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.

stop just a few feet away. I hold my

the door again and a second set of footsteps...heavier footsteps. I'm not chancing looking

a male says, his voice low

she says, her Cuban accent more

The authorities are closing in. Since you testified against me.

Don Alejandro, forgive me. I

I didn't forgive you, you'd already

this guy? The silence is almost

his tone softening like a predator lulling its prey. "You may not have realized it, but everything I've done has been for our

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

is," he says smoothly. "I've changed thousands of lives, giving

"But people die too."

naïve

think

ones who can

majority shares in Brennan Industries. I could no longer stop them seeing what's been happening. What I'd been doing

is a fool,"

by his mother's weakness.

what it takes

world. But you... you're different.

you, leading to your

This is how we lay low for a while. I disappear. You make people trust you again. Then we

trembles. "I don't know,

"And you'll prove it. Feed me the information I need. Keep an eye on Gabriel and his siblings. They'll underestimate you, as