My CEO 190

190 Being a Daughter (Winona)

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Jayden walks into my living room with a kind of swagger I haven't seen in a while.

He's got that confident, easy-going smile that used to drive me crazy back in college-the one that says he knows exactly what he wants, and he's not afraid to go after it.

"I'm done with therapy," he says, like it's the most natural thing in the world.

I blink at him, caught off guard. "What do you mean, done?"

"Exactly that. I don't need to see Barnaby anymore. I've got my shit together, and I'm in control. No more sessions."

It's not a question, and he's not looking for my approval. He's telling me, plain and simple, that he's made up his mind. There's something undeniably attractive about the way he says it-like he's finally stepping into his own power. But there's also a part of me that's surprised by how resolute he is.

"You're sure about this?"

"Absolutely," he says, walking over to me and pulling me into his arms. "I know what I want, and I'm not going to let anything or anyone get in the way of that. And right now, what I want is to take you out on a date."

His tone shifts, dropping to that low, playful one he used to use when we were younger, and I can't help but smile.

"A date, huh?"

says, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Just you, me, and some seriously good food. And

I shake

you," he says, leaning in to kiss me softly. "Come on, what do

belly. It's been so long since we've just been... us. No drama, no

that used to melt my heart. "Great. I'll pick you

watch him go, feeling a mixture of pride and a little bit of awe. This is the Jayden I fell in love with the one who knows what he wants and

can see it in the way she holds herself, the way she talks about the future. But there's

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190 Being a Daughter

stay here. Permanently, I mean. You could help

I'm ready for that kind of responsibility. I mean physically I'm not strong. I'd be worried about being

our hands, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I'll consider it. It's hard adjusting from being independent, and there's Cass to consider. It's just been

get it,

anything else, Cass bursts into the room, her energy filling the

ask,

"It's not much, just working at a café downtown, but it's something. I'm saving up, and as soon as I can, I'm moving out. Then, Mom, you can come live with me. I'll

take care of Mom. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. But in any case, it's okay. I get why she feels that

hesitates, looking between us. "We'll see," she says gently. "One step

says, though I can tell she's already

leaves me with a lot

the closeness they've shared. And I can't blame

remind me that our family, as much as we're trying to rebuild it, is still fractured. There are pieces missing, and I'm not

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