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395 Perfect Plans

Author: Anney GW
last update Last Updated: 2024-11-07 11:44:54

(Judy)

The view from the penthouse stretches over Dubai’s glittering skyline, neon lights reflecting off the sea, perfectly framed by the vast expanse of desert beyond.

I sink back into the plush silk armchair, savoring the balmy warmth of the evening as I sip from a crystal glass of the finest champagne. There’s a richness to this city, a pulse that suits me.

A place where wealth and exclusivity are second nature, where people understand influence is bought, not earned.

My phone pings, a soft chime interrupting my thoughts. It’s a brief update from Phillip, telling me things are running smoothly, that Mia’s handling the responsibilities I left her with.

Good. Mia is perfectly capable of managing Brennan Industries in my absence. In fact, she’s probably even more driven than I am when it comes to maintaining my expectations.

Phillip, of course, pretends to be on Winona’s side. But I don’t care, it looks like he’s aligned with me and that’s all I need. And Lance? Well, he’s off on one
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Latest chapter

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   466 Back at the Penthouse

    (Winona)The sight of their toys scattered across the floor feels like a lifeline in the middle of a horrible dream. Despite how I felt when I left here, the penthouse actually feels like home now. Familiar and safe.As I step out of the elevator, Anne greets me softly. “They’re asleep. They were very happy to see their things and Bobby settled the cat in first. They even did all their chores without being asked,” she pauses, studying my face. “How are you holding up?”I set my bag down on the counter and exhale. “I’m managing. Lisa’s... not okay, but I think she’ll be fine as time passes. She’s angry at Lance for giving up.”Anne nods, her expression sympathetic. “And Jayden?”“He’s focused on logistics, keeping himself busy. He’s bringing Lance and Judy back to the States soon, sorting out the wills, the services... everything. I think he’s in shock, honestly.”Anne steps closer, placing a comforting hand on my arm. “And you? You’re shouldering so much right now. Are you really okay

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   465 Picking Up the Pieces

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  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   464 My Life is Finally My Life

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  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   463 Lance’s Goodbye

    The screen flickers for a moment before Lance appears, sitting in what looks like his hotel. He’s bruised from our fight—his eyes still dark, his knuckles marked. But he’s himself, leaning back in a chair with his usual grin. Even battered, he looks at ease.My heart is in my throat as it hits me that I’ll never see him again. He was my ride or die. He chose to die.“Jayden,” he begins, tilting his head. “You son of a bitch. You threw the first punch again. Or rather you mowed me down before I could do anything. Let’s just get that out of the way. That’s the only reason you ever landed one on me.”A laugh escapes me. Typical Lance. Even now, he finds a way to turn the pain into a joke.“Look, I know you’ve got questions. Probably a lot of them. Maybe you’re angry, or maybe you’re just sitting there thinking, ‘What the hell, Lance?’ So let me explain… as much as I can.”He pauses, rubbing the back of his neck. “I always knew this was how I’d go out. One day, when the time was right, I’

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   462 Making Arrangements

    (Jayden)It’s been hours since I walked in on that horror scene, but my mind is still running on adrenaline. The detectives have been and gone, ruling it a straightforward case of murder-suicide.I’m not sure what to feel about that—relief that it’s simple enough to close quickly, or anger that they’ve already written off Lance’s actions and the death of my mother with such cold efficiency. I push those thoughts aside. There are practical things to handle, and that’s where I focus. Emotions can wait. I sit at the desk in my suite, surrounded by a chaos of papers and my phone. Viktor is dealing with much of it and I know he’s going to contact Gus. Cass sits on the arm of the couch, her arms crossed, watching me like a hawk. I dial my lawyer, leaning back in the chair as I press the phone to my ear. The familiar voice on the other end picks up after a few rings. I know this will have hits all the media outlets by now but I refuse to watch any of it.“Jayden, how can I help?” I keep

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   461 Packages

    (Winona)It’s been hours since Lisa shut herself in her bedroomI knock softly. “Lisa? It’s me.”No answer.I crack the door open, peeking inside. The room is dim, lit only by the faint glow of her bedside lamp. She’s curled up on the bed, facing the wall, her body still.“Lisa,” I say softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “Can I get you a tea, or coffee?”Her voice comes out muffled, raw. “I can’t, Winona. Not now.”She turns her head slightly, her eyes red and swollen. “He didn’t even let me help him. Those last few days…were so perfect, why couldn’t he see how perfect they were?”I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Lance loved you. I know he did. But we know the pain he always carried.”She shakes her head violently. “If he loved me, he wouldn’t have done this! He wouldn’t have left me like this.”Her words dissolve into sobs, and I gather her into my arms. She clings to me, her grief pouring out unchecked. “I know,” I whisper. “I know.”For what feels lik

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   460 Shattered Lives

    (Winona)Jayden’s voice trembles through the phone. “They’re here.”“Viktor and Cass?” I ask, trying to steady my own voice.“Yeah.” His tone is flat, exhausted. “They just arrived. The detective’s here too.”“Let them help, Jayden,” I say softly. “You don’t have to do this by yourself.”“It doesn’t feel real, Winona. Lance didn’t even... warn me. He didn’t give me a chance to stop him. I didn’t want to discuss it with him, I didn't want to forgive him, but I didn’t want this…”“It’s not your fault,” I say firmly, though my own heart aches. “You couldn’t have known.”The sound of muffled footsteps grows louder, and then a new voice cuts in, Cass’s, calm and strong. “Winona, it’s me. Jayden, the detective would like a few words.”“Cass.” Relief washes over me. “You’re there. Thank God.”“I’ve got him,” she says, her voice resolute. “You take care of yourself and Lisa. How is she?”Tears sting my eyes. “She’s broken. Really broken.”“It can’t be easy. Viktor’s in full protector mode. He

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   459 Mother!

    (Jayden)The flashing lights of ambulances and police cars light up the hotel’s entrance as I run the last few of the distance. My stomach churns, the bile rising in my throat as I close in on the foyer. This can’t be real. It doesn’t feel real.I enter the elevator and take what feels like the slowest ride in the world up to the top floor. My mind is full of everything. Mother, Lance. I know she did wrong, so much wrong.But she was still my mother. She loved me. I could never fault her on that.Outside the elevator now, I march towards the officers outside the open suite door.I try to push past the uniformed officers at the door, my voice sharp and demanding. “I’m Jayden Brennan. That’s my mother in there. Let me through.” Two of them grab me by the upper arms.Another officer steps forward, raising a hand to block me. “Sir, we can’t—” “It’s my mother! Do you understand?” My voice cracks with desperation. “Let me through now!” I yell, trying to get free.“Let him through,” A tal

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   458 News in the Dark

    (Winona)I sit bolt upright in bed, my phone dragging me out of my grogginess. I see the number. It’s Jayden. Video call request. Why is he video calling me? We always text late at night and I’d dozed off after we’d text earlier.“Jayden?” My voice trembles as I connect the call. “What’s wrong?” “There’s been a shooting,” he says, his tone clipped but strained. His words come out fast, like he’s trying to make sense of them as he says them. “Lance and... Judy. Security called me. I don’t know all the details yet.” I can see he’s on the move.I cover my mouth, the air rushing out of my lungs. “Oh my God. Are they— I mean…” “Security said it’s bad, Lance is…gone…” he cuts in, his voice tightening. “I hung up to call you, but I’m on my way there now. It’s about ten minutes from my hotel.” The sight of him, pale and shaken, grips me with fear. “Jayden, you shouldn’t be alone for this. Let me—” “No,” he interrupts firmly. “Viktor and Cass are on their way. I’ll be fine. I have to go a

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