DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter My CEO 298
298 Doubt Blossoms (Winona)
I'm sitting on a park bench the next day, watching Abby as she climbs the jungle gym, her little legs kicking out as she tries to navigate the bars. Judy's right behind her, guiding her carefully. It's one of the new playgrounds in the area, all shiny and safe. But I still feel uneasy, as I always do with Judy.
Judy's laugh rings out as Abby makes it to the top. She claps her hands, and Abby beams down at her. It's a picture-perfect moment, and I love it for Abby, but I hate that I can't ever be at peace with this woman in our lives. Every time Judy's around, I feel on edge, like there's something waiting to go wrong. But Abby loves her, and no matter how many boundaries I put up, there's always supervised visits. It's the deal we made.
I pull my jacket tighter around me, watching Judy lean in close to Abby, whispering something that makes her giggle. Judy looks over at me, I know she has something she wants to say.
"You should try the big slide next, Abby," Judy says, holding out her hand as Abby clambers down from the equipment. "It's the best one in the city. I'll come with you."
Abby nods excitedly and rushes off yelling, "no, I can do it by myself," leaving Judy to stroll back over to me. Damn it.
I can feel her judgment on me before she even sits down. Here it comes-whatever she's been gearing up
for
"So," she says casually, sliding onto the bench beside me. "You and Jayden all set for the wedding rerun?"
"I'm not having small talk with you." I reply, keeping my tone short. Hoping that deters her.
It doesn't. "It's a lot, isn't it? Getting married, managing everything with the kids... and then there's Nexus Global."
I stiffen at the mention of Nexus Global. How did she even know? Judy never misses an opportunity to get her claws into something. But I'm not biting today.
"Judy, I'm not interested in anything you say," I say flatly. "You're here with Abby not me.
She raises an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "I'm just concerned, Winona. Jayden's stepping into some big shoes. Gus is... well, complicated. And now Jayden's inherited all of that, You don't think it's going to change him?"
I clench my jaw. She's not saying anything I haven't already thought about. But I'm not about to let her know that. "Jayden's not Gus," I say, my voice cold. "And whatever happened with Nexus Global, it's none of your business." Judy chuckles softly, shaking her head. "You're right. It's none of my business. But if you thought Brennan Industries was a power kick, it has nothing on Nexus Global. Jayden always loved the power kick."
Judy leans in, her voice soft, like she's offering some kind of twisted comfort. "Power like that changes people, Winona. Trust me, I've seen it happen too many times. Love... it takes a second seat when you're running an empire." 208 Doubt Blossons
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I snap. "You don't know Jayden, Judy. He's not Greg, and he's definitely not Gus."
She gives me that look-the one that says she knows more than I do. "Maybe. But Gus was different once too. He promised me the world. Promised me a family Ife. Before the business took over. Before it consumed him. You think Jayden's immune to that?"
I don't want to hear this. I don't want her planting these doubts in my head. But the truth is, I've already had some of those thoughts myself. Jayden's been distracted ever since Gus handed him Nexus Global.
He's got that look in his eyes sometimes, the one that says his mind is a million miles away.
I shove the thought down. "This is none of your concern," I say, standing up, my hands clenched into fists. "You don't get to come here to try to mess with my head."
Judy shrugs. "I'm just saying, be careful. Men with that much power... they don't stay the same. And I'm sure you want to believe Jayden is different. But love doesn't always win against ambition."
I glare at her. "You're wrong. Jayden's not like that."
Judy stands too, brushing off her coat. "Maybe I am. But I've lived this life a long time, Winona. Power goes to their heads. Always has, always will. I'm just giving you something to think about." ""Don't bother."
Judy turns to me one last time, her smile sweet but her eyes sharp. "Don't let your guard down, Winona. You never know when things will change.
I watch her go, my mind swirling with everything she said. Gus. Nexus Global. The power Jayden inherited. Could it really change him? Would he put that before us? Before our family? No. Jayden wouldn't do that. I know him. I know who he is.
But why does Judy's voice keep echoing in my head, making me doubt everything?
I shake it off, but the seed's already been planted. I can feel it, clawing at the back of my mind.
"I'm going on the slide." Judy calls to Abby, climbing onto the steps.
"Yay! Grandma Judy is on the big slide!" Abby giggles and slides down behind Judy.
I clench my teeth, trying to focus on Abby's laughter instead of the doubts swirling in my head.
But damn it... Judy's words won't stop playing on repeat
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