Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 239

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239 Judy's Gesture

239 Judy's Gesture

(Winona)

The night has been a success by all accounts. The Brennan Wing has a record-breaking amount of

donations.

"I just want to say goodnight to Henry," he says. "This gala has been great... I've done what | cto do."

"I'm very proud of you. Let's go. You've done more than enough tonight."

We continue toward the exit, weaving through the last few clusters of people lingering by the door. Just as we're

almost at the staircase, | catch sight of Judy, sitting at her table with Gabriel and Cass.

| see her lean over, whisper something to Gabriel, and then, with a smile that feels sharp enough to cut, she

does it.

She touches Gabriel on the back of the head and rubs. As she does she glances over at Jayden.

That damn gesture.

It's a small thing, but | see it instantly, the ssubtle motion she used to make with Jayden, a quiet symbol of

love she had for him. It was always her thing.

A secret, silent way to say, "I'm here for you. | love you." Only now, she's doing it with Gabriel, and looking to see

if Jayden notices.

I glance up at him, and his whole body has gone rigid, his eyes fixed on Judy and Gabriel. His grip on my hand

tightens, and | can practically hear his teeth grinding together.

"She's doing it to get back atfor cutting her out," he says through gritted teeth, his voice low and dangerous.

"She's using him, and he doesn't even realize it. I'm going to tell her it won't work." "Jayden, don't," | whisper,

pulling gently on his arm. "Don't let her get to you. She's trying to provoke you."

But it's too late. He's already turning, about to march over to her, the fury clear in every step. | know that look,

that anger, and | know if he goes over there, things will get ugly. The police will get called. Before he can take

another step, Gus appears in front of him, his hand on Jayden's chest, stopping him in his tracks. Gus moves him

back closer to me.

"Don't be stupid," Gus says, his voice firm but not unkind. "You put the no contact order on her. You go over

there, you break it, and that's exactly what she wants. You're playing into her hands, Jayden." Jayden's eyes

blaze, his jaw clenched as he glares at Gus. "Mind your own business," he snars. "You don't get to tellwhat to

do."

"I'm trying to help you," Gus insists. "She's manipulating you like she always does. Don't give her the

satisfaction."

"Help me?" Jayden's voice rises, anger bubbling to the surface. "You never cared about helping me. You weren't

there when | needed you as a kid, so don't start pretending to care now."

Gus flinches, but he doesn't back down. "I made mistakes, but this isn't about me. This is about you. Don't let

her win."

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239 Judy's Gesture

Jayden shakes his head, fury radiating off him. "You don't get it, do you? She's always pulling the strings, always

playing her little games, and I'm done. I'm done with all of it. And you-stop trying to be a father to me. It's too

late for that."

Gus's face hardens, but | can see the hurt in his eyes. He opens his mouth to say something, but Jayden's

already turning away, his grip on my hand tight as he pullstoward the exit.

"Let's go," Jayden mutters, his voice harsh.

We step out into the cool night air, and Jayden's pace quickens as we move toward the car. | can feel the anger

still coursing through him, his shoulders tense, his breathing uneven. "Jayden, slow down," | say, trying to catch

up with him, Talk to me."

He stops abruptly, turning to face me. His eyes are blazing, his emotions right on the surface. "I can't do this

anymore, Winona," he says, his voice raw. "This city, this life... It's suffocating me. It's like no matter what | do,

she is always there, lurking in the background, trying to control everything."

| reach out, placing my hand on his arm, "I know. But you're doing the right thing. You walked away from her

tonight. You didn't give her what she wanted."

He lets out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "It doesn't feel like | did the right thing. | feel like I'm trapped in her

web, no matter how hard | try

to escape."

"You're not trapped," | say firmly, stepping closer to him. "You're building something new. You're building a life for

us, for Abby, for Henry. You're not under her control anymore."

He looks at me, his expression softening just a fraction. "I don't want to be here anymore, Winona," he admits,

his voice quieter now. "Once Henry is well enough, | want to leave this city. | want to take you, 'Anne and the kids

and just... go."

"Go?" | ask, my heart skipping a beat as | think of leaving Cass alone. "Where?"

"Anywhere but here," he says, his gaze locking onto mine. "Somewhere far away from her, from all this bullshit. |

want a fresh start. | don't care where we go as long as it's away from here."

| take a deep breath, trying to process what he's saying "Are you sure, Jayden?"

"es."

| stare at him, my mind racing. Leaving the city, starting fresh... It sounds tempting, especially after everything

we've been through. But is it really that simple? "Once we're married, Henry is strong enough. | want us to

leave."

| step closer, wrapping my arms around him. "Okay," | whisper, resting my head against his chest. "When Henry

is ready... we'll go. If that's what you still want." Jayden lets out a long breath, his arms tightening around me.

"Thank you."

That's okay."

*'m so over allowing her to get me. | thought | was over it."

"I guess we both got triggered tonight."

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239 Judy's Gesture

"You

now, just fix yours before it ends up like mine."

will. Why don't we book in for dinner tomorrow night at her café and I'll apologize to Cass."

"Perfect."

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