Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

(Jayden)

The phone rings just as I finish my third coffee of the morning. I glance at the caller ID: Unknown.

But I know it's Gus. I take a deep breath. This is going to be challenging.

I answer, keeping my tone even. "Jayden Brennan."

"Jayden," Gus replies. "Awful news. I can hardly imagine what you're going through."

"I'm managing. There's a lot to get through."

"Yes. Have they released the bodies yet?"

"Just waiting on final paperwork, so probably tomorrow. How are you?"

"Shit," he admits, and the bluntness catches me off guard. "Judy's gone, and I can't quite believe it."

He exhales. "My biggest regret is not making us a family all that time ago. And now she's just... gone."

I let the silence stretch, unsure how to respond.

"I tried to fix things recently," Gus continues. "Hoped I could. But Judy played me as much as she played everyone else. She loved me, yes, but she was never going to stop punishing me."

"She knew what she was doing, Gus," I say. "She manipulated everyone around her, played games with people's lives."

"But I'm not innocent here. I left her in the States while I built Nexus Global, knowing exactly what kind of life she'd have with Greg. So yes, some of this is on me. I should've done more. Especially for you."

His words hit hard. For the first time, Gus sounds less like the unshakable mastermind and more like a man grappling with ghosts he can't exorcise.

"Shit happens."

"Where's Winona in all this?"

now. Winona is pregnant with my child and it's a

can be

that simple. Mother sent me photos of Winona with other men, specifically

mean she was

"Yes."

on a break or

we'd fake a separation and I'd try to nail Judy with the law and bring her down, so we'd be free of her. But after I saw the photos and Lance, things deteriorated from there. But I never thought he'd do this." "Hmm," Gus says, "messy. But the baby is yours and

According to Judy's will, she's handed her controlling share back to me. Not that I want it,

so easy, and... I wouldn't let Winona come up against Mia without being careful. She's high on my list of suspects for this

can just boot

solid proof against this drug and people smuggling." "Gus... honestly. I just want to be out of the drama. I really don't care about any of that. It's your crusade, not mine. I'll warn Winona about Mia and I'll be back there in a

we have the baby, if we do." "Jayden,"

Maybe it never was. Maybe the

I said

know anything about my

know enough," Gus says, unrelenting. "Sometimes two people are just too broken in

on the phone tightens. "You don't get to judge

going to keep fighting for this marriage, do it because

yourself, wrong."

I don't respond.

Gus says after a moment. "Do you want them to never be able to love

feel how you made me feel? Fuck no," I fire

"Don't repeat my mistakes."

not you. Not now, not ever. I'll let you know when

to father me. He gave up that right

again. I half expect it to be Gus calling back but it's

"Hey, Cass."

back to the estate

things makes it a little easier. But it's a weird

services, saying a proper goodbye will