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

entrance to the ward, her face drawn and

voice cracking as she takes a step towards us. "Please, talk to

wall of

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

radio. Before long two other security men step in to block

her hands shaking as she reaches out, as if she could somehow pull him back to her.

the ward doors behind her. "Judy, this is a bad idea,

She snaps. "I just

is fighting for life." "Please,

don't believe you, and even if I

in, taking Judy by

206 Jayden's Unyielding Resolv

#25 BONUS

You understand. I love Abby. I would never hurt her. Please, make him understand that.

her 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 can't

Jayden, who's watching me with a hard, unreadable expression. "Jayden, maybe... maybe we can

he takes a deep breath, his jaw clenched. "We'll talk about it later," he says, his voice clipped, but not unkind. "But

anything else, the security guard begins leading her away. She goes, but not without

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