DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter My CEO 255
255 Taking a Break (Winona)
The kids' laughter echoes from inside as the penthouse elevator doors slide open, and there's a sense of normalcy that settles me-at least for a moment. Jayden's voice filters through from the living room, light and playful. Thank god, he's home.
When I walk in, I find them playing on the floor. Abby's got her dolls scattered all over, and Bobby's building Lego and laughing as Jayden pretends to be the Ken doll he's holding with a deep voice who's talking like someone from the gangster hood. A scene that should warm my heart, but my chest feels heavy because of the silence between Jayden and me all day.
"Hey, Mommy!" Abby shouts, rushing over to me with her arms wide open. I scoop her up and kiss her cheek, smiling as I carry her into the room.
"Hey, Sweetie. Having fun I see."
"Daddy is being silly."
"Sounds like the most fun, then."
Jayden glances up, his smile faltering slightly when our eyes meet. There's something distant in his gaze, like he's somewhere else entirely. Not cold, just... off.
"How was your day?" I ask, setting Abby down and sitting on the edge of the couch.
"Good," he says, returning to building a Lego tower with Bobby. "Just the usual."
T
"Henry opened his eyes today," I say casually, testing the waters. I keep my tone light even though I know he already knows this news.
Jayden doesn't react at first. Just a slight pause in his movements. "Yeah," he says, not looking up. "I know. He's been doing it all day."
I blink, taken aback by how casually he says it. "Why didn't you let me know?"
He finally meets my eyes, his expression a little apologetic. "I figured you'd want to see it for yourself."
"You weren't there when I got there."
"I wanted to give you some space."
I swallow, trying to push down the sting of frustration.
"Space I never asked for. I texted you," I say softly, keeping my voice steady for the kids' sake. "Tried to
II
call."
"I know," he says, but there's no apology in his tone. Just a simple statement.
"Why didn't you answer?" My voice is quieter now, careful not to let the kids pick up on the tension.
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255 Taking a Break
"I needed space."
I bite my lip, not knowing how to respond. Space is one thing. Ignoring and avoiding me is altogether different.
Dinner goes on, the usual routine. We keep things light for the kids, but the tension simmers just below the surface. Anne comes in to help with the kids, and there's chatter about school and what Bobby's learning in class. I'm pleased with the progress he's made lately.
When the kids are finally in bed, and Anne retreats to her quarters, the house falls into a thick silence. I lean against the counter, watching Jayden clear the table.
"So," I start, crossing my arms. "About earlier... you ignored me all day..."
He stops what he's doing, his back still to me as he speaks. "I'm sorry. I just needed to get my head around some things."
"By hiding from me?"
He sighs, finally turning to face me. "I didn't mean to make you feel like I was hiding from you, Winona, I thought I was doing the right thing."
My voice is quiet but firm. "You shut me out."
Jayden leans back against the table, crossing his arms over his chest. "Maybe I did. I had to."
I freeze, my heart skipping a beat. There's something in his tone that chills me. Something final. "What do you mean?"
He takes a deep breath, his gaze dropping to the floor before he speaks again. "Maybe we need a break."
"A break?"
He runs a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "From sharing a room. A bed. Until we're married."
The air between us thickens, and I can barely breathe. "You're suggesting we live apart until the wedding?"
"Just at night," he says, like that makes it any better. "It'll give us both space. Time to think."
"Think about what?" I can't believe what I'm hearing. "Jayden, this doesn't make sense. We're a family. How does pulling away from each other help?"
"I need to know if this is what you really want, Winona. If you can trust me-really trust me. I don't want to walk into this marriage with doubts hanging over our heads."
I blink, stunned by his words. "I love you. What more do you need?"
"It's not just about love," he says quietly. "It's about trust. It's about knowing for sure that this is what we
both want."
"And you think the solution is... what? Me staying somewhere else at night? Disrupting our whole family. routine?"
"I think we both need the space," he says, his voice firm now. "And I want to give us that time to really
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255 Taking a Break
explore everything. No hard feelings if, at the end of it, you decide this isn't what you want."
I stare at him, unable to process what he's saying. It feels like he's pushing me away, like he's putting up walls I don't know how to break through.
"I don't understand," I whisper, my voice shaking. "Howls this
fair to the kids? To us?"
He doesn't answer right away. When he finally speaks, his voice is barely above a whisper. "It's what I need, Winona. I think it's what you need too. We'll always have things to work through." ""Of course."
"The real question is can we stand by the vows we will make. Is this what you really want? I may have at long time working through this crap inside my mind. You don't have to put yourself through that if it's just going to mess you up. I don't want that." "Okay."
"So, take this week. If you are at the altar, I'll know you're ready."
"I'll be there. But what if you aren't?"
"I'll be there, Winona. I promise you that, on Henry's life. But go do whatever you need to do to be sure.
"I am sure."
"No, you're not. You still think I love Ashlyn. That I want to be with her. I don't. I need you to be sure about my love for you."
There's something in his voice that rings true.
He's right. I'm not sure I'm enough for him.
256 Giving Winona An Out
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256 Giving Winona An Out