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."

-

work out if this is what your both truly want for yourselves. Until you do that, this will always

That's why you're both here. Because neither of

Winona. I do

don't know jack shit." Barnaby challenges

feel Jayden's mood shift. That makes me

+25 BONUS

157 Going Deep

Barnaby points out. "Did you

"I guess."

didn't like what I said, and your mood changed. Then Winona began to hesitate and retreat. She anticipated you getting angry and

"I wasn't getting angry,"

deal that you win or lose at. If you

do have trouble with people

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

to express my truth.

told what I should feel or think. Then when go against that, I'm the bad

always ranting and raving over whatever I

listen to my side. You don't get how hard this

me too. I just can't brush things away the next day as if

away; I just

with you. You say

you said I've made your life hell."

stop. Tears roll down my face. "We can't even come to

rests

leaving yet. I could've argued at home for

on continuing to argue, just stay

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