Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 222

222 A Parent's Love

(Jayden)

I stand in the Brennan wing of the hospital. I'm going into the smaller unit to meet with Ashlyn's Mom

Ashlyn is in there as well and I know that her Mom, as her next of kin, has to sign the papers that will let the doctors turn off the life support.

This has to be hard for Mrs. Carter. I let myself in the door and went to the living area. I don't want to don't want to

interrupt her personal time with Ashlyn in the bedroom.

I hear voices, and I guess the medical staff are updating her.

I named the baby after Ashlyn's father, as a small gesture of respect, something that might offer some

comfort to Mrs. Carter.

But as soon as Mrs. Carter walks into the room, I feel the tension. She's a tall woman, her posture rigid, with a coldness in her eyes that immediately puts me on edge. She looks perfect, too perfect. The kind of perfect that you know is bought and paid for.

"Mrs. Carter," I say, keeping my voice steady. "Thank you for coming. I wanted you to know that I named the baby after Ashlyn's father, Henry, I thought she would have liked that. He and her always seemed so close." She looks at me, her expression unreadable for a moment before she scoffs, "Henry Carter,"

I'm surprised by this.

"That man was weak, Jayden. Weak, and without ambition. Just like Ashlyn. They'd rather be gadding about at a ball game than taking life seriously."

Wow. Okay. I was expecting grief, maybe even some anger, but this... this is something else entirely. Excuse me?" I ask, my voice low, trying to keep my composure.

and unflinching. "Ashlyn never lived up to her potential. She had so much going for her, but she was always too soft, too easily swayed

I see."

like her father. And now, look where

inside me, hot and uncontrollable. "Mrs. Carter, Ashlyn did everything she could to try and keep you

"1

you reap what you

deserve to be talked about like

"She's in this situation because you couldn't love her like you were supposed to. You broke her heart, Jayden. You and

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222 A Parent's Love

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the tall end of Mrs. Carter's venomous words. Her eyes widen slightly as

up to impossible expectations, From you, from my mother, because apparently you knew what was best for her." "It's okay,

Henry loved Ashlyn and he took her places, spent time with

child and being married to a dreamer, just to have Ashlyn end up poor. He would have squandered every last cent of his family money if

have married him for his money

course. I should've married old money first. That's what I wanted for Ashlyn. That's why

ever needed was to be loved for who she was, not molded into something she

expression doesn't change. If anything, she

Jayden. She needed to be strong, to have more ambition. She was a disappointment

talk about her daughter like this? "All a parent

to the breaking point, like you and my mother

what was best for you both. But you both

because she wasn't strong enough. She failed because she

my arm. But I'm too far gone, too angry at the way this woman is talking