Hi! I'm sorry it took me so long to update... I promise I'm trying to write more these days. Work and studies consumed all my time these last few months, but I intend to come back here more often.

I know this is a short one, but actually, it was just a part of a massive one that i decided to devide into parts so it isn't too much and i can leave you guys with something! Anyway, expect a rise in drama for the next ones ;)

I hope you like it!

After hours of preparation, Lydia was finally ready to head to the manor for the fundraiser. She chose her favorite blue dress. It was an Ellie Saab, slightly transparent, with a gap that showed a big part of her recently tanned leg. Being part of the Hampton's elite had it's benefits.

She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled, feeling butterflies in her stomach. Her heart beat fast with excitement at the expectation of seeing Victoria again.

Grabbing her golden clutch, she made her way to the door, but stopped, tensing up. "Where am I going with this? What are we doing?" she questioned, afraid of her own feelings. This was something that had been frequent since she separated from her husband. Just before going out to do something new or exciting, she'd feel anxious and, occasionally, even nauseous and her pressure dropped, making her feel like she'd faint.

For a second, she considered giving it all up, staying home and stop whatever this "thing" was with Victoria. She sat on the living room couch and closed her eyes, exhaling deeply. Her hands were shaky and she could feel drops of sweat dripping on her forehead. Tears filled her eyes and, even though, she refused to let them out, they made their way across her cheeks. In this moment, Lydia realized how hard it is to learn how to be free, after so many years of being condescending with living unhappy. Not only she was trying, for the first time, after all the years she spent with her husband, to be with someone else, but she was trying to be with a woman. Maybe it was too much for her.

Maybe she needed some time alone, to think things through and decide what step she wanted to take. The problem was that she already knew what she wanted: Victoria. No matter how much she wanted a break from all the divorce drama, she couldn't afford one. Sometimes you just have to make a move forward.

Back when she was still married, there were nights when she woke up at dawn and wondered if she would do anything different with her life, and all she could see in the future was that man. At this moment, with the divorce on the horizon, she saw nothing. Now, he was no longer the love of her life. Lydia was not used to imagining another scenario and that scared her to her core. All the plans she'd ever made with him were off the table and she had a new responsibility with herself: living.

When they started separating, she, sometimes, went to bed wanting to sleep and not wake up anymore, because she was too afraid of what the next day would bring her. She feared she wouldn't be strong enough alone and she had no north. Life itself was crushing for her.

But she got sick of it. She'd had enough of being afraid. It was time to move on, face life head on and chase her happiness, wherever it may rest. Even if she was scared of all the new feelings flowing in her soul, she'd keep going. Determined to create a new life for herself, she stood up, in a rush of courage.

Looking at a picture of her and Victoria at the table beside her, she smiled. There was a good reason to get out of the house tonight.