Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

72 Keeping Me Sane (Winona)

"Thank you for trusting me. I'll try and track down your Mom. Do you think she'd move far?" I ask Bobby. hoping for some clue.

Bobby shrugs, his shoulders slumping in defeat. I can tell he's not giving up any more information. But! have enough for now. I can get the authorities involved. I'll get a restraining order out on my father. I don't want him to be able to come anywhere near me. "I'm going to make some calls. To my old school and to child protection. I need to see if we can track down their mother or any other relative that might be able to help them," I tell Jayden at my kitchen table, my voice firm with resolve.

Jayden leans back in his chair, a look of concern etched on his face. "I still think it might be better if we were all at my place."

I shake my head. "I think that huge place would be too overwhelming for them. The way they would have lived. Plus, I don't want that asshole getting a sniff of there."

Jayden nods, understanding my point. "I'm sure he already knows and he knows who I am."

"Maybe I can just pay him off and get him gone," I suggest, though the thought makes my skin crawl.

"Until he wants more. It doesn't make sense to start that, Winona," Jayden replies, his eyes locking onto mine with concern.

I know he's right, but I'm so scared about why he's turned up here and now. Money is his usual game. It's how far he'll go for it that really scares me. "I just need him out of my life. Permanently."

Jyden raises an eyebrow, his voice low and careful. "Are you okay? I mean, when you say permanently...?"

"I'm not about to go and kill him or anything, but if he was dead, I wouldn't shed a tear. I mean I'll get the police involved to keep him away from me as soon as I can get these kids situated safely," I clarify, trying to reassure him while my mind races with fear and anger. guess in all these years, pretending my parents were dead, I liked the idea that they were. I wonder about my mother. Surely her ravaged body couldn't take much more drug and alcohol abuse.

Jayden interrupts my thoughts. "Should I contact Gus?"

"No. I bet he knows anyway. He's not the type that wouldn't make himself abreast of what happened here the other day," I respond, my voice tinged with frustration.

"But with his reach, maybe he could track down the kids' relatives faster," Jayden suggests

"I asked him for these six months alone for Abby and you, as well as myself. I'm not going to ruin that by asking for his help now. I got this. I have enough information to pass on, and the kids can stay here until the authorities contact me," I insist, determined to handle this on my own.

Jayden sighs but nods "Should we at least take them to the beach house for the day? It's an outing and we can keep an eye on them easily."

"They both seem to love the

outdoors, and it is Sunday! Maybe we can grill dinner on the back deck. But

72 Keeping Me Sane

first, I need to go get Bobby and Sarah some more clothes." I am nervous about going out with them. What if he's about somewhere watching?

"I can take them shopping." Jayden offers, his voice gentle but firm.

"They don't need $500 swimsuits," I'm not sure he understands the concept of budget clothing.

"I'll cap it at two-fifty, okay?" he jokes, raising an eyebrow.

I hit him playfully on the arm. "This is not a joke."

"Come on, lighten up a bit. Let's go relax. You better pack your swimsuit too," he says, raising his eyebrows up and down suggestively.

I shake my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. I know he's teasing me, but it's kind of nice to think he's attracted to me still. I know I am to him. Not acting on it hasn't been easy, but I know that will make things far harder for me if I do. "Are you sure you're okay shopping with them?" I ask, my voice tinged with concern.

"Scout's honor." He raises three fingers in the scout salute.

""You've never even h

a scout," I say, rolling my eyes.

"Well, I've eaten a ton of Girl Scout cookies, that counts," he replies with a grin.

"Just get going. Abby and I will meet you at the beach house in two hours," I say, giving him a gentle push towards the door.

"No. I'll come back here and get you both," he insists, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I breathe out, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks."

Jayden smiles and heads out the door with Bobby and Sarah, leaving me and Abby to finish packing. As the door closes behind them, I take a deep breath and look at Abby, who's playing with her toys, blissfully unaware of the chaos around her. I need to keep it that way. For her sake and mine.