(Winona)“Cass is heading to Cancun soon with Gabriel and Mia for a short break before the wedding,” I can’t hide the hint of disapproval.Gus raises an eyebrow. “You’re not okay with her seeing Gabriel?”I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “No. Not really. But what can I do? She’s an adult, Gus. I can’t control her decisions. And besides, I’ve got too much on my plate with the wedding and our family.”“Yes, you can’t take on life for Cass too.”“It’s just… I’m worried. Gabriel. He’s older, and I can’t shake the feeling that he’s using Cass.”“I get it.”“But what is he using her for? I mean, he clearly doesn’t need her for a green card or residency with the business shares. It’s not like Cass has assets or a fortune in the bank.” I shrug.“Maybe you just answered your own question. Maybe he likes Cass for who she is. From what I saw, a very remarkable young woman who has no qualms taking care of herself or telling anyone how it really is.”“You have no clue how good she is at taking ca
(Winona)Abby tugs at my hand, her eyes wide with excitement. “Mommy, I can’t wait to see you in your dress! It’s going to be so pretty!”I smile down at her, my heart swelling with love. “I can’t wait to see you in your flower girl dress, sweetheart. You’re going to be a real princess.”She giggles and skips ahead as the bridal attendant greets us, leading us to a private area with champagne for us and soda for the kids.I’ve been so focused on life. So focused on keeping things okay around me. Today it’s time to soak up some good vibes for myself.I slip into the dressing room when the dress bag unzips, it takes my breath away all over again. The attendant carefully helps me step into the gown. The fabric is cool against my skin at first, smooth but light considering the beading and lace.As she buttons up the back, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and for a moment, I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me.“You’ve lost a little weight.”“I promise I’ll eat more cak
(Jayden)I can’t explain the feeling of holding Henry against my bare chest. It’s more than just warmth, more than the soft rise and fall of his tiny body. It’s like every fear, every worry I’ve had about him since the day he was born melts away.My protective drive for him is consolidated as I cradle him in the crook of one arm and keep him against me. I love him so much. We love him so much. Ashlyn would be proud. But then again, Ashlyn didn’t want to be his mother.Ashlyn chose to give up her rights as his parent. That makes me wonder, if we’d stayed married and she’d had the baby and we’d played happy families, how would it have all ended up? She never wanted motherhood but she would have forced herself to keep me. It brings me back to just how broken Ashlyn was. It was never meant to be with her. I could never have loved her like I love Winona now.I know how rejection on that parental level feels. I’m so glad Henry will never feel that. Winona is and always will be his mothe
(Jayden)After the incredible time with Henry earlier at the hospital, I’m back at home. But I struggle with not being there with Henry. Winona is in the kitchen talking with Anne and Abby. Bobby and Sarah are doing their homework.The doctors said Henry might be able to come home in four to six weeks if things continue the way they’re going. I can’t even begin to describe how that makes me feel. The excitement, the relief, the overwhelming sense of possibility.After everything, we’re finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. And this time, hopefully, it’s not the oncoming train.Winona comes into the living room. She sits beside me. “So, I spoke with Gus last week. He came to the office.”I tense up immediately at the mention of his name. “What’s going on with him now?”She sighs, her fingers tracing small circles on my leg. “He asked if we wanted to have dinner with him and Maria.”I shake my head, knowing exactly where this is going. “I’m not interested, Winona.”“I tol
(Winona)I can’t move. I can’t breathe.“Jayden?” My voice comes out softer than I intend, almost a whisper, but it’s the only thing I can manage. My throat is tight, my pulse pounds in my ears.He doesn’t answer but I see the guilt and confusion in his eyes. He knows. He knows what I heard.“What—what was that?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady, but failing miserably. My hands tremble, and I clench the bedsheet to stop them from shaking so much.Jayden runs a hand through his sweat-soaked hair, his fingers, and he looks down. “It’s nothing, Winona. Just… a nightmare.”“Bullshit it was just a nightmare,” I say. “Jayden, you called out Ashlyn’s name. You used the safe word…”He doesn’t answer, and that silence is louder than any explanation he could offer. My stomach twists. I sit up fully now, pushing the covers off me, and the cold air hits my skin. But I don’t care.The chill in the room has nothing on the icy knot forming in my gut.“It was a dream then a nightmare with Ashlyn
(Judy)It feels like an eternity since I had Abby alone, and even though I cherish every moment with Abby, the supervision is a little suffocating. But I know this is my own fault.I pushed Jayden too far. I did the same at the gala.Gus was livid about that later. I told him to butt out of my life and run back to Greg’s slut, Maria. That made him even more angry. I don’t care. I have Brennan Industries, and I intend to own it completely.I don’t have Jayden and that hurts.However, I am beginning to see that setting off his anger is not the way I get him back. It’s not working. The only way to get time with him again is to change how I do things. I’m going to do that.Abby runs up to me and I hug her madly. Winona always stays within sight and earshot, her presence a constant reminder that I’m not trusted. I will play by the rules.For Abby’s sake. I must be getting old, but not being able to have Abby in my life at all puts me in a very dark place.Abby sits on a small plastic chair
(Winona)I haven’t heard from Jayden since he left. It’s been all morning, and I’ve sent him a text, but no reply. I don’t want to overthink it, but I can’t help the creeping worry.Is he somewhere deciding he doesn’t want to marry me after all?My stomach is in knots with my mind spiraling through all the possible reasons for his silence. But going about my normal day is the way I deal with anxiety. One foot in front of the other.I’ve taken Abby for her morning school session then her time with Judy. Now I’m going to see Henry before I head to the office for a couple of hours.Jayden’s been at the hospital with Henry, thinking things through. At least, that’s what I tell myself. After what happened through the night, I’m not sure what to think anymore. His dreams, the way he called out her name—it’s all too much to process.Arguing is the last thing I wanted this week. I’ll give him the rest of the day and then I’ll call. Hopefully he’ll be at the hospital.For now, I’ll focus on
(Cass)Gabriel and I arrive at the restaurant a little before Winona. He’s in his usual smooth, confident mode, his hand resting gently on the small of my back as we walk in.It’s a simple gesture, but it makes me feel... anchored.Like I’m the most important thing to him right now. I smile, a small flicker of warmth settling in my chest. Everything with him just feels right. Not like with the guys I’ve known before—the ones who treated me like I was disposable, like I didn’t matter.Gabriel’s different. He’s attentive, always making me feel like I’m the center of his world. And maybe I am. I’m starting to trust that.We settle into our seats, Gabriel giving me this look that makes my pulse quicken. He leans in, brushing a strand of my hair back, his fingers lingering a little longer than necessary.His blue eyes are soft but focused, and I feel like he’s seeing all of me, not just the parts I show to the world. Now I totally get how Winona feels about Jayden. These Brennan eyes are