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43 When In Rome
Last Updated:
2024-07-01 15:15:27
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 44 Doing The Right Thing
(Jayden)“Abby turns three today. She’s out of the hospital and I’m finally ready to meet her.” Mother smiles back at me. “It’s very exciting. You could’ve met her before this.”“I know, but she’s had such a lot to contend with. I want to be sure she’s ready. That I’m ready.”“I think she’ll be ready. She didn’t miss a beat when she opened her eyes and saw me.”“Wait, you actually met her? How was it?” I’m surprised Mother didn’t tell me this.“I did, and if you’re asking if there’s any doubt she’s yours. There isn’t. She could be the spit out of your mouth at that age. So, you’re sure you’re ready?”I nod. “Therapy has really helped me get a handle on things and deal with my memories objectively. The couple sessions have also made Ashlyn and I stronger. I can tell we are gaining a new level of trust for each other.”“Great to hear.”“Plus, I’m well aware that once I go into Abby’s life as her biological father, I can’t then change my mind.”“Have you had second thoughts about that?”
Last Updated : 2024-07-01Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 45 Let’s Party!
(Winona)Anne made a unicorn cake and it looks stunning on the table and Phillip has managed to fill all the snack bowls, make sure the place is fresh and dust free, and is standing here with a coffee in hand for me. My lounge area has been transformed to party central.My hands feel jittery as I take it from him. “This room looks fabulous. Abby will just love it. I hope she’s well enough to sit on her throne and open her presents with us.” I’d hired her a golden velvet throne for the day.“I’m sure she will. You know how she loves unwrapping gifts.” Anne says with a big smile.I laugh. “Yes, and then she’ll play with all the boxes they come in instead of the toys.”“I know. I got her the biggest boxed one I could find for that reason,” Phillip adds in.“That bike with the handle for us to push her along will be perfect for walks. She’ll feel like she’s really riding, and we can take over when she gets tired,” I agree.“She needs fresh air and sun to help her recover, we’ll make sure
Last Updated : 2024-07-02Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 46 It’s Daddy Time
(Winona)“Hey there, sweety. I have a surprise for you.” My voice is light and cheerful, but my heart races with anticipation.She smiles at me, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Is it a present?”“Not really, but there will be lots of gifts later.” I kneel beside her, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.“Okay.”“You remember my friend Jayden we talked about?” I ask, trying to keep my tone casual.She nods, her eyes brightening with excitement.“He’s here to meet you and say happy birthday.”Her eyes light up, and she bounces slightly in her seat. “Yay!”“Do you want to come out?” I ask, my heart pounding in my chest.She nods eagerly.“Let’s take you in your pushchair, so you don’t get tired out too soon.” I lift her gently and settle her into the pushchair, making sure she’s comfortable.“Ok, Mommy.” Her voice is soft and trusting, and it breaks my heart a little.Maybe I should have let Jayden come in here for a more private first moment. Anyway, I get her comfortable and pus
Last Updated : 2024-07-02Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 47 Get Out of My Head
(Winona)I’m not sure I’m ready. I thought I would be. “Let’s get this day over with first.” I extract myself from his arms and pick up some oven trays full of party favorites to heat. The oven’s warmth is a stark contrast to the cold pit in my stomach.“Of course.” Phillip gets some cheese and fruit platters from the fridge. “I’ll go put these on the table.” He smiles, trying to ease the tension, but I can sense the unease between us.“Thanks.” Then I hesitate. “Phillip?”“Yes?” He turns back to look at me, concern in his eyes, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.“Play it cool out there.” I bite my lip, the worry gnawing at me.Memories of Jayden and our time together flash through my mind. His sexy smile, the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed, how safe I felt in his arms. I shake the thoughts away, focusing on the present.“I will.” Phillip’s voice is reassuring, but I can still see the tension in his posture. “Abby may say some things. Kids don’t understand adult stuff. But this
Last Updated : 2024-07-02Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 48 Devil You Don’t Know
(Winona)“Winona,” Jayden’s voice is filled with emotion. “Thank you for today. It means a lot to me.”I look across at him, tears welling in my eyes. “It means a lot to Abby too. She deserves to know her father.”He steps closer, brushing a tear from my cheek. “I wish it could be different.”I swallow hard, the memories and emotions threaten to overwhelm me. “We need to focus on Abby now. She’s what’s important and your new baby is coming.”I resist the urge to press myself to his chest. “Jayden, I know we shared something that’s once in a lifetime. But it was a lifetime ago. I need a peaceful existence. I can have that if you’re with Ashlyn and your mother is happy.”He nods, his hand lingers on my cheek for a moment before he pulls away. “You’re right.”As he walks out of the kitchen, I watch him go, my heart aching with a mix of love and loss. I know I have to move on, but part of me will always remember the way things were, the way they could have been.***The party has wound d
Last Updated : 2024-07-03Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 49 Protecting Her
(Jayden)“Oh damn. My phone isn’t in my pocket. It must have come out on the sofa or something.” I give Ashlyn a peck on the cheek as she sits in the driver’s seat “I’ll just pop back and grab it. I won’t be long.”“Okay. Hurry.” She looks nervous.“Lock the car doors when I get out. Just in case. Never know who’s out and about this time of night.” I squeeze her hand before stepping out.“I will.”I walk through the gate and along the path, the cool night air sharp against my skin. My blood freezes at what I see in the doorway. What the hell is he doing to her? Something inside me surges, a primal protectiveness. I want to rip his head off.Winona is struggling against Phillip in the doorway. Her face is twisted in distress, her arms flailing. I run up and drag him away from her, my adrenaline spiking. “What the fuck is going on?”Phillip glares at me, his eyes wild and unfocused, and then bursts into tears. “I’m sorry. I got carried away. I just love her so damn much. She can’t even
Last Updated : 2024-07-03Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 50 Happy Families
(Winona)Oh great, that’s all I need this week! Talk about Mondayitis. I walk past the magazine stand on the street near our office building and guess who’s on the front cover of all the gossip magazines. Jayden Brennan.Who even still reads this crap? But marketing is my job and I need to get on top of it. Not hard to see I’ve had some time off. I grab a couple and go pay for them.Then I do a search on my socials. Jayden Brennan’s Ex-wife hides his childSerious health issues for first born Brennan heirHas Jayden Brennan lost his killer CEO edgeRinse and repeat.Where do they get their information? I mean, they aren’t exactly wrong, but how do they know all this? I think we have a rat. Judy? Ashlyn? Hell, it could be anyone looking to make a quick buck. But not just anyone knows about Abby’s paternity. Could be guessing just for a headline I suppose.I need to study the stories and try to pinpoint if they are speculating or not.The Brennan empire is big news. All publicity is g
Last Updated : 2024-07-03Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 51 Nexus Global
(Winona)Jayden and his mother step out. Both look solemn. The room collectively relaxes. Jayden glances at me as they go to their seats. Wait! Jayden sits beside Judy. He doesn’t take up the head seat. She looks like she’s lost a billion dollars and picked up a quarter. Is the company broke? I should not enjoy this so much because it directly affects my daughter.But we’ve been okay without billions so far, we can live without it. I’m not so sure Judy can though. It’s more the lack of power and prestige that will clip her wings. Her fall from grace could be spectacular and I’m here for all of it.They don’t say a word. Jayden just puts his hand up to quiet the buzz. The elevator doors close again and the numbers light up. It’s going up? Is there even an up from here? Maybe Heaven? I look quizzically at Lance next to me. “Helipad on roof. Someone’s arrived by helicopter,” he whispers.Holy shit. This is really happening. Lucky I bought the townhouse outright because I may not be a
Last Updated : 2024-07-04
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 550 Lock It In
(Winona)“Alright,” I say lightly. “As long as you know you don’t have to handle anything alone.”Lisa’s lips press together, something flickering across her face, but she doesn’t take the bait.“How are you going? Jayden has gone and you’ve put in a full week in the office. Been a while.” Lisa asks as Logan takes a seat.“I tried taking Henry to the office with me like Jayden used to. Never again.” I shake my head remembering the disaster that was.“It’s all new to you there. Of course it would be hard to have Henry and navigate people who are all strangers to you.”“All strangers… I wish. You don’t even know…”“Oh my god! What?!” Lisa is leaning in now.“Lance, that asshole, left me with a Chief of Marketing. It’s like he asked ‘who would Winona want to work with the least right now?’”“Who?! Who is it? Do not say Judy is back from the dead.”“Ugh. No, but almost as bad. Phillip.”“Fuck! Phillip, phillip?”I nod.“Wow. I mean… what the actual?”“I Know right? But I cannot fault him.
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 549 Visiting Lisa
(Winona)I knock on Lisa’s door. I can hear voices, so I chose the right time to pop in.I’m here to make sure she is okay. These unanswered texts aren’t on and I’m going to get to the bottom of it. Maybe she’s just over my crap and needs a rest from it. That’s fine.I can’t blame her but I’d prefer she just said as much.Also I need to chat about life. I’ll wait to see if it feels right though. The door opens and Lisa smiles.Logan is leaning on the kitchen island.“Hey,” I say carefully.“Winona! I was about to call you… Come in. I have news!”“And here I was thinking you were avoiding me.”“Sorry about that. It’s been hectic.”“All good. What’s got you so happy?”“It’s happening, Winona,” Lisa says, her eyes lit with excitement. “They’re locking in their commitments, doubling down instead of pulling away.”“The charities?”She nods. “Yes. I addressed them this morning.”I should be thrilled. I am thrilled. But she did it without me. I wasn’t expecting that yet. I nod, smiling. “Of
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 548 For Lance
(Lisa)The room is packed—board members, investors, benefactors. All eyes on me. Some skeptical, some expectant. Some probably wondering why the hell they bothered to be here. I grip the edges of the podium, forcing myself to stay steady. I tried to prepare a polished speech. But I couldn’t. So here I am, just winging it. I’m going to speak from my heart and hope that’s enough. I take a breath. Then another. I’m shaking inside but I’m going to do this. For the man I loved more than anything in this world. For Lance.“I know why you’re all here,” I start, my voice even but firm. “You want to know what happens now. What happens to the foundations Lance built. I know you’re all on the verge of taking away your support.”I feel the shift. But I don’t want to make them feel guilty. I want to restore their faith in their decisions to maintain their support.“You want to know if it’s worth keeping these charities that champion against suicide alive… after the man who started them took hi
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 547 Letting Off Steam
(Cass)The estate is always buzzing, a whirlwind of activity that makes my head spin. Between the kitchen, the constant flow of guests, and the never-ending lists of things to do, there’s always something in motion.But my only day off this fortnight is tomorrow and I can’t wait to get out of this kitchen. The tension in my neck that no amount of stretching is going to fix. The tension in my whole body that can only be fixed by one thing and my rechargeable collection ain’t gonna cut it.I need something real, something to blow off the steam that’s been building for weeks.I’m making my way out of the estate’s kitchen when I see Viktor lingering by the rose arbor archway, watching me. He knows I have to go through it to get to the cottage. I can’t help but feel a flash of irritation. If he insists on being my uninvited shadow, he can at least be useful and scratch my itch.He wants it too, but he’s all concerned about if it’s right and proper. I’m not interested in dancing around it a
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 546 The Weight of His Words
(Lisa)The USB is shoved in the back of the cupboard. I don’t need to watch it to feel it. Lance’s voice, his thoughts, his truths—maybe. Or maybe it’s just his grin and some awkwardly stupid joke about death.You never know what you’ll get with Lance.I still haven’t answered Winona’s last text. I just can’t. She’s going to know something is up as soon as we meet in person. How can I do this to her?I can’t tell Winona. How could I? After what she’s lost? After that brutal, hollow look in her eyes when she told me about the hysterectomy?She said she was okay. That she’d accepted it.She was lying. I know it. And if I tell her I’m pregnant now? If I admit I’m carrying Lance’s baby and that I don’t want to be a mother?It would be a gut punch she doesn’t deserve.Tears sting my eyes. I swipe them away and force myself back to the files.Project Lighthouse—Pilot Program ResultsI curl up on the couch, surrounded by a fortress of papers and files, all scrawled with his handwriting. No
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 545 The Balancing Act
(Winona)The second I step into the farmhouse, the noise hits me like a freight train. Henry is wailing from his highchair, Abbey and Sarah are locked in a heated argument at the craft table, and Bobby’s lying facedown on the couch muttering something about the injustice of salad for dinner. River stands near the sink with a unicorn sticker stuck to her shirt. Kit is pacing across the living room barefoot, holding a toy walkie-talkie and trying to negotiate peace terms between the girls. Yeah. Long day for everyone. “Mama!” Henry’s sobbing slows the moment he spots me, his arms shooting up. He grabs at the air with his hands. “Mama.”“Hey, buddy.” I drop my bag and scoop him up, pressing his sweaty little face into my neck. His hiccuping sobs slow instantly, his tiny hands clutching my collar. I bounce him gently, scanning the chaos. “So... I see today went smoothly.” Kit drops into an armchair with a groan. “Oh yeah. Textbook. We had routine but that was a major fail.” River t
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 544 Back in Brussels
(Jayden)There’s no hesitation in the way the staff greet me. A few nods, murmured “Bonjour, Monsieur Brennan,” or “Goedemorgen,” the Belgian Dutch mixing in seamlessly. With Winona’s help, I’ve got the basics of three languages down.It’s a far cry from the first time I walked in here when half the team still thought I was some overprivileged American with no business running Gus’s empire. They hated me and all thought I would fail.Now? They respect me.I make my way to the executive floor, where Matteo is already waiting by the elevators, arms crossed. I know I’ll cop some fun and games from him. But also know he operates the finance department like a steel vice.“Mon frère! Look who finally remembered where his office is,” he announces in dramatic Italian flair.“Miss me that much?” I smirk, stepping inside the elevator. “Pfft, please,” Matteo scoffs, pressing the button for the top floor. “You flatter yourself. I was enjoying the silence.”The doors close, and Matteo leans agai
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 543 Phillip Is On Fire
(Winona)“It’s more than just budgeting. More than saving. Vault is the bridge between financial literacy and financial success.” Phillip has everyone mesmerized by the sheer magnitude of his presentation.His confidence and maturity are magnetic. I’m impressed. The last time I was in the same room as him, I had to deal with his innuendos, his smug little smirks, and that irritating way he acted like a schoolboy caught kissing behind the gym.But this? This is different.He commands the room without effort, every movement deliberate. Even the way he flips through slides is calculated. Not a single wasted word or motion.He has my attention.“Think about it—what’s the biggest issue people have with money? Not rich people, normal everyday people.”“Understanding how to make it work for them?” Darien tentatively suggests.“Exactly!” Phillip grins and fist-bumps Darien. “Understanding how to make it work for them. Schools don’t teach it, banks don’t prioritize it, and the internet is full
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 542 Unfinished Business
(Winona)“…and that’s why we’re proposing a total overhaul,” Darien is saying. His voice is confident, but his idea is garbage.I hate it. None of this new branding speaks to innovation or trust—it looks like stuff college interns throw together after one too many energy drinks. I open my mouth to tell him to sit down, but before I can, the meeting room door swings open. And every muscle in my body locks up. Phillip. For a second, I think I’m hallucinating—like my subconscious decided to really mess with me today.But no, he’s real. Tall, perfectly put together, that same effortless confidence that made him such a force in my business. And in my life. The man I was engaged to. The man I built a business with. The man I spent one reckless night with before everything went to hell. But even more than that, Phillip was my trusted friend. My best friend when I had to flee from Judy and Ashlyn before I had Abby. He knows he almost as intimately as Jayden does. He also betrayed me in
