My CEO 153

153 The Crossroads (Winona)

Jayden arrives at my door early on Sunday morning, the sun just starting to filter through the trees outside. I wasn't expecting him this soon; he texted earlier to ask if he could come over.

I open the door, and there he is-tall, broad, Impossibly handsome. His face is a mix of determination and regret. "Hey," he says softly, "Thanks for seeing me."

"Hey," I reply, stepping aside to let him in. "Thanks for wanting to come by. I want to get this cleared up."

We go to the kitchen and I pour us coffee.

He takes the cup from me, his fingers brushing mine for just a second, and I can feel the familiar pull, the one that's always been there, even when everything else felt like it was falling apart. We sat down at the table.

"I'm sorry," he starts, his voice low. "About everything. I know I messed up, Win. L... I never wanted to hurt you like that ever."

1 nod, looking down into my coffee, watching the ripples on the surface. "I'm sorry too. For my part in it. Jayden, I think we're at a crossroads here,"

I lift my gaze to meet his, and I see the same realization. "This... what we've been doing... it's not working. We can't keep going like this."

He nods slowly, and I can see the struggle in his eyes, the way he's trying to find the right words. "I know," he says, his voice rough. "I don't want to lose you, Winona. But I also don't want to keep hurting you. Or Abby."

My heart aches at the mention of our daughter. "I don't want to lose you either, Jayden. But we have to be honest with ourselves. If we keep going down this path without fixing what's broken... we'll just end up hurting each other more. And I can't... I won't let that happen to Abby."

He frowns at that, and I see the guilt flash across his face. "I know you're right," he admits. "But where do we go from here? How do we fix this?"

a part to play. We're both right

find some

deep breath. "Therapy. For both of us. Together. Maybe solos as

the surprise in his eyes,

of this... it's bigger than just us. We need to understand why we keep hurting each other, and we need to find a

Finally, he nods. "I'll do it. I'll do whatever it takes, Winona. But... I don't want

in mine. "We'll promise each other something. If we do

+25 BONUS

153 The Crossroad

how much it hurts or how long it takes. It's

grip firm. 1 promise. I'll be all in. But what if... what if we find out we

it?"

tightens at the thought, but I push through. "Then we walk away. Gracefully. For Abby's sake.

his eyes full of pain and determination, "She does. And I promise, Winona, I'll do whatever

But Jayden... I'm not going to bring up things that trigger

I see the tension in his shoulders ease just a bit. "I understand. And I think... I think that's a

that it might not work out. And if it doesn't...

I also don't want to keep hurting you. Or Abby. So, let's

in his words, a determination that I haven't seen in him in a long time. It gives me hope, but it also scares me. Because I know that this is our last chance. If this doesn't work... I'll have to walk away. And

sit there in silence for a moment, holding hands across the table, both of us lost in our own thoughts. But for the first time in a long time, I

appointments tomorrow," I say, breaking the silence. "One bite at

echoes, and I see a small, tentative smile on his lips. It's not

of hope and fear swirling in my chest. He

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