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340 Lunch With Lance
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 341 The Farm
(Jayden)“We have a little bit of everything here,” Viktor says as we settle at the laden long wooden table.“This is all from the farm?” I ask, glancing over at the colorful dishes, the jams, honey, cheeses, and cured meats. Even the bread and butter has the same label.“All of it,” Viktor confirms. “The bread is from our grain, milled right here. The honey, the jams, the cheeses—everything comes from what we produce on the land.”Klara, Viktor’s mother, balances the baby on her hip while ladling soup into bowls. “I’m a local Doula and I make a range of natural remedies and skin care products. Grow all the herbs myself.”“I have a five-month-old boy. Henry. He was born very prematurely. But he’s growing stronger.”“I’m glad he is. This vegetable soup is from the garden,” she says, handing me a bowl. “No preservatives, no chemicals—just fresh, organic produce.”I take a spoonful. It’s rich and earthy, with a depth of flavor I’ve never tasted before. “This is incredible,” I admit, savo
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 342 Thorns In My Side
(Judy)I tap my fingers impatiently on my desk at Brennan Industries, staring at the documents in front of me. Gabriel’s sisters, those sentimental fools, turned down my offer. All because they wanted to sell their shares to him directly. Idiots.I gave them the best offer they’ll ever get, but no—family first, apparently.That will bite them on the ass one day. Mark my words. They’ll learn that family loyalty means nothing when I’m in control. Family is just a tool—leverage to use when necessary.I smirk to myself. If I can’t convince them to sell to me, I’ll force their hand. I always find a way. There’s more than one method to get what I want, and I’ve never been afraid to get my hands dirty. They’re going to regret turning me down.My phone buzzes, interrupting my thoughts. I glance at the screen, a message from one of my contacts. It’s about Maria. My smirk deepens—I’ve been waiting for this. I know she’s been feeling the pressure lately.I skim through the message, but then,
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 343 What Do I Want?
(Cass)I sit in my small, cluttered apartment, staring at the text Gabriel sent an hour ago. He’s pushing me again, wanting me to go with him while he builds his venture. My excuse is always work. I love my job.I’m still learning, still growing in the kitchen, even if the chef is a bit of a hard-ass.Gabriel doesn’t get it. He keeps talking about this hospitality business he’s setting up—food, accommodation, a destination for corporate team-building weeks, conferences, whatever.It sounds impressive, sure. But the idea of working under him, tied to him like that...it doesn’t sit right. I don’t want to be part of his empire, whatever that is.He has a conditional green card now and blind Freddy can see our lives are moving away from each other.I glance around my apartment, a mess of half-folded laundry, mismatched furniture, and the faint smell of weed that lingers no matter how much I air the place out.Maybe the pot’s been a bit too frequent lately, but it helps. Work’s been stress
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 344 Mid Flight Worry
(Winona)The hum of the engines is a constant, steady sound, almost like a lullaby. Abby is curled up with her favorite stuffed animal, chatting with Sarah, who’s sharing her earbuds and explaining how the game on her tablet works.Bobby is deep in concentration, lost in some building game of his own, while Henry naps peacefully beside me, the soft beeping of his monitor like background music.I touch his little hand and marvel at how much he’s grown.I do feel peaceful, but something is off with me. There’s a tightness in my chest, and every time I shift in my seat, I get hit with another wave of dizziness.The headache, a dull throb at the base of my skull, persists. I press my fingers to my temples, trying to stave it off. I know I do need the bathroom. I stand up and my lightheadedness has me gripping the seat to steady myself.“Ma’am, are you alright?” one of the medical team asks.I force a smile. “I’m fine, just a little dizzy. I think it’s the excitement and stress catching
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 345 Memories That Haunt
(Winona)I start to drift off to sleep. I see Judy’s face, cold and cruel.I’ll take that baby from you.I bolt upright, gasping for air, the terror still lingering in my pounding chest.I’m not there anymore. I’m safe. We’re safe. I breath deep. Stop letting this mess with you, I tell myself. I know we’re okay. We’re going to Jayden. We are safe.But the fear lingers. Because Judy is still out there. And I know she’s not done. She never is. No matter what happens, I don’t think we’ll ever shake her.As long as she thinks there’s a chance with Jayden, it will always be the same.I lie back down, closing my eyes again. I just want to forget it all. I want to focus on Jayden, on our family, on the life we’re building.I turn in bed, staring at the ceiling in the jet again, trying to block out the swirling thoughts. The soft hum of the plane’s engines doesn’t help me sleep. Neither does the lingering dizziness or headache.But it’s not just the physical stuff keeping me awake. It’s the m
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 346 Stopover in Dubai
(Winona)The plane lands smoothly in Dubai.“Mommy, is Daddy here?” Abby asks, clutching her stuffed animal tightly.“Oh, honey,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’m sorry. We need to stop here and have one more plane ride and then we’ll see Daddy. Okay?”Her face drops. “Oh. I thought we saw Daddy now.”“Only one more plane ride.”The doors open. I gather the kids, the medical entourage making sure Henry is okay before they hand him over to me.I thank them and take him in his carrier. I’ll clip it onto the wheels as soon as they unload the base.“Stay close, kids.” I say. “Bobby, keep an eye on your sisters please.”The terminal is elegant, marble floors reflecting the dazzling lights above. The kids are still buzzing around me, and I’m trying to focus on keeping them in line when—“Hey, troublemakers! Welcome to Dubai.”My head snaps up.Jayden is there, right behind Bobby, grinning, with his arms wide open. My heart stutters, and before I can even register what’s happening, the kids have
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 347 Rest and Reunion
(Winona)When I wake up, the sun is low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow through the enormous windows. The bed beneath me is impossibly soft, and for the first time in days, I feel… good.The dizziness has faded, and my headache is gone.I stretch out, feeling the luxurious sheets under my fingertips. This place is a dream. But more than the comfort, I’m starving. I sit up and glance at the time. It’s early evening, and Jayden and the kids are still out.The suite is quiet and I get up and pull on a robe.I hear the door click open. It’s Jayden. “We’re back.”“I’ll come out.”“You look better.”“I slept like a log.”I give him a quick kiss as we head out to the living area.“Mommy!” Abby rushes over. “We saw so many cool things! Daddy took us to see the tallest building ever!”Bobby, always the calm one, strolls over more casually. “It was pretty cool.”Sarah tugs on Jayden’s hand. “Daddy, can we show Mommy the pictures we took?”“Sure thing,” he says, settling onto the sofa be
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 348 Back At The Estate
(Jayden)Hugo steps forward, giving me a tight-lipped smile. “Welcome home, Mr. Brennan. The staff are ready to accommodate your needs.”I nod. “The kids need to let off some steam.”“I certainly hope you don’t mean in here.” Hugo frowns.“This is their home now, Hugo. Relax. Kids, go explore outside but not too far from the house,” I tell them.“Please be aware there are rare flora species in the grounds.”They just look at Hugo like he’s an alien.“Stick to the paths.” I explain.They are gone with an entourage of staffers trying to keep up.Winona is back from changing Henry and she glances around the reception room, her expression tight. “This place is incredible, but I’m worried about the kids here. They’re just normal kids, and all this...” she gestures at the antiques and delicate furniture, “isn’t exactly kid-proof.”Hugo’s smile fades a little. “The children will need to understand the importance of boundaries, Mrs. Brennan. This is not a playground.Winona doesn’t miss a be
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 456 Oil and Water
(Cass)It’s fine. Really.I mean, they’re paying me double the normal chef rate to do this, and honestly, after everything I’ve been through, I am lucky to be here. But as I dump another stack into the industrial washer and catch my reflection in the steel, I can’t help but feel I’m clutching at straws.A letter doesn’t mean instant success, I have a long road to get there.By the time the shift ends, my arms ache, and my stomach growls so loudly it’s probably scaring the mice away.The head chef mutters something about “grit” and “paying dues” when he finally waves me off for the night. They are all butt-hurt over me getting paid more than half of them.Whatever. I’ve always been good at keeping my head down and proving people wrong.The night air hits me like a slap as I step out of the estate’s main building. The path to the cottage is dark, and my legs feel like lead with every step. All I want is to collapse on the couch, shove some food in my face, and sleep for a year.But the
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 455 Unexpected Endings
(Judy)I’ve spent all day with Jayden at Nexus London offices today. After Winona leaving yesterday, and celebratory drinks with Jayden last night, I’m hopeful. Viktor not being here is a blessing. I can’t make a move with him always watching.This Grayson investigation is almost wrapped up and Jayden will relaunch Nexus London under a new banner. He’s done well. I’m very proud of him. Do I trust him? Probably not.But then, I had nothing to do with who she slept with and Lance turning up in Brussels unannounced. All I did was get the photos to Jayden. He deserves to know the truth. It’s not fair they played him like a fool like that.It’s a bit too soon to safely say I have Jayden back. But I’m certainly closer than I was with a no-contact order. Now I only need my grandchildren, after-all they are heirs to Nexus Global and they will need to be prepped for that role.Jayden needs more time to really be back under my wing again. I’m not sure if he and Winona are really separated, but
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 454 Back Home
(Winona)The hotel lobby is warm and welcoming, its soft lighting a balm after the long flight. The kids buzz with excitement as they spot a familiar face waiting for us by the concierge desk.“Nanny Anne!” Abby squeals, bolting toward her. Puppy dangles from one hand.Anne crouches down, her arms open wide. “There’s my little ones!”Abby crashes into her, followed closely by Bobby and Sarah. They hug tightly. Even Henry lets out a delighted squeal from Lisa’s arms, his little legs kicking in excitement.Anne looks up at me, her face beaming. “Oh, Winona. It’s so good to see you all safe.”“It’s good to see you too,” I say, my voice thick with relief. The worry I’ve been carrying since we left Brussels eases slightly. Anne has always been our rock, and knowing she’ll be here for the next few days makes everything feel a bit more manageable.Lisa hands Henry over to Anne, who hugs him close. “Look at you, Henry. You’ve grown so much!”“Can you believe it?” Lisa says with a laugh. “He’s
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 453 Playing the Game
(Jayden)The dimly lit bar in the private London club is quiet, the hum of low conversation and the occasional clink of glassware blending into the background.Judy sits across from me, her posture regal, her lips curling into a satisfied smile as she lifts her glass of aged scotch. “To freedom,” she says, raising her glass. “To freedom,” I echo, clinking my glass against hers. The burn of the whiskey is soothing. I lean back, feigning the relaxed confidence she expects from me. “You look better already,” Judy says, her eyes studying me intently. “You’re finally stepping into your potential, Jayden. It suits you.” “I’m finally seeing things clearly,” I reply, letting a small smirk tug at my lips. “Winona and her chaos? Gone. It’s liberating.” She laughs lightly, a sound that grates against my nerves. “I always knew you’d come around eventually. You deserve better than that mess of a woman.” “Maybe you’re right,” I say, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. “The kids, though… I’
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 452 My Babysitter
(Cass)The chill of the air doesn’t bother me as I storm toward the cottage. My boots hit the gravel hard, and I clench my fists against the rising wave of emotions threatening to spill over.I know I did the wrong thing, but I’ve also come out the other end. I don’t need to hear judgment from anyone. My life has taken a turn for the better and nothing is going to take that from me.Viktor’s condescending tone still rings in my ears. Who the hell does he think he is? And Jayden—he’s acting like I’m the screw-up of the century. As if he hasn’t held that title long term.I hear the car door slam behind me and glance over my shoulder. Jayden’s long strides eat up the distance between us. “Cass, wait,” he calls out, his voice calmer than I expect.I don’t slow down. “What now? Come to lecture me some more?”“No,” he says, catching up and matching my pace. “I want to apologize.”I stop abruptly, turning to face him. “Apologize? Seriously?”“Yes.” His eyes meet mine, steady and sincere. “I
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 451 Sorting Out Cass
(Jayden) I take a moment to gather myself, wiping away the lingering traces of tears. The kids are gone. Winona is gone.“I’m going to miss them.” Cass glances up, her expression softening for a split second before she smirks. “Don’t go all sentimental on me now, Jayden.” She punches me lightly on the arm, but I grab her wrist before she can pull away. “Enough,” I snap, my tone sharp. Her eyes widen, but I don’t let go. “We’re going to talk. Now.” “Talk about what?” she mutters, trying to sound defiant, but I can see the cracks in her armor. “Everything,” I say flatly. “Not here. Come on.” I stand and motion for her to follow me. Reluctantly, she gets up, slinging her bag over her shoulder. I lead her out of the lounge and through the quiet airport corridors to the private exit where Viktor waits by the car.He’s leaning against the side, his sharp eyes scanning the area like a hawk. “Cass, meet Viktor,” I say, opening the car door. Her eyes narrow as she looks him up and down
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 450 Saying Goodbye
(Winona)The private first-class lounge is quiet except for the staff. We bought out all of first-class seats for privacy and space to move around. With my entourage of medics, nanny and security, we need all the space we can get.The kids sit on the plush chairs, their legs swinging as they clutch their backpacks. Abby has her favorite stuffed puppy tucked under her arm, its floppy ears trailing as she drags it along the floor. She hasn’t let go of it since we left the cottage. I know this is hard on them. Even with the secret we are all keeping, leaving is going to be incredibly hard. We may be back to Brussels sometime but I don’t know if we’ll be back with the same family dynamic we started to build here.Jayden is striding along the floor towards the private lounge door. He’s dressed impeccably, as always, his broad shoulders rigid. He’s trying to hold it together, I can tell, and I know this isn’t easy for him.“Daddy!” Abby squeals, breaking the silence as she rushes toward h
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 449 That’s My Sister!
(Winona)Chef Valois closes his office door with a deliberate click, gesturing for us to sit in the sleek chairs facing his massive desk. Cass sits down, clutching the letter like it might disappear. I take a seat beside her. “Let me explain why this is extraordinary,” Valois begins, leaning forward. “Henrik LaSalle doesn’t recommend people. Period. Not even his sous chefs. For him to write this...” He points to the letter. “...means you’ve done something remarkable.” Cass raises an eyebrow. “All I did was critique his soup.” Valois lets out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. “Critique his soup? Not possible.” Cass shrugs. “The waitress wouldn’t tell him, so I went in the kitchen and did it myself. Then he made me work my ass off. But he made the changes to every soup he sent after that. That’s all.” Valois stares at her like she’s just declared she wrestled a bear and won.“Henrik LaSalle is notoriously impossible to please. Do you know how many chefs have tried to earn his approv
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 448 A Letter to Impress
(Cass)Henry’s little giggles fill the room as I kneel on the floor, arms wide open. “Come here, you big guy!” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, but damn, my throat feels tight seeing how much he’s grown.He crawls over, with his big grin. He remembers me, and that makes me feel good. I know it’s only been a few months but he’s only an infant.I scoop him up, hugging him close as his baby scent fills my nose. It’s like a mix of milk and sunshine, and it nearly wrecks me.“Look at you, Henry,” I whisper. “You’re so big now.”He grabs my hair with his tiny hands, giggling. His face is brighter than I remember, more expressive. It’s like I’ve missed a lifetime in just a few months.Winona leans back, crossing her arms. “So, what’s your plan now that you’re here?”I shrug, leaning against the couch. “Find work. Maybe I’ll need a car when I get work. I have this.” I pull out the envelope Thierry gave me and place it on the table.“What’s that?” Winona asks, picking it up but not openi
