Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 174

174 Desperate Measures (Judy)

I stand on the balcony of my castle in France, the sun doing little to warm the chill that's settled deep in my bones. The view from the highest hilltop here is breathtaking, but all I can think about is Jayden.

He's slipping away from me. I can feel it in every clipped word, every unanswered call. He's more distant, more unreachable, and it's driving me mad.

I need Ashlyn to step up, to start pushing Winona again, to destabilize her. But Ashlyn has been quiet, too quiet. She's stalling, and I don't have time for this. Whatever clever little plan Ashlyn thinks she has, won't work.

If she thinks she's going all vigilante on me, that she's safe because I'm in another country, she's wrong.

I text her number.

Call me. I need to speak with you. Urgent

It's difficult for her to be able to call, I know that. But she'll find a way.

The tension coils in my chest as I wait for her to text back. To my surprise, my phone rings and it's her.

"That was fast. I like it."

"Judy," she says, her voice lacking the usual fire I've come to expect from her. "I have five minutes."

"What the hell is going on, Ashlyn?" I snap. "You're supposed to be messaging Winona, making her unstable. I gave you her number. Why haven't you started?"

"I will," she says, but there's something off in her tone. "I haven't had much chance to use the phone. They've got me doing activities and jobs. I'm not in isolation anymore."

I narrow my eyes, suspicion gnawing at me. "Are you getting cold feet? Don't tell me you're having second thoughts."

"I'm not."

to say. They just want to tick you off their list to make them feel like they

her take a deep breath. "No, Judy. I'll start soon. I just need to

way," I hiss. "Jayden is slipping away, and if you don't act soon, we'll lose him.

what's at stake here."

won't," she says, but the uncertainty in her

know her

decide to play it cool. That always

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174 Desperate Measures

remain calm. "Because we can't afford any more

replies, "I have to go. Kitchen duties. The line goes dead before I can say

else.

my mind racing. Ashlyn's losing her edge, and that's dangerous for both of us. If she can't follow through, I'll have to find another way to

son from falling completely into her

because of Winona. If she just left him alone, I wouldn't have had to push getting rid of

is mine. My son. My flesh and blood. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Abby will be mine too. I'll make sure of

how lucky I am to be here with you and have this amazing place to

truth." He lets me

just spoke to Jayden. Everything is going fine there. Abby is well.

surprised he talked

and I will always have a connection." I'm not letting Gus get under my

if you

you stay here for

can't sulk inside this castle for the rest of your life. You wanted to come here, remember? Why

feels like a fairytale dream

without her. I don't blame her, and even that will

never know. Time