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11 Bringing down the house
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2024-06-13 16:56:38Related chapters
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 12 Reality Bites
(Jayden)I hear screams and I see people gathered near the bathroom doors. Wait, is that Winona? I rushed over. What the hell has happened? Ashlyn is on the floor and Winona is standing over her. I see Phillip moving quickly towards them too and many eyes are interested.Damn it. It will be all over the media channels tomorrow.Now I’m close enough to hear Ashlyn’s words.“I didn’t know it was yours. I’m sorry! Please don’t push me again!” Ashlyn pleads.I see Winona roll her eyes. “Push you? I should kick your ass, is what I should do.” Winona says. “But honestly I can’t be bothered wasting the energy on either of you.” Winona glares at me.“Ashlyn? What happened?” I ask but my eyes are still locked with Winona’s.Ashlyn sobs her words. “She snatched the necklace from me and pushed me over. She’s a bitch. She hates me.”I help Ashlyn up and see the nail marks on her neck. “What the actual fuck are you doing attacking my Fiancée?” I demand.Winona looks surprisingly calm. She just s
Last Updated : 2024-06-13Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 13 Protecting What’s Mine
(Winona)Back at my hotel suite, I kick off the high-heels and stretch my toes. I’m not sure where Judy was tonight but I certainly count it as a positive that she wasn’t adding to that drama.I’m certain her and Ashlyn are still working together against me. I just wish they’d all leave me alone to get on with my life. Coming back here was crazy. But Phillip deserved the break. He’s worked so damn hard for our business.“Here, I got us some water. Are you hungry?”“Thanks for the water. I think Anne has some food we can reheat later. Right now, I need to tell you a few things.”He takes his suit coat off and unbutton cuffs and collar. “I see. It can wait if you want to eat now,” he offers.“No. I need to tell you everything.” I take a deep breath. “Jayden Brennan is my ex-husband. We divorced just before I moved and started up my marketing business.”“I see. Well, that explains the daggered stares he sends when he thinks I’m not looking.”“What? Is he bothering you?” I didn’t realize
Last Updated : 2024-06-13Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 14 The Board Meeting
(Winona)It’s Friday afternoon again and a week has passed since the ridiculous incident at our welcome party a week ago. All the paperwork is done for the adoption and has been lodged. I feel better now after Ashlyn saw Abby because I know she will be trying to find out about her.I’d never listed a name for the birth father. Mostly because I was trying to leave Jayden and all that pain behind. But also because I didn’t want his mother to use it against me somehow.There’s a stack of work to get done today and my first board meeting. I’ll need to work back again to catch up. Phillip left earlier to go meet with the podcast crew.I need to double down on the social media site marketing. But I’ll present both Phillip and my recommendations to the board and to the CEO Jayden today. My nerves are a little shot.I’d gone to speak with Jayden on Monday about some recommendations but found out he hadn’t come into the office that day. Apparently, he hadn’t been in all this week. I doubt he’d
Last Updated : 2024-06-17Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 15 The Club
(Winona)My brain is mush and it’s almost nine at night when I answer Phillip’s call.“I think you should call it a night,” he says.“Is Abby okay?” She’d been a little off this week. Maybe coming down with a virus.“She’s asleep. All tucked up with Puppy.”“Did she ask about me? I’m always there by bedtime.” I do feel guilty missing bedtimes all this week, but we usually get a video call in to say goodnight.Time just flew by tonight though after the board actioned all of our recommendations, I wanted to get the ball rolling.“She sure did. I told her you love her very much and you would be there to kiss her good morning. She was fine. Anne made her warm cocoa and I read her a book.”“Great. Thank you, Phillip. You’ll make the best dad.” He’d make an awesome husband too, but I just can’t go there, even though I know I’m being an idiot not to grab this opportunity. But love isn’t always logical.What am I saying? Love is never logical. It was painful, ridiculous, and dramatic, but nev
Last Updated : 2024-06-17Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 16 The Old Gang
(Winona)I’m really not in the mood to battle anything out with Jayden right now. Nor to have my emotions battling inside me like this.“I can go to a club without him, he trusts me.” I’m giving a subtle dig at his past possessive behavior towards me. But why bother, he doesn’t remember.Then a voice beside me sounds as hands almost pull me off the bar stool. “Winona! Yay! Come over to our old booth! Hi Jayden.”“Hi Lisa.”“I’m not sure I’m staying too long.” I say while giving Lisa a look I hope she remembers.“Oh, come one. Just for one drink.” She gets in between Jayden and I with her back to him and winks at me. “I have something I have to tell you.”I get the hint that she is getting me away from Jayden. Perfect. “Look, I’m only staying another hour. I’m beat.”“Sure. Let’s go.” Then she looks back at Jayden. “Sorry, secret women’s business. No insult meant.”“None taken,” he says. “Go ahead. I’m catching up with Lance, anyway.”Catching up with Lance? Has Lance planned this?Lis
Last Updated : 2024-06-17Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 17 Say What Now?
(Jayden)“It wasn’t even meant for you, Jayden…” Lisa continues. “It was my fault.”Winona is standing there open-mouthed, clearly as shocked as I am at this confession.“Well, that escalated quickly. I didn’t even bring popcorn.” Lance says trying to ease the crazy tension, no doubt.We all look at him and say, “Shut up, Lance.”“Lisa, what are you saying? Who was it meant for?” Winona asks.“It’s history.” Lisa spits the words out at Ashlyn. “What matters is that you stop lying and saying there’s proof when there isn’t. Winona had nothing to do with the drugs.”“Lisa, I don’t get it.” Winona says.“I’m sorry. I should never have let it go this far. I was too scared to tell you all the truth and look like a complete idiot.” Lisa sobs.She runs out of the club and Winona follows her.Ashlyn just stares at them both leaving and then turns to me. “But…”I say coldly, “I think you’ve already done enough, Ashlyn. Go home.”“No, Jayden, I swear! Your mother has the proof. She told me.”“Se
Last Updated : 2024-06-18Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 18 The Way We Were
(Jayden) Winona, younger, in a short dress, dancing. Her body moved in perfect time with the beat. Her smile is just for me, her eyes just for me. That feeling of jealousy smashing through me.A pain sears into my brain as the scene goes black.“Okay. I’ve heard enough.” I hold my head for a few seconds. “I need time to process all of this.”Lance looks at me. “You know. If you want her back, there is a lot to apologize for.”“I never said I wanted her back. I’ve just broken up with my fiancée for chrissakes.”Lance continues as if I’ve said nothing. “Sure, you have a somewhat valid excuse, you don’t remember her. But you were pretty cruel three years ago and that wasn’t called for. And that is coming from me, the person who has broken endless hearts.”“I was angry, confused.”“None of this is anymore Winona’s fault than it is yours. If you want her back, you’ll need to start at ground zero by getting her to be friends again.”I shake my head. “I don’t want to get Winona back.”“Su
Last Updated : 2024-06-18Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 19 Secrets Revealed
(Winona)After a silent taxi ride to her tiny apartment, I get us both a glass of water before asking her about the sudden outburst. Maybe she’s just covering for me. I wasn’t about to hash it all out in the taxi.“Lisa, you are kidding, right? You really don’t have to cover for me. I don’t care about Jayden anymore.” Not exactly true, but I want it to be.“No!” She shakes her head, and the tears start again. “I’ve made such a mess of this. I can’t lie to you anymore! It was me.”“Why would you do something like that?”“I wanted Lance to love me, like Jayden loved you, so desperately. But Jayden picked up the wrong drink and drank it straight down.”“Oh Lisa. That isn’t the way to handle things.”“I know but Lance just friend-zoned me years ago and we were so damn good together. But the way we’d argued that night, before I spiked the drink, I just felt hopeless.” Lisa drops her head down.I rub her arm and she continues.“I wanted to prove to him how good we could be, just to relax hi
Last Updated : 2024-06-18
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 488 Family Dynamics
(Jayden)I stand at the door the next morning as Anne steps in with the kids, managing the chaos with her usual calm authority. Abby clings to her arm, eyes darting nervously around the suite. “You remember this place, don’t you, sweetheart?” Anne asks gently. Abby nods but doesn’t let go. “It’s where the doctors made my heart better,” she whispers, glancing at me for reassurance. “It is,” I say, crouching to her level. “But this time, we’re here for Mom. She’s going to need all of us to help her get better. You up for the job?” Abby hesitates, then nods firmly. “Yes!” Then she opens her eyes wide. “Am I supposed to be really quiet?”“No darling. You can just be yourself. But we’ll try for no arguing and shouting with your brothers and sister, okay?”“Okay. Can I go see Mom now?”“Mom is having special medicine to keep her asleep for now, but I think she can still hear us. Go tell her about your day and we’ll join you soon. Keep her company for me. You know how she loves all your
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 487 Reckoning with Lance
(Jayden)The door opens, and Lisa steps in, carrying a fresh change of clothes and some toiletries I had her swing by the penthouse and grab.“Jayden,” she says quietly, setting the bag down near the chair. “You look like shit.”I don’t even glance at her. “Thanks for the compliment.”She pulls up a chair beside me. “I mean it. You’re running on fumes. Go shower, get something to eat, and grab a couple of hours of sleep. I’ll stay with Winona. You need to be human when the kids get here tomorrow morning.”“I’m fine,” I lie, tightening my grip on Winona’s hand. “I don’t want to leave her.” I mean I can actually smell myself at this point.“Jayden.” Lisa’s voice takes on that tone she uses when she’s not going to back down. “I’m serious. You’re no good to anyone in this state. Winona will kick your ass if she sees you like this—smelling like death warmed over and looking worse.”She’s so right. I really need to get my shit together and show Winona I can lead our family when needed. Not
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 486 She’s Okay
(Cass) I pace the estate office, Viktor’s phone pressed tightly to my ear. Viktor leans against the desk, his arms crossed, the picture of calm professionalism. Good. I want to ignore the way he held me earlier, like I actually mattered to him.He’s trained to say the right things to defuse situations. That’s all it was.Jayden picks up, his voice tense but steady. “Cass. She’s okay. I mean, she’s in an induced coma for a few days but she’s okay.” “Thank God!” I say, my voice cracking. I can’t stop the tremble in my hands. “Are you with her still?” “Yes,” he says, and I let out a shaky breath. “The head wound is under control, the coma is to wait for the swelling and her blood pressure to go down. But she is going to get through this.”“What about the baby?” “No,” he cuts me off sharply. “Just positive talk. She’s strong. They both are.” His voice softens, and I realize how much he’s struggling to hold it together. It’s so unlike him to sound vulnerable. “I’m coming home…”“Wai
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 485 The Fight for Her
(Jayden)Winona lies motionless in the Brennan Wing’s family suite medical bedroom, surrounded by machines that hum and beep softly in the background. This room was designed to keep families together during the most terrifying moments of their lives.This wing is my initiative, but I never thought I’d need it personally so much. I’m bending the guidelines a little having Winona here now but I know her best chance is having the ones she loves the most around her.Right now, I’d give anything for a sign—any sign—that she’ll wake up. I don’t have that yet but what I am going to do is create a positive environment around Winona. I called Barnaby and he reminded me of many coping mechanisms I’d learned from his sessions.I’m going to only speak of the future and what’s happening now. I’m not mentioning the past. Winona deserves to hear and believe the wonderful future ahead of us. No matter what has happened or what may happen.Dr. Harris and Dr. Reeves stand at the foot of the bed, revie
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 484 Stay With Me, Winona
(Jayden)I burst through the front door, taking the stairs two at a time to the second floor. I pray I’m in time. I stop at the bottom of the attic stairs.Then I see her.Winona lies crumpled halfway down the attic stairs, her body twisted awkwardly. Her head jammed up against the wall, her hand rests on a spindle. Blood pools beneath her head on the stair, dark and horrifying, and for a second, I’m frozen.My mind blanks out, every thought swept away by raw panic.But then I snap back. She needs me. She needs me to be fully present, not panicking.I force myself forward, the first aid kit from the car clutched in my shaking hands. Every instinct screams at me to scoop her up, to hold her, but I stop myself. If she’s hurt her neck or spine… I could make it worse. My knees hit the stair below her, and I reach for her wrist with trembling fingers.A faint pulse. Relief crashes over me so hard I almost collapse, but it’s short-lived. She’s alive, but for how long?I tear open the first
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 483 Breaking Point
(Cass)“Winona!” I scream into the phone again, but there’s only silence. The screen is dark, it’s silent. She isn’t answering. “Goddammit, Winona!” I shout, “answer me! Be okay. Answer me…”I don’t want to end the call, she could be… But I have to. I need to call Jayden.My breath is ragged gasps as I stumble to the kitchen counter, gripping the edge for support. My shaking fingers scroll to Jayden’s number. “Pick up, pick up!” My voice cracks as I pace in a tight circle, clutching the phone to my ear. It rings, and then—voicemail. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I scream, slamming the phone onto the counter so hard it bounces off and hits the floor. Fuck! It’s totaled now.My chest tightens, panic squeezing my throat. How can I call him, how can I contact Jayden? I grab my jacket and bolt out the door, running as fast as my legs will carry me to the estate. Viktor. He has a another number, one that always gets answered.My lungs are bursting as I run full tilt for the estate, but
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 482 Checking in with Cass
(Winona)Cass’s face fills my phone screen, her hair messy and there are definite dark circles under her eyes.“God, you look wrecked,” I tease gently as I check out the kitchen of the home I’m about to close on. Anne has the kids for the afternoon, so I’m going to show-off this place to Cass. Cass groans. “Tell me about it. I just got done with prep for the estate’s first formal dinner since Jayden left. I’m in charge of a canape, Winona. A canape!” I raise an eyebrow. “That’s a really big deal. You should be proud of yourself.” “Oh I am. I’m so excited. These chefs are relentless but I’m learning so much. I love it here, even if Viktor’s constant hovering is killing my vibe a little.” “Hovering?” I ask, confused. “He’s not here physically—he’s too busy running Nexus Global—but the calls, the emails, the random texts asking if I’ve checked the locks or need anything… it’s constant. Can you tell Jayden to call him off please?” I lean forward, frowning. “Cass, I don’t think Jayde
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 481 Judy’s Service
(Jayden)Mother’s polished mahogany coffin sits at the front, surrounded by white lilies and roses, a stark contrast to the tumultuous life she lived and the wreckages she caused. It’s just Gus and me. No friends, no extended family. Just the two of us and that was what she wanted. Of course she did, just us two solely focused on her. Gus sits beside me in shackles, the officers are keeping their distance for now and covering all exits. He’s leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his face drawn and pale. He looks like a man carrying the world’s regrets on his shoulders. He should be.I stand up and go forward to place a single rose on top of the coffin. This is it, she’s really gone. My emotions are tangled—anger, relief, guilt, and some small, stubborn ache that won’t let go. I feel free, and that in itself feels wrong. I go sit next to Gus again.But she made my adult life Hell and Winona is right, a big part of me won’t miss any part of that. I will miss most what I didn
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 480 Finding Ground
(Winona)The house is more charming than I expected—stonework covered in ivy, a wraparound porch, and large windows that bathe the interior in natural light.It feels warm and lived-in, unlike the two more modern places we’ve seen. The kids are darting through the unkempt yard, Bobby and Sarah racing each other toward a large and fairly new shed, while Abby lags behind, looking at a large pond.“Not too close to the edge, sweetie.” I call out and she smiles and nods back at me.Henry clings to my leg, his little legs unsteady on the uneven ground. I scoop him up and put him in his pusher Jayden has unfolded.Jayden wanders a few steps away, hands on his hips, surveying the property with a critical eye. “The house is more move-in ready than the others,” he admits. “But it needs a lot of work.”“I agree. But it just has a good feeling,” I say. “And the pond’s a bonus, but it’ll need fencing off somehow. Henry’s too curious for his own good.”Jayden nods, but I can tell his mind is elsew
