Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 164

164 House of Horrors

(Winona)

The following week, we flew into my old city early this morning. I've never been back on this side of it since the day I was taken to live with Anne. I didn't ever want to come back.

My hands are shaking. All of me is. The memories make me want to nightmare I lived here. Those moments replay In my mind.

naway as fast as I can. The

The fear. The hunger. The pain. The loneliness. All the horrors are reawakened.

The house stands in front of me, the same house I grew up in, but somehow different. It's still just as rundown I remember, but there's a sense of care now-a small attempt at making it better. The windows are clean, the front steps swept, and there are even a few potted plants by the door. It's like someone put a fresh coat of paint on a sinking ship.

I hesitate, my hand hovering just above the doorknob. Part of me wants to walk right in, like I used to when I was a kid, but I can't. Not now. Not after all these years. I have no clue who lives here.

Jayden stands beside me. His presence is comforting, but it also makes me realize just how far removed my life is from this place now. The contrast between him, well us, and this neighborhood is glaring. "Are you okay?" Jayden's voice is low, careful.

I nod, even though I'm not sure I am. "Yeah. I just... I don't know how to do this."

He takes a deep breath, his hand finding mine. "We do it together."

nod again, this time more resolute. I can't just walk

sound echoes in the stillness of the morning, too loud in this quiet street. My heart pounds as we wait. It feels like an eternity, but then I hear footsteps inside, and the door

is my mother. The same eyes I have. The

face, but she looks better than I remember. Better than I expected. There's no sign of the strung out, hollow addict I left that day. Instead, she's dressed neat, clearly sober, and... surprised. "Winona." Her voice

to say,

come back here. I wanted you to go have a

moment, we just stood there, staring

he

she finally

a

164 House of Horrors

+25 BONUS

the furniture sparse and worn but it isn't what was here. Automatically my eyes

1. be.

doesn't smell of stale beer and rotten food, or

My mother sits across from us in a threadbare armchair, her hands fidget

unsure. I can hear the fear in her voice. I recognize it. That's how he used to

have nothing to fear

She nods.

to see you. To talk. I didn't think this house would still be here, let alone you." Definitely not a sibling, but I hold off on saying that just in case she lost the baby or