(Winona)“A few hours isn’t going to hurt. I don’t want you taking this on all by yourself. Let me come with you,” Anne says, concern flooding her voice.“I’m okay. I need to do it by myself.” “Look, just wait for me. I’ll see you in an hour. At least you can shower before you go anywhere. We can talk some more about it. I mean we might find a match elsewhere. Maybe it’s wise to wait a little.”I sigh. “Maybe but this is Abby’s life. She’s so ill.”“But she is stable right now, yes?”“She is. Once this infection is cleared up, she’ll need the blood for her follow up operation next week.”“Okay then, so you have a little time to breathe on this. There’s enough pressure on you now. Give it all a few days.” Anne’s logic is hard to fault.“Thanks Anne. You’re probably right. I love you.”“Love you too. You’ll feel better after a shower. I’ll cook dinner.”I disconnect the call and walk back into Abby’s room. She looks peaceful. Hopefully she can sip a little water or juice later when the
(Winona)“Phillip! I never expected you back today.”“Clearly.” “This isn’t what it looks like,” I explained.“Isn’t it?” Jayden pipes up. “Shush. You’re only making things worse,” I reprimand Jayden.“Not sure they could get much worse than finding my partner kissing her ex-husband.” Phillip shakes his head.“Trust me. It could.” Jayden challenges him.They glare at each other like they are arguing over their prize marble.“Both of you stop it.”“You stop it.” They both say back to me at the same time.I hear the door and footsteps. Who now?Anne sticks her head through the living room doorway and surveys the situation. “I’ll set the table for three.”“I’m not staying for dinner,” Jayden says.“Me neither,” Phillip says.“Nonsense. We’re all adults here. It’s time you all sat down and were honest with each other.” Anne lectures us. “One day that child will be old enough to understand all this, so you all better have your shit sorted by then.” Then she heads with her bags towards t
(Winona)The next day, I finally got the chance to catch up with Lisa. Apart from text messages to fill her in on Abby, I hadn’t seen her since the night I took her home after her confession over the drugs scandal.“Wow, this suite is amazing. Can I go see Abby?”“Sure. She’s been awake and able to have clear fluids since the infection started clearing up.”“I’m so happy. Does that mean she’s out of the woods?”I shake my head. “Far from it I’m afraid. Another operation next week. Jayden will be giving a blood sample today, possibly Judy as well although I really hope I don’t have to rely on her to do the right thing.”We walk to Abby’s room and she gives a tiny smile. “Aunt Lisa, yay!”“Hey there, poppet. You feeling better?”Abby nods, “I got jelly for dinner.” “Oh my goodness. That’s amazing.” Lisa sanitizes her hands and gives Abby a high five. “Winning!”The nurse smiles. “I’ll head off for dinner. Buzz if you need anything before I’m back.”“Thank you so much.”“There’s enough
(Jayden)The blood test is done and I’m going to see Ashlyn. Mother can wait. Hopefully I can be the one to help out Abby. My mind is even more confused than ever. Remembering is not all it’s cracked up to be.I’ve gone from never wanting kids to being a father twice over in the space of twenty-four hours. As memories filter back through, I know what I’m walking away from. But if I truly love Winona and my daughter Abby, I will choose to let them have a happy, content and peaceful life.But they said she has my eyes and I’d love to see that. I did think it would be better if I never officially met her, but I think if I can just see her once, that will be enough. Then I can get on with my life. Without Winona.The powerful CEO inside me wants to strike out and take what I want most in the world. But I can’t. I’ve made my decision. I will honor what Ashlyn and I had. I will honor Winona’s wishes. I will honor my children the best I can under the circumstances.From the last time we had
(Winona)“Dr. Green. Thanks for stopping by. A call would have sufficed.” I say as I shake the hand that my daughter’s life depends on.“No, I prefer to discuss this in person.”“Is everything okay with Abby?”“For now, yes. She’s showing strong recovery signs. Her operation is scheduled for Monday morning.” “That soon?” It’s Friday now.“She’s strong enough. But Jayden Brennan was not a match. We won;t proceed Monday if I don’t have a blood stock for her.”My heart sinks at that news. “No other prospects for donation?” I ask hopefully.“Not as yet, no. I do believe you have one other blood relative you can ask. Judy Brennan?”“Yes.” I hesitate because I don’t want my daughter’s life in her hands.“Winona, I can’t operate that soon unless we have the blood. The risk of reinfection and rejection is too high. Abby might not get through recovery.”“But if she doesn’t have the operation on Monday?”“The deterioration in the walls of her heart will continue. We have bought her some time.
(Winona)As I walk back into the Brennan Wing at the hospital to get back to Abby, I dial Jayden. The sterile smell of antiseptic and the low hum of medical equipment surround me, reminding me that it isn’t some holiday home. It makes my heart feel heavier with each step.“Hi, Winona. Is Abby okay?” Jayden’s voice comes through the line, tinged with concern.“Yes, I’m not sure if you know or not, but Doctor Green came to see us this morning. Your blood isn’t a match to Abby’s.” I hate saying those words out loud. It feels like defeat, like another door closing in our desperate search for a solution.“Damn. Winona, I’m sorry.” His apology sounds sincere, but it does little to ease the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.“Well, we can’t blame you for your blood. Anyway, I went to see your mother.” My voice wavers slightly as I recall the tense meeting with Judy, her steely eyes searching mine for any sign of deception.“Alone?” He sounds surprised, maybe even a bit impressed.“Yes
(Winona)At the club, the music is loud and the lights are dazzling. Phillip is beside me at the bar and I’m not even being biased when I say he looks the fittest man here. His sculpted body is alive in clinging jeans and shirt. I’ve noticed most of the women and a few men give him the eye.“You look stunning,” he whispers in my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine. “That black dress is smokin’ hot on you.”For the first time ever, I’m ready to explore my deeper feelings with him. I want to be happy.“Thank you,” I reply, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. I grab his hand and lead him across the dance floor to the table Lisa and Lance are at.It’s nice to have friends around, making the atmosphere less tense, and they are seeming friendlier than usual with each other tonight. I hope Lisa knows what she’s doing and doesn’t get hurt again or hurt anyone else. We’ve been through a lot together and made some bad choices. I keep glancing at the entrance, waiting for Jayden and
(Winona)The next morning, I came out of my bedroom early to go check on Abby. Phillip and I are actually engaged. I do need to pick out a ring, but we’ll get to that soon. We shared some laughs and a few more kisses last night and both went to our own rooms.I’m not ready to take it to the next level yet. While I’m sending out a big message to everyone, as Judy wanted me too, I’m still not ready to be intimate. I sit beside Abby’s bed and watch her sleep. I silently pray we get the blood we need to get this operation done on Monday.“Hey, morning. How was last night?” Anne is beside me with coffee.“I asked Phillip to marry me. He said yes.”Abby moves her head and I nod towards the door indicating we should go out and talk.In the lounge area Anne sits with her coffee. “Are you sure you aren’t rushing it?”I shrug. “Maybe. But I’m just doing everything afraid at this point. I don’t believe in the one true love and soulmate stuff anymore. I’ve learned the hard way that life is abou
(Winona)Lisa sits on the couch between me and Jayden, her fingers curled around the USB stick.“You don’t have to,” I remind her gently.“I know,” she replies. “But I want to. I can’t move forward if I don’t hear him out.” She hands the drive to Jayden.Jayden leans forward and plugs the drive in. The screen flickers.And then there he is.Lance. Black eye blooming from Jayden’s attack over hall pass week, bruised knuckles, the same crooked grin he always wore.“Lisa,” he says, “I’m so sorry. I wish this could have been different.”I glance at her. She flinches but doesn’t look away.He shakes his head. “No big poetic intro. No music. No tragic montage. Just me.”His smile cracks slightly.“First, I want to say this isn’t your fault. You didn’t fail me. You didn’t love me wrong. In fact, you’re probably the only person who ever loved me right.”Lisa’s breath hitches beside me.“I wasn’t built for longevity, Lisa. You knew that. Hell, I practically had an exit sign blinking over my he
(Winona)Viktor stands with his hands by his side while Jayden finishes up his announcement.I watch on, proud of them both. Not only staunch in business but as friends.“I’ll still be involved on a higher level, but day-to-day, Viktor’s your guy,” Jayden says, firm and confident. “Effective immediately, he’s the new CEO of Nexus Global.”There’s a brief pause before the quiet, respectful claps ripple through the room.Viktor just nods. “Thank you,” he says. No long speech. No dramatic reaction. Just two words. Classic Viktor.Jayden glances my way and walks over.“Proud of him,” I say quietly. “And of you.”“He’s ready,” Jayden replies. “Hell, he’s been ready for a while now. He taught me almost everything I know about Nexus Global.”Viktor lingers by the window, posture steady. Astrid steps up beside him, saying something low. He replies with a brief nod and the smallest of smirks.Jayden leans into me and murmurs, “did you see that?”I arch an eyebrow. “The nod or the smirk?”“Both
(Winona)I see the moment his eyes catch mine in the window behind Astrid. He blinks like he’s seeing a ghost. Too late. I’m already across the restaurant floor, my heels pounding each step out in deliberate warning, the sound sharp against the quiet hum of late-night conversations. Heads turn. I don’t care.His face shifts from confusion to panic as I advance—his mouth parting slightly, eyes darting to Astrid like he’s trying to figure out if he’s imagining this. He’s not. I’m here. I saw everything.I saw the kiss. I saw the closeness after. The lingering smiles, the laughter, and the way Astrid’s hand stayed on his like they were sharing secrets. Like she belongs to him. You don’t need sound to understand body language.That kiss wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a friendly peck on the cheek. It was enough for me to wonder if they’ve been playing me for a fool for weeks. Maybe months.Jayden stands just as I reach the table, knocking his chair back in a clumsy scrape. Astrid rema
(Jayden)Astrid raises her glass, the candlelight catching the rim. “To surviving another quarter without firing anyone major.”“To the rest of us surviving the grueling schedule of the Ice Queen herself.”“You did okay.”“Just okay?”“Better than okay. You have quite the work drive, Jayden. Gus was right to leave Nexus in your hands.”“Not one of you thought that at first. You all hated me. Especially Hugo. I think he still might, actually.”“Oh, you are not so bad, after all.”We clink glasses. The wine’s sharp, dry—like her. The restaurant is dim, ambient, tucked just off the canal. Astrid insisted it was the best late-night spot in Brussels. So far, I can’t argue.The food was incredible, the service seamless, and the company? Easy. A little too easy.This dinner has gone longer than I expected. I expected an answer from Winona to my text. But it hasn’t come. The conversation just flowed so effortlessly tonight.No drama. No awkward silences. No carefully chosen words. Astrid, wh
(Winona)It’s nearly 1 a.m. when I step off the jet into the crisp Brussels air. I haven’t slept. I haven’t eaten properly. My thoughts have been chewing on each other for nine hours straight.I hear my phone notification, but I see Cass and I’m so damn happy. She’s about to launch the rest of her life and I’m excited for her.“It’s so good to see you.” I say as I run towards her and give her a hug.“You look like hell,” she says as she grins and hugs me back.“Oh, thanks for the compliment. You look like death yourself.”“Just finished a12 hour shift, what’s your excuse?”We walk out to the private parking area. Having a private jet is so convenient.“I can only blame stress and paranoia,” I tell her as we put my case in the back seat and get into her car.“Paranoia?”“Yes, about where Jayden and I stand in out marriage lately. I’m not sure I’m what makes him happy. All we do is fight, it seems.”“Okay… ah, so me telling him you’d have been better off never meeting him probably didn’
(Jayden)It’s nearly ten. The office is quiet, except for the soft hum of fluorescent lights above the boardroom. Astrid and I have been going through projections for Q3. Numbers, strategies, deadlines. All things that used to matter more than they do right now. My family call is bothering me. It’s not that Winona had a sudden business trip, that’s expected, it’s just the way we interact lately. Going through the motions. Not speaking up on how we feel in case it triggers an argument. I’m as much to blame.“You missed an adjustment here,” she says, tapping the edge of my laptop.“I didn’t miss it,” I say, not looking up. “I just didn’t apply it yet.”She raises an eyebrow. She knows I’m distracted. I’ve worked with her long enough to recognize the look that says I’m full of shit.“You want my input or just someone to nod along while you pretend to work?” she asks.I lean back in my chair. “You always cut right through it, don’t you?”“Of course.”She’s right. She doesn’t have patie
(Winona)The family call starts like any other.Except this time, I’ve told the kids I’ll be away and lied about where I’m going.Now I have to convince Jayden it’s an unexpected business trip.Bobby’s got a stack of papers next to him, pretending he’s not glancing at them while he listens to Jayden. He’s been working on some design options for the school vegetable garden.He’s become quietly obsessed with getting it right.Sarah is asking about when she can next visit the Nexus office again. Abby’s wearing one of Henry’s bibs and announcing herself as the ‘baby boss’ while trying to feed Henry a cracker he doesn’t want.Henry is slamming his hands on the table, shrieking with defiance, and Kit is doing her best to keep the screen steady while holding him.Chaos. Beautiful, familiar chaos. Welcome to the Brennan zoo.Jayden is calm, smiling, fully engaged. He’s asking Bobby about his team at school, praising his leadership skills. He tells Sarah he misses her drawings and promises to
(Winona)Phillip is at his desk when I walk in, finishing up a call. He looks up and gives me a half smile, casual but watchful.I cross the room but remain standing. “I won’t keep you long. I just… I wanted to let you know I’m stepping down in an active capacity from Vault. Effective immediately.”Phillip’s face shifts from polite curiosity to astonishment. “Wait—stepping down how?”I nod. “I’ll remain the owner. But I’m not going to be overseeing day-to-day management or strategic decisions anymore. I’m handing all of that to you. If you want it. CEO, President, call it what you will—I’m out.”He studies me carefully. “That’s… a big move, Winona. You’ve always been a control fre… ahh, hands-on.”I give him a quick grin. “Nice save.”“I’m talented, what can I say? But you being hands-off, I’m not sure that’s even possible.”“I’ve realized I can’t keep devoting so much energy to business. My family needs me. My kids need me.”“Is this what Jayden asked you to do?” “No. He’s been exc
(Lisa)I knock lightly on Logan’s office door, then push it open.He’s at his desk, halfway through reading something. “Hey,” he says with a smile. “Wasn’t expecting you today.”“Hey. Sorry I’ve been like a bear with a sore head lately.” I close the door behind me. “Do you have a minute?”“Sure. I know I’ve been a little full on lately.” He sets the paper down and leans back. “I’m sorry. I just want what’s best for the baby, and you. Lance would have wanted that.”“I get that. But Lance also knew how I needed to make my own decisions, and he made room for that.”“I can do that. As a friend. If that’s what you want. I know it’s hard for you.”I take a deep breath. “I’m stepping down as CEO. Effective immediately.”He blinks. “Okay. That’s... sudden.”“It’s been amazing, and I think I was pretty good at it.”“You were great…”“But… I need to take care of myself for a while. And I can’t see myself coming back after… you know…” My voice tails off.He looks at me, searching my face. “Lisa…