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489 Creating a Family Cocoon

Author: Anney GW
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-22 20:11:42

(Jayden)

“Gabriel.” I say as Henry tries to grab my cell out of my hand.

I manage to dodge his lightning-fast hand, holding the phone just out of his reach. He laughs, thinking it’s a game.

His little giggles make me grin.

“Jayden. I wanted to let you know I’m flying in to finalize the shares. Everything looks good on my end. I land at six.”

“Great. Let me know your hotel room; I’ll come see you there.”

“Sorry to hear about Lance and Judy. I’ve read over everything you sent. Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I reply coolly. “You’ll be in charge now unless you make other arrangements with your family. I'm out.”

There’s a pause on the other end, but I don’t care to fill it. Gabriel’s voice is measured when he continues, “How’s Winona? I heard she had a fall.”

“She’s in recovery. We’ll know more tomorrow.”

“I heard Cass was in Europe. Is she coming back to see her?”

“She is. And I don’t want any trouble for her, Gabriel. She’s been through enough. I’m still pissed that Mia provided her with drugs an
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  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   486 She’s Okay

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  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   484 Stay With Me, Winona

    (Jayden)I burst through the front door, taking the stairs two at a time to the second floor. I pray I’m in time. I stop at the bottom of the attic stairs.Then I see her.Winona lies crumpled halfway down the attic stairs, her body twisted awkwardly. Her head jammed up against the wall, her hand rests on a spindle. Blood pools beneath her head on the stair, dark and horrifying, and for a second, I’m frozen.My mind blanks out, every thought swept away by raw panic.But then I snap back. She needs me. She needs me to be fully present, not panicking.I force myself forward, the first aid kit from the car clutched in my shaking hands. Every instinct screams at me to scoop her up, to hold her, but I stop myself. If she’s hurt her neck or spine… I could make it worse. My knees hit the stair below her, and I reach for her wrist with trembling fingers.A faint pulse. Relief crashes over me so hard I almost collapse, but it’s short-lived. She’s alive, but for how long?I tear open the first

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   483 Breaking Point

    (Cass)“Winona!” I scream into the phone again, but there’s only silence. The screen is dark, it’s silent. She isn’t answering. “Goddammit, Winona!” I shout, “answer me! Be okay. Answer me…”I don’t want to end the call, she could be… But I have to. I need to call Jayden.My breath is ragged gasps as I stumble to the kitchen counter, gripping the edge for support. My shaking fingers scroll to Jayden’s number. “Pick up, pick up!” My voice cracks as I pace in a tight circle, clutching the phone to my ear. It rings, and then—voicemail. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I scream, slamming the phone onto the counter so hard it bounces off and hits the floor. Fuck! It’s totaled now.My chest tightens, panic squeezing my throat. How can I call him, how can I contact Jayden? I grab my jacket and bolt out the door, running as fast as my legs will carry me to the estate. Viktor. He has a another number, one that always gets answered.My lungs are bursting as I run full tilt for the estate, but

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   482 Checking in with Cass

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  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   481 Judy’s Service

    (Jayden)Mother’s polished mahogany coffin sits at the front, surrounded by white lilies and roses, a stark contrast to the tumultuous life she lived and the wreckages she caused. It’s just Gus and me. No friends, no extended family. Just the two of us and that was what she wanted. Of course she did, just us two solely focused on her. Gus sits beside me in shackles, the officers are keeping their distance for now and covering all exits. He’s leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, his face drawn and pale. He looks like a man carrying the world’s regrets on his shoulders. He should be.I stand up and go forward to place a single rose on top of the coffin. This is it, she’s really gone. My emotions are tangled—anger, relief, guilt, and some small, stubborn ache that won’t let go. I feel free, and that in itself feels wrong. I go sit next to Gus again.But she made my adult life Hell and Winona is right, a big part of me won’t miss any part of that. I will miss most what I didn

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