My CEO 155

155 She's Gone! (Winona)

I glance at Jayden, wondering how he's feeling about his mother leaving, but his face is a mask of calm that I can't read. He hasn't said much about it, and I can't tell if he's relieved or not.

For the first time in his life, his mother won't be hovering over him, dictating his every move, and yet he seems... unmoved.

It's that unreadable expression that sets my nerves even more on edge. I've always struggled to understand Jayden's feelings when it comes to his mother, and now, more than ever, I wish I could see inside his head. Is he h

happy she's leaving? Is he secretly afraid, like I am? Or is he just so numb to her influence that he doesn't care anymore? The uncertainty about his emotions adds another layer to my inner anxiety. "Jayden, dear," Judy says, turning to him as she stands. She ushers Abby over to me as she approaches her son. "Take care of yourself, won't you."

Jayden nods, his face remaining impassive. "I'll be fine," he says, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Good," Judy says, reaching out to squeeze his arm. "I'll miss you terribly."

"Goodbye, Mother." Jayden then walks away.

I follow him with Abby holding my hand. Wow. I'm not sure if this is good or bad.

Jayden might not show it now, but I know how much his mother has meant to him, how deeply her influence ran in his life. Is he truly able to just switch that off and not care about her at all now? I don't think that's healthy for him.

I can't shake the feeling that something terrible is going to happen, that Judy's departure is just the beginning of some new, twisted plan. But I can't talk to Jayden about it-not yet.

Not until we're in therapy, where I can carefully navigate these suspicions without triggering his defenses.

have to be open to the possibility that this fear is all in

if we end up tearing each other apart instead of finding a

and watch

all disappear to their prospective jobs. He and Judy come towards us. He gives Abby a hug and a kiss and shakes Jayden's hand. Judy takes Abby in her arms and hugs her again. "I love you, sweetheart," Judy whispers into Abby's hair. Remember that, okay?

yank her away. But I hold

can't afford

155 She's Gone!

+25 BONUS

eyes are on me, watching, no doubt waiting for any sign

calculating, the Judy I know, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

Gus follows, his hand resting on the small of her back as they

thud, and the jet's engines roar to

ears.

roar is music to my ears. She's gone. I can breathe a little

taxi down the runway, I reach for Abby, pulling her close. She buries her face in my shoulder, her small

tight, my heart pounding as I watch the jet disappear into the sky. I feel for her. It's never easy saying

goodbye to someone

beside me, staring at the empty runway as the jet straightens high above us and disappears, his expression unreadable. For a moment, neither of us

shadow that refuses to fade. And her words echo in my mind. But she's

"Go get

the car, Sweety" I say to Abby and she runs to the car and the

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