Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 71

71 Finding Out More (Winona)

Having these kids for a full day, I'm still very nervous about it. They aren't saying much and I don't want to press them on the details of their mother. Sarah basically says nothing and Bobby is protective of her, and isn't offering any information either.

Perhaps I'll try asking again later. I mean, these kids are my half-siblings, I'm not sure what to do with them. Abby has been fine about having them here, but four-year-olds are fine about most things, I guess. They talk to Abby, I heard them chattering and laughing with her. So I know they can communicate.

I wonder if their life has been like mine was. Cold, hungry and punished most of the time. Lonely. Tears *swell in my eyes. I'm not letting that bastard take over my life again. I know he'll be back when the money is gone.

I need to be ready and to try and get these kids to a safer home environment. I don't want him in my home. I do feel better now I know I have security watching.

Otherwise, I'd be a complete mess. My nerves are shot at this stage. Wondering what's going to happen. next. Worrying over who knows where we live and told him.

Why? Why is he here?

I'm shaking and the cold sweats have started again. I've been hiding my level of anxiety from Jayden. But every time I hear a sudden noise, or catch a glimpse of something, I almost go into panic mode. I can't even think about leaving my house at this stage. This morning Abby and I did some coloring and I helped her with some counting. She's getting very

very good. counting almost to twenty now. Sarah sat with us but she didn't join in. She seemed to be taking it all in though.

I wonder how much school they've seen. Maybe none.

Abby is thriving and honestly, you wouldn't even know she'd been in hospital fighting for her life not so long ago. Except, I do know. I remember every second of fear and despair that ripped through me at the

time.

The hopelessness I felt thinking about how it might be if I lost her. How nothing else in my life means anything without Abby. I used to think that person was Jayden and it was. Through school, college, I'd have done anything for him probably. But the world was different through the lens of youth.

Since Abby has been conceived, I began to see the world differently. That every sacrifice I ever would make would be for Abby, not for Jayden and I.

I was focused on myself and what I wanted from life. Namely getting away from and staying away from my parents. I'd achieved that. I really hit the jackpot with Anne as a foster parent. That changed me and my outlook about myself.

I never lost the urgency to do well at college and study hard. Being able to provide an income for myself was the most important issue to me. That gave me independence for life. I'd never have to rely on anyone

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71 Finding Out More

else.

stupidly rich. I'd never

It was bad enough being so emotionally dependent on him back then. We rely on each other.

that. All I knew was I'd lost a whole year of life, and I didn't want to lose anymore. I'd come back to find Jayden and

the garden. I don't want to leave the kids alone in there, so I 'invite them to join me. They've both showered last night and I washed and dried their clothes quickly, so they are looking and smelling fresh. Jayden had grabbed some pyjamas for them from the store. I think

Bobby, Sarah, let's go out the back. I have some gardening to do, maybe you can help while Abby

both look at me

and I want to make a swing for Abby off

hand, and they head to

"Okay. Great."

two don't have gardening shoes but it isn't too muddy out here. The days have been warm and dry

container of flower seedlings. "These are Californian Poppies. The state flower of California. Have

Sarah shakes her head.

says, "do these have the orange

"They do, yes."

lot around

really brighten the place up. Do

He shrugs.

to help you and your sister, Bobby. If I can find some other

looks at

your mother? Do you know

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"Nope. She left us."

maybe I can get you back to her. Without him. I know what it's like to live with him. You don't have to stay there

down like this, Sarah. Would you

him, Bobby. Be honest with me so I can