(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
(Winona)“I am here for damage control. The shareholders have spoken. Too many wanted out. I’m here to turn the ship around and get confidence back.” Gus Brennan continues talking, his deep voice vibrating through the room like a warning bell. You could scoop up the nervousness hanging in the air and eat it like ice cream.Just add sprinkles to mine, thanks.Every word he says feels like a direct hit, slicing through the tension with surgical precision. My chest tightens, a knot of anxiety coiling inside me as I steal a glance at Jayden. His jaw is clenched, eyes narrowing in a mix of frustration and disbelief. I’m nervous for him.How much more can he take? His mind might end up in overload. Then again, a break from the company may be the lifeline he needs, right now. I guess, either way, we are going to find out. A break from Judy would be better. No chance of that now she’s acting like a doting grandmother.The room seems to shrink around us, the walls pressing in as Gus’s gaze sw