Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

13 Protecting What's Mine (Winona)

Back at my hotel suite, I kick off the high-heels and stretch my toes. I'm not sure where Judy was tonight but I certainly count it as a positive that she wasn't adding to that drama.

I'm certain her and Ashlyn are still working together against me. I just wish they'd all leave me alone to get on with my life. Coming back here was crazy. But Phillip deserved the break. He's worked so damn hard for our business. "Here, I got us some water. Are you hungry?"

"Thanks for the water. I think Anne has some food we can reheat later. Right now, I need to tell you a few

things."

He takes his suit coat off and unbutton cuffs and collar. "I see. It can wait if you want to eat now," he

offers.

"No. I need to tell you everything." I take a deep breath "Jayden Brennan is my ex-husband. We divorced just before I moved and started up my marketing business."

"I see. Well, that explains the daggered stares he sends when he thinks I'm not looking."

"What? Is he bothering you?" I didn't realize this was happening. Jayden has no right to be jealous but I can't say I'm disappointed.

"No. I'm good. Just something a guy notices with another guy. I thought he was sweet on you. Can't blame him really." Phillip smiles. "He's not made of wood."

I suck in breath. "Philip, I need to ask you a really big favor." I wring my hands together. "You can absolutely say no if you want."

"What? Other than pretending to be your 'partner in life?" he laughs.

I give a small smile. "Well, it's related to that actually... Can you adopt Abby as my domestic partner?" I blurt out before my nerves get the better of me and I back out. "What?" His eyes open wide.

I sigh. "There's a lot more to this story than Jayden being my ex."

"I have all night. Go ahead."

"Jayden and I were high school sweethearts. His mother never liked me. I come from the wrong background for her likings."

"Her loss."

"Anyway, Jayden and I were very much in love. It was all-consuming and passionate. We were everything to each other. In fact, the four of us, including Lance and Lisa, always hung out together. Ashlyn is younger but she was around too." "Cool. They both seem pretty nice. Ashlyn on the other hand."

"Tonight was the first time I'd seen or spoken to either Lisa or Lance since I left three years ago. Lisa was

13 Protecting What's Mine

my ride or die. I walked away from everything. They don't know about Abby."

"Let me guess. Jayden is the father?" Phillip asks quietly.

+25 BONUS

I nod. "But he can't know. Not yet. His mother threatened to take my baby away and she had the money and connections to do it. So, I left and tried to fade away. Then Jayden found me and the rest is history." "Okay. His mother is a bitch."

"Yes, and she's always wanted Ashlyn to be with Jayden. She comes from a rich background too. Ashlyn and I used to be like sisters. But I suspect her copying me in everything came from a much darker place now. She wanted Jayden all along." "Right, but she has him now, so what happened?"

"We o

got married in Vegas. His mother was so angry but Jayden was ready to walk away from all that money to try and start a family with me. I'd lost a baby and found I had severe endometriosis. The chances of me getting pregnant again were slim to none." "Abby is a miracle baby."

"Yes, she is and there's no way I'm giving her up. I may not ever be able to conceive again."

"Okay. But I'm missing something. What happened to you and Jayden?"

"We had an accident on our way back from Vegas. I was in a coma for a year. Lisa helped me get well. I was shocked Jayden wasn't there with me. I panicked thinking he'd died. But when I came to find Jayden

"I can feel the tears in my eyes building as I relive the trauma.

"Take a drink. Take a breath. You're okay now." Phillip comforts me.

I breathe deep and slow. "Jayden had no memory of me at all. Nothing. Apparently, he knew we were married but he'd forgotten everything about how much we loved each other. When I came back, he was with Ashlyn and he denied ever being in love with me." "I see."

"His mother and Ashlyn had convinced him I'd tricked him into marriage for his money and he said he had proof."

"What proof?"

I shrug. "I have no clue. But I couldn't convince him otherwise. He demanded a divorce so he could marry Ashlyn three years ago."

"And yet here they are, still not married. I'm still not sure I get what tonight was about."

"She's so consumed by jealousy, and she lives in fear his memory will come back and he'll want me again."

"But to fake you attacking her? That is next level."

"That's not all. She had on a dress almost identical to my prom dress she helped me choose and the necklace was a gift from Jayden to me when I graduated. He doesn't remember that though." "Holy shit! That is next level next level."

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13 Protecting What's Mine

"I know right. So now you see why I take her threats very seriously."

"Wait, she's threatened you?"

I nod. "She knows I have Abby but I said you are the father."

"Good thinking. We have to keep Abby safe until Jayden is stable enough to hear the truth and believe it."

"Exactly."

"Organize whatever you need for the adoption to take place. I'll get a lawyer, and sign what I need to. But if you and Jayden ever see your way through this, there will be no argument from me."

I cannot believe I have such a wonderful friend and man in my life. I wish I hadn't given every last drop of love to Jayden, then I might be able to fall in love with a man like Phillip. But he deserves to be loved fully and I'm not ready for that yet, I may never be. "Even if he does get his memory of us back, we are two different people now. I'm not sure I can ever put my heart on the line for him again. I'm still so broken inside over what happened."

"I think you need trauma counseling or something. There must be support groups for this type of thing." I'll look into it. Thank you, Phillip. You really are the best friend ever."

"I wish you'd told me this from the start, I'd never have insisted we take on this opportunity but now I see why you wanted to merge the company."

"It was the only way I could see to hold my personal power and not have Jayden calling the shots in my life."

"I wish I'd known."

"Don't beat yourself up about it. I think ultimately my healing will only come through dealing with all of this. I just have to tread carefully."

"We have to tread carefully."

"I get the keys to the townhouse tomorrow and I need to find a good kindergarten for Abby. If Anne ever needs to go back to her life, she can. It's been amazing and I know she'll stick around a while yet, but in the future. No one else knows she's here either." "I won't say anything."

"I just figure if no one sees Abby, they won't pick that she has her father's eyes. I'll need your help on that.

I think his mother and Ashlyn will be snooping about trying to get a look. Ashlyn didn't get a good look at her and I don't intend to let them."

"I get the feeling there's a lot more to this story."

"There is. But that's enough for now. Thanks for listening and supporting me."

"Always.