Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

08 Making Deals

08 Making Deals

(Winona)

He didn't do anything but agree with me when I called him to say I wasn't signing anything until we spoke in private. I've almost convinced myself to tell him about Abby. I'm certainly second-guessing why I need to convince him she isn't his. Maybe it will all be okay.

I haven't heard anything from Ashlyn or his mother since the divorce, so I'm sure they don't care one way or another now that the wedding is imminent. If they really wanted to find me and cause trouble, they could've done it. Jayden seemed a little strange when he came to my office last week. Like he was angry but then also confused. I guess he still sees me as the evil woman that wanted to get between him and his girlfriend.

But the Brennans only do business with the best, so I know he can't just walk away from me because the other business heads will want to know why.

Jayden never lets his personal life interfere with his business.

The probability that my business could get shut down due to some ancient history makes me angry have a counter-offer for Jayden. I go into the main offices. It's modern and luxurious here. I tell the secretary behind the front desk my name and that Mr. Brennan is expecting me.

"He says, go right in," she says after she puts the phone down. "The large wooden door along the corridor." She points out the direction.

"Thank you." Like I don't know where his office is.

I take a breath and I head along the corridor. I look up and see Judy Brennan heading towards me from the other direction. She gives me an acid smile. My heart ramps up but I'm not going to show weakness.

"So, it's true." She hisses. "You are back and weaseling your way into his good graces I hear."

"It's been three years, Judy. Can't you change the narrative."1

"I'll never change it as long as you're around. You won't be breaking him and Ashlyn up no matter what you think."

I sigh. "Honestly, Jayden is his own man. I'm not interested in him. This is business and if your gossip source told the truth you'd know he approached me about working for this company and he actually demanded I did, or he'd shut me down." (1 "Don't lie."

"I don't have to lie. Just go and ask him. Or are you scared he will remember me and choose not to marry Ashlyn after all?"

Her face twists into the monster I remember her being. "I will see you are out of his life permanently. Don't test me, you trouble-making hussy."

H

The real reason why I left and hid my daughter came flooding back. There's no way I can tell him about Abby unless I can trust he won't listen to his mother's mentally unstable opinion and they take her from

1. me.

OB Making Deals

But I also can't back down from this opportunity. Phillip deserves this break. He's worked tirelessly beside me and while I haven't agreed to be with him as a girlfriend, we are the best of friends

I'm sure I can get through a year, maybe two, at least. just need to be careful.

"I don't care about your threats. Jayden is expecting me." I stand and stare at his mother and she steps aside and unblocks his doorway. "Should I tell him you've already welcomed me to the company?" I say as I tap sharply on his door. "You better not say anything about me."

"Why? Are you worried he'll believe me over you?"

Judy is clearly lost for words. I just smile at her before putting my game face on to greet my ex-husband.

"Come in." A familiar deep voice sounds through the door.

I open it and step inside. Shutting the door behind me, I walk confidently up to his desk. Jayden stands.

"Winona, please take a seat."

"I'm fine standing, thank you."

He sits back down. "Suit yourself. What are these terms you mentioned?"Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Merge my company into yours and pay.us out." I cross my arms. "Then I'll work for you as a consultant for two years and you give Phillip the same option.

"How very presumptuous of you."

"Not at all. You need my expertise, and you know it," I say with confidence despite my stomach doing cartwheels. "The board knows it and if I'm to relocate I need to call my own shots." My heart is racing but I stand tall. This is for the stability of Abby's home life.

Anne will move with us, and I've told her not to say anything about what she knows about me and Jayden. In fact, I will refer to her only as my nanny.

Jayden will know who she is if he ever sees her, I'll tell him Anne needs her privacy protected because it isn't fair that she gets dragged through the mud because of the past between him and I.

"Then, I guess you have a deal. I'll have my legal department draw up the contract today and have it couriered to you both."

"Great. Now, I can easily work from home once I find a place to live." I have mixed feelings about seeing and working with Jayden every day. I'm not sure I can handle that.

I'm also worried that if one of them sees Abby they will notice she has her father's eyes. There's really no reason for any of them to see her but I need to cover all bases for now.

"Nonsense. I need you on the ground on this and the hours will be long at first. I've lost two million dollars in failed campaigns just this past year. I have to stem the bleeding immediately. Working from home may be an option once we have this all under control." I frown.

08 Making Deals

"Can't you handle working with me? I thought you were a professional."

"I can handle it," I say defiantly.

"That's settled then. I'll see you, and Phillip, Monday. I assume you have a hotel?"

"I do." I write down the address and room number for the papers to be delivered, I hand it to Jayden and our fingers brush when he takes it.

Our eyes lock for a second before he breaks the gaze but not before I see something flash through his eyes. I'm confused. Is he having mixed feelings too?

"Did you need me to go over anything else before then?" he breaks the silence.

"No. Monday is fine. But...does Ashlyn know I'm here?"

"Why?"

"I don't want her to get a shock, that's all."

"She knows. I told her. I haven't told mother if that's your next question."

see." So Ashlyn has told Judy. Typical. Nothing has changed there obviously. I need to be very careful,

"They won't give you any trouble. Don't worry."

Well, it's a little late for that. His mother has already tried her crap on me and since her and Ashlyn are still in cohorts, I'll expect anything.

One day, when I'm ready, I will tell him about his daughter, but I need to know she will be safe from his unhinged mother and that Ashlyn has settled down with her attitude towards me. I also need to work through the feelings that have stirred up since I saw him again. The hurt is still there. I want so much to be able to get over him completely and I think that facing him and facing our situation is the only way to truly get through it.

"I'll see you on Monday." I say and leave.

Seeing him every day will be hard but at least it's at work. I won't have to deal with him in social settings. I'm not sure I can handle all of them in one room anytime soon. 00 Into the Lion's Pen