Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband novel Chapter 267

267 Playing in Gool 

267 Playing It Cool 

(Winona) 

“Mommy, can you help with my doll’s house after dinner?” Abby asks, her voice innocent and sweet. I smile at her, nodding. 

“Of course, Sweetie.” 

Jayden catches my eye across the table, and I can see the flicker of something in his gaze. I know him well enough to know that this conversation about Phillip will happen and it probably won’t be easy. 

After dinner, I help Abby and tuck her into bed, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead. I do the rounds and chat with Bobby and Sarah before saying goodnight. I check back in on Abby. She’s dozed off. 

I take a minute to be thankful for her health lately. Her heart checkups have all been great. 

I head back to the living room where Jayden’s waiting. He’s sitting on the couch, his arms crossed, his face set in that tight, unreadable expression he uses when he’s pissed but trying not to show 

I sit down next to him, but there’s a gulf between us. It feels like miles. 

“So,” he says, breaking the silence. His voice is calm, too calm. “Phillip was at the same club as you Sunday night.” 

I knew it was coming but hearing him say it still sends a jolt through me. I sigh, leaning back against the couch. “Yeah. He was.” 

Jayden doesn’t look at me right away, just stares straight ahead like he’s trying to decide how much of this he can take. “And?” 

“And nothing,” I say, keeping my tone light. I’m not about to let him drag me into some jealousy–fueled argument. “He was there. I was there.” 

He finally turns to me, his eyes dark with something I can’t quite place. “That’s it? Really?” 

“Yes,” I say, my voice sharper than I intended. “Jayden, this week isn’t supposed to be about you questioning every little thing I do. It just is what it is.” 

He’s silent for a moment, his jaw tight, his fingers tapping restlessly against the arm of the couch. “I get that. But Phillip? You know how I feel about him.” 

“You knew how I felt about Ashlyn. But you still went home to her.” 

“You’re right. It’s just Phillip is the man you almost married. I know he still feels that 

I way about you.” 

I roll my eyes, frustration bubbling up. “Then you have to trust me. I love you, not him. No matter what happens this week, I’m going to be at that altar on Sunday.” 

His eyes flash with something darker–anger, maybe. Or fear. “You expect me to just believe that? To just take it on faith that after all this, you’ll still want to marry me?” 

“Yes, Jayden. I do.” 

He shakes his head, running a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to keep his emotions in check. And what if you spend the rest of your life wondering if you made the right choice? What if you’re always 

+25 BONUS 

267 Playing It Cool 

thinking about someone else, someone from this week?” 

I can feel the frustration rising in my chest, hot and sharp. “Welcome to my world,” I snap. 

His eyes widen, and I can see the understanding flash across his face. 

“I’ve spent all this time wondering if you are thinking about Ashlyn while with me? I’ve had to deal with that every day. Now she’s gone out of our lives and you’re having dream–sex with her. I can’t win.” 

“Winona, understand this, those nightmares are not about me enjoying dream–sex with her. They are disturbing, frightening and I feel trapped in them.” 

“Whatever they are, this time before the wedding is for us both to work through whatever problems Ashlyn is haunting us with.” 

Jayden stands up and paces the room like a caged lion. “You know what? Screw this. If you’re on this hall pass, then why the hell can’t I shoot my shot?” 

I blink, caught off guard by his sudden shift. “What the hell are you talking about?” 

He stops pacing and turns to face me, his eyes blazing with intensity. “I’m saying if you’re out there having your fun, why the hell shouldn’t I remind you what you’d be giving up?” 

The challenge in his voice makes my heart race, but I’m not about to let him turn this on me. “That’s not what this is about.” 

“Isn’t it?” He strides toward me, closing the distance between us in an instant. He pulls me up from the couch and into his arms. “What’s stopping me from reminding you just how good we are together?” 

Before I can respond, his lips crash against mine, hot and demanding. It’s not soft or gentle–it’s possessive, a reminder that I’m his. For a second, I forget why we’re even fighting. 

The anger, the jealousy, it all melts away as my body responds to the intensity of his kiss. 

He pulls back slightly, his breath hot against my skin. “You want to play this hall pass game, Winona? Fine. But don’t forget who you’re playing with. I love a challenge and I always win.”