Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

433 Inviting Judy

433 Inviting Judy

(Jayden)

Back in London, I stare at the text my mother sent after I got the photos.

Hard to believe that was just a few days ago. Now it feels like a lifetime. Everything has changed.

My best friend relationship has imploded in the worst way. We'll never be the same again. I can barely remember my life without Lance. We were like brothers. Not any longer.

Even if Winona and I can get through this together, once again we are forced apart by my mother's doing. Okay, Winona gave her the ammunition.

But the way she's used that to be the most damaging, isolating me from my close relationships, trying to give me no choice but her as my sole support. It makes it all icky.

Regardless of the wrongs or rights of this situation, I need Judy to not be influencing my life behind the scenes. I need her to just let me go. If getting her in jail does that, then that's what I do. The no-contact order wasn't enough to make her see that it's over for her and I. I won't keep running away. Okay, I need to get this rolling so I bring up her text again.

I reply: you were right.

Just enough to keep up the pretense that I'm open to her contact.

The idea of playing nice with my mother makes my skin crawl, but if it keeps her off guard, it's worth it. This is what I need to do now but I also cannot do this forever.

I pace around the hotel suite Viktor secured for me. The burner phone Viktor gave me buzzes in my pocket, and I answer immediately, recognizing Gus's voice on the other end. "Jayden," Gus says. "Viktor's filled me in. You're trying to do the right thing, but it won't be easy."

"I know," I reply, keeping my voice steady. "I need evidence. Real evidence. Can you give me anything on Judy? About Greg's death or the car accident? Anything at all."

solid, Jayden. She's always been too careful. The only thing I have is

"Okay."

argue you were in no state to understand anything. The doctors thought you were in a coma." I rub my forehead, frustration simmering beneath

bank transfers, anything tying her to illegal activities. Or people willing to testify. But, Jayden, you should know... she's always made sure to cover her tracks. The man who was driving the truck that you smashed into is now dead." "Then I'll get her to talk," I say, the resolve hardening in my

173

433 ring Jody

way to catch her slipping, I'll do

conflict in him. "You think she'll fall for it? You think she'll trust you enough to

insist. "She wants me on

warns. "And if she catches wind of it, there's no telling what

me sends a chill down my spine. "But the won't stop coming after Winona, I won't let her have

Gus's voice softens. "There's something else you need to know. Cass she's gotten mixed up in some drug

phone tightens. "What? How do you

in Cuba and South America, indirectly," Gus

"From jail?"

Ma- the youngest sister, Mia's working at Brennan Industries, sponsored by Judy on a work visa. I think she's involved in something deeper." "Judy

for a while working on his own business development.

be involved with her

recreational drugs. Cass has

over me. "Cass has been pretty elusive but assuring Winona she is

I'm trying to find out more. If you hear from her, let

clench my jaw, the urge to protect my family overwhelming. I won't tell Winona yet. She has enough to handle right now. Plus she's heading back to the States anyway so she can sort Cass out if

knows the streets and I believe she would contact Winona if things

in my files to try and get something solid on Judy. But I don't know about that. Jayden, it's complicated, you know I've loved Judy for a long time. It's stupid of me, but the heart wants what the