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

T

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."

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

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

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

washing over me. "I didn't see it then, but I

now."

you for hearing me. I'm also hearing

Every word is like a dagger to my heart, knowing that

+25 BONUS

her

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

something in me snaps.

Winona stops the recording.

my fists, feeling the anger rise to a dangerous level. "I want him dead," I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them. "I don't just want him dead, I want to kill him

natural to feel that way when someone you love is threatened or hurt. But let's talk about

with problems by eliminating them. But I can't

the man you choose to be. One who

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

softly. "No one wants him dead more than me, Jayden. But he's not worth taking the rest

the way," I say, meeting her eyes. "I'm here. And if you're going to that house, there's no 'way you're going without me. I won't let you face whatever's there alone. We're in this

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. "Jayden, how do you feel about Winona going back to that house? Is there