Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

(Jayden)

The door opens, and Lisa steps in, carrying a fresh change of clothes and some toiletries I had her swing by the penthouse and grab.

"Jayden," she says quietly, setting the bag down near the chair. "You look like shit."

I don't even glance at her. "Thanks for the compliment."

She pulls up a chair beside me. "I mean it. You're running on fumes. Go shower, get something to eat, and grab a couple of hours of sleep. I'll stay with Winona. You need to be human when the kids get here tomorrow morning."

"I'm fine," I lie, tightening my grip on Winona's hand. "I don't want to leave her." I mean I can actually smell myself at this point.

"Jayden." Lisa's voice takes on that tone she uses when she's not going to back down. "I'm serious. You're no good to anyone in this state. Winona will kick your ass if she sees you like this-smelling like death warmed over and looking worse."

She's so right. I really need to get my shit together and show Winona I can lead our family when needed. Not just in easy and good times.

I finally meet Lisa's eyes, and she stares me down, unwavering. Lisa's tough as nails and she knows me as well as anyone. But my logic is still slightly overshadowed by something happening while I'm gone.

"What if something happens?"

She sighs, leaning back. "If it's going to happen, it'll still happen. We have medics on hand. I'll be here." She pauses, her gaze softening. "Look, Jayden. I get it. You want to be here every second. But you're running on adrenaline and coffee, and you're going to crash." I know she's right. I absolutely cannot afford to crash with four kids and one on the way. They will all be scared and need leadership and a soft place to fall.

"What happens when Winona wakes up and needs you? Or when the kids see you looking like you've been through the wringer? You're their rock, Jayden. And right now, you look like a pile of sand."

She's right. I need to up my game. "You're right. I'll go shower. Let you ladies catch up on some gossip."

"Deal," Lisa says, sitting back in the chair. "I have a lot to talk about too. So close the door on your way out and I'll have a white wine when you come back."

I have to grin. I love how Lisa is treating Winona like she's awake and well. "I guess I can take my time then. Make a couple of calls."

"Sounds great."

I take the clothes from Lisa and head out of the room, closing the door behind me. A shower is going to be heaven. But first I'm going to call Viktor before they fly. I need to know Nexus Global is stable. "Viktor."

"Jayden. Is everything still okay?"

"Yes. I'm checking in before you fly. Nexus Global? It's stable until you get back?"

"Yes. I'll only be gone a couple of days."

"I'll get back as soon as I can."

"Just make sure you're ready. You have a lot to deal with."

"I know. Nexus Global won't suffer. I'm just... trying to keep moving forward. I know I want Winona above anything else and I was a fool to doubt that. If Winona wants to call it quits, I'll understand and I'll take it gracefully." "And Lance?" He asks carefully. "Where's your head at?"

The question makes me stiffen. I have to dig deep and deal with how I feel about it all.

"I don't know," I admit, my voice rough. "I can't talk to him. I can't yell at him. I can't do anything because he's gone. I mean he was my best friend and he had sex with my wife and killed my mother. How do I reconcile all of this?" "Maybe by focusing on what you can control for now."

"Exactly what I am doing. I talked to Gus at the service, and I knew from then, before Winona fell, that she and the kid are my future and I will walk away from anything else if I have to." "You don't hold anything against her."

"No. I can't. I gave her that week because she needed it for whatever reasons. The reasons don't even matter, she needed it and I wanted to support her emotionally. I never said who she could choose to do anything with. This was her choice, she felt safe. I can't have it both ways. My ego was angry and bruised."

"But Lance..?"

"I can't fight with a ghost, Viktor. I can't do anything. I know why he made his choice. But that doesn't help me stop feeling he betrayed our friendship. He openly admits he did and he knew he was but he put Winona first. How can I be angry about that? But I am."

"This is too complex to work through in the short term."

"Maybe I'll come to terms with it someday, or maybe I won't. But I know one thing for certain-I'm done punishing Winona for it. She didn't deserve that. I let my hurt and pride take over, and I may have ruined everything. I won't make that

mistake again.”

"Did you tell Winona this?"

"I was on my way when you called. When she wakes up. I want her to choose me. I want her to choose our life. But right now, all I care about is her waking up, getting better. Even if she tells me to fuck off forever, I'll be happy to hear her voice again." "Cass should be finishing her shift."

"Right. See you tomorrow."