“Winona, you’re a blessing!” Stav, our team leader, exclaimed, practically glowing with excitement. “Have you noticed? Ever since Winona joined the team, we’ve been getting praised left and right!”

I laughed softly and lowered my gaze, slightly embarrassed. “You’re exaggerating. Maybe it’s just because this project happens to be in my area of expertise, so the presentation came out smoother than expected.”

“You’re too humble for your own good!” Lineth teased, earning laughter from everyone. Then she leaned closer with a sly smile. “And you never even told us your ex-husband was a billionaire!”

My eyes widened, and a knot twisted in my stomach. Since the day I left Ares, I had told no one about my past. I buried it all and quietly started over.

“Billionaire?” Stav’s brows shot up. “Where did you hear that? Winona has never mentioned anything like that.”

“That’s exactly it,” Lineth said. “She’s never said a word about once being a billionaire’s wife. Can you imagine how wealthy her ex must be?”

I forced an awkward smile, unsure how to respond without drawing more attention.

“It was an arranged marriage,” I said quietly. “It didn’t last long. We separated soon after.”

“Who is this billionaire?” Rochelle asked, clearly intrigued. “Come on, Winona, tell us. We might even know him. He’s probably ridiculously handsome, right? You don’t look like someone who would marry an old man for his money.”

“What’s going on here?”

Our head of operations, Director Bridgette Bennett, had walked in at just the right moment. I almost sighed with relief.

“Nothing, Director Bennett,” Stav answered quickly. “Just joking around.”

Bridgette’s expression softened as she looked around the room. “Well, I’m glad you’re all in good spirits. I came to tell you how proud I am of this team. I can see everyone’s dedication, especially yours, Winona. The board was extremely impressed with your presentation earlier. They want you to present again tomorrow to welcome our new investor.”

I pressed a hand to my mouth, unable to contain my joy. My teammates burst into applause, clearly proud of me.

“Director Bennett, I promise I won’t let you down. I’ll make sure tomorrow’s presentation is even better,” I said with conviction.

“I’m counting on you, Winona,” she said with a small approving smile before leaving us to our work.

Since my tasks were finished, I said my goodbyes and headed home. I had promised Jackson we would go to the food park tonight.

“Mommy!” Jackson came running the moment I stepped into our apartment, throwing his little arms around me.

“Did you miss Mommy?” I asked, hugging him back tightly.

“So much! I wish you could just stay home and never go to work again,” he said, pouting adorably.

I cupped his tiny face in my hands and smiled softly. If only I had that choice. But if I stopped working, how would I pay for his schooling or manage our daily needs, including the sitter who watched him while I was away?

“When I’ve saved up a lot of money, I’ll be here every day,” I promised. “I’ll take care of you and walk you to school myself.”

“Winona, you’re home,” greeted Linda, my next-door neighbor. She was a stay-at-home wife with grown children and a husband who worked overseas. Because of her, I had someone I could trust to watch Jackson. “I cooked creamy vegetable chowder earlier and brought some over. I also made fresh rolls, so you can just eat.”

“Linda, you’re doing so much for me already. I feel guilty,” I said, though my heart was full of gratitude. She had been by my side since I signed those divorce papers, through my pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.

“Oh, don’t be silly,” she said with a smile. “I enjoy it. It keeps me from getting bored at home.”

We both chuckled softly. After Linda left, Jackson and I sat down to eat dinner together.

“Mommy, Teacher asked who I’m bringing to Family Day,” Jackson said suddenly as he chewed his food.

I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth. “Family Day?”

“Yes. We’re supposed to bring Mommy and Daddy.” He looked down at his plate. “But… I don’t have a Daddy, right?”

His words pierced my chest like a knife. Jackson was only four, but he was smart and perceptive. I had been slowly trying to explain our situation to him, not wanting him to hold on to false hope. Ares had never claimed him, never chosen him.

Jackson understood, but I knew he still couldn’t help feeling envious of his classmates who had complete families.

“Do you want me to bring Evan instead?” I asked softly, trying to brighten his mood.

His eyes lit up instantly, and he almost jumped out of his seat. “Please! Let’s bring him!”

Evan, Linda’s younger brother, whom Jackson fondly called Hulk, had once tried to pursue me, but I had turned him down. Not because I was still hung up on Ares, but because I wanted to focus on building a life with just my son. Honestly, Evan was the kind of man any woman would be lucky to have.

“I’ll ask him if he’s free tomorrow,” I said. “If he agrees, we’ll bring him.”

After dinner, I bathed Jackson and tucked him into bed before pulling out my laptop to prepare for tomorrow. Director Bennett had already sent me the updated materials, and I wanted everything to be perfect.

**

“Uncle Evan said yes!” I told Jackson the next morning as I dressed him for school. “Mommy just has to work this morning, and then we’ll both go to your Family Day with him this afternoon.”

Jackson’s wide smile filled my heart with joy. I would do anything to keep that smile on his face.

Once I dropped him off at school, I grabbed a cab straight to the office.

“You’re glowing today! Are you in love?” Stav teased as soon as I set my bag down on my desk.

“Of course not!” I laughed. “I just woke up in a good mood.”

“Same! But do you even know who our new investor is?” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “He’s a hot business tycoon, that’s who.”

I shook my head, amused.

Minutes later, Director Bennett arrived and told us to set up the conference room. My teammates helped me arrange everything until the place looked perfect.

“We’re having lunch with them after the meeting,” Lineth said with a grin. “I should have brought a dress!”

“I won’t say no to free food,” Rochelle added.

“Pass,” I said, and everyone turned to look at me. “It’s my son’s Family Day. I can’t miss it.”

“Everything ready?” Director Bennett asked, stepping into the room.

I nodded confidently. “Yes, Director Bennett.”

“Good. They’ll be here in five minutes.”

My heart pounded with a mixture of nerves and excitement. This was a big opportunity for me, a chance to prove myself even further.

Exactly five minutes later, the doors opened. The board members and company directors began filing one by one. But when the last two people entered the room, my heart nearly stopped.

Ares and his secretary walked in, exuding the same poised authority I remembered so well. His gaze lifted and collided with mine. For a brief moment, I saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes before he looked at his secretary, clearly questioning why I was standing in front of him.

“Mr. Montgomery, this is Winona Sinclair, one of our top employees,” Director Bennett said, gesturing toward me. “She’ll be leading the presentation today.”

Ares didn’t answer right away. His eyes remained fixed on mine, and I could feel every person in the room watching us.

“Sure,” he finally said, his voice steady though his gaze never wavered. “I know her very well, and I know she won’t disappoint me. Ms. Sinclair, you may begin.”