Lahat ng Kabanata ng Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband: Kabanata 231 - Kabanata 240

(Winona)After dinner, the house falls into that familiar quiet. Abby’s already tucked into bed. Jayden’s sitting across from me in his den, sipping on his usual port nightcap.By the way he’s eyeing me, he knows something’s on my mind.I lean back in my chair, running my fingers through my hair. “So… I’ve been thinking.”Jayden raises an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Should I be worried?”I roll my eyes but can’t help but grin. “Depends.”He chuckles softly, setting his port glass down. “Alright, hit me. What’s on your mind?”I take a deep breath, deciding to just dive in. “It’s about the no contact order with Judy. I’ve been wondering if you’ve reconsidered letting Abby see her—supervised, of course. I’d be there. And… There's also the matter of Phillip and me having Brennan Industries as a client. I don’t want it to cause any issues for my business.”Jayden’s expression shifts, the playfulness gone. He leans forward, elbows resting on the table, his ga

(Winona)Jayden and I are in our bedroom, getting ready for bed. The room is dimly lit, just enough to see the soft outlines of the furniture and each other. It’s a peaceful moment, but my mind’s buzzing with everything that’s happened over the past few days.We climb into bed and automatically gravitate towards each other.“It’s been amazing having you close at night.”I manage a small smile, but I’m distracted, my thoughts still on the conversation I had earlier today with Gus and Phillip. “I’m glad you think so.” But inside I worry that I should be taking this to the next level. We’re not teenagers.Jayden tightens his arms around me. “You seem tense. What’s going on?”I’m not sure I can tell him what’s really bothering me, so I opt for the second line thing that’s bothering me. It is something I do need to tell Jayden anyway. I’m not sure what he’ll make of it all.“It’s just… Gus came by to talk about Maria and Greg’s kids. To my office.”“Okay, get it off your chest. What’s Gus

(Winona)As Jayden and I descend the grand staircase, arm in arm, I can’t help but admire the sparkling crystals hanging from the ceiling, casting shimmering reflections across the room.The place is studded with high-profile people, all dressed in their finest, as waiters expertly weave through the crowd offering canapés and champagne. The buzz of conversation fills the air, and I know there is more to come along with the red carpet entry.“Looks perfect, doesn’t it?” Jayden murmurs in my ear, his arm tightening around me.“Yeah,” I say, letting my eyes sweep over the glittering scene below us. “Almost too perfect.”He chuckles softly. “You’re still looking for Judy, aren’t you?”I laugh, but there’s no real humor in it. “You know me too well.”We make it to the bottom of the staircase, and I scan the room again. No sign of her. Maybe she won’t come after all. A part of me feels relieved, but another part—an admittedly smaller, more cynical part—knows better.Judy wouldn’t miss bei

(Winona)Jayden’s speech echoes through the grand ballroom, his voice steady and confident, but my mind is focused on the tension at our table.“Age is just a number. We’re happy together.” Cass says as she stabs at her salad with her fork and eats it.I lean toward her, keeping my voice low enough not to disrupt the speech but firm enough to make my point clear. “You’re barely eighteen, and he’s thirty. Don’t you think this is moving way too fast?”Cass doesn’t even flinch. She stabs her fork into her salad again, her tone casual but dripping with sarcasm. “I’m not a kid, Winona. I know exactly what I’m doing. You don’t have to act like you are my mother. My mother is dead.”“I’m not trying to be your mother,” I shoot back, trying to keep my cool as Jayden speaks about the Brennan Wing’s accomplishments. “I’m trying to be your sister. There’s a difference. Gabriel is way too old for you, and you barely know him. What if this whole thing blows up in your face? You don’t even know his

(Winona)The night has been a success by all accounts. The Brennan Wing has a record-breaking amount of donations.“I just want to say goodnight to Henry,” he says. “This gala has been great… I’ve done what I came to do.”“I’m very proud of you. Let’s go. You’ve done more than enough tonight.”We continue toward the exit, weaving through the last few clusters of people lingering by the door. Just as we’re almost at the staircase, I catch sight of Judy, sitting at her table with Gabriel and Cass. I see her lean over, whisper something to Gabriel, and then, with a smile that feels sharp enough to cut, she does it.She touches Gabriel on the back of the head and rubs. As she does she glances over at Jayden.That damn gesture.It’s a small thing, but I see it instantly, the same subtle motion she used to make with Jayden, a quiet symbol of love she had for him. It was always her thing. A secret, silent way to say, “I’m here for you. I love you.” Only now, she’s doing it with Gabriel, an