(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
(Sarah)Adam, that vicious viper of a man! And who did that Vanessa woman think she was, leaking out my secrets after I had paid her a million dollars for it?! Argh!I picked up a bottle of perfume from my dresser and hurled it at the wall, panting in rage. The glass shattered into a hundred pieces and the liquid splashed against the wall, leaving an ugly mark in its wake. The smell permeated the room.I screeched loudly, not knowing what to do. My phone began to ring. I let it. One by one, I picked up everything that was on my dresser – ointments, lotions, perfumes, and make up and threw them into every corner of the room. One of the bottles hit my ceramic bedside lamp and it fell down on the floor with a crash.My phone was still ringing and chiming.I walked up to my wedding dress, which was wrapped around a tall wooden frame and swung it down on the floor.Ding. Ding. Ding.My phone rang and vibrated. I stopped for a second. Was Thomas reaching out to me?I ran across the bedroom
(Lydia)“Well, how does it look?” I asked, walking into the living room. My cat heels clicked the marble floor. I twirled around in my dress. From the sofa at the center of the living room, Ruby’s jaw dropped.“Lyddie, you look so beautiful!” she exclaimed with a clap.“Thank you,” I said, blushing.I had selected an off-shoulder silver evening dress with an asymmetrical floral running down from one shoulder to under my other arm. I had tied my hair into a loose bun and picked some glittering hair clips.My hands and feet were manicured and nails painted over. Earlier this afternoon, Ruby had insisted that I go to the salon. I had left reluctantly and complained but when I had returned, I had laughed.Ruby had replaced wedding cans with glittering canvas flowers on pieces of strings to the back of my car. She had completed the décor with a sign.“What do you think?” she had asked me.“It’s too cheesy!” I had exclaimed, an ear to ear smile spread across my face.“Good!” Ruby had replie
(Thomas)As I swiveled the steering wheel to one side and braced Lydia with one hand, It all came flooding back to me.The crash.It had been louder than this one, but it still bore a stark similarity.And as I passed out, I began to remember.***The first time I caught sight of her was in a marketing class. She was an exceptionally bright student and her face radiated her intellect and playful joy. She was the curious type, always eager to learn – and gregarious. The professors loved that she debated with them. I did, too. I had always admired opinionated women.And then, she had rescued Jack and I while we were cheating on a test.“Those were my flashcards,” she had told the instructor.And, since then, I had been on her tail.“Go out with me!” I had exclaimed. She had jumped and then clutched her chest. “Sheesh, Thomas, you scared me!”I had showed up outside her dormitory, clutching flowers. “Please, give me a chance!” I had said. She had chuckled and hurried off to a class.“Go
(Thomas)I woke up in a hospital bed. There was a sharp pain thudding through my head. I glanced around the room. There was nobody there. I rang the bell for the nurse.She appeared with the doctor a minute later.“Oh good,” he said, “You’re awake. Mr. Lombardi, you’ve suffered a car accident. Luckily, besides some minor scratches, you are completely fine--”“Where’s my wife?” I interrupted him.The doctor drew in a deep breath and exhaled.“She is in the next room,” he said, “She shouldn’t have suffered any major injuries, but she is yet to gain consciousness.”I sprang out of bed. The doctor began to speak again but I did not want to hear it. “Take me to her!” I said.***Lydia lay in the hospital bed in the room next to mine. Her chest moved slowly as she breathed from the oxygen mask on her face. The door behind me swung open and Ruby and Adeline walked in.“How did we get here?” I asked them.“Somebody saw you two crash on the highway and called an ambulance,” she replied.“How l
(Lydia)My mouth felt as dry as sandpaper. Somewhere, a monitor was beeping intermittently. I could hear a man sobbing. It took me a second to realize that it was his voice.“Oh, Lydia, honey,” he wept, “Why won’t you answer me?”He continued to cry softly.Memories came flashing back to me – of us crashing into the side of the hill. I did not know how long I had been here but it was comforting to know that he was here, waiting for me, when I woke up.I opened my eyes slowly. I was looking up at a white ceiling and the lights on it swayed dizzily.“Baby?” he gasped, walking up to me.I turned my eyes towards him.“Oh, thank God you’re awake!” he smiled and cupped my face in his hands. Tears streamed down his cheeks. I had never before seen a man so ecstatic.“I’m sorry,” I quietly said, “Who are you?”His face fell. He blinked, alarmed.“What?” he gasped, “Don’t you remember me? Lydia, honey, it’s me – Thomas!”I crinkled my brows. “Thomas, who?”He was astonished.Then, his shoulders