(Jayden)“Abby turns three today. She’s out of the hospital and I’m finally ready to meet her.” Mother smiles back at me. “It’s very exciting. You could’ve met her before this.”“I know, but she’s had such a lot to contend with. I want to be sure she’s ready. That I’m ready.”“I think she’ll be ready. She didn’t miss a beat when she opened her eyes and saw me.”“Wait, you actually met her? How was it?” I’m surprised Mother didn’t tell me this.“I did, and if you’re asking if there’s any doubt she’s yours. There isn’t. She could be the spit out of your mouth at that age. So, you’re sure you’re ready?”I nod. “Therapy has really helped me get a handle on things and deal with my memories objectively. The couple sessions have also made Ashlyn and I stronger. I can tell we are gaining a new level of trust for each other.”“Great to hear.”“Plus, I’m well aware that once I go into Abby’s life as her biological father, I can’t then change my mind.”“Have you had second thoughts about that?”
(Winona)Anne made a unicorn cake and it looks stunning on the table and Phillip has managed to fill all the snack bowls, make sure the place is fresh and dust free, and is standing here with a coffee in hand for me. My lounge area has been transformed to party central.My hands feel jittery as I take it from him. “This room looks fabulous. Abby will just love it. I hope she’s well enough to sit on her throne and open her presents with us.” I’d hired her a golden velvet throne for the day.“I’m sure she will. You know how she loves unwrapping gifts.” Anne says with a big smile.I laugh. “Yes, and then she’ll play with all the boxes they come in instead of the toys.”“I know. I got her the biggest boxed one I could find for that reason,” Phillip adds in.“That bike with the handle for us to push her along will be perfect for walks. She’ll feel like she’s really riding, and we can take over when she gets tired,” I agree.“She needs fresh air and sun to help her recover, we’ll make sure
(Winona)“Hey there, sweety. I have a surprise for you.” My voice is light and cheerful, but my heart races with anticipation.She smiles at me, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Is it a present?”“Not really, but there will be lots of gifts later.” I kneel beside her, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.“Okay.”“You remember my friend Jayden we talked about?” I ask, trying to keep my tone casual.She nods, her eyes brightening with excitement.“He’s here to meet you and say happy birthday.”Her eyes light up, and she bounces slightly in her seat. “Yay!”“Do you want to come out?” I ask, my heart pounding in my chest.She nods eagerly.“Let’s take you in your pushchair, so you don’t get tired out too soon.” I lift her gently and settle her into the pushchair, making sure she’s comfortable.“Ok, Mommy.” Her voice is soft and trusting, and it breaks my heart a little.Maybe I should have let Jayden come in here for a more private first moment. Anyway, I get her comfortable and pus
(Winona)I’m not sure I’m ready. I thought I would be. “Let’s get this day over with first.” I extract myself from his arms and pick up some oven trays full of party favorites to heat. The oven’s warmth is a stark contrast to the cold pit in my stomach.“Of course.” Phillip gets some cheese and fruit platters from the fridge. “I’ll go put these on the table.” He smiles, trying to ease the tension, but I can sense the unease between us.“Thanks.” Then I hesitate. “Phillip?”“Yes?” He turns back to look at me, concern in his eyes, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.“Play it cool out there.” I bite my lip, the worry gnawing at me.Memories of Jayden and our time together flash through my mind. His sexy smile, the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, how safe I felt in his arms. I shake the thoughts away, focusing on the present.“I will.” Phillip’s voice is reassuring, but I can still see the tension in his posture. “Abby may say some things. Kids don’t understand adult stuff. But this
(Winona)“Winona,” Jayden’s voice is filled with emotion. “Thank you for today. It means a lot to me.”I look across at him, tears welling in my eyes. “It means a lot to Abby too. She deserves to know her father.”He steps closer, brushing a tear from my cheek. “I wish it could be different.”I swallow hard, the memories and emotions threaten to overwhelm me. “We need to focus on Abby now. She’s what’s important and your new baby is coming.”I resist the urge to press myself to his chest. “Jayden, I know we shared something that’s once in a lifetime. But it was a lifetime ago. I need a peaceful existence. I can have that if you’re with Ashlyn and your mother is happy.”He nods, his hand lingers on my cheek for a moment before he pulls away. “You’re right.”As he walks out of the kitchen, I watch him go, my heart aching with a mix of love and loss. I know I have to move on, but part of me will always remember the way things were, the way they could have been.***The party has wound d
(Jayden)“Oh damn. My phone isn’t in my pocket. It must have come out on the sofa or something.” I give Ashlyn a peck on the cheek as she sits in the driver’s seat “I’ll just pop back and grab it. I won’t be long.”“Okay. Hurry.” She looks nervous.“Lock the car doors when I get out. Just in case. Never know who’s out and about this time of night.” I squeeze her hand before stepping out.“I will.”I walk through the gate and along the path, the cool night air sharp against my skin. My blood freezes at what I see in the doorway. What the hell is he doing to her? Something inside me surges, a primal protectiveness. I want to rip his head off.Winona is struggling against Phillip in the doorway. Her face is twisted in distress, her arms flailing. I run up and drag him away from her, my adrenaline spiking. “What the fuck is going on?”Phillip glares at me, his eyes wild and unfocused, and then bursts into tears. “I’m sorry. I got carried away. I just love her so damn much. She can’t even
(Winona)Oh great, that’s all I need this week! Talk about Mondayitis. I walk past the magazine stand on the street near our office building and guess who’s on the front cover of all the gossip magazines. Jayden Brennan.Who even still reads this crap? But marketing is my job and I need to get on top of it. Not hard to see I’ve had some time off. I grab a couple and go pay for them.Then I do a search on my socials. Jayden Brennan’s Ex-wife hides his childSerious health issues for first born Brennan heirHas Jayden Brennan lost his killer CEO edgeRinse and repeat.Where do they get their information? I mean, they aren’t exactly wrong, but how do they know all this? I think we have a rat. Judy? Ashlyn? Hell, it could be anyone looking to make a quick buck. But not just anyone knows about Abby’s paternity. Could be guessing just for a headline I suppose.I need to study the stories and try to pinpoint if they are speculating or not.The Brennan empire is big news. All publicity is g
(Winona)Jayden and his mother step out. Both look solemn. The room collectively relaxes. Jayden glances at me as they go to their seats. Wait! Jayden sits beside Judy. He doesn’t take up the head seat. She looks like she’s lost a billion dollars and picked up a quarter. Is the company broke? I should not enjoy this so much because it directly affects my daughter.But we’ve been okay without billions so far, we can live without it. I’m not so sure Judy can though. It’s more the lack of power and prestige that will clip her wings. Her fall from grace could be spectacular and I’m here for all of it.They don’t say a word. Jayden just puts his hand up to quiet the buzz. The elevator doors close again and the numbers light up. It’s going up? Is there even an up from here? Maybe Heaven? I look quizzically at Lance next to me. “Helipad on roof. Someone’s arrived by helicopter,” he whispers.Holy shit. This is really happening. Lucky I bought the townhouse outright because I may not be a
(Cass)I stride through the penthouse, my stiletto heels clicking against the marble floor with purpose.I know I look good—stunning, actually. This dress hugs every curve just right, and the deep emerald green makes my eyes pop.Tonight is about reminding myself that I have a feminine side and I’m not afraid to use it. Gabriel may have been part of my past, but I’m going to show him just how irresistible the present me is. But as I head towards the elevator, Viktor steps out, his tall frame filling the space and his expression hard as stone. He crosses his arms and plants himself directly in front of the doors. “Ready for your date then??” he asks, his voice low, almost a growl. “You know I am,” I reply, refusing to let him intimidate me. “Unless you plan to stand there all night.” His eyes rake over me, lingering just a second too long on the neckline of my dress before snapping back to my face. “You’re really going out with Gabriel.” It’s not a question. “Yes, I am.” I tilt my
(Jayden)I find her on her laptop. “How are you really feeling?” I ask, standing by the edge of the bed. She looks up, her eyes softening. “Tired, but okay. It’s good to be home. That makes me feel one thousand percent better. You’ve got that look.”“What look?” I ask, kicking off my shoes and stripping down to my boxers.“The one that says you’ve got something weighing on you,” she replies, her tone softer now.I sigh, running a hand through my hair and sit on the edge of the bed. “It’s Cass. She’s in danger, Winona. Real danger.”Winona shifts, her eyes narrowing with concern. “What kind of danger? How?”“Don Alejandro, he hasn’t been arrested. He’s gone underground and he’s still calling the shots,” I say, my voice low.“But Cass has nothing to do with him, or Mia anymore. Gus cleared her of anything drug-related. How can she be in danger?”“Cass went to her old apartment. To clear it up. Trying to make a clean slate, I think. While she was there, they turned up.”“Who?”“Mia fir
(Jayden)“Daddy’s home!” Abbey squeals, her feet thundering across the wooden floor towards me. I barely have time to drop my briefcase before she launches herself at me. I scoop her up, spinning her in a slow circle while she giggles wildly. “Hey, princess,” I say, kissing her cheek. “Did you miss me?” She nods, curls bouncing. “Missed you so much! Mommy’s upstairs. She said you were bringing Henry back, but you didn’t. Where is he?” “Henry’s asleep in the car,” I explain, setting her down. “I’ll grab him in a minute. I had to get my Abbey hug first.” Bobby appears in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame like he’s auditioning for a teen drama. “Dinner’s almost ready. Sarah and I are making sure everything’s perfect for Mom. We’re making up trays.” “That so?” I ruffle his hair, and he swats my hand away with a grin. “Good work, kid. You’re the man of the house when I’m not here, right?” “Obviously,” he says, puffing his chest out. “This place would fall apart without
(Mia)“You know what, Gabriel?” I say, my voice sharp. “Maybe you’re not as noble as you want everyone to believe. You think I don’t see what you’re doing? You’re not trying to protect this family. You’re trying to control it.”He narrows his eyes. “What are you talking about?”“Don’t play dumb,” I snap. “You just want Brennan Industries for yourself. That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? Turning Ana and Eva against me so they’ll sell to you.”“That’s ridiculous,” Gabriel retorts, his tone cold. “I’m protecting the company from you. You’ve already proven you can’t be trusted. Someone has to safeguard what Papá built.”“What Papa started,” I say, crossing my arms. “That company was built by Judy Brennan. Our father was an awful businessman. But he loved us, all of us. Don’t forget, Gabriel, we all share the same blood. The same father. We all deserve to benefit from the legacy, not just you.”Ana shifts uncomfortably, her eyes darting between us. “Mía, it’s not about taking sides
(Mia)The townhouse is spotless. Every vase, every gold fixture, every inch of marble gleams under the crystal chandelier’s glow. I’ve made sure of it, not for me, but for them. My family is coming, and I know the judgment in their eyes will be as sharp as their words. They will think I don’t belong here. Such luxury and display of wealth is unbecoming. I should be more humble. Show more gratitude and grace.I don’t care. I do belong here. All I want is for mother to love and respect me as a woman. Not to always see me as her baby girl who needs constant mothering.I straighten the throw pillows for the third time, my nerves simmering beneath my skin. When the doorbell rings, I force my shoulders back and my face into a practiced smile. “Come in,” I say as I open the door. Mama steps in first, her dark eyes scanning the room like she’s searching for something to scold me about. Behind her, Ana and Eva follow, their expressions less obvious but no less guarded. Gabriel brings up
(Winona)“Winona,” he says, walking over to kiss my temple. “Welcome home. It feels so good here, right?”“You feel it too?” That makes me happy. Knowing Jayden feels the same vibe the kids and I do in this place.“You chose perfectly. I’m heading out for a meeting with Gus and Viktor. Figured I’d take Henry with me. He can nap in the car. If that’s okay with you? Is Henry being with Gus okay?” I nod. “Gus visited me, and we sorted some stuff. It’s fine with me if it’s fine with you.”He kisses my lips and whispers in my ear, “I can’t wait to snuggle with you tonight. I have missed you so, so much after dinner time.” He nuzzles my ear.I smile as Henry tries to grab my hair.“Hey, you two, get a room!” Lisa teases.“Oh, we will.” He steps away and Henry reaches for me and I hold his little hand in mine. I’ve missed him so much.“Anyway, I better bounce. Get this Global Nexus stuff done,” Jayden says.“Henry can stay here if it’s easier.”“No need. He’s my right-hand man these days. H
(Winona)The moment I step into the farmhouse, the scent of lavender and woodland spice welcomes me like an old friend. I know it’s one of Klara’s aromatherapy concoctions that I love.Lisa has given me a ride home to save Jayden the trip into the city as he’s here with the kids.The kids are buzzing around like a small tornado, their excitement obvious. It’s a stark contrast to the opulence of Brussels high-end estate or Jayden’s Penthouse here. This place is different. It’s ours. Once I have the renovations done, it will still be luxurious, of course—heated floors, state-of-the-art kitchen, and furnishings you’d see in a design magazine—but not excessive.It’s cozy, warm, and every inch of it feels lived-in. It’s like the cottage in a way. A family home but this place has something the cottage didn’t have. A history in its walls of previous families. It feels like home in a way nowhere else I’ve ever lived has.Even my townhouse, which was perfect for me at the time, pales in com
(Cass)I sit on the couch at Jayden’s penthouse, picking at my nails, while Viktor stands near the window, arms crossed, eyes focused on the city below.His broad shoulders are tense, his entire posture screaming disapproval.I’ve just told him what I overheard in my apartment and he’s acting like I heard it on purpose.“Say it,” I snap, breaking the silence.He turns, his blue eyes icy. “You shouldn’t have gone there alone.”“Tell me why you went there,” he demands, his voice a coiled spring ready to snap. “I didn’t know they’d be there!” I snap, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “I was cleaning up, minding my own business, and then they just… showed up.” “Does anyone else know?” he growls, his accent thickening with his anger. “Did you see anyone on the way in, or out? If he finds out…” “No.” I fire back. “No one else was around. Stop being so dramatic.”“You need to take this seriously,” he says, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. “Don Alejandro is one of the most danger
(Winona)“Judy really taught me everything I know about being self-reliant and a strong woman, but she taught me in all the wrong ways. By threatening my life and the life of my children. I mean she almost took the life of her son more than once.”“Judy only knew extreme. But she also knew how to cover her tracks.”“She brought danger to my doorstep that I’d fought so long to keep away. I will not miss her in any way. I never loved her. But I do feel for Jayden, and for you.”He tilts his head, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. “Life must look very different for you now Judy’s gone. Knowing she won’t be there to interfere.” I take a moment to think about it. “Honestly? Yeah, I am. Judy had a way of… making you doubt yourself. Questioning every move you made. It’s exhausting, constantly looking over your shoulder, waiting for her to strike.” “She was good at that,” Gus says with a small, humorless chuckle. “Always did everything to the highest degree.”“Certainly cannot fault her wor