(Winona)As the days passed, Abby got stronger and the plans came together beautifully. The garden is transformed into a magical wonderland with twinkling lights and colorful decorations.We arranged for a caterer, a drinks service, a live band, and a photographer to capture every precious moment.There’s also children’s activities and child carers on hand for later.There’s a real energy picking up and I don’t think anyone has not been able to come.As Jayden and I head into the kitchen to check on last minute things, he brings up another topic that’s clearly been on both of our minds. “You know, with Mother and Gus planning to leave soon, things might finally be normal for us.”I nod. “I hope so. I’m not sure we even know how to do normal. Maybe with Judy gone, we can find some peace and stability.”Jayden’s expression turns serious. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what Mother almost did to you. What she ultimately did to me. Even though I know now she tried to call it off. It’s har
(Winona)It’s the early hours of the morning, and the last of our friends have finally left. Jayden and I have had more alcohol tonight than we’ve had in a long time, and the buzz was nice for a change but not something I want to repeat anytime soon.I know I’ll be feeling crap when I wake up.Anne is sleeping over with Bobby and Sarah in the guest quarters and Abby has collapsed into bed after her first late night in forever. The whole part was perfect.We’ve planned a night at our usual club for a catch-up and some fun next weekend, but right now, all I can think about is the way Jayden is looking at me.He scoops me up in his arms, his eyes electric with desire, and carries me to the bedroom. His touch is burning my skin, sending shivers down my spine. We tumble onto the bed, and his hands are everywhere, igniting a fire inside me.We’ve been flirting all day and it’s been amazing. To just be open about the desire we share is a relief but the fact that we haven’t been together sinc
(Winona)My heart stops, the words hitting me like a physical blow. “You think I’m crazy?”“I never said that,” he retorts. “I meant your reactions are not rational right now.”“Oh, because you would know all about rationality, wouldn’t you? Having lived with your mother and Ashlyn, you wouldn’t know normal if it hit you in the head.”Jayden’s eyes blaze with fury. “Oh, so now you’re the expert on normal, are you? I think I’m a pretty good judge of when someone needs professional help these days.”“That’s rich coming from the guy who believed every lie Ashlyn told him,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “You were so quick to divorce me and marry her.”I should stop but now I’m on a roll. “How do I know you won’t be as cruel to me again? I took the best part of two years trying to show you what we had. You never once gave me the benefit of the doubt. You were too busy thinking with your dick and bonking Ashlyn’s brains out.”Jayden’s jaw tightens. “I was confused and manipulated.
(Jayden)I wake up with a pounding headache that swears me off drinking forever. The sunlight is stabbing through the curtains like a knife, and I groan, pulling the covers over my head. My mouth is fully carpeted, and I must have swallowed sandpaper.I roll over and the bed is empty. Wait. My hazy mind is slowly piecing things together. This isn’t Winona’s bedroom, it’s mine.Someone has put my body through a meat grinder, I’m certain. But that’s not the worst of it—no, the worst part is the memories flashing back of that argument, bringing with them a fresh wave of regret.Last night, well early this morning, was a disaster. I can still see the hurt in Winona’s eyes, hear the venom in our voices as we ripped into each other. The alcohol didn’t help, but that’s no excuse. I let my temper get the best of me, and now I’ll pay the price.Wow. Maybe I should just lay here all day. I mean, I could. The extra sleep will do me good. But my eyes pop open and I know there’s not chance of me
(Jayden)“What!? How do you know they never had sex?”“I asked. Not hard to get information, you know.”“So, what the hell am I supposed to do?” I ask, frustration boiling over. “She threw it in my face, like I can just erase the past. I can’t.”“Maybe start by not throwing a tantrum when she brings it up,” Lance says bluntly. “You’ve got to understand where she’s coming from. And for fuck’s sake, stop acting like she’s accusing you of something you didn’t do. You did it, so own it.”I rub my temples, trying to ease the thumping. “And what about you, huh? You’re sitting here pining after Lisa like a goddamn schoolboy who won’t admit he’s in love with the only woman in the world who can possibly put up with him.”He snorts. “Nice try. Actually, I’m meant to be playing golf with Phillip today, pity.”“Phillip?” I scoff. “You’re telling me you’re pining over missing out on golf with Phillip?”Lance laughs, “At least I’m not living in denial like you are.”“Denial?” I snap. “What the hell
(Winona)I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. My head’s pounding, my stomach’s churning, and every sound stabs into my skull. I groan, pressing my hand to my forehead as I sit up in bed.The memories of last night come flooding back—the party, the drinks, the argument.God, the argument.Anne stayed over with Bobby and Sarah. I hope they never heard us arguing like that. The kids are playing downstairs, their laughter bubbling upwards. It’s the only bright spot in my day so far.I pull on a robe and drag myself down to the kitchen, where the smell of coffee isn’t helping my nausea.“Good afternoon.” Anne glances up from the table, her eyes sharp. “You look like hell,” she says, handing me a mug.“Feel like it, too,” I mutter, taking a sip and wincing. Even the usual coffee tastes too strong. I wince. “Afternoon?” I look at the clock on the wall. “Shit, it’s almost three in the afternoon!”“I heard Jayden slam the door when he left around three in the morning,” Anne says, her voice pr
(Winona)“What kind of sex?” I have no clue what she’s on about.Lisa leans back, “You don’t know? God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”“Tell me what you mean.” I demand.“It was, you know? Kinky, like Dom and sub kink from what I gathered. She basically did all the things he was into just to keep him on a sexual leash, so to speak.”I want to throw up.“You know,” Lisa says, “maybe you should consider that therapy idea Jayden brought up. It’s not the worst suggestion.” She’s gracefully changing the subject and I’m letting her.But my mind is still locked onto what she said about Jayden’s sex life with Ashlyn. I focus back on the words Lisa just said so she doesn’t see how rattled I am by the earlier revelation. “Go tell a complete stranger my deepest and most irrational fears? Not likely,” I add.“Yeah,” Lisa says with a shrug. “Jayden’s been through therapy for his own stuff, right? Maybe it’s time you both went together. Could help you work through this Ashlyn thing. A
(Winona)Jayden arrives at my door early on Sunday morning, the sun just starting to filter through the trees outside. I wasn’t expecting him this soon; he texted earlier to ask if he could come over. I open the door, and there he is—tall, broad, impossibly handsome. His face is a mix of determination and regret. “Hey,” he says softly, “Thanks for seeing me.”“Hey,” I reply, stepping aside to let him in. “Thanks for wanting to come by. I want to get this cleared up.”We go to the kitchen and I pour us coffee.He takes the cup from me, his fingers brushing mine for just a second, and I can feel the familiar pull, the one that’s always been there, even when everything else felt like it was falling apart. We sat down at the table.“I’m sorry,” he starts, his voice low. “About everything. I know I messed up, Win. I... I never wanted to hurt you like that ever.”I nod, looking down into my coffee, watching the ripples on the surface. “I’m sorry too. For my part in it. Jayden, I think we’
(Winona)The dining table feels more like a boardroom today. Jayden’s laptop is open, his notes meticulously organized. Anne sits beside him, her ever-calm presence keeping us in check.I’m across from them, sipping coffee like it’s a lifeline. I’m nervous and nowhere near as organized as Jayden looks.“Anyone think you’re vetting the CEO of Nexus Global,” I say, glancing at Jayden’s neatly printed spreadsheets. “Just as important,” he counters, tapping his pen against the table. “This person is going to live here, help raise our kids, and be part of our lives. I’m not leaving this to chance.” “Fair,” I admit, “but this can’t be about just what’s on paper. It has to feel like the right match.” Anne brings some crackers over. “We’ll find someone and I’m quite happy to keep doing it until we do. Don’t feel pressured to choose today.”“Anne, you need a life. You’ll always be a part of this family, the kid’s Nanny Anne. But I want you to be able to have a grandmother role, not a primar
(Lisa)The sound of kids laughing and fighting all at once is a special kind of chaos. Not loud enough to make me need earplugs but constant enough to make me question why anyone willingly signs up for this parenting gig. I’m sitting at the farmhouse kitchen table, nursing a mug of herbal tea—because Winona says it’s for relaxation, apparently—while Winona navigates the madness with calm efficiency. Tastes like I’m drinking fresh-cut grass. Eww.“Sarah, put the scissors down before someone loses an eyebrow!” Winona shouts from the stove, where she’s flipping breakfast pancakes with one hand and holding Henry on her hip with the other. Jayden strolls in, looking half-asleep but still managing to make kissing her cheek seem like the most romantic move in the world. He grabs Henry and tosses him in the air, making the toddler squeal with laughter. “Morning,” Jayden says to me, his voice a deep rumble that doesn’t match the little boy giggling in his arms. “You sleep okay?” “Like the
(Jayden)I rub my thumb over her knuckles. “We’ll make it work. We always do.” I want that to be the truth. More than anything. She nods, but I can tell something else is bothering her. “I won’t spend more than one night away from the kids while you’re gone,” she says, like she’s trying to convince herself more than me. I smile, though I know that promise is going to be harder to keep than she thinks. “I appreciate that. But Winona... you have to be prepared for when you have to choose business over family sometimes. It’s going to happen, and it’s not going to feel great.” Her shoulders stiffen slightly. “I can balance it, Jayden. I’ve been doing it already.” I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “I know you have, but it’s going to get harder. Board meetings, investors, expansion plans—they don’t wait for soccer practice or bedtime stories.” She crosses her arms, and there it is—that little flash of defensiveness I knew would come. “I know that. I’m not naive. But I’m not ab
(Jayden)Winona stands at the kitchen counter, scrolling through her phone while absently stirring her tea. Her brows furrow slightly, lips pursed in that way that tells me she’s already a million miles into business mode. I used to love that look when we were at Brennan Industries together. Seems a lifetime ago now.I lean against the doorframe, watching her for a moment before stepping closer. “Thinking about ditching me for a board meeting already?” I tease, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. She huffs a soft laugh, but it’s distracted. “Actually, I was going to ask you some advice.” She sits at the dining table. I grab my coffee and settle across from her. “Shoot.” Winona finally looks up, her eyes searching mine. “I have a couple of big events next week—the board meeting, a dinner with potential investors, and now a charity gala just popped up. It’s a lot, Jayden. I can’t blow off the board or the investors…” “You can’t blow off any of them. Charities are networking an
(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