Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband novel Chapter 183

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183 Making Strides 

183 Making Strides 

(Winona) 

Jayden shifts in his chair. “It hurts hearing you say that. But I accept your feelings. Thank you for being 

honest.” 

I smile. Wow. He is really real about all of this. About us. A surge of love and respect for Jayden engulfs me. He’s been to hell and back too. 

Just because he’s done it with billions of dollars doesn’t make it hurt any less for him. 

Barnaby leans back in his seat and grins. “You two are really making strides. I’ll be eating at the soup kitchen soon because I’m out of a job.” 

I laugh. “Don’t think you’ll be lining up anytime soon, doc. But I do feel that was a major shift for us. To be honest like that and not have Jayden get angry is amazing. 

“I can tell you’re both serious and you are putting each other first. Well done.” 

“I did feel angry, and I felt hurt because it wasn’t what I wanted you to say. But being told what I want to 

hear and being pandered to all my life is what got me here. So, I’m trying to change that.” 

“Thinking outside yourself. Brilliant. The sooner we work out life is not about us, we’re getting 

somewhere “Barnaby smiles and then his face is serious again. “Apart from Ashlyn, is there anything else on your mind, Winona?” 

“Yes, I also need to talk about my mom and Cass, my little sister, being here with me. It’s been…. confronting, to say the least. But also, cathartic in many ways. 

Barnaby leans forward, his eyes focused on mine. “Tell me more about that, Winona. What’s been the most challenging part for you?” 

I take a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. “It’s hard seeing Mom like she is now. I like that I’ve had the chance to be with her and understand the truth about the past, but I sometimes get envious of everything I missed out on and I see her sharing with Cass,” I confess. 

“This is very normal and that will take time. Try to focus on building a close relationship now and not languishing over the past.” 

“Mom’s been through so much. Much worse than me. She protected me in the only way she could at time. She’s been clean for years, but she’s still so fragile. I want to help her, but don’t know how.” 

“Do you feel guilt?” Barnaby asks directly. 

Tnod. 

t the 

“Why? Why would you feel guilt? You did nothing wrong. You survived what they both put you through.” Jayden’s anger is bubbling. 

“You want to protect Winona, I get it, Jayden. But we need to let her work through her feelings.” 

Jayden nods. “I’m sorry. It’s just, a lot, being there, seeing the way other people have to live, chose to live.” 

“If it’s all you know, there is no choice. People don’t see what’s hard for them to see. And that’s okay too 

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183 Making Strides 

because if you aren’t in it then your worlds apart from it. We live the hand we’re dealt.” I say and I do feel that’s true. 

“But you shouldn’t feel guilty about your mother and sister. You didn’t even know you had a sibling or that your Mom was still alive.” Jayden says gently. 

“But I feel I could have gone back. I could have checked. When I was financially secure. Even now I have more in the bank than most people dream about. I should have just checked in to see if I could help.” 

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing, Winona. Taking responsibility is healthy, but be careful you don’t deal yourself an unfair hand. Be logical. Going back would have set you back.” 

“I know. But it’s hard to shake the awfulness of Mom struggling like that and doing her best to raise Cass.” 

“You’re not exactly a low–profile person lately, Winona. Don’t you think if she’d wanted contact with you, she could have found you?” 

“Yes. But maybe she didn’t want me back in her life.” 

“Have you asked her about this?” 

“We’ve talked. She just wanted my happiness and for me to move on, never look back.” 

“And you believe her?”