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432 Life Without Judy

Penulis: Anney GW
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-19 14:27:26

(Winona)

She types on her phone and then my phone buzzes.

It’s a text from Lisa. I look at her and she winks at me.

Meeting him for dinner. I’ll show him your note, so he gets what’s going on

I nod and type back.

Make sure he’s fully on board with how crucial this is

Lisa nods. “I guess we have a lot to plan to get back to the States. And once we get there.”

“Being back in the States without Jayden... I don’t know, Lisa. The idea of single parenting all over again—it’s overwhelming. The questions from everyone.”

Lisa crosses her arms, leaning back against the counter. “You’ve done it before, though. You’ll do it again. You don’t owe anyone explanations.”

“Yeah, but it still feels daunting,” I admit. “I have no place to live there. Jayden’s penthouse is not an option. I refuse to go back there, feeling like I’m waiting for him to come home when he isn’t.”

Lisa tilts her head, her brows knitting together. “Well, if we do cruise home, that will give you some time to secure something, may
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  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   433 Inviting Judy

    (Jayden)Back in London, I stare at the text my mother sent after I got the photos.Hard to believe that was just a few days ago. Now it feels like a lifetime. Everything has changed.My best friend relationship has imploded in the worst way. We’ll never be the same again. I can barely remember my life without Lance. We were like brothers. Not any longer.Even if Winona and I can get through this together, once again we are forced apart by my mother’s doing. Okay, Winona gave her the ammunition.But the way she’s used that to be the most damaging, isolating me from my close relationships, trying to give me no choice but her as my sole support. It makes it all icky.Regardless of the wrongs or rights of this situation, I need Judy to not be influencing my life behind the scenes. I need her to just let me go. If getting her in jail does that, then that’s what I do.The no-contact order wasn’t enough to make her see that it’s over for her and I. I won’t keep running away. Okay, I need to

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-19
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   434 Kids Are Full of Surprises

    (Winona)I sit at the dining table, laptop open, and browse through cruise options, trying to piece together a plan that makes sense. Every search result that pops up seems to end in Florida.The very name of that state sends a shiver down my spine. Cancun isn’t all that far from Florida, and the memories of Cass’s kidnapping creep back in, making my stomach clench. It feels like a warning, a reminder that danger is never far away.I guess that was one disaster that Judy didn’t have her hand in. Gus took the fall and is headed for jail as a traitor to stop the crime syndicate from targeting his family.But the fact is, that smuggling ring runs deep and wide. They are still in operation and Greg’s secret Cuban family have direct links. Nothing has been proven against Gabriel.I don’t know what the situation is with him and Cass. But I force myself not to stress over that now.I sigh and click on another tab, this one for a road travel planner. Flying directly from Florida to our final

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-20
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   435 Operation Leaving Jayden

    (Winona)The morning sun spills into the living room and laughter fills the space as I walk out into the living area to the kids already playing. It’s become a common sound here, one that warms me and brings a smile to my face even as my mind churns with plans and worries.They are up, dressed and ready for their day at school. They go twice a week and are all learning the local language along with being taught in English.This place, this life, has become a haven in ways I didn’t expect. It’s hard to think about leaving, but we have to. I wonder if the kids are more excited about going back to the States than I am right now?“Good morning. Well, look at you three! All ready for your day. I better get some breakfast on.”“Good morning, Mommy. It’s school day, yay!” Abby says as she bops about the floor.“You’ve only been a few times, how are you all liking the little school?”“Everyone’s really nice. I’ve learned some new words in Flemish and Dutch. Plus, they have the best lunches.”

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-20
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   436 Informed Choices

    (Winona)I sit in the starkly white exam room, tapping my fingers on the cold metal armrest of the chair. The anxiety radiates through my body as I wait for the doctor to return with my medical history files.Klara assured me he was one of the best general doctors in Brussels, known for his discretion and thoroughness.The door swings open, and Dr. Fischer, a tall man in his early fifties with wire-rimmed glasses, strides in. His accent is distinctly Germanic, every word precise and measured. He offers a smile, but there’s something reassuringly serious about his demeanor.“Ah, Frau Brennan,” he says, settling into the chair across from me and clicking open a folder. “I have reviewed your medical history and current concerns. How are you feeling today?”I shift uncomfortably. “Physically, I’ve been okay. A little queasy this morning, but nothing alarming. Mentally... well, there’s a lot riding on this pregnancy.”He nods, his brow furrowing slightly as he reads through my file. “Yes,

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-20
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   437 Late Night Comms

    (Winona)Later that night, I curl up in bed, one eye on the baby monitor and the other on my phone. My laptop sits beside me, tabs open with properties and travel options, but I can’t focus.My thoughts are a tangled mess, and texting Jayden is the only way to untangle them.I feel like it’s safe. Staff don’t stay here at the cottage overnight. We’d agreed to debrief each other every evening. No matter what. It will help me keep my ducks in a row, or at least in some form of organized panic.I need this ultrasound fast, so we can get out of here and let Jayden and Viktor do their thing. I type him a message.W: Hey. Got a sec?It doesn’t take long before the little dots appear.J: Always. What’s up?W: Dr said I need an ultrasound ASAP. Big Q is... how tf do we make it happen w/o her finding out?J: We’ll figure it out. I’ll make it happen.So simple, like it’s nothing. I know it’s not nothing. But I do believe he will manage it. Lately he is doing exactly what he says he’ll do.I me

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-21
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   438 Finding Me

    (Cass)“Cass,” Chef Thierry’s voice cuts through the chaos, sharp and commanding. It’s nice to hear an English word at last. I haven’t hear many in three days.I glance up, still scrubbing. He’s standing a few feet away, holding a small bowl in one hand and a spoon in the other. His expression is inscrutable, his sharp features etched like stone.“Here. As you are the… ‘ow you say, soup expert…” He gestures with the spoon, offering it to me. “Taste.”I wipe my hands on my apron, glancing around.They can be scared of him. I’m not. He’s just a man doing a job, like any other man.Taking the spoon, I dip it into the soup he’s holding and taste.The flavors bloom on my tongue—rich, earthy, with a faint hint of bitterness. It’s incredible, no question, but... there’s something missing.Thierry’s eyes narrow as he watches me, waiting. Almost daring me to defy him again.I grab a clean spoon, dip it into a jar of honey I’d seen him use earlier, and swirl a small amount into the soup. Then I

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-21
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   439 Hello Mother

    (Jayden)Evening settles over London as Viktor and I sift through the day’s progress in my suite. The investigation is almost over.I lean back in my chair, arms crossed, as Viktor shows me a file on his tablet.“I’ve identified the staff member who delivered the envelope,” Viktor says, his voice steady.“Someone in the Nexus Global network?” I ask, leaning forward.Viktor nods. “No. A junior member of the investigation team. She’s young, new to the company.”“Did she know what she was doing?”“Unlikely. Judy has a knack for using people without them realizing they’re being used. We’re watching her for now. It’s better Judy believes her line of communication is secure.”“Yes. It was most likely a one off just to get that envelope on my desk.”Viktor nods, but before he can respond, there’s a knock at the suite’s door. He exchanges a glance with me before heading along the hallway to answer it. I remain seated, my mind already racing with possibilities. It has to be her.I don’t move t

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-21
  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   440 Lovestruck Lisa

    (Winona)The cottage is alive with movement as staff bustle about, tidying rooms and preparing meals. I sit on the couch, sipping peppermint tea, and trying to make sense of my swirling thoughts.The kids are at school, which gives me a rare morning of peace—or at least as close to peace as I can get with my life.The front door creaks open, and Lisa strides in. She’s wearing a bright, flowy dress I don’t think I’ve seen before, her cheeks glowing pink, her smile practically lighting up the room.“Wow,” I say, setting my cup down. “You look like someone just proposed to you. How is cloud nine? It’s been a minute since I visited.”Lisa laughs, dropping her bag by the door. “Not quite a proposal. But if he did, I wouldn’t have said no.”I blink, taken aback by her reply. Lisa never says things like that—not without a heavy dose of sarcasm. “Okay, spill. Where have you been? I haven’t seen you since you said you were having dinner with Lance, night before last. What happened?”She flops

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-22

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  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   535 The Boardroom Battle

    (Winona)Today isn’t just any meeting—it’s the meeting. The one where the board either gets behind my vision for the app’s future or decides I’m just a placeholder CEO with a famous name.I step out of the bedroom, grabbing my portfolio from the dresser. Jayden is in the kitchen like he doesn’t have a million things to do before he leaves for Brussels.He looks up as I walk in, his gaze sweeping over me in that slow, assessing way.“Wow! Stunning. You look like you could fire everyone before they’ve even said hello,” he says, smirking.I huff, placing my portfolio into my leather briefcase. “I’m considering it.”“Nervous?”I scoff. “No.”He raises an eyebrow. “Winona.”“Fine, I’m nervous. Only a lot,” I quip.Jayden folds his arms. “They’d be idiots not to get behind you. You’ve already proven it’s your priority.”“That doesn’t mean they’re going to just hand me the budget I need,” I counter. “The marketing strategy is aggressive. The rebrand isn’t cheap. The amount of money I’m askin

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   534 Before Brussels

    (Jayden)The sun’s barely up, but the construction crew is already on-site, working like a well-oiled machine.The new unit will go up fast—modular design, pre-fabricated, delivered on a truck, and put together in a day. Efficiency at its finest.I must admit the sheer thrill of bringing a massive project to completion like this is something I’ve missed since I left Nexus Global in Viktor’s hands. Bobby is already there, sleeves rolled up, soaking up everything he can from the tradesmen.That kid is going places. He’s never afraid to do the work.I sip my coffee, watching as the walls come together like a giant LEGO set. Inside, Kit and River are sitting with Anne, going over the final details of their contract.They arrived at 6am—Kit in a hoodie with some obscure gaming logo, River in ripped jeans and a paint-stained sweater. It should look unprofessional, but somehow, it just works for them.Winona steps out onto the porch, Henry on her hip, rubbing her eyes like she’s still half-a

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   533 We Have A Winner

    (Winona)“To be fair,” River says, “we didn’t know why we were coming. Gus just said to meet some cool people.”“And hang out with some kids,” Kit adds. “Mission accomplished.”I stiffen and I’m not sure whether to yell at Gus or just accept defeat.“They’re great!” Bobby exclaimed, looking up from the Switch. “Kit knows all the cool games. He’s way better than you, Dad.”“Thanks, son,” Jayden mutters dryly.“And River’s an artist!” Abbey adds, holding up the sketch—a surprisingly detailed picture of Abbey wearing a glittery crown.“It’s beautiful!” I say, surprised.“Thanks,” River answers. “Your kids are pretty inspiring.”“They’ve been telling us all about their adventures in Europe,” Kit looks genuinely amazed. “They’ve seen more of the world than we have. We love to travel. But funds are an issue. We find private gigs more profitable than formal teaching jobs. And less… regimented.”“With all due respect, you might not be ready for the chaos these four cause.”River nods. “I come

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   532 Unconventional Perfection

    (Jayden)I’m trying not to feel like we’re auditioning for the next season of Who Wants to Join the Brennan Circus. And I’ve already taken two calls from our afternoon shortlist saying they’ve taken other positions.That leaves two for this afternoon’s session.The first is Eric, a fresh-faced twenty-something with dreadlocks, wearing a tie-dye hoodie and Birkenstocks. He walks in like he’s about to lead a yoga retreat, and I immediately have doubts.“Thanks for coming in, Eric,” I say, extending a hand.Eric gives me a two-handed shake and beams. “Namaste, Mr. Brennan. Your aura is very welcoming.”Winona shoots me a look, her eyebrow practically climbing into her hairline.“I’ve worked as a live-in nanny for two families,” Eric says, his voice calm and measured. “I focus on mindfulness practices for children—teaching them to ground themselves, manage their emotions, and find inner peace.”Anne furrows her brow. “And how do you handle structure? Rules? Boundaries?”Eric tilts his hea

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   531 The Right Fit

    (Winona)The dining table feels more like a boardroom today. Jayden’s laptop is open, his notes meticulously organized. Anne sits beside him, her ever-calm presence keeping us in check.I’m across from them, sipping coffee like it’s a lifeline. I’m nervous and nowhere near as organized as Jayden looks.“Anyone think you’re vetting the CEO of Nexus Global,” I say, glancing at Jayden’s neatly printed spreadsheets. “Just as important,” he counters, tapping his pen against the table. “This person is going to live here, help raise our kids, and be part of our lives. I’m not leaving this to chance.” “Fair,” I admit, “but this can’t be about just what’s on paper. It has to feel like the right match.” Anne brings some crackers over. “We’ll find someone and I’m quite happy to keep doing it until we do. Don’t feel pressured to choose today.”“Anne, you need a life. You’ll always be a part of this family, the kid’s Nanny Anne. But I want you to be able to have a grandmother role, not a primar

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   530 The Third Wheel

    (Lisa)The sound of kids laughing and fighting all at once is a special kind of chaos. Not loud enough to make me need earplugs but constant enough to make me question why anyone willingly signs up for this parenting gig. I’m sitting at the farmhouse kitchen table, nursing a mug of herbal tea—because Winona says it’s for relaxation, apparently—while Winona navigates the madness with calm efficiency. Tastes like I’m drinking fresh-cut grass. Eww.“Sarah, put the scissors down before someone loses an eyebrow!” Winona shouts from the stove, where she’s flipping breakfast pancakes with one hand and holding Henry on her hip with the other. Jayden strolls in, looking half-asleep but still managing to make kissing her cheek seem like the most romantic move in the world. He grabs Henry and tosses him in the air, making the toddler squeal with laughter. “Morning,” Jayden says to me, his voice a deep rumble that doesn’t match the little boy giggling in his arms. “You sleep okay?” “Like the

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   529 Promises

    (Jayden)I rub my thumb over her knuckles. “We’ll make it work. We always do.” I want that to be the truth. More than anything. She nods, but I can tell something else is bothering her. “I won’t spend more than one night away from the kids while you’re gone,” she says, like she’s trying to convince herself more than me. I smile, though I know that promise is going to be harder to keep than she thinks. “I appreciate that. But Winona... you have to be prepared for when you have to choose business over family sometimes. It’s going to happen, and it’s not going to feel great.” Her shoulders stiffen slightly. “I can balance it, Jayden. I’ve been doing it already.” I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “I know you have, but it’s going to get harder. Board meetings, investors, expansion plans—they don’t wait for soccer practice or bedtime stories.” She crosses her arms, and there it is—that little flash of defensiveness I knew would come. “I know that. I’m not naive. But I’m not ab

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   528 Power Couple Support

    (Jayden)Winona stands at the kitchen counter, scrolling through her phone while absently stirring her tea. Her brows furrow slightly, lips pursed in that way that tells me she’s already a million miles into business mode. I used to love that look when we were at Brennan Industries together. Seems a lifetime ago now.I lean against the doorframe, watching her for a moment before stepping closer. “Thinking about ditching me for a board meeting already?” I tease, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. She huffs a soft laugh, but it’s distracted. “Actually, I was going to ask you some advice.” She sits at the dining table. I grab my coffee and settle across from her. “Shoot.” Winona finally looks up, her eyes searching mine. “I have a couple of big events next week—the board meeting, a dinner with potential investors, and now a charity gala just popped up. It’s a lot, Jayden. I can’t blow off the board or the investors…” “You can’t blow off any of them. Charities are networking an

  • Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband   527 Goodbyes and Plans

    (Winona)Pulling into the farmhouse driveway, I spot Cass sitting on the porch steps, her duffel bag at her feet. She looks up when Lisa and I step out of the car, a smirk already forming. She gives us a wolf-whistle.“Look at you two,” she calls out. “Business queens in the flesh.” Lisa tugs at her blazer. “Trust me, I’m getting changed right away. What a fucking disaster.” I roll my eyes and stride up to Cass, pulling her into a tight hug. She smells like vanilla and cigarette smoke, a weird combination that somehow suits her. “I’ve missed you, brat sister,” I murmur, holding her for a beat longer than necessary because I know why she’s here and it’s already breaking my heart. Cass pulls back with a grin. “Miss you too, boss sister. Seriously, what’s with the corporate look? You two getting ready to take over the world or what?” “Something like that,” I say, smoothing my blazer. “But I’ll let Lisa fill you in when she’s ready. So, I guess you’re here to say goodbye?” Cass nod

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