Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 174

174 Desperate Measures (Judy)

I stand on the balcony of my castle in France, the sun doing little to warm the chill that's settled deep in my

bones. The view from the highest hilltop here is breathtaking, but all | can think about is Jayden.

He's slipping away from me. | can feel it in every clipped word, every unanswered call. He's more distant, more

unreachable, and it's drivingmad.

| need Ashlyn to step up, to start pushing Winona again, to destabilize her. But Ashlyn has been quiet, too quiet.

She's stalling, and | don't have tfor this. Whatever clever little plan Ashlyn thinks she has, won't work.

If she thinks she's going all vigilante on me, that she's safe because I'm in another country, she's wrong.

| text her number.

Call me. | need to speak with you. Urgent

It's difficult for her to be able to call, | know that. But she'll find a way.

The tension coils in my chest as | wait for her to text back. To my surprise, my phone rings and it's her.

"That was fast. | like it."

"Judy," she says, her voice lacking the usual fire I've cto expect from her. "I have five minutes."

"What the hell is going on, Ashlyn?" | snap. "You're supposed to be messaging Winona, making her unstable. |

gave you her number. Why haven't you started?"

"I will," she says, but there's something off in her tone. "I haven't had much chance to use the phone. They've

gotdoing activities and jobs. I'm not in isolation anymore."

| narrow my eyes, suspicion gnawing at me. "Are you getting cold feet? Don't tellyou're having second

thoughts."

"I'm not."

"You better not be listening to what those therapists have to say. They just want to tick you off their list to make

them feel like they are actually good at what they do,"

There's a pause on the other end, and | can hear her take a deep breath. "No, Judy. I'll start soon. | just need to

be careful. They're watchingclosely."

"Then find a way," | hiss. "Jayden is slipping away, and if you don't act soon, we'll lose him. Don't forget.

what's at stake here."

"lI won't," she says, but the uncertainty in her voice is undeniable.

I know her too well.

| grip the phone tighter, a wave of frustration washing over me. There's something she's not telling me,

something she's hiding. | decide to play it cool. That always works better with Ashlyn. Her crazy, weak mind can't

take too much pressure. So I'll tread carefully, for now.

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174 Desperate Measures

"Good," | say, forcing my voice to remain calm. "Because we can't afford any more mistakes."

"I understand," she replies, "I have to go. Kitchen duties. The line goes dead before | can say anything

else.

| stare at the phone, my mind racing. Ashlyn's losing her edge, and that's dangerous for both of us. If she can't

follow through, I'll have to find another way to get to Winona.

To keep my son from falling completely into her clutches.

He's almost died twice now because of Winona. If she just left him alone, | wouldn't have had to push getting rid

of her so far.

Because one thing is certain-Jayden is mine. My son. My flesh and blood. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep it

that way. Abby will be mine too. I'll make sure of it. "Penny for your thoughts." Gus envelopesin his arms

from behind.

"I'm just thinking how lucky | am to be here with you and have this amazing place to live."

"Sure you were. Now tellthe truth." He letsgo and stands beside me. "It is a wonderful view though."

"| just spoke to Jayden. Everything is going fine there. Abby is well. | do miss her terribly."

"I'm surprised he talked to you."

"He and | will always have a connection." I'm not letting Gus get under my skin.

"Anyway. I'm here to see if you want to go to dinner?"

"Not really. Why don't you stay here for dinner?"

"You can't sulk inside this castle for the rest of your life. You wanted to chere, remember? Why don't you

enjoy it?"

"| like it here in my castle. It feels like a fairytale dream | can't wait for Abby to visit."

"Winona won't let her cwithout her. | don't blher, and even that will be a while."

""You never know. Theals all wounds."

He chuckles. "I guess you can live in hope."

"Well, you're here aren't you? You swore you'd never be withagain. But you crunning back, practically

begging."

He stiffens at this. "Hardly begging. Besides, it suitshaving you here where | can keep a close eye ont you for

now."

"Oh, the doting father. Bringing the nasty mother away so his beloved son can have a life of his own."

"Worth a shot."

as

"It won't get you any favors from him. He hates you more than he hates me. His hate forwill fade in time. I'll

prove to him that I've changed. He and | won't be apart for long. You'll see." +25 BONUS

174 Desperate Measures

He pullsroughly around to face him, gripping the tops of my arms firmly. "But you haven't changed, have

you, Judy?"

| look at him defiantly and smile. "Of course | have, darling."

He pullscloser. "You'll never change. You can't. | know that and you know that."

"But that's why you love me, isn't it. You've always wanted what you can't truly have, Gus."

His lips crush mine in a torrid kiss. He tries to possessin any way he can. Maybe he does where my body is

concerned.

But he never will possess my mind. No one will.

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