. The moment I check the news, it feels like I'm sucked into a whirlwind of questions and emotions, ones that I can’t escape.But
(Thomas)The first rays of sunlight peek through the curtains, soft and gentle, but they feel too bright in the quiet, still room. I’ve been awake for what feels like hours, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing in every direction. Lydia hasn’t said a word since she locked herself in here. She’s been so quiet, so withdrawn, and I’ve been trying to give her space, trying to respect her need to process everything that’s happened. But now, as the day begins to break, I can’t help but worry.I get up and approach the door, standing just outside for a moment. I want to go in, to check on her, but I don’t want to push too hard. Not yet. I take a deep breath and gently knock, my hand hovering over the doorknob, waiting for her response.“Lydia?” I say softly, my voice tentative. “Are you awake?”I wait a few seconds, and when there’s no answer, I knock again, a little louder this time. My gut tightens. What if she’s still isolating herself, unable to deal with the weight of the world closi
(Thomas)I sat at my desk, the morning light filtering through the tall windows of my office. Papers and files cluttered the surface, all of them demanding my attention, yet my thoughts were far away. The chaos of the past few weeks had consumed me, Lucien’s threats, Nathan’s death, the shadow of danger looming over my family. It was an unrelenting storm, and I’d been doing everything I could to keep the ship afloat.But in all of it, I had lost sight of what truly mattered: Lydia and the kids.I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes for a moment. Lydia had been through so much, far more than I’d ever wanted for her. She had stood by me, weathering each storm with unwavering strength. And what had I done? I had let the weight of it all distract me from the one thing I’d been meaning to do for months now. I wanted to make her my wife again, in every sense of the word. Not just the woman I shared my life with, but the woman I chose every single day. I wanted to give her the moment
(Thomas)The sound of the coffee machine whirring in the corner of the kitchen was oddly soothing. It was early, the kind of early when the world was still waking up, and the house was eerily quiet. I had asked Jack to come over for breakfast before the day took hold of both of us. I needed his advice, and there was no one I trusted more when it came to figuring out how to handle the unexpected.Jack walked in just as I was pouring two mugs of coffee. He looked as he always did, calm and collected, but with a sharpness in his eyes that told you he never stopped thinking.“Morning,” he said, setting his coat over a chair and sitting at the table.“Morning,” I replied, sliding a mug across to him.He walked over and sat down, remaining quiet. Normally, he would be very curious about why I called him but his muted and contemplative expression made me worry.And then I realized. He must be thinking about what happened with Ruby.On top of everything, we had Marco to deal with. He wasn’t h
(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.