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.

then stop just a few feet away. I hold

hear the door again and a second set of footsteps...heavier footsteps. I'm

low and

isn't mine. It's where I could meet you without anyone watching," she says, her Cuban

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

Don Alejandro, forgive

you, you'd already be dead,

who is this guy? The silence is almost

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

Gabriel's grandfather? The man who had me kidnapped and almost killed

"I've changed thousands of lives, giving them a

"But people die too."

as naïve

think the

power. I've found a way to make it. Gringo's think they own the world, that they are the only ones 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 are the one I love. The one

I could no longer stop them seeing what's been happening.

a fool,"

by his mother's

what it

this world. But you... you're different. You see the biggero

you,

I expected it to go. This is how we lay low for a while. I disappear. You make people trust you again.

trembles. "I don't know, Abuelo.

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