09 Into the Lion’s Den

9 Into the Lion's Den

(Winona)

When I got back to the hotel, my daughter greeted me with the most adorable smile and ran up for a hug. "Mommy!"

"Hi sweety. Are you having fun?"

"Puppy," she says, holding up her favorite teddy.

"Puppy is so cute."

She wriggles and I put her down. Someone rings the doorbell. Must be housekeeping. Abby clings to my leg.

When I open the door, I find Ashlyn staring at me angrily. Abby is quite shy, so she runs off to probably go find Anne. Thank goodness, Ashlyn wouldn't have gotten a good look at her face. I step outside and shut the door behind me.

"Why are you here? Did you follow me?" I say and watch her eyebrows raise as she has seen a child and she must guess I'm now a mother.

She pushes up closer. She is shaking, with anger or nervousness, I don't know. But she is definitely upset. You told me you weren't pregnant."

"And I wasn't. But I met a man and we went into business together and then started dating. Abby is the result of that. Not that it's any of your business."

"Are you back to cause trouble for me and Jayden? The wedding is soon."

I sigh and laugh. "I don't want to be with Jayden anymore. He said he told you about me coming back so you must know he found me and asked me here, not the other way around. It's purely business."

"Are you sure? If you're lying and that child really is Jayden's I'll-"

"You'll what? You don't scare me, Ashlyn. You're the one who has everything to lose, not me. I'm very happy with Phillip. Maybe you should try being honest for once and then you wouldn't have to worry about Jayden finding out about what you're really like." "I'm not worried at all. He loves me."

"Then you don't need to come here bothering me. Go away. I'm here for business and I don't need you dredging up the past every five minutes."

I go back into my hotel room and double lock the door to be sure.

buzzes in my pocket. God, what now? I pulled it

for including me in this amazing deal. Jayden Brennan called me and offered me a consultancy for two years. Plus we

aren't sorry that we will be dissolving

I mean, I'll still see you, won't I? That hasn't

Into the

+25 BONUS

still work closely

and you know I'd do anything for you and Abby. I get that you aren't in a place where you can think about being with someone

know I love you, Phillip. Just not in that way.

be looking for a while. I'll be throwing every second into learning everything I can from Brennan Industries. It's a once in a

don't have anywhere. to live yet...why don't we look

hear Abby crying and fussing. "I don't have time to get into it right now, Abby

soon."

Bye, Winona, I'll touch

go to Abby who is trying to get her

wanted to do it herself. Miss Independence like her

up. Let mommy help." I

do it!" And with a

face and pudgy cheeks pop out of her top and she

Off she runs.

us when I find a house.

partially. The other part is a yearning to have what we once had again. This building used to belong

interview as a financial advisor. Jayden drove me and gave

my invincible Winona, remember?

was always

in a completely different way. But I think I

close after working together for three years. "Are you alright? If you want to change your

well, I guess leaping into the unknown." I don't even know how to start to explain

about to walk into my new office, which is directly below Jayden's and I hesitate. Am

the Lions

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