Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

75 We'll Be Ready

75 We'll Be Ready

(Jayden)

"It's so complicated," she murmurs, her voice filled with pain.

"Tell me about what it was like, before you got to live with Anne," I urged gently.

Her shaking increases, her breath hitching with each sob.

"I got you. I think you need to talk about this, get it out. Otherwise, you are going to explode," I say in encouragement

"He was awful. I was his meal ticket. If he wanted stuff off people, I had to go too. Said they'd feel sorry for me. I had to go beg on the streets, and if I didn't get enough, I never got to eat anything," she confesses, her voice raw with emotion.

"Jesus, Winona, I'm so sorry you went through that," I say, my anger towards her father burning hotter.

"School saved me. I knew an education was my only way out, and we had a school breakfast program. I got to eat there," she continues, her voice a little stronger now.

"Your mother?" I ask, not sure if I want to hear the answer.

"She hated me. Hated that I'd come into her life and ruined it. So did he, but he found a way to benefit from the misfortune of being lumbered with a child," she says bitterly

"Like that's any kid's fault. They don't ask to be born," I say, feeling a surge of protectiveness for Winona and these kids.

"She

was so bombed out on drugs and alcohol that he fed her. He always said it was my fault that she was such a waste of a person. She couldn't get out even if she'd wanted to, I don't think."

I take her to the sofa and glance out on the deck. The kids are still munching and chatting

"Where is she now?"

"I don't know. I assume her body gave up eventually."

I sit and pull Winona onto my lap. I want her to feel safe to continue.

She keeps talking. "He will do literally anything to get money. This is why I'm so spooked by him turning up. Those kids, I can't let them go back there," she says, her voice filled with determination. "We'll work it out. I promise," I say, trying to reassure her.

"How did he find us? He didn't for all those years. Now, here he is. It's not a coincidence," she says, her voice tinged with paranoia.

I take her words on board this time. She's right. I have to listen to what she's saying. These kids aren't lying or pretending. They don't have an agenda. This man is dangerous, and he's turned up here now. Even with everything on the news, actually getting her address here isn't something just anyone could do

We pay a lot for the right to privacy with real estate and staff. I'm not sure how he found you, but I'm damn well going to find out," I say, my voice filled with resolve.

75 WWII Be Ready

"All I know is that your mother knew he was still alive. When she went on vacation last time, she went snooping about where I lived as a kid," she says, her voice trembling.

I don't want to hear this about Mother, but I also can't stay in denial. This is Abby's life, Winona's life, and if I know anything right now, I know I love her and I will take care of her forever, no matter what it takes

"I got out at about the same age as Bobby is now. I hate to think how he'll end up if he goes back to him," she says, her voice filled with a mother's protectiveness.

"Those kids aren't going back there. I don't care if I have to take care of them myself," I say firmly.

"We have enough on our plate with Abby. They need some specialist care first to recondition them. The sad fact is, it may be too late for Bobby. He may never be able to get past this," she says, her voice filled with sadness.

1 hope that's not true," I say, feeling a pang of sorrow for the boy.

"He's had a sister to look out for. At least it was just me. I'm sure having a sibling to protect has made it way worse for him. He'd be taking extra crap to shield her from it," she explains, her voice breaking.

"You're all staying here tonight. I'm not taking no for an answer," I say, my voice stern. I move aside and stand up.

Winona looks at me, her eyes filled with gratitude and fear. "He will come back. What if he triest something?"

"Let him come, we'll be ready this time. And I swear, Winona, he won't get near you. Not ever."

Her eyes well up with fresh tears, and she nods, finally allowing herself to relax a bit in my arms. Tomorrow I'm going to involve the police. I want a restraining order on him and hopefully they can stay with us until they find their mother or some other responsible relative. I mean their mother might be just as damaged as my father is." I think this fight is just beginning. It involves so much more than these kids. I need to get control of my life and back myself. I get what Gus means now. I'm going back to therapy, and I'll try hypnosis to unlock whatever is inside my mind.

I'm ready to face whatever comes our way.

For Winona, for Abby, and now, for Bobby and Sarah. For me.

76 Too Easy