(Winona)
Moving to the city I grew up in was a real struggle at first. It’s been three years and slowly each day got better. The tiny life growing inside me made me stronger. This wasn’t just about me.
After giving birth to my beautiful girl, I started a little firm as a marketing and financial advisor, putting my education to use. It seemed being able to put forward proposals for successful marketing campaigns is something I’m very excellent at.
All of my smaller company campaigns have been going like wildfire. Enough to get the attention of several larger firms. Bigger contracts really turn things around in the corporate world.
I guess time does heal all wounds. It’s been the best time of my life since the divorce. Mostly because I’m a mother now and she is the most important thing in the world to me.
Would I love being a complete family? Sure. But families come in all shapes and sizes and mine is my daughter and my foster mother who stepped in without hesitation and welcomed me and now my baby girl into her life and small home.
Keeping my daughter safe and in a stable home environment is worth the sacrifice of leaving her father behind.
I kiss Abby on the forehead. “Momma’s got to go sweety.”
She bangs her spoon on her highchair and grins. I stare at her, mesmerized by her cuteness again. Her eyes, exactly like her father’s, beam up at me with her little cherub cheeks I constantly want to squeeze. She is just the happiest baby ever.
I check my watch. “I must go. I’ll be late and I promised Phillip I wouldn’t be today,” I called out to my foster mother, Anne.
“Just go, Abby and I are fine. I’ll do dinner. Why don’t you ask Phillip to join us, you’ve both been working such long hours.”
I hesitate. I think Anne is trying to make Phillip and I more than business partners. I get it, he’s an attractive guy, young, energetic and a very hard worker. “I will ask him but, Anne, you know we are only friends and I want to keep it that way.”
“I know Jayden is the father of Abby and that’s all been messy, but you need to have happiness. You need love, we all do.”
“I am happy. Right here with you and her. I’ve built a strong business in digital marketing and the bank accounts are finally showing profit. If we can nail a couple more major contracts, I’ll secure enough money for a great college fund.”
“College is a long way off. Focus on your own happiness too.”
“I can’t right now.” I may not be in love with Jayden the way I once was but it’s hard with his eyes being the best part of my day. Abby looks so much like him, and he doesn’t even know she exists. Some days I really wonder if I’ve done the right thing keeping my pregnancy a secret.
I go over and give her a hug. “I’m okay, I promise. We’re okay.”
Even the old threats from Judy Brennan and Ashlyn seemed to bother me less these days. No one is getting between me and my child, that much I do know. I’m stronger now. But I think Jayden would love his daughter so much and I’m denying him that chance.
“Winona, you did the right thing and one day, when you’re ready, you can tell him. There’s nothing wrong with that but denying yourself sharing a life with a man who will appreciate and cherish you isn’t right.”
“I can’t bring another person into her life like that. I want a stable home for her, we give her that. If I get in a relationship and we break up later, that will just be too confusing for her.”
Also, I can’t bear the thought of going through that pain again. In fact, I have no intentions of leaving myself vulnerable. I’m never going to let any man hurt me that way again. My life is my business and my daughter. Building something for us both. Getting us all into a bigger home and the best medical insurance.
That’s what I care the most about. Then I might be ready to talk to Jayden about Abby. I’ve done well so far, but I doubt I can keep her a secret forever. Besides, she deserves to know who her father is later. For now, it’s just the way it has to be. If we can get this latest contract signed off, I will be the owner of a million-dollar business.
That is my priority.
My business partner, Phillip, has been helping me grow the company almost the whole three years and we have grown very close. I have to admit, I do find myself flirting a little despite my decision to not bring a serious relationship into Abby’s life.
But she has met Phillip and does like him and he’s patient with her. I guess Anne may be right. Perhaps I will agree to go out with him, as more than business partners, when I am over the pain and hurt Jayden caused me.
But I need to go to work. Phillip said we have another offer on the table and the company is sending someone in person to make sure we sign off with them and not another company. It’s a major world brand and I know it’s a billion-dollar subsidiary of Brennan Industries.
But there’s no way Jayden or anyone close to him would turn up for a meeting with such a small company like mine. That is way beneath their level. So, for Phillip’s sake, I’ve agreed to at least hear them out. He was so pumped and this will be his baby. I don’t have to be involved other than the signature.
***
“My palms are sweating,” Phillip says.
“Don’t worry. You got this.” I reassure him.
“This deal can change our lives.”
“I know and you’ve put the work in, so just trust in yourself.” I haven’t told him about it being a company of my ex. I don’t want him to think he won or lost the contract because of my past.
He takes a deep breath in and puffs it out, psyching himself up. “I know. I got this, we got this.”
I high-five him. “Your work is amazing. We’re a great team but this is your deal.”
He looks all serious for a second and takes my hand in his. “Winona, I can’t thank you enough for taking me in as a partner, giving me a chance.”
“Don’t talk stupid. You are the best. I know a solid business prospect when I see one. Your hard work got you here.”
“I can’t believe I’m so close to the start of my dreams. But without you, I wouldn’t have this opportunity. No one else has the edge everyone wants in their advertising and that’s what attracts major players.”
“We make a wonderful team. You bring just as much to the table, Phillip. Speaking of tables, Anne is cooking a celebration dinner for us tonight. Would you want to join us?”
His eyes lit up and he pulled me in close to him. He smells amazing and his fit body envelops mine. I mean, any woman would give anything to be with a man like Phillip.
“Winona, you know how I feel about you. I’d love to come to dinner.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just want to stay friends and business partners.”
“But you’re attracted to me as well, I can feel it. What’s holding you back? You know I think the world of Abby.”
I sigh. He’s right. I am attracted to him. I was just too scared of being hurt again to go there. “We have to keep it professional. Let’s get this deal signed, then maybe we can talk.”
“I want you in my future, Winona, you and Abby. Just know that. You are beautiful and smart. Everything I could ever want in a life partner.”
Then before I can stop him his lips are on mine. His kiss is gentle and the softness of his lips makes me hesitate before pushing him away. Not in a harsh way, but just to break up this intimacy building between us. “It’s the wrong timing, Phillip. They’ll be here any second to discuss the deal.”
“I apologize. I’m just so damn pumped about it and I’ve wanted to kiss you forever.”
“Don’t be sorry. It’s just...”
I look away while finding the right word to turn him down, only to find standing at our glass door, glaring in at me and Phillip, is Jayden Brennan himself.Jayden! I mean wtf? Now you’ve met most our main players and I can tell you they are FULL of surprises. What you think you know, well readers…you don’t even know. I mean, I didn’t even know when I started writing what a rollercoaster they would take me on. Lots of chapters but packed full of emotional highs and lows. Read on, dear readers, and strap yourselves in…
(Jayden)It really is her. I saw her picture when my head of digital marketing brought this small firm to my attention. I see him kiss her and anger swells inside me and I get a flash of something. A pain in my head and Winona in a similar suit and me kissing her and wishing her luck for an interview.Then the pain is gone and the only thing I feel now is annoyance. How unprofessional of them. Aren’t they supposed to be business partners? I mean she has every right to move on but for some reason I can’t shake the anger right now.Her eyes are locked onto mine and her face reddens. I push open the door and stride in as if I couldn’t care less. I have a very lucrative contract in my hand and it will get signed today.I place it on the desk. “It’s all in there, you have twenty-four hours to sign. If you don’t sign, there will never be another offer from our company.”I remember the last time I told her to sign papers, three years ago. Divorce papers.She certainly isn’t crying this time
(Jayden)Something about Winona’s picture with her bright, warm smile and her shining, proud eyes triggered something inside of me. I had to see her again. Even if she’d been on the bottom of the list. Also I wasn’t surprised to see her at the top. For some reason I knew she would be the best at what she did.Something deep inside me told me she always was. As soon as I laid eyes on her I was not going to take no for an answer. He kissed and I saw her gently push him away. There’s a feeling inside me even now I don’t understand. Why him touching her should bother me, I don’t know. It doesn’t, it was just the shock of running into her again.I flick up her picture on my screen.Another vision flashes into my head: Winona, her smile was even brighter than the picture on my screen. She’s laughing and I’m spinning her around.A sharp pain hits inside my head. Damn, that hurts so bad. Maybe I should go see the doc. They did say I may have issues, especially if I started remembering. Am I
(Winona)He didn’t do anything but agree with me when I called him to say I wasn’t signing anything until we spoke in private. I’ve almost convinced myself to tell him about Abby. I’m certainly second-guessing why I need to convince him she isn’t his. Maybe it will all be okay.I haven’t heard anything from Ashlyn or his mother since the divorce, so I’m sure they don’t care one way or another now that the wedding is imminent. If they really wanted to find me and cause trouble, they could’ve done it.Jayden seemed a little strange when he came to my office last week. Like he was angry but then also confused. I guess he still sees me as the evil woman that wanted to get between him and his girlfriend. But the Brennans only do business with the best, so I know he can’t just walk away from me because the other business heads will want to know why.Jayden never lets his personal life interfere with his business.The probability that my business could get shut down due to some ancient hist
(Winona)When I got back to the hotel, my daughter greeted me with the most adorable smile and ran up for a hug. “Mommy!”“Hi sweety. Are you having fun?”“Puppy,” she says, holding up her favorite teddy.“Puppy is so cute.”She wriggles and I put her down. Someone rings the doorbell. Must be housekeeping. Abby clings to my leg.When I open the door, I find Ashlyn staring at me angrily. Abby is quite shy, so she runs off to probably go find Anne. Thank goodness, Ashlyn wouldn’t have gotten a good look at her face. I step outside and shut the door behind me.“Why are you here? Did you follow me?” I say and watch her eyebrows raise as she has seen a child and she must guess I’m now a mother.She pushes up closer. She is shaking, with anger or nervousness, I don’t know. But she is definitely upset. “You told me you weren’t pregnant.”“And I wasn’t. But I met a man and we went into business together and then started dating. Abby is the result of that. Not that it’s any of your business.
(Winona)It’s the day of the party. Boy, the week just flew past. I don’t think I’ve ever worked that hard, but I achieved what I wanted. I also didn’t have to lock horns with Jayden much and I never saw Ashlyn or his mother Judy in that time. All in all, it’s been a good week and the past hasn’t come back to haunt me as much as I thought it would. Maybe this will all be fine, after all. But then there’s Abby that no one knows about except Ashlyn, and she can’t have told Judy or Jayden yet as they would be all over me about it. I wonder why? I can’t keep her a secret for much longer and I still haven’t been able to talk to Phillip about the solution.To be honest there is no permanent solution once they all see her because she looks like her father so much and short of dying her hair and using colored contact lenses, the truth will come out eventually. If I can just determine when that will be it will help keep Abby out of any drama.Ideally, I’d like for Jayden to remember somethi
(Winona)I turn around. My heart is pounding and I’m trying to concentrate on keeping my breathing even. It’s unbelievable that I’m even here, about to be civil to these two. I’d never have thought it possible two weeks ago.I steel myself, paste a smile on my face and turn.Jayden is standing there smiling and he looks amazing in his tuxedo with Ashlyn by his side. They look perfect together, just like Jayden and I had looked perfect together at our senior prom. The night we’d finally made love for the first time.He was older now but no less sexy. Definitely more sexy than ever. Not that I had any right or need to notice. But deep inside, the sight of him still affected me like he always had. We should be a happy family right now instead of this absolute mess. But I can’t dwell on that fact. I smile at Ashlyn, clinging to Jayden’s arm.She’s wearing an off-the-shoulder red dress that hugs her super-slim body tightly. I wore that exact same style and shade to senior prom. She’d helpe
(Jayden)I hear screams and I see people gathered near the bathroom doors. Wait, is that Winona? I rushed over. What the hell has happened? Ashlyn is on the floor and Winona is standing over her. I see Phillip moving quickly towards them too and many eyes are interested.Damn it. It will be all over the media channels tomorrow.Now I’m close enough to hear Ashlyn’s words.“I didn’t know it was yours. I’m sorry! Please don’t push me again!” Ashlyn pleads.I see Winona roll her eyes. “Push you? I should kick your ass, is what I should do.” Winona says. “But honestly I can’t be bothered wasting the energy on either of you.” Winona glares at me.“Ashlyn? What happened?” I ask but my eyes are still locked with Winona’s.Ashlyn sobs her words. “She snatched the necklace from me and pushed me over. She’s a bitch. She hates me.”I help Ashlyn up and see the nail marks on her neck. “What the actual fuck are you doing attacking my Fiancée?” I demand.Winona looks surprisingly calm. She just s
(Winona)Back at my hotel suite, I kick off the high-heels and stretch my toes. I’m not sure where Judy was tonight but I certainly count it as a positive that she wasn’t adding to that drama.I’m certain her and Ashlyn are still working together against me. I just wish they’d all leave me alone to get on with my life. Coming back here was crazy. But Phillip deserved the break. He’s worked so damn hard for our business.“Here, I got us some water. Are you hungry?”“Thanks for the water. I think Anne has some food we can reheat later. Right now, I need to tell you a few things.”He takes his suit coat off and unbutton cuffs and collar. “I see. It can wait if you want to eat now,” he offers.“No. I need to tell you everything.” I take a deep breath. “Jayden Brennan is my ex-husband. We divorced just before I moved and started up my marketing business.”“I see. Well, that explains the daggered stares he sends when he thinks I’m not looking.”“What? Is he bothering you?” I didn’t realize
Readers, I’ve been back through all your comments and it really touches me that so many of you cared about these characters. I want to send a very special shout out to mitzi.goodson and Theresa for your active love of the story all the way and for commenting regularly. I love you guys and I love all the readers #hearteyes# Also I have discovered a mistake in the upload of Chapter 553. Only half the chapter seems to have been uploaded and I have now fixed that. I know you’re asking about if you’ll see these characters again…right now, I’m letting them rest but I hope to update you on them in the future. Right now I’m focusing on my new stories which I know you’ll also love.In the next one, After waking from a 5 month coma, Ava Lancaster watches her beloved daughter die. Ex-husband Zach Lorne, allowed the mother of his first child, cunning Sienna Sinclair to use little Lila as a medical pawn. Consumed by grief, Ava sets their mansion ablaze—clutching Lila’s body while Zach pleads outs
(Winona)Lisa sits on the couch between me and Jayden, her fingers curled around the USB stick.“You don’t have to,” I remind her gently.“I know,” she replies. “But I want to. I can’t move forward if I don’t hear him out.” She hands the drive to Jayden.Jayden leans forward and plugs the drive in. The screen flickers.And then there he is.Lance. Black eye blooming from Jayden’s attack over hall pass week, bruised knuckles, the same crooked grin he always wore.“Lisa,” he says, “I’m so sorry. I wish this could have been different.”I glance at her. She flinches but doesn’t look away.He shakes his head. “No big poetic intro. No music. No tragic montage. Just me.”His smile cracks slightly.“First, I want to say this isn’t your fault. You didn’t fail me. You didn’t love me wrong. In fact, you’re probably the only person who ever loved me right.”Lisa’s breath hitches beside me.“I wasn’t built for longevity, Lisa. You knew that. Hell, I practically had an exit sign blinking over my he
(Winona)Viktor stands with his hands by his side while Jayden finishes up his announcement.I watch on, proud of them both. Not only staunch in business but as friends.“I’ll still be involved on a higher level, but day-to-day, Viktor’s your guy,” Jayden says, firm and confident. “Effective immediately, he’s the new CEO of Nexus Global.”There’s a brief pause before the quiet, respectful claps ripple through the room.Viktor just nods. “Thank you,” he says. No long speech. No dramatic reaction. Just two words. Classic Viktor.Jayden glances my way and walks over.“Proud of him,” I say quietly. “And of you.”“He’s ready,” Jayden replies. “Hell, he’s been ready for a while now. He taught me almost everything I know about Nexus Global.”Viktor lingers by the window, posture steady. Astrid steps up beside him, saying something low. He replies with a brief nod and the smallest of smirks.Jayden leans into me and murmurs, “did you see that?”I arch an eyebrow. “The nod or the smirk?”“Both
(Winona)I see the moment his eyes catch mine in the window behind Astrid. He blinks like he’s seeing a ghost. Too late. I’m already across the restaurant floor, my heels pounding each step out in deliberate warning, the sound sharp against the quiet hum of late-night conversations. Heads turn. I don’t care.His face shifts from confusion to panic as I advance—his mouth parting slightly, eyes darting to Astrid like he’s trying to figure out if he’s imagining this. He’s not. I’m here. I saw everything.I saw the kiss. I saw the closeness after. The lingering smiles, the laughter, and the way Astrid’s hand stayed on his like they were sharing secrets. Like she belongs to him. You don’t need sound to understand body language.That kiss wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a friendly peck on the cheek. It was enough for me to wonder if they’ve been playing me for a fool for weeks. Maybe months.Jayden stands just as I reach the table, knocking his chair back in a clumsy scrape. Astrid rema
(Jayden)Astrid raises her glass, the candlelight catching the rim. “To surviving another quarter without firing anyone major.”“To the rest of us surviving the grueling schedule of the Ice Queen herself.”“You did okay.”“Just okay?”“Better than okay. You have quite the work drive, Jayden. Gus was right to leave Nexus in your hands.”“Not one of you thought that at first. You all hated me. Especially Hugo. I think he still might, actually.”“Oh, you are not so bad, after all.”We clink glasses. The wine’s sharp, dry—like her. The restaurant is dim, ambient, tucked just off the canal. Astrid insisted it was the best late-night spot in Brussels. So far, I can’t argue.The food was incredible, the service seamless, and the company? Easy. A little too easy.This dinner has gone longer than I expected. I expected an answer from Winona to my text. But it hasn’t come. The conversation just flowed so effortlessly tonight.No drama. No awkward silences. No carefully chosen words. Astrid, wh
(Winona)It’s nearly 1 a.m. when I step off the jet into the crisp Brussels air. I haven’t slept. I haven’t eaten properly. My thoughts have been chewing on each other for nine hours straight.I hear my phone notification, but I see Cass and I’m so damn happy. She’s about to launch the rest of her life and I’m excited for her.“It’s so good to see you.” I say as I run towards her and give her a hug.“You look like hell,” she says as she grins and hugs me back.“Oh, thanks for the compliment. You look like death yourself.”“Just finished a12 hour shift, what’s your excuse?”We walk out to the private parking area. Having a private jet is so convenient.“I can only blame stress and paranoia,” I tell her as we put my case in the back seat and get into her car.“Paranoia?”“Yes, about where Jayden and I stand in out marriage lately. I’m not sure I’m what makes him happy. All we do is fight, it seems.”“Okay… ah, so me telling him you’d have been better off never meeting him probably didn’
(Jayden)It’s nearly ten. The office is quiet, except for the soft hum of fluorescent lights above the boardroom. Astrid and I have been going through projections for Q3. Numbers, strategies, deadlines. All things that used to matter more than they do right now. My family call is bothering me. It’s not that Winona had a sudden business trip, that’s expected, it’s just the way we interact lately. Going through the motions. Not speaking up on how we feel in case it triggers an argument. I’m as much to blame.“You missed an adjustment here,” she says, tapping the edge of my laptop.“I didn’t miss it,” I say, not looking up. “I just didn’t apply it yet.”She raises an eyebrow. She knows I’m distracted. I’ve worked with her long enough to recognize the look that says I’m full of shit.“You want my input or just someone to nod along while you pretend to work?” she asks.I lean back in my chair. “You always cut right through it, don’t you?”“Of course.”She’s right. She doesn’t have patie
(Winona)The family call starts like any other.Except this time, I’ve told the kids I’ll be away and lied about where I’m going.Now I have to convince Jayden it’s an unexpected business trip.Bobby’s got a stack of papers next to him, pretending he’s not glancing at them while he listens to Jayden. He’s been working on some design options for the school vegetable garden.He’s become quietly obsessed with getting it right.Sarah is asking about when she can next visit the Nexus office again. Abby’s wearing one of Henry’s bibs and announcing herself as the ‘baby boss’ while trying to feed Henry a cracker he doesn’t want.Henry is slamming his hands on the table, shrieking with defiance, and Kit is doing her best to keep the screen steady while holding him.Chaos. Beautiful, familiar chaos. Welcome to the Brennan zoo.Jayden is calm, smiling, fully engaged. He’s asking Bobby about his team at school, praising his leadership skills. He tells Sarah he misses her drawings and promises to
(Winona)Phillip is at his desk when I walk in, finishing up a call. He looks up and gives me a half smile, casual but watchful.I cross the room but remain standing. “I won’t keep you long. I just… I wanted to let you know I’m stepping down in an active capacity from Vault. Effective immediately.”Phillip’s face shifts from polite curiosity to astonishment. “Wait—stepping down how?”I nod. “I’ll remain the owner. But I’m not going to be overseeing day-to-day management or strategic decisions anymore. I’m handing all of that to you. If you want it. CEO, President, call it what you will—I’m out.”He studies me carefully. “That’s… a big move, Winona. You’ve always been a control fre… ahh, hands-on.”I give him a quick grin. “Nice save.”“I’m talented, what can I say? But you being hands-off, I’m not sure that’s even possible.”“I’ve realized I can’t keep devoting so much energy to business. My family needs me. My kids need me.”“Is this what Jayden asked you to do?” “No. He’s been exc