Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 181

181

Ashlyn's Delusion

181 Ashlyn's Delusion

(Winona)

Jayden and I are sitting across from Barnaby in his office office, the familiar surroundings doing little to ease the twisting in my stomach.

Barnaby looks between us. "It seems there's a lot on your minds today. Where would you like to start?"

Jayden's the first to speak, his voice steady. "I want to talk about Ashlyn. She's recently sent me text

messages.

I tense up, the mention of her name bringing a rush of emotions-anger, suspicion, fear. "What exactly did she text? I mean how can she have a phone in there? I didn't think they were allowed."

"I don't know but I bet Mother has something to do with that."

"I don't doubt that. Have you spoken to Ashlyn before this?"

"No. She contacted me while we were away. That's the first I've heard from her." Jayden says, locking onto mine.

I take a deep breath. "Jayden, what could she possibly want with you? With us?"

for his

told me she's still

his eyes

out from under

is just too much. That woman is delusional. There's

ore said

the baby before she even came to Santa Monica and the

do you know the messages are really from her, Jayden? Can I read them? I want to see." I do believe him, but

He hesitates slightly.

no." Barnaby says. "Winona, we

I guess I

okay. There's a lot to unpack with my past with Ashlyn." He hands me his phone. "We need to work through a lot and it has to do with me having sex with Ashlyn while Winona and I were divorced. But there were times I pursued Winona at the same time. I crossed a line." I take the phone and read through the texts and my eyes stop on her telling him his safe word. So, it is true. Lisa was right.

safe word," I say. "I heard rumors, but I didn't want to believe it... Is that what you want

191 Ashlyn's Delusion

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his eyes searching mine. "No, Winona. That's not what I want. Not with you. What Ashlyn and I had... it

at the edge of my mind. "She clearly thinks she still

churning from

let her out?" I can't even begin to think about that and my breath is coming short and sharp. The anxiety and

mind, we know that. But this is next level. But I don't care, Winona, I'm not

trying to see the truth in his eyes. I want to believe him, but the fear of what Ashlyn represents the darkness, the control-makes it hard. Is this a part of him that will eat him up if he tries to deny it?

a game. She knows things, deep, intimate things about Jayden that I've barely scratched

hand the phone back to him, my hands trembling. "You need to go and see if this is true. Make her get a 'doctor's report. That's the only way we'll know for

forward, taking my hands in his. "Winona, listen to me. Even if she's telling the truth, it doesn't change how I feel. I'm