Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 115

115 Doubt is a Killer (Winona)

Later that day, Dr. Green called to say that Abby could chtomorrow, and her surgery was still

scheduled for one month's time. Mixed feelings wash over me.

| can't believe five months have passed already.

So much of that twas blissful in Santa Monica with Jayden and Abby, a bubble of happiness that now feels

like a distant dream.

But it wasn't reality. | see that now. The fantasy we lived was just that-a fantasy.

Lisa is coming to talk about the weather again. Maybe we can't talk about anything much, but her being here

makes my life slightly bearable.

Having lost my freedom to cand go, | realize just how much of life | took for granted. Simple things like a

walk in the park or grabbing coffee with a friend seem like luxuries now.

On the other hand, | have felt quite safe within these walls. I'm not sure what's going on in the world of the

media, but I'm sure this case is still alive and well, not to mention the tumultuous life of the Brennan billionaires.

I'd give anything to just walk away, to disappear, and for no one to know who I am anymore.

The doorbell rings, breaking my train of thought. | look at the nearest screen and see it's Lisa and Sheila. | open

the door and give Lisa a hug. "Cin. How long are you here for?"

"I have an hour," she replies, her smile warm but tinged with concern.

"Great. But let's not talk about the weather or I'll die of boredom."

We go into the sitting room and Sheila takes her laptop and sits in the far corner, her presence a constant

reminder of my restricted life.

"What will we talk about then?" Lisa asks, settling into the couch.

"Your love life?" | suggest, trying to keep the mood light.

"Non-existent," she says with a shrug.

"Really?"

Lisa nods. "Lance and | go out a bit, but we're still just friends really."

"Friends with benefits?" | tease, raising an eyebrow.

"Unless benefits include him crashing on my couch incredibly drunk, no."

"Last night?" | ask, already knowing the answer from her tired eyes.

She nods, a small, resigned smile playing on her lips. "How's Abby?" "She's recovering well," | say, feeling

hopeful.

"I'm going to visit her later. | miss that cheeky grin."

115 Doubt is a huller

"She

Il love that," I assure her.

+25 BONUS

"When you're out of all this ridiculous mess, | want us to go on a trip." Sheila clears her throat to remind us not

to talk about the case in any way.

"I think I'll be too broke for that. I'll need to start making smoney first."

"With your expertise, you'll get something in no time," Lisa says confidently.

Anne brings us coffee and snacks. "I'll have gained twenty pounds at this rate," | joke.

"One can only hope," Anne smiles.

I'm okay, Anne," | reassured her. "I've been eating three meals a day. | want to keep myself healthy."

"I won't say no," Lisa says, cramming a small cake into her mouth. "Mmmm mmm. You should be in the catering

business."

"Sit and have something yourself, Anne," | say with a smile. She's hovering and she never hovers unless she has

something to say.

"Thank you," she says, sitting down cautiously.

"So, what is it?" | ask, sensing her hesitation.

"What is what?" Anne says, feigning innocence.

"You have something to say. | always know."

She smiles, a bit sheepish. "You knowfar too well. (do have a problem, actually.

"Your problem is my problem. Go on," | encourage.

"There's skids who need me. But you and Abby needtoo," she says, her voice tinged with guilt.

| look at her, understanding dawning. "Anne, | could never ask any more of you. You've done so much forand

Abby. Above and beyond the call of duty." "It's not duty, it's family."

"Yes, but you need your own life. | get that."

"As long as you're in this... situation... I'll stay to help Abby see both her parents.

"You can't do both?" | ask, hoping against hope.

She shakes her head. "I can't. Not in this instance. These kids, well, need specialist decoding. Like your did."

| look at her directly. "Bobby and Sarah?"

Sheila clears her throat again.

Anne nods. "I don't want you to think I'm deserting you and Abby. | know it would be hard for you to trust those

kids again."

"It's fine. It's not their fault and if anyone can nurture them back to the life every kid deserves to have, it's

+25 BONUS

115 Doutd is a

you. We'll manage," | assure her, trying to sound more confident than | feel.

"I'll help out as much as | can," Lisa promises.

"It's not for another month. I just wanted to give you the heads up," she says softly.

"You have my full support, always," | assure Anne.

In my head, I'm trying not to let the fear of what could happen take over. | could be in jail and Abby might be

with Jayden, Ashlyn, and Judy. There's no way | can think about that right now.

Maybe, if what Gordon says about Jayden and Ashlyn is true, at least Abby won't have Ashlyn near her. | know

Jayden will keep Abby safe.

| just wish Jayden had confided inin the jail cell that day. There's no way | would have broken his confidence.

I'd have followed his lead. After everything, he still had shesitation to trustinside his mind.

Spoison still lingering there from what his mother told him about me. Something he'll probably always have

as long as he doesn't have his full memory.

The doubt means he can never fully love me, no matter what he says. Love is one thing, but inner doubt and not

completely trusting someone, that's a killer. Why couldn't he have just trusted me?