(Winona)It’s been a few days since the engagement party fiasco, and while things have calmed down between Jayden and me, there’s still a lingering tension. Today, I’m heading over to my townhouse to pick up some things. I’ve been staying at the penthouse while Jayden needs extra care. He is meeting me here later to help load Anne’s boxes into the trailer.Abby is with Anne, and I’m hoping to have a quiet moment to myself. Anne is almost packed up and she’s saying goodbye to Abby over lunch and explaining that she will be back.It’s going to be strange without Anne here, but I’ll manage. Actually, being able to cope with school, Abby’s needs and my career is something I’m looking forward to. To prove I can do it. I’ll miss Anne to bits but I’m glad she’s taking in Bobby and Sarah. I hope to rebuild my relationship with those two kids as well.My deadbeat father has a lot to answer for. I hope he stays out of my life now and out of any kids' lives.As I walk through my front door, I
(Winona)I’m actually not sure Jayden and I can live together long term. We are very different in fundamental things. Like, I cook and clean for myself, and he has a whole array of staff for everyday things.He never got why I wanted my career because he had more money than we could ever need.As I move around my living room, I think back on my time working and being friends— well I guess more than friends— with Phillip. It was always so easy with him in understanding me and my needs.He communicated even when we weren’t even in a proper, committed relationship. He got what being friends or a couple is about. That level of respect for someone else’s opinion without it ever having to be said.If I could have that with Jayden, things would be near perfect. But Perfection is not something to strive for. It’s a thing we believe exists, but I’m not sure it does.I look at Jayden unpacking a box he’s packed and notice his expression shift. He looks like he’s about to say something but hesi
(Winona)Jayden’s recovery has been steady, and we are very thankful. While it hasn’t been all smooth sailing trying to navigate each other and our different outlook on life, there have also been wonderful times for us as a family.It’s the weekend again already, and we're sitting in my kitchen, discussing what comes next. Abby is drawing at the table, completely engrossed in her latest masterpiece, her little tongue poking out in concentration.Jayden takes a deep breath, his fingers tapping lightly on his coffee cup. “I’ve been thinking,” he says, taking a sip of his coffee. “Now that I’m recovered, I want us to start planning our future. Together.”“I think your recovery is still in progress. Don’t push too hard,” I say, eyeing him with concern. His face shows the strain of the last few weeks, though he tries to hide it.“I’m not walking around on eggshells being incapacitated. I need to get back to building Brennan Industries,” he replies, his tone resolute as he straightens up in
(Winona)Gordon Brown arrives at the house the next day with Jayden. “I asked Jayden to meet me here. It’s information about Ashlyn that concerns you both.” I offer him coffee, and we sit in the living room. His expression is serious, and I brace myself for the news he’s about to deliver.“Winona, the update on Ashlyn,” Gordon begins, taking a sip of his coffee. “She won’t be tried for attempted murder.”My heart sinks. “What do you mean? After everything she did?”Gordon nods, his face is grave. “She’s been deemed mentally incompetent. She’ll be going into a facility for offenders who need psychiatric help.”I take a deep breath, trying to process this information. I kind of get it. I mean, Ashlyn does need serious help. “So, she’s just... getting away with it really. But I know she really isn’t mentally competent. I wonder if she ever has been really.”“Not exactly getting away with it,” Gordon says, leaning forward. “She’ll be in a secure facility, getting the help she needs for
(Winona)The next day, Judy is visiting to spend some time with Abby after picking her up from preschool for me. I’m in the kitchen preparing some snacks while Judy and Abby are in the living room chatting.Judy’s laughter and Abby’s giggles fill the air, creating a seemingly perfect picture of family harmony.As I bring out a tray of snacks, Judy looks up and smiles. “Thank you, Winona. Abby, look at these delicious treats your mom made for us.”Abby grins. “Thanks, Mommy! Yum!”“You’re welcome, Sweety,” I say, admiring her work. “Go wash up before you eat.”Abby runs to the bathroom.Judy takes a seat next to me, her expression turning more serious. “Winona, can we talk for a moment?”I nod. “Of course, Judy. What’s on your mind?”She lowers her voice. “I’ve been worried about Jayden. Have you noticed how volatile he’s been lately?”“Look, with all due respect, Judy. You did almost have him killed while you were trying to kill me. I think he deserves to be volatile, and more.”“Poin
(Judy)The news of Ashlyn’s commitment to a high-security mental health facility had come as no surprise to me. After all, I was the one who had put the wheels in motion, ensuring that Ashlyn would be deemed unfit for trial.Knowing that her chaotic presence is now contained, though not entirely neutralized, is great because I still need her long-term.My thoughts drift back to the day Ashlyn shot Jayden. It was supposed to be Winona in the crosshairs, not my son. I didn’t know he would jump in front of her. I didn’t want to risk his life, just eliminate the thorn in my side, Winona.I grip my teacup tightly, pushing the guilt away. Jayden survived, again, and that’s what matters. Now, I need to play my part to perfection no matter how long it takes. Winning Winona’s trust is crucial if I’m going to get what I want—Jayden and Abby all to myself.I’ve invited Winona and Abby over today. My staff answers the door and Winona greets me with a guarded expression when she enters my sitting
(Judy)I’ve managed to smuggle an untraceable phone into Ashlyn’s facility, ensuring we can stay in touch. I mean, the poor girl; she needs someone who cares. Her mother has written her off completely now.It’s only right that I should visit. There’s no trouble bribing half the staff to turn a blind eye to Ashlyn using a phone in her bathroom. She contacts me when she can. Later this will come in handy.For now, I’m just pretending I care about Ashlyn. A few minutes later, my phone buzzes.A: I’ll do anything for JaydenJ: I know you truly love himA: I’m sorry I hurt himJ: He’s okay nowA: But he’s with herJ: Time will fix it all. Trust meThe irony isn’t lost on me. Ashlyn’s obsession with my son is both her greatest strength and her ultimate weakness. As long as she believes she’s doing this for him, she’ll follow my lead. I delete each text right away, ensuring there’s no trace of our communication.I pour myself a glass of wine and sink into my favorite armchair. The plan is w
(Winona)We're moving into the Brennan Wing family unit at the hospital today. It feels surreal to be back here, preparing for Abby's next heart operation. I remember the first time and all the fear I had over almost losing Abby to this unknown genetic fault.The air is heavy with anticipation, and despite our efforts to stay positive, there's an undercurrent of anxiety that we can’t shake off. But I know Abby is in the best hands and despite a bumpy road, she has a supportive family around her.Anne is visiting when she gets through the surgery. Bobby and Sarah aren’t coming. I felt it was a little too soon for us all. But I do hope to be able to help them rehabilitate from their ordeal and be a positive influence on their future.Abby is unusually quiet today, clinging to her favorite stuffed animal, Puppy. “Mommy, is the doctor going to make my heart all better?” she asks, her big eyes filled with innocent hope.She’s almost four and a half now and a far cry from being a toddler n
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