(Winona)“Mommy, can you help with my doll’s house after dinner?” Abby asks, her voice innocent and sweet. I smile at her, nodding.“Of course, Sweetie.”Jayden catches my eye across the table, and I can see the flicker of something in his gaze. I know him well enough to know that this conversation about Phillip will happen and it probably won’t be easy.After dinner, I help Abby and tuck her into bed, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead. I do the rounds and chat with Bobby and Sarah before saying goodnight. I check back in on Abby. She’s dozed off.I take a minute to be thankful for her health lately. Her heart checkups have all been great.I head back to the living room where Jayden’s waiting. He’s sitting on the couch, his arms crossed, his face set in that tight, unreadable expression he uses when he’s pissed but trying not to show it.I sit down next to him, but there’s a gulf between us. It feels like miles.“So,” he says, breaking the silence. His voice is calm, too calm. “P
(Winona)My body is heavy with the satisfying ache of last night. I stretch, feeling the soreness in my muscles, a reminder of how intense it all was.Jayden is lying next to me, his arm draped lazily over my waist, his breathing deep and even. He looks so peaceful, so content, like everything in the world is exactly as it should be.And for a moment, I let myself believe that it is.Last night was... different. It wasn’t like before, when we were still figuring things out, still cautious. This time, there was no hesitation. Jayden was sure of himself, of me, of us.He didn’t second-guess, didn’t hold back.He took what he wanted, and so did I. I responded to him like I hadn’t in years.It was raw, desperate, and exactly what I needed. There was also a vulnerability in him I could feel. Like he wasn’t sure he’d keep me. That I might find someone else to love. I think a little fear like that is healthy.But what I’d done was let that healthy fear turn into something that festered. The
(Cass)Gabriel’s outside on the balcony, pacing back and forth on another phone call, probably arguing with someone about business. He’s been on edge ever since dinner last night, and I’m starting to feel the strain.There a knock on the suite door. Maybe Gabriel ordered room service. I open it to see Gus standing there.“Gus,” I say, surprised to see him. “What’s up?”“I’m heading back to the U.S. soon,” he says. “I have some urgent business to take care of. Just wanted to check in on you before I left.”I raise an eyebrow. Why’s he suddenly acting all protective? This smells of Winona sending him to check up on me. Honestly, they think I’m ten years old.“I’m fine,” I say, forcing a smile. “Gabriel and I are heading back on Friday. I’ll be there for Winona’s hen’s night.”Gus nods. “Alright,” he says slowly. “But if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.”“I know Winona sent you, so you can tell her I’m just fine.”“Take this anyway.” He hands me a small card with his number
(Winona)The music is loud, vibrating through the walls of the club as Lisa pulls me by the hand, laughing like we’re back in college. She’s always been the life of the party, and tonight is no different.I’m trying to get into the swing of things, but my mind keeps wandering back to Cass. She isn’t here but she should be.The text she sent earlier still feels a little off. I mean, Cass loves hiking, sure, but why now? Especially with my wedding just two days away. I shake my head, pushing the worry aside.I’m overthinking it. Again.Cass wants her freedom. I have to give it to her.“Babe, stop frowning like you’re solving world hunger. It’s your hen’s night!” Lisa shouts over the music, handing me another cocktail. “You’re supposed to be having the time of your life.”I take the drink, forcing a smile. “You’re right. I’m here to have fun.”“That’s my girl!” Lisa beams, raising her glass. “To getting you married off… finally!”We clink glasses, and I take a long sip, letting the alcoh
(Winona)“You and me, no strings attached. Just fun. You’ve got a hall pass, right? No one would be better at showing you what you’re missing.”I laugh, shaking my head, though the alcohol is making everything seem lighter, less serious than it should be. “You’re insane.”“Think about it,” Lance presses, his voice smooth, persuasive. “I’m not talking about love. This isn’t about some emotional thing.”He’s joking right?“You deserve someone who can take you places you haven’t been yet. Someone you already know you trust.”“Lance…” I start, trying to form a response that will shut him down without making things awkward.“Come on, Winona. You’re curious, I can see it in your eyes. You and I both know we’re not made for a relationship, but I can give you a damn good time.”I’m about to brush him off again, but something in the way he says it makes me pause. The words are sliding into my brain, coaxing thoughts I probably shouldn’t be having.Lance is, well, Lance—sexy, confident, and mor
(Winona)The sun creeps in through the drapes, harsh and uninvited. My head feels like it’s been hit with a sledgehammer. My body is heavy with the familiar ache of too much alcohol and dancing. And orgasms.Okay, maybe too many orgasms aren’t a thing. I know I sure hit my quota.I feel the heat rise to my cheeks and there’s a twinge deep inside me. I think I crossed every line there is to be crossed. Never say never, I guess. I smile.Anyway, it’s done and guess what? I know marrying Jayden is right for me.I shift slightly under the soft sheets, taking stock of my week of freedom.And as much as I want to forget it, the memory of last night comes crashing back. The drinks, the dancing... Lance, that man, there were women, the things that happened afterwards.I groan, pulling the sheet up over my head. My bed is now empty, and for that, I’m grateful. There's no need to deal with the awkwardness of morning-after conversations. No regrets to address, no apologies to make.I had fun l
(Cass)I wake up feeling like I’m sinking, caught in a daze that I can’t quite shake off. The drum beating from somewhere deep inside my skull won’t let up.It’s like I’m stuck halfway between sleep and waking.No matter how hard I try to drag myself to the surface, something pulls me back under.My eyes flutter open, but my vision’s blurred, and everything is dim, like the curtains in the hotel room are still closed. Cancun... right? I’m still in Cancun.I blink slowly, trying to focus. The bed beneath me feels wrong though, harder than I remember. No pillow. I squint, trying to make sense of it all, but it’s like my brain is wrapped in cotton wool.I lift my hand to my forehead—at least, I try to—but nothing happens. My arm doesn’t move.What the hell? Am I paralyzed?I groan, my throat dry and scratchy, as I try again to move. My body feels foreign, disconnected, and everything inside me feels... off. Like I’ve been drugged or something.But I haven’t done drugs. I don’t use now. I
(Jayden)Henry’s been in isolation for hours now, hooked up to every machine imaginable. The sight of him behind that glass, with tubes in his tiny body, knocked the wind out of me. My son. My tiny boy. He’d been doing so well.And there’s nothing I can do to help him. I can’t hold him. I can’t even touch him. All I can do is stand there and pray the doctors figure out what’s wrong.They think it’s a virus or some type of infection, something that hit him hard and fast, but they haven’t ruled anything out yet. His heart—there’s always a fear that the genetic defect that runs through our family might resurface.I can’t even think about that possibility.“Jayden, I don’t understand how this could happen so quickly,” Winona says, breaking the silence, her voice shaky, barely above a whisper.I stop pacing and go to her. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and I know she’s on the verge of breaking. I put my arms around her shoulders. “I don’t know,” I admit, my voice hoarse. “But they’re doing ever