Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 205

205 Last Goodbye

(Winona)

The hospital feels like it's closing in on me. I can only imagine how Jayden feels right now.

He's come to check in on Mom with me. Cass won't talk to him either.

Mom lies there, so still, so fragile, and it hits me how little time we've had together. Not enough time. Nowhere near enough.

I reach out, my fingers trembling as they close around her hand. It's warm, but she doesn't react. The doctors said she'd wake up when she's ready, but what if she never wakes up? What if this is it? Cass stands in the corner, hugging herself like she's trying to hold in all the pain. She hasn't looked at me since we got here.

Suddenly, the steady beeping of the monitor changes, becoming slower, more deliberate. My heart skips a beat, and I lean forward, my breath catching in my throat. "Mom? Mom, can you hear me?" Cass jerks, her eyes wide and wild as she steps closer, "Mom? Please, Mom..."

And then, as if by some miracle, Mom's eyelids flutter open. For a moment, her eyes are clear, focused.

"Winona... Cass..." Her voice is so faint, I have to lean in to hear it, but it's there. It's her.

"We're here, Mom," I whisper, tears already streaming down my face. "We're both here."

Cass moves to the other side of the bed, her hand holding onto Mom's other hand. She's trembling, her face a mix of hope and fear. "Mom, you're going to be okay. We're going to get you through this."

But Mom shakes her head, a sad smile playing on her lips. "No, baby, I'm not going to be okay. I've known... for a while now. I have cancer. Terminal. It's spread... everywhere."

The words hit me like a sledgehammer. "No... no, Mom, why didn't you say something. We could have paid for treatment..."

weaker than I'd like. "I didn't want to burden you. And, after the life I've lived, I'm tired. It took its toll on me. But I needed to make sure... you were both safe. That's why... that's why I texted Steve after

she looks at Cass. "I knew it had to end. I saw the message on Winona's phone. I knew... I knew he

shatter into a million pieces. "Mom... you didn't have to do this. You didn't have to sacrifice

knowing he'd never hurt you again. That was the only way I

head, her voice breaking. "Don't leave

Mom says, her voice barely a whisper. "You have each other. Promise me...

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205 Last Goodbye

you'll take care of each other. That you'll love each other. You're

is sobbing now, her head bowed as she clutches Mom's hand.

here with us. " promise, Mom. I love you. I love you so much. I'm sorry I didn't come

this. There are trials, new cures for cancer every

close,

then, just like that, she's

monitor flatlines, the steady beep replaced by a continuous tone that signals the end. I feel like the ground has been ripped out from under me, and I collapse onto the bed, my sobs shaking my entire body. Cass pulls away from me, her face twisted in grief and anger. "This is your fault," she spits, her voice full of venom. "You came back

me like a knife, but I can't fight back. Not now. Not

sorry," I choke out, my voice barely audible. "I'm

but blaming Winona for all of

me what to

chase after her. "Cass! Stay, I'll go!" I yell

T

is there in an instant, his arms wrapping around me, holding

her tracked to make sure she's safe, but right now... right now, you need to take care of yourself. Let me