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

dump, but it was still home to her. It was where Mom and Cass lived, where Mom rebuilt her life and raised Cass. And now it's gone. Cass's face hardens, and she turns to me, her

I say, stunned. "Cass, I

me, if you hadn't attacked him and threatened them with a gun, maybe it wouldn't have happened!" She's practically shouting now, her fists clenched at her sides. "Cass, stop,"

H

coming in here and trying to fix everything. But all you did'is make things worse!" "Cass, that's not fair," I say, trying to keep my voice calm. "I didn't want this to happen. Maybe you shouldn't have taken off and not come home

tears welling up in her eyes. "And now we have nothing. No home, no place

have been in there. We could be dead." Cass glares at her for a second, but

+25 BONUS

in front of her, trying to catch her eye. "Cass, I know this is hard. But it's a

find something better. You can come back to this same city just a better area that you lived

screen. But I can see the gears turning in her head, the realization

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

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

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 angry.

expect 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 again. I glare back, silently begging her to stop being so argumentative and just