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408 The Aftermath
Last Updated:
2024-11-11 14:12:07
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 409 Friends Are Overrated
(Jayden)The three-hour flight goes by in a blur. I suspect I slept through most of it, lost in a drunken haze, but I can’t be sure. My head is pounding, a steady, merciless throb that matches the ache in my chest.The alcohol dulled the fire, but it’s like trying to put out a forest blaze with a glass of water. It’s only made the edges of my grief sharper, more cutting.The jet touches down in London, and I force myself upright, stumbling slightly as I exit. My vision swims, and I grab my briefcase just to have something solid to hold onto.The fight with Lance replays in my mind, every punch, every accusation. And Winona’s face—her eyes wide with shock, then hurt. The memory crushes me like a boulder, heavy and unrelenting.Viktor is waiting. Of course he is. He’s leaning against a sleek black SUV, arms crossed, his expression as impassive as ever. His eyes narrow as he watches me stagger down the steps of the jet.He pushes off from the car with that same unshakeable authority he a
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(Winona)The room is suffocating, even though Klara has opened the windows to let in the evening air. I’m lying on the bed, trying to keep my breathing even. My blood pressure has come down, but Klara’s concern hasn’t.She sits beside me, her hand resting on mine, grounding me. The soft hum of conversation between Lisa and Lance fills the other room, but I’m barely hearing them.Lance and Lisa come into the bedroom, looking just as exhausted as I feel.Lance still has dried blood on his shirt, and his bruised face is swollen.“I’m going to London,” he says, his tone rough but resolute.Lisa stares at him. “You can’t be serious. Look at you! You’re in no shape to travel, let alone deal with Jayden. Have you even seen your face?”“I have to,” he insists, his eyes blazing with determination. “Jayden’s my friend—at least he used to be. I have to try and fix this before it’s too late. Before he does something even more destructive.”The determination in his voice stirs something inside me,
Last Updated : 2024-11-12Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 411 Making Sense
(Jayden)The morning light filters through the curtains of my hotel suite, glaring and unrelenting. My head throbs with the hangover from last night’s scotch-fueled spiral.Everything is a blur, yet the anger and pain from the fight remains vivid, slicing into me.I’m sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to gather the pieces of myself, when there’s a knock at the door. It’s firm and authoritative. Only one person knocks like that.“Come in,” I mutter, my voice rough and strained.The door opens, and Viktor steps inside. His gaze is steely, assessing me with that infuriating calm of his. He’s dressed sharply, not a hair out of place, but there’s a tension in his eyes.He looks at me as if he’s deciding whether I’m capable of doing my job.“Mr. Brennan,” he says, voice cool and even. “You look… unwell.”I let out a harsh, humorless laugh. “I feel worse than unwell,” I admit, grabbing a glass of water from the bedside table. It does little to soothe my parched throat. “What is it, Vikt
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(Judy)London’s pulse beats with an energy I’ve always found exhilarating. I walk through the busy streets with a sense of ownership of life, bending chaos to my will, whether the people around me realize it or not. Life is mine, a chessboard on which I move my pieces, and today, I’m preparing to play one of my most significant moves.The queen can move anywhere she wants.Sliding into the back of my town car, I pull out my phone. The screen lights up with a string of updates from my contacts. Information from Gus’s estate staff flows to me like clockwork.A constant stream of intel I’ve worked hard to cultivate, weaving my influence so tightly into every corner of Jayden’s world that nothing escapes me. Even the smallest whispers reach my ears.Jayden, my brilliant but stubborn son, is back in London, and the ripples I set in motion turned into a tsunami. It’s a beautiful thing, really, watching how easily people fracture when you know which strings to pull.The fight. The accusation
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(Cass)The alley stinks of rotting garbage, stale beer, and desperation. My heart races as I wait, shifting from foot to foot, clutching the small bag of pills in my hand.It’s quiet in an eerie way, the kind of quiet that prickles at your nerves and makes you second-guess every decision that led you here.This used to be my life a long time ago. I swore I’d never be back here again. I promised Mom. I argued with Winona that I could take care of myself. Now here I am.I glance at my phone. The screen is cracked, just like everything else in my life, but it flashes the time anyway. It’s been twenty minutes, and every second feels like a razor blade on my nerves. Someone is supposed to be meeting me here.I never thought I’d be selling drugs to save my own ass. But unloading this stash will get me out of the debt I owe these dealers. Enough to keep them from rearranging my face or worse. Then I’m never, ever doing this again.I’ll get clean. I might even have some money left to start ov
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(Cass)“Idiot,” I whisper, my voice cracking. My throat tightens with shame. How did I let myself get here?I picture my mom’s face, the warmth in her eyes, the way she used to brush my hair and tell me I’d grow up to do great things.A sob claws its way up, and I swallow it back. I can’t break down. Not here, not now.I slide to the floor, knees pulled up to my chest, trying to catch my breath. Everything in my life is in ruins, and it’s my fault. I suck at running my own life. If Mom could see me now, she’d be so disappointed.I wipe at my face, missing my mom with a fierceness that cuts. Life felt safe when she was alive. Predictable. Now I’m a disaster, a pathetic screw-up who can’t make one decent decision.If only I’d listened to her more. If only she were here to tell me what to do, to hold me and promise everything would be okay.I push out of the shop front, clutching my backpack tight, and head toward my apartment. I just need my passport and the last of the money I’ve stash
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(Winona)The sun is warm on my back as I kneel in the garden, tugging at weeds that have embedded themselves deep in the soil. Henry gurgles contentedly on the rug between Lisa and I, his tiny fists reaching for the mobile above him.The sound of his laugh and squeals mingles with the rustling leaves, a stark contrast to the drama of last night. This is my peaceful place. In the garden, with my family and best friend.The kids are off down in the wooded area behind the cottage, building what they insist is the “ultimate” fort. Every so often, a burst of laughter or the echo of a shouted command filters back, and it brings a smile to my face.At least they’re not asking when dad will be home.I can’t answer that right now.Lisa is sitting cross-legged in the grass, her hands idly plucking at stray blades of wayward weeds. She’s watching Henry with a soft expression, but I can see the tension in her shoulders. She’s been quiet for a while, and it’s making me anxious.I know we need to t
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(Winona)“It’s true. He saw the chance; he wanted to shoot his shot, I guess,” Lisa says calmly.“The chance should never have been there.”Lisa takes a deep breath, “Look, it sounds like it was about feeling safe to lose control for you, not about hurting Jayden. You’d never do that to him purposely.”“I definitely didn’t think of it in terms of hurting him, but maybe that was just me being convenient. I thought I was doing it for me, for my own empowerment. But now I see how incredibly short-sighted it was.”I pause, twisting a stray blade of grass between my fingers. “I was so focused on what I felt I deserved, you know? A chance to be carefree, to do what everyone else seemed to do without consequence. But the truth is, I didn’t think about how deep it could cut Jayden.”Lisa leans forward, her face full of care. “You didn’t kill anyone, Winona. You’re not some evil person. You took care of your needs, for once. That’s not a crime.”“But now I’ve destroyed everything,” I whisper.
Last Updated : 2024-11-14
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 477 Moving Forward
(Winona)Lisa sits curled into the corner of her couch, her legs tucked beneath her and a blanket draped across her lap.“So, one reading down, one to go,” I say, setting two mugs on the coffee table and taking a seat in the armchair across from her. “Are you ready?” She looks up, blinking like she’s coming out of a daze. “Yeah, well... I don’t think I can be there. It’s still too much.” “Fair.” I lean forward, wrapping my hands around the warm mug. “I know it’s hard. But it’s a start, you know? A start to getting on the other side of all this.” She shrugs.“I’ll be right by your side.”Lisa exhales slowly, tugging the blanket tighter. “It’s just... everything. The way it happened. The way he let me in and really loved me for those few days. The way he left. And now this reading, like it’s going to somehow tie up all the loose ends. But it won’t, will it? Nothing changes that he’s gone.” I nod, letting her words hang in the air for a moment. “No, it doesn’t change that. But it mig
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 476 Judy’s Will Reading
(Winona)The law office is still and cold, a contrast to the storm of emotions brewing inside me. Jayden sits beside me, his jaw set, shoulders tight with the tension he’s carried for days.I can tell he’s ready for this to be over but also bracing for whatever last hand Judy might play.“You okay?” I whisper. He doesn’t answer at first, his stare fixed on the polished table.“No,” he finally says. “But let’s get it done.”Mr. Carter, the lawyer, clears his throat and adjusts his glasses. “Thank you all for being here. We are gathered for the reading of the final will and testament of Judith Ann Brennan.”Jayden shifts in his chair, his knee bouncing with restless energy. I can feel the heat of his frustration, but I keep my hands to myself. No comfort from me is going to land right at this moment.“This will was last amended six months ago,” Carter continues. “Mrs. Brennan made several significant changes, which we will now outline. Copies of the full document will be provided afterw
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 475 Back Home
(Jayden)The elevator dings, and the penthouse opens up before me. This used to be my happy place. Where I could unwind and take in the city lights with a nightcap or three. Before kids.Now it looks like an executive man cave with a family shoved in.I was an idiot for pushing that idea. There’s a crooked home-made banner saying Welcome Daddy, and a tray of icing and sprinkle laden cupcakes on the side table. My heart surges.A chorus of voices breaks through. “Daddy!” Abby’s little feet pound the hardwood floor as she barrels toward me, her arms wide and her face split into a grin. She wraps herself around my leg like a koala. “You’re early!”“Hey, princess,” I say, lifting her up as Bobby and Sarah rush in right behind her. Bobby grabs my middle in a tight hug, and Sarah hovers just slightly back, smiling shyly. “I sure am. Surprise!”“Missed you, Dad,” she says softly.“I missed you too, kiddo,” I reply, wrapping my free arm around her.Winona’s voice carries from the living room,
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 474 Preparing For Home
(Jayden)The clock on my desk blinks 12:47 AM, but the late hour doesn’t register anymore.I’ve spent the last few hours in calls and emails, trying to coordinate everything: the will readings, the services, the logistics of leaving Nexus Global in capable hands while I head back to the States.I hit call on Viktor’s number, knowing he’ll be awake. He always seems awake. I wonder if he’s actually human sometimes.“Jayden,” Viktor answers on the second ring, his voice sharp and alert. “What’s wrong?”“Nothing’s wrong,” I say quickly. “I need to talk to you about Nexus. I’m flying back to the States soon, and I need someone I can trust to hold things down while I’m gone.”There’s a brief pause, then a low chuckle. “You’re not serious.”“Dead serious.”“Jayden,” Viktor says evenly, “I don’t run billion-dollar companies. I handle security, strategy, and occasionally beating people to a pulp if they get too close.”“You also know Nexus Global inside out,” I counter. “You’ve been in the tre
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 473 Getting There
(Winona)The hospital release is a relief, but it doesn’t wipe away the worry. By the time Lisa arrives, I’m eager to get back to the penthouse.“You look awful,” Lisa says, her tone blunt as ever, but there’s concern in her eyes.“Gee, Thanks, Lisa. That’s exactly what I needed to hear.” I grin.“Hey, at least you’re walking out of here,” she retorts, falling into step beside me. “So, what’s the verdict?”“Blood pressure’s back down, no signs of infection or anything. But they told me to call if I feel anything even slightly off.” I know they think I’ll lose this baby and it makes me feel a little hopeless.“Good,” she says, nudging me with her elbow. “You’re not exactly known for taking it easy.”I glance at her, surprised by her willingness to show up. “Thanks for coming. Did you watch the USB?”“No. Not yet. I just can’t,” she says quickly. “But I needed to get out of the apartment anyway. Sitting there being angry about Lance wasn’t doing me any favors. He did what he did, and I
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 472 Precautionary Measures
(Winona)It’s been months since Henry was discharged from Neonatal, but the memories of sleepless nights, anxious conversations, and cautious hope are still fresh. Now here I am again but for my own pregnancy.Nurse Ellen Mitchell spots me first. “Winona Brennan!” she greets with a wide smile, her sharp eyes immediately scanning me like a mother hen. “Europe didn’t steal you away permanently, huh? Is Henry okay?”I laugh softly. “He is thriving. I’m here for… me, this time.”Ellen nods and squeezes my arm in support, gesturing toward the exam room. “We got you. Dr. Harris and Dr. Reeves are ready. Let’s see how you’re holding up.”Inside, the doctor’s room feels like it always did with Nurse Casey Ramirez prepping the equipment. “Look who it is,” she says with a grin. “Our favorite mama. How’s Henry? Still dazzling the world?”I smile, relaxing a little. “He’s doing great. Eats like a trucker and sleeps like an angel when he’s not too busy chasing after Bobby’s cat.”These ladies were
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 471 Confrontation and Doubt
(Jayden)The phone rings just as I finish my third coffee of the morning. I glance at the caller ID: Unknown.But I know it’s Gus. I take a deep breath. This is going to be challenging. I answer, keeping my tone even. “Jayden Brennan.” “Jayden,” Gus replies. “Awful news. I can hardly imagine what you’re going through.” “I’m managing. There’s a lot to get through.” “Yes. Have they released the bodies yet?” “Just waiting on final paperwork, so probably tomorrow. How are you?” “Shit,” he admits, and the bluntness catches me off guard. “Judy’s gone, and I can’t quite believe it.”He exhales. “My biggest regret is not making us a family all that time ago. And now she’s just… gone.” I let the silence stretch, unsure how to respond.“I tried to fix things recently,” Gus continues. “Hoped I could. But Judy played me as much as she played everyone else. She loved me, yes, but she was never going to stop punishing me.” “She knew what she was doing, Gus,” I say. “She manipulated everyo
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 470 Taking Charge
(Winona)“It’s not,” I admit, keeping my tone neutral. “But it’s important. I have a lot of friends and colleagues here. The deaths and the media surrounding them will have a profound effect on morale. Not to mention investor confidence.”Mia raises an eyebrow. “Investor confidence? Bold of you to assume that’s a concern you need to handle. My family owns half of Brennan Industries. It’s our legacy, and we won’t be giving it up anytime soon.”I hold her gaze, unflinching. “You can hash that out with Jayden. And Mia? Don’t think I’m as easy to manipulate as my sister.”Her smile falters slightly, replaced by something colder. “How is Cass? She disappeared it seems. I was worried.”“Cass is just fine, thanks. She’s safe and well.” I’m not mentioning exactly where Cass is. I don’t trust Mia. “No thanks to you. Getting her involved in drug selling.”“That had nothing to do with me. Cass got herself into her own mess. She wouldn’t listen to me. Why do you think Gabriel got out when he did?
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 469 Jayden’s Request
(Winona)The phone buzzes on the counter, Jayden’s name flashes on the screen. It’s been a few hours since we last spoke, and he sounded strained then. I swipe to answer. “Jayden,” I say, “everything okay?” “Not exactly, I need a favor.” “Of course. What’s going on?” He exhales, and I can hear the faint clatter of papers in the background. “I need you to go to Brennan Industries. Talk to the employees. Offer them some support after everything that’s happened with Lance and Judy.” My stomach tightens at the mention of Judy. The entire feud between us has been splashed across every media outlet forever. Everyone at Brennan Industries knew, and they’d seen the fallout.“Why me?” I ask cautiously. “Because you’ve worked with them,” Jayden says. “You’re respected there. They deserve some support because everyone loved Lance and Judy was a well-respected CEO despite her side game with us.” “Jayden, they know about everything between Judy and me. What if they think I’m just showing up
