Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

419 Mending Broken Pieces

419 Mending Broken Pieces (Winona)

My laptop buzzes with a video call coming through. I draw a deep breath, steeling myself as I answer. Jayden's face appears on the screen, looking more worn and tired than I've ever seen him in a very long time. His eyes are shadowed, his jaw tight, and there's a vulnerability there that roils at my gut.

"Hey," he says, his voice rough. "Thanks for taking the call."

"Hey," I manage, trying to keep my own voice steady, feeling my palms grow clammy. The silence between us stretches, heavy with all the things we need to say, everything we need to fix and everything we've broken,

Jayden's throat works as he swallows. "I owe you an apology," he says, his voice thick. "For what I said about Judy being right. I didn't mean it. I was angry, and I let my hurt speak for me. I went back to a place I thought I'd never be again. I'm sorry." His words sink in.

"I just want to make things clear," I say, my voice cracking despite my best efforts. "I get why you had that reaction. I get that what I did was a stupid choice no matter my reasons. I don't think we can just pop a plaster over that gaping wound and fix it, but hearing those words from you is what has wrecked me."

"I understand that. I know just saying I'm sorry won't fix it either. I hurt you on the lowest level and I shouldn't have done that, no matter what."

"You know how hard I've fought to keep her out of our lives. Hearing you side with her... it broke something in me."

His eyes drop, the regret clear on his face. "I hate that hurt you like that. But I can't take it back. All I can do is try to make it right." He lifts his gaze, and there's desperation in his eyes. "I still love you, Winona. I haven't stopped."

"I love you too," I whisper, my voice small but true. "But love doesn't erase betrayal. It doesn't undo the hurt. I'm speaking for both of us now."

He nods, the tension in his shoulders never easing. "We both made mistakes. We both have to own that.

But I'm willing to work through it, if you are."

The honesty in his voice hits me hard. "I am," I say. "But it won't be easy. We need to give each other grace, even when it feels impossible."

Jayden's mouth lifts in a small, hopeful smile. "We've done hard things before. Remember all those sessions with Barnaby, working through our mess?" He pauses. "Maybe it's time to revisit some of those Nessons."

"Maybe." I nod, feeling the familiar weight of hope mixed with doubt. "We can't pretend everything's fine. But maybe pretending we're okay, until we are, could help. It worked for us before."

"We can revisit everything we learned during our sessions with him. Maybe even give him a call." Jayden is very serious about this, I can tell.

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419 Mending Broken Pieces

"We need to call a safe space to be open and honest about our feelings. We've lost that lately. As much as we need to be together for the kids, we also need personal space for us."

He studies me, a glint of relief breaking through his fatigue. "I agree," he says. "Those photos, I know they came from my mother I'm so done with her. I'm ready to bring her down for good." "How?"

"There has to be a way. I know she has people everywhere, but we have Viktor, and Gus. If Gus is ready to deal with her for good. We have each other, what if we give her exactly what she wants?" "Do you think we can work together to bring Judy down?"

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"Something has to happen. I need to get solid proof of all the things she has done, or at least some of it. Judy may have a lot of friends, but I realize now, she has also made a lot of enemies."

"So... what?...We pretend we're separated or something? Jayden, are you sure? If she finds out, I'm scared about what she might try and do."Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

"I have to do something, Winona. I'm not living our lives under her shadow any longer. How can we ever be sure she won't get to one of the kids later. We can't."

I hesitate, the thought of pretending we're apart feeling like another blow. But he's right. Judy has always been cunning, always a step ahead.

If she thinks we're falling apart, it could give us the upper hand. "It'll be hard," I admit. "But maybe the distance will give us time to work through our own mess as well. The kids... they're worth fighting for. We married for life. I don't want to lose that." His face softens. "Me neither," he says, his voice cracking.

"Has Lance been there?" I ask carefully. I'm worried about Lance and his mental state.

"Yeah. It didn't go well," he admits. "I'm not ready to forgive him. Don't think I ever will."

"I get it," I say, feeling the sting of that truth. Lance may have had good intentions, but the betrayal runs deep for Jayden. There's no quick fix for that wound. "But, I hope you can find a way."

"Let's meet today," Jayden suggests. "Somewhere neutral, where Judy can't find out. We can helicopter in. I can't risk coming there and letting whoever is in her pocket at the estate know."

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "You're serious?" But I'd really prefer to tell him in person about the pregnancy. But I'm not sure a helicopter ride is a good idea.

"Look," I say firmly. "I need to talk to you in person. But can you come to me? I can drive to meet you somewhere. You know how nervous choppers make me. Plus I have the kids... They'd love to see you."

My hand drops to my stomach, and I know the moment I see him, I have to tell him about the baby. But I'll start with the DNA results. It's the only way to keep this conversation from turning into another disaster about suspected paternity.

He nods, determination lighting up his eyes. "Klara's place! I'll organize it with Viktor. They have plenty of space to land a chopper. I'll send you the gps link. Judy will have no idea. You can bring the kids then. We were going to go there anyway." 419 Mending Broken Pieces

"That is a perfect idea."

I'm ready to try.