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..."

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...

the message on Winona's phone. I knew... I knew he wouldn't stop until he destroyed both of you. I couldn't... wouldn't let that

a million pieces. "Mom... you didn't have

her voice growing fainter. "I had to die knowing... knowing he'd never hurt you again. That was the only way I could go in

flowing freely now, and she shakes her head, her voice breaking. "Don't leave me, Mom. I don't

voice barely a whisper. "You

+25 BONUS

205 Last Goodbye

take care of each other. That you'll love

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

down my face as I hold onto Mom like I can keep her here with us. " promise, Mom. I love you. I love you so much. I'm

can still fight this. There are trials, new cures for

her head. "No. I need to rest now." Mom's eyes start to close, her breaths coming slower,

then, just like that,

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 and ruined everything. You

can't fight back. Not now. Not when

choke out, my voice barely

I know you're hurting but blaming Winona

now and I'm alone. Don't tell me what

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

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arms wrapping around me, holding me tight as I break

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