My ex-husband’s nightmare

Mason The whiskey burned as it slid down my throat, but the pain was a welcome distraction. I slammed the empty glass down on the counter, nodding for the bartender to pour me another cup. He hesitated for a moment - probably wondering if I’d had enough - but he didn’t say anything. They never do. Not here. This was the kind of place where questions stayed locked behind pursed lips, where broken men came to drown themselves in cheap liquor and dim lighting.I was already three glasses in, but it wasn’t working. The ache in my chest hadn’t dulled, and the image of her face kept flashing in my mind. I hadn't set my eyes on her since that night three months ago. I'd tried to visit her on different occasions after she'd started her sentence but I'd ended up reversing the car and going back home each time. There hadn't been a trial because Lydia had plead guilty. How could she not? She'd murdered my stepfather in cold blood, right in front of my mother and sister.I could never forgive he

Mason Dinner with my family before Lydia and I had gotten married had always felt like a ritual - a carefully choreographed performance where we danced around emotions and narrowly avoided confrontations. The sound of clinking silverware was the only thing breaking the silence as I worked through my meal. Across from me, my mother sat poised, her back straight as ever, her every movement precise and deliberate. She dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a napkin before speaking, her tone crisp enough to cut through the air."The papers are ready?" She asked, meeting my gaze. "And signed as well?" She pushed further. I darted a glance in Zoe's direction, already knowing what expression I would find on her face. My mother and I had kept our plans from her until now, knowing she would definitely have objected. Just as I'd guessed, her eyebrows were drawn together in confusion and I could see the unspoken question in her eyes. I set my fork down, taking a sip of water before meeting my

LydiaI woke up feeling extremely sick. My stomach turned as I felt the little I had to eat last night slowly rush up, and my head felt so heavy I feared it'd pop soon. The air in the cell was damp; I could smell all the body heat, sweat, and heavy metal that I couldn't distinguish from the blood, too. I pressed my hand against my belly as memories flooded in."You have to tell Mason," Gloria’s voice said. Tell him? And then what? Would he even believe me? I sucked in a breath, trying to calm myself down as emotions rushed in all at once. A lump formed in my throat, and my body ached from the cold, hard mattress. The blanket barely did anything to keep the chill away. My fingers curled tighter over my stomach as I worried for the poor little things's safety. I couldn't let anything happen to these babies. Suddenly, my eyes caught sight of something heading for my side, and I hurriedly ducked, turning in bed, letting the kick attack my back instead. Pain shot up my spine, but I

VictoriaI had never stepped foot in a prison before. I had no business here anyway, but today, as I entered, the scent of disinfectant and something rotten beneath it attacked my nostrils, making me crinkle my nose in disgust. The walls looked dull and lifeless, like the people in orange jumpsuits who walked past me. But none of them mattered. I was here for one person.Lydia.I walked over to the officer and informed him of my reasons for being there. Being a socialite, he immediately recognized me and rushed to do my bidding. I walked into the visitor's room and sat patiently; after only a couple of minutes, I heard the other door open and watched as she made her way in.When she saw me, her whole body stiffened. Good. My smirk widened at her expression, but not for long, as my gaze drifted to her stomach instead. She was pregnant? How?Why?!My expression contorted in disgust as I stared at her. I wondered if Mason knew of this but then concluded that he did not. If he did, th

LydiaI lay on the hard mattress, staring at the ceiling. Sleep was impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the courtroom, the judge, and the cold, unforgiving walls of this prison closing in around me.Tomorrow was my verdict. And I am nervous as hell.I turned on my side, pulling the thin, scratchy blanket up to my chin. Maybe if I forced myself to rest, the morning would come faster. My hands went to my belly as I felt my babies move around, too. Even though it came under weird circumstances, I was more than happy to be pregnant. My babies' presence made me feel less alone, and I couldn't wait to kiss and hold my twins.I took a deep breath and closed my eyes with those thoughts, hoping they'd put me to sleep and give me good dreams.But then..Loud shouting came through the cell, and I could hear the sounds of crashing, yelling, and cursing. I flinched, my eyes snapping open as the noise grew louder. Someone screamed. Something slammed against the metal bars.I pushed myse