Winn arrived at his family estate the next day, in time for dinner. The Kane estate was a statement. Acres of manicured lawns stretched into the horizon, lined with century-old oaks.
The mansion itself was magnificent, its marble steps and towering pillars intimidating in daylight, but softer now, bathed in the amber glow of evening lamps. As his car pulled into the compound, the butler rushed forward, taking his bag, opening doors.
As soon as his mother saw him, her eyes lit up with unfiltered excitement. "Oh, Winn, my baby!" she exclaimed, sweeping across the foyer. She wrapped him in a hug that was surprisingly strong for a woman her age.
"How are you doing, Mum?" Winn asked, softening despite himself.
"I am better now that you are here." She smiled up at him, her diamond earrings glittering. Her hands lingered on his shoulders, as if making sure he was really there. "You grow older and then you abandon me," she scolded lightly.
"Mum, I've been busy. Work doesn't exactly run itself."
"If you had little babies, I would not bother you so much now, would I?" It wasn't the first time she'd brought up grandchildren, and Winn knew it wouldn't be the last.
"Mum, I literally just stepped through the door. Can I get at least five minutes before you hound me?" Winn groaned, dragging a hand through his hair as he loosened his tie.
Anna Kane gave him the look. "Fine, fine," she relented, waving her hand. "I will leave you alone for now."
"Where is Dad?" Winn asked, his eyes flicking toward the grand staircase.
"You know him," Anna sighed. "He is never home. But I will call him and let him know you are here."
"Please don't," Winn said sharply, shooting her a look. "I don't want him hounding me about grandpa's will again."
"Indirectly, you are telling me not to hound you either."
"Mum?"
"I don't care about the will, Winn," she said softly, her eyes suddenly gentle, almost aching. "I just want you to be happy, my sweet boy."
At least his mother cared about his happiness. His father? Not so much.
"I am happy. Now can I eat?" Winn deflected.
Anna pursed her lips. "Come then, let's feed you before you waste away. You're getting too lean, Winn. Women don't like men who look starved."
"Trust me, Mum," he muttered, smirking faintly, "women aren't complaining."
*****
Just as they were finishing up with dinner, one of the maids glided in. She carried Anna's phone. "Madam, you had a missed call," the maid said softly.
Anna took the phone and checked, her fingers trembling slightly as she read the caller ID. "It's from Ivory Rehab. Oh my God…what did she do now?"
Of course. His sister. The family's eternal storm. "It's okay, Mum. I'll call them right away and find out." He should have checked on his sister sooner, should have kept her tethered. Instead, he'd been drowning in contracts and distractions.
He pulled out his own phone, and quickly placed a call to the rehab his sister was currently remanded in. The staff on the other end stuttered and fumbled, clearly terrified of who they were speaking to.
Winn cut through their excuses with clipped questions, his patience unraveling with every vague answer. Finally, after a few sharp exchanges, he hung up.
Anna clutched the edge of the table. "What is it?" she whispered, already bracing herself for the blow.
"She left."
"What do you mean she left? What the hell is their job over there? Left to where?"
"They don't know."
"Oh God." Anna's shoulders sagged, and Winn saw the tears stinging her eyes. "Why does she do this to me? To us? Why?"
Winn rose instantly, his chair scraping back. He crossed to his mother, then got down on his knees before her so he could be at eye level with her. He took her trembling hands in his, and forced her to look at him.
"I'll find her. I promise. She is probably in the closest bar near the rehab center. I'll look for her, Ma. Look at me." His thumb brushed over her knuckles.
Anna sighed, her delicate shoulders sagging under the weight of years of disappointment. She looked down at her son, her rock, her one unshakable anchor.
"I will get her back there. Okay?" Winn promised.
"You are such a good boy. Take away the single-at-forty thing, you're every mother's dream."
Winn closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply through his nose. He pinched the bridge as if that could ease the throbbing vein at his temple. "Mum?"
"Fine. I won't say a word about it again."
"Yeah, I give you five minutes," he muttered, already rising to his feet. "And before you begin again, I will go look for Sylvia."
"What is so wrong about me needing to carry your kids before I die?" she pushed.
Winn's broad shoulders slumped forward. It wasn't even five minutes yet. He scrubbed a hand down his face, muttering a curse under his breath, before kissing his mother's temple and striding out.
******
Tribeca was alive in its usual sleepless, chaotic glory. Winn's black Maybach rolled through the streets.
He drove himself tonight. His driver, Reese usually took the weekend off.
He moved from one watering hole to the next, slipping in and out of bars.
Sylvia Kane, the heiress with a bottle for a lover, the one who flashed her black card until it was maxed out and then traded her dignity for one more shot. She had been an alcoholic since before she was even old enough to drink.
There was a time she'd sobered—two whole years. The miracle of Joey. Winn had believed in it, hell, they all had. She was radiant back then, glowing even. He had allowed himself to imagine Sylvia's redemption.
Until the night she showed up to Joey's parents' Upper East Side dinner, drunk off her ass. Joey ended it the next morning. And Sylvia? She'd drowned herself even deeper.
Winn tightened his grip on the wheel as he rolled past another bar. His temples ached, his throat dry with exhaustion and guilt. He should have found her by now.
(Please, don't read quietly. I would love to hear your thoughts. about each chapter. Let me know if its boring, exciting. it will help me know how to improve moving forward)