Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 163

163 The Recording (Jayden)

The thought of listening to Winona interact with Steve makes my skin crawl, but I know we need to do this. We need to face it together.

Barnaby nods at Winona, who pulls out her phone. "Whenever you're ready," he says calmly. "Winona, you stop the recording whenever you feet Jayden's anger or you feel overwhelmed and need a break. You're in control."

Winona presses play, and Steve's voice crackles through the speakers.

It's harsher than I remember, filled with that famillar venom. The same voice that's haunted Winona her entire life, and now it's seeping into my consciousness

Steve starts with his usual bullshit-taunting, throwing out his twisted version of reality. I glance at Winona, but she's staring straight ahead, her face a mask of calm. I know her too well to think she's unaffected. She's just holding it together. To be honest, so am I. ou're lucky I took care of you, protected you," Steve sneers. "I could've made a lot more money off you

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Winona pauses the recording, and I feel the bile rise in my throat. "He actually said that?" My voice is tight, barely containing the rage.

Winona nods, her eyes meeting mine. "That's just the beginning."

I can't believe this man, this monster, is the reason Winona has had to fight so hard to become the incredible woman she is today. The thought of him having any influence over her, any power at all, makes my blood boil.

Barnaby clears his throat, drawing my attention. "Jayden, I can see you're angry, and that's understandable. But let's take a moment to unpack why this is affecting you so deeply."

look at him, trying to push down the fury. "It's because... I see the parallels. The way Steve talks to her, the way he tries to tear her down... it's not far from how I treated her when I lost my memory." The words I just say stop me in my tracks. "Go on,

like him. I blamed her, punished her, and I didn't even realize I was becoming like her bastard father.

this, Jayden. We're not our parents, but if we're not careful, we can fall

over at her, guilt washing over me. "I didn't see it then,

now."

you for hearing me.

presses play again, and we continue listening. Steve's voice is relentless, dripping with malice. Every word is like a dagger to my heart, knowing that this is the

+25 BONUS

who twisted her childhood Into a living

talking about how he left her

something in me snaps.

Winona stops the recording.

slipping out before I can stop them. "I

doesn't react, just watches me closely. "It's natural to feel that way when someone you love is threatened or hurt. But let's talk about what acting on that would accomplish. Is that the man

be like Gus, dealing with problems by eliminating them. But I can't stand the thought of Steve still

Greg or Gus," Barnaby says, his voice steady. "You can be the man you choose to be. One who protects Winona by supporting her, by standing by her side, not by

breath, trying to let his words sink in. "I hear you. But it's hard.

than me, Jayden. But he's not worth taking the rest of my life away by being in

And if you're going to that house, there's no 'way you're going without me. I won't let you

and determination in her expression. "Okay. We'll go together. But you have to understand that this isn't just about confronting the past. Jayden, this will be confronting for you." Barnaby leans forward slightly.