(Jayden)

The phone rings just as I finish my third coffee of the morning. I glance at the caller ID: Unknown.

But I know it's Gus. I take a deep breath. This is going to be challenging.

I answer, keeping my tone even. "Jayden Brennan."

"Jayden," Gus replies. "Awful news. I can hardly imagine what you're going through."

"I'm managing. There's a lot to get through."

"Yes. Have they released the bodies yet?"

"Just waiting on final paperwork, so probably tomorrow. How are you?"

"Shit," he admits, and the bluntness catches me off guard. "Judy's gone, and I can't quite believe it."

He exhales. "My biggest regret is not making us a family all that time ago. And now she's just... gone."

I let the silence stretch, unsure how to respond.

"I tried to fix things recently," Gus continues. "Hoped I could. But Judy played me as much as she played everyone else. She loved me, yes, but she was never going to stop punishing me."

"She knew what she was doing, Gus," I say. "She manipulated everyone around her, played games with people's lives."

"But I'm not innocent here. I left her in the States while I built Nexus Global, knowing exactly what kind of life she'd have with Greg. So yes, some of this is on me. I should've done more. Especially for you."

His words hit hard. For the first time, Gus sounds less like the unshakable mastermind and more like a man grappling with ghosts he can't exorcise.

"Shit happens."

"Where's Winona in all this?"

guess there's no need to keep secrets now. Winona is pregnant with my child and it's a high-risk pregnancy, very

you and Winona can be

me photos of Winona with other men, specifically Lance and Phillip, her

she was with

"Yes."

on

the law and bring her down, so we'd be free of her. But after I saw the photos and Lance, things deteriorated from there. But I never thought he'd do this." "Hmm," Gus says, "messy. But the baby

she's handed her controlling share back to me. Not that

easy, and... I wouldn't let Winona come up against Mia without being careful. She's

like I can just

to

the baby, if we do." "Jayden," Gus continues, "Judy's gone. If you and Winona can't get it together

not about Judy at all. Maybe it never was. Maybe

exact words I said

don't know anything

just too broken in the wrong places to fit together

the phone tightens. "You don't

this marriage, do it

yourself, wrong."

I don't respond.

kids, Jayden," Gus says after a moment. "Do you want them to

how you made me feel? Fuck no,"

"Don't repeat my mistakes."

now, not ever. I'll let you

trying to father me. He gave up that right

again. I half expect it to be Gus calling back but it's

"Hey, Cass."

you know I'm heading back to the estate tomorrow. Unless you need me

reply. "Handling things makes it a little easier.

no shit. The services, saying a

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