Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 181

181

Ashlyn's Delusion

181 Ashlyn's Delusion

(Winona)

Jayden and | are sitting across from Barnaby in his office office, the familiar surroundings doing little to ease the

twisting in my stomach.

Barnaby looks between us. "It seems there's a lot on your minds today. Where would you like to start?"

Jayden's the first to speak, his voice steady. "I want to talk about Ashlyn. She's recently senttext

messages.

| tense up, the mention of her nbringing a rush of emotions-anger, suspicion, fear. "What exactly did she

text? | mean how can she have a phone in there? | didn't think they were allowed."

"I don't know but | bet Mother has something to do with that."

"I don't doubt that. Have you spoken to Ashlyn before this?"

"No. She contactedwhile we were away. That's the first I've heard from her." Jayden says, locking onto mine.

| take a deep breath. "Jayden, what could she possibly want with you? With us?"

I'm not ready for his next words.

"She toldshe's still pregnant."

his eyes

| feel like the floor just dropped out from under me. "Sull pregnant? What the actual fuck?"

This is just too much. That woman is delusional. There's really no hope for her. She's dangerous.

ore said

Jayden nods, his expression firm. "Yes. But | don't believe her. How could that happen? The doctors she'd lost the

baby before she even cto Santa Monica and the way she went down those stairs... surely it would be

impossible."

"How do you know the messages are really from her, Jayden? Can | read them? | want to see." | do believe him,

but | need to read this myself

He hesitates slightly.

"Jayden, are you okay with that? It's okay to say no." Barnaby says. "Winona, we have to be mindful of personal

space and privacy."

"I know, it's just...well, I guess | just want to believe it."

"It's okay. There's a lot to unpack with my past with Ashlyn." He handshis phone. "We need to work through

a lot and it has to do withhaving sex with Ashlyn while Winona and | were divorced. But there were times |

pursued Winona at the stime. | crossed a line." | take the phone and read through the texts and my eyes

stop on her telling him his safe word. So, it is true. Lisa was right. My stomach churns.

"The safe word," | say. "I heard rumors, but | didn't want to believe it... Is that what you want in our sex life? Do

you need that?"

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Jayden looks taken aback, his eyes searching mine. "No, Winona. That's not what | want. Not with you. What

Ashlyn and | had... it was dark, and it wasn't healthy. It's not something | ever want to go back to."

I nod, trying to process what he's saying. But the doubt still lingers at the edge of my mind. "She clearly thinks

she still has a hold on you." My mind races with a thousand possibilities.

Words are churning from my mouth.

"Maybe she does. Claiming to still be pregnant is not normal. Is she manifesting this because she thinks you'll be

with her again somehow? God if she is pregnant, will they let her out?" | can't even begin to think about that and

my breath is coming short and sharp. The anxiety and panic rises fast. | focus on my breathing. Keep it steady.

You're in a safe place. | chant to myself.

"I don't know," Jayden admits, his voice softening. "She's not in her right mind, we know that. But this is next

level. But | don't care, Winona, I'm not going to let her manipulate me. Damage what we're building."

I look at him, trying to see the truth in his eyes. | want to believe him, but the fear of what Ashlyn represents the

darkness, the control-makes it hard. Is this a part of him that will eat him up if he tries to deny it? "I'm afraid the

damage is already done. | say out loud, and the words are bitter in my mouth.

It makes my blood run cold. This isn't just a game. She knows things, deep, intimate things about Jayden that

I've barely scratched the surface of. That | know I'm not into. | can't be with my past. It's too confrontational.

I hand the phone back to him, my hands trembling. "You need to go and see if this is true. Make her get a

‘doctor's report. That's the only way we'll know for sure that she's lying, or maybe she truly believes it. | feel

sorry for her in a way."

Jayden leans forward, taking my hands in his. "Winona, listen to me. Even if she's telling the truth, it doesn't

change how | feel. I'm with you. | want a life with you. Ashlyn is my past, and that's where she belongs."

I nod, trying to push down the rising tide of doubt. | can't trust Ashlyn, not after everything she's done.

"She's still dangerous, Jayden," | say quietly.

Jayden squeezes my hands, his grip reassuring. "We'll find out the truth, together. | don't want you doubting us,

doubting me, because of her. I'm with you, Winona. You're my future, not her. I'm not seeing her unless you go

with me. | have nothing to hide from you." Barnaby clears his throat. "How do you feel about that, Winona? Is

this something you feel you can do without-it pushing you over the edge?"

"To be honest, | don't know. But | do know Jayden needsand we need to be sure this is all in Ashlyn's head.

I'll go."

Jayden grips my hand tighter. "Thank you."

"You just cand helpedface my past. You saw a side ofI've never wanted to show you in fear of losing

you. In fear of losing myself. You stood byand | will stand by you."

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Barnaby finally speaks up, his voice calm but firm. "Ashlyn's has stirred up a lot of emotions, and that's

understandable. | think you are both making great strides in how you can move forward and face the past at the

stime."

| take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "No more secrets."

""No more secrets," he agrees.

"Set up the visit."