Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

412 Playing Chess (Judy)

London's pulse beats with an energy I've always found exhilarating. I walk through the busy streets with a sense of ownership of life, bending chaos to my will, whether the people around me realize it or not. Life is mine, a chessboard on which I move my pieces, and today, I'm preparing to play one of my most significant moves.

The queen can move anywhere she wants.

Sliding into the back of my town car, I pull out my phone. The screen lights up with a string of updates from my contacts. Information from Gus's estate staff flows to me like clockwork.

A constant stream of intel I've worked hard to cultivate, weaving my influence so tightly into every corner of Jayden's world that nothing escapes me. Even the smallest whispers reach my ears.

Jayden, my brilliant but stubborn son, is back in London, and the ripples I set in motion turned into a tsunami. It's a beautiful thing, really, watching how easily people fracture when you know which strings to pull.

The fight. The accusations. Winona, that ever-present thorn in my side, is almost out of my life for good.

I chuckle, the sound cold and sharp, echoing in the confined space. Jayden's spiraling, and I'm right here, ready to catch him-or redirect him-when he inevitably comes looking for answers.

Because he will. He always does. The poor boy has never truly broken free, no matter how much he thinks

he has.

I tap out a message, pausing to make sure every word is perfect. Manipulation is a delicate craft, and I've

never been one for blunt instruments.

Jayden. I'm so sorry you had to see those photos. She is not right for you. I'm only a call away. You must be devastated right now.

I hit send and lean back, tapping my nails against the leather seat.

The anticipation is almost delicious. Jayden might ignore me at first, but he won't be able to for long. I know how his mind works, the vulnerabilities he tries so hard to hide.

His trust in Winona is fractured, well blown to a million pieces, I'd say... and when he's vulnerable, he's always more... receptive to my influence. His heart might fight it, but his mind knows where stability lies- with me.

The car pulls up in front of my penthouse, and I step out. My driver opens the penthouse apartment building doors, and I sweep inside, my mind giddy with possibilities.

What a sight it will be when Jayden finally sees things clearly. The penthouse is immaculate, every piece of furniture perfectly arranged, just like the life I've curated.

Yet it's not enough-not without my son back where he belongs. I need his love again, his unwavering Joyalty.

I set my purse on the marble counter, scanning the messages on my phone. No reply yet. Good. Let him stew, let him wonder what I know. The art of waiting is something I've mastered. Let the suspense build 1/2

412 Playing Chess

in his mind, twisting like a knife.

There's a knock at the door, and I turn, raising an eyebrow. It's one of my personal aides, carrying a stack of documents. She bows her head slightly as she steps into the room, her expression perfectly composed. "Madam, here are the financial reports you requested from Nexus London," she says, placing the files on

the coffee table.

I wave a dismissive hand. "Thank you," I say, barely sparing the reports a glance. The intricacies of the London scandal are important, of course, but not nearly as satisfying as watching the emotional turmoil I've set in motion.

"Do you need anything else?"

"That will be all."

She retreats quietly, and I pick up a crystal glass, pouring myself a measure of brandy. Lance's involvement is an unexpected turn, but not an unwelcome one.

Betrayed by those he loved and trusted the most. It all works so well, doesn't it? The more tangled this web becomes, the harder it will be for Jayden to find his way out without my guidance.

Isip the brandy, savoring the burn. Winona has always been a problem, but she's not my primary focus. Jayden is. He's the key to everything.

If he falls back into my orbit, if he finally sees that I've always known what's best for him, I'll have won. Then we'll go on to build the Brennan empire bigger and better, together. A future he can't even begin to imagine, shaped perfectly by my hand.

My phone buzzes, and I check it eagerly. Not a message from Jayden, but another update from one of my informants. No matter. The silence only makes his eventual surrender all the more inevitable.

I finish the brandy and place the glass down. My heart beats faster, not with anxiety, but with anticipation. I've waited years for this. Years to dismantle the influence Winona has over Jayden, to bring my son back into the fold. Every move, every word, has led to this moment.

I take a seat by the window, the city sprawling out before me. I've only ever wanted the best for him.

My phone remains silent, but I'm not worried. Jayden's silence is a prelude to action. He'll come to me. seeking answers or validation. And when he does, I'll be ready.

Ready to remind him that the only constant in his life, the only one who truly knows him, is his mother.

I lift my glass, toasting to the future. The game is far from over, but today, I've made another move. One that brings Jayden closer to me and further from the ones who've distracted him.

The game is unfolding perfectly, and soon, I'll have everything I want.

Everything I deserve.

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