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?"

ear. "Just you, me, and some seriously good food.

I shake my head at

to kiss me softly. "Come

I reply, feeling a flutter of excitement in my belly. It's been so long since we've just been... us. No drama, no chaos. Just

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

fell in love with

Mom in the kitchen, the smell of coffee brewing filling the air. She's been doing better, I can see it in the way she holds herself, the way she talks about the future. But there's still a fragility to her, and I know physically she has ongoing problems but she

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190 Being a Daughter

thinking," I start, trying to sound casual. "Maybe you could stay here. Permanently, I mean. You could help me with Abby, and we could make up for lost

turning in her mind. "Winona, I... I'd love to be close to you, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of responsibility. I mean physically I'm not strong. I'd be worried about being alone with her for too long." "Let's

down at 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,

can say anything else, Cass bursts into the room, her energy filling the space. "Guess what? I got

ask, genuinely

can, I'm moving out. Then, Mom, you can come live with me. I'll take good care of you." There's a hint of pride in her voice, but also something else-something that makes me pause. It's subtle, but I can feel the undercurrent of ownership and

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

between us. "We'll see," she

can tell she's already making plans in

with a lot to think about. Cass is trying to carve out her own place in the world, just like

also fighting for Mom's attention, to maintain the closeness they've shared. And

our family, as much as we're trying to rebuild it, is still fractured. There are pieces

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