Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 179

179 Settling In

(Winona)

Mom comes back through first and | get up to go make her stea.

"Do you take cream and sugar?" | never remember her drinking to

She shakes her head. "No. Just plain thanks."

Maybe she couldn't afford cream and sugar before. My mind is full of a lot of maybes as | make her drink and

take it into the living room and hand it to her. "Mom, sit down. Relax."

She takes it with a smile and sits on the edge of the sofa. Resting her cup on the side table. "This is all so much,

Winona. | don't know how to thank you."

"You don't have to thank me," | say, taking a sip of my tea. "We're family. This is what we do for each. other. Plus,

it probably is my fault that the house got torched. I did go in with both feet, and | could have handled things a

little more calmly."

She nods, but | can see the doubt in her eyes. She's never really had a family like this before-a family that's

there for her, that supports her. And I'm not sure she knows how to handle it.

| can't say I'm sorry it's gone but | know it was the only hyou knew. | get that. But you're resilient and you'll

reinvent yourself again whether it's here in this city or elsewhere. | have faith in you." "But | don't deserve such

grace from you."

"Mom, | can hold onto the past, but | don't want to. | want a peaceful and happy life. That's what | want for all of

us. Don't let guilt over something we can't change ruin our chance now."

"I'm not looking for you to forgive me. It'sthat has to to forgive me. | know I could have done better and I'm

sorry | didn't. You deserved so much better."

"Thank you for saying that. For a long t| didn't believe that myself. But now | know | do deserve happiness

and | know you and Cass do as well. | think we can be good for each other, and for Abby." "You are a very

dedicated mother."

"Abby is my world. You'll understand when Jayden brings her home."

"Forgivefor asking, but does Jayden live here with you?"

"No. This is my home. Jayden has a penthouse apartment. | wont even get started on that level of luxury, but it's

what he's been raised with. We are working out how living together might look for us." e You

"| see. | think that sharing a space and routines would be a tricky thing for independent people like two."

Cass finally comes back in and plops onto the armchair across from us, her expression guarded. "This place is...

something."

| raise an eyebrow. "Something good or something bad?"

She shrugs. "Both, | guess. It's awesin the guest wing but it will take a lot of adjustment. | mean a

microwave oven and a dishwasher!"

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"It's not compulsory to use them." | smile.

"You'll still be washing and drying the dishes by hand, young lady," Mom instructs.

Cass gives a groan.

"| can assure you adjusting up to convenience is way easier than adjusting back. Give it stime. You'll both

get there."

how she is.

Mom sips her tea, her hands shaking slightly. I'm getting that this isn't nerves, it's just how

"I'm worried, Winona. About.... how we live beyond this.

"We'll figure things out. We can contact the relevant departments and give them your temporary address, so

your payment doesn't change. You mentioned doing ssocial work?"

She nods. "It was just helping out in the community. Listening to those who needed it and helping serve soup.

That sort of thing. Not much money but a little extra and | can't do cleaning now. My body is getting tired,

Winona," "I'm sure we can find something to help a

to your kitty a little."

| turn to Cass. "You can start looking for jobs right away, unless you've changed your mind about college?"

"Nope. | haven't changed my mind."

"You could have a gap year. Get swork experience and then go to college with sfocus. Keep your

options open.

"Great idea." Mom agrees. "You need a focus."

"What do you want to do?"

Cass shrugs.

"Okay, well do you have any

interests maybe artistically?"

"Nah. | don't have a creative bone in my body."

"Computers? Gaming?"

She shakes her head.

"Cooking? Barista.. maybe, hospitality work?"

"Not really. I'm not much of a people person."

"Maybe you will becone. | can help you look for straining opportunities. Call in sfavors. Something

will interest you. But for now any work you can get is what you do."

Cass looks between us, her eyes narrowing. "What's the catch?"

"There's no catch," | say, meeting her gaze. "I'm not asking for anything in return. | just want you to try

everything and give it all a proper go."

She doesn't say anything, just keeps staring atlike she's waiting for the other shoe to drop.

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"Look," | continue, "this is new for all of us. It's going to take tto adjust. Would you like to learn to drive? That

could be the first step. Give you something to focus on and to want to work towards. A car means

independence." Cass finally nods, and | feel a small sense of relief. It's not much, but it's a start.

"Why don't we just focus on settling in for now? This is like a vacation." | suggest. "We can deal with everything

else as it comes."

"Fine."

And that's a start.