(Winona)I sit across from Phillip, the papers spread out between us like a line in the sand. The buyout offer is sitting right there, glaring at him. I’ve made my decision. This is it.“I’m offering you the chance to buy me out, Phillip. You take it, or I have other buyers waiting. Either way, I’m done.”His eyes widen, but I can see the shift in his expression—the surprise melting into something more defensive, even a little bitter. “You’re serious? Just like that? You’re ditching everything we’ve built up again?”I don’t flinch. “Yes. Just like that. It’s time for me to focus on my family, and I can’t do that while juggling this business. It’s what’s best for me.”Phillip leans back in his chair, arms crossed. “You’ve always had your own income, Winona. You’ve always needed your independence. And now you’re ready to just hand it all over?”“Never been more ready.”“What happened to you? You’re really okay with letting go of everything you’ve worked so hard for?”“I am,” I say firml
(Winona)I’m at my favorite café, waiting for Lance. After everything with Phillip, I’m hoping this is argument free. The sun is shining, and I’m in control again—at least for now.I text Lance to see if he had some time. I may as well get this over with as well. I told him I’m going to Europe at the end of this week.The door swings open, and there he is, his easy grin and relaxed posture unchanged.“Hey, stranger,” he says, sliding into the chair across from me. “You look like someone who’s just made a big decision.”“I have.” I smile, signaling the waiter. “I just told Phillip I’m out. Offer him the business.”Lance raises his eyebrows. “Oh, I was talking about Europe. So, the whole business? Just like that?”“Just like that.” I shrug. “I’m done, Lance. I’ve been done for a while, but it’s official now. It’s time to move on.”He smiles, crossing his arms. “Damn. You’ve always had your hand in something. You going to be a kept woman? You know that’s my dream job…”I laugh. “Jealous?
(Jayden)“We have a little bit of everything here,” Viktor says as we settle at the laden long wooden table.“This is all from the farm?” I ask, glancing over at the colorful dishes, the jams, honey, cheeses, and cured meats. Even the bread and butter has the same label.“All of it,” Viktor confirms. “The bread is from our grain, milled right here. The honey, the jams, the cheeses—everything comes from what we produce on the land.”Klara, Viktor’s mother, balances the baby on her hip while ladling soup into bowls. “I’m a local Doula and I make a range of natural remedies and skin care products. Grow all the herbs myself.”“I have a five-month-old boy. Henry. He was born very prematurely. But he’s growing stronger.”“I’m glad he is. This vegetable soup is from the garden,” she says, handing me a bowl. “No preservatives, no chemicals—just fresh, organic produce.”I take a spoonful. It’s rich and earthy, with a depth of flavor I’ve never tasted before. “This is incredible,” I admit, savo
(Judy)I tap my fingers impatiently on my desk at Brennan Industries, staring at the documents in front of me. Gabriel’s sisters, those sentimental fools, turned down my offer. All because they wanted to sell their shares to him directly. Idiots.I gave them the best offer they’ll ever get, but no—family first, apparently.That will bite them on the ass one day. Mark my words. They’ll learn that family loyalty means nothing when I’m in control. Family is just a tool—leverage to use when necessary.I smirk to myself. If I can’t convince them to sell to me, I’ll force their hand. I always find a way. There’s more than one method to get what I want, and I’ve never been afraid to get my hands dirty. They’re going to regret turning me down.My phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts. I glance at the screen, a message from one of my contacts. It’s about Maria. My smirk deepens—I’ve been waiting for this. I know she’s been feeling the pressure lately.I skim through the message, but then,
(Cass)I sit in my small, cluttered apartment, staring at the text Gabriel sent an hour ago. He’s pushing me again, wanting me to go with him while he builds his venture. My excuse is always work. I love my job.I’m still learning, still growing in the kitchen, even if the chef is a bit of a hard-ass.Gabriel doesn’t get it. He keeps talking about this hospitality business he’s setting up—food, accommodation, a destination for corporate team-building weeks, conferences, whatever.It sounds impressive, sure. But the idea of working under him, tied to him like that...it doesn’t sit right. I don’t want to be part of his empire, whatever that is.He has a conditional green card now and blind Freddy can see our lives are moving away from each other.I glance around my apartment, a mess of half-folded laundry, mismatched furniture, and the faint smell of weed that lingers no matter how much I air the place out.Maybe the pot’s been a bit too frequent lately, but it helps. Work’s been stress
(Winona)The hum of the engines is a constant, steady sound, almost like a lullaby. Abby is curled up with her favorite stuffed animal, chatting with Sarah, who’s sharing her earbuds and explaining how the game on her tablet works.Bobby is deep in concentration, lost in some building game of his own, while Henry naps peacefully beside me, the soft beeping of his monitor like background music.I touch his little hand and marvel at how much he’s grown.I do feel peaceful, but something is off with me. There’s a tightness in my chest, and every time I shift in my seat, I get hit with another wave of dizziness.The headache, a dull throb at the base of my skull, persists. I press my fingers to my temples, trying to stave it off. I know I do need the bathroom. I stand up and my lightheadedness has me gripping the seat to steady myself.“Ma’am, are you alright?” one of the medical team asks.I force a smile. “I’m fine, just a little dizzy. I think it’s the excitement and stress catching
(Winona)I start to drift off to sleep. I see Judy’s face, cold and cruel.I’ll take that baby from you.I bolt upright, gasping for air, the terror still lingering in my pounding chest.I’m not there anymore. I’m safe. We’re safe. I breath deep. Stop letting this mess with you, I tell myself. I know we’re okay. We’re going to Jayden. We are safe.But the fear lingers. Because Judy is still out there. And I know she’s not done. She never is. No matter what happens, I don’t think we’ll ever shake her.As long as she thinks there’s a chance with Jayden, it will always be the same.I lie back down, closing my eyes again. I just want to forget it all. I want to focus on Jayden, on our family, on the life we’re building.I turn in bed, staring at the ceiling in the jet again, trying to block out the swirling thoughts. The soft hum of the plane’s engines doesn’t help me sleep. Neither does the lingering dizziness or headache.But it’s not just the physical stuff keeping me awake. It’s the m
(Winona)The plane lands smoothly in Dubai.“Mommy, is Daddy here?” Abby asks, clutching her stuffed animal tightly.“Oh, honey,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’m sorry. We need to stop here and have one more plane ride and then we’ll see Daddy. Okay?”Her face drops. “Oh. I thought we saw Daddy now.”“Only one more plane ride.”The doors open. I gather the kids, the medical entourage making sure Henry is okay before they hand him over to me.I thank them and take him in his carrier. I’ll clip it onto the wheels as soon as they unload the base.“Stay close, kids.” I say. “Bobby, keep an eye on your sisters please.”The terminal is elegant, marble floors reflecting the dazzling lights above. The kids are still buzzing around me, and I’m trying to focus on keeping them in line when—“Hey, troublemakers! Welcome to Dubai.”My head snaps up.Jayden is there, right behind Bobby, grinning, with his arms wide open. My heart stutters, and before I can even register what’s happening, the kids have
(Lisa)Dr. Harris’s voice echoes in my head:She’s stable for now, but the next 24 hours are critical. Heavy blood loss. The surgery was successful, but we had to perform a hysterectomy to save her life.Hysterectomy. That word affects a woman. I don’t know, it’s the finality of it, I guess. One of life’s fundamental functions of the female body, taken away.I feel guilty because here I am perfectly functioning and not wanting to be a mother. Some who want that more than anything never get to have it. But mothering, it’s not for me. I’m a free spirit. I like to go with the breeze.Kids are a lot of work and responsibility. I’ve watched Winona… I just don’t have that in me. And that’s okay. It’s okay to want something different.But hearing it for Winona and Jayden knocks the air out of me. They wanted this baby so much. I wanted it for them. But it was out of anyone’s control. Now, all chances at miracles are wiped.I wonder if Winona will see it as a clean slate or if it will eat aw
(Jayden)I sink into the chair beside Lisa and Cass, once I’ve signed the permission forms, my elbows on my knees and my face in my hands.The adrenaline from holding it together for Winona is wearing off, leaving me raw and exposed. My whole body is tight, and the silence is suffocating.But I have no clue what to say to them. I don’t want to make promises I may not be able to keep.Cass is the first to break it. “She’s tough,” she says, her voice firm but shaking at the edges. “Winona doesn’t quit. She’s been through worse and come out swinging. She’ll get through this.” I look up at her, appreciating the confidence she’s trying to project. “I want to believe that,” I say quietly. “But seeing her like that...” I trail off, unable to finish the thought. Cass sits forward, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “Do you think she knew?” she asks softly. I frown. “Knew what?” “The baby… was…gone,” Cass says, her voice barely above a whisper. “She seemed so... hopeful this mornin
(Jayden)Winona looks pale, her body trembling, her grip on my shirt loosens as her strength fades. The blood beneath her is too much. Fear grips me.I can’t lose her too.Dr. Harris steps back from the bedside, her face tight with focus as she assesses the situation. “Jayden, we need to stabilize her now,” she says firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I need to prep her for emergency surgery. You’ll need to wait outside.”I don’t let go of Winona’s hand.The nurses move swiftly, adjusting the IV, getting her ready to move to surgery. One of them gently touches my shoulder. “Mr. Brennan, we need you to step back, please.” I shake my head, my grip tightening. “I’m not leaving her.” “Jayden,” Dr. Harris says, her voice soft but commanding. “You can’t help her right now. Let us do our job.” Winona’s eyelids flutter. “Jayden…” she whispers weakly. “I’m here,” I say, kissing her on the nose. “I’m right here.”“Please,” she breathes. “Don’t… let them take me away…” I kiss h
Trigger Warning:The following chapter contains sensitive content, including the loss of a pregnancy and scenes of emotional distress. This may be triggering for some readers, particularly those who have experienced similar situations. Please proceed with care, and remember to prioritize your well-being. If needed, take a break or seek support.(Winona)I’m propped up in bed with a stack of pillows, sipping herbal tea from a handmade ceramic mug Klara sent as part of a care package all the way from Brussels.It came with a range of her organic herbal teas, a lavender-scented balm, and a handwritten note in her elegant script: Rest your body, nurture your heart, and trust your strength, Winona. That woman always seems to know what I need before I do.I’m so grateful and thankful for meeting her. I miss her gentle counsel and seeing her on a daily basis now I’m back in the States.My body feels stronger today, the heaviness weighing me down since the fall has lifted ever so slightly. Me
(Cass)He steps forward and takes my hand in his. “And I regret it every day,” he says. His touch burns into me, but I know I can’t be betrayed by this physical attraction again.I pull my hand from his. “Enough. You don’t get to touch me. I’m here for my family. Go back to your business. I’m not interested.”Gabriel moves into my personal space again.Viktor moves lethally, placing himself directly between us. “She said enough,” he says, his voice is cold steel. It shouldn’t, but Viktor’s level of protectiveness sends a thrill down my spine. Fuck, I’m so wrong. Stop it.Gabriel’s jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he’s going to push back.But then he steps away, his hands raised in mock surrender. “Fine. I’ll back off. But only because Cass asked me too. It was wrong of me to barge in with expectations.”“You’re damn right it was,” I say.“I hope Winona recovers well. Perhaps you can spare me some time one evening. For me to apologize properly…”“What part of the word no, don’
(Cass)Henry is a whirlwind of energy, zipping around the lounge like a tiny hurricane, clinging to the TV remote he’s found and smacking it against the couch.Jayden keeps half an eye on him while balancing a steaming cup of coffee and scrolling through something on his phone. “Should I be worried that your kid’s favorite pastime is destruction?” I ask, leaning against the back of the couch. Jayden smirks but doesn’t look up. “He’s not destructive. He’s… curious.” “Curious? That’s one word for it.” “Curiosity is healthy,” he smiles.Henry giggles and bolts along the floor as I make a beeline to get the remote back off him.“Healthy for him maybe.” I huff and puff as I wrestle the object out of his vice-like grip. “Give me that before you break something, little man.” Henry retaliates with an ear-piercing squeal that makes me cringe. Jayden just grins and plucks him off the floor, holding him upside down like a sack of potatoes. “That’s enough, buddy. Aunt Cass is tired of your a
(Winona)The gel is cold, but I don’t care. I need this done. Dr. Harris adjusts the probe on my stomach, her face neutral as she stares at the monitor. Jayden sits beside me, his hand gripping mine. Lisa is standing at the end of the bed, arms crossed, her eyes flicking between me and the screen. Cass perches on the bedside out of the way. I’m grateful for their support.“Let’s see,” Dr. Harris says. Her tone is calm, but it doesn’t ease the storm raging inside me. My breath comes in shallow bursts, and I glance at Jayden. He hasn’t let go of my hand since they rolled the machine in. He looks focused, his eyes glued to the screen. Lisa breaks the silence first. “Should it take this long?” Her voice is sharp, her worry evident. Dr. Harris keeps her tone steady. “Sometimes the baby’s position makes it harder to pick up a signal. Let’s not assume anything yet.” “Easier said than done,” Cass says.I can’t help but agree. My mouth is dry. “Doctor, should I be worried?” Dr. Harris m
(Winona)The first thing I feel is exhaustion—a bone-deep, crushing weight that makes it nearly impossible to move. My body aches everywhere, like I’ve been run over by a truck.My head pounds, and my throat feels dry, but I force my eyes open, blinking against the soft light.“Mommy?” A small voice breaks through the fog, hesitant but hopeful.I blink again, and there she is. Abby, her little face framed by messy pigtails, her big blue eyes filled with worry. “Abby,” I rasp, my voice barely audible.Her face lights up, and she leans in close, clutching the edge of the bed. “You’re awake!” she exclaims, her voice trembling with relief. “I missed you so much, Mommy!”I try to lift my hand, but it feels like lead. Instead, I manage a weak smile. “I missed you too, sweetie,” I whisper.“Alright, sweetheart, let’s give Mommy a little space,” Anne’s calm voice comes from somewhere nearby. “Glad you’re back with us, Winona.”Abby shakes her head fiercely. “No! I want to stay with Mommy!”“I
(Jayden)I drop Viktor off at the penthouse, handing him the spare key fob. “Cat’s in charge while you’re here. Don’t let him boss you around too much,” I say with a smirk.Viktor raises an eyebrow. “I’m sure I’ll manage. Can’t be more troublesome than your sister-in-law.”I let out a low laugh. “Truth.”“I’ll get back here as soon as I can. I have some forward trajectory I need to discuss with you on Nexus Global. Help yourself to anything.”“I’ll be here. If anything happens with Winona, please let me know.”“I will. Right… now it’s time to go and finally put Brennan Industries behind me.”***By the time I pull up outside Gabriel’s hotel, I’m ready to let go and walk away.I knock on the door and it opens. Gabriel is there looking as tall and suave as ever. I step into the suite, and he greets me with a firm handshake. “Jayden,” he says, his tone even. “Thanks for coming.”“No problem,” I reply, keeping things brisk. “Let’s get this done.”Gabriel gestures to the small conference t