Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 171

171 Family Bonds 171 Family Bonds (Winona)

I go to her and hold her now and we sob together. I finally got it. Why she never could leave and why she never contacted me after I was taken away. She made the ultimate sacrifice so I would go on to have a bright future. I think of Abby and I know I'd do nothing less for her if I had to.

Just then, Jayden steps back inside, and I can see his expression and I know he's heard. "I swear that slug is going to get what he deserves one day."

His hatred for Steve evident.

"I wish he was dead," Mom says quietly, her voice shaking. "But I'm grateful he never came back here. I'm grateful he left you alone."

Not exactly. He's been in our lives recently, remember? He's the one who told me he'd left you

almost

here and pregnant. I wasn't sure what I'd find here, or if either of you survived, but I'm so glad. He's actually done me a favor."

"My short-term memory is a little shot. So many years of drug abuse took its toll."

"It doesn't matter. He's gone now. I don't think he'll be back."

The room falls into a heavy silence. Cass is unusually quiet. I know it must be hard to hear the truth about the deadbeat father she never knew. The one she physically resembles so much. But that is not her fault.

"Cass, if you need to talk or ask questions, I'm here."

say anything, just nods slightly,

hot bath and some food. Let's gather a

hotel.

hallway into her room, I watch Mom as she moves slowly, gathering a few things into a small, worn suitcase. The decision to leave this house-the only thing she's had to call her own-is clearly- hard, and I can see it in every hesitant movement. "Mom," I say softly,

face me. I know, Winona. But this house... it's all I've ever had. After he left, I found some semblance of peace here. It's where I finally got clean, where I started to build my life. Leaving for any amount of time sets my

exactly how

her, this place represents survival, even if

what

I went back to my

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171 Family Bonds

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some of this backlog of messed up childhoods that's interfering

sorry to hear you've had struggles as well, Jayden, Mom

Π

where she can allow herself to think she deserves the life she's created for

is the past but being a

course. I'd be very happy to do that. And for Winona and Cass to have a

them working together, you'd be very proud.

up with him.

nods and gives him a small smile. "They

keep my voice steady. "To be honest,