Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 216

216 Passing the Torch (Jayden)

The boardroom buzzes with the usual tension that comes with high-stakes meetings, but today there's ant extra

layer of unease. No doubt the rumors have been rife, but | have something no one saw coming. Not even me.

The proof has been shown. DNA proof. | only needed to see the Brennan eyes to know that. There's no doubt that

I'm walking in with Greg's family behind me. All eyes are on us, and the room goes silent as the door closes

behind us all, "Can someone get smore seats? Sorry, this is last minute." | ask one of the trainee assistants

Lance is at my side, but he's unusually quiet. | know he's trying to gauge the situation, but | can see the surprise

in his eyes too. None of this was in the script, and he's not used tobeing unpredictable.

I glance at the board members, their faces are a mix of confusion and curiosity. Good. Let them wonder They

wanted change, they'll have it.

"Good morning," | say, my voice steady and clear as | take my place at the head of the huge table. Greg's family

stands behind me, the son at the front.

Greg's secret family. | wish | could be a fly on the wall when Judy hears about them.

Their presence doesn't intimidate me. Nothing does.

"I hope you are all enjoying the breakfast," | scan the faces around the table. "As you have made clear, today's

meeting is crucial for the future of Brennan Industries."

| turn slightly, motioning for the young man to step forward. He does so, his posture stiff. He's dressed neatly but

casually, not a suit. Well, how could he have known he'd be part of Greg's company today? | mean, they were

expecting a fight. | can tell he's nervous, but he's doing his best to hide it. | can respect that.

"This is Gabriel," | announce, "Greg Brennan's son. His sisters Eva, Ana, Mia. Their mother, Maria." | turn and

smile at them and Maria gives everyone a small wave. She still looks ready to battle.

The extra chairs are brought in and they sit.

"You all should know that Greg Brennan started Brennan Industries sthirty years ago. My mother, Judy

Brennan, ran the company for the majority of the tbefore Greg's passing away when | was in high school,"

They are hanging off my every word. "Greg was away a lot." | indicate the group behind me. "Clearly busy and

Judy built Brennan Industries to the powerhouse it cto be. She did that so | would have my rightful legacy." |

look at Lance and he is frowning. | think he knows what's coming now.

But that legacy was never mine. You see, Greg Brennan was not my biological father." A murmur runs through

the room, but | hold up a hand to silence it. "My father is Gus Brennan, owner of Nexus Global. He is Greg's older

brother." +25 BONUS

216 Passing the Torch

| turn to look at Greg's family and they do look as confused and shocked as everyone else.

"I know right? My parents clearly had sissues communicating." | grin at them all. "Greg had a secret family

in Cuba, a family | didn't know about until... well, five minutes ago. But now that they're here, | trust you will all

welcthem into the fold."

| reach into my briefcase and pull out a thick folder-my portfoof shares in Brennan Industries. The room falls

completely silent as | open it, pull out the documents, and hand them directly to Gabriel.

His eyes widen as he takes them, his hands trembling slightly.

"These shares are yours now," | say, my voice calm and unwavering. "You and your family will be taking over half

the stake that was once mine. I've already instructed my legal team to ensure that everything is transferred to

you and... to Judy. You'll have equal shares." There's a collective gasp around the table, but | don't care. This is

what I've been working toward for months-no, years. Freedom from the empire that's weigheddown since

the day | was born. Lance stem

steps forward, "Jayden are you sure?"

"Lance will explain the details of the company ownership moving forward," | say. "Please understand that this is a

permanent transfer of power. | am stepping down, effective immediately."

| can see the shock on their faces, the disbelief that I'm actually walking away. But | don't linger. | don't need to.

My work here is done.

As | turn to leave, my phone buzzes in my pocket. | pull it out, my decision is justified when | see the text from

the hospital.

Without another word, | stride out of the boardroom, leaving Lance to handle the chaos I've just unleashed. |

don't look back. I don't need to. This place is no longer my problem.

As | walk down the corridor to the elevator, | dial the number left in the message, my mind already shifting to the

only thing that matters right now-my unborn child. The phone rings once, twice, before a doctor answers.

"Mr. Brennan, we've been trying to reach you," the doctor says, his voice urgent. "The baby is in distress. We

need to deliver now. Can you get here?"

"I'm on my way," | reply, my voice steady.

I hang up and step into the elevator, pressing the button for the ground floor. The doors close, and | lean

| back against the wall, taking a deep breath. This is it.

| text Winona to let her know. She messages back that she's on her way.

| message Ashlyn's mother to update her so she doesn't arrive not knowing this could be the last day for her

daughter. | can't think about that right now. | need to concentrate on giving this baby life.

As my driver pulls the car away from Brennan Industries, | glance back one last time. It feels like a lifetago

that this place meant everything to me. But now? Now it represents my freedom.

| turn my gaze and my mind forward, toward the hospital, toward my child.

My gface is on.

217 The Decision