Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

510 Reconciling The Past

(Winona)

The sound of soft-soled shoes against the hospital floor makes me glance up from my laptop. I know those footfalls anywhere.

Gus's towering frame fills the doorway, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of a sleek black coat.

He looks sharp considering his months in confinement, but the time has carved deeper lines into his face. His presence still carries that unmistakable air of control, like he's never stopped being the man who built Nexus Global from the ground up. Or the man who is capable of almost anything if he sets his mind to it

"Gus," I say, closing the laptop and setting it aside. "It's so good to see you." We've always shared a close friendship. I trust Gus where I couldn't trust many others. I know he has my back.

He steps inside, glancing around the sterile room. "You're looking well, Winona. Jayden told me you'd be going home soon."

"I am," I reply. "A few more days here, then I'm free. Physically, I'm fine. Just have to finish healing from the fall and the... surgery." I leave it at that. No point dwelling on it, not now.

Gus nods. "Good. You'll get through this and thrive. Winona, you're one of the strongest people I've ever known. That includes Judy."

I raise an eyebrow. "Flattery from Gus Brennan? Should I be concerned?"

"Indulge my weakness of expressing feelings just for a moment longer. I never wanted any of this for you, or for Jayden. Back then I thought I was being the smart one. That I knew it all. It was about winning. Winning with Global, winning over Judy, winning against the bad guys of the world."

I take in his words. I believe him but it's hard to forgive something so awful as the things Jayden went through with his parents and Greg Brennan.

"I'm not looking for forgiveness, Winona, not from anyone. Because no amount of forgiveness from you all matters when I know I can never forgive myself for the decisions that not only affected my only son but his family and friends. But what I want to do is just be there for the kids and do the right thing now, as a grandfather, and as a person."

down. "I hope you can allow me that and if you

no problem with you being a grandfather to our kids. But being present is the key factor here. Don't start what you can't finish. It's been hard enough on Abby losing Grandma Judy. But it will be even harder when she's older and begins to see the person Judy

to be there to help navigate those

better than to think you're taking a nine to

back in the chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I'll make time for family. I've learned

air between us, heavy with everything unsaid. "What about you? Your life is very different

I'm not discussing with Gus what I've barely discussed with my husband, "I've been thinking about the

get started on this new business with the financial app Lance left me. It's already clocking a billion in revenue

"Smart move. If you need any networking referrals,

to handle this on my own," I reply firmly. "This is something I need to prove to myself I

moment, then inclines his head. "Fair enough. But the offer stands. Don't use

a pause, a rare moment of calm. I glance at him, hesitant but curious. "Gus... how are you doing? With everything that's

flicker of something-regret? Nostalgia?-crossing his face.

he admits,

down. Judy and... we had a complicated relationship, as you know. There were things about her I

nod, letting him

people wouldn't understand. She was

already

she died. Maria

prison. We

bee

a light on what life could be like without Judy's shadow looming over everything. Fate has taken the shadow