(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
(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
(Winona)The airport is a swirling mass of bodies, luggage, and barely controlled chaos. Some flights have been cancelled because of the weather, and I just hope ours is not one of them.I refused the private jet as I want the kids to see how the majority of people travel. We’re still business class but even that lounge is backed up right now.Sarah is not one for big crowds, so she’s on edge. I’m trying to stay calm to show her it’s okay and we can cope with this.“When will we get there?” she asks for the tenth time. Bobby groans loudly beside me. “Sarah, we’re not even on the plane yet. Stop asking dumb questions.” “Don’t be mean,” I chide, shifting Henry higher on my hip. He’s already getting restless, his little hands grabbing at my necklace. I just hope he doesn’t need another diaper change anytime soon.River chuckles, adjusting her backpack. “Gonna be a long flight, I think.” Kit smirks. “Oh yeah. Definitely. But it’s just energy in here. The kids pick up on it.” Sarah pou
(Mia)The ink is barely dry on the new contract, Ana has let half her shares come to me, another step closer to control of Brennan Industries. I should feel satisfied.Instead, my skin crawls. Because I know what’s coming. I try to ignore the feeling of dread as I step into the underground parking garage, but it’s useless. The moment I see them—two of his men, stationed by a sleek black sedan—I know. I school my features, walking toward them with measured steps. They don’t speak, just open the door. I slide inside, the door clicks shut, and he is sitting across from me. Don Alejandro, watching me with the patience of a man who has spent his entire life winning wars that no one even knew he started. He doesn’t speak right away. Just lets the silence press down on me like a vice, his eyes sharp, assessing. Then, finally, he sighs. “You have been busy, mi princesa.” I don’t flinch. “Securing my future.” His head tilts slightly, amusement flickering in his gaze. He lets the silence
(Winona)Henry’s screams are relentless. His face is red, tiny fists flailing as he buries his head into my shoulder, but nothing I do settles him. His little body is warm, his exhaustion radiating into mine. So much for a relaxing Saturday at home with only one business call.Bobby is circling the kitchen, pushing the stroller towards me like a man on a mission. “This usually works,” he offers.We lay Henry in there and it doesn’t help. Bobby pushes him towards the kitchen door to head outside. But Henry isn’t settling, and I can tell he won’t. I call Bobby back. No point us both being deafened.At least Sarah and Abbey are happy outside, shrieking in delight over whatever game they’ve invented. Kit and River are off for the day, finally getting some time to set up their home. Anne’s out of state. I’m alone. Henry wails louder, his little face blotchy with frustration, arms flailing as I take him from Bobby’s arms.“Alright, baby. What is it?” I bounce him gently, pressing his da
(Lisa)The office is too big. Too polished. Too… corporate. I drop into the massive leather chair behind my desk and glare at the sheer size of the space. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a sweeping view of the city, the kind of view people kill for.It’s ridiculous. How is this my life now? Howe is there any money left for the actual charities when I have an office like this. It seems top heavy. Something I’d like to change. I’m not sure Logan will agree.A week ago, I wasn’t even sure I could do this. Now, here I am—CEO, handling meetings, locking in funding, making things happen. And for the first time in my life, I’m actually working for something.Not just existing, floating from party to party, living off old money and good genes. I should feel on top of the world. I do, in many ways.But exhaustion drags at my bones. I’m not sure this is sustainable for me. Or maybe I will get used to it. I don’t know.My body isn’t my own anymore, and I know why. But I won’t say it. Won
being in relationships. It doesn’t seem to affect you at all.” She tilts her head, considering. “I guess I know who I am and I know what makes me happy.”I nod slowly. “There is a certain freedom in not being emotionally attached to another person like that.” She doesn’t answer right away. When she does, it’s quiet. “Exactly.” I get it. More than I want to admit. Once, I thought the same way. That staying alone was the best way to keep control. That life was easier when it was just me, my work, and nothing to lose. But then, there was my mother who’d never let me be, Ashlyn and all the rest of my crazy past that never gave me a minute of real peace.I could have swiped them all away in some moments. But all of that made me the person I am today. A man who really does know what makes him happy and want he wants in life.Exactly what I have now. Maybe less business hoops to jump through would be great but it is what it is right now.“Married, with kids, a life that’s full and chaot
(Winona)I step in front of Phillip and he tries to touch my back as he follows me into the restaurant. I quicken my step so he just misses. I do not want him touching me.We settle at the long table with so many VIP’s my head almost spins. I take a breath and thank them all for coming as I take my seat before Phillip can be gentlemanly and pull out my seat or anything.A glass of champagne is poured for me and I take a sip.Then I hear my phone in my purse. I pull it out. God, it’s seven o’clock already.Incoming video call – Jayden & Kids. Shit. I take a quick sip of wine and push back my chair, standing up. “Excuse me, I need to take this.”I don’t wait for acknowledgment, just step away, weaving through white-clothed tables and murmured conversations until I reach the terrace. The night air is crisp, grounding. I answer the call, forcing a smile. “Hey, family.” The screen fills with Henry’s chubby cheeks and he’s held by Kit. Abbey’s bright eyes light up her frame. Bobby and S