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173 It Is What It Is
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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
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 178 Back at the Townhouse
(Winona)The familiar scent of my townhouse hits me as we step inside. It's just so good to be home. To have somewhere to call home. I feel for Mom and Cass who’ve just lost theirs, even though it was time that house went.My place is warm, inviting, and it’s so far removed from the world we just left behind that it almost feels like stepping into another life entirely. But I’ve tried to keep it ordinary and nothing flashy but after revisiting my past I can see how this place reeks of someone with money and not without.Mom and Cass follow me inside, looking around with wide eyes. I can tell they’re both trying to take it all in. Mom clutches her bag a little tighter, like she’s afraid she might break something just by being here.Cass, on the other hand, has that same defiant look on her face, like she’s daring the house to reject her or me. She needs to find her feet. That can be a rough road.“This is… this is really nice, Winona,” Mom says, her voice trembling a little. “I’ve nev
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 179 Settling In
(Winona)Mom comes back through first and I get up to go make her some tea.“Do you take cream and sugar?” I never remember her drinking tea.She shakes her head. “No. Just plain thanks.”Maybe she couldn’t afford cream and sugar before. My mind is full of a lot of maybes as I make her drink and take it into the living room and hand it to her. “Mom, sit down. Relax.”She takes it with a smile and sits on the edge of the sofa. Resting her cup on the side table. “This is all so much, Winona. I don’t know how to thank you.”“You don’t have to thank me,” I say, taking a sip of my tea. “We’re family. This is what we do for each other. Plus, it probably is my fault that the house got torched. I did go in with both feet, and I could have handled things a little more calmly.”She nods, but I can see the doubt in her eyes. She’s never really had a family like this before—a family that’s there for her, that supports her. And I’m not sure she knows how to handle it.“I can’t say I’m sorry it’s g
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 180 Daily Grind
(Jayden)Driving up to Anne’s place to pick up Abby feels like the first normal thing I’ve done in days. My days feel empty without Winona here, but I can’t deny the relief of having a bit of breathing room.It’s given me time to try and process everything—the messages from Ashlyn, the chaos with Winona’s family, and now, introducing Abby to her new grandmother and aunt.Not to mention fixing up a line up of work problems. I don’t know why I keep Brennan Industries going some days. Is it really worth it? This stress and workload is not a legacy I want to hand to my kid.Or kids…I realize if Ashlyn is still pregnant this will change my life.The daily grind I lived for is less and less appealing lately.Anne opens the door with a warm smile, Abby is beside her. As soon as she sees me, her little face lights up, and she launches up at me. “Daddy!”“Hey, sweetheart,” I say, picking her up. “I swear you’ve grown another inch. Were you good for Nanny Anne?”“She was an angel, as always,” A
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 181 Ashlyn’s Delusion
(Winona)Jayden and I are sitting across from Barnaby in his office office, the familiar surroundings doing little to ease the twisting in my stomach.Barnaby looks between us. “It seems there’s a lot on your minds today. Where would you like to start?”Jayden’s the first to speak, his voice steady. “I want to talk about Ashlyn. She’s recently sent me text messages.”I tense up, the mention of her name bringing a rush of emotions—anger, suspicion, fear. “What exactly did she text? I mean how can she have a phone in there? I didn’t think they were allowed.”“I don’t know but I bet Mother has something to do with that.”“I don’t doubt that. Have you spoken to Ashlyn before this?”“No. She contacted me while we were away. That's the first I’ve heard from her.” Jayden says, his eyes locking onto mine.I take a deep breath. “Jayden, what could she possibly want with you? With us?”I’m not ready for his next words.“She told me she’s still pregnant.”I feel like the floor just dropped out f
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