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

told me she's

his eyes

floor just dropped out from under me. "Sull pregnant? What the

too much. That woman is delusional. There's really no hope

ore said

expression firm. "Yes. But I don't believe her. How could that happen? The doctors she'd lost the baby before she even came to Santa Monica and the

them? I want to see." I

He hesitates slightly.

to say no." Barnaby says. "Winona, we have to be mindful

it's just...well, I guess I just want to believe

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

"I heard rumors, but I didn't want to believe it... Is that

191 Ashlyn's Delusion

+25 BONUS

"No, Winona. That's not what I want. Not with you. What Ashlyn and

lingers at the edge of my mind. "She clearly thinks she still has a hold on you." My mind races

are churning

because she thinks you'll be with her again somehow? God if she is pregnant, will they let her out?" I can't even begin to think about that and my breath is coming short and sharp. The anxiety and panic rises fast. I focus on my breathing. Keep it steady. You're in a safe place. I chant to

right mind, we know that. But this is next

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?

intimate things about Jayden that I've barely scratched the surface of.

a 'doctor's report. That's the only way we'll know

if she's telling the truth, it doesn't change how I feel. I'm with

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