Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

419 Mending Broken Pieces

419 Mending Broken Pieces

419 Mending Broken Pieces (Winona)

My laptop buzzes with a video call coming through. I draw a deep breath, steeling myself as I answer. Jayden's face appears on the screen, looking more worn and tired than I've ever seen him in a very long time. His eyes are shadowed, his jaw tight, and there's a vulnerability there that roils at my gut.

"Hey," he says, his voice rough. "Thanks for taking the call."

"Hey," I manage, trying to keep my own voice steady, feeling my palms grow clammy. The silence between us stretches, heavy with all the things we need to say, everything we need to fix and everything we've broken,

Jayden's throat works as he swallows. "I owe you an apology," he says, his voice thick. "For what I said about Judy being right. I didn't mean it. I was angry, and I let my hurt speak for me. I went back to a place I thought I'd never be again. I'm sorry." His words sink in.

"I just want to make things clear," I say, my voice cracking despite my best efforts. "I get why you had that reaction. I get that what I did was a stupid choice no matter my reasons. I don't think we can just pop a plaster over that gaping wound and fix it, but hearing those words from you is what has wrecked me."

"I understand that. I know just saying I'm sorry won't fix it either. I hurt you on the lowest level and I shouldn't have done that, no matter what."

"You know how hard I've fought to keep her out of our lives. Hearing you side with her... it broke something in me."

His eyes drop, the regret clear on his face. "I hate that hurt you like that. But I can't take it back. All I can do is try to make it right." He lifts his gaze, and there's desperation in his eyes. "I still love you, Winona. I haven't stopped."

too," I whisper, my voice small but true. "But love doesn't erase betrayal. It doesn't undo the hurt. I'm

easing. "We both made mistakes. We both

willing to work through it, if you

honesty in his voice hits me hard. "I am," I say. "But it won't be easy. We need to give each other grace, even when it feels

"We've done hard things before. Remember all those sessions with Barnaby, working through our mess?" He pauses. "Maybe it's time to

weight of hope mixed with doubt. "We can't pretend everything's fine. But

sessions with him. Maybe even give

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419 Mending Broken Pieces

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about our feelings. We've lost that lately. As much as we need to be

he says. "Those photos, I know they came from my mother I'm so done with her. I'm ready to bring her down for

she has people everywhere, but we have Viktor, and Gus. If Gus is ready to deal with her for good. We have each other, what if we give her exactly what she wants?" "Do you think we

T

has to happen. I need to get solid proof of all the things she has done, or at least some of it. Judy may have a

what?...We pretend we're separated or something? Jayden, are you sure? If she

I'm not living our lives under her shadow any longer. How can we ever be sure she won't get to one of the

blow. But

we're falling apart, it could give us the upper hand. "It'll be hard," I admit. "But maybe the distance will give us time to work through our own mess as well. The kids... they're worth fighting for.