Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 176

176 Up In Smoke (Winona)

Cass flips through the tv channels again while mom gets ready to go out for breakfast. I can tell she's restless, probably nervous about this new community and going out. They sure need to get some clothing. I wonder if I can convince them to let me take them shopping?

Mom's out of the bathroom now and sitting in the armchair by the window, staring out at the city beyond. I can't tell if she's thinking about the past or worrying about the future-probably both.

Just as I'm about to suggest we go get food and look in the variety store for some basics, Cass stops on a news channel. The reporter is talking about a fire, and the area it's in makes me pay attention.

"The fire, which broke out late last night, completely destroyed a house in the area. Witnesses say they saw a car and Molotov cocktails being thrown just before the flames engulfed the old home." Cass suddenly goes still, her eyes locked on the screen. I look at the TV, and my heart stops.

It's the old house. Or what's left of it. Flames are still flickering in the debris, and the camera pans the wreckage. There's nothing left but charred remains.

"Oh my God," Mom whispers, her hand flying to her mouth. "That's... that's our home."

across

her. It was where Mom and Cass lived, where Mom rebuilt her life and raised Cass. And now

I say, stunned. "Cass,

wouldn't have happened!" She's

H

what's happened. "You think you're so perfect, coming in here and trying to fix everything. But all you did'is make things worse!" "Cass, that's not fair," I say, trying

her eyes. "And now

to let go of the past and start over. We can't go back there now, Cass. There's nothing left. But we could have been in there. We could be dead." Cass glares at her for a second, but the fight drains out of her. "You're

+25 BONUS

to catch her eye. "Cass, I know this is

You can come back to this same city just a better area that you lived in

respond, just keeps staring at the screen. But I can see the gears turning in her

her hands shaking. "Winona, maybe... maybe staying in your city for a while wouldn't be so bad. Just until we figure out what to do next. But I've never had to make rent. I'm

it. "We'll find a way to make this work, Mom. Jayden is a property dealer and where your house is, was, that block will have some value. He'll do the research and if it's a suburb worth fixing up, he'll find you a good price "More charity from the rich folks. Wow, I'm so grateful Cass finally

walk away from everything before and start over. But things have a way of working out. At this point, it is what it is. You have to make the most of it." "Fine," she says, her voice quiet but no less

you to like anything. I do expect you to do the right thing and support your mother through this hard time though. Stop thinking about yourself for a minute." She glares at me