Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 349

349 Settling In, or Not

(Winona)

This place is stunning. Truly. But it's not made for kids. Not in the slightest.

Everywhere I look, staff are bustling around, preparing everything as if royalty are about to arrive. I glance at Jayden, watching as someone pours him a drink.

He's trying to hide it, but I can see a bit of embarrassment on his face. Not enough to stop it, though. He's sitting in an armchair, with a staff member standing by waiting for the next instruction. "This is... a lot," I murmur as I lean in closer.

He shrugs. "It's their job, Winona. I can't just sack them"

"I get that," I say, running a hand through my hair. "But they're doing everything. How are the kids supposed to learn anything here if someone's doing every little thing for them?"

"They can still learn. Just... we'll work it out," Jayden tries to reassure me. "Look, I know it's overwhelming right now, but let's just give it a few days, okay? We'll figure out a routine that works for everyone."

I'm not convinced. I can already tell this isn't the environment where I want to raise the kids. But I nod,

trying to push down my concerns.

"Let's go see the kitchen," I say, tugging at his hand.

He follows me, and when we enter, the sight that greets us is exactly what I expected-chefs everywhere, chopping, prepping, organizing. It's like something out of a high-end restaurant.

"Uh..." Jayden scratches the back of his neck. "Okay, yeah. That's a bit much."

"I can't teach the kids to do chores in here," I point out, gesturing at the gleaming countertops, the spotless floors, the precision with which everyone works. "How am I supposed to get them to help with dinner if we've got a five-star restaurant staff?" Jayden chuckles, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe we can put them in chef school while we're at it?"

I roll my eyes. "This is serious, Jayden. This isn't a home-it's a hotel. I'm not sure why Gus would expect us to live here."

a couple of

T

into him, but my gut tells me this

leaves without so much as a goodbye, and Jayden is busy wrangling the kids outside with Henry in his arms. I take a moment to breathe, and that's

a break," he says

it show?" I

to see

I'd prefer to walk," I say. "The fresh air might

+25 BONUS

Setting In or

head out. The estate grounds are vast, but they're beautiful. Rolling hills, manicured gardens, and the kind of countryside that makes you feel like you've stepped

a big family, right?" I ask, breaking the silence

even cover it," Viktor says, his grin widening. "Twelve kids in total. I'm the

have been like a

herbalist... She raised us with

to meet her, too," I say, genuinely intrigued. "I could

plenty

in the landscape.

a cottage. It's huge. At least eight bedrooms, from

I ask, pointing at the

"That's it," Viktor confirms.

bigger than it

homestead. Gus built it when he first got this land and the mansion, back when the royal family gifted it to him. He had plans for a life in this cottage. A family. But when Judy made it clear she wasn't interested in coming

this place has just been sitting here,

nods. "Gus used the mansion to house all the valuable things he collected over the years. But the cottage? That was supposed to be the heart of his family life. When

at the neglected structure, the overgrown garden, the cobwebs clinging to the windows. "Seems like he was protecting his heart in that place as much as

nods. "You're not