Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 249

(Jayden)

I can't explain the feeling of holding Henry against my bare chest. It's more than just warmth, more than the soft rise and fall of his tiny body.

It's like every fear, every worry I've had about him since the day he was born melts away.

My protective drive for him is consolidated as I cradle him in the crook of one arm and keep him against me. I love him so much.

We love him so much. Ashlyn would be proud. But then again, Ashlyn didn't want to be his mother.

Ashlyn chose to give up her rights as his parent. That makes me wonder, if we'd stayed married and she'd had the baby and we'd played happy families, how would it have all ended up?

She never wanted motherhood but she would have forced herself to keep me. It brings me back to just how broken Ashlyn was. It was never meant to be with her.

I could never have loved her like I love Winona now.

I know how rejection on that parental level feels. I'm so glad Henry will never feel that. Winona is and always will be his mother, in every way.

I glance over at her sitting beside me, her eyes glued to Henry as her fingers gently stroke his little arm. She smiles softly, and for a moment, everything feels right in the world.

It's amazing how much peace one tiny baby can bring, even with all the chaos. This is the true meaning of

life.

The nurse checks Henry's breathing again, nodding in approval. "He's doing great. His body temperature has been holding steady for thirty minutes."

That news alone is enough to make me so grateful.

Henry is strong. He's a fighter. He's proven that time and time again, and now... now he's about to take another big step forward.

The nurse glances at me, giving me the signal. "It's time to try the bottle feed. You ready?"

worry.

I try to p

focusing on Henry and keeping

and exhale evenly. Willing relaxation and calmness through

are so small, so delicate, but there's strength in them. Winona has tears in her eyes but I know she's also trying to generate a

hand on mine, squeezing gently. "It's going to be okay,"

249 Skin to Skin

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nurse carefully teases Henry with the bottle, brushing the small teat against his lips and near

nothing happens. I focus on staying calm, breathing deep

his mouth opening just enough to latch onto the teat. The nurse encourages him to take

on edge, waiting for something to go wrong. "Take a drink, son." Winona starts humming softly beside me, a quiet lullaby, and I can see Henry's tiny body relax as she does. It's like magic. She's always had that effect on him, calming him in ways I can't

from God, I know I

stronger. He's doing it. He's sucking, swallowing, and breathing

nods. "There you go

it!" Winona gasps, her eyes lighting up

I'm so overwhelmed with relief, with

my voice thick with

I want to do is dance on

"That's

father's appetite." I say with a

now. I'll go out and write up his chart and let

"Okay."

this is the moment we've

going to

time. I don't know what I'd do without

of this and seeing her so happy right

I whisper to her, my

looks at me, confused.

here.