Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

105 Back On Top.

+25 BONUS

105 Back On Top (Judy)

I stand by the bed, looking down at Ashlyn's still form, her breathing shallow under the influence of my carefully administered concoction, I wonder how long it will be before she realizes I tampered with her breath freshener spray. The stupid woman is obsessed with that stuff first thing in the mornings.

Just enough to send her to sleep for a few hours. The room is silent except for the soft, rhythmic whisper of her breath. I pull out my phone as it vibrates gently in my pocket-it's Jayden. Perfect timing.

"Hello, Jayden," I answer, my voice a perfect blend of warmth and maternal concern.

"Hey, Mother, Just checking in. You all settled in?" His voice is casual, unsuspecting of the drama unfolding under his roof.

"Yes, everything's fine."

"Ashlyn texted me earlier. I hope she didn't give you any trouble."

"Ashlyn's taking a nap. I think the whole ordeal lately has worn her out," I reply, glancing at Ashlyn to ensure she hasn't stirred.

"Okay, I'll be late home, so you two eat dinner without me."

T'll pass the message on."

"Thanks. I'll feel better with you around. Especially when Abby visits."

"It's no trouble at all. You know I'm always here for you and Abby." I walk over to the window, drawing the curtains slightly to let in some light, making sure it doesn't fall on Ashlyn's face. "Speaking of Abby, is she coming over this weekend with Anne? I'd like to make a fuss." "Sure. I think she is. I need to check on how she's feeling. Don't overdo it. Abby needs a calm environment."

"Of course, darling. We'll have a quiet weekend. Just some family time." I smile. "I will grab her a few gifts. for her room here. That's all."

"I have a meeting."

I turn back to Ashlyn, ensuring her state hasn't changed. "Don't worry about anything here. Just focus on your work

The call disconnects.

Now, alone again with Ashlyn, I walk back to the living room. My mind is full of weekend plans. Abby is a bright light, a joy to have around. I guess I have to admit I was wrong to have missed out on her early years and to keep Jayden from his child

I'll do whatever is needed to keep Jayden in my life. If that means being accommodating to Winona, so be it Doesn't mean I have to like her. Once Abby is a part of our lives, I may revisit how to get Winona out of the way again.

But for now, I'm focused on making Jayden happy to regain his trust. I don't care how long that takes.

105 Back On Top

+25 BONUS

I walk slowly around the room, my thoughts clear and focused. The house will need to be prepared, not just for Abby's comfort but to ensure everything remains under control as far as Ashlyn is concerned.

Planning for Abby's visit, I consider a few activities that might keep her entertained and more importantly, keep her mind off the less pleasant aspects of her family's situation. A few new books, perhaps some art supplies for drawing. Abby loves to draw. Jayden is relying on me, and I won't let him down. Ashlyn is a problem, but she's a problem I am handling. And come what may, I will protect my family, no matter the cost. I always have.

The doorbell chimes and I wait a few minutes. The bell chimes again. I softly step to the front door and look in the peephole.

Gus Brennan is staring right back at me. I know you're in there, Judy."

Damn him. I open the door. "Why are you here?"

He pushes past me. "To see you, of course."

"I'm not sure why you've decided to visit me here. I haven't seen you since your little performance in the boardroom."

"I was wondering how you were?"

"I'm sure you know how I am before I do."

He laughs. "You always had a sense of humor."

I just look at him. He walks off towards the living room. I follow.

"I really don't have time for your games." I say.

"Why not? Too busy with all of your own?"

"Just get to the point, Gus. Then get out."

"Come to dinner with me."

"No."

He runs his fingers down my cheek and my traitorous body reacts.

"Come on. You know you want to."

I moved away from him. "No."

"You will come out to dinner with me eventually."

"Gus, why are you bothering? You left me years ago."

"And you punished me by being with my brother. We're even."

"I have no desire to be anywhere near you."

Gus moves quickly and before I know it, he has himself pressed against me against the wall. I suck in a sharp breath.

25 BONUS

105 Back On Top

"You still want me. I know you do."

I get out from his grip and casually walk away despite my pounding heart. "The only thing I want of you, is for you to be gone."

He pulls me around roughly by the arm. His lips forcing mine apart, his tongue invading. I let it happen. I know this affects him as much as me and he's making himself vulnerable.

When the kiss ends, I sigh.

He raises his hand to slap me.

I smile. "Go ahead."

He drops his hand and makes a sound like a frustrated growl.

"Careful, Ashlyn might hear you."

He laughs. "If she was in any condition to hear anything by now, I'd be surprised."

"I don't know what you mean."

"I know you Judy. I've always known you. You can't fool me."

"You may know me but you can never have me ag

105 Back On Top.

+25 BONUS

105 Back On Top (Judy)

I stand by the bed, looking down at Ashlyn's still form, her breathing shallow under the influence of my carefully administered concoction, I wonder how long it will be before she realizes I tampered with her breath freshener spray. The stupid woman is obsessed with that stuff first thing in the mornings.

Just enough to send her to sleep for a few hours. The room is silent except for the soft, rhythmic whisper of her breath. I pull out my phone as it vibrates gently in my pocket-it's Jayden. Perfect timing.

"Hello, Jayden," I answer, my voice a perfect blend of warmth and maternal concern.

"Hey, Mother, Just checking in. You all settled in?" His voice is casual, unsuspecting of the drama unfolding under his roof.

"Yes, everything's fine."

"Ashlyn texted me earlier. I hope she didn't give you any trouble."

"Ashlyn's taking a nap. I think the whole ordeal lately has worn her out," I reply, glancing at Ashlyn to ensure she hasn't stirred.

"Okay, I'll be late home, so you two eat dinner without me."

T'll pass the message on."

"Thanks. I'll feel better with you around. Especially when Abby visits."

"It's no trouble at all. You know I'm always here for you and Abby." I walk over to the window, drawing the curtains slightly to let in some light, making sure it doesn't fall on Ashlyn's face. "Speaking of Abby, is she coming over this weekend with Anne? I'd like to make a fuss."

"Sure. I think she is. I need to check on how she's feeling. Don't overdo it. Abby needs a calm environment."

"Of course, darling. We'll have a quiet weekend. Just some family time." I smile. "I will grab her a few gifts. for her room here. That's all."

"I have a meeting."

I turn back to Ashlyn, ensuring her state hasn't changed. "Don't worry about anything here. Just focus on your work

The call disconnects.

Now, alone again with Ashlyn, I walk back to the living room. My mind is full of weekend plans. Abby is a bright light, a joy to have around. I guess I have to admit I was wrong to have missed out on her early years and to keep Jayden from his child

I'll do whatever is needed to keep Jayden in my life. If that means being accommodating to Winona, so be it Doesn't mean I have to like her. Once Abby is a part of our lives, I may revisit how to get Winona out of the way again.

But for now, I'm focused on making Jayden happy to regain his trust. I don't care how long that takes.

105 Back On Top

+25 BONUS

I walk slowly around the room, my thoughts clear and focused. The house will need to be prepared, not just for Abby's comfort but to ensure everything remains under control as far as Ashlyn is concerned.

Planning for Abby's visit, I consider a few activities that might keep her entertained and more importantly, keep her mind off the less pleasant aspects of her family's situation. A few new books, perhaps some art supplies for drawing. Abby loves to draw. Jayden is relying on me, and I won't let him down. Ashlyn is a problem, but she's a problem I am handling. And come what may, I will protect my family, no matter the cost. I always have.

The doorbell chimes and I wait a few minutes. The bell chimes again. I softly step to the front door and look in the peephole.

Gus Brennan is staring right back at me. I know you're in there, Judy."

Damn him. I open the door. "Why are you here?"

He pushes past me. "To see you, of course."

"I'm not sure why you've decided to visit me here. I haven't seen you since your little performance in the boardroom."

"I was wondering how you were?"

"I'm sure you know how I am before I do."

He laughs. "You always had a sense of humor."

I just look at him. He walks off towards the living room. I follow.

"I really don't have time for your games." I say.

"Why not? Too busy with all of your own?"

"Just get to the point, Gus. Then get out."

"Come to dinner with me."

"No."

He runs his fingers down my cheek and my traitorous body reacts.

"Come on. You know you want to."

I moved away from him. "No."

"You will come out to dinner with me eventually."

"Gus, why are you bothering? You left me years ago."

"And you punished me by being with my brother. We're even."

"I have no desire to be anywhere near you."

Gus moves quickly and before I know it, he has himself pressed against me against the wall. I suck in a sharp breath.

25 BONUS

105 Back On Top

"You still want me. I know you do."

I get out from his grip and casually walk away despite my pounding heart. "The only thing I want of you, is for you to be gone."

He pulls me around roughly by the arm. His lips forcing mine apart, his tongue invading. I let it happen. I know this affects him as much as me and he's making himself vulnerable.

When the kiss ends, I sigh.

He raises his hand to slap me.

I smile. "Go ahead."

He drops his hand and makes a sound like a frustrated growl.

"Careful, Ashlyn might hear you."

He laughs. "If she was in any condition to hear anything by now, I'd be surprised."

"I don't know what you mean."

"I know you Judy. I've always known you. You can't fool me."

"You may know me but you can never have me again."

He backs off. "Just a word of warning."

"Ah, now we get to the real reason for the visit."

"Don't get any ideas about keeping Winona away from Jayden. Or doing anything to Winona. The health and wellbeing of a Brennan heir depends on her. You won't interfere with that." He glares at me.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"I'm warning you, Judy." His face is like thunder.

"I'm not the one who got her under house arrest, am I?

"Ashlyn will go down for what she's done."

"Undoubtedly. I suppose you have a way to make that happen?" I'm fishing. I'm hoping he does. I'm not getting a confession from Ashlyn anytime soon.

"Like I'd tell you even if I did."

"I'll take that as a yes."

"Jayden called me asking questions. I never said anything. We are meeting later."

"I look forward to hearing all about it."

Yeah, girl! You're back on top!

in."

He backs off. "Just a word of warning."

"Ah, now we get to the real reason for the visit."

"Don't get any ideas about keeping Winona away from Jayden. Or doing anything to Winona. The health and wellbeing of a Brennan heir depends on her. You won't interfere with that." He glares at me.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"I'm warning you, Judy." His face is like thunder.

"I'm not the one who got her under house arrest, am I?

"Ashlyn will go down for what she's done."

"Undoubtedly. I suppose you have a way to make that happen?" I'm fishing. I'm hoping he does. I'm not getting a confession from Ashlyn anytime soon.

"Like I'd tell you even if I did."

"I'll take that as a yes."

"Jayden called me asking questions. I never said anything. We are meeting later."

"I look forward to hearing all about it."

Yeah, girl! You're back on top!