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..."

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

on Winona's phone. I knew... I

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

she insists, her voice growing fainter. "I had to die knowing... knowing he'd

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

her voice barely a whisper. "You

+25 BONUS

205 Last Goodbye

That you'll love each other.

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

Mom like I can keep her here with us. " promise, Mom. I love you. I love you

can still fight this. There

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

just like that, she's

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

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

out, my voice barely

know you're hurting but blaming

me what to feel." She bolts from the

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

T

arms wrapping around me, holding me tight as

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