(Adam)I drove over to Lydia’s house, the backseat of my car filled with toys and presents for the children. Mabel was doing a lot better now, but I wanted her to know that she was loved and cared for. So, I had been trying to give her extra attention. I did not want for her to grow up and recall this incident and to feel horrible about it then. No, that would be awful.And I knew that Lydia would be feeling low about Thomas’s upcoming wedding but I also knew that she was a very strong person. Lydia had always been able to hold herself together. She had always managed to pull herself out of whatever situation that she landed in. She was an exceptionally strong woman. In fact, it was this very strength, bravery, and vitality that had always drawn me in towards her. I was certain that, over time, I could convince her to see me for who I was rather than hold feelings for Thomas in her heart. And when I did, she would be happy again.So, I was not especially worried about her.But when sh
(Jack)The boys, Thomas, and I were gathered around in a private club. Today was Thomas’s bachelor party.I had met with ten potential investors and closed a deal with three of them. Thomas had closed one with another. Overall, our shares had gone up twenty percent over the last six days. But Thomas was still devastated.“The scandal will bring all of these down,” he had said to me, “Sarah has announced the engagement to all of Colorado, possibly more. We’ll lose a lot of money if I refuse to marry her.”He was sitting in a corner right now, getting started on his second bottle of whisky for the night.I had never seen a man look so glum in my life. I had been upset about what had happened with Ruby. She had denied any involvement with me. Since then, we had only had a few brief awkward interactions with each other at the hospital. But we had not had a proper conversation. And even if we had had one, I would not have known what to say. What was there left to speak of?I had thought th
(Thomas)I had been standing on the table of another, much larger country club. “Here’s to me!” I had exclaimed, chugging down whisky directly from the bottle.“Whoa, there,” Jack had said, but he had been laughing, “Easy, now. Hand that over to me.”He had reached his hand out for the bottle. I had held it away, out of his reach.“This one is for me!” I had declared.Jack had shaken his head at me. He had then taken a huge chug out of his own glass.I had tapped at the bottle with my finger. It had only let out a dull sound, but everyone had turned towards me.“Gentlemen!” I had declared, smiling ear to ear, “In the morning, I shall be a married man!”They had all cheered.“And let me tell you, men,” I had slurred, “Love is beautiful! Life is beautiful!”“You’re not very eloquent, man,” Jack had jibed, “You know that, right? Never write a book!”“Hey!” I had frowned, still laughing, “Don’t you rain on my parade!”Jack had held his hands up. “Alright, alright,” he had said, “I’m just
(Lydia)The doorbell rang. Ruby got up to get the door. Upstairs, Mama was tucking Mabel and Miles into bed. Tomorrow was a Saturday, but we had strict bedtime rules for the children.“I’ll get it,” I said to Ruby, wiping off my face and heading for the door. I had been crying constantly for the past two days.It was so difficult to find strength right now. It felt as though the whole world was a strange illusion and I was walking around in it, unable to make any real sense of anything.Thomas was getting married tomorrow. I did not want to face it.But when I opened the door, I found that I was facing him instead.I was startled and stared in shock.And maybe just a hint of delight?Thomas was swaying on my curb. He reeked of alcohol.What was he doing here now?I did not know whether to let him inside or not.“Lydia,” he said, “I can’t …”He looked as though he was going to faint. In all honesty, I felt that way too.“Come in,” I said, making way for him.He clambered inside and gri
(Sarah)I had been ringing Thomas all night. At one point, he had switched off his phone. The audacity!Well, I said to myself as I rubbed in my hydrating lotion, it’s only going to be for one more night.After today, he will be mine forever. It was the happiest day of my life! I leapt out of bed. The sun had only just begun to climb and it cast a gentle golden hue over my beautiful white wedding dress.I gazed at it adoringly. I would wear this dress and then Thomas would take me home. I did not think that he was in the mood for a honeymoon right this very minute but I intended to take good care of that! I would make him fulfill his promise of taking me to Europe and then to Thailand.After all, I had waited three years for this day. I expected to be recompensed!His home, I thought to myself. It would have none of those hospital-like white and crystal décor anymore. Away with them! I would color it light green and silver. I could not wait.I pulled out my phone, meaning to check the
(Adam)I picked up two vanilla cream lattes, Lydia’s favorite, and a box of donuts. I was going to her house. I wanted to spend today with Lydia because I knew how devastated she would be. It was the day of Thomas’s wedding. I had planned to take her and the kids to National Park and in the evening we could all watch a movie. The theaters were playing a new animated children’s film that I thought Mabel and Miles would love.Honestly, I didn’t even care much about the plan. What mattered was that I kept Lydia distracted today. I would not let her whine and whimper alone at home while her ex-husband married that charlatan of a woman.But when I arrived at Lydia’s house, I was surprised to find a third car parked outside. Who was here so early in the morning?I frowned, shut the car door behind me, and walked up to the main door.I rang the doorbell and Ruby opened it. I immediately heard the sounds of a woman wailing from somewhere on the right of the house.“Lydia?” I gasped, baffled.
(Thomas)A podium stood at the front of the room with a microphone stationed ready on top. It bore the emblem of Lombardi Construction Co., a long L, a rectangular O with a similar, fading B, A, R, D, and I next to it. Behind it, the M stretched out, demonstrating the mountainous terrain of Colorado.Row of chairs stood before it. On them sat media personnel, journalists, and reporters – all with their set of notepads and recording devices. A few cameras stood on tripod stands in the back.The room was abuzz with anticipation.As I entered, the cameras began to click shut, signaling that the press conference had begun.I leaned into the microphone and grinned.“Good morning, everyone,” I said.The room murmured a dim reply.“You all might be wondering,” I said, “Why did I called you all here in this room rather than outside the church or at my wedding venue?“Well, I’m here to announce to you all today that due to some unfortunate incidents, Miss Winchester and I have decided to call
(Lydia)I looked coldly at him. “What is it, Lydia?” he desperately asked.“What did you think you were doing,” I asked, “bringing my children up in front of the media?”Thomas looked at me, baffled, for a second.“Our children,” he insisted, “And what did I say that was wrong?!”I stepped up closer. “Do you realize, Mr. Lombardi,” I seethed, “How hard I have worked to ensure that they are brought up in a peaceful and drama-free environment?! I have wanted to shield them from this awful vortex of gossip and drama that is a definite part of your world!”“Lydia, they are my heir and heiress,” he said softly, “I want the whole world to know that. And I don’t think that there is anything wrong with clarifying this to the public.”“It is wrong!” I shrieked, “Do you not understand how they would feel if the paparazzi followed them around everywhere? For them to grow up being featured in gossip columns?! I may have borne all of that as your wife but I will never – NEVER – allow my children