Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband novel Chapter 268

268 The Morning After 

(Winona) 

My body is heavy with the satisfying ache of last night, stretch, feeling the soreness in my muscles, a reminder of how intense it all was. 

Jayden is lying next to me, his arm draped lazily over my waist, his breathing deep and even. He looks so peaceful, so content, like everything in the world is exactly as it should be. 

And for a moment, I let myself believe that it is. 

Last night was… different. It wasn’t like before, when we were still figuring things out, still cautious. This time, there was no hesitation. Jayden was sure of himself, of me, of us. 

He didn’t second–guess, didn’t hold back. 

He took what he wanted, and so did I. I responded to him like I hadn’t in years. 

It was raw, desperate, and exactly what I needed. There was also a vulnerability in him I could feel. Like he wasn’t sure he’d keep me. That I might find someone else to love. I think a little fear like that is healthy. 

But what I’d done was let that healthy fear turn into something that festered. The Ashlyn nightmares and the safe word didn’t help. But now I can see how sex can happen and that doesn’t mean love. 

What Ashlyn had over him wasn’t love. It was control. Dark control. But she can’t have that any longer if we don’t let her. Because she isn’t here. 

She only exists in our memories and what we manifest from those. 

‘I’m not letting my fears drive me any longer. I’m going forward with feeling good. With honoring myself and my sexual needs. It’s okay to want to see if there’s more before I marry Jayden. It’s okay to admit women have needs. 

Not behind his back, but with his agreement. He is honoring my needs and I will continue to explore and honor myself as a woman. Jayden will always be enough for me but I’d like to explore more of what feels good for me. 

I smile to myself, my fingers lightly tracing the line of his jaw as I remember how fast it all happened. One minute we were arguing, and the next… well, the next, we definitely weren’t. 

I don’t need to have other sex to know last night was the best. But I’m glad I do have something to compare it to now. That night was explosive too but in a completely different way. It was sex. 

Last night was more than that. 

When Ashlyn tried to creep into my mind, I pushed her away. She didn’t belong here–not in this moment, not between me and Jayden. It felt like I was truly with him, completely, without any of the ghosts from our past hanging over us. 

Jayden stirs beside me, his eyes fluttering open as he blinks against the sunlight. He smiles, a lazy. satisfied grin that makes my heart skip a beat. “Morning, Beautiful.” 

“Morning.” I whisper, leaning in to kiss him softly. 

+25 BONUS 

260 The Morning After 

He pulls me closer, his hand sliding down my back in a way that sends a shiver through me. “So… I guess. that means the hall pass is over, right?” 

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “We had a deal, remember? The hall pass is in effect until the wedding day.” I’m not letting him off the hook that easily. 

His hand stills on my waist, and he pulls back slightly to look at me, confusion flickering across his face.” You’re serious?” 

“Dead serious,” I say, sitting up in bed and wrapping the sheet around myself. “I still have my hen’s night on Friday. Plus, I’ve got a couple of dates lined up.” 

Jayden’s eyes widen, and for a moment, he just stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Dates? Like… actual dates?” 

I nod, biting back a smile at the incredulous look on his face. “Yes, Jayden. That’s what the hall pass is for, right? 

He sits up, running a hand through his hair, clearly trying to process what I’ve just said. “You’re really going to go on dates? After last night?” 

Iraise an eyebrow, my voice playful but firm. “Last night was great. Amazing, even. But we had an agreement. The hall pass is still in effect until Sunday. You’ve made your shot. But I’m not giving up my power that easily. I like how it makes me feel.”