LOGINShare
490 Show of Strength
Last Updated:
2024-12-24 14:37:07
Related chapters
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 491 Walking Away
(Jayden)I drop Viktor off at the penthouse, handing him the spare key fob. “Cat’s in charge while you’re here. Don’t let him boss you around too much,” I say with a smirk.Viktor raises an eyebrow. “I’m sure I’ll manage. Can’t be more troublesome than your sister-in-law.”I let out a low laugh. “Truth.”“I’ll get back here as soon as I can. I have some forward trajectory I need to discuss with you on Nexus Global. Help yourself to anything.”“I’ll be here. If anything happens with Winona, please let me know.”“I will. Right… now it’s time to go and finally put Brennan Industries behind me.”***By the time I pull up outside Gabriel’s hotel, I’m ready to let go and walk away.I knock on the door and it opens. Gabriel is there looking as tall and suave as ever. I step into the suite, and he greets me with a firm handshake. “Jayden,” he says, his tone even. “Thanks for coming.”“No problem,” I reply, keeping things brisk. “Let’s get this done.”Gabriel gestures to the small conference t
Last Updated : 2024-12-25Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 492 Waking Up
(Winona)The first thing I feel is exhaustion—a bone-deep, crushing weight that makes it nearly impossible to move. My body aches everywhere, like I’ve been run over by a truck.My head pounds, and my throat feels dry, but I force my eyes open, blinking against the soft light.“Mommy?” A small voice breaks through the fog, hesitant but hopeful.I blink again, and there she is. Abby, her little face framed by messy pigtails, her big blue eyes filled with worry. “Abby,” I rasp, my voice barely audible.Her face lights up, and she leans in close, clutching the edge of the bed. “You’re awake!” she exclaims, her voice trembling with relief. “I missed you so much, Mommy!”I try to lift my hand, but it feels like lead. Instead, I manage a weak smile. “I missed you too, sweetie,” I whisper.“Alright, sweetheart, let’s give Mommy a little space,” Anne’s calm voice comes from somewhere nearby. “Glad you’re back with us, Winona.”Abby shakes her head fiercely. “No! I want to stay with Mommy!”“I
Last Updated : 2024-12-26Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 493 Heartbeats
(Winona)The gel is cold, but I don’t care. I need this done. Dr. Harris adjusts the probe on my stomach, her face neutral as she stares at the monitor. Jayden sits beside me, his hand gripping mine. Lisa is standing at the end of the bed, arms crossed, her eyes flicking between me and the screen. Cass perches on the bedside out of the way. I’m grateful for their support.“Let’s see,” Dr. Harris says. Her tone is calm, but it doesn’t ease the storm raging inside me. My breath comes in shallow bursts, and I glance at Jayden. He hasn’t let go of my hand since they rolled the machine in. He looks focused, his eyes glued to the screen. Lisa breaks the silence first. “Should it take this long?” Her voice is sharp, her worry evident. Dr. Harris keeps her tone steady. “Sometimes the baby’s position makes it harder to pick up a signal. Let’s not assume anything yet.” “Easier said than done,” Cass says.I can’t help but agree. My mouth is dry. “Doctor, should I be worried?” Dr. Harris m
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 494 Between Fires
(Cass)Henry is a whirlwind of energy, zipping around the lounge like a tiny hurricane, clinging to the TV remote he’s found and smacking it against the couch.Jayden keeps half an eye on him while balancing a steaming cup of coffee and scrolling through something on his phone. “Should I be worried that your kid’s favorite pastime is destruction?” I ask, leaning against the back of the couch. Jayden smirks but doesn’t look up. “He’s not destructive. He’s… curious.” “Curious? That’s one word for it.” “Curiosity is healthy,” he smiles.Henry giggles and bolts along the floor as I make a beeline to get the remote back off him.“Healthy for him maybe.” I huff and puff as I wrestle the object out of his vice-like grip. “Give me that before you break something, little man.” Henry retaliates with an ear-piercing squeal that makes me cringe. Jayden just grins and plucks him off the floor, holding him upside down like a sack of potatoes. “That’s enough, buddy. Aunt Cass is tired of your a
Last Updated : 2024-12-28Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 495 Broken Inside
(Cass)He steps forward and takes my hand in his. “And I regret it every day,” he says. His touch burns into me, but I know I can’t be betrayed by this physical attraction again.I pull my hand from his. “Enough. You don’t get to touch me. I’m here for my family. Go back to your business. I’m not interested.”Gabriel moves into my personal space again.Viktor moves lethally, placing himself directly between us. “She said enough,” he says, his voice is cold steel. It shouldn’t, but Viktor’s level of protectiveness sends a thrill down my spine. Fuck, I’m so wrong. Stop it.Gabriel’s jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he’s going to push back.But then he steps away, his hands raised in mock surrender. “Fine. I’ll back off. But only because Cass asked me too. It was wrong of me to barge in with expectations.”“You’re damn right it was,” I say.“I hope Winona recovers well. Perhaps you can spare me some time one evening. For me to apologize properly…”“What part of the word no, don’
Last Updated : 2024-12-29Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 496 Future Revealed
Trigger Warning:The following chapter contains sensitive content, including the loss of a pregnancy and scenes of emotional distress. This may be triggering for some readers, particularly those who have experienced similar situations. Please proceed with care, and remember to prioritize your well-being. If needed, take a break or seek support.(Winona)I’m propped up in bed with a stack of pillows, sipping herbal tea from a handmade ceramic mug Klara sent as part of a care package all the way from Brussels.It came with a range of her organic herbal teas, a lavender-scented balm, and a handwritten note in her elegant script: Rest your body, nurture your heart, and trust your strength, Winona. That woman always seems to know what I need before I do.I’m so grateful and thankful for meeting her. I miss her gentle counsel and seeing her on a daily basis now I’m back in the States.My body feels stronger today, the heaviness weighing me down since the fall has lifted ever so slightly. Me
Last Updated : 2024-12-30Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 497 Shattered Reality
(Jayden)Winona looks pale, her body trembling, her grip on my shirt loosens as her strength fades. The blood beneath her is too much. Fear grips me.I can’t lose her too.Dr. Harris steps back from the bedside, her face tight with focus as she assesses the situation. “Jayden, we need to stabilize her now,” she says firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I need to prep her for emergency surgery. You’ll need to wait outside.”I don’t let go of Winona’s hand.The nurses move swiftly, adjusting the IV, getting her ready to move to surgery. One of them gently touches my shoulder. “Mr. Brennan, we need you to step back, please.” I shake my head, my grip tightening. “I’m not leaving her.” “Jayden,” Dr. Harris says, her voice soft but commanding. “You can’t help her right now. Let us do our job.” Winona’s eyelids flutter. “Jayden…” she whispers weakly. “I’m here,” I say, kissing her on the nose. “I’m right here.”“Please,” she breathes. “Don’t… let them take me away…” I kiss h
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 498 Facing Reality
(Jayden)I sink into the chair beside Lisa and Cass, once I’ve signed the permission forms, my elbows on my knees and my face in my hands.The adrenaline from holding it together for Winona is wearing off, leaving me raw and exposed. My whole body is tight, and the silence is suffocating.But I have no clue what to say to them. I don’t want to make promises I may not be able to keep.Cass is the first to break it. “She’s tough,” she says, her voice firm but shaking at the edges. “Winona doesn’t quit. She’s been through worse and come out swinging. She’ll get through this.” I look up at her, appreciating the confidence she’s trying to project. “I want to believe that,” I say quietly. “But seeing her like that...” I trail off, unable to finish the thought. Cass sits forward, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “Do you think she knew?” she asks softly. I frown. “Knew what?” “The baby… was…gone,” Cass says, her voice barely above a whisper. “She seemed so... hopeful this mornin
Last Updated : 2025-01-01
Latest chapter
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
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 592 Moving Forward
(Lisa)I knock lightly on Logan’s office door, then push it open.He’s at his desk, halfway through reading something. “Hey,” he says with a smile. “Wasn’t expecting you today.”“Hey. Sorry I’ve been like a bear with a sore head lately.” I close the door behind me. “Do you have a minute?”“Sure. I know I’ve been a little full on lately.” He sets the paper down and leans back. “I’m sorry. I just want what’s best for the baby, and you. Lance would have wanted that.”“I get that. But Lance also knew how I needed to make my own decisions, and he made room for that.”“I can do that. As a friend. If that’s what you want. I know it’s hard for you.”I take a deep breath. “I’m stepping down as CEO. Effective immediately.”He blinks. “Okay. That’s... sudden.”“It’s been amazing, and I think I was pretty good at it.”“You were great…”“But… I need to take care of myself for a while. And I can’t see myself coming back after… you know…” My voice tails off.He looks at me, searching my face. “Lisa…
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 591 Breaking the Silence
(Winona)Jayden finally calls.“Hey,” I say, my voice soft.He sounds tired. “Hey. I got your message. Thanks for checking in.”I wait. He doesn’t say anything else.“So… are you okay?”“Apart from your sister breaking my balls over not being on Mia’s side, yeah. I’m fine.”“Cass?”“Yes, we argued. You know how she gets. She wants me to go in to bat for Mia. But I don’t think it’s any of my business.”I close my eyes. I know him better than anyone, and I can feel the tension in the silence between his words. “Jayden, maybe she has a point. Mia is your cousin.”“She shot three people, Winona. I’m not sure what everyone expects me to do.”“You must feel something about it. I know it’s a mess. But they never chose their life or father either. Maybe being there for them will help you come to terms with some of what you went through. You know, break the cycle…”“I said I’m fine.”“You’re not.” I sit down at the kitchen table. “You’re angry. You’re confused. You don’t know how to make peace
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 590 Legacies
(Winona)Lisa answers the door eyes red, face pale. “What do you want?”“Just to check on you,” I say softly. “You remember Klara? Can we come in?”“If you’re here to impart some motherhood wisdom and gang up on me to change my mind, don’t bother.”“No, Lisa. I was wrong. This is your choice and I’m here to support you in that.”“You don’t have to, Winona. I get it. I don’t expect you to be here for me. Come in. Both of you.”We step into her apartment, and it’s so perfectly clean, it’s like she’s scrubbed every emotion off every surface. I follow her into the small living room, Klara behind me.“I owe you an apology,” Lisa says quietly. “For being a bitch”I exhale. “You were right. Your delivery was a little rough, but you’re right, about everything.”She folds her arms over her chest. “Still, I’m sorry. I hurt you.”“I hurt you too. I don’t want you to think that your choices always have to align with mine for us to be friends.”“But this is more than if we both like the same shade
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 589 Owning My Choices
(Winona)Klara pours me another cup of tea.“I should be looking after you in my own home, not the other way around. I say as I accept the fresh cup.“Nonsense. This makes me feel useful.”“You could never not be useful.” I smile at my trusted friend. So much bad happened in Brussels but so much good did too. Klara was a lifeline over there while I navigated being pregnant and the drama surrounding it.She made me see that it was the baby that was important, not how it came to be or even who the father would be. Now, despite my best efforts, I have no baby.“I’ve made a mess of things,” I say finally, staring into my cup. “All I’ve done is put myself first lately.”Klara sits quietly beside me. “There’s a difference between selfishness and survival, Winona.”I look up at her. Klara’s expression is gentle, understanding. She doesn’t sugarcoat things, but she doesn’t tear me down either.“Maybe” I ask. “I feel like it’s the only way I can survive sometimes. To just think of what I want
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 588 Part of the Problem
(Jayden)Cass’s words echo loudly in my head as I stride from the kitchen. I shove the door open and step outside, breathing in cold air, letting it cool me down.But it doesn’t. My thoughts twist tighter around her words.Winona would’ve been better off if she’d never met you. Damn it, she’s right.How could she not be?Without me, Winona’s life would have been easier, simpler. She’d have gone on to make her life successful. She always had natural talent, flair and a work rate that’s second to none. Of course she didn’t need me to make her life successful.Isn’t that why two people come together as one unit? To better each other. To make their dreams and aspirations come true. To achieve and grow together and come out he the other side having learned something?But I don’t think I’ve done that with Winona, for Winona.A life free of me would have been much less complicated and dangerous for her.Free of my mother’s toxic presence and her obsessive hate, her lies and manipulations.
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 587 Fitting the Brennan Brand
(Cass)I’m halfway through untying my apron after shift when I hear Jayden’s voice.“Cass.”I toss the apron onto the hook. “You’re two hours late for lunch, sorry. Kitchen’s closed.”He doesn’t smile. Doesn’t even try. “Do you know where Gabriel is?”Not this again. “If I do, then it’s none of your business.”“Just tell me where he is.”Jayden can be so damn demanding. Like he thinks the world will bend at his will. “He’s currently in a jet.”“A jet?”“Yes, you know, flying…”“Where to?”“Back to the States. He does have a business to run.”Gabriel left this morning. I’ve told him I’m not looking for anything serious. I want to focus on me. He was cool with it. Said if I needed anything to let him know.But I need to do this on my own. It’s exciting to be at the edge of something. The edge of launching my life.“I need Gabriel’s number.”“Don’t you have it?”“No. Why would I need it?”“Good question, why do you need it now?” I probe.“Are you giving it to me or not?”I reach for my b
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 586 The Poison in Our Blood
(Mia)Don Alejandro sits in the dim light of a single, flickering bulb, looking at me like he still holds all the cards.This dingy, concrete-lined room is where he’s been relegated to. His supporters have fast jumped ship. He’s requested I meet him here which means he’s worried.He knows his ship is sinking. But that won’t stop him trying to claw his way back.“Mia,” he says smoothly. “You came. I wondered if you might join the stinking rats abandoning me.”I don’t move. I don’t speak. I just stare at him.He gestures to the chair across from him. “Sit.”I don’t.His smile tightens. “Do you have something you want to say to me?”“It’s over, Abuelo. They will be here to take you to jail soon.”He smiles that dark, evil smile. “It will never be over for me. Even from their jail, I will rise again.”I grip the gun inside my jacket pocket, my fingers stiff and cold around the metal.“Not this time.”“I thought you were smarter than this,” he continues, watching me like he’s sizing up pre
