A week after their tenth anniversary, Joanne hosted a grand party at the Winchester Estate.
Little by little, over the years, she had been eased into the role of the future mistress of the house. Christina was always by her side, quietly guiding her through the intricate social expectations, while Brianna was beside her too—no longer a rival, but a partner.
Joanne wasn't giving up her crown. It still meant everything to her. But she had accepted Brianna into the fold, into the family. They didn't always see eye to eye—two strong women with stubborn hearts—but they made it work. They learned how to compromise, how to coexist. And most importantly, how to present a united front when it mattered.
Their husbands wisely stayed out of their quarrels, and that helped preserve the peace in the family more than anything else.
This party, however, was especially close to Joanne's heart.
