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52 Dead Wood
Last Updated:
2024-07-04 13:04:20
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 53 I’m Shook
(Winona)“I will deal with each issue in turn. I think this will be the fastest. Phillip Joseph.”Phillip looks at him. “Mr. Brennan. I’m dedicated to the best outcomes for Brennan Industries. My hard work speaks for itself.”“Don’t bother begging me, Joseph. Consider your contract ended. You won’t work for Nexus Global, Brennan Industries or any subsidiary businesses of ours ever again.”Phillip looks horrified. My heart goes out to him knowing the work he has put in beside me. And our little business is gone.“I don’t understand… the financials back up my digital marketing campaign.”Gus Brennan paces, well more like stalks, at the end of the table. Saying nothing for a few minutes. “The Brennan family hold something more precious to them than money and success.”He stops and stares at Phillip. “Loyalty. Loyalty to the Brennans is first and foremost. Do you have anything to say about that?”“I… I….N…no.” Phillip stumbles over his words and his face is red as fire.Gus laughs. “Reall
Last Updated : 2024-07-04Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 54 You Made Your Bed…
(Jayden)On the one hand, I’m super pissed for Winona. On the other hand, I’m glad he’s out of her life. My uncle. Who knew? I don’t know what the history is but I’m staying cool. I’m waiting to see what else he has. Mother must have known about him. She’s never uttered a word of him to me.Father never mentioned having an older brother. I recall him saying he had no brothers or sisters. I wonder if there are anymore Brennans lurking out there. I’ve heard of Nexus Global, I mean it’s like Microsoft, or Google, or Apple. Unless you live under several rocks, you’ve heard of it.My brain works overtime. Why has he stepped up now? Why not when Father died? Why not when I was recovering from my accident? Why not when I’d lost my memory? He knows so much other stuff, he must have known that.But now, now everything is finally coming back to me, he turns up, making himself CEO. Making changes. Attacking everything I’ve built up. A smiling assassin. Two can play at that game. Let’s see what
Last Updated : 2024-07-05Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 55 My Naïve Youth
(Judy)“I love you, Judy. Come with me.”“I love you too, Gus. But my studies, plus Mom is sick. You know that.”“You can study in Europe.”“And throw away almost four years here? No. I’d have to start again.” I’d never give up being the top student in college.I have a lot to prove to my father. Traditionally in our family the greatest achievement a woman can make is to marry the richest man she can find. Well. I have that covered with a Brennan and Gus was the heir apparent. But I want to be successful in my own right.I shake my head. “Can’t you wait a year? You know my mother is under treatment for ovarian cancer. I want to stay with her in case…” My voice breaks a little. I can’t think about a world without my mother.She gave up all her dreams for me. She has a mind as sharp as a tack, but when she got married to my father, her job was to make babies and look good. He made it clear there would be no career. A male heir was what they needed.But the only baby Mom carried to term
Last Updated : 2024-07-05Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 56 Reality Bites
(Judy)I hate that Gus is here now. The life I’d endured with Greg once he found out about Gus and I was nothing short of emotional and sometimes physical pain. All the hatred he had for his brother was centered on me.But he knew not to hurt the baby. Gus had warned him to not ever lay a hand on the baby. He didn’t care what he did to me. I just had to endure it, for Jayden. Gus wasn’t getting his hands on my son.I did try and leave, to go away and hide. I wanted a divorce. The next week, through the night, Gus sent men to take Jayden from his crib. I had a choice. Go back to Greg and live with my punishment or never see Jayden again. I then saw how much I’d hurt Gus.Gus is loving this right now. I bet he’s sat for years planning my demise. I don’t care. I got through. I prevailed. I’m still here. Gus Brennan can kiss my ass. I’ll play his little games, but I’ll still get what I want. Mark my words.If he thinks he’s taking Jayden off me after all these years, he’s sorely mistaken.
Last Updated : 2024-07-05Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 57 Trust No One
(Winona)I use my new key and walk into my townhouse, my world still rocked from what I’ve just witnessed. I always knew Judy had issues, but to implicate her the death of her husband and our accident?Gus has really pulled the rug out from under the Brennans and everyone close to them. I’m worried how Jayden’s mental state is after all of this. Also, if Gus has had specialists look at Jayden’s medical records and they can’t find any physical reason for his amnesia, what the hell could he have locked up inside him?Anne rushes up. “Winona, what on earth is going on?”I walk to the living room and plonk down on the sofa and rest the envelopes in my lap. “Today has been unbelievable to say the least. How’s Abby?”“Playing with her doll’s house.”“I hope the change of locks and Phillip getting his stuff didn’t scare her.”“We were in her room the whole time. What happened with Phillip?”“Mommy!”Abby walks up to me with her arms out.I Hug her. “Hey, baby. Mommy’s home early. Would you
Last Updated : 2024-07-06Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 58 Taking My Life Back
(Jayden)My brain can’t handle all of this. The revelations hit me like a freight train, shattering my composure and ripping through the thin veneer of control I thought I had. I just don’t want to think about the emotional and mental abuse I copped from the man I thought was my father. He always acted like he hated me. Every scornful glance, every harsh word, a bitter confirmation of how he despised me. I never got it back then. Now it’s all clear, the pieces fall into place in a sickening puzzle. Why would Mother keep us there like that? Greg was nothing short of cruel to her at times. The memory of his rage, his unrelenting criticism, sears through me. I often thought he hated her as well. I wonder why they ever got married if there was no love.I pace the room, my hands clenched into fists, nails biting into my palms. I’m confused and angry, a tempest of emotions swirling inside me. If this Gus thinks he is going to be welcomed with open arms as my father, he has another thing
Last Updated : 2024-07-06Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 59 Come With Me
(Jayden)I pat her on the head. “I’m okay, Abby. I’m glad you’re here though.” Her small smile lights up a part of me that’s been dark for too long.“I thought she might cheer you up. We were at the park,” Winona says, her voice soft but tinged with concern.“Come in. I was just thinking about something.” My voice comes out strained, barely masking the turmoil roiling within me.“Are you okay? I mean, that was unbelievable really. I think we all need to lick our wounds for a while.” Winona says.“I’m angry.” We walk into the lounge area, the weight of the day pressing down on us. I sit and pull Abby up onto my lap, her warmth a temporary balm to my frayed nerves.“With Gus?”“With myself.” I sigh, running a hand through my hair, feeling the frustration build.“You can’t blame yourself for what he’s done. What everyone around you has done.” Winona’s voice is soothing, but it doesn’t reach the core of my guilt.“I dropped the ball with Brennan Industries. Gus is right. I’m not in a posi
Last Updated : 2024-07-06Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 60 Decisions Decisions
(Winona)Back home, I’m feeling torn. On the one hand the beach would be an amazing time for Abby and getting her strong for her next surgery. On the other hand, being there puts my heart in the firing line and I cannot let myself get sucked into loving Jayden again.I’m not letting myself get sucked into loving anyone, ever.Lisa and Lance are coming over for drinks later. Anne has said she will go back to her home and catch up with her other family members for six months if I decide to go. But she will be back as soon as I need her. She said she knows I’ll make the right decision either way.I’m sure Anne could use the break from the drama as much as us.I have no clue how Ashlyn has reacted to all these developments, but I don’t think it will be in a good way. Judy is as hard to read as ever, and I will never trust her. Especially when it comes to Abby. Now I have this security around and, in a way, I like it. But this isn’t a normal life. I don’t think I’ll ever see Phillip again
Last Updated : 2024-07-07
Latest chapter
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband Dear Readers
Readers, I’ve been back through all your comments and it really touches me that so many of you cared about these characters. I want to send a very special shout out to mitzi.goodson and Theresa for your active love of the story all the way and for commenting regularly. I love you guys and I love all the readers #hearteyes# Also I have discovered a mistake in the upload of Chapter 553. Only half the chapter seems to have been uploaded and I have now fixed that. I know you’re asking about if you’ll see these characters again…right now, I’m letting them rest but I hope to update you on them in the future. Right now I’m focusing on my new stories which I know you’ll also love.In the next one, After waking from a 5 month coma, Ava Lancaster watches her beloved daughter die. Ex-husband Zach Lorne, allowed the mother of his first child, cunning Sienna Sinclair to use little Lila as a medical pawn. Consumed by grief, Ava sets their mansion ablaze—clutching Lila’s body while Zach pleads outs
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 600 Our Forever
(Winona)Lisa sits on the couch between me and Jayden, her fingers curled around the USB stick.“You don’t have to,” I remind her gently.“I know,” she replies. “But I want to. I can’t move forward if I don’t hear him out.” She hands the drive to Jayden.Jayden leans forward and plugs the drive in. The screen flickers.And then there he is.Lance. Black eye blooming from Jayden’s attack over hall pass week, bruised knuckles, the same crooked grin he always wore.“Lisa,” he says, “I’m so sorry. I wish this could have been different.”I glance at her. She flinches but doesn’t look away.He shakes his head. “No big poetic intro. No music. No tragic montage. Just me.”His smile cracks slightly.“First, I want to say this isn’t your fault. You didn’t fail me. You didn’t love me wrong. In fact, you’re probably the only person who ever loved me right.”Lisa’s breath hitches beside me.“I wasn’t built for longevity, Lisa. You knew that. Hell, I practically had an exit sign blinking over my he
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 599 Full Circle
(Winona)Viktor stands with his hands by his side while Jayden finishes up his announcement.I watch on, proud of them both. Not only staunch in business but as friends.“I’ll still be involved on a higher level, but day-to-day, Viktor’s your guy,” Jayden says, firm and confident. “Effective immediately, he’s the new CEO of Nexus Global.”There’s a brief pause before the quiet, respectful claps ripple through the room.Viktor just nods. “Thank you,” he says. No long speech. No dramatic reaction. Just two words. Classic Viktor.Jayden glances my way and walks over.“Proud of him,” I say quietly. “And of you.”“He’s ready,” Jayden replies. “Hell, he’s been ready for a while now. He taught me almost everything I know about Nexus Global.”Viktor lingers by the window, posture steady. Astrid steps up beside him, saying something low. He replies with a brief nod and the smallest of smirks.Jayden leans into me and murmurs, “did you see that?”I arch an eyebrow. “The nod or the smirk?”“Both
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 598 The Final Decision
(Winona)I see the moment his eyes catch mine in the window behind Astrid. He blinks like he’s seeing a ghost. Too late. I’m already across the restaurant floor, my heels pounding each step out in deliberate warning, the sound sharp against the quiet hum of late-night conversations. Heads turn. I don’t care.His face shifts from confusion to panic as I advance—his mouth parting slightly, eyes darting to Astrid like he’s trying to figure out if he’s imagining this. He’s not. I’m here. I saw everything.I saw the kiss. I saw the closeness after. The lingering smiles, the laughter, and the way Astrid’s hand stayed on his like they were sharing secrets. Like she belongs to him. You don’t need sound to understand body language.That kiss wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t a friendly peck on the cheek. It was enough for me to wonder if they’ve been playing me for a fool for weeks. Maybe months.Jayden stands just as I reach the table, knocking his chair back in a clumsy scrape. Astrid rema
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 597 Impulsive Kiss
(Jayden)Astrid raises her glass, the candlelight catching the rim. “To surviving another quarter without firing anyone major.”“To the rest of us surviving the grueling schedule of the Ice Queen herself.”“You did okay.”“Just okay?”“Better than okay. You have quite the work drive, Jayden. Gus was right to leave Nexus in your hands.”“Not one of you thought that at first. You all hated me. Especially Hugo. I think he still might, actually.”“Oh, you are not so bad, after all.”We clink glasses. The wine’s sharp, dry—like her. The restaurant is dim, ambient, tucked just off the canal. Astrid insisted it was the best late-night spot in Brussels. So far, I can’t argue.The food was incredible, the service seamless, and the company? Easy. A little too easy.This dinner has gone longer than I expected. I expected an answer from Winona to my text. But it hasn’t come. The conversation just flowed so effortlessly tonight.No drama. No awkward silences. No carefully chosen words. Astrid, wh
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 596 Instincts Don't Lie
(Winona)It’s nearly 1 a.m. when I step off the jet into the crisp Brussels air. I haven’t slept. I haven’t eaten properly. My thoughts have been chewing on each other for nine hours straight.I hear my phone notification, but I see Cass and I’m so damn happy. She’s about to launch the rest of her life and I’m excited for her.“It’s so good to see you.” I say as I run towards her and give her a hug.“You look like hell,” she says as she grins and hugs me back.“Oh, thanks for the compliment. You look like death yourself.”“Just finished a12 hour shift, what’s your excuse?”We walk out to the private parking area. Having a private jet is so convenient.“I can only blame stress and paranoia,” I tell her as we put my case in the back seat and get into her car.“Paranoia?”“Yes, about where Jayden and I stand in out marriage lately. I’m not sure I’m what makes him happy. All we do is fight, it seems.”“Okay… ah, so me telling him you’d have been better off never meeting him probably didn’
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 595 After Hours
(Jayden)It’s nearly ten. The office is quiet, except for the soft hum of fluorescent lights above the boardroom. Astrid and I have been going through projections for Q3. Numbers, strategies, deadlines. All things that used to matter more than they do right now. My family call is bothering me. It’s not that Winona had a sudden business trip, that’s expected, it’s just the way we interact lately. Going through the motions. Not speaking up on how we feel in case it triggers an argument. I’m as much to blame.“You missed an adjustment here,” she says, tapping the edge of my laptop.“I didn’t miss it,” I say, not looking up. “I just didn’t apply it yet.”She raises an eyebrow. She knows I’m distracted. I’ve worked with her long enough to recognize the look that says I’m full of shit.“You want my input or just someone to nod along while you pretend to work?” she asks.I lean back in my chair. “You always cut right through it, don’t you?”“Of course.”She’s right. She doesn’t have patie
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 594 Surface Tension
(Winona)The family call starts like any other.Except this time, I’ve told the kids I’ll be away and lied about where I’m going.Now I have to convince Jayden it’s an unexpected business trip.Bobby’s got a stack of papers next to him, pretending he’s not glancing at them while he listens to Jayden. He’s been working on some design options for the school vegetable garden.He’s become quietly obsessed with getting it right.Sarah is asking about when she can next visit the Nexus office again. Abby’s wearing one of Henry’s bibs and announcing herself as the ‘baby boss’ while trying to feed Henry a cracker he doesn’t want.Henry is slamming his hands on the table, shrieking with defiance, and Kit is doing her best to keep the screen steady while holding him.Chaos. Beautiful, familiar chaos. Welcome to the Brennan zoo.Jayden is calm, smiling, fully engaged. He’s asking Bobby about his team at school, praising his leadership skills. He tells Sarah he misses her drawings and promises to
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 593 Surprises
(Winona)Phillip is at his desk when I walk in, finishing up a call. He looks up and gives me a half smile, casual but watchful.I cross the room but remain standing. “I won’t keep you long. I just… I wanted to let you know I’m stepping down in an active capacity from Vault. Effective immediately.”Phillip’s face shifts from polite curiosity to astonishment. “Wait—stepping down how?”I nod. “I’ll remain the owner. But I’m not going to be overseeing day-to-day management or strategic decisions anymore. I’m handing all of that to you. If you want it. CEO, President, call it what you will—I’m out.”He studies me carefully. “That’s… a big move, Winona. You’ve always been a control fre… ahh, hands-on.”I give him a quick grin. “Nice save.”“I’m talented, what can I say? But you being hands-off, I’m not sure that’s even possible.”“I’ve realized I can’t keep devoting so much energy to business. My family needs me. My kids need me.”“Is this what Jayden asked you to do?” “No. He’s been exc
