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."

he tries to tear her down... it's not far from how I treated her when I lost

her, and I

thoughtful. "It's important that you're recognizing this, Jayden. We're not our parents, but if we're not careful, we can fall into

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

now."

for hearing me. I'm also hearing

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 man who raised

+25 BONUS

man who twisted her childhood

Steve starts talking about how he left her mother and the baby, calls her mother a

something in me snaps.

Winona stops the recording.

anger rise to a dangerous level. "I want him dead," I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

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.

head, trying to focus. "No. I don't want to be like Gus, dealing with problems by eliminating them. But I can't stand the thought of Steve still

don't have to be like 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

a deep breath, trying to let his words sink in. "I hear you. But it's hard. It's hard to sit here and listen to this

says softly. "No one wants him dead more than me, Jayden. But he's not worth taking the rest of my life away by

here. And if you're going to that house, there's

confronting the past. Jayden, this will be confronting for you." Barnaby leans forward slightly. "Jayden, how do you feel about Winona going back to that house? Is there anything specific