My CEO 405

05 It's All Ruined

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405 It's All Ruined (Winona)

I'm in the kitchen, ladling the creamy chicken casserole into a dish of rice. It smells amazing. Jayden always loved this recipe. It feels like forever since we've had dinner with just the two of us.

Soft, calming music flows through my headphones, and a gentle, soothing voice reminds me to breathe. Inhale peace, exhale stress. My heartbeat follows the rhythm, easing into a steady calm. Everything is as it should be. Dinner is ready, and Jayden will be landed, I think. It's only a fifteen-minute drive from the city. We'll finally have our time to reconnect, to talk, to share news that I've been holding onto with cautious hope.

Lisa called and I talked to the kids who were having so much fun. I told them they could have a later night

as long as their chores and study got done tomorrow.

They all had a stuffed animal each and sticky faces from cotton candy. I'm not sure they'll sleep at all from the sugar rush. But it's fine this once. I'm so excited about telling Jayden my news, I doubt he or I will sleep all night anyway. focus on the words and the music and let relaxation seep through me. This stuff really works.

A loud, angry shout pierces through my tranquil bubble. What the hell is going on outside? I yank the headphones out, heart racing as the calm I've been working so hard to maintain evaporates instantly.

The shouting gets louder. It sounds like... no, it can't be. My hands shake as I rush out of the kitchen, my pulse thundering in my ears.

I know that voice.

front porch, I see a scene

a blur, pummeling Lance, who's trying to defend himself. Lance's lip is split, his nose smashed and blood drips onto the gravel. "What

raw, broken roar. "You were with my wife! You

with Lance's cheekbone again, a sickening thud

defense, his hands attempting to guard his face.

myself forward, trying to pull him back. "Jayden, enough!

off Lance. I push between them, to try and grab Jayden's face. Trying to snap him out of the

hurt and betrayal. But he shoves me off, I stumble backward, tripping on the step and crashing

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405 It's All Ruined

the security team holds him firmly. My vision wavers, but get my teet forcing myself to

his breath having swee glistening on

hurt. "What the hell

were with during ball pose w You let me believe it didn't matter, but it was Lance.

stomach. He knows. Oh God,

promised me it would never be an issue, that you'd never throw it back

was before I knew who!" His voice is thick with betrayal. "My best friend, Whote te

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