Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

507 Generational Shadows

(Cass)

The smell of mildew hits me the moment I open the door to my tiny apartment. My stomach churns as I step inside, taking in the chaos left behind. Furniture overturned, drawers yanked open, and everything I once owned strewn across the floor like a crime scene. I should clean this place up and sell it. But letting it go is harder than I imagined. It's what I bought with money from Mom, to start my new life. To be the person she always believed I'd be.

That worked well, didn't it?

I drag myself out of the downward funk, this time I'll make good.

I swallow hard, gripping the strap of my duffel bag. It's been months since I fled this place, running from my own disasters. Part of me wonders why I came back at all.

But I know it's because it's all I have left of Mom-her money barely stretched far enough to buy this shoebox, but it was something of my own. My tiny sanctuary.

I drop my bag on the only chair still upright and let out a shaky breath. "Okay, Cass," I mutter to myself. "Let's get started."

I grab a garbage bag from under the sink and start with the broken picture frame on the floor. It's one of the few pictures I printed of Mom-us on the beach, her smile so bright it felt like sunlight even on bad days. The glass is cracked, but the photo is intact. Small mercies. I place it in my duffel bag.

As I toss shards of glass into the bag, a noise freezes me in place.

The door creaking open.

I straighten slowly, my heart hammering. Who can that be?

Footsteps.

I duck behind the couch, my pulse roaring in my ears. After my last time here, I'm not taking any chances.

closer, then stop just a

of footsteps...heavier footsteps.

his voice low and gravelly. "This place

without anyone watching," she says, her

in. Since you testified against me. I've already had to activate several contingencies. My time here is

Alejandro, forgive me. I

I didn't forgive you, you'd already be dead, mi

this guy?

prepared for this your entire life," he says, his tone softening like a predator lulling its prey. "You may not have realized it, but everything I've done has been for our family. For you. My empire is your legacy." "You-Abuelo, you said this

The man who had me kidnapped and almost killed me

he says smoothly. "I've changed thousands of lives, giving them a better life for

"But people die too."

naïve as

if you think the

who can have money and power. No. I've built this for our family. My own daughter disowns me. You, Mia, you are the only one who understands me. You

longer stop them seeing what's been happening. What I'd been

a fool," Alejandro

by his mother's weakness. Maria

what it

this world. But you... you're different. You

gave evidence against you, leading to

we lay low for

voice trembles. "I don't

an eye on Gabriel and his siblings. They'll underestimate you, as they always have. Use that to your advantage." "Okay,"