Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 143

143 Ducks In A Row (Judy)

I've managed to smuggle an untraceable phone into Ashlyn's facility, ensuring we can stay in touch. | mean, the

poor girl, she needs someone who cares. Her mother has written her off completely now.

It's only right that | should visit. There's no trouble bribing half the staff to turn a blind eye to Ashlyn using a

phone in her bathroom. She contactswhen she can. Later this will cin handy. For now, I'm just

pretending | care about Ashlyn. A few minutes later, my phone buzzes.

A: I'll do anything for Jayden

J: I know you truly love him.

A: I'm sorry | hurt him

1. He's okay now

A: But he's with her

J: Twill fix it all. Trust me

The irony isn't lost on me. Ashlyn's obsession with my son is both her greatest strength and her ultimate

weakness. As long as she believes she's doing this for him, she'll follow my lead.

| delete each text right away, ensuring there's no trace of our communication.

| pour myself a glass of wine and sink into my favorite armchair. The plan is working. Slowly but surely, I'm

regaining control. Winona will slip up, and when she does, I'll be there.

To take Abby and Jayden back where they belong. With me.

| think back to the day of the shooting. I told Ashlyn where Winona would be, knowing she had a gun. | didn't

anticipate Jayden's heroic act, but in the end, it worked out. He survived, and now | have another chance to

remove Winona from our lives for good. No more attempts at her life though. I've learned that lesson now. As | sit

there, savoring my impending victory, my phone buzzes again.

A: When will | see Jayden like you promised?

I sigh, knowing that keeping Ashlyn at bay is part of the delicate balancing act.

J: Soon, Ashlyn. We need to get our ducks in a row.

Patience has never been Ashlyn's strong suit, but I'll keep her in line. After all, she's just another pawn in my

game. And | always win. The satisfaction of my plan coming together is intoxicating.

Isip my wine, raising it in a silent toast to the future. A future where | have everything |

ever wanted.

Just then, there's a knock at the door. It's Gus. He's takingto dinner. | set my glass down and walk to the

door. I've given the staff the night off in case | need privacy. | open the

door to find him standing there with that usual suspicious look in his eyes,

143 Ducks lu & Bow

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"Judy," he says, stepping Inside. "Are you ready?"

"Of course." | lead him into the living room. "I was born ready."

He doesn't sit. Instead, he stands, arms crossed, his gaze piercing. "I know you're up to something. | can feel it.

And I'm going to find out what it is."

I laugh lightly, trying to diffuse his suspicion. "Gus, I'm not up to anything. I'm just trying to make things. right

with Jayden and Winona."

He narrows his eyes. "You expectto believe that?"

| shrug, feigning nonchalance. "Believe what you want, Gus. I'm not hiding anything."

He steps closer, his voice lowering. "You forget, Judy, | know you. I've seen you at your worst. | know what you're

capable of."

My smile fades slightly. "And you know that I'd do anything for my son. Maybe if you talked to him, told him you

found out I tried to call off the whole thing with the accident, he might forgivesooner. Then | can move on

without this stress. You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Gus frowns, considering my words. "Maybe. But I'm not

convinced you've changed."

| take a step back, softening my expression. "I just want to be a part of Jayden's life. To see him happy, to spend

twith Abby. And who knows, maybe | can finally travel to Europe like we always talked about."

"Like | talked about, you mean. You've never considered it."

"If Jayden forgives me, even a little, | will consider it."

His suspicion remains, but | see a flicker of hope in his eyes. He's wanted to bringto Europe for years. Maybe

giving Gus what he wants is the way to get Jayden to be more reasonable about my mistake. | mean, if | leave

the country, Jayden will see I'm serious about letting him live his own life.

"We'll see, Judy. But I'm watching you. Don't think for a second that | won't find out if you're up to something."

I nod, trying to appear sincere. "lI understand, Gus. | appreciate you looking out for Jayden. For all of us." He

sighs. "I hope you're being honest. Because if you're not, it's going to cback to haunt you." | sit down across

from him, feeling a surge of confidence. "Do we have a dinner booking?"

After a tense silence, he glances at his watch. "There's a new restaurant in the city that's supposed to be

fantastic. We're booked in fifteen minutes."

"That sounds lovely. Letgrab my coat."

As we finish our meal, | lean in, my voice soft and sincere. "Gus, | really do want to make things right. For all of

us. | just need a little help."

He looks at me, his expression softening. "Alright, Judy. I'll talk to Jayden. But you better not makeregret

this."

| smile, feeling the last piece of my plan click into place. "I've given my staff the night off, Gus. You won't

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143 Ducks in & flow

regret it."

He shakes his head. "I'm certain one day | will."

"Speaking of having plans and being untrustworthy. What have you done about Steve Halley?"

He doesn't react as if he's surprised by my question.

"What makes you think I've done anything?"

"He got cut a deal for that confession. I'm not stupid. Where is he?"

"He knows not to cback to this city or see Winona again. Or his so-called ‘falling off the radar will be made

permanent.”

I nod. "That's more like it. See, we can be honest with each other."

"When are you going to start?"

I laugh and touch his hand. The hand that will be punishing my ass cheek later for being a bad girl.

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