Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 208

208 Priorities and Legacies

(Winona)

| sit with Jayden in the quiet of Ashlyn's hospital room.

The doctors have just left after delivering the news, Ashlyn's condition hasn't changed, and they don't expect her

to regain consciousness. Her brain is showing no activity.

But the baby is showing no signs of distress right now. That's the one piece of good news we needed to hear.

even

r like t this, Ashlyn and | were once friends. | helped her a lot through the her school years. Seeing her after all

the things she's done to me, makesfeel sad for her. | wish she'd have chosen a different path in life.

Jayden is standing by Ashlyn's bedside, his hand resting on the small swell of her abdomen. "They said the baby

can stay in the womb as long as there's no distress."

His voice is low, controlled. "The best option is to let the baby grow stronger, but if there's any sign of trouble,

we'll have to act fast. But, | mean, | feel like it's a cruel thing to keep a body going for my own devices like this.

No one deserves to be reduced to being a vessel." | nod, feeling the gravity of the situation settle in. "The longer

the baby stays in there, the better the chances. | do understand what you're saying though. Is it even your

responsibility?"

""Meaning?"

"You and Ashlyn are divorced. Surely that means her mother is her next of kin."

"Yes. Her mother is on the way. But this is more complicated because the rights of the baby and it's wellbeing

have to be taken into account also."

"It's not easy."

"I mean, | want the best for the baby, but I feel like I'm making a decision about Ashlyn that almost removes her

humanity. | know she did a lot of stupid and dangerous things, but..."

"But she was human, and we all loved her at spoint in our lives. We had a lot of fun together at school."

"We did. But what she turned into is not something I can forget either."

"No. | agree. Perhaps in a couple more days, we'll get smore clarity. It's been a lot."

"Cass and | talked and she's coming to stay at the penthouse. Is that okay? | should have asked before | invaded

you."

"It's fine. | love that you feel you can."

"Anne is here for a week. Bobby and Sarah are meeting splacement opportunities. She wanted to cand

help with Abby."

"Winona, I've made a decision," he says, his voice firm. I'm done with the Brennan Industries. | don't want

anything to do with it anymore. And | don't want Judy anywhere nearor the kids, ever again."

201 Portion and L

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"Jayden, are you sure?" | ask gently. "I understand why you want to cut ties with Judy, but Abby... she's got a

connection with her."

He nods, his expression softening as he looks at me." know, and | get where you're coming from. But I've been

thinking about the future. What happens if Judy's Influence on Abby turns toxic later on? What if she tries to

manipulate the kids when they're older, like she did with me?" He's right to be worried. Judy's track record isn't

exactly stellar, and the thought of her having any kind of power over the kids sends a shiver down my spine. But

at the stime, | know how much Abby cares about her grandmother.

Cutting Judy out of her life completely... that's a big step.

"I understand your fears, Jayden," | say, choosing my words carefully. "But that could happen anyway. All we can

do is be honest with them when they're old enough to understand. Explain things the best we can."

"How do you even explain that?"

"Maybe it's not about cutting Judy out entirely from Abby right now, but about setting boundaries and moving

away bit by bit. They won't be kids forever."

Jayden listens, his brow furrowing in thought. "Maybe," he admits, though | can see the conflict still brewing

inside him. "But it's complicated. | don't want to take any chances. The no-contact order gives us space, and we

can use that tto figure things out."

"We don't have to make all the decisions right now," | remind him, reaching out to take his hand. "We've got a lot

going on, and the baby is your priority. We'll have tto think this through, to talk it out."

He squeezes my hand, a small, grateful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You're right. Barnaby would be

proud of us."

"I know. Look at us go."

Jayden turns his gaze back to Ashlyn, his expression hardening with determination. "I'm going to build something

new, Winona. A legacy that's ours. For our family. Something strong."

"Okay. What will happen to Brennan Industries?"

"I don't care. I'm selling out my shares. Hell, I'd give them away if | could. I'm so done. Nothing about that

business is about me. Greg started it, Mother mostly handled it while he was off on business constantly. She kept

it going while | was recovering from the car accident.”

"You could give it to her then. | mean, she's the one who's made it successful, maybe it's her legacy."

"I don't know. Isn't that rewarding her for all her shit?"

"Not really. It's the right thing to do, if you don't want it now. She can decide about it."

"You just might be right. I'll think about it."

"I'll never forgive Judy, and I'll never trust her. But | don't want to spend the rest of my life getting revenge on

her either."

I want to le

go my life and not let her take up space in my head anymore.

209 Trying To Find Normaal

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209 Trying To Find Normal