(Winona)I just have time to grab a juice at the café closest to the preschool. There’s a lot of people here and I assume it’s the thing to do before school pick up. Abby’s pick up time is after lunch for the first week.I look around the other patrons as I sip my tropical smoothie. My mind is full of what to make for dinner. Shopping went great and as the time progressed, I did feel better about Abby being in school.Now I’m excited to hear all about her morning.A profile catches my eye. I snap my attention back to this man. He’s across the road. No. My blood runs cold, and I squeeze my eyes shut. When I open them again, he’s not there. Is my mind playing tricks on me?It’s a sea of people weaving in and out of each other. I’m sure that it was a mistake. It has to be. It’s simply not possible. My father cannot be here in Santa Monica. Judy knows he’s alive but surely she wouldn’t tell him where we are even if she knew.If she understood how bad that could be for Abby, she sure woul
(Winona)I flick on the television. I know I shouldn’t, but curiosity gets the better of me. I wonder if speculation over Jayden and I has stopped. I go through a few channels and I haven’t seen us yet, so maybe.Abby has had three days at preschool, and she’ll have a break for the last two weekdays. I must say my nervousness is somewhat eased, and she’s chatting easily about the other kids in her class, so she is making friends.Dinner at Jayden’s house was a lot of fun the other night. He’s happy with how negotiations are going with the shareholders. He’ll have enough ready to sell to him by the end of this month.I’ve been back to that café and never seen that man again. It really was my imagination. I switch off the television. Let them say what they want to say. Not like we can stop them. I’d rather know what’s going through Judy and Ashlyn’s minds right now.Abby’s been bright and cheery and not complaining of any pain. Even her face has some color. Today Jayden is picking us up
(Winona) “Winona? Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?” Jayden asks as the kids clamber out of the car. His voice is filled with concern, and it’s clear he’s struggling to process everything.I nod, trying to steady my racing heart. “I can’t leave them with him. You have no idea how bad it is, Jayden. Look at them.”Jayden looks at the kids, his expression softening with empathy. “Okay.” He lets out a long breath. “I guess we’ll figure it out.”“There must be a mother,” I say, more to myself than to him.“She left them,” Jayden replies, his voice tinged with sadness.“He would never have let her leave with them. The kids are his meal ticket. I can keep them safe until I find her.” I usher the kids through the front door and into the kitchen, my mind racing with a hundred different thoughts.Jayden follows us inside, shaking his head. “He left them here, though.”“He’ll be back when the cash runs out,” I say, knowing my father all too well.Jayden sighs, his frustration evident.
(Winona)Having these kids for a full day, I’m still very nervous about it. They aren’t saying much and I don’t want to press them on the details of their mother. Sarah basically says nothing and Bobby is protective of her, and isn’t offering any information either.Perhaps I’ll try asking again later. I mean, these kids are my half-siblings, I’m not sure what to do with them. Abby has been fine about having them here, but four-year-olds are fine about most things, I guess. They talk to Abby, I heard them chattering and laughing with her. So I know they can communicate.I wonder if their life has been like mine was. Cold, hungry and punished most of the time. Lonely. Tears swell in my eyes. I’m not letting that bastard take over my life again. I know he’ll be back when the money is gone. I need to be ready and to try and get these kids to a safer home environment. I don’t want him in my home. I do feel better now I know I have security watching. Otherwise, I’d be a complete mess. M
(Winona)“Thank you for trusting me. I’ll try and track down your Mom. Do you think she’d move far?” I ask Bobby, hoping for some clue.Bobby shrugs, his shoulders slumping in defeat. I can tell he’s not giving up any more information. But I have enough for now. I can get the authorities involved. I’ll get a restraining order out on my father. I don’t want him to be able to come anywhere near me.“I’m going to make some calls. To my old school and to child protection. I need to see if we can track down their mother or any other relative that might be able to help them,” I tell Jayden at my kitchen table, my voice firm with resolve.Jayden leans back in his chair, a look of concern etched on his face. “I still think it might be better if we were all at my place.”I shake my head. “I think that huge place would be too overwhelming for them. The way they would have lived. Plus, I don’t want that asshole getting a sniff of there.”Jayden nods, understanding my point. “I’m sure he already
(Winona)Jayden pulls up in the driveway with Bobby and Sarah in the backseat. They both look a little more at ease now, clutching small shopping bags filled with new clothes and a few beach toys. I meet them at the door, Abby holding my hand and bouncing with excitement.“Did you guys have fun shopping?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light.Bobby nods, a shy smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, it was cool. I got a Lakers cap.”“I don’t doubt that with Jayden.”Sarah peeks out from behind Bobby, her eyes wide with curiosity. “I got a new dress,” she says softly, showing me the bright yellow fabric peeking out of the bag. “And a pink swimsuit.”“That’s wonderful, Sarah,” I say, giving her a warm smile. “We’re going to have a great time at the beach house.”Jayden unloads the car and we all pile into his SUV. The drive to the beach house is filled with the sound of the kids chattering excitedly and the gentle hum of the radio. The tension from earlier starts to ease as we pull into the d
(Jayden)I hand soda out to the kids who are dripping on my deck. “You lot have worked up a real thirst. Is anyone hungry?” I ask.Bobby and Sarah both look down and shake their heads, their expressions guarded. Abby bounces up and down, full of energy. “I am!” she exclaims.“I have some strawberries here and I’ll cut some banana and watermelon,” I offer, hoping to coax the other kids into some healthy food.“Oh,” Abby says, looking a little crestfallen.I smile, trying to make it sound fun. “No junk food till after dinner, Abby.”“I need to go potty,” she announces suddenly.“Mommy is inside; she’ll help you get your wet swimsuit off,” I tell her, watching as she runs inside where Winona is resting after her incident. She really lost it at that guy. I’m worried about her mental health at this point. I think she may need some professional advice, and we need to get her father out of her life. I’ll have the bastard jailed if I can.I peel bananas and cut them up for the fruit platter,
(Jayden)“It’s so complicated,” she murmurs, her voice filled with pain.“Tell me about what it was like, before you got to live with Anne,” I urged gently.Her shaking increases, her breath hitching with each sob.“I got you. I think you need to talk about this, get it out. Otherwise, you are going to explode,” I say in encouragement.“He was awful. I was his meal ticket. If he wanted stuff off people, I had to go too. Said they’d feel sorry for me. I had to go beg on the streets, and if I didn’t get enough, I never got to eat anything,” she confesses, her voice raw with emotion.“Jesus, Winona, I’m so sorry you went through that,” I say, my anger towards her father burning hotter.“School saved me. I knew an education was my only way out, and we had a school breakfast program. I got to eat there,” she continues, her voice a little stronger now.“Your mother?” I ask, not sure if I want to hear the answer.“She hated me. Hated that I’d come into her life and ruined it. So did he, but
(Lisa)The sound of kids laughing and fighting all at once is a special kind of chaos. Not loud enough to make me need earplugs but constant enough to make me question why anyone willingly signs up for this parenting gig. I’m sitting at the farmhouse kitchen table, nursing a mug of herbal tea—because Winona says it’s for relaxation, apparently—while Winona navigates the madness with calm efficiency. Tastes like I’m drinking fresh-cut grass. Eww.“Sarah, put the scissors down before someone loses an eyebrow!” Winona shouts from the stove, where she’s flipping breakfast pancakes with one hand and holding Henry on her hip with the other. Jayden strolls in, looking half-asleep but still managing to make kissing her cheek seem like the most romantic move in the world. He grabs Henry and tosses him in the air, making the toddler squeal with laughter. “Morning,” Jayden says to me, his voice a deep rumble that doesn’t match the little boy giggling in his arms. “You sleep okay?” “Like the
(Jayden)I rub my thumb over her knuckles. “We’ll make it work. We always do.” I want that to be the truth. More than anything. She nods, but I can tell something else is bothering her. “I won’t spend more than one night away from the kids while you’re gone,” she says, like she’s trying to convince herself more than me. I smile, though I know that promise is going to be harder to keep than she thinks. “I appreciate that. But Winona... you have to be prepared for when you have to choose business over family sometimes. It’s going to happen, and it’s not going to feel great.” Her shoulders stiffen slightly. “I can balance it, Jayden. I’ve been doing it already.” I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “I know you have, but it’s going to get harder. Board meetings, investors, expansion plans—they don’t wait for soccer practice or bedtime stories.” She crosses her arms, and there it is—that little flash of defensiveness I knew would come. “I know that. I’m not naive. But I’m not ab
(Jayden)Winona stands at the kitchen counter, scrolling through her phone while absently stirring her tea. Her brows furrow slightly, lips pursed in that way that tells me she’s already a million miles into business mode. I used to love that look when we were at Brennan Industries together. Seems a lifetime ago now.I lean against the doorframe, watching her for a moment before stepping closer. “Thinking about ditching me for a board meeting already?” I tease, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. She huffs a soft laugh, but it’s distracted. “Actually, I was going to ask you some advice.” She sits at the dining table. I grab my coffee and settle across from her. “Shoot.” Winona finally looks up, her eyes searching mine. “I have a couple of big events next week—the board meeting, a dinner with potential investors, and now a charity gala just popped up. It’s a lot, Jayden. I can’t blow off the board or the investors…” “You can’t blow off any of them. Charities are networking an
(Winona)Pulling into the farmhouse driveway, I spot Cass sitting on the porch steps, her duffel bag at her feet. She looks up when Lisa and I step out of the car, a smirk already forming. She gives us a wolf-whistle.“Look at you two,” she calls out. “Business queens in the flesh.” Lisa tugs at her blazer. “Trust me, I’m getting changed right away. What a fucking disaster.” I roll my eyes and stride up to Cass, pulling her into a tight hug. She smells like vanilla and cigarette smoke, a weird combination that somehow suits her. “I’ve missed you, brat sister,” I murmur, holding her for a beat longer than necessary because I know why she’s here and it’s already breaking my heart. Cass pulls back with a grin. “Miss you too, boss sister. Seriously, what’s with the corporate look? You two getting ready to take over the world or what?” “Something like that,” I say, smoothing my blazer. “But I’ll let Lisa fill you in when she’s ready. So, I guess you’re here to say goodbye?” Cass nod
(Winona)Lisa stares out the window, chewing on the corner of her nail—something she only does when she’s about two seconds away from a full-on meltdown.The highway stretches out ahead, I can’t stop thinking about Logan Bennett. Lance’s twin. A walking, talking ghost we never knew existed. I can only imagine how rocked Lisa must feel.I grip the steering wheel. “You good?” Lisa lets out a short laugh, but it’s hollow. “Define ‘good.’ Because if it means questioning my entire reality while also wanting to throw myself into traffic, then yeah. I’m fucking great.” I glance at her. “You’re not throwing yourself into anything except maybe a bath later with a gallon of wine.” “I think any alcohol now might result in me making myself obnoxious. You know how I get.” Lisa stares out her window again.Then she continues talking. “I seriously thought I was hallucinating, Winona. Like, actual delusions. One minute I’m faking my way through this business gig, the next I’m staring at Lance—exc
(Lisa)The lights are too bright, the sheets too crisp, and everything feels weird. I blink slowly, my head pounding. My mouth tastes like I’ve been chewing cotton balls for breakfast. Where the hell am I? Then it hits me. The office. The meeting. Lance. I sit up too fast, and the room spins like I’m on some twisted carnival ride. I feel something in my arm and see an IV. There are monitors and things stuck on me.Shit, I’m in a hospital.A groan slips out before I can stop it, and suddenly there’s a nurse by my side, her face all sympathy and no-nonsense professionalism. “Easy now,” she says, pressing a cool hand to my wrist. “You fainted, remember? You weren’t responsive for a while. But the drip has done its job.” Fainted? Right. That’s what normal people do when they think they’ve seen their dead ex-lover casually standing in a boardroom like it’s just another Tuesday. “Okay... fainted,” I mumble, rubbing my temples. “Great. That’s just... fantastic.” The nurse offers me a
(Jayden)The kids are sprawled across the living room floor, their energy buzzing like they’ve downed three bags of sugar each. Henry’s babbling as he stacks blocks, while Abbey and Sarah argue about whether they should play schools or princesses. Bobby is pretending not to care, phone in hand. Anne is at the shops.It’s noisy and busy, just like normal. I think of Winona and Lisa. I wonder how they are going with the meeting? I pat my pocket, then the other side.“Guys, I left my phone outside on the bench. Try not to kill each other and watch Henry while I go and grab it.”They all look at me and nod and keep doing what they are doing. Henry seems taken with his blocks, so I whip out through the kitchen and out the back door.I see I’ve missed a call and she’s left a message. I scoop up my phone and head back inside to listen to the message. I won’t call back yet, they may be in the meeting still.I hurry back in and check out the kids. No one has moved. Great. I listen to the mes
(Mia)Gus walks through the living room slowly, his gaze flicking over the ornate furnishings, the heavy curtains, the marble-topped tables.His fingers trail along the edge of a sideboard, and for a moment, he looks lost in thought. “You okay?” He glances at me. “It’s strange being here without her and having all her stuff still here. I’ll see that it’s all collected. There’s some valuable pieces here.” “Judy’s gone,” I say bluntly, shrugging my shoulders. “You’ll have to get used to it. This place is part of Brennan Industries now, I believe.” His mouth tightens, and he doesn’t respond. Instead, he turns his attention to the window, looking out at the street below. I don’t know what he’s thinking, and honestly, I don’t care.Gus being here isn’t my concern—what he wants is. I know he says he’s here to pick up Mama, but that doesn’t fool me.“You didn’t come here to reminisce,” I say. “What do you want?” He turns back to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I want to know where y
(Winona)Lisa’s body is sprawled awkwardly on the sleek office floor, and my heart nearly stops as I drop to my knees beside her.“I’m Logan Bennett.” The sound of Logan’s voice, Lance’s voice, steady but sharp, slices through the haze of my panic.I glance up at him. Neater haircut, lesser designer suit, but that is Lance Collins right there.What the actual fuck is going on? No wonder she collapsed.“I’m calling 911,” he says, his phone already to his ear. “St James Hospital is close.”“Lisa!” I whisper, shaking her gently. Her skin feels clammy, her breathing shallow but steady. “Come on, Lis, wake up.” I turn her over to the recovery position. She is breathing but she isn’t waking up.Logan lowers his phone. “Paramedics are on the way.” His gaze flickers between Lisa and me, worry etched into his expression. “Is she…?”“She’s breathing,” I say. “But she’s not waking up.”Logan crouches down, his movements deliberate and calm, and for a moment, his presence reminds me so much of La