(Winona)I arrive at the office, but my thoughts are still clouded with everything that happened this morning. Cass’s words, her defiance, they all replay in my mind. Is she using again?And if she is, how do I help her without pushing her away?Probably not how I reacted this morning. I sigh. I practically booted her out. I flick her a quick text apologizing and say I hope she will be home when I get home today.Phillip greets me as I step into our shared workspace. He looks up from his desk, a knowing look in his eyes. “You okay? You look a little...tense.” Aside from Jayden and Anne, Phillip knows me the best.We spent a lot of time together, for work and in our personal lives. We’re close work associates again, and friends. I’m building my trust for him back up again. Which is nice.I sigh, sliding into the chair opposite him. “It’s Cass. She didn’t come home last night. Went out with Mia again and walked in looking like she’d been through hell. We had an argument. She said she’s
(Judy)Sitting behind my desk, I take a long, measured look at Gabriel. He’s calm, collected, dressed sharp in a tailored suit that makes him look every bit the professional he wants me to believe he is.But I’ve been around too long, seen too much, to take anyone at face value anymore. Especially not Greg’s long-lost son.“Let’s get straight to the point,” I say, folding my hands on the desk. “You’ve got shares now, but what exactly are you planning to do with them? Surely you have some kind of ambition.”Gabriel meets my gaze, his expression steady. “I want to help, but I can’t legally manage any businesses here without a green card. I can own shares, have a joint venture or even fund a start-up but not work in the U.S. until the green card is through.”“Have you got a green card application in?”“I do.”I narrow my eyes. “So, what’s your plan? Just sit on those shares while the rest of us do the heavy lifting?”Gabriel smiles. “Not at all. I’ve already been in touch with an immigra
(Winona)After dinner, the house falls into that familiar quiet. Abby’s already tucked into bed. Jayden’s sitting across from me in his den, sipping on his usual port nightcap.By the way he’s eyeing me, he knows something’s on my mind.I lean back in my chair, running my fingers through my hair. “So… I’ve been thinking.”Jayden raises an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Should I be worried?”I roll my eyes but can’t help but grin. “Depends.”He chuckles softly, setting his port glass down. “Alright, hit me. What’s on your mind?”I take a deep breath, deciding to just dive in. “It’s about the no contact order with Judy. I’ve been wondering if you’ve reconsidered letting Abby see her—supervised, of course. I’d be there. And… There's also the matter of Phillip and me having Brennan Industries as a client. I don’t want it to cause any issues for my business.”Jayden’s expression shifts, the playfulness gone. He leans forward, elbows resting on the table, his ga
(Winona)It’s Tuesday morning, and the city outside our penthouse is already buzzing with activity. I’ve got a full day ahead of me. The work calendar is packed tight, and I know today will be a marathon, but my mind drifts to Cass.After our argument yesterday, I’m worried. She’s still not home. I have to leave very soon.I pace the living room, finishing my second cup of coffee when I finally hear the front door click open.Cass walks in, looking disheveled but not exactly hungover.“Morning,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual, though I’m anything but relaxed.“Morning,” she replies, dropping her bag on the floor and kicking off her work shoes.“I’m just about to head to the office. Everything okay?” I don’t want to sound like I’m lecturing her again.Cass shrugs, but she’s still got that smile. “Yeah, actually. Everything’s great. I got offered a trainee position in the kitchen at the restaurant. Full-time.”I blink, taken aback. “Wait, really? That’s amazing, Cass!” I wasn’t e
(Winona)Jayden and I are in our bedroom, getting ready for bed. The room is dimly lit, just enough to see the soft outlines of the furniture and each other. It’s a peaceful moment, but my mind’s buzzing with everything that’s happened over the past few days.We climb into bed and automatically gravitate towards each other.“It’s been amazing having you close at night.”I manage a small smile, but I’m distracted, my thoughts still on the conversation I had earlier today with Gus and Phillip. “I’m glad you think so.” But inside I worry that I should be taking this to the next level. We’re not teenagers.Jayden tightens his arms around me. “You seem tense. What’s going on?”I’m not sure I can tell him what’s really bothering me, so I opt for the second line thing that’s bothering me. It is something I do need to tell Jayden anyway. I’m not sure what he’ll make of it all.“It’s just… Gus came by to talk about Maria and Greg’s kids. To my office.”“Okay, get it off your chest. What’s Gus
(Winona)One Month LaterSitting around the dinner table with everyone feels like a common occurrence these days. It’s been a full month of peace, and I’m not used to it yet.I glance over at Jayden, who’s dishing Abby her pasta while she chatters nonstop about the wedding and attendants dresses we chose, starring, of course, her gorgeous pink princess dress as flower girl.“You know, we can’t let Daddy know how we will all look. It’s bad luck.”Abby clamps her little hand over her mouth, her blue eyes are wide.I laugh. “It’s okay, Sweety. I know you’re very excited. We all are.”“I can’t wait, Mommy!”“Eat some dinner. We can make some secret plans tomorrow.” I wink at her and she munches into her mac and cheese Anne has made. “Actually, if you, Bobby and Sarah would like to go eat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen, you can. A Friday night treat.”“Yay!” Sarah says with a smile.Bobby grins. “Cool.”The three of them take their bowls and head into the kitchen leaving us in the di
(Winona)As Jayden and I descend the grand staircase, arm in arm, I can’t help but admire the sparkling crystals hanging from the ceiling, casting shimmering reflections across the room.The place is studded with high-profile people, all dressed in their finest, as waiters expertly weave through the crowd offering canapés and champagne. The buzz of conversation fills the air, and I know there is more to come along with the red carpet entry.“Looks perfect, doesn’t it?” Jayden murmurs in my ear, his arm tightening around me.“Yeah,” I say, letting my eyes sweep over the glittering scene below us. “Almost too perfect.”He chuckles softly. “You’re still looking for Judy, aren’t you?”I laugh, but there’s no real humor in it. “You know me too well.”We make it to the bottom of the staircase, and I scan the room again. No sign of her. Maybe she won’t come after all. A part of me feels relieved, but another part—an admittedly smaller, more cynical part—knows better.Judy wouldn’t miss bei
(Winona)Gabriel Brennan and some beauty.He’s wearing a sharp, tailored suit, his dark hair cut short with a mop of curls on top, exuding confidence with every step. There’s no denying it, he’s attractive. Dangerously so. But it’s the woman with him that really catches my attention.She’s stunning, a bombshell in every sense of the word. Slim, with short, sleek hair and a dress that hugs her curves like a second skin. The way she carries herself, the way everyone in the room is watching her... there’s something magnetic about her. Something almost familiar.I squint, trying to figure out who she is, and then Lisa jabs me in the ribs, her eyes wide with disbelief.“Holy shit,” she whispers. “That’s Cass.”I freeze, staring harder. It is Cass. What the hell is she doing?She’s practically glowing, her usual dark, baggy clothes replaced with this slinky silver number that shows off every inch of her body. A body that every male and half the females in the room wish they were escorting