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..."

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 saw that message come through." Cass stiffens, and I see the anger flash in her eyes. "You texted him? Why? Why would you do

I saw the message on Winona's phone. I knew... I

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

had to die knowing... knowing he'd never hurt you again. That was the only way I could go

freely now, and she shakes her head, her

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

+25 BONUS

205 Last Goodbye

of each other. That you'll love each other. You're sisters.

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

onto Mom like I can keep her here with us. " promise, Mom. I love you. I love you so much. I'm sorry I didn't come

give up, Mom. We can still fight this. There

eyes start to close, her breaths coming slower, shallower. "1 love you both... so much.

just like

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

a knife, but I can't fight back. Not now. Not when she's right. Not when I feel like I've

choke out, my

hurting but blaming Winona for all of this is

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

"Cass! Stay, I'll go!" I yell

T

an instant, his arms wrapping around

have her tracked to make sure she's safe, but right now... right now, you need to