Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 167

167 Two Worlds

(Winona)

We check into the best hotel in the city.

| don't belong here wasting money while others are suffering, | don't deserve it.

Jayden is busy at the front desk, handling the details, but my mind is back at that house. The contrast between

this opulence and the place | grew up in is too much. How do | reconcile these two worlds? How do | accept that

I'm living in one and Ignoring the other?

When Jayden comes back with the electronic room key, | can't help but voice what's on my mind. "This place is

over the top, Jayden. We don't need all this. It's... unnecessary."

He looks at me, his expression softening. "You've been triggered. We'll stick a pin in this for now and talk about it

in therapy."

Is he being understanding or patronizing?

We take the elevator up to our suite in silence, the plush carpet underfoot almost mocking the rough, cold floors

of my past.

When we step into the room, it's as luxurious as expected-huge windows with a view of the city. A bed that looks

like it could swallow you whole.

A bathroom that's bigger than most apartments on the other side of the city. My side of the city.

"This really feels wrong," | say, more to myself than to Jayden.

He sits beside me, taking my hand in his. "Don't let the past make you feel like you're not worth it. You worked

damn hard to get here."

I give him a small smile, but the unease lingers. "I know. But that doesn't mean we should waste money on

things. I'd like to live more frugally and set up sreal assistance for people."

He smiles and patson the hair. "Ah, Winona. You can't save everyone. It's impossible."

He pattedon the hair! For fuck's sake. I'm not a pet he has to placate.

| pull away from him and stand up. "I don't have to save everyone. | just want to help someone. Just because you

can't save every single person on the pldoesn't mean you shouldn't help anyone at all."

| pace a little and then think about what's happening. I'm definitely being triggered by that house and seeing my

mom and meeting my sister. This isn't Jayden's fault. Taking it out on him now isn't fair.

We both agreed to a system, and | can't throw that away because things got tough. I sit back down on the bed

next to him.

We sit in silence for a few moments, the tension easing. I lean back against the headboard, staring up at the

ceiling. "I want to stay in town for the week," | finally say.

Jayden looks atand nods. "I can stay if you want."

"I'll be okay. I'm not going to push myself on Cass. | don't think it's my place to reveal the past to her.

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167 Two Worlds

She's probably better off not knowing."

Jayden nods. "I agree. She's dealing with a lot and throwing more at her might do more harm than good."

"I'll meet with Mom again," | continue. "See if there's anything she needs. | gave her my number before we came

here and told her to call if she needed anything. Jayden squeezes my hand. That's a good plan. Letting your

mom dictate where things go from here is

wise."

I nod, feeling a little more settled, but the unease doesn't fully disappear. What if | never hear from her again?

What if it's just easier not havingin her life, even now?

| shake my head. | can't allow myself to think like this. Therapy is the place to hash this out. My phone rings. |

glance at the screen. An unknown number. My stomach flips. This could be Mom.

| connect the call, and before | can even say hello, Mom's panicked voice comes through the line." Winona, it's

Cass. She hasn't chfor dinner."

My heart drops. "What do you mean?"

rif

"Dinner, it's our thing. No matter if we argue, we always show up for dinner. No judgment. No anger. Just have

dinner and talk things out."

"Okay. What happened, did you argue?"

"I told her everything," Mom says, her voice shaky. "I thought she should know the truth about what it used to be

like, about her father. About who...what... | used to be before her." "Oh Mom."

"She was so angry, Winona. I'm worried sick. | can't go out there to get her. I'm not strong enough to face people

like that... But | need to find her. | need to know she's okay. If anything has happened to her.." "Mom, slow down,"

| say, trying to keep my voice calm, but the fear is creeping in. "Where would she go? Do you know?"

"She will go back to what she knows. Old friends. Dangerous friends." Mom says, her voice breaking. Cass acts

tough, but she's so emotional, Winona. And she's... she's like Steve in so many ways, temperamentally, before

he went off the rails." "Sendthe area location. I'll go find her."

"Winona, she's a recovering addict, and | don't know if she can handle it if she relapses."

The fear in her voice sends a chill down my spine. "We'll find her, Mom. | promise. We'll find her and bring her

home."

"Please, Winona," Mom pleads. "I can't lose her too."

"You won't," | say, my voice firm. "Stay hin case she comes back. We'll start looking right away. Jayden will

have connections. We'll find her."

hang up and turn to Jayden.

"Cass is missing." | say, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. "We need to find her."

167 Two Worlds

My phone pings and | take a look. That area of town is deadly.

| haven't been there since | was a small girl and even then, | knew to keep my mouth shut while Steve was

getting his deals.

Jayden nods, his expression hardening with determination. "I heard. Let's go."

"Jayden." | stop him. "We're going to need help, | mean help with guns. These people don't mess around asking

questions."

He nods and takes out his phone. "I'm on it."