Jake's POVMy mother sashayed into my office, looking like a commercial model. Wouldn't be surprised if she was actually on her way to a shoot. Lately, she'd been swamped with interviews and shows discussing the family and, unfortunately, my personal life.Conveniently enough, she saved me a trip. I had an urgent matter to discuss.She settled into the plush chair opposite my desk. I placed a file on the glass table between us. My office chair offered a commanding view from behind the desk.Mom set her bag down beside her. "Is she coming back?" she inquired, clearly referring to someone.I knew exactly who she was talking about. "No, we're not done," I clarified. "Still married. It'll be old news soon enough.""Good grief," she sighed, sinking back into the chair. "I'm exhausted by all this drama."Just as my assistant (hired to help Jeff out) entered with two coffees, I decided to drop the bomb. "How's Dad doing?"My question nearly caused a coffee catastrophe. Mom fumbled the cup, g
Diego's POVMy phone buzzed incessantly throughout my gym session. I should've silenced it – the constant interruptions ruined my weightlifting routine. Frustrated, I cut my workout short and headed for a quick shower. After washing away the sweat, I donned my suit and tie again, adjusting the knot in front of the locker room's full-length mirror.Emerging from the shower, I glared at my phone screen – it was my assistant bombarding me with calls. If something urgent required my attention, he knew where to find me. Leaving my phone in the locker would've been smarter.Just as I decided not to return the call, it rang again. This time, I answered before he could launch into another frantic message."Mr. Dacosta is dead," he blurted out, wasting no time with pleasantries.The news hit me like a sucker punch. "What? When?""This morning, sir," my assistant replied. "The Dacosta family kept it out of the news somehow. They were very private.""Private no more, I suspect," I muttered, a ne
Selena's POVJust two days ago, I had both parents. Now, I was left with only my mother. The day it happened, I couldn't even cry. When I got home, I locked myself in my room, only opening the door when Gracie threatened to break it down.She brought food, insisting I eat, and patiently stood guard until I finished. I knew she was likely tending to my mother as well. Unable to speak, I couldn't even call Hillary with the news.The next day, my aunt arrived from Italy. A lifesaver, she joined Gracie in preparing for the funeral. Once, I overheard them discussing my mother's refusal to eat. She too had locked herself away.Gracie and my aunt pleaded with me. They believed I was the only one who could reach her. They insisted my mother needed to eat to stay healthy.With a heavy heart, I approached my mother's door. Knocking softly, I called out, "Mom, I know you can hear me. Open up, please."Gracie positioned the food trolley beside me before leaving. Feeding her was my task if she ope
Jake's POVTwo years laterThe meeting dragged on forever. By the end, I felt like my ears would bleed if I had to hear another presentation. I thought I'd be better adjusted by now, but who was I kidding?The truth was, I was getting worse. Recognizing faces had become a distant memory. I now relied on voices and the general throng of people to navigate the world. But that wasn't all. My doctor had delivered another bombshell that left me momentarily paralyzed.It wasn't just the facial recognition - a condition diagnosed way back when I was still with Rose, ultimately contributing to our breakup. Now, I had leiomyosarcoma – a rare and aggressive cancer of the smooth muscle tissue. The smooth muscles, as I learned, lined the hollow organs in my body.The doctor's prognosis was brutal: less than seven years to live. With that heavy weight on my chest, I decided to live life to the fullest. Since treatment wasn't an option, I poured myself into work, eventually becoming Chairman of Gra
Selena's POVI was sleeping peacefully in my bed when I felt a small, soft touch on my face. It rubbed back and forth, trying to open my eyes."Shh," a small voice whispered."What?" another voice chimed in. "Up!"Then the bed started shaking. They had resorted to their usual wake-up call: jumping on the mattress."Up, Mom! Up, Mom!" they chanted.I groaned and rolled onto my side. My hand reached out for the bedside lamb that doubled as a clock. Squinting through one eye, I saw it was just past 7:00 AM."Saturday, Mom!" one of them yelled."I know, I know," I mumbled, trying to catch some more sleep. It was the weekend, and I'd planned on getting some serious rest, but how on earth did these little troublemakers get into my room?"Who let you two in?" I finally asked."Big Grandma," one of the culprits whispered right in my ear."I can hear you perfectly well," I told my little girl. She just grinned at me in response. How could a two-year-old be so stubborn?She shook her head, her
Jake's POVI exited the airport in my rented car, heading straight for the hotel where I'd be staying during my New York visit.Finally, I was close to my goal. I was here to settle some things, and when I left, I wouldn't be leaving empty-handed. If the rumors of unknown heirs were true, they'd be coming with me.It would be my payback to Selena for leaving me the way she did, for keeping me away from my children. If they were mine, I'd fight for custody.A bellhop led me to my suite, and after tipping him, I took a quick shower. Refreshed, I ordered a meal to my room.Belly full, I joined a Zoom call with Jeff to inform him of my arrival in New York. A message from my mother sat on my screen, but I ignored it. She'd probably be wondering where I was after our planned meeting this morning.Where to begin? First, I needed to track down "Selena Dacosta of New York." The answer came easily this time – she wasn't just Selena Dacosta anymore. Amazed by her transformation, I wondered how a
Selena's POVKeeping a watchful eye on the kids, I took the ice cream Hillary offered, and she settled down next to me on the bench.Looking at her, I couldn't help but notice how happy, content, and downright beautiful she looked. She had everything seemingly under control – her son thrived at the best preschool, and her business was booming.The only thing missing, in my opinion, was a fulfilling love life. She deserved someone who appreciated her amazing personality. "Lost in thought, are we?" Hillary asked, playfully snapping her fingers in front of my face.I blinked a few times before grinning ear to ear. "You look amazing, Hillary. You deserve to hear that more often.""Max tells me all the time," she replied."Max, the perfect gentleman, absolutely. But you need someone older, someone with more experience," I suggested."Absolutely not," she countered."Yes, you do! You need to get out there, live a little, enjoy yourself!"She raised an eyebrow. "Look who's talking! Are you
Jake's POVI parked my rental car in the lot across from the imposing office building. Pictures couldn't do it justice – it was magnificent.Days in this city had been a slog, but today was the day for action. All I had to do was march in there and demand to see Ms. Dacosta.Leaving the car, I approached the main entrance. The doorman opened it for me, and I stepped into the lobby. The immaculate space, with its well-organized décor, was a testament to whoever was running the show.Could Selena really handle something like this? A female CEO at her age? "Wow," I muttered, a mixture of awe and suspicion. "Her parents must have been multimillionaires," I thought, "but why the secrecy?"Walking up to the receptionist, I found a young woman with a bright morning smile."Hello," I greeted her. "Can I help you?" she inquired, still smiling."I'm here to see Selena Dacosta.""Certainly," she replied. "Do you have an appointment?""No, unfortunately not."Her gaze shifted from her computer sc