MasukLydia Ava answered first. “I think it’s nice. I like that you’re not making it too big. I think it should feel like us, not like we’re trying to impress people.”I listened carefully.“And I like that there’ll be a garden,” she continued. “It feels more comfortable. People can sit together and talk. And I think the lights will look pretty in the evening.”“What about you, Eli?”“I still think dinosaurs would make it better.”I closed my eyes.“But,” he added quickly, “the garden is good too. And the cake must be big enough for everybody. Also, I think Dad should wear a nice suit.”Dave looked offended. “A nice suit?”“Yes. Not one of those boring ones.”“Boring ones?”“You know. The ones that make people look like they’re going to an office meeting.”I covered my mouth to hide my laughter.Dave looked at me. “Are you enjoying this?”“Very much.”“Excellent. I’ll remember that when your wedding dress looks like a bedsheet.”I gasped. “You wouldn’t dare.”“Anything you want, milady,” h
Lydia “Hi, Mommy. When are you coming back?” Ava’s voice was quiet on the other end of the call. “When did you leave today, Mom? I came to your room earlier. I wanted to tell you something.” Guilt settled in my stomach. “I’m sorry, princess! You know Mommy is planning the wedding with Aunt Anna. Today, we went to check out venues and discuss the wedding theme. I’m so sorry, my babyyy. I promise I’ll be there when I get home. I’m on my way back now!” “Mom, I know, but—” I ended the call. Just like that. Another bad habit of mine. I was so quick to explain myself that I often forgot to listen to what the other person was actually trying to say. I scrunched my nose and stared at my phone. I would talk things out with her when I got home. Properly, this time. I booked a ride, and the driver arrived two minutes later. I settled into the back seat and watched the familiar streets pass by, already imagining Ava waiting for me at home. A few minutes later, I arrived. I opened the
LydiaShe glanced at the screen, and her expression changed.“Oh, no.”I looked up. “What happened?”“It’s work.” She answered the call, listened for a few seconds, and sat straighter. “Wait, what do you mean it hasn’t been resolved? Who’s handling it right now?”She listened again, her brow furrowing.“Okay. Don’t make any changes until I get there. Send me the latest figures and tell the team I’ll be back shortly.”She ended the call and let out a frustrated breath.“I’m sorry, babe. I have to go. Something’s come up at the office, and I need to sort it out.”I waved her off. “Go. It’s fine.”“Are you sure?”“Anna, please. I’m not going to fall apart because you have work to do.”She gave me a grateful smile, then reached for her bag.“I’ll call you later. And please don’t forget to rest when you get home. I’m serious about that.”“Yes, ma’am.”“I’m not joking, Lydia.”“I know. Go and save your empire.”She laughed, leaned over to hug me, and hurried away after settling the bill.I
LydiaTeni had prepared a shortlist of outdoor spaces that could accommodate the kind of celebration we wanted. She showed us photographs of each location, along with their capacity, facilities, accessibility, and the practical considerations we would need to discuss before making a decision.The first venue was a beautiful garden with mature trees, an open lawn, and a charming little walkway leading towards the ceremony area. It looked peaceful and romantic, and I immediately liked the idea of exchanging vows beneath the trees.“Look at this,” I said, leaning closer to the screen. “This is beautiful.”Anna studied the photograph. “It is. What’s the capacity?”Teni explained that the space could accommodate our proposed guest numbers, although we’d need to be mindful of the seating arrangement if we wanted a dance floor and a separate area for the reception.Anna nodded. “Okay. What about parking?”“There is parking on the premises, but the available spaces may be limited if the guest
Lydia We started with the overall theme.Teni showed us several options based on the pictures I’d saved from their page. There was a romantic garden concept with white flowers, soft blush accents, and delicate lighting; a more rustic arrangement featuring wooden furniture, greenery, and neutral fabrics; and a modern outdoor design with clean lines, sculptural floral installations, and a more contemporary colour palette.I liked elements of all three, which was immediately a problem.“I love the flowers in the first one,” I said, pointing towards the screen. “But I prefer the tables in the second. And the lighting in the third is beautiful.”Anna turned to me slowly.I knew that look.“What?” I asked.“Nothing.”“Anna.”“I’m just wondering how we’re going to put three different weddings together and still have one wedding.”I laughed. “That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? To figure it out?”Teni smiled. “Actually, that’s a good place to start. We don’t have to choose one concept exactly a
LydiaI looked ahead. “She’s good.”“Just good?”“She’s fine, Anna. School is going well, she’s been spending time with her new best friend, and she’s been telling me about what happens in class.”“That’s nice. How is she adjusting to everything?”I knew what she meant.To Dave being back in our lives in the way he was now. To the engagement, the wedding plans, and the changes that had come with our family finding its way into a new version of normal.I shrugged. “She’s doing well. Nothing much to report.”Anna gave me a look, but she didn’t press the matter.“Okay. Just make sure you keep checking in with her. You know how children can be. Sometimes they’ll tell you everything, and sometimes they’ll decide that one little thing is a state secret.”I smiled faintly. “I know.”At least, I thought I did.We reached the entrance, where a woman in a neatly tailored cream suit was waiting to welcome us. She smiled as soon as she recognised Anna.“Good morning! You must be Anna. We’ve been
Bernard stepped in, hands clasped neatly in front of him.“I apologize for disturbing you, ma’am. I came by earlier, but there was no response.”I rubbed my eyes. “I was asleep.”“Yes, ma’am.”He said it so respectfully that I almost felt bad for sounding irritated.Almost.“Would you like dinner?”
Lydia’s POVThe inside of the house was even worse than the outside.Worse, because now I had to physically stand inside it and accept that this was where I was expected to live.The space swallowed me the second I stepped in.The entrance opened into a massive living area with floors so polished I
Lydia I turned.He was standing a few feet away now, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable.There was no softness in his face.Just cool detachment.The kind that made the evening breeze feel warmer by comparison.For the first time since he arrived, he looked directly at me and held the
Lydia POVAfter what seems like forever, a black Rolls-Royce pulled into the court compound, I had already imagined three different ways to murder my husband.Future husband.Potential husband.Missing husband.Whatever.At that point, I wasn’t being picky.The sleek black car glided through the ga







