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?"

is pregnant with my child and it's a high-risk pregnancy, very high risk. So, she went back

But you and Winona can be together

me photos of Winona with other men, specifically Lance and Phillip,

You mean she was with them, like,

"Yes."

two on a break or

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

to me. Not that I want it, but I won't let the employees and investors down, so

not be so easy, and... I wouldn't let Winona come up against Mia without being careful. She's high

can just boot Mia

can use her involvement with Brennan Industries to finally get 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

baby, if we do." "Jayden," Gus continues, "Judy's gone. If you and Winona can't get it together now, then Judy wins after all. Even in death." "That's not fair," I

"Or... it's not about Judy at all. Maybe it never was. Maybe the problem is you and Winona just don't work. Maybe Judy was right

words I

anything

"Sometimes two people are just too broken

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

you're going to keep fighting for this marriage, do it

yourself, wrong."

I don't respond.

moment. "Do you want them to

them to feel how you

"Don't repeat my mistakes."

ever. I'll let you know

I'm done with Gus trying to father me. He gave up

expect it

"Hey, Cass."

says. "Just letting you know I'm heading back to the estate

reply. "Handling things makes it a little easier. But it's a

services, saying a