Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband novel Chapter 181

181 Ashlyn’s Delusion 

181 Ashlyn’s Delusion 

(Winona) 

Jayden and I are sitting across from Barnaby in his office office, the familiar surroundings doing little to ease the twisting in my stomach. 

Barnaby looks between us. “It seems there’s a lot on your minds today. Where would you like to start?” 

Jayden’s the first to speak, his voice steady. “I want to talk about Ashlyn. She’s recently sent me text 

messages. 

I tense up, the mention of her name bringing a rush of emotions–anger, suspicion, fear. “What exactly did she text? I mean how can she have a phone in there? I didn’t think they were allowed.” 

“I don’t know but I bet Mother has something to do with that.” 

“I don’t doubt that. Have you spoken to Ashlyn before this?” 

“No. She contacted me while we were away. That’s the first I’ve heard from her.” Jayden says, locking onto mine. 

I take a deep breath. “Jayden, what could she possibly want with you? With us?” 

I’m not ready for his next words. 

“She told me she’s still pregnant.” 

his eyes 

I feel like the floor just dropped out from under me. “Sull pregnant? What the actual fuck?” 

This is just too much. That woman is delusional. There’s really no hope for her. She’s dangerous. 

ore said 

Jayden nods, his expression firm. “Yes. But I don’t believe her. How could that happen? The doctors she’d lost the baby before she even came to Santa Monica and the way she went down those stairs… surely it would be impossible.” 

“How do you know the messages are really from her, Jayden? Can I read them? I want to see.” I do believe him, but I need to read this myself 

He hesitates slightly. 

“Jayden, are you okay with that? It’s okay to say no.” Barnaby says. “Winona, we have to be mindful of personal space and privacy.” 

“I know, it’s just…well, I guess I just want to believe it.” 

“It’s okay. There’s a lot to unpack with my past with Ashlyn.” He hands me his phone. “We need to work through a lot and it has to do with me having sex with Ashlyn while Winona and I were divorced. But there were times I pursued Winona at the same time. I crossed a line.” 

I take the phone and read through the texts and my eyes stop on her telling him his safe word. So, it is true. Lisa was right. My stomach churns. 

“The safe word,” I say. “I heard rumors, but I didn’t want to believe it… Is that what you want in our sex life? Do you need that?” 

191 Ashlyn’s Delusion 

+25 BONUS 

Jayden looks taken aback, his eyes searching mine. “No, Winona. That’s not what I want. Not with you. What Ashlyn and I had… it was dark, and it wasn’t healthy. It’s not something I ever want to go back to.” 

I nod, trying to process what he’s saying. But the doubt still lingers at the edge of my mind. “She clearly thinks she still has a hold on you.” My mind races with a thousand possibilities. 

Words are churning from my mouth. 

“Maybe she does. Claiming to still be pregnant is not normal. Is she manifesting this because she thinks you’ll be with her again somehow? God if she is pregnant, will they let her out?” I can’t even begin to think about that and my breath is coming short and sharp. 

The anxiety and panic rises fast. I focus on my breathing. Keep it steady. You’re in a safe place. I chant to myself. 

“I don’t know,” Jayden admits, his voice softening. “She’s not in her right mind, we know that. But this is next level. But I don’t care, Winona, I’m not going to let her manipulate me. Damage what we’re building.” 

I look at him, trying to see the truth in his eyes. I want to believe him, but the fear of what Ashlyn represents the darkness, the control–makes it hard. Is this a part of him that will eat him up if he tries to deny it? 

“I’m afraid the damage is already done. I say out loud, and the words are bitter in my mouth. 

It makes my blood run cold. This isn’t just a game. She knows things, deep, intimate things about Jayden that I’ve barely scratched the surface of. That I know I’m not into. I can’t be with my past. It’s too confrontational. 

I hand the phone back to him, my hands trembling. “You need to go and see if this is true. Make her get a ‘doctor’s report. That’s the only way we’ll know for sure that she’s lying, or maybe she truly believes it. I feel sorry for her in a way.” 

Jayden leans forward, taking my hands in his. “Winona, listen to me. Even if she’s telling the truth, it doesn’t change how I feel. I’m with you. I want a life with you. Ashlyn is my past, and that’s where she belongs.” 

I nod, trying to push down the rising tide of doubt. I can’t trust Ashlyn, not after everything she’s done.