(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
(Winona)Jayden’s speech echoes through the grand ballroom, his voice steady and confident, but my mind is focused on the tension at our table.“Age is just a number. We’re happy together.” Cass says as she stabs at her salad with her fork and eats it.I lean toward her, keeping my voice low enough not to disrupt the speech but firm enough to make my point clear. “You’re barely eighteen, and he’s thirty. Don’t you think this is moving way too fast?”Cass doesn’t even flinch. She stabs her fork into her salad again, her tone casual but dripping with sarcasm. “I’m not a kid, Winona. I know exactly what I’m doing. You don’t have to act like you are my mother. My mother is dead.”“I’m not trying to be your mother,” I shoot back, trying to keep my cool as Jayden speaks about the Brennan Wing’s accomplishments. “I’m trying to be your sister. There’s a difference. Gabriel is way too old for you, and you barely know him. What if this whole thing blows up in your face? You don’t even know his
(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
(Jayden)I find her on her laptop. “How are you really feeling?” I ask, standing by the edge of the bed. She looks up, her eyes softening. “Tired, but okay. It’s good to be home. That makes me feel one thousand percent better. You’ve got that look.”“What look?” I ask, kicking off my shoes and stripping down to my boxers.“The one that says you’ve got something weighing on you,” she replies, her tone softer now.I sigh, running a hand through my hair and sit on the edge of the bed. “It’s Cass. She’s in danger, Winona. Real danger.”Winona shifts, her eyes narrowing with concern. “What kind of danger? How?”“Don Alejandro, he hasn’t been arrested. He’s gone underground and he’s still calling the shots,” I say, my voice low.“But Cass has nothing to do with him, or Mia anymore. Gus cleared her of anything drug-related. How can she be in danger?”“Cass went to her old apartment. To clear it up. Trying to make a clean slate, I think. While she was there, they turned up.”“Who?”“Mia fir
(Jayden)“Daddy’s home!” Abbey squeals, her feet thundering across the wooden floor towards me. I barely have time to drop my briefcase before she launches herself at me. I scoop her up, spinning her in a slow circle while she giggles wildly. “Hey, princess,” I say, kissing her cheek. “Did you miss me?” She nods, curls bouncing. “Missed you so much! Mommy’s upstairs. She said you were bringing Henry back, but you didn’t. Where is he?” “Henry’s asleep in the car,” I explain, setting her down. “I’ll grab him in a minute. I had to get my Abbey hug first.” Bobby appears in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame like he’s auditioning for a teen drama. “Dinner’s almost ready. Sarah and I are making sure everything’s perfect for Mom. We’re making up trays.” “That so?” I ruffle his hair, and he swats my hand away with a grin. “Good work, kid. You’re the man of the house when I’m not here, right?” “Obviously,” he says, puffing his chest out. “This place would fall apart without
(Mia)“You know what, Gabriel?” I say, my voice sharp. “Maybe you’re not as noble as you want everyone to believe. You think I don’t see what you’re doing? You’re not trying to protect this family. You’re trying to control it.”He narrows his eyes. “What are you talking about?”“Don’t play dumb,” I snap. “You just want Brennan Industries for yourself. That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? Turning Ana and Eva against me so they’ll sell to you.”“That’s ridiculous,” Gabriel retorts, his tone cold. “I’m protecting the company from you. You’ve already proven you can’t be trusted. Someone has to safeguard what Papá built.”“What Papa started,” I say, crossing my arms. “That company was built by Judy Brennan. Our father was an awful businessman. But he loved us, all of us. Don’t forget, Gabriel, we all share the same blood. The same father. We all deserve to benefit from the legacy, not just you.”Ana shifts uncomfortably, her eyes darting between us. “Mía, it’s not about taking sides
(Mia)The townhouse is spotless. Every vase, every gold fixture, every inch of marble gleams under the crystal chandelier’s glow. I’ve made sure of it, not for me, but for them. My family is coming, and I know the judgment in their eyes will be as sharp as their words. They will think I don’t belong here. Such luxury and display of wealth is unbecoming. I should be more humble. Show more gratitude and grace.I don’t care. I do belong here. All I want is for mother to love and respect me as a woman. Not to always see me as her baby girl who needs constant mothering.I straighten the throw pillows for the third time, my nerves simmering beneath my skin. When the doorbell rings, I force my shoulders back and my face into a practiced smile. “Come in,” I say as I open the door. Mama steps in first, her dark eyes scanning the room like she’s searching for something to scold me about. Behind her, Ana and Eva follow, their expressions less obvious but no less guarded. Gabriel brings up
(Winona)“Winona,” he says, walking over to kiss my temple. “Welcome home. It feels so good here, right?”“You feel it too?” That makes me happy. Knowing Jayden feels the same vibe the kids and I do in this place.“You chose perfectly. I’m heading out for a meeting with Gus and Viktor. Figured I’d take Henry with me. He can nap in the car. If that’s okay with you? Is Henry being with Gus okay?” I nod. “Gus visited me, and we sorted some stuff. It’s fine with me if it’s fine with you.”He kisses my lips and whispers in my ear, “I can’t wait to snuggle with you tonight. I have missed you so, so much after dinner time.” He nuzzles my ear.I smile as Henry tries to grab my hair.“Hey, you two, get a room!” Lisa teases.“Oh, we will.” He steps away and Henry reaches for me and I hold his little hand in mine. I’ve missed him so much.“Anyway, I better bounce. Get this Global Nexus stuff done,” Jayden says.“Henry can stay here if it’s easier.”“No need. He’s my right-hand man these days. H
(Winona)The moment I step into the farmhouse, the scent of lavender and woodland spice welcomes me like an old friend. I know it’s one of Klara’s aromatherapy concoctions that I love.Lisa has given me a ride home to save Jayden the trip into the city as he’s here with the kids.The kids are buzzing around like a small tornado, their excitement obvious. It’s a stark contrast to the opulence of Brussels high-end estate or Jayden’s Penthouse here. This place is different. It’s ours. Once I have the renovations done, it will still be luxurious, of course—heated floors, state-of-the-art kitchen, and furnishings you’d see in a design magazine—but not excessive.It’s cozy, warm, and every inch of it feels lived-in. It’s like the cottage in a way. A family home but this place has something the cottage didn’t have. A history in its walls of previous families. It feels like home in a way nowhere else I’ve ever lived has.Even my townhouse, which was perfect for me at the time, pales in com
(Cass)I sit on the couch at Jayden’s penthouse, picking at my nails, while Viktor stands near the window, arms crossed, eyes focused on the city below.His broad shoulders are tense, his entire posture screaming disapproval.I’ve just told him what I overheard in my apartment and he’s acting like I heard it on purpose.“Say it,” I snap, breaking the silence.He turns, his blue eyes icy. “You shouldn’t have gone there alone.”“Tell me why you went there,” he demands, his voice a coiled spring ready to snap. “I didn’t know they’d be there!” I snap, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “I was cleaning up, minding my own business, and then they just… showed up.” “Does anyone else know?” he growls, his accent thickening with his anger. “Did you see anyone on the way in, or out? If he finds out…” “No.” I fire back. “No one else was around. Stop being so dramatic.”“You need to take this seriously,” he says, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. “Don Alejandro is one of the most danger