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.

"Ashlyn never lived up to her potential. She had so much going for her, but

I see."

her father. And now, look where

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

"1

reap

And she sure as hell doesn't deserve

in this situation because you couldn't love her like you were supposed to. You broke her heart, Jayden. You and that woman of yours. So don't

1/2

222 A Parent's Love

+25 BONUS

tap on the door and Winona walks in, catching the tall end of Mrs. Carter's venomous words. Her eyes widen slightly as she

ended up this way because she was constantly trying to live up to impossible expectations, From you, from

Henry loved Ashlyn and he took her places, spent time with her. Like any parent

of having a 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 it wasn't for

have married

old money first. That's what I wanted for Ashlyn.

needed was to be loved for who she was, not molded

change. If anything, she

needed to be strong, to have more ambition. She was a disappointment after her father died, always

"All a parent has to do is love their child,"

breaking point, like you and my

just wanted what was best for you both. But you both failed

she wasn't strong enough. She failed because she was made to feel like she wasn't enough, just as she

far gone, too angry at the