Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

508 Shadowed Allegiances

(Mia)

The chandelier glitters overhead, casting rainbows across the marble floor as I pace the room, my heels clicking loudly in the oppressive silence.

Judy might be gone, but the specter of her looms large over this place. Gold fixtures, crystal vases, and overpriced art that screams wealth and power.

I stare out the window of Judy's luxury apartment as I clutch my phone. The screen glows with a message from Gus's people, promising me that everything will be fine. That they'll protect me. That I'm safe.

Safe.

I've just met with the person they are supposedly keeping me safe from at Cass's old apartment. I had a key cut, just in case I needed it.

No one is safe from Don Alejandro, my grandfather. That's what they don't realize. There is no escape from him. They'll never get anyone close enough to him to kill him. Gabriel's voice echoes down the hall, he's staying here with me.

I sink into one of the velvet armchairs. Gabriel was supposed to sell me more shares. He promised he'd think about it. But now, he's locked everything down, called Mamá, Ana, and Eva back to the States, and is planning to put the company's future in some airtight contract.

Control. That's all he cares about. He doesn't trust me. Even when I've proven myself and given them what they needed to arrest my grandfather.

"Mia." Gabriel's voice pulls me from my thoughts. I look up to see him standing in the doorway.

"What?" I snap.

He crosses his arms, his gaze piercing. "Do you always have to throw a tantrum every time I say your name?" He comes into the room. "Don't flatter yourself," I shoot back. "I have better things to do than let you bother me."

I don't know about

up straight. "Judy mentored me. She trusted me to run things while she was in Europe. I know Brennan Industries better than you do. You have your own business. Why

Judy mentoring you is a badge of honor?" His eyes narrow. "She was a manipulative monster, Mia. She left you enough rope to hang yourself. Anyone can see that. And you're walking a

a child," my voice rising. "You're not my father, Gabriel.

and Eva will be here by the end of the week. We're going

nails digging into my palms. He's always been like this. Overbearing, controlling, acting like he knows what's best for me.

all your way," I say steadily, the words dripping with venom.

just a fraction. "Mía... I'm trying to

bitterly. "From myself?

tightens, and for a

only one who ever saw my potential," I fire back, standing up to face him. "Maybe he's the only one who believed in me." "That's

don't know anything about me Gabriel. You never have You've spent your whole life trying to controtme, but you've never

argue," he says, turning toward the

him, and I sit back into the chair. I don't need him. I don't need any of them. I've always

legitimate change. But I should've known Don Alejandro was playing all the

to prove to my mother, Gabriel, Ana and Eva that I'm not just the youngest, the least of us. I have a voice, and my

been my favorite, you know. The others... they're too proud. Too stubborn. But you,

tightening at the memory, his words seared deep in my brain for as long as

said nothing, but I told him. I had to tell him. I replay the moment

I don't want to be part of this anymore, I told Gus

smile never

shone in his

me? You think their