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534 Before Brussels
Last Updated:
2025-02-06 10:55:43
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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
Last Updated : 2025-02-07Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 536 Tomorrow Everything Changes
(Winona)“You built an entire house in a day?” I call as I approach this fully-fledged construction site.Jayden turns showing his sexy grin. “Not a house. A self-contained unit. Well, two put together, actually.”I stare at him, then at the building. “Jayden, this isn’t a unit. This is definitely a house.”He shrugs. “Semantics. Just the services need connecting by the contractors and it’s livable. We got lucky hooking in the plumbing and running the power in.”I plant my hands on my hips. “Fast-tracking like this must have cost a fortune.”“It’s an investment,” he says easily. “It adds value to the property, it gives Kit and River privacy, and it makes sure we don’t lose good nannies because they don’t have their own space.”I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “You didn’t have to go this hard, Jayden.”He steps closer, cupping my cheek. “You know me, babe, I always go hard.” He gives me a cheeky wink.“Lord, can you not, right now.” I laugh.“Anyway, it’s done. For my family.
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 537 Unfinished Business
(Lisa)I stare at my phone, half-considering throwing it out the window.Logan Bennett.The text sits there, taunting me. Of course he’d have my number on record. But I still wasn’t expecting him to flick me a text anytime soon.Can I stop by? We need to talk.I want to say no. But it has to be dealt with. I know I have to make a decision.I’m free tomorrow.No reply after a few minutes. Whatever. I’m easy either way, buddy.I sigh, slumping back on my couch. Thanks for reminding me just before bedtime that my entire life is a tangled mess of secrets, unanswered questions, and morning sickness.I think about the USB. Still untouched in the back of my cupboard. Still part of shit I don’t want to deal with. I don’t need to deal with whatever is on there. It won’t change one thing I’m dealing with now.It can stay in the cupboard.A sharp knock at the door pulls me out of my spiral. I drag myself up and swing it open.And there he is.Same damn face. Same damn eyes.But different.“Oh… y
Last Updated : 2025-02-09Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 538 No Way Out
(Lisa)Staring at my bedroom ceiling won’t change anything. But I don’t know what else to do.Arms crossed over my stomach, pressing down like I can stop this from happening. Like I can physically hold it all in—this pregnancy, this entire fucking disaster.This isn’t happening. It can’t happen.But it is.The numbers keep running through my head. Twelve weeks. Three months. That’s a whole damn trimester. This is real, and there’s no taking it back.How the hell can this be happening?I squeeze my eyes shut, jaw clenched. I know exactly how. The last night with Lance. The one where he let himself feel what we had. The one where I thought—stupidly, so fucking stupidly—that we might actually get it right.That night we weren’t as careful as we could’ve been. But I have contraception, I thought it would be fine.Now he’s gone, and I’m stuck holding the last piece of him.The phone buzzes on my nightstand. Winona.I hesitate, then grab it.“How’d your day go? You okay?”“Fine. Just tired.
Last Updated : 2025-02-10Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 539 Back in the Fire
(Cass)By the time the last dish is stacked, my arms feel like they’re made of lead. My back aches, my hands sting from endless scrubbing, and I swear I’ll smell like onion peels and garlic skins for the next month. It’s nearly two a.m. But I’m still standing. Barely. The Brussels estate kitchen is a monster. The lunch service alone had my head spinning—three different menus running at once, dignitaries arriving early, last-minute changes because some VIP decided they’re suddenly vegan but still want the flavor of foie gras. Fine dining is bullshit. And I love it. I grab a clean cloth and wipe the sink and counters dry, catching my blurry reflection in the shiny steel of the dishwasher. Flushed cheeks, hair barely contained in my headscarf, exhaustion written all over my face. The executive chef—aka Satan in a toque—barks at the nightshift team, sending them scrambling into action while I keep my head down. I learned that trick fast.Do the grunt work, keep your mouth shut, don
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 540 A Lock and a Warning
(Mia)The key doesn’t turn. I frown, twisting it harder, but the lock won’t budge. I jiggle it, my pulse kicking up. What the hell? I step back, staring at the door of Cass’s old apartment like it’s personally betrayed me. She left here months ago, so there’s no reason she should’ve changed the locks. I know she’s back in Brussels now and as far as I can see she never came near the place while she was back.Unless she somehow knows I’ve been using it. Maybe Gus found out and tipped her off. A chill creeps down my spine, but I shove it down. It’s coincidence.This is probably just a landlord thing. A random maintenance update. But still. I know how this looks. I know how it will look to grandfather and I’m meeting him here before he leaves this city.Behind me, footsteps echo through the dimly lit hallway. Slow. Measured. Unhurried.I don’t have to turn around to know who it is.“Problem, mija?”Don Alejandro’s voice slides over me like oil—smooth, but suffocating.I inhale slowl
Last Updated : 2025-02-12Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 541 Handling My Shit
(Winona)Jayden’s gone. I remind myself of that as I walk through the towering glass doors of the office building. He’s only in Brussels. Not gone-gone. I have things to do. I’m handling everything. I exhale. I do have this.So why does it feel like the entire world is off balance? Kit and River are back at the house, settling into their first official day. The kids were so stoked they practically pushed me out the door. Anne’s in the city at her apartment for the week.The kids are fine. Jayden’s fine. Everything is under control.Except me. Everywhere I look, there are babies.Babies in strollers, babies strapped to parents' chests, babies gurgling in cafés.My heart surges to grab them up, smell their baby smell. Feel their soft new hair. Hold them close and never let them go again. I push the thoughts away. It’s not only weird but it’s unhinged to think like that about other people’s babies.One locks eyes with me now from the elevator next to mine, chubby hands gripping his p
Last Updated : 2025-02-13Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 542 Unfinished Business
(Winona)“…and that’s why we’re proposing a total overhaul,” Darien is saying. His voice is confident, but his idea is garbage.I hate it. None of this new branding speaks to innovation or trust—it looks like stuff college interns throw together after one too many energy drinks. I open my mouth to tell him to sit down, but before I can, the meeting room door swings open. And every muscle in my body locks up. Phillip. For a second, I think I’m hallucinating—like my subconscious decided to really mess with me today.But no, he’s real. Tall, perfectly put together, that same effortless confidence that made him such a force in my business. And in my life. The man I was engaged to. The man I built a business with. The man I spent one reckless night with before everything went to hell. But even more than that, Phillip was my trusted friend. My best friend when I had to flee from Judy and Ashlyn before I had Abby. He knows he almost as intimately as Jayden does. He also betrayed me in
Last Updated : 2025-02-14
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Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 597 Impulsive Kiss
(Jayden)Astrid raises her glass, the candlelight catching the rim. “To surviving another quarter without firing anyone major.”“To the rest of us surviving the grueling schedule of the Ice Queen herself.”“You did okay.”“Just okay?”“Better than okay. You have quite the work drive, Jayden. Gus was right to leave Nexus in your hands.”“Not one of you thought that at first. You all hated me. Especially Hugo. I think he still might, actually.”“Oh, you are not so bad, after all.”We clink glasses. The wine’s sharp, dry—like her. The restaurant is dim, ambient, tucked just off the canal. Astrid insisted it was the best late-night spot in Brussels. So far, I can’t argue.The food was incredible, the service seamless, and the company? Easy. A little too easy.This dinner has gone longer than I expected. I expected an answer from Winona to my text. But it hasn’t come. The conversation just flowed so effortlessly tonight.No drama. No awkward silences. No carefully chosen words. Astrid, wh
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 596 Instincts Don't Lie
(Winona)It’s nearly 1 a.m. when I step off the jet into the crisp Brussels air. I haven’t slept. I haven’t eaten properly. My thoughts have been chewing on each other for nine hours straight.I hear my phone notification, but I see Cass and I’m so damn happy. She’s about to launch the rest of her life and I’m excited for her.“It’s so good to see you.” I say as I run towards her and give her a hug.“You look like hell,” she says as she grins and hugs me back.“Oh, thanks for the compliment. You look like death yourself.”“Just finished a12 hour shift, what’s your excuse?”We walk out to the private parking area. Having a private jet is so convenient.“I can only blame stress and paranoia,” I tell her as we put my case in the back seat and get into her car.“Paranoia?”“Yes, about where Jayden and I stand in out marriage lately. I’m not sure I’m what makes him happy. All we do is fight, it seems.”“Okay… ah, so me telling him you’d have been better off never meeting him probably didn’
Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband 595 After Hours
(Jayden)It’s nearly ten. The office is quiet, except for the soft hum of fluorescent lights above the boardroom. Astrid and I have been going through projections for Q3. Numbers, strategies, deadlines. All things that used to matter more than they do right now. My family call is bothering me. It’s not that Winona had a sudden business trip, that’s expected, it’s just the way we interact lately. Going through the motions. Not speaking up on how we feel in case it triggers an argument. I’m as much to blame.“You missed an adjustment here,” she says, tapping the edge of my laptop.“I didn’t miss it,” I say, not looking up. “I just didn’t apply it yet.”She raises an eyebrow. She knows I’m distracted. I’ve worked with her long enough to recognize the look that says I’m full of shit.“You want my input or just someone to nod along while you pretend to work?” she asks.I lean back in my chair. “You always cut right through it, don’t you?”“Of course.”She’s right. She doesn’t have patie
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
