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?"

guilt. We both have a part

need to find some neutral ground.

both of

in his eyes, but

talk to someone who can help us... really help us. Because this... all of this... it's bigger than just us. We need to

moment, and I can see the wheels turning in his mind. Finally, he nods. "I'll do it. I'll do whatever it takes, Winona.

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

+25 BONUS

153 The Crossroad

everything, no matter how much it hurts or how

promise. I'll be all in.

it?"

away. Gracefully. For Abby's sake. We make a good life

pain and determination, "She does. And I promise, Winona, I'll do

not going to bring up things that trigger us... unless we're

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

and we'll give it everything we've got. But be prepared for the possibility that... that it might not work out. And if it doesn't... we'll find a way to make

nods, and I see the resolution in his eyes. "Agreed. I don't want to lose you. But I also don't want

gives me hope, but it also scares me. Because I know that this is our last chance. If this

time in a

I say, breaking the silence. "One

bite at a time," he echoes, and I see a small, tentative smile on his lips. It's not much, but it's

fear swirling in my chest. He pauses at the threshold,

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