Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

62 Exactly What I need

(Winona)

"Winona! Come in. Take a seat," Gus says loudly as I inwardly wince.

I slowly sit across the desk in Jayden's office and remove my sunglasses, trying to gather my thoughts. The light feels harsh, stabbing into my already pounding head.

"Hard night?" Gus inquires, his tone a mix of curiosity and judgment.

"I suppose your watchdogs filled you in. I am entitled to a life, you know," I retort, a bit sharper than intended.

,"My staff know better than to speculate on the private lives of anyone they are detailed to. Privacy is of the utmost importance. It's your eyes giving you away, he responds, leaning back in his chair, scrutinizing

1. me.

I sigh deeply. "My head is mush, but I want to tell you in person that I'm not accepting your offer."

Gus raises an eyebrow, clearly not expecting this. "I appreciate you coming in. But are you sure?"

""Mr. Brennan..."

""Call me Gus."

"Gus. Abby is really my only priority now. Those hours are ridiculous, not to mention the workload," I explain, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I thought the monthly salary more than made up for those two things," he says, leaning forward, clearly trying to entice me.

"I'm not motivated by money, as tempting as it was."

"So I see."

"What I want, more than anything, is for my daughter to grow up with at least an attempt at a normal family life. I don't want her groomed and guided to run any corporation, let alone a juggernaut like Nexus Global." "But she is the next in line after Jayden. You can't change that," Gus points out, his voice firm.

"I can't, but you obviously know as well as I do what life growing up with Judy Brennan is like. I won't do that to my daughter. I don't think Jayden will either," I say, my voice rising slightly with emotion.

"I haven't heard any of this from Jayden," Gus says, sounding surprised but I don't buy his surprise for a second.

"I'm not getting involved in that. All I want is for the next six months before Abby's next operation to be peaceful to get her ready."Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

"Of course."

I've had enough of being patronized. It's time everyone started saying what they really feel and stopped denying the truth of the matter.

62 Exactly What I need

"I really loved Jayden. All we wanted was a quiet, normal life, raising a baby if we were lucky enough to have on Judy and Ashlyn ruined all of that. Jayden and I almost died in that accident. As it is, it changed our lives forever. I better not find out Judy had anything to do with it or that you knew about that

"I do sympathize. I really do."

"Do you? You never had Jayden involved in your life, instead you left him there enduring the abuse. You're as big a monster as Judy is for staying with Greg." My voice cracks with the weight of my words, and I see Gus is bothered by me saying this. Maybe he has an Achilles heel.

Gus raises his eyebrows, clearly taken aback. "Jayden was never to be harmed by my brother; he knew that."

"Physically, maybe. But do you think seeing your mother being abused and undergoing mental and emotional abuse yourself is ever going to be good for a child? Throw in the pressure to run Brennan Industries. You could have saved him all of that."

"I never meant that for him," Gus says, his voice softening for a moment.

"I won't have my daughter exposed to this. I won't!" I state firmly, my resolve hardening.

I may be slightly drunk still but I'm not stopping now. "You think you all are so dangerous, I'm warning you

no, I'm promising you, if anyone tries to do anything to Abby against my will, I won't stop until that person is out of my life permanently."

"I'm not going to interfere," Gus responds, his eyes narrowing.

"You'll call off the security? Just for six months. When 'm back for Abby's operation, you can replace them yourself."

"I'm not sure...

"You know what? I'm not asking you for permission to live my life. You just keep Judy and Ashlyn away. from us. I'm done with them both. If you have any love for a son you ignored, you'll give him the next six months with his daughter in peace." My voice is like steel, leaving no room for argument.

I walk out and slam the door behind me. I swear, if they push me, I won't be responsible for what happens. As I drive home, my mind races with everything that's happened. The betrayal, the constant battles, the desperate need to protect Abby. By the time I pull into my driveway, I'm exhausted. Llean my head against the steering wheel for a moment, trying to gather the strength to go inside.

Once inside, I collapse onto the couch, closing my eyes for what feels like an age before the doorbell rings. I drag myself to the door and open it to find Jayden standing there with a bottle of wine in hand, "Hey," he says softly. "Thought we could celebrate us both being jobless and have dinner with Abby." Oh god, I just can't. The thought of alcohol and food tips me over the edge. I double over and vomit. "Shit!" Jayden yells out and steps back but it's too late

62 Exactly What I need

"What happened to you?"

"Lisa, Lance, Tequila."

Jayden starts with a chuckle, and I look at him..

"You think you'd have learned that combination is lethal."

Then we both burst into laughter. It actually feels good.

"Abby and I are coming to Santa Monica. Come in. We better get your shoes cleaned up."

"I'm not stepping inside in these. Anne will kill me. I'll go get changed and how about pizza for dinner? I'll grab some on the way back."

"That's exactly what I need."

He grins at me. I realize that's what we used to say to each other all the time.

I need to guard my heart for the next six months.

"Sorry about your shoes..." I groan and use the doorway to stand up. "And the bottoms of your suit trousers."