Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 130

130 Under Control (Judy)

| sit in the hotel room, staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. My hair is disheveled, my eyes red and

puffy from lack of sleep and the constant stream of tears.

Jayden, my son, my only child, lies in a hospital bed fighting for his life.

For once, | feel utterly powerless. | turn on the shower, letting the steam fill the room, and step under the hot

water, hoping it will wash away sof the guilt and fear clinging to me.

Winona. The nhas been a thorn in my side for so long. I've never wanted her with Jayden, always believing

she wasn't good enough for him. But now, seeing the way he was willing to give up his life for her during the

recent shooting, I'm forced to reevaluate everything..

He loves her deeply, and it's a love that's unshakeable. As much as it painsto admit it, perhaps I've been

wrong. My heart softens a little when I think of Abby, my granddaughter.

She's a bright light in this darkness, and | can't deny the bond I feel with her. Maybe, just maybe, what's best for

Jayden is to be with Winona and Abby if that's what makes him happy.

But there's something else gnawing at me, a dark secret that hangs over my head like a guillotine. Years ago, |

orchestrated an accident meant to kill Winona. It was supposed to be her driving that day, not Jayden. Gus

knows the truth.

All | can hope for is that Jayden never finds out.

After showering and dressing, | hear a knock on my hotel room door. Gus is there, looking as formidable and sexy

as ever, his expression a mix of concern and anger. "I should have known you'd know where to find me." "Judy,"

he says, his voice low and dangerous. "We need to talk."

He strides into the room without an invite.

| close the door behind him knowing it's pointless to argue. What Gus wants, Gus gets, but then so do I. The

moment we're alone, the floodgates open.

"This had better not be anything to do with you! Did you send Ashlyn there in the hopes she'd kill Winona?" Gus

hisses, his eyes blazing with fury.

"No. | didn't realize she was awake. The drugs had worn off but she foxedand she slipped out."

"How did she know where they were?"

"She'd gotten into Jayden's office before she left. It was written on a pad."

"You almost killed our son in that accident years ago. If you've done this, I'll never forgive you."

"No," | snap back, my own anger rising. "It was supposed to be Winona driving. | didn't know they'd switch seats.

Ashlyn playedas well. | was worried about my life and Jayden's. I'd never put Jayden in that position again."

Gus clenches his fists, struggling to keep his temper in check. "I can't believe a single word that comes

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130 Under Control

out of your mouth, That's the problem. You were willing to risk Jayden's life to get rid of Winona before. What's

stopping you from doing that again? What kind of mother does that?"

"One who was desperate to protect her son from making a huge mistake," | retort, my voice shaking. "You know

how much I've always wanted the best for him. Winona was never that. He was born, raised for better things."

"And now? Do you still think that way?" Gus challenges, stepping closer, his presence overwhelming. His body

calling to mine even as we argue.

| hesitate, my resolve wavering. "I... | don't know. Seeing him like this, seeing how much he loves her... maybe |

was wrong." "Damn right you were wrong," Gus spits out. "Jayden loves her, and he'd do anything for her. You

can't keep them apart."

Gus steps even closer, our faces inches apart. The heat between us, the volatile mix of love and hate, is almost

unbearable.

"You think you can control everything, Judy," Gus growls. "But you can't. Jayden's life isn't yours to manipulate."

"And you think you're any better?" | fire back, our breaths mingling. "You've always been watching us for years,

playing your little power games. You're just as much to blame."

The physical proximity is electric, the anger and frustration morphing into something else. The attraction we've

always fought to avoid surges to the surface.

Gus grabs my arm, and | don't pull away. Instead, | lean into the contact, the years of tension between us, the

memories of the physical attraction we shared, igniting like a match to gasoline.

his

| press my body against him and his mouth is so close to my mouth | can feel his warm breath on my lips.

"Damn you, Judy," Gus mutters, his grip tightening as he dragsagainst. "Why do you always have to make

things so complicated?"

"Because that's who | am," | reply. "And you lovefor it, don't you?"

Gus's eyes meet mine, the anger giving way to a raw, unfiltered desire. "Yes," he admits, his voice hoarse." No

matter what, I'll always love you."

I know I can still control Gus through this attraction, through the twisted love we share. But the realization that |

need to change, that | need to let go of my need to control everything, is starting to take root. "We need to focus

on Jayden," | say, my tone firm but gentle. "He's what matters now."

"I swear, if | find out you set that up with Ashlyn..."

"I didn't." I scruff his hair behind his head and his lips meet mine in a frenzy of passion. Teeth crash, tangues

mesh and the surge between us is almost too much to resist.

But, | push him away, satisfied | still have him where | need him. "I need to focus on Jayden right now.".

Gus nods, the fire in his eyes burning bright. "Agreed. But don't think for a second that I'll let you hurt him

again."

130 Under Control

"l won't."

As long as Jayden never finds out about the accident. think I've got this under control still.