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

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 eyes blazing with anger. "This is your fault," she spits out.

I say, stunned. "Cass,

with a gun, maybe it wouldn't have happened!" She's practically shouting now, her fists clenched at her sides. "Cass, stop," Mom says, her

H

caught up in her anger, desperate to blame someone for 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 to keep my voice calm. "I didn't want this to happen. Maybe

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

time 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 right. That fire was meant for us. For Winona and I." She slumps back onto the couch, staring at

+25 BONUS

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

You can come back to this same city just a

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

deep breath, 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 not sure how I can

He'll do the research and if it's a suburb worth fixing up, he'll find you

Cass, I know this is hard. I've had to walk away from everything before and start over. But things have a way of working out. At this point, it is

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