(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
(Winona)It’s Friday afternoon again and a week has passed since the ridiculous incident at our welcome party a week ago. All the paperwork is done for the adoption and has been lodged. I feel better now after Ashlyn saw Abby because I know she will be trying to find out about her.I’d never listed a name for the birth father. Mostly because I was trying to leave Jayden and all that pain behind. But also because I didn’t want his mother to use it against me somehow.There’s a stack of work to get done today and my first board meeting. I’ll need to work back again to catch up. Phillip left earlier to go meet with the podcast crew.I need to double down on the social media site marketing. But I’ll present both Phillip and my recommendations to the board and to the CEO Jayden today. My nerves are a little shot.I’d gone to speak with Jayden on Monday about some recommendations but found out he hadn’t come into the office that day. Apparently, he hadn’t been in all this week. I doubt he’d
(Winona)Pulling into the farmhouse driveway, I spot Cass sitting on the porch steps, her duffel bag at her feet. She looks up when Lisa and I step out of the car, a smirk already forming. She gives us a wolf-whistle.“Look at you two,” she calls out. “Business queens in the flesh.” Lisa tugs at her blazer. “Trust me, I’m getting changed right away. What a fucking disaster.” I roll my eyes and stride up to Cass, pulling her into a tight hug. She smells like vanilla and cigarette smoke, a weird combination that somehow suits her. “I’ve missed you, brat sister,” I murmur, holding her for a beat longer than necessary because I know why she’s here and it’s already breaking my heart. Cass pulls back with a grin. “Miss you too, boss sister. Seriously, what’s with the corporate look? You two getting ready to take over the world or what?” “Something like that,” I say, smoothing my blazer. “But I’ll let Lisa fill you in when she’s ready. So, I guess you’re here to say goodbye?” Cass nod
(Winona)Lisa stares out the window, chewing on the corner of her nail—something she only does when she’s about two seconds away from a full-on meltdown.The highway stretches out ahead, I can’t stop thinking about Logan Bennett. Lance’s twin. A walking, talking ghost we never knew existed. I can only imagine how rocked Lisa must feel.I grip the steering wheel. “You good?” Lisa lets out a short laugh, but it’s hollow. “Define ‘good.’ Because if it means questioning my entire reality while also wanting to throw myself into traffic, then yeah. I’m fucking great.” I glance at her. “You’re not throwing yourself into anything except maybe a bath later with a gallon of wine.” “I think any alcohol now might result in me making myself obnoxious. You know how I get.” Lisa stares out her window again.Then she continues talking. “I seriously thought I was hallucinating, Winona. Like, actual delusions. One minute I’m faking my way through this business gig, the next I’m staring at Lance—exc
(Lisa)The lights are too bright, the sheets too crisp, and everything feels weird. I blink slowly, my head pounding. My mouth tastes like I’ve been chewing cotton balls for breakfast. Where the hell am I? Then it hits me. The office. The meeting. Lance. I sit up too fast, and the room spins like I’m on some twisted carnival ride. I feel something in my arm and see an IV. There are monitors and things stuck on me.Shit, I’m in a hospital.A groan slips out before I can stop it, and suddenly there’s a nurse by my side, her face all sympathy and no-nonsense professionalism. “Easy now,” she says, pressing a cool hand to my wrist. “You fainted, remember? You weren’t responsive for a while. But the drip has done its job.” Fainted? Right. That’s what normal people do when they think they’ve seen their dead ex-lover casually standing in a boardroom like it’s just another Tuesday. “Okay... fainted,” I mumble, rubbing my temples. “Great. That’s just... fantastic.” The nurse offers me a
(Jayden)The kids are sprawled across the living room floor, their energy buzzing like they’ve downed three bags of sugar each. Henry’s babbling as he stacks blocks, while Abbey and Sarah argue about whether they should play schools or princesses. Bobby is pretending not to care, phone in hand. Anne is at the shops.It’s noisy and busy, just like normal. I think of Winona and Lisa. I wonder how they are going with the meeting? I pat my pocket, then the other side.“Guys, I left my phone outside on the bench. Try not to kill each other and watch Henry while I go and grab it.”They all look at me and nod and keep doing what they are doing. Henry seems taken with his blocks, so I whip out through the kitchen and out the back door.I see I’ve missed a call and she’s left a message. I scoop up my phone and head back inside to listen to the message. I won’t call back yet, they may be in the meeting still.I hurry back in and check out the kids. No one has moved. Great. I listen to the mes
(Mia)Gus walks through the living room slowly, his gaze flicking over the ornate furnishings, the heavy curtains, the marble-topped tables.His fingers trail along the edge of a sideboard, and for a moment, he looks lost in thought. “You okay?” He glances at me. “It’s strange being here without her and having all her stuff still here. I’ll see that it’s all collected. There’s some valuable pieces here.” “Judy’s gone,” I say bluntly, shrugging my shoulders. “You’ll have to get used to it. This place is part of Brennan Industries now, I believe.” His mouth tightens, and he doesn’t respond. Instead, he turns his attention to the window, looking out at the street below. I don’t know what he’s thinking, and honestly, I don’t care.Gus being here isn’t my concern—what he wants is. I know he says he’s here to pick up Mama, but that doesn’t fool me.“You didn’t come here to reminisce,” I say. “What do you want?” He turns back to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I want to know where y
(Winona)Lisa’s body is sprawled awkwardly on the sleek office floor, and my heart nearly stops as I drop to my knees beside her.“I’m Logan Bennett.” The sound of Logan’s voice, Lance’s voice, steady but sharp, slices through the haze of my panic.I glance up at him. Neater haircut, lesser designer suit, but that is Lance Collins right there.What the actual fuck is going on? No wonder she collapsed.“I’m calling 911,” he says, his phone already to his ear. “St James Hospital is close.”“Lisa!” I whisper, shaking her gently. Her skin feels clammy, her breathing shallow but steady. “Come on, Lis, wake up.” I turn her over to the recovery position. She is breathing but she isn’t waking up.Logan lowers his phone. “Paramedics are on the way.” His gaze flickers between Lisa and me, worry etched into his expression. “Is she…?”“She’s breathing,” I say. “But she’s not waking up.”Logan crouches down, his movements deliberate and calm, and for a moment, his presence reminds me so much of La
(Lisa)I can’t breathe.Meeting this CEO is going to be the death of me. I’ve been throwing up from nerves all morning.I adjust my blazer, trying to act like I’m not about to pass out, and glance over at Winona, who’s giving me the look—the one that says she’s about two seconds away from laughing at me.I’ve never worn a damn blazer in my life. Give me a mini-dress any day.“You know, I didn’t sign up for this level of stress. I thought we were just going to grab lunch with some rich guy, not audition for a role in The Apprentice,” I mutter under my breath, trying to hide the shaky hands clutching my bag.Winona raises an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. “It’s not The Apprentice. Just act like you know what you’re doing. And for God’s sake, don’t spill a drink on the guy.”“Drink, do you think he’ll offer some bubbles?” I deadpan.“It’s 9am, I think not, I meant coffee.”“Damn.”“You’ll survive.”“Barely. I’m not cut out for this crap.”“You know it. I’ll always b
(Winona)The soft cry of a baby envelopes me. At first, it’s faint, like it’s coming from another room. Then it grows louder, more insistent. I’m fumbling, trying to pinpoint the direction, but I can’t find it. My hands press against empty air, the cries getting louder. I’m coming, baby. I’m coming. I wake with a gasp, my chest so tight I can’t draw a breath back in. My hands grip the sheets. It’s like I’ve been running. But I’m in bed. My bed.I look over and see Jayden isn’t beside me. But bright sun is coming through the window. I must have slept late.The room is still. I finally suck a breath into my lungs. No baby crying. No baby to find. No baby.The realization twists. I sit up, forcing myself to breathe slowly, deliberately. “It’s just a dream,” I whisper, running a hand through my hair. “Just a stupid dream.” ***After dressing in a loose shirt and jeans, I decide to head downstairs. The scent of coffee and toast wafts up, warm and inviting. I can hear the kids’ chat
(Cass)I stride through the penthouse, my stiletto heels clicking against the marble floor with purpose.I know I look good—stunning, actually. This dress hugs every curve just right, and the deep emerald green makes my eyes pop.Tonight is about reminding myself that I have a feminine side and I’m not afraid to use it. Gabriel may have been part of my past, but I’m going to show him just how irresistible the present me is. But as I head towards the elevator, Viktor steps out, his tall frame filling the space and his expression hard as stone. He crosses his arms and plants himself directly in front of the doors. “Ready for your date then??” he asks, his voice low, almost a growl. “You know I am,” I reply, refusing to let him intimidate me. “Unless you plan to stand there all night.” His eyes rake over me, lingering just a second too long on the neckline of my dress before snapping back to my face. “You’re really going out with Gabriel.” It’s not a question. “Yes, I am.” I tilt my