(Winona)Back home, I’m feeling torn. On the one hand the beach would be an amazing time for Abby and getting her strong for her next surgery. On the other hand, being there puts my heart in the firing line and I cannot let myself get sucked into loving Jayden again.I’m not letting myself get sucked into loving anyone, ever.Lisa and Lance are coming over for drinks later. Anne has said she will go back to her home and catch up with her other family members for six months if I decide to go. But she will be back as soon as I need her. She said she knows I’ll make the right decision either way.I’m sure Anne could use the break from the drama as much as us.I have no clue how Ashlyn has reacted to all these developments, but I don’t think it will be in a good way. Judy is as hard to read as ever, and I will never trust her. Especially when it comes to Abby. Now I have this security around and, in a way, I like it. But this isn’t a normal life. I don’t think I’ll ever see Phillip again
(Winona)“Are you sure you’re making the right choice?” Lisa asks.I nod. “I’m just going to do exactly what I want to do for a change. I honestly can’t be any worse off. Abby will thrive in the sea air.” Lance holds his glass up. “Good for you. That family needs a good kick in the ass.”“It’s not that simple for Winona though. She has enemies. I’m worried this will force Ashlyn and maybe Judy to do something drastic.”“Ashlyn has the baby to think about. She would know that as long as she has his baby, Jayden will always be tied to her. I don’t think she’d risk that,” I say.“I wouldn’t put anything past her. She needs medicating or something.” Lisa shakes her head.“I don’t think Gus will let her out of his sight while she’s pregnant with his grandchild,” Lance observes.“Oh my god! Abby is his grandchild too. It’s like this is all just occurring to me. And she’s the heir apparent if anything happens to Jayden. I don’t want that life for her.”“I’m glad it’s all out in the open now
(Winona)“Winona! Come in. Take a seat,” Gus says loudly as I inwardly wince.I slowly sit across the desk in Jayden’s office and remove my sunglasses, trying to gather my thoughts. The light feels harsh, stabbing into my already pounding head.“Hard night?” Gus inquires, his tone a mix of curiosity and judgment.“I suppose your watchdogs filled you in. I am entitled to a life, you know,” I retort, a bit sharper than intended.“My staff know better than to speculate on the private lives of anyone they are detailed to. Privacy is of the utmost importance. It’s your eyes giving you away,” he responds, leaning back in his chair, scrutinizing me.I sigh deeply. “My head is mush, but I want to tell you in person that I’m not accepting your offer.”Gus raises an eyebrow, clearly not expecting this. “I appreciate you coming in. But are you sure?”“Mr. Brennan…”“Call me Gus.”“Gus. Abby is really my only priority now. Those hours are ridiculous, not to mention the workload,” I explain, tryin
(Ashlyn)One Week LaterSo, this is the infamous Gus Brennan. Last week he outed Lance and I and the little indiscretion. But he also did me a favor and named Jayden as the biological father of this baby.Judy has been ridiculous about it all, but I don’t care. I eye her defiantly across the office that used to be Jayden’s. She can pretend she hates me, but I know she needs me. She can’t get rid of Winona from Jayden’s life without me. She’s been carrying on about where Jayden is and that he hasn’t answered any messages or calls. It’s not like I’m holding him hostage. He hasn’t been home since all this about Lance went down.Now Judy pretends to be shocked about me sleeping with Lance. She doesn’t fool me. Don’t pretend to be holier than thou when you’ve been hiding Jayden’s real father all this time. She’s looking at Gus and he’s studying whatever is on the desk in front of him. “Ladies, please, take a seat.” He says without looking up.I sit in the plush leather chair. Judy rema
(Jayden)I look at the beach view from my Santa Monica property. I don’t remember purchasing this place but I’m glad I did now. When I was looking over my portfolio before I divorced Winona, this one caught my eye and I wanted to come see it right away.Of course, I got too busy with the business and all this memory crap. Since finding out about Abby, and now her condition, life has been a whirlwind. I take a deep breath. Here it feels like the world has slowed.I think back to the divorce and before it. The night Winona and I made Abby. Then I was so confused when the drugs were found in my blood. Of course I would trust my mother. But I’ve learned since, I can love her but maybe trusting her is a different thing.How did I let myself be convinced so easily that Winona was lying and had tricked me into everything? I guess my mental state was a lot more volatile back then. I know I certainly don’t want to be like Greg in that way again. If that’s what it takes to run this business, I
(Winona)I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this free or relaxed. Not since the accident anyway. But this is nice. No Ashlyn, no Judy. No pressure. The air feels lighter, the weight of the world has lifted off my shoulders, at least temporarily.Jayden is cleaning like a demon out in the kitchen with Abby, although I’m sure there’s some soapy water fights going on. Every few minutes, I hear giggles and splashes, making me smile.I’m setting up Abby’s bedroom. I’ve cleaned dirt and mold off the walls. I’m hoping it’s old stuff. It looks a lot better, and that dank smell is gone. It’s very satisfying transforming this space for her.The overriding smell now is bleach, but I have some scented candles to light. I make her bed and pop her toys on top. She insisted on bringing her doll house, and I’ve placed it in the corner where it looks perfect. The living room is pretty much done and I’m hoping the kitchen/diner is sorted as well. I glance around, making sure everything is in place for Abby a
(Winona)Wanting to believe everything will be okay and actually believing it are two different things. Inside me the doubt and stress over Abby’s health is ever present. If it was only that, I’d probably cope better.But I’d be incredibly stupid to think that all is going to be rosy with Judy and Ashlyn. We may get a six-month respite, though I doubt it will last that long, but they will both just be planning their next step to remove me from their lives.My emotions are fraught with the thought of losing Abby to something I have no control over. I need to make sure every second here is worth it for her. We’ve been here a week and Jayden and I are out tidying my garden while she naps.“I’m considering home-schooling Abby.” I say as he pulls weeds.“Why?”“I have a lot of time on my hands, and it would be easier on her.” I clip half-heartedly at the unruly hedge. Jayden wipes his hands on his denim shorts. “It might be easier, but I think it would also be limiting.”“There’s a lot mo
(Winona)“Bye, Sweety. Your teacher has my number, so if you need Mommy, she can call me anytime,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. My heart is pounding, and my hands are clammy.“Here’s your lunch bag. This is your locker,” Jayden says as he passes the bag to Abby, giving her a tight hug.She stows her bag into her locker. “Puppy!” She points at the photo of her favorite toy, so she knows her locker. “Bye, Mommy. Bye, Daddy.” She waves at us before racing off to join a group of kids who are crafting. Her enthusiasm is infectious, but my nerves are still on edge.Her teacher smiles warmly. “She’ll be just fine.”“You’ve read her file, right? You understand she has some physical limitations because of her health,” I explain, my anxiety swelling with each word.“We have, and I can assure you, every staff member here has advanced first aid training, and we have two qualified nurses on site. Abby will be in safe hands,” the teacher reassures, her tone gentle but firm.“No one can g
Readers, I’ve been back through all your comments and it really touches me that so many of you cared about these characters. I want to send a very special shout out to mitzi.goodson and Theresa for your active love of the story all the way and for commenting regularly. I love you guys and I love all the readers #hearteyes# Also I have discovered a mistake in the upload of Chapter 553. Only half the chapter seems to have been uploaded and I have now fixed that. I know you’re asking about if you’ll see these characters again…right now, I’m letting them rest but I hope to update you on them in the future. Right now I’m focusing on my new stories which I know you’ll also love.In the next one, After waking from a 5 month coma, Ava Lancaster watches her beloved daughter die. Ex-husband Zach Lorne, allowed the mother of his first child, cunning Sienna Sinclair to use little Lila as a medical pawn. Consumed by grief, Ava sets their mansion ablaze—clutching Lila’s body while Zach pleads outs
(Winona)Lisa sits on the couch between me and Jayden, her fingers curled around the USB stick.“You don’t have to,” I remind her gently.“I know,” she replies. “But I want to. I can’t move forward if I don’t hear him out.” She hands the drive to Jayden.Jayden leans forward and plugs the drive in. The screen flickers.And then there he is.Lance. Black eye blooming from Jayden’s attack over hall pass week, bruised knuckles, the same crooked grin he always wore.“Lisa,” he says, “I’m so sorry. I wish this could have been different.”I glance at her. She flinches but doesn’t look away.He shakes his head. “No big poetic intro. No music. No tragic montage. Just me.”His smile cracks slightly.“First, I want to say this isn’t your fault. You didn’t fail me. You didn’t love me wrong. In fact, you’re probably the only person who ever loved me right.”Lisa’s breath hitches beside me.“I wasn’t built for longevity, Lisa. You knew that. Hell, I practically had an exit sign blinking over my he
(Winona)Viktor stands with his hands by his side while Jayden finishes up his announcement.I watch on, proud of them both. Not only staunch in business but as friends.“I’ll still be involved on a higher level, but day-to-day, Viktor’s your guy,” Jayden says, firm and confident. “Effective immediately, he’s the new CEO of Nexus Global.”There’s a brief pause before the quiet, respectful claps ripple through the room.Viktor just nods. “Thank you,” he says. No long speech. No dramatic reaction. Just two words. Classic Viktor.Jayden glances my way and walks over.“Proud of him,” I say quietly. “And of you.”“He’s ready,” Jayden replies. “Hell, he’s been ready for a while now. He taught me almost everything I know about Nexus Global.”Viktor lingers by the window, posture steady. Astrid steps up beside him, saying something low. He replies with a brief nod and the smallest of smirks.Jayden leans into me and murmurs, “did you see that?”I arch an eyebrow. “The nod or the smirk?”“Both
(Winona)I see the moment his eyes catch mine in the window behind Astrid. He blinks like he’s seeing a ghost. Too late. I’m already across the restaurant floor, my heels pounding each step out in deliberate warning, the sound sharp against the quiet hum of late-night conversations. Heads turn. I don’t care.His face shifts from confusion to panic as I advance—his mouth parting slightly, eyes darting to Astrid like he’s trying to figure out if he’s imagining this. He’s not. I’m here. I saw everything.I saw the kiss. I saw the closeness after. The lingering smiles, the laughter, and the way Astrid’s hand stayed on his like they were sharing secrets. Like she belongs to him. You don’t need sound to understand body language.That kiss wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a friendly peck on the cheek. It was enough for me to wonder if they’ve been playing me for a fool for weeks. Maybe months.Jayden stands just as I reach the table, knocking his chair back in a clumsy scrape. Astrid rema
(Jayden)Astrid raises her glass, the candlelight catching the rim. “To surviving another quarter without firing anyone major.”“To the rest of us surviving the grueling schedule of the Ice Queen herself.”“You did okay.”“Just okay?”“Better than okay. You have quite the work drive, Jayden. Gus was right to leave Nexus in your hands.”“Not one of you thought that at first. You all hated me. Especially Hugo. I think he still might, actually.”“Oh, you are not so bad, after all.”We clink glasses. The wine’s sharp, dry—like her. The restaurant is dim, ambient, tucked just off the canal. Astrid insisted it was the best late-night spot in Brussels. So far, I can’t argue.The food was incredible, the service seamless, and the company? Easy. A little too easy.This dinner has gone longer than I expected. I expected an answer from Winona to my text. But it hasn’t come. The conversation just flowed so effortlessly tonight.No drama. No awkward silences. No carefully chosen words. Astrid, wh
(Winona)It’s nearly 1 a.m. when I step off the jet into the crisp Brussels air. I haven’t slept. I haven’t eaten properly. My thoughts have been chewing on each other for nine hours straight.I hear my phone notification, but I see Cass and I’m so damn happy. She’s about to launch the rest of her life and I’m excited for her.“It’s so good to see you.” I say as I run towards her and give her a hug.“You look like hell,” she says as she grins and hugs me back.“Oh, thanks for the compliment. You look like death yourself.”“Just finished a12 hour shift, what’s your excuse?”We walk out to the private parking area. Having a private jet is so convenient.“I can only blame stress and paranoia,” I tell her as we put my case in the back seat and get into her car.“Paranoia?”“Yes, about where Jayden and I stand in out marriage lately. I’m not sure I’m what makes him happy. All we do is fight, it seems.”“Okay… ah, so me telling him you’d have been better off never meeting him probably didn’
(Jayden)It’s nearly ten. The office is quiet, except for the soft hum of fluorescent lights above the boardroom. Astrid and I have been going through projections for Q3. Numbers, strategies, deadlines. All things that used to matter more than they do right now. My family call is bothering me. It’s not that Winona had a sudden business trip, that’s expected, it’s just the way we interact lately. Going through the motions. Not speaking up on how we feel in case it triggers an argument. I’m as much to blame.“You missed an adjustment here,” she says, tapping the edge of my laptop.“I didn’t miss it,” I say, not looking up. “I just didn’t apply it yet.”She raises an eyebrow. She knows I’m distracted. I’ve worked with her long enough to recognize the look that says I’m full of shit.“You want my input or just someone to nod along while you pretend to work?” she asks.I lean back in my chair. “You always cut right through it, don’t you?”“Of course.”She’s right. She doesn’t have patie
(Winona)The family call starts like any other.Except this time, I’ve told the kids I’ll be away and lied about where I’m going.Now I have to convince Jayden it’s an unexpected business trip.Bobby’s got a stack of papers next to him, pretending he’s not glancing at them while he listens to Jayden. He’s been working on some design options for the school vegetable garden.He’s become quietly obsessed with getting it right.Sarah is asking about when she can next visit the Nexus office again. Abby’s wearing one of Henry’s bibs and announcing herself as the ‘baby boss’ while trying to feed Henry a cracker he doesn’t want.Henry is slamming his hands on the table, shrieking with defiance, and Kit is doing her best to keep the screen steady while holding him.Chaos. Beautiful, familiar chaos. Welcome to the Brennan zoo.Jayden is calm, smiling, fully engaged. He’s asking Bobby about his team at school, praising his leadership skills. He tells Sarah he misses her drawings and promises to
(Winona)Phillip is at his desk when I walk in, finishing up a call. He looks up and gives me a half smile, casual but watchful.I cross the room but remain standing. “I won’t keep you long. I just… I wanted to let you know I’m stepping down in an active capacity from Vault. Effective immediately.”Phillip’s face shifts from polite curiosity to astonishment. “Wait—stepping down how?”I nod. “I’ll remain the owner. But I’m not going to be overseeing day-to-day management or strategic decisions anymore. I’m handing all of that to you. If you want it. CEO, President, call it what you will—I’m out.”He studies me carefully. “That’s… a big move, Winona. You’ve always been a control fre… ahh, hands-on.”I give him a quick grin. “Nice save.”“I’m talented, what can I say? But you being hands-off, I’m not sure that’s even possible.”“I’ve realized I can’t keep devoting so much energy to business. My family needs me. My kids need me.”“Is this what Jayden asked you to do?” “No. He’s been exc