My CEO 157

157 Going Deep (Winona)

Barnaby pauses, then leans forward slightly. "Jayden, you mentioned anger. Can you tell me more about that? What is it that makes you angry?"

Jayden's words come out, slow and measured. "I'm angry because I feel like I've been lied to,

manipulated. I feel like I've lost control of my own life, and I don't know how to get it back. I don't know if I ever had it."

Dr. Greyson turns to me. "Winona, what about you? What are you feeling?"

I hesitate, not wanting to say too much, not wanting to open the floodgates. But I know I have to, if this is going to work. I'm scared," I admit.

I look at Jayden and then back at Barnaby. "I'm scared that no matter what we do, it's not going to be enough. Maybe we were way too broken before we even started."

The room falls silent again. I can feel Jayden's eyes on me, but I don't look back at him.

"It's clear that you both have a lot of pain and fear that you're carrying. But the fact that you're here, that you're willing to talk about it, is a good sign."

He pauses, then continues, his tone firm but gentle. "This is going to be a long process. Healing from the kind of trauma you've both experienced doesn't happen overnight. But if you're willing to put in the work.... you never know." I take a deep breath, trying to let his words sink in. Can we really do this, or are we just delaying the inevitable?

Jayden reaches out, his hand hovering over mine for a moment before he takes it, his grip firm but gentle. "I want to give this everything I have," he says, and I can hear the determination in his voice. "I will work hard for this."

I look at him, and for the first time in a long time, I see something in his eyes that gives me hope.

"I'll work hard for us too. For Abby, our daughter."

"No." Barnaby says in a firm tone. "Not for your daughter, not for Jayden, for you.

I look at him. "Of course, for me too."

-

is what your both truly want for yourselves. Until you do that, this will always fail." Barnaby's tone and expression brook no

you're both here. Because neither of

to be with Winona. I

know jack

mood shift. That makes

+25 BONUS

157 Going Deep

there," Barnaby points out. "Did you feel the shift

"I guess."

began to hesitate and

"I wasn't getting angry,"

think you were. You need to learn to read the room. Life isn't a business deal that you win or lose at.

do have trouble with people telling me

we let it all hang out. A place where you both can say exactly what's on your mind with no fear of

out. "I'd like that. I'd like to express my truth. To be heard without it

to me. I just get told what I should feel or

are always ranting and raving over whatever I

never listen to my side. You don't get how hard this all

do, I get it, Jayden. But it's hard for me too. I just can't brush things away

want to brush them away; I just don't want to argue

with you. You say the most hurtful

sure you said I've made your life hell." Jayden's

Tears roll down my face. "We can't even come to therapy and not argue.

then." Barnaby says and rests his hands behind his

stares at him. "What? We're not leaving yet.

insist on continuing to argue, just stay

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