All Chapters of Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

(Winona)“Winona! Come in. Take a seat,” Gus says loudly as I inwardly wince.I slowly sit across the desk in Jayden’s office and remove my sunglasses, trying to gather my thoughts. The light feels harsh, stabbing into my already pounding head.“Hard night?” Gus inquires, his tone a mix of curiosity and judgment.“I suppose your watchdogs filled you in. I am entitled to a life, you know,” I retort, a bit sharper than intended.“My staff know better than to speculate on the private lives of anyone they are detailed to. Privacy is of the utmost importance. It’s your eyes giving you away,” he responds, leaning back in his chair, scrutinizing me.I sigh deeply. “My head is mush, but I want to tell you in person that I’m not accepting your offer.”Gus raises an eyebrow, clearly not expecting this. “I appreciate you coming in. But are you sure?”“Mr. Brennan…”“Call me Gus.”“Gus. Abby is really my only priority now. Those hours are ridiculous, not to mention the workload,” I explain, tryin

(Jayden)I look at the beach view from my Santa Monica property. I don’t remember purchasing this place but I’m glad I did now. When I was looking over my portfolio before I divorced Winona, this one caught my eye and I wanted to come see it right away.Of course, I got too busy with the business and all this memory crap. Since finding out about Abby, and now her condition, life has been a whirlwind. I take a deep breath. Here it feels like the world has slowed.I think back to the divorce and before it. The night Winona and I made Abby. Then I was so confused when the drugs were found in my blood. Of course I would trust my mother. But I’ve learned since, I can love her but maybe trusting her is a different thing.How did I let myself be convinced so easily that Winona was lying and had tricked me into everything? I guess my mental state was a lot more volatile back then. I know I certainly don’t want to be like Greg in that way again. If that’s what it takes to run this business, I

(Winona)Wanting to believe everything will be okay and actually believing it are two different things. Inside me the doubt and stress over Abby’s health is ever present. If it was only that, I’d probably cope better.But I’d be incredibly stupid to think that all is going to be rosy with Judy and Ashlyn. We may get a six-month respite, though I doubt it will last that long, but they will both just be planning their next step to remove me from their lives.My emotions are fraught with the thought of losing Abby to something I have no control over. I need to make sure every second here is worth it for her. We’ve been here a week and Jayden and I are out tidying my garden while she naps.“I’m considering home-schooling Abby.” I say as he pulls weeds.“Why?”“I have a lot of time on my hands, and it would be easier on her.” I clip half-heartedly at the unruly hedge. Jayden wipes his hands on his denim shorts. “It might be easier, but I think it would also be limiting.”“There’s a lot mo

(Winona)I just have time to grab a juice at the café closest to the preschool. There’s a lot of people here and I assume it’s the thing to do before school pick up. Abby’s pick up time is after lunch for the first week.I look around the other patrons as I sip my tropical smoothie. My mind is full of what to make for dinner. Shopping went great and as the time progressed, I did feel better about Abby being in school.Now I’m excited to hear all about her morning.A profile catches my eye. I snap my attention back to this man. He’s across the road. No. My blood runs cold, and I squeeze my eyes shut. When I open them again, he’s not there. Is my mind playing tricks on me?It’s a sea of people weaving in and out of each other. I’m sure that it was a mistake. It has to be. It’s simply not possible. My father cannot be here in Santa Monica. Judy knows he’s alive but surely she wouldn’t tell him where we are even if she knew.If she understood how bad that could be for Abby, she sure woul

(Winona) “Winona? Are you sure you’re doing the right thing?” Jayden asks as the kids clamber out of the car. His voice is filled with concern, and it’s clear he’s struggling to process everything.I nod, trying to steady my racing heart. “I can’t leave them with him. You have no idea how bad it is, Jayden. Look at them.”Jayden looks at the kids, his expression softening with empathy. “Okay.” He lets out a long breath. “I guess we’ll figure it out.”“There must be a mother,” I say, more to myself than to him.“She left them,” Jayden replies, his voice tinged with sadness.“He would never have let her leave with them. The kids are his meal ticket. I can keep them safe until I find her.” I usher the kids through the front door and into the kitchen, my mind racing with a hundred different thoughts.Jayden follows us inside, shaking his head. “He left them here, though.”“He’ll be back when the cash runs out,” I say, knowing my father all too well.Jayden sighs, his frustration evident.