(Jayden)Hugo steps forward, giving me a tight-lipped smile. “Welcome home, Mr. Brennan. The staff are ready to accommodate your needs.”I nod. “The kids need to let off some steam.”“I certainly hope you don’t mean in here.” Hugo frowns.“This is their home now, Hugo. Relax. Kids, go explore outside but not too far from the house,” I tell them.“Please be aware there are rare flora species in the grounds.”They just look at Hugo like he’s an alien.“Stick to the paths.” I explain.They are gone with an entourage of staffers trying to keep up.Winona is back from changing Henry and she glances around the reception room, her expression tight. “This place is incredible, but I’m worried about the kids here. They’re just normal kids, and all this...” she gestures at the antiques and delicate furniture, “isn’t exactly kid-proof.”Hugo’s smile fades a little. “The children will need to understand the importance of boundaries, Mrs. Brennan. This is not a playground.Winona doesn’t miss a be
(Winona)This place is stunning. Truly. But it’s not made for kids. Not in the slightest.Everywhere I look, staff are bustling around, preparing everything as if royalty are about to arrive. I glance at Jayden, watching as someone pours him a drink.He’s trying to hide it, but I can see a bit of embarrassment on his face. Not enough to stop it, though. He’s sitting in an armchair, with a staff member standing by waiting for the next instruction.“This is... a lot,” I murmur as I lean in closer.He shrugs. “It’s their job, Winona. I can’t just sack them.”“I get that,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “But they’re doing everything. How are the kids supposed to learn anything here if someone’s doing every little thing for them?”“They can still learn. Just... we’ll work it out,” Jayden tries to reassure me. “Look, I know it’s overwhelming right now, but let’s just give it a few days, okay? We’ll figure out a routine that works for everyone.”I’m not convinced. I can already tell
(Winona)I mean who has a Picasso in their living room?I’m pacing, trying to keep my voice calm, but frustration is making it hard.“I just don’t get why you thought kids would be okay here,” I say, gesturing at the fragile antiques and museum-level furniture. “You should have made other arrangements.”Jayden crosses his arms, looking as frustrated as I feel. “I wanted to share this with you first. I didn’t even know that cottage existed. And now you want us to refurbish a place that’s been abandoned for thirty years?”“Yes, because it’s the only option that makes sense!” I snap back. “We can’t raise the kids here, tiptoeing around a bunch of things that are priceless. They’re already on edge, Jayden.”“I get that, but my schedule is packed. I’ve got work piling up.”Just as he finishes, his phone buzzes. He glances at the screen, and I see the tension in his shoulders tighten. “It’s Sofia,” he swipes to answer the video call.Sofia’s voice comes through, clipped but with that annoyi
(Winona)The moment we step into the backyard, I feel a shift. It’s not a yard. It’s like a private wooded area with beautiful clearings. The air smells fresher here, I swear.I grab Henry from his pram and carry him the rest of the way. The other kids are already ahead of us, their laughter carrying through the overgrown garden. I follow behind, taking it all in. I just love it.“How much land is in the backyard?” It seems to go on forever.“Ten hectares I believe.”“It’s as much a backyard as this house is a cottage.”Viktor smiles at me. “That’s Gus.”Out in the open clearing, the first thing I notice is the tree. It’s massive, towering over the garden, with thick branches stretching wide. Hanging from one of those branches are not one, but two wooden swings, swaying gently in the breeze.Both are weathered.“Look, Mommy! Swings!” Sarah calls out, her face lighting up as she rushes toward them, Abby right behind her.“Wait for Viktor to check them first,” I call out, my mom mode k
(Winona)The sun’s setting as we make our way back to Gus’s mansion. Viktor walks beside me, his quiet presence seeming to keep the kids in check as they walk just in front.I push Henry in his pram. Maybe they are all worn out after-all.Bobby is walking behind us, carefully carrying the kitten he found. It’s curled up in his arms, purring contently. I can tell he’s already attached, and that’s probably going to be a problem.Jayden has never been a fan of pets. I’m not sure how this will go.The mansion looms ahead, grand and overwhelming. I hope Jayden will be back soon.I glance over at Viktor. “I’m still not comfortable with how far apart everything is in the house. The kids’ rooms are nowhere near us. What if they need something in the middle of the night?”He nods, understanding. “The staff will be very watchful, and there are monitors you can turn on in each room. You’ll be able to hear them, even if they’re far away.”“That helps,” I admit. But the truth is, I don’t like it.
(Jayden)The kitten fiasco really threw off my mood. I know I overreacted, and Bobby’s reaction hit me harder than I expected. I was too harsh before checking in with how he’s feeling.Between moving the kids to Brussels, this mansion, push backs with the Nexus Global team, the staff everywhere here—I need to settle it all down.It’s been a huge change for all of us, but I guess I didn’t realize how much it would affect the kids. Especially Bobby. I don’t want to undo all of Anne’s good work with him. It’s been months of reprogramming with her.I can’t expect that all his trauma is over with now. I know better than anyone, it’s a constant effort to not let the demons back in every day. I need to stand with Bobby each day and demonstrate how it’s done, not just tell him.It’s not like she let him have his own way all the time either, but I think this is one of those times where we choose our battles carefully.As I sit in the main sitting room, the responsibility settles heavily on my
(Jayden)Winona steps back into the room after checking the older kids in bed. She looks a little more at ease. She has the monitor screen in her hand.“The monitors work well,” she says, sitting down beside me. “But I don’t know… It feels so impersonal. I’d rather be more hands-on with the kids.”I nod, knowing exactly what she means. “It’s a big house. Everything’s spread out. Feels like we’re miles away but moving into a guest wing isn’t practical for the first night.”“I know,” she says, glancing down at Henry, who’s starting to doze off in his bassinet. “But Henry will sleep in our room tonight. There’s a cot and I’ll leave him in the bassinet. I don’t care how good the monitors are. I want him close.”I smile at that. “Of course. Can’t leave him up to his own devices.”She leans back against the couch, letting out a small sigh. “I think the family house will be so much better. I can’t wait to get started making it livable.”“I mean, the staff here could have it done in no time.”
(Judy)The courier should’ve delivered what I need by now. I glance at my watch.It’s been a long game, planting seeds of doubt in Jayden’s mind, and it’s about to pay off. Winona might think she’s made her way back into his heart, but love doesn’t survive betrayal—especially not Jayden’s brand of jealousy.I tap my fingers impatiently on the desk, looking out over the city skyline. Winona. That self-righteous little snake. She’s always acted like she’s better than me, like she’s won.I’ll never forget the look on her face when she first found out about Ashlyn and Jayden. The way her eyes filled with tears. The way she looked at me as though she had any right to be angry. She knew she’d lost.She doesn’t know what real power is. She doesn’t know what it means to protect your family at all costs. Jayden is my son. He’ll always be mine.I sit up straight as there’s a knock at the door.“Come in,” I say, keeping my voice smooth and composed, though my insides buzz in anticipation.My ass
(Winona)I don’t call ahead. I don’t give Mia a chance to prepare.I walk into Brennan Industries like I own the place, straight past the receptionist, ignoring the protests as I push open Mia’s office door and shut it behind me. Mia looks up sharply, her entire body stiffening. “Winona, what the hell?” Her English has nuances of her Cuban accent but less than the rest of her family.I step forward, keeping my voice steady. “We need to talk.” Her eyes narrow. “Then schedule a meeting like a normal person.” “I don’t have time for games, Mia.” I plant my hands on her desk. “Tell me the truth. Are you in contact with Don Alejandro?” Mia lets out a sharp breath, closing her laptop with more force than necessary. “Are you serious right now?” “Deadly.” She scoffs, shaking her head. “I have nothing to do with him. It’s also none of your business what I do.” “Right,” I say flatly. “But I don’t trust you. I don’t trust Gabriel and I’m not even sure I trust your mother. You better not be
(Winona)The call is done. Vault is set for the launch. I should feel good. It’s all about to happen for me. The biggest night of my life so far. And Jayden won’t be there to share it with me. I know he must have a good reason, but it still makes me a little sad. A major milestone missed. But we’ll have others.I go to step back into the room and stop. Jayden and Astrid are still talking, their voices low, steady. Sofia isn’t there. Astrid is smiling and laughing. I’ve never seen that before. She’s into him, I know she is. But I also know she won’t overstep. Won’t do anything that would throw Nexus Global out of whack.Is that the only reason why, though? I watch them relaxed and enjoying a conversation. It feels ages since Jayden and I have been so relaxed in each other’s company. But we do have the stresses of the family dynamic.The kids are undoubtedly our main priority. Are we just trying too hard for the rest?He and Astrid are joking about something.It’s not romantic. No
(Jayden)Winona’s phone buzzes against the table. She glances at the screen, mutters something, and pushes up from her seat. “Vault,” she says looking at me, already heading out to the terrace. I nod at Winona and give her a smile.“Jayden, the media shoot will go a long way to help turn public perception. Sorry we had to blow up your family time…” Sofia says with a smile. “But can I just say, those kids are adorable, and you guys really seem to have your shit sorted as a family.”“At least we have that perception down solid.” I grin at her. “Trust me, it feels the exact opposite sometimes. I appreciate you saying that, Sofia. We’ve worked hard to keep it real for the kids.”“And sacrificed a lot,” Astrid states.“There’s been a lot of changes, for sure. All worth it.”“Maybe we should do a segment on the kids. I know you adopted Bobby and Sarah… and Winona adopted Henry?”“Are you trying to get me killed? There’s no way Winona will ever go for an exposé on our kids, and neither wou
(Winona)The kids are out cold, completely wrecked from a full day of running, climbing, eating junk food, and making a mess of the suite. River and Kit have been off-duty since we got back from our day until we fly out tomorrow night.My muscles are really feeling sore right now. I make mental note to get more strength training sessions in. Maybe I better get out of the gym and do more outdoor activities. I loved the rock-climbing wall.I place the green salad on the table next to the warmed flatbreads. Jayden and I are hosting Astrid and Sofia for a late dinner. A bit of a debrief on the media situation and a friendly catch up outside of work. I’m looking forward to it but also a little nervous about being in close proximity to Astrid.She is very straightforward, and she doesn’t flinch at stating things how they are. Something I always appreciated about her even though at first it was a little jarring. So far, so good though. Jayden places the char-grilled meats and vegetable pl
(Jayden)Henry is in his highchair, making a complete mess of himself with mustard and ketchup. Bobby and Sarah are locked in a dramatic debate over whether onions belong on hot dogs, while Abby is curled up between us singing the song on the movie. Winona leans over to me, her body warm against mine.I tighten my arm around her. “We’re okay? Yes?” She hesitates. “Yes, we’re just fine. Sorry I get in my head so much with feelings.” “Sorry I don’t get in mine enough with your feelings.”She smiles back at me and I’m glad we just get each other these days. “But what about sleep? Are you getting enough?” I’m really asking if Winona is still having the nightmares about the baby crying…“Mostly.”“So you still having them, huh?”“It’s been better with Vault to focus on. Staying busy.”“If you need to get to the point of exhaustion before you can sleep soundly, that isn’t good long term.”She leans over and kisses me. “I’m okay. I promise. It’s getting better. Let’s not ruin the fun ni
(Jayden)Henry shrieks in delight as the bucket tips over, drenching him in a torrent of water that would terrify most kids his age. His little hands slap the wet surface, his laugh infectious as Sarah and Abby cheer him on. “I told you he’d love it,” Bobby calls from the climbing ropes, shaking his head as he swings across to the next section. “He’s used to the hose at home.”“I’m not sure you and your little brother are safe together.” I laugh and Bobby climbs higher. This is a fantastic kids park, it has everything and not just for kids. Winona and I have given them a run for their money today.Kit chuckles beside me. “Gotta admit, the kid’s fearless.” “No argument there,” I say, keeping a watchful eye on Henry as he wobbles through the shallow splash area, River close behind. It’s been a perfect day—the kind we don’t get nearly enough of. No meetings, no deadlines, no PR disasters. Just us. The family. All playing and having loads of fun. The film crew is here, but they’ve don
(Winona)Sofia’s voice cues the next topic. “You’ve both had demanding careers. How do you make sure the kids come first?” I shift, pushing my sunglasses up onto my head. “We make it work by making sure that when we are together, we are fully present. No distractions.” Jayden smirks. “Well, most of the time. There’s always the occasional emergency.” “Business emergencies are one thing. But the kids know they’re our priority. They always come first,” I say.Bobby speaks up. “We have a family video call every night, before bed. We never miss it. No matter where we are.” I nod. “That’s right. And this is our first family trip but not our last. The kids have chores. Bobby gets out in the garden and he’s great at landscape design. We just find ways to drown out the negative white noise with positive family energy.”The day finally comes to an end and cameras capture it all. The smiles, the laughter, the easy dynamic we’ve spent years building. I’m proud of us. Sofia was right. This was
(Winona)The sun blazes down, the sky a perfect, uninterrupted blue as we step onto the deck of the yacht. Dubai’s skyline looms behind us, glass towers gleaming in the heat, the water an impossible shade of turquoise. The cameras are already set up, discreet but ever-present. A carefully curated glimpse into the life of a family that—on paper—has it all. Jayden shakes hands with the producer, exchanging pleasantries, while I shift Henry on my hip, forcing a smile. I see Sofia Fernandez, Nexus Global’s Head of Public Relations. I’m a little relieved to see a familiar face and someone I bonded with in Brussels. Then behind her I see Astrid Koenig. I stiffen slightly at the blank expression but that’s just Astrid. Sofia comes straight in with a huge smile and hug for me.As I hug her back, I see Astrid approach Jayden. She’s not a hugger but she does touch his hand and eyeball him while giving a definite nod. He smiles back like he’s not trying to smile. I can tell she likes him.A w
(Winona)Dubai is breathtaking. The resort is pure indulgence—pristine beaches, towering glass buildings, the smell of salt and luxury in the air. The kids are all fed and crashed in bed and Jayden has arranged a late dinner for us.Dinner is set on the resort rooftop, candles flickering against the warm night breeze, the city stretching out beneath us in a blanket of gold lights.Jayden reaches for my hand across the table. “It’s nice, isn’t it? Us, here. Without work hanging over our heads. Our family all together. I’ve missed the kids so much.”I smile, but it’s not quite real. I’m trying to forget earlier. “The kids?”“And you as well, that goes without saying.”“Does it?”He studies me. “You okay?”“Not really. But I will be. It’s been hectic and I so looked forward to being here,” I say, “ without the media.”“I can guarantee you there’s no media or cameras clicking tonight. I made sure we had absolute privacy.” “We may as well get to the first of the herd of elephants in the r