Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

440 Lovestruck Lisa

(Winona)

The cottage is alive with movement as staff bustle about, tidying rooms and preparing meals. I sit on the couch, sipping peppermint tea, and trying to make sense of my swirling thoughts. The kids are at school, which gives me a rare morning of peace-or at least as close to peace as I can get with my life.

The front door creaks open, and Lisa strides in. She's wearing a bright, flowy dress I don't think I've seen before, her cheeks glowing pink, her smile practically lighting up the room. "Wow," I say, setting my cup down. "You look like someone just proposed to you. How is cloud nine? It's been a minute since I visited."

Lisa laughs, dropping her bag by the door. "Not quite a proposal. But if he did, I wouldn't have said no."

I blink, taken aback by her reply. Lisa never says things like that-not without a heavy dose of sarcasm. "Okay, spill. Where have you been? I haven't seen you since you said you were having dinner with Lance, night before last. What happened?" She flops onto the couch beside me, her grin widening. "Oh, Winona, it was... everything. Everything I've ever dreamed of. Love is amazing!"

Before I can press her for details, a maid walks in, fluffing the cushions and giving us a polite smile. Right. Play the part.

I force a tired sigh and lean back. "Ugh, love, it's all a crock of shit. I can't believe in love anymore, Lisa. There's no hope for me and Jayden. Going back to the States is the only way."

Lisa shoots me a knowing look, clearly understanding that this is for the benefit of any ears that might be listening. She nods solemnly. "I get it, babe. You've been through hell with that man. It's time to move on. His loss."

The maid lingers a moment longer before finally leaving the room. It doesn't mean anything; the staff are all rife with gossip. They love finding out the inside story.

It doesn't mean that they are all reporting back to Judy, but someone is.

Lisa's face transforms the moment the door closes. She's practically bouncing in her seat. "Okay, now tell me what's going on with you first, then I'll get to my juicy stuff."

getting ready to leave. But enough about me. What's with the lovestruck

Winona, it was magical that night,

teacup. "What? I mean TMI but come on, Lance and Love don't belong in the same

hot sex-which, don't get me wrong, we've had plenty of over the years. This was different. He really let himself

"Lisa..."

you probably don't need to think about Lance and sex right now,

hurt again. Picking you up afterwards has never been

her eyes sparkling with excitement. "He even said if he was ever going to settle

stare at her, torn between disbelief and a strange pang of hope for

nods, her smile so wide it's almost blinding.

mess with he and Jayden has changed his outlook on life,

You'll

mean Lance even mentioning marriage and a

Winona. I think he's

best friend, and seeing her this happy warms my heart, but I also know how

seeing you like this. You're glowing, and it's beautiful. But... I just don't want to see

smile falters for a moment, but then she straightens her back, determination hardening her features. "Why not hope, Winona? Why not believe that this time could

change? No," I

Jayden sided with Judy again, and that is always going to happen. I think it's far easier to accept

I think

really do," I say, reaching for her hand. "But you've been down this road before. You've gotten