Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 374

374 Test Time (Winona)

I close the bathroom door behind me, leaning back against it as my heart pounds against my ribs. I clutch the pregnancy test in one hand, determined to finally go through with it.

No more interruptions, no more stalling. It's time to know. Sitting on the toilet, I'm ready.

Before I can open the package, my phone rings. I nearly drop the test, the sudden sound jolting me. I pull my phone out of the pocket of my jeans now pooled at my ankles, and Jayden's name flashes on the screen.

My thumb hovers over the decline button-I want to be alone in this moment. But then, something stops me. It's as if he knows I need him, even though he's not with me.

I swipe to answer, bracing myself, hoping he doesn't pick up on the anxiety in my voice.

"Hey, babe," I say, clutching the test in one hand.

"Hey," he replies, his tone warm and steady. There's a softness in his voice, the kind he only uses when he's about to say something important.

"I'm just about to take off for London, but I had to call you before I went. I was down at the cottage earlier, and... I don't know, it just hit me."

"Hit you?" I ask, my voice wavering slightly. I try to shake off the unease, forcing myself to focus on his words.

I fumble with the box trying to open it one-handed as I sit on the toilet.

"Yeah, Being there, seeing everything Gus set up-it made me realize something. He really did all this with me in mind. This whole setup, the way he built that place... it's like he tried to create a world for me." "That's how I felt too."

"I've been holding so much resentment. But standing there, I realized... my past doesn't have to define me, you know? I'm the one who gets to decide what family means, not Judy or Gus or Greg. Just... us." The warmth in his voice seeps into me, soothing my nerves like a balm. I cling to his words, savoring every one, but the test in my hand distracts the moment. I try to focus on the love that Jayden has built with me.

I pull the test from the box, finally. The box drops on the floor.

"I'm more committed to this than I've ever been," he continues. "Our life, our family... Whatever happens, nothing can change that."

The raw sincerity in his tone brings a lump to my throat, and I swallow, barely holding back a tear." Jayden, that means everything," I murmur, gripping the test so tightly my knuckles go white.

I'm trying to keep my voice steady, but I know he'll pick up on something. He always does.

A pause stretches between us, and I hear a hint of concern in his voice. "Your okay? What are you up to? I can hear rustling or shuffling. Did you find my chocolate stash?"

374 Test Time

I

+25 BONUS

at the test taunting me. My mind races for a quick excuse. "Just... testing some paint colors," I say, trying to sound casual. "The painter's asking for some answers, and it's kind of last minute. You have a chocolate stash?" "No. No I definitely don't." He chuckles, his laughter easing the tension creeping through me. "And hey, remember-you can call me anytime, alright? Whether it's paint colors or just... whatever. Just

smile, the sincerity of his words mingling with the nervous energy bubbling inside me. "I

too, babe. Always. No matter

his words giving me a strength I didn't realize I needed. But now, the reality of what I'm

myself to focus. My fingers tear open the package, my hand's trembling as I put it where it needs to be.

as if my body has taken over while my

shut, not ready to face the truth just yet. I remind myself of the rational answer I've convinced myself of. The law of averages, the likelihood that this is Jayden's if it's anything at all. We've been together so much, and with him... it was always unguarded. It has to be Jayden's, right?

my eyes are still clamped 'shut. The seconds stretch

rebuilt. But either way it could be a baby, my baby. Finally, I take a deep breath and open my eyes, but I don't look down just yet. I can't. Has it been long enough? Why didn't I time it

myself to look. The room

test is there on the counter, and the tiny window holds the answer to everything. My

look at it.

itself in that

374 Test Time

(Winona)

my ribs. I clutch the pregnancy test in one hand, determined to finally go through with it. No more interruptions, no more stalling. It's time to know. Sitting on the toilet,

the sudden sound jolting me. I pull my phone out of the pocket of my jeans now pooled at my ankles, and

want to be alone in this moment. But then, something stops me. It's as if he knows

to answer, bracing myself, hoping he doesn't pick up on the anxiety in

say, clutching the test in

and steady. There's a softness in his voice, the kind he

I went. I was down at the cottage earlier, and... I don't know, it just

slightly. I try to shake off the

the box trying to open it one-handed as I

He really did all this with. me in mind. This whole setup, the way he built that place... it's like he tried to

there, I realized... my past doesn't have to define me, you know? I'm the one who gets to decide

soothing my nerves like a balm. I cling to his words, savoring every one, but the test in my hand distracts

box, finally.

ever been," he continues. "Our life, our

my throat, and I swallow, barely holding back a tear." Jayden, that means everything," I murmur, gripping the test so tightly

to keep my voice steady, but I know he'll pick up on something. He

us, and I hear a hint of concern in his voice. "You okay? What are you