My CEO 206

206 Jayden's Unyielding

206

Jayden's Unyielding Resolver

(Winona)

We sat in the ward waiting room. Jayden is beside me, his hand clasped around mine. We haven't said much since Mom passed away, both of us caught up in our own thoughts.

Cass came back after ten minutes, tears streaming down her face, to say her final goodbyes to Mom. I couldn't bring myself to intrude on that moment. She needs her space, and I need to respect that.

Jayden squeezes my hand, grounding me in the moment. I look at him, seeing the exhaustion in his eyes. But he's strong, certain, and that's what I need right now.

"I should head back to Ashlyn's room soon," Jayden says quietly, his voice steady. "Check on the baby before I take you and Cass home."

I nod, standing up with him. The thought of seeing Cass now, of trying to convince her to come home with me, feels like an insurmountable task, but I know it needs to be done. I'm not leaving her alone. I promised Mom. But as we start along the ward corridors, past the nurses station to head off this floor, the hairs on back of my neck prickle.

the

and there she is-Judy. She's standing at the entrance to the ward, her face

cracking as she takes a step

wall of ice slipping into

"She's breaching a no- contact order. Call the police. In fact,

Before

reaches out, as if she could somehow pull him back to her. "Please, don't

the ward doors behind her. "Judy, this is

Gus," She snaps. "I just

You've crossed every line. There's no coming back from this. Now my baby is fighting

doesn't change. "I don't believe you, and even if I

moves in, taking Judy by

206 Jayden's Unyielding Resolv

#25 BONUS

a mother. You understand. I love Abby. I would never

faults, all the damage she caused, that love is real. And I can't ignore that Abby loves her as well. I have to tell her Grandma Lucy is gone. Tears well in my eyes. Do I need to tell her she

me with a hard, unreadable expression. "Jayden, maybe... maybe we can talk

his jaw clenched. "We'll talk about it later," he

the security guard begins leading her away. She goes, but

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