(Winona)I take a step back, assessing the open-plan kitchen, dining, and family room. It’s finally coming together. Fresh flowers from the garden fill vases on the counter.The windows gleam, and through them, I can see the forested areas and mountains. Every view, every little touch, feels like it belongs to us.Keeping myself busy with this house has become more than a distraction. Each polished surface, each thoughtfully placed piece, feels like a tiny triumph over the panic that keeps creeping in.I need to focus on things I can control—the endless arrangement of pillows, the organization of drawers, the flow of each room. These are things that make sense. Things I can handle.In two days, Jayden will be back, and every part of me aches for his presence here. The kids and I have been working non-stop, setting up their rooms, making sure there’s space for each of their personalities to shine.Bobby’s been a wonder, diving into landscaping and gardening with a passion I hadn’t seen
(Winona)The screen flickers, and Jayden’s face appears. “Hey, beautiful,” he greets me, his smile warm and genuine. “How’s everything over there?”“Hey yourself,” I say, managing a small smile. “We’re doing alright, keeping busy. You?”He leans back, glancing around as if taking in his surroundings. “London’s… interesting. Few challenges here, but I think I’ve got them under control now.”“Is everything okay?”“Yes, I fired the CEO of Nexus London today.”“You did what?!”“I’m not here to play, Winona. It had to be done.” Jayden has an edge in his voice I haven’t heard in a while.“How did he take it?”“Not well. He actually tried to attack me.”“Oh shit. Are you okay?”“He never got close, Viktor is lightning fast. We are a formidable team.”“You still need to be careful. I’m not sure ruffling feathers like that is wise.”“No. It needed to be done. Things here are stagnant and he was resistant to change.”“Just have a conversation with him, perhaps you can come to an agreement,” I s
(Winona)The morning air is warm, streaming through the cottage windows and casting a soft glow on the open plan kitchen and living area. I’ve just settled Henry on a blanket on the floor, watching as he kicks his little legs and grabs at the toys suspended on the frame above him.I was going to wait for our first night here with Jayden. But seeing as he’ll be delayed and the kids pleading got the better of me, we stayed here last night. I don’t think I’ve slept so well since I left the USA.The kids are running outside, their laughter carrying in on the breeze. Bobby’s voice is louder, guiding Sarah and Abby as they try to lure the kitten into the garden for its morning romp.My phone buzzes in my pocket, and Lisa’s name pops up. I answer quickly, holding my voice steady as I watch Henry wave his fists around, his face scrunched in concentration.“Hey, Lisa,” I say.“So, guess what? I’ve booked my ticket. I’ll be there in two days.”Relief floods through me. “Oh, thank god. I really
(Jayden)Viktor walks briskly beside me as we enter the boardroom the next day, his low voice weaving through the latest developments.“Grayson’s records don’t just have holes—they’re gutted. Missing files, doctored reports… a ghost operation right under your nose.”I grit my teeth, forcing a measured nod. “Great. I suppose this will all be my fault for being here.”Viktor raises an eyebrow. “This isn’t the first time embezzlement’s left Nexus London leaking. But Gus thought Grayson was clean.”Irritation simmers beneath the surface. It’s been days of the same. I’ve already pushed back my time by a day, there’s no way I’m leaving here tomorrow.Every time I pull back one layer of Grayson’s operation, another festering lie rots beneath it.“Let’s stop digging for his faults and start sweeping this entire team. Top down. And if that means closing this office…” I shrug. “So be it.”Viktor tilts his head, appraising. “It’d mean laying off a lot of loyal employees—there are a few good ones
(Winona)It’s been two months since I saw my husband Jayden. I’m almost positive he’s coming to ask me for a divorce right now but I’m not giving up.Three years ago, after a car accident, he lost his memory, and I lay in a coma for a year. When I woke up, all I wanted to do was see him again. All I wanted was for us to be the couple we once were. When I found him, it was like a knife straight through my heart. Not only didn’t he remember me, but he loved another woman, Ashlyn. My heart pounds and tears swell in my eyes as I listen to the husband I love speak to me over a call like he hates me more than anything else in the world.“Despite what you did, I’m coming there,” he seethes over the phone. “I want this over once and for all and I’m coming back to see that happens. I’ll be there at dinner time.”He believes I drugged him into sleeping with me two months ago. “I did nothing. This is all a mistake, if only you could remember how much we loved each other…” I beg. “Don’t start
(Winona)I’m packing up my personal things. Slowly placing the possessions I love into boxes. My heart is torn apart as I glance around the house I’d started to set up as my forever home. The one I’d build a family with Jayden in and live happily ever after. Fresh tears start as I think about maybe never being a mother now. I just can’t imagine myself ever loving anyone else as much as I love Jayden. I certainly can’t see myself pregnant and happy with another man.I grew up in a loveless and abusive family. The shining light was a kind and loving foster mother I got to live with when I went to college and university. Come to think of it, she was as much responsible for my success as Jayden was at the time. That home made me forget my awful early childhood and see the world could be a nicer place. You know what? I’m going home to her. She never ever judged. She never tried to tell me not to see Jayden.My father was a drunk and my mother was cold because she never wanted a baby to h
(Winona)“Why are you here? How did you get in? The door was locked.”Every aspect of Judy Brennan was perfect. Her thousand-dollar outfit. Her smile. Her trim, athletic shape. But the shiniest apples are sometimes rotten inside. This shiny apple was the most rotten I’d ever known.“This is Jayden’s house. Of course, I have a key. I have every right to stop by and see if you need help getting your sorry backside as far away from here as possible.”I’m about to say something back and the urge to vomit hits me. I rush to the bathroom and try to throw up in the washbasin. I’ve had nothing to eat and I just heave and cough until my stomach hurts.But every day this week I’ve been nauseous, and I can’t eat much. I figured it’s the stress. Now it’s just this horrid woman.She’s in the bathroom doorway. “Hmph… sick again are you? Ashlyn told me you’d vomited last week when they came by with the divorce papers. She told me you’d been with Jayden not so long ago too.”Even though she scares t
(Winona)This is my second night in the hotel and I’m expecting Lisa to come visit. But I need a shower because I’ve slept half the day, too sad to get out of bed. I had the hotel restaurant make her a cake and stock the mini bar.Although I won’t be drinking alcohol, I’ll mix the drinks and pretend. I fly out tomorrow. I’m not even telling her I’m pregnant. I can’t tell anyone. Not if I want to keep my baby.I need her to believe I’m okay because I can never have her come and visit me. We probably won’t see each other again for a while, unless I am sure Jayden’s mother won’t do anything to the child.It’s my only hope right now. It’s fifteen minutes until she arrives. I text to say the hotel door is unlocked and to come right in, I’m having a shower. I get back a thumbs up.The hot water cascades over me and I rub my hands over my belly. Soon enough I’ll start to show. I need to go where no one knows me or my past and reinvent myself and my story. I could stay here forever but I know