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169 Surprise After Surprise
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 170 Packing Up the Past
(Winona) Back in the old house, Jayden steps outside to make a call, leaving me alone with my mom and Cass.“Mom, you need to pack what you need for a few nights. We’re getting you and Cass out until the coast is clear.”Mom hesitates, her hand lingering on the worn armrest of the couch. “This is my home, Winona. The only thing I have that’s mine.”“It’s dangerous right now, Mom. You know what can happen if they come here...”Mom nods. “What were you doing, Cass? You’re usually not that reckless.”“I’m sorry. I didn’t think she was going to turn up and go all gangsta on me.” Cass says and puts her arm around Mom. “I shouldn’t have run out on you like that.”“It’s okay, Cass. It was a lot to take in. But it’s better you know the truth.”“I’m pissed that you had to be that person. It isn’t you, Mom. You know that don’t you?”Mom smiles and brushes her hand down Cass’s arm. “I left all that in the past the day I knew you survived cold turkey. I barely survived it. I knew then I’d give y
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 171 Family Bonds
(Winona)I go to her and hold her now and we sob together. I finally got it. Why she never could leave and why she never contacted me after I was taken away. She made the ultimate sacrifice so I would go on to have a bright future.I think of Abby and I know I’d do nothing less for her if I had to.Just then, Jayden steps back inside, and I can see his expression and I know he’s heard. “I swear that slug is going to get what he deserves one day.”His hatred for Steve evident.“I wish he was dead,” Mom says quietly, her voice shaking. “But I’m grateful he never came back here. I’m grateful he left you alone.”“Not exactly. He’s been in our lives recently, remember? He’s the one who told me he’d left you almost here and pregnant. I wasn’t sure what I’d find here, or if either of you survived, but I’m so glad. He’s actually done me a favor.”“My short-term memory is a little shot. So many years of drug abuse took its toll.”“It doesn’t matter. He’s gone now. I don’t think he’ll be back.”
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 172 Unfamiliar Comforts
(Winona)I drive us across the city in a cheap hire car, away from the grime, decay and horrid memories that defined so much of my childhood. The hotel we check into isn’t luxurious by Jayden’s standards, but it’s clean and comfortable.Far better than anything Mom and Cass have experienced ever. I chose it carefully—something that wouldn’t overwhelm them but would still offer them a taste of security and comfort.As we step into the small lobby, I can see Cass looking around, her expression staid. Mom is quiet, her eyes darting nervously from one side of the lobby to the other.“It’s very nice,” Mom says softly, almost like she’s afraid to jinx it by speaking too loudly. “Thank you, Winona.”I nod, giving her a reassuring smile. “It’s a place to rest. We’ll be safe here.”Jayden handles the check-in process, his usual confidence on full display, but I can sense something different in him. He’s quieter than usual.Maybe this whole experience has him rattled. Maybe he doesn’t think he
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 173 It Is What It Is
(Jayden)The flight back home is uneventful, but my mind is anything but. I can’t stop thinking about Winona and what she’s dealing with. But even more than that, I can’t stop thinking about Ashlyn’s message.There’s no denying it was from her—the safe word confirmed that. But why now? Why after everything? I can’t be certain she’s being honest about still being pregnant. That could be a ploy to con me back into being with her.I know one thing for sure. I’m not going to see her without Winona. If Ashlyn can’t accept that, then I won’t be seeing her at all.I head straight to my office as soon as I land, the familiar surroundings doing little to ease my tension. I need answers, and I need them fast. I need a shower. I need some food.But first, I need to know if there’s anything legal stopping me from seeing Ashlyn.I call Daniel, my lawyer, and he picks up on the second ring. “Jayden, what can I do for you?”“Is it okay for me to visit Ashlyn?” I say, cutting straight to the point. “
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 174 Desperate Measures
(Judy)I stand on the balcony of my castle in France, the sun doing little to warm the chill that’s settled deep in my bones. The view from the highest hilltop here is breathtaking, but all I can think about is Jayden.He’s slipping away from me. I can feel it in every clipped word, every unanswered call. He’s more distant, more unreachable, and it’s driving me mad.I need Ashlyn to step up, to start pushing Winona again, to destabilize her. But Ashlyn has been quiet, too quiet. She’s stalling, and I don’t have time for this. Whatever clever little plan Ashlyn thinks she has, won’t work.If she thinks she’s going all vigilante on me, that she’s safe because I’m in another country, she’s wrong.I text her number.Call me. I need to speak with you. UrgentIt’s difficult for her to be able to call, I know that. But she’ll find a way.The tension coils in my chest as I wait for her to text back. To my surprise, my phone rings and it’s her.“That was fast. I like it.”“Judy,” she says, her
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 175 Moving Forward
(Winona)I wake up to the sound of Cass’s quiet snoring from the pull-out couch. She’s still out like a light. The room is dim, but I can tell we’ve slept later than I usually do. A quick glance at my phone confirms it’s almost 10 AM.I feel surprisingly refreshed. Maybe it’s the change of scenery, or maybe it’s the fact that, for the first time in years, I’m not running away from my past—I’m facing it head-on.I stretch out, careful not to make a noise and disturb Mom, who’s still sound asleep in the bed next to mine. She looks peaceful, almost like the years have melted away, and she’s the mom I used to dream about having.A mom who wasn’t buried under layers of addiction and despair.But this is reality, not a dream. And in reality, there’s work to be done to move us all forward. I quietly slip out of bed and head into the bathroom to freshen up. As I splash water on my face, I start thinking about what needs to happen next.Cass will need some direction, and Mom... Well, I’ll find
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 176 Up In Smoke
(Winona)Cass flips through the tv channels again while mom gets ready to go out for breakfast. I can tell she’s restless, probably nervous about this new community and going out. They sure need to get some clothing.I wonder if I can convince them to let me take them shopping?Mom’s out of the bathroom now and sitting in the armchair by the window, staring out at the city beyond. I can’t tell if she’s thinking about the past or worrying about the future—probably both.Just as I’m about to suggest we go get food and look in the variety store for some basics, Cass stops on a news channel. The reporter is talking about a fire, and the area it’s in makes me pay attention.“The fire, which broke out late last night, completely destroyed a house in the area. Witnesses say they saw a car and Molotov cocktails being thrown just before the flames engulfed the old home.”Cass suddenly goes still, her eyes locked on the screen. I look at the TV, and my heart stops.It’s the old house. Or what’s
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 177 Better Than Gold
(Winona)The next morning, we have newly packed luggage and we’re getting ready to go to the airport.“Mom, I know this isn’t easy,” I break the silence. “But I really think this is the best thing for you right now.”Mom doesn’t respond.“Don’t be nervous about the plane ride. It will go fine. The first one is the most nerve-wracking.”Mom smiles. “Don’t worry. I’m okay. Let’s go and get this day started. “Once we get to the townhouse, we can start looking for a place where you and Cass can settle down. It’s not going to be at my place forever, just until you decide where you want to be.”Cass snorts. “Yeah, right. Like we can choose anywhere we want. We don’t have infinite resources like others do.”“Cass, it’s better than the streets,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “And it’s definitely better than living in fear because of what just happened. You’ll have to get a job to make rent.”She glares at me, but she doesn’t argue. She knows I’m right, even if she doesn’t want to admi
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 420 Building Bridges
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 416 Owning My Shit
