Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 414

414 Escape (Cass)

"Idiot," I whisper, my voice cracking. My throat tightens with shame. How did I let myself get here?

I picture my mom's face, the warmth in her eyes, the way she used to brush my hair and tell me I'd grow up to do great things.

A sob claws its way up, and I swallow it back. I can't break down. Not here, not now.

1 slide to the floor, knees pulled up to my chest, trying to catch my breath. Everything in my life is in ruins, and it's my fault. I suck at running my own life. If Mom could see me now, she'd be so disappointed.

I wipe at my face, missing my mom with a fierceness that cuts. Life felt safe when she was alive. Predictable. Now I'm a disaster, a pathetic screw-up who can't make one decent decision.

If only I'd 4istened to her more. If only she were here to tell me what to do, to hold me and promise everything would be okay.

I push out of the shop front, clutching my backpack tight, and head toward my apartment. I just need my passport and the last of the money I've stashed.

My mind is a mess, replaying the gunshot, the blood, the stranger's lifeless eyes. The police will come for me soon enough. They'll trace everything back to me. I know that's how this works. There will be some magical evidence that makes me the person who fired the gun. That's how this underbelly world works. If they want you gone, they get you gone one way or another.

When I reach my tiny apartment, my legs barely hold me up. The door hangs off its hinges and my heart sinks.

They've been here already. I was never meant to come out of the drug deal alive. That's clear. I move slow and quiet. I don't know if anyone is still in here.

My heart breaks when I see how smashed everything is. My photos and memories of Mom. It's completely trashed and ripped up. My whole life was in here. All my hope for a better future I was building for myself. I was doing so well until that kidnapping in Cancun. I have to try harder this time. I will.

such a damn

my way into the bathroom praying they haven't found my real stash. I have some cash and those pills I borrowed from each

and leave again. I have to get away, right away. I

the pills, just use enough to help me think

can come back and explain what happened. I miss Winona and the kids. 1 miss my Mom.

my knees, the hopelessness crushing me, but the survival instinct

1/3

+25 BONUS

414 Escape

to run.

in

heavy footsteps. My blood runs cold. "Just give me what you owe and I'll

my bag. I should've left already. Why

window, shoving it open. The rusty frame groans, but I manage to

feet pound the pavement, every shadow a potential

wall. My hands are trembling so bad I

of my drug money will get me out of

Winona's there. She's all I've got left. If I can just get

my bank to get all the way there. I'm going to have to be creative and pray I don't get stopped and questioned by

get away from here and I'll need some luggage. Just leaving with a backpack looks suspect. I'll call

know her and Jayden would get me there. But that would mean questions on my sudden change of heart. I'm not ready to tell her what a fuck up I am yet. I