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199 Facing Choices
Last Updated:
2024-08-26 19:26:56
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 200 Steve is Dead
(Winona)I watch the streets blur by as the car winds its way through the city. I keep telling myself everything will be fine. But deep down, I know that’s a lie. Nothing’s been fine since Steve came back into my life.Apart from finding Mom and Cass. Having Mom has been everything I’ve needed for so long and never knew it. I love her so much and I want to give her a good life. Her and Cass. If Cass ever lets me.As we approach the townhouse, I’m eager to get out of this car. I need to check on Mom, make sure she’s still asleep and safe. But as the car pulls up outside, I see something that turns my world on its head.Cass is standing on the front steps, her face ashen, her eyes wide with shock. The front door is wide open behind her. She’s trembling, her arms wrapped around herself like she’s trying to hold herself together.“Cass!” I’m out of the car before it even comes to a complete stop, my heart pounding in my chest. I don’t know what I’m going to find, but the look on her face
Last Updated : 2024-08-26Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 201 Please Live
(Jayden)Striding into the hospital, I haven’t felt fear like this in a long time, but I refuse to let it control me. This fear won’t make me frustrated or angry. It won’t make me lash out or wonder about my decisions. Not anymore. I know who I am. I know the man I want to be.Having this baby wasn’t something I ever considered. But since I’ve known, it’s changed me. Changed my outlook. Abby changed my life too, but I never got to see her or even know she existed when she was a baby.Because of my mother. Because of Ashlyn. Because my mind wasn’t where it should have been and Winona made a choice for the baby. Because I forced Winona into that choice and away from me. Mother will never be an influence on me again.In fact, I’m going to make her pay if she’s had anything to do with this with Ashlyn and I’ll need some strong proof to stop believing she’s the reason Ashlyn fell from that rooftop.I fire off a message to Winona, letting her know that I’ll be staying here as long as I ne
Last Updated : 2024-08-27Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 202 Fractured Bonds
(Winona)I sit beside my mother’s hospital bed, the steady beep of the monitors is the only sound breaking the silence. Mom’s face is pale, almost translucent under the harsh fluorescent lights, her breathing shallow but steady.I reach out, gently taking her hand in mine. It’s warm, but she doesn’t react.The doctors told me she’s unconscious, that she’ll wake up when she’s ready, but that’s all they’d say. Some confidentiality agreement that keeps them from saying more. They’ve given her a bed and treatment, but answers are scarce.And the waiting is suffocating.Cass is in the corner of the room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, staring out the window with a fierce intensity. She hasn’t said a word to me since I arrived at the hospital. The tension is thick.Every time I try to talk to her, she shuts me down with a glare that cuts deeper than any words ever could.“Cass,” I start softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “She’s going to be okay. The doctors said—”“I don’t c
Last Updated : 2024-08-27Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 203 Atoning The Past
(Jayden)I move closer to Ashlyn’s bed. I’m not here to wallow in self-pity or be overwhelmed by emotions. This is about making sure my child survives. I look at Ashlyn’s pale face, and I feel a surge of determination. I’ll do whatever it takes.“You’re not going anywhere,” I murmur as I touch her abdomen. “You’ve got a life ahead of you, and I’m going to make damn sure you get to live it. Your mom wants you to live, so that’s what you’re going to do. Live.”The door opens again.I straighten up and look. A suited man has his head in the doorway. “My Brennan. Can we talk? I’m Detective Harris. I’m investigating what has happened at the facility today.”“Yes, of course.” I walk out to the corridor with him. “So, you’re investigating Ashlyn Carter’s fall?”He turns to me, sizing me up. “I am.”“Is this internal or external?”“External. Why?”“I don’t want any cover ups.”“Do you think the facility needs to cover up anything?”“I don’t know, maybe. But that’s your job to find out, isn’t
Last Updated : 2024-08-27Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 204 Point of No Return
(Judy)All I did was get some patient medications swapped around to try and get Ashlyn to talk to me again. How she ended up in the rooftop area, falling off, I have no idea. Maybe she wanted to end it all.My phone buzzes in my hand, and I open the message from my contact at the hospital.Ashlyn’s 24 weeks pregnant. Baby is in distress. She’s on life support.Pregnant? She’s still pregnant? How?She was convinced she had a miscarriage. That’s why she got so desperate and went to Santa Monica to try and frame Winona. She had no baby to hold onto Jayden, so she thought she may as well take Winona down with her.No wonder she ghosted me and they put a no-contact order on me for Ashlyn. I never thought she’d still be carrying a baby. I still don’t understand. I text back.Find out how she was still pregnantIs that why she tried to kill herself? It doesn’t make sense.I grab my phone, scrolling through the news, looking for something, anything, that’ll tell me what’s going on with Ashlyn
Last Updated : 2024-08-28Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 205 Last Goodbye
(Winona)The hospital feels like it’s closing in on me. I can only imagine how Jayden feels right now.He’s come to check in on Mom with me. Cass won’t talk to him either.Mom lies there, so still, so fragile, and it hits me how little time we’ve had together. Not enough time. Nowhere near enough.I reach out, my fingers trembling as they close around her hand. It’s warm, but she doesn’t react. The doctors said she’d wake up when she’s ready, but what if she never wakes up? What if this is it?Cass stands in the corner, hugging herself like she’s trying to hold in all the pain. She hasn’t looked at me since we got here.Suddenly, the steady beeping of the monitor changes, becoming slower, more deliberate. My heart skips a beat, and I lean forward, my breath catching in my throat. “Mom? Mom, can you hear me?”Cass jerks, her eyes wide and wild as she steps closer. “Mom? Please, Mom...”And then, as if by some miracle, Mom’s eyelids flutter open. For a moment, her eyes are clear, focuse
Last Updated : 2024-08-28Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 206 Jayden’s Unyielding Resolve
(Winona)We sat in the ward waiting room. Jayden is beside me, his hand clasped around mine. We haven’t said much since Mom passed away, both of us caught up in our own thoughts.Cass came back after ten minutes, tears streaming down her face, to say her final goodbyes to Mom. I couldn’t bring myself to intrude on that moment. She needs her space, and I need to respect that.Jayden squeezes my hand, grounding me in the moment. I look at him, seeing the exhaustion in his eyes. But he’s strong, certain, and that’s what I need right now.“I should head back to Ashlyn’s room soon,” Jayden says quietly, his voice steady. “Check on the baby before I take you and Cass home.”I nod, standing up with him. The thought of seeing Cass now, of trying to convince her to come home with me, feels like an insurmountable task, but I know it needs to be done. I’m not leaving her alone. I promised Mom.But as we start along the ward corridors, past the nurses station to head off this floor, the hairs on
Last Updated : 2024-08-28Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 207 Finding a Way Forward
(Winona)The hospital cafeteria is a far cry from a trendy café, but the coffee is good and, actually, the breakfast offerings look okay too. I sit at a small table by a window waiting to see if Cass turns up.Cass needs to be the driving force behind how we go about saying goodbye to Mom.Hopefully she’s ready to see me. I don’t blame her for being so angry and lashing out yesterday.Cass should be here any minute if she’s decided to come. I’ll wait a little, of course. Jayden’s with Ashlyn, talking to the doctors about the next steps for them all in regard to the baby.I want to be with him, but Cass needs me too, and right now, I need to focus on her. Then I’ll go talk to Jayden.The door to the cafeteria swings open, and I see Cass walk in, her shoulders hunched, her face pale and drawn. I let out a sigh of relief, she’s here.I wave to her, and she spots me, hesitating for a moment before she makes her way to the table. She slides into the chair across from me, not meeting my eye
Last Updated : 2024-08-29
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 530 The Third Wheel
(Lisa)The sound of kids laughing and fighting all at once is a special kind of chaos. Not loud enough to make me need earplugs but constant enough to make me question why anyone willingly signs up for this parenting gig. I’m sitting at the farmhouse kitchen table, nursing a mug of herbal tea—because Winona says it’s for relaxation, apparently—while Winona navigates the madness with calm efficiency. Tastes like I’m drinking fresh-cut grass. Eww.“Sarah, put the scissors down before someone loses an eyebrow!” Winona shouts from the stove, where she’s flipping breakfast pancakes with one hand and holding Henry on her hip with the other. Jayden strolls in, looking half-asleep but still managing to make kissing her cheek seem like the most romantic move in the world. He grabs Henry and tosses him in the air, making the toddler squeal with laughter. “Morning,” Jayden says to me, his voice a deep rumble that doesn’t match the little boy giggling in his arms. “You sleep okay?” “Like the
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 529 Promises
(Jayden)I rub my thumb over her knuckles. “We’ll make it work. We always do.” I want that to be the truth. More than anything. She nods, but I can tell something else is bothering her. “I won’t spend more than one night away from the kids while you’re gone,” she says, like she’s trying to convince herself more than me. I smile, though I know that promise is going to be harder to keep than she thinks. “I appreciate that. But Winona... you have to be prepared for when you have to choose business over family sometimes. It’s going to happen, and it’s not going to feel great.” Her shoulders stiffen slightly. “I can balance it, Jayden. I’ve been doing it already.” I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “I know you have, but it’s going to get harder. Board meetings, investors, expansion plans—they don’t wait for soccer practice or bedtime stories.” She crosses her arms, and there it is—that little flash of defensiveness I knew would come. “I know that. I’m not naive. But I’m not ab
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 528 Power Couple Support
(Jayden)Winona stands at the kitchen counter, scrolling through her phone while absently stirring her tea. Her brows furrow slightly, lips pursed in that way that tells me she’s already a million miles into business mode. I used to love that look when we were at Brennan Industries together. Seems a lifetime ago now.I lean against the doorframe, watching her for a moment before stepping closer. “Thinking about ditching me for a board meeting already?” I tease, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. She huffs a soft laugh, but it’s distracted. “Actually, I was going to ask you some advice.” She sits at the dining table. I grab my coffee and settle across from her. “Shoot.” Winona finally looks up, her eyes searching mine. “I have a couple of big events next week—the board meeting, a dinner with potential investors, and now a charity gala just popped up. It’s a lot, Jayden. I can’t blow off the board or the investors…” “You can’t blow off any of them. Charities are networking an
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 527 Goodbyes and Plans
(Winona)Pulling into the farmhouse driveway, I spot Cass sitting on the porch steps, her duffel bag at her feet. She looks up when Lisa and I step out of the car, a smirk already forming. She gives us a wolf-whistle.“Look at you two,” she calls out. “Business queens in the flesh.” Lisa tugs at her blazer. “Trust me, I’m getting changed right away. What a fucking disaster.” I roll my eyes and stride up to Cass, pulling her into a tight hug. She smells like vanilla and cigarette smoke, a weird combination that somehow suits her. “I’ve missed you, brat sister,” I murmur, holding her for a beat longer than necessary because I know why she’s here and it’s already breaking my heart. Cass pulls back with a grin. “Miss you too, boss sister. Seriously, what’s with the corporate look? You two getting ready to take over the world or what?” “Something like that,” I say, smoothing my blazer. “But I’ll let Lisa fill you in when she’s ready. So, I guess you’re here to say goodbye?” Cass nod
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 526 The Ride Home
(Winona)Lisa stares out the window, chewing on the corner of her nail—something she only does when she’s about two seconds away from a full-on meltdown.The highway stretches out ahead, I can’t stop thinking about Logan Bennett. Lance’s twin. A walking, talking ghost we never knew existed. I can only imagine how rocked Lisa must feel.I grip the steering wheel. “You good?” Lisa lets out a short laugh, but it’s hollow. “Define ‘good.’ Because if it means questioning my entire reality while also wanting to throw myself into traffic, then yeah. I’m fucking great.” I glance at her. “You’re not throwing yourself into anything except maybe a bath later with a gallon of wine.” “I think any alcohol now might result in me making myself obnoxious. You know how I get.” Lisa stares out her window again.Then she continues talking. “I seriously thought I was hallucinating, Winona. Like, actual delusions. One minute I’m faking my way through this business gig, the next I’m staring at Lance—exc
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 525 Checking in on Reality
(Lisa)The lights are too bright, the sheets too crisp, and everything feels weird. I blink slowly, my head pounding. My mouth tastes like I’ve been chewing cotton balls for breakfast. Where the hell am I? Then it hits me. The office. The meeting. Lance. I sit up too fast, and the room spins like I’m on some twisted carnival ride. I feel something in my arm and see an IV. There are monitors and things stuck on me.Shit, I’m in a hospital.A groan slips out before I can stop it, and suddenly there’s a nurse by my side, her face all sympathy and no-nonsense professionalism. “Easy now,” she says, pressing a cool hand to my wrist. “You fainted, remember? You weren’t responsive for a while. But the drip has done its job.” Fainted? Right. That’s what normal people do when they think they’ve seen their dead ex-lover casually standing in a boardroom like it’s just another Tuesday. “Okay... fainted,” I mumble, rubbing my temples. “Great. That’s just... fantastic.” The nurse offers me a
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 524 Unbelievable News
(Jayden)The kids are sprawled across the living room floor, their energy buzzing like they’ve downed three bags of sugar each. Henry’s babbling as he stacks blocks, while Abbey and Sarah argue about whether they should play schools or princesses. Bobby is pretending not to care, phone in hand. Anne is at the shops.It’s noisy and busy, just like normal. I think of Winona and Lisa. I wonder how they are going with the meeting? I pat my pocket, then the other side.“Guys, I left my phone outside on the bench. Try not to kill each other and watch Henry while I go and grab it.”They all look at me and nod and keep doing what they are doing. Henry seems taken with his blocks, so I whip out through the kitchen and out the back door.I see I’ve missed a call and she’s left a message. I scoop up my phone and head back inside to listen to the message. I won’t call back yet, they may be in the meeting still.I hurry back in and check out the kids. No one has moved. Great. I listen to the mes
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 523 Advice
(Mia)Gus walks through the living room slowly, his gaze flicking over the ornate furnishings, the heavy curtains, the marble-topped tables.His fingers trail along the edge of a sideboard, and for a moment, he looks lost in thought. “You okay?” He glances at me. “It’s strange being here without her and having all her stuff still here. I’ll see that it’s all collected. There’s some valuable pieces here.” “Judy’s gone,” I say bluntly, shrugging my shoulders. “You’ll have to get used to it. This place is part of Brennan Industries now, I believe.” His mouth tightens, and he doesn’t respond. Instead, he turns his attention to the window, looking out at the street below. I don’t know what he’s thinking, and honestly, I don’t care.Gus being here isn’t my concern—what he wants is. I know he says he’s here to pick up Mama, but that doesn’t fool me.“You didn’t come here to reminisce,” I say. “What do you want?” He turns back to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I want to know where y
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 522 Seeing Double
(Winona)Lisa’s body is sprawled awkwardly on the sleek office floor, and my heart nearly stops as I drop to my knees beside her.“I’m Logan Bennett.” The sound of Logan’s voice, Lance’s voice, steady but sharp, slices through the haze of my panic.I glance up at him. Neater haircut, lesser designer suit, but that is Lance Collins right there.What the actual fuck is going on? No wonder she collapsed.“I’m calling 911,” he says, his phone already to his ear. “St James Hospital is close.”“Lisa!” I whisper, shaking her gently. Her skin feels clammy, her breathing shallow but steady. “Come on, Lis, wake up.” I turn her over to the recovery position. She is breathing but she isn’t waking up.Logan lowers his phone. “Paramedics are on the way.” His gaze flickers between Lisa and me, worry etched into his expression. “Is she…?”“She’s breathing,” I say. “But she’s not waking up.”Logan crouches down, his movements deliberate and calm, and for a moment, his presence reminds me so much of La
