Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

529 Promises

(Jayden)

I rub my thumb over her knuckles. "We'll make it work. We always do." I want that to be the truth. More than anything.

She nods, but I can tell something else is bothering her.

"I won't spend more than one night away from the kids while you're gone," she says, like she's trying to convince herself more than me.

I smile, though I know that promise is going to be harder to keep than she thinks. "I appreciate that. But Winona... you have to be prepared for when you have to choose business over family sometimes. It's going to happen, and it's not going to feel great." Her shoulders stiffen slightly. "I can balance it, Jayden. I've been doing it already."

I exhale, running a hand through my hair. "I know you have, but it's going to get harder. Board meetings, investors, expansion plans-they don't wait for soccer practice or bedtime stories."

She crosses her arms, and there it is-that little flash of defensiveness I knew would come. "I know that. I'm not naive. But I'm not about to turn into one of those parents who are too busy to show up for their kids."

"I'm not saying you will," I say carefully, measuring my words. "But I also know how easy it is to get caught up in it all. Once the meetings start, the deadlines pile up, and the power starts to feel good..."

Winona's jaw tightens. "So, what? You think I'm going to become some cold-hearted CEO who forgets to call her kids?"

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "That's not what I'm saying."

"It sure as hell sounds like it," she snaps, stepping away from me, arms tightening around her torso like she's holding herself together. "You think I don't already feel guilty? That I'm not lying awake at night wondering if I'm doing the right thing?"

tightening. "Winona, I know you feel it. I feel it too. Every time

breath. "I just don't want us to fall apart because of this. I know you have changed so much to be with

it. Like I said, in the moment you may have to choose work over family, but it's choices

face. "I promise... when those moments happen, I'll talk to you about it.

easy it is to convince yourself that pushing through is the only

that so far. And most of us have to make massive personal sacrifices to see what's important. But Winona already knows what's important, and that's why this is going to wreck her inside. I don't want that for her. But I'm not sure I can

stand up and pull her up to me. I cup her face, tilting it so

and she leans into

a long moment, just holding onto each other. Everything looming ahead is heavy, but right now, it's

set up a daily video call

that off for anything. Wherever we are, whatever we're doing, whoever

don't care how busy we are. Every day we choose our family at that

day.

We take stopovers, whatever we need to do. If

that familiar determination flickering back into place. "Okay. Let's start by finding the right nanny, and then... I'll take on the world." "That's my girl. But something else is bothering you," I sip my coffee, watching her closely. "Are you worried about how Lisa's handling the whole

"Honestly? Yes.

it off, but

she check the USB Lance

I just get the feeling that there's something she

teffing me."