My CEO 59

59 Come With Me

(Jayden)

I pat her on the head. "I'm okay, Abby. I'm glad you're here though." Her small smile lights up a part of me that's been dark for too long.

"I thought she might cheer you up. We were at the park, Winona says, her voice soft but tinged with

concern.

"Come in. I was just thinking about something" My voice comes out strained, barely masking the turmoil roiling within me.

"Are you okay? I mean, that was unbelievable really. I think we all need to lick our wounds for a while." Winona says.

"I'm angry." We walk into the lounge area, the weight of the day pressing down on us. I sit and pull Abby up onto my lap, her warmth a temporary balm to my frayed nerves. "With Gus?"

"With myself." I sigh, running a hand through my hair, feeling the frustration build.

"You can't blame yourself for what he's done. What everyone around you has done." Winona's voice is soothing, but it doesn't reach the core of my guilt

"I dropped the ball with Brennan Industries. Gus is right. I'm not in a position to be running that company. I know that now." The admission feels like a knife twisting in my gut, sharp and unrelenting.

"You're just going to walk away?" Winona's eyes widen, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face.

"No way." I smile, a determined edge creeping into my voice. "I'm going to get my company back."

Winona smiles, and it's like the first ray of sunshine breaking through a storm. "What?" I ask, caught off guard by her sudden shift in mood.

"That's the very first time since I've been back that you sounded like you used to be, before the accident."

that a good thing?" I lean forward, my heart pounding in

You need to get your confidence back, you know?"

sorry about Phillip. Actually, I'm not. But I am sorry he

do with that."

track for her future." Winona's strength amazes

I'm not taking it. There's

myself for doing long hours before Abby

idea. The thought strikes

+25 BONUS

go play? Abby's innocent voice breaks

the simple joy of this moment. "Just go through that door." I point

an office, now it's for

off, her excitement on her face. We can hear her saying wow and telling Puppy all about his new friends. The

I like that. "So,

need to go be in Santa Monica, my best chance at convincing

your own? Winona's eyes widen, a mix of

and

will

sure, but I'm in this for the long haul. If my family life has taught me anything it's patience and endurance. Anyway, Santa Monica beach will be amazing." I

words slip out before I can

is immediate, her tone

the sun and fresh air. The beach would be amazing for her. She doesn't

to start

"Schools are there too."

torn. "Jayden, I get why you think this is a

nowhere near ready to be in any relationship, not after finding out about Ashlyn and Lance. But the relationship I'd like to foster is with Abby. I've missed so much." The plea is raw, my need to connect with my daughter outweighing everything

the toxicity. I'm not letting my mother interfere anymore. I'm holding

to have me and my children in her life, she damn

the baby. You can't

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