Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

452 My Babysitter

(Cass)

The chill of the air doesn't bother me as I storm toward the cottage. My boots hit the gravel hard, and I clench my fists against the rising wave of emotions threatening to spill over.

I know I did the wrong thing, but I've also come out the other end. I don't need to hear judgment from anyone. My life has taken a turn for the better and nothing is going to take that from me. Viktor's condescending tone still rings in my ears. Who the hell does he think he is? And Jayden-he's acting like I'm the screw-up of the century. As if he hasn't held that title long term. I hear the car door slam behind me and glance over my shoulder. Jayden's long strides eat up the distance between us. "Cass, wait," he calls out, his voice calmer than I expect.

I don't slow down. "What now? Come to lecture me some more?"

"No," he says, catching up and matching my pace. "I want to apologize."

I stop abruptly, turning to face him. "Apologize? Seriously?"

"Yes." His eyes meet mine, steady and sincere. "I shouldn't have come down so hard on you. I'm just... under a lot of pressure right now."

"And you think I'm not?" I snap back. "This isn't just about you, Jayden. Winona's dealing with all of this too, and I'm here trying to clean up my own mess without stressing her out. Do you know how hard that is?"

He runs a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply. "You're right. It's hard for all of us. We are so scared we'll lose the baby. I'm scared about how that will affect Winona."

"I can't believe she is pregnant. It's so amazing."

"It really is. Hopefully we can keep her that way until the baby can be safely delivered."

"Like Henry?"

that early. That was a trauma

such a

know right? Hard to believe he fit into the palm of

think I'll just sleep for

do you know

It was how I coped after losing

so he couldn't hurt us anymore. It was her final gift, Jayden. She sacrificed herself for us. And I... I just couldn't

tried to deal with it, and I fooled myself that I

walk in silence for a few steps before he asks, "And now, what about this debt? What

I never

pay off whatever needs to

more worried that Mia is into things a lot more deeply than casual. She was there when

to get into anything big. It was always just casual with us-recreational She's not some cartel queenpin. If anything, I encouraged her

tone is sharper now. "Gus thinks there's more to cher than we realize. If she's involved in something deeper, it could cause problems. Especially now she's in with Judy." en

don't think she is

Judy's apartment... that could make things

"Mia's been staying

to get into that apartment. If

to really go all in with Judy. That's been a bit hard with Viktor's level of protection." Jayden nods towards the car already parked at the

intense, isn't

can

on him, I know that

occupied a