(Jayden)The clock on my desk blinks 12:47 AM, but the late hour doesn’t register anymore.I’ve spent the last few hours in calls and emails, trying to coordinate everything: the will readings, the services, the logistics of leaving Nexus Global in capable hands while I head back to the States.I hit call on Viktor’s number, knowing he’ll be awake. He always seems awake. I wonder if he’s actually human sometimes.“Jayden,” Viktor answers on the second ring, his voice sharp and alert. “What’s wrong?”“Nothing’s wrong,” I say quickly. “I need to talk to you about Nexus. I’m flying back to the States soon, and I need someone I can trust to hold things down while I’m gone.”There’s a brief pause, then a low chuckle. “You’re not serious.”“Dead serious.”“Jayden,” Viktor says evenly, “I don’t run billion-dollar companies. I handle security, strategy, and occasionally beating people to a pulp if they get too close.”“You also know Nexus Global inside out,” I counter. “You’ve been in the tre
(Jayden)The elevator dings, and the penthouse opens up before me. This used to be my happy place. Where I could unwind and take in the city lights with a nightcap or three. Before kids.Now it looks like an executive man cave with a family shoved in.I was an idiot for pushing that idea. There’s a crooked home-made banner saying Welcome Daddy, and a tray of icing and sprinkle laden cupcakes on the side table. My heart surges.A chorus of voices breaks through. “Daddy!” Abby’s little feet pound the hardwood floor as she barrels toward me, her arms wide and her face split into a grin. She wraps herself around my leg like a koala. “You’re early!”“Hey, princess,” I say, lifting her up as Bobby and Sarah rush in right behind her. Bobby grabs my middle in a tight hug, and Sarah hovers just slightly back, smiling shyly. “I sure am. Surprise!”“Missed you, Dad,” she says softly.“I missed you too, kiddo,” I reply, wrapping my free arm around her.Winona’s voice carries from the living room,
(Winona)The law office is still and cold, a contrast to the storm of emotions brewing inside me. Jayden sits beside me, his jaw set, shoulders tight with the tension he’s carried for days.I can tell he’s ready for this to be over but also bracing for whatever last hand Judy might play.“You okay?” I whisper. He doesn’t answer at first, his stare fixed on the polished table.“No,” he finally says. “But let’s get it done.”Mr. Carter, the lawyer, clears his throat and adjusts his glasses. “Thank you all for being here. We are gathered for the reading of the final will and testament of Judith Ann Brennan.”Jayden shifts in his chair, his knee bouncing with restless energy. I can feel the heat of his frustration, but I keep my hands to myself. No comfort from me is going to land right at this moment.“This will was last amended six months ago,” Carter continues. “Mrs. Brennan made several significant changes, which we will now outline. Copies of the full document will be provided afterw
(Winona)Lisa sits curled into the corner of her couch, her legs tucked beneath her and a blanket draped across her lap.“So, one reading down, one to go,” I say, setting two mugs on the coffee table and taking a seat in the armchair across from her. “Are you ready?” She looks up, blinking like she’s coming out of a daze. “Yeah, well... I don’t think I can be there. It’s still too much.” “Fair.” I lean forward, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. “I know it’s hard. But it’s a start, you know? A start to getting on the other side of all this.” She shrugs.“I’ll be right by your side.”Lisa exhales slowly, tugging the blanket tighter. “It’s just... everything. The way it happened. The way he let me in and really loved me for those few days. The way he left. And now this reading, like it’s going to somehow tie up all the loose ends. But it won’t, will it? Nothing changes that he’s gone.” I nod, letting her words hang in the air for a moment. “No, it doesn’t change that. But it mig
(Jayden) My driver pulls up outside Brennan Industries, and I step out, the morning air biting against my skin.Lance’s absence is a void that’s both personal and professional, and the tension in my shoulders feels like it’s pulling me apart. He was the best and matching him won’t be easy. But Lance had something here that is hard to find. He cared about his work and his colleagues.Lance was never in it for the money. His money came from his parents. But he wanted to be a part of something and belong somewhere and Brennan Industries was that for him.Inside, the lobby is busy but there’s a definite subdued energy. This speaks volumes about the morale of the staff. Mother and Lance both leave a huge gap and it’s my job now to bridge that.As I walk through, people greet me with polite nods and murmured “Good mornings.” Their eyes follow me, probably trying to gauge how things will change now that I’m back.I reach the top floor boardroom, the management team is already gathered and
(Winona)The law office feels oppressive, the kind of place that absorbs every ounce of emotion and holds it hostage.Lisa sits beside me, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her skirt. She’s trying to look composed, but the redness around her eyes gives her away. She hasn’t stopped crying since Lance’s death.I glance at the empty chair where Jayden should be. I tried to convince him to come, but he flat-out refused. Too much history. Too much pain. I can’t force him, and honestly, I don’t have the energy to try. I wasted enough of my life trying to change Jayden’s mind on things.I’m free of Judy and I’m going to make the most of that. This much I do know. But first, I need to get Lisa through this tragedy and broken heart.The lawyer clears his throat. “Thank you for coming. We are here for the reading of Lance Edward Collins’ last will and testament. Copies of the document will be provided after this session.”Lisa shifts in her seat, her breathing shallow. I reach over and squ
(Winona)The house is more charming than I expected—stonework covered in ivy, a wraparound porch, and large windows that bathe the interior in natural light.It feels warm and lived-in, unlike the two more modern places we’ve seen. The kids are darting through the unkempt yard, Bobby and Sarah racing each other toward a large and fairly new shed, while Abby lags behind, looking at a large pond.“Not too close to the edge, sweetie.” I call out and she smiles and nods back at me.Henry clings to my leg, his little legs unsteady on the uneven ground. I scoop him up and put him in his pusher Jayden has unfolded.Jayden wanders a few steps away, hands on his hips, surveying the property with a critical eye. “The house is more move-in ready than the others,” he admits. “But it needs a lot of work.”“I agree. But it just has a good feeling,” I say. “And the pond’s a bonus, but it’ll need fencing off somehow. Henry’s too curious for his own good.”Jayden nods, but I can tell his mind is elsew
(Jayden)Mother’s polished mahogany coffin sits at the front, surrounded by white lilies and roses, a stark contrast to the tumultuous life she lived and the wreckages she caused. It’s just Gus and me. No friends, no extended family. Just the two of us and that was what she wanted. Of course she did, just us two solely focused on her. Gus sits beside me in shackles, the officers are keeping their distance for now and covering all exits. He’s leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his face drawn and pale. He looks like a man carrying the world’s regrets on his shoulders. He should be.I stand up and go forward to place a single rose on top of the coffin. This is it, she’s really gone. My emotions are tangled—anger, relief, guilt, and some small, stubborn ache that won’t let go. I feel free, and that in itself feels wrong. I go sit next to Gus again.But she made my adult life Hell and Winona is right, a big part of me won’t miss any part of that. I will miss most what I didn
(Mia)“You know what, Gabriel?” I say, my voice sharp. “Maybe you’re not as noble as you want everyone to believe. You think I don’t see what you’re doing? You’re not trying to protect this family. You’re trying to control it.”He narrows his eyes. “What are you talking about?”“Don’t play dumb,” I snap. “You just want Brennan Industries for yourself. That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? Turning Ana and Eva against me so they’ll sell to you.”“That’s ridiculous,” Gabriel retorts, his tone cold. “I’m protecting the company from you. You’ve already proven you can’t be trusted. Someone has to safeguard what Papá built.”“What Papa started,” I say, crossing my arms. “That company was built by Judy Brennan. Our father was an awful businessman. But he loved us, all of us. Don’t forget, Gabriel, we all share the same blood. The same father. We all deserve to benefit from the legacy, not just you.”Ana shifts uncomfortably, her eyes darting between us. “Mía, it’s not about taking sides
(Mia)The townhouse is spotless. Every vase, every gold fixture, every inch of marble gleams under the crystal chandelier’s glow. I’ve made sure of it, not for me, but for them. My family is coming, and I know the judgment in their eyes will be as sharp as their words. They will think I don’t belong here. Such luxury and display of wealth is unbecoming. I should be more humble. Show more gratitude and grace.I don’t care. I do belong here. All I want is for mother to love and respect me as a woman. Not to always see me as her baby girl who needs constant mothering.I straighten the throw pillows for the third time, my nerves simmering beneath my skin. When the doorbell rings, I force my shoulders back and my face into a practiced smile. “Come in,” I say as I open the door. Mama steps in first, her dark eyes scanning the room like she’s searching for something to scold me about. Behind her, Ana and Eva follow, their expressions less obvious but no less guarded. Gabriel brings up
(Winona)“Winona,” he says, walking over to kiss my temple. “Welcome home. It feels so good here, right?”“You feel it too?” That makes me happy. Knowing Jayden feels the same vibe the kids and I do in this place.“You chose perfectly. I’m heading out for a meeting with Gus and Viktor. Figured I’d take Henry with me. He can nap in the car. If that’s okay with you? Is Henry being with Gus okay?” I nod. “Gus visited me, and we sorted some stuff. It’s fine with me if it’s fine with you.”He kisses my lips and whispers in my ear, “I can’t wait to snuggle with you tonight. I have missed you so, so much after dinner time.” He nuzzles my ear.I smile as Henry tries to grab my hair.“Hey, you two, get a room!” Lisa teases.“Oh, we will.” He steps away and Henry reaches for me and I hold his little hand in mine. I’ve missed him so much.“Anyway, I better bounce. Get this Global Nexus stuff done,” Jayden says.“Henry can stay here if it’s easier.”“No need. He’s my right-hand man these days. H
(Winona)The moment I step into the farmhouse, the scent of lavender and woodland spice welcomes me like an old friend. I know it’s one of Klara’s aromatherapy concoctions that I love.Lisa has given me a ride home to save Jayden the trip into the city as he’s here with the kids.The kids are buzzing around like a small tornado, their excitement obvious. It’s a stark contrast to the opulence of Brussels high-end estate or Jayden’s Penthouse here. This place is different. It’s ours. Once I have the renovations done, it will still be luxurious, of course—heated floors, state-of-the-art kitchen, and furnishings you’d see in a design magazine—but not excessive.It’s cozy, warm, and every inch of it feels lived-in. It’s like the cottage in a way. A family home but this place has something the cottage didn’t have. A history in its walls of previous families. It feels like home in a way nowhere else I’ve ever lived has.Even my townhouse, which was perfect for me at the time, pales in com
(Cass)I sit on the couch at Jayden’s penthouse, picking at my nails, while Viktor stands near the window, arms crossed, eyes focused on the city below.His broad shoulders are tense, his entire posture screaming disapproval.I’ve just told him what I overheard in my apartment and he’s acting like I heard it on purpose.“Say it,” I snap, breaking the silence.He turns, his blue eyes icy. “You shouldn’t have gone there alone.”“Tell me why you went there,” he demands, his voice a coiled spring ready to snap. “I didn’t know they’d be there!” I snap, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “I was cleaning up, minding my own business, and then they just… showed up.” “Does anyone else know?” he growls, his accent thickening with his anger. “Did you see anyone on the way in, or out? If he finds out…” “No.” I fire back. “No one else was around. Stop being so dramatic.”“You need to take this seriously,” he says, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. “Don Alejandro is one of the most danger
(Winona)“Judy really taught me everything I know about being self-reliant and a strong woman, but she taught me in all the wrong ways. By threatening my life and the life of my children. I mean she almost took the life of her son more than once.”“Judy only knew extreme. But she also knew how to cover her tracks.”“She brought danger to my doorstep that I’d fought so long to keep away. I will not miss her in any way. I never loved her. But I do feel for Jayden, and for you.”He tilts his head, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. “Life must look very different for you now Judy’s gone. Knowing she won’t be there to interfere.” I take a moment to think about it. “Honestly? Yeah, I am. Judy had a way of… making you doubt yourself. Questioning every move you made. It’s exhausting, constantly looking over your shoulder, waiting for her to strike.” “She was good at that,” Gus says with a small, humorless chuckle. “Always did everything to the highest degree.”“Certainly cannot fault her wor
(Winona)The sound of soft-soled shoes against the hospital floor makes me glance up from my laptop. I know those footfalls anywhere.Gus’s towering frame fills the doorway, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of a sleek black coat.He looks sharp considering his months in confinement, but the time has carved deeper lines into his face. His presence still carries that unmistakable air of control, like he’s never stopped being the man who built Nexus Global from the ground up. Or the man who is capable of almost anything if he sets his mind to it“Gus,” I say, closing the laptop and setting it aside. “It’s so good to see you.” We’ve always shared a close friendship. I trust Gus where I couldn’t trust many others. I know he has my back.He steps inside, glancing around the sterile room. “You’re looking well, Winona. Jayden told me you’d be going home soon.” “I am,” I reply. “A few more days here, then I’m free. Physically, I’m fine. Just have to finish healing from the fall an
(Jayden)Gus steps out, his posture as straight as ever, his piercing eyes scanning the surroundings like he’s still in charge of the world. He looks older—more weathered—but there’s still that unmistakable aura about him.The one that tells you he’s better off as your friend than your enemy.I climb out of the car, my leather boots crunching against the gravel as I approach him. Viktor lingers by the driver’s side, watching, his face as stoic as ever. Not even a hint of a smile. “Jayden,” Gus greets me, his voice steady, calm, as if he’s walking out of a board meeting instead of a federal prison. “I didn’t expect you.”“Gus,” I reply, my tone neutral. I’m not playing doting son. There’s too much history, too much unresolved. “How was the hospitality?” A ghost of a smile tugs at his lips. “Let’s just say I’ve had better accommodations.” Viktor steps forward, his arms crossed over his broad chest. “Let’s not linger.”“Very well.” Gus moves towards the car.I follow and get into the
(Mia)The chandelier glitters overhead, casting rainbows across the marble floor as I pace the room, my heels clicking loudly in the oppressive silence.Judy might be gone, but the specter of her looms large over this place. Gold fixtures, crystal vases, and overpriced art that screams wealth and power.I stare out the window of Judy’s luxury apartment as I clutch my phone. The screen glows with a message from Gus’s people, promising me that everything will be fine.That they’ll protect me. That I’m safe.Safe.I’ve just met with the person they are supposedly keeping me safe from at Cass’s old apartment. I had a key cut, just in case I needed it.No one is safe from Don Alejandro, my grandfather. That’s what they don’t realize. There is no escape from him. They’ll never get anyone close enough to him to kill him.Gabriel’s voice echoes down the hall, he’s staying here with me.I sink into one of the velvet armchairs. Gabriel was supposed to sell me more shares. He promised he’d think