(Jack)I was overjoyed these days. Ruby was beautiful, smart, sweet, gentle, and kind. And things just worked naturally between us.I wanted to pop the question but I was a little apprehensive of what Mama would say. And, besides, I had wasted so many years partying and flirting around the world on my adventures that, perhaps, now it was time to double down on my work.I had originally not wanted to be a businessman. That had always been Thomas’s dream.I had, instead, been interested in driving race cars.But my life was just naturally moving towards passion and my heart’s desires now.And, last night, when Ruby had been lying in my arms, I had talked to her about it.“What’s on your mind?” she had murmured, looking up at me.“It’s just…” I had said to her, “I see how passionate you are about your art and your work and you design such beautiful clothes. I’ve always been good at my work but it has never really felt as deeply satisfying as it should.”“And what feels satisfying to you?
(Lydia)When I heard the doorbell, I felt butterflies fluttering through my belly. It was Thomas. He had come to pick me up for what Ruby was calling our ‘First Date 3.0’.“Complete it this time!” she said to me, put her arm behind my back.I nervously walked up to the door and opened it.He was standing there, clutching a bouquet of flowers.“These are for you,” he said.“Thank you,” I said, taking them.I turned back towards Ruby.“Good luck!” she mouthed at me with a wide smile.She shut the door behind me.It was a clear night tonight with a hint of breeze. Above us, stars were glittering in the sky.“It’s so beautiful…” I gasped.It felt a little surreal, being out here in so much joy.Thomas opened the car door for me.I stepped inside.There was so much silence. And it was only just the two of us.I had put on a deep emerald dress tonight and tied my hair into a ponytail.I nervously touched my gold earring.“You look perfect,” Thomas said quietly to me.We drove over to a rest
(Lydia)I was sobbing when I got back home. “What happened?!” Ruby asked. She was sitting in the living room with Jack, where Mama was watching television with the children.“Nothing!” I exclaimed. I turned around, embarrassed that Jack had seen this.I walked up the lobby and then began running up the stairs, taking off my heels and tossing them behind me.“Lydia!” Jack said, running after me. Ruby was running with him, too.They caught up with me just as I had reached the top of the stairs.“Hey,” said Jack, gently taking a hold of my arms.Ruby put her arms around me.“Shush,” she said, stroking my hair. But I could not stop crying.***“Now, will you please tell us what happened?” Jack said, placing a hot cup of tea in front of me.My head was in Ruby’s lap. She was sitting on the sofa beside me.Tears were streaming down my cheeks and into her jeans.“I don’t think,” I said, my voice sullen, “I don’t think that Thomas and I are ever going to be a proper couple again!”“What are y
(Thomas)I could not understand what I had done to make Lydia so upset. I had noticed her withdrawing a little from me during dinner last night but I had not been able to pin-point what the exact reason for that was. I had thought that we would have a really good time. I had reserved the entire restaurant for the two of us because I wanted to be alone with her and spend some quality time together. But things haven't worked out that way. During dinner, I felt her clam herself up.I understood her concern about the distrust that she felt because of the rift that had been created in our relationship. I felt guilty for wedging this divide between us. But I was trying to push it away; I was trying to make it go away. Why were none of my attempts successful?And then, she would not pick up any of my calls either. I had driven over to her house. I had tried to fix things. But, Ruby and Jack had answered the door.“She’s too upset,” Ruby had said, “It would be best if you left her to herself
(Jack)I wondered if Thomas already knew everything that I had meant to tell him. If he did, I did not think that he should be driving right now. Because what I had uncovered yesterday was too horrifying to be shared under casual circumstances. I had been meaning to talk to Thomas about it, but he had been preoccupied first with his date with Lydia and then with the aftermath of it.I had not even, in fact, shared this information with Ruby yet. ***Matthew had had a very worried look on his face when he had sat down with me in the conference room yesterday.“Tobacco?” I had asked, extending my box.He had hesitated but then took one. With the cigarette shaking in his quivering gingers, Matthew had set his palms down on the table and then looked up at me. “It happened four years ago,” he said to me, “I had just graduated and was working as an engineer at an oil and gas organization. I understood a lot about automobiles and people frequently started coming up to me and asking for ad
(Thomas)“What are you talking about?!” I exclaimed when Jack had finished. My head was spinning. This was too much information for my brain to handle all at once.Axiom had been one of Lombardi’s core partners right from the very beginning.“They were father’s friends!” I yelled.Jack let out a deep sigh. “I know,” he said.“How do we know that this Matthew guy isn’t lying?” I said.***Greg and Matthew stood before Jack and I. I peered at them, eyes hard and narrow, a cigar dangling from my fingers.“Do either of you have any proof,” I said, “for anything that you’re saying?”Greg nodded. He put his hand in his inside coat pocket, extracted a small bottle and placed it on the table.“It’s poison,” he said to me, “I was told to give it to Mrs. Lombardi.”I banged a fist on the table, furious.“Don’t say my wife’s name!” I yelled.Jack stood up, put a hand on my shoulder, and said, “I’ll handle this.”“It’s Greg, is it?” he said, turning towards the small man in front of me.Greg nodd
(Ruby)“Come on, babies,” I said, strapping them into the backseat, “Let’s go and get some ice-cream!”. Mabel and Miles had caught a faint glimpse of Lydia’s teary eyes. Mama had pulled me to the side and said, “Take them outside while I take care of Lydia.”I had nodded and immediately grabbed the car keys.Lydia had been devastated since last night. She might not be able to forgive and forget all that had happened with Thomas but that did not mean that she did not love him, nor did it mean that she did not want to be with him.But for the twins to witness this much drama and chaos would be absolutely terrible for them.I put on some nursery rhymes in the car.“The wheels on the bus go round and round!” Mabel and Miles sang along as they clapped.“Aunt Ruby?” Mabel called out to me.“Yes, dearest?” I asked with a bright smile.“Why does Uncle Thomas not tell Mommy that he loves her?” she said.“Yeah, please tell Uncle Thomas to tell Mommy,” Miles said, “Because if he don’t say it, Mo
(Jack)Sarah petulantly narrowed her eyes at Thomas. “What do you mean?” she huffed, “On the day of our wedding?”I saw Thomas clench his fist but keep his composure. “Yes, Sarah,” he murmured slowly, “On the day of our wedding. Where were you?”Sarah cocked her head. “I was confronting you about your crime, wasn’t I?” she said, “For sleeping with that bitch?’Thomas shot up. “NO, YOU NEFARIOUS IMBECILE!” he roared, “WHAT WERE YOU DOING AT ALMOST NOON THAT DAY OUTSIDE MY WIFE’S HOUSE?!”Sarah’s nostrils flared. “You can’t talk to me like that!” she shrieked, also standing up.I needed to interject before this got out of hand.“Stop it, both of you!” I exclaimed.“Sarah,” I turned my face sharply at her, “We have video evidence of you wrecking Lydia’s car which will be used against you in the court of law. You will be sent to prison for attempting to murder her. And your parents will face similar charges for both Lydia as well as Thomas for the car accident that happened four years ag
(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.