Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

78 Just Find Her!

(Winona)

The police have been here ten minutes and it feels like forever while I try to explain to them what has happened. My voice is trembling with urgency, and the fear in my chest is tightening.

"Do you have any reason to believe he'd want to hurt your daughter, Ms. Nolan?" one of the officers asks, his tone skeptical.

a over.

"He wants to hurt me. This is ridiculous, you need to start looking for her," I snap, frustration bubbling

"We need information and we need proof. This is like looking for a needle in a haystack," the other officer explains, his calm demeanor only fueling my panic.

I'm shaking, my fists clenching at my sides. I scream at the officers, "Just find her! I'm telling g you what you need to know. Why won't you believe me?"

Jayden draws me back from them, his grip firm but gentle. Try and stay calm."

"Try and stay calm!?" I echo, my voice cracking with desperation. "I swear I will kill him if he hurts her." My mind is in turmoil and I've never felt anger like this before. Pain rips through my head, a sharp, searing agony that makes me grab my head with both hands. "Winona, are you okay?" Jayden asks, concern etched in his voice as he grabs my shoulders, steadying

1. me.

I look up towards the cottage gate, and there I see him. My father, with the three kids, walking in nonchalantly. They all have ice cream cones. The sight of Abby smiling sends a wave of relief crashing over me, but my rage is still boiling just beneath the surface. I run at him, but then I see Abby's innocent face, her eyes bright with happiness, and I know I can't lose it

in front of her.

"Hey, did you lose someone?" my father says, a smug grin on his face. "It's okay, officers. We went and got ice cream. Bobby, my boy here, said he checked it with Winona and it was cool."

"You damn liar!" I spit the words at my father and I look at Bobby. He doesn't meet my gaze, his eyes downcast, filled with guilt and fear.

I grab Abby away from him, pulling her into my arms. "Run inside, Abby. It's almost naptime.

"Did I do something wrong, Mommy? Bobby said it was okay with you." Her innocent question nearly breaks me.

I hug her to me, tears spilling over her hair. "No, honey. No, never. It was just a mistake, that's all."

She skips off inside, a security man following her to ensure she's safe. My heart aches watching her go, wishing I could protect her from all this madness.

"So, she's home. All is good then," my father says with a smirk.

"No. He took her without my permission," I tell the policeman, my voice trembling with anger and fear.

"I thought I had permission. My bad. I should have double-checked," my father says, his voice dripping

78 Just Find Hel

with false sincerity.

"You liar!" I lunge at him, my fists swinging. I want to claw at him, to make him pay for every moment of terror he's caused.

"Ma'am, you better stop or you'll draw assault charges, the officer warns, stepping between us.

Jayden pulls me back, his arms wrapping around me to hold me in place. I see Bobby shaking and Sarah crying softly, her tears streaking her face.

"He's putting these kids through hell. You need to get them away from him," I plead with the police, my voice breaking.

"They are just fine. At least I know where they are. You should be more careful, Winona. I think you need help," my father says, his tone condescending and cold.

Then he just leaves, the kids trailing behind him, their heads down, and there's not a damn thing I can do to stop it. The police don't move to intervene, their faces impassive.

"Just call us if you need us again. I think this matter is resolved," one of the officers says, turning to leave.

"Keep him the hell away from me," I yell after them. but the officers are already walking away, and my father is disappearing down the path with the kids.

Jayden holds me tighter as I collapse against him, sobs wracking my body. "We'll figure this out, Winona. I promise we'll get them away from him."

I nod weakly, but the despair is overwhelming. How can I protect Abby and those kids when the system is failing us? My father is a monster, and he's outsmarted me at every turn. I have to be stronger. I have to find a way to stop him before it's too late. Jayden pulls me closer, his arms offering a small measure of comfort. "We'll find a way, Winona. He won't get away with this."

I take a shaky breath, trying to steady myself. "What is he doing? Why does he have to torture me like this?"

"Winona, look. I think we might be better back at home, and I don't mean the beach house."

"No. Then I have to put up with Judy and Ashlyn and seeing one of them makes me feel like I'll lose it completely right now." I take a deep breath. "I'll go to a psychologist and I'll get child protection to look into my father and those kids. They have my records." "You do what you need to do. I'll be here for you."

"I swear, I've never wanted to hurt someone so bad as wanted to hurt him just then. Why can't they just leave me alone? Why?" I can't get a hold on my emotions and my head is screaming with pain.

To Mothers and Fathers

7