Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 415

415 Heart to Heart

(Winona)

The sun is warm on my back as I kneel in the garden, tugging at weeds that have embedded themselves deep in the soil. Henry gurgles contentedly on the rug between Lisa and I, his tiny fists reaching for the mobile above him.

The sound of his laugh and squeals mingles with the rustling leaves, a stark contrast to the drama of last night. This is my peaceful place. In the garden, with my family and best friend.

The kids are off down in the wooded area behind the cottage, building what they insist is the "ultimate" fort. Every so often, a burst of laughter or the echo of a shouted command filters back, and it brings a smile to my face. At least they're not asking when dad will be home.

I can't answer that right now.

Lisa is sitting cross-legged in the grass, her hands idly plucking at stray blades of wayward weeds. She's watching Henry with a soft expression, but I can see the tension in her shoulders. She's been quiet for a while, and it's making me anxious.

I know we need to talk about how she really feels about Lance and I.

Finally, Lisa sets down the soda can she's been nursing, the clink of metal against stone breaking the silence. She doesn't look at me right away, just lets out a long sigh before meeting my eyes.

"So," she says, her voice steady but not as light as she probably intended, "are we ever going to talk about the whole... Lance thing? Because, you know, it's been eating at me a little overnight." The guilt I've been trying to suppress rushes back in a tidal wave, and I sit back on my heels, wiping my dirty hands on my jeans. "I was waiting for you to bring it up," I admit, my voice small.

hurt you. I know you well enough to know that information did hurt you." "Well,"

and I know you love

just trying to understand why you'd choose him, of all

"And you have every right to feel hurt. I didn't think it through, Lisa. I wasn't thinking about

studying me. "So why, Winona? Why Lance?

know. I wasn't thinking logically. That week, it was supposed to be about freedom, about exploring

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for me, you would never have come up with the hall

needing that, it's just

peaceful and innocent. "But when it came to actually hooking up with a stranger, I couldn't do it. 114 wrong Exposed Scared, even." Lisa's eyebrows knit together. "But

sound logical, I confess, "He's experienced,

he really did take

blame. The idea excited me at that moment. There wouldn't be any emotional fallout

know it well with him. No strings, no

was right about one thing: he made me feel safe. Safe to try things always been too afraid to explore. It wasn't about hurting Jayden, not directly. But maybe, deep down, I did want to punish him a little. For all the secrets, for Ashlyn... for everything." Lisa's eyes soften, and she reaches over, squeezing my hand. "You're only human, Winona. You've been through hell and back. Wanting something for yourself doesn't make you a

could hurt Jayden. I was so selfish, Lisa, I was thinking about me and only me." Her eyes

say I also had crazy sex with