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... that's why I texted Steve after I

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

you didn't have to do this. You didn't have

"I had to die knowing... knowing he'd never hurt you again.

now, and she shakes her head, her

won't be alone," Mom says, her voice barely a whisper.

+25 BONUS

205 Last Goodbye

That you'll

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

here with us. " promise, Mom. I love you. I love you so much. I'm sorry I

this. There are

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

like that, she's

under me, and I collapse onto the bed, my sobs shaking my entire body. Cass pulls away from me, her face twisted in grief

but I can't fight back. Not now. Not when she's right. Not

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

but blaming Winona

and I'm alone. Don't tell me what to feel." She bolts from

"Cass! Stay,

T

his arms wrapping

Winona," he says. "She needs to run. I'll have her tracked to make sure she's safe, but