(Jayden)I walk through Nexus Global’s headquarters, the hum of conversation in multiple languages blending with the rhythmic click of polished shoes on marble.The entire building is alive, screens flashing updates on real estate acquisitions, pharmaceutical stocks, energy investments, telecom deals. It’s a controlled beast, and I hold the reins. The boardroom doors at the end of the hall are open. No doubt Hugo is already inside. I stride right in, glancing at my watch.“Ah, enfin,” he mutters, tapping his watch. “You’re late.” “I’m right on time.” I jerk my thumb behind me. “They are late.”Viktor and Matteo walk in behind me. Matteo moves like he owns the world, flashy suit. Flashy everything. He sure does have the Italian flair. Viktor, in contrast, is understated, composed, his presence quieter but just as commanding. Viktor is going to be CEO here. He doesn’t know it yet. But I’ve made up my mind. Right now he is going through the motions to please me but I know he’s still
(Winona) The family call starts the way it always does—loud, fast-paced, full of overlapping voices. The kids all have their own devices except Henry, who is wedged next to me, babbling nonsense at the screen.Bobby is filling Jayden in on the contractor mentorship program, Sarah is talking about some school project she’s excited about, and Abby is holding up a drawing she made of the whole family, including Jayden, with a giant heart around us. Jayden listens, smiles in all the right places, asks the right questions. I do too. We laugh, we react, we make sure the kids feel every bit of love across the distance. It’s a well-rehearsed performance. That’s what it’s starting to feel like—performance. Because after the kids say their goodnights, River takes Henry, and I’m left alone with Jayden, there’s a beat of silence.“Long day?” I ask.“Yeah. Well, it will be when it ends. I’m still snowed under by reports that need reading. You?” “This is my first day off in ages and it’s been
(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
(Winona)Moving to the city I grew up in was a real struggle at first. It’s been three years and slowly each day got better. The tiny life growing inside me made me stronger. This wasn’t just about me.After giving birth to my beautiful girl, I started a little firm as a marketing and financial advisor, putting my education to use. It seemed being able to put forward proposals for successful marketing campaigns is something I’m very excellent at.All of my smaller company campaigns have been going like wildfire. Enough to get the attention of several larger firms. Bigger contracts really turn things around in the corporate world.I guess time does heal all wounds. It’s been the best time of my life since the divorce. Mostly because I’m a mother now and she is the most important thing in the world to me.Would I love being a complete family? Sure. But families come in all shapes and sizes and mine is my daughter and my foster mother who stepped in without hesitation and welcomed me and
(Jayden)It really is her. I saw her picture when my head of digital marketing brought this small firm to my attention. I see him kiss her and anger swells inside me and I get a flash of something. A pain in my head and Winona in a similar suit and me kissing her and wishing her luck for an interview.Then the pain is gone and the only thing I feel now is annoyance. How unprofessional of them. Aren’t they supposed to be business partners? I mean she has every right to move on but for some reason I can’t shake the anger right now.Her eyes are locked onto mine and her face reddens. I push open the door and stride in as if I couldn’t care less. I have a very lucrative contract in my hand and it will get signed today.I place it on the desk. “It’s all in there, you have twenty-four hours to sign. If you don’t sign, there will never be another offer from our company.”I remember the last time I told her to sign papers, three years ago. Divorce papers.She certainly isn’t crying this time
(Winona) The family call starts the way it always does—loud, fast-paced, full of overlapping voices. The kids all have their own devices except Henry, who is wedged next to me, babbling nonsense at the screen.Bobby is filling Jayden in on the contractor mentorship program, Sarah is talking about some school project she’s excited about, and Abby is holding up a drawing she made of the whole family, including Jayden, with a giant heart around us. Jayden listens, smiles in all the right places, asks the right questions. I do too. We laugh, we react, we make sure the kids feel every bit of love across the distance. It’s a well-rehearsed performance. That’s what it’s starting to feel like—performance. Because after the kids say their goodnights, River takes Henry, and I’m left alone with Jayden, there’s a beat of silence.“Long day?” I ask.“Yeah. Well, it will be when it ends. I’m still snowed under by reports that need reading. You?” “This is my first day off in ages and it’s been
(Jayden)I walk through Nexus Global’s headquarters, the hum of conversation in multiple languages blending with the rhythmic click of polished shoes on marble.The entire building is alive, screens flashing updates on real estate acquisitions, pharmaceutical stocks, energy investments, telecom deals. It’s a controlled beast, and I hold the reins. The boardroom doors at the end of the hall are open. No doubt Hugo is already inside. I stride right in, glancing at my watch.“Ah, enfin,” he mutters, tapping his watch. “You’re late.” “I’m right on time.” I jerk my thumb behind me. “They are late.”Viktor and Matteo walk in behind me. Matteo moves like he owns the world, flashy suit. Flashy everything. He sure does have the Italian flair. Viktor, in contrast, is understated, composed, his presence quieter but just as commanding. Viktor is going to be CEO here. He doesn’t know it yet. But I’ve made up my mind. Right now he is going through the motions to please me but I know he’s still
(Winona)“That wasn’t there before.” Anne comments on Kit and River’s little house.I grin. “Nope. Jayden had it put up the day before he left for Brussels.”Anne’s eyebrows lift. “In a day?”“You know how he is. He wanted to make sure Kit and River had their own space, and that I had all the help I needed close at hand.” I nod toward it. “It’s great. They love it. They fit in so well, Anne. Gus really hit the jackpot there.”Anne hums in approval. “I’m pleased.”The back door swings open, and Bobby runs, stretching his arms as he bolts towards Anne. He and Sarah were with Anne for some time before we adopted them and brought them into our family properly.I know how special she is to him and his sister, helping them leave their trauma behind and enjoy life. Like she did for me.“Nanny Anne! You’re finally back!” He almost knocks her over hugging her.Anne laughs. “Oh Bobby! I’ve missed you and you’ve grown another foot while I was away.”Bobby grins. “I’m already taller than Mom.”I
(Winona)Phillip circles back to me just as Lisa is pulled into a conversation with a venture capitalist she’s been chasing for weeks.He steps in beside me like he’s always belonged there, slipping into my space with that same easy confidence. It’s a necessary thing tonight, posing for the cameras, making it look easy, making it look like we are the closest business union in the world. Friends even.But my mind is on my best friend and what she may be hiding. I mean, I could be wrong. But I am going to ask her. Not tonight. I have to focus on this. But tomorrow, she is going to tell me what’s going on.“This feels amazing,” Phillip says, taking a sip of his whiskey. I smile, glancing around the room. “What part? The black-tie event? The power players circling each other? Or being part of an app that will actually changes lives?”“It’s hard to believe this has finally happened. Remember back when we started from nothing.” I stare at him but I keep my smile for the cameras. “We weren
(Winona)The flashing lights outside Vault are so intense they cut through the tinted windows of our SUV like camera flashes on a movie premiere night.The crowd is electric—reporters, influencers, investors, celebrities, and politicians. Everyone who matters in business and technology is here, and they’re all watching, waiting for me to step out. Phillip adjusts his cufflinks, glancing at me. “Showtime.” I let out a slow breath. “Let’s make history.” The driver opens the door, and I step out, the wall of cameras and noise hitting instantly. Voices call my name, camera shutters snap in rapid succession.I pause, letting them get their shots of us, my shoulders squared, my expression happy. I’m well-practiced on the red carpet. Vault’s headquarters towers behind me, bathed in gold lights, the logo projected onto the sleek glass facade. Phillip leans in slightly. “Everything is on track. The press is locked in, coverage is already trending, and the guest list is the strongest we cou
(Lisa)I sink deeper into the spa chair, letting the heat work its way into my muscles. This is exactly what I needed—a break from endless meetings, from Logan hovering.From the stress of everything I still haven’t figured out how to handle. Winona stretches out next to me, tilting her head back with a sigh. “God, I needed this. I used to think people who booked full spa days were just ridiculous, but now? I get it. I absolutely get it.” I smile, shifting slightly as my therapist starts massaging my arms. “Welcome to the dark side. You’re officially a socialite now.” She huffs. “No, I’m still not high maintenance. I just appreciate I needed it this time.” I lift my glass. “Keep telling yourself that.” She grins, but I can tell she’s actually relaxing, letting herself enjoy it. It feels normal, safe, like before. I let myself relax too, holding onto the feeling for as long as I can. I’ve really missed being with Winona.Winona peeks at me from the side. “You okay? You seem more s
(Winona)By the time I get to Vault, the final preparations for our launch tonight are in motion. Phillip is already on-site looking polished and meticulous. He stands near the main entrance, running through security briefings and last-minute adjustments, his expression sharp, his presence commanding. There’s no wasted movement, no unnecessary chatter.When I approach, he hands me a tablet without hesitation. “We have the final media list locked in,” he says. “All pre-approved. Security is fully staffed, and the private event rooms have been inspected.” I scan the details, nodding. “Any issues?” “None. The team is solid. We’ll have real-time social media tracking as well, so we can monitor any press coverage or unexpected stories.” I pass the tablet back. “Good. Everything looks clean. The guest list is a who’s who of VIP.” “You and I are heading that up. I know things have been tricky. But we need to show up for the company tonight. Show we are solid. That the past will not aff
(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