Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband novel Chapter 488

(Jayden)

I stand at the door the next morning as Anne steps in with the kids, managing the chaos with her usual calm authority. Abby clings to her arm, eyes darting nervously around the suite.

“You remember this place, don’t you, sweetheart?” Anne asks gently.

Abby nods but doesn’t let go. “It’s where the doctors made my heart better,” she whispers, glancing at me for reassurance.

“It is,” I say, crouching to her level. “But this time, we’re here for Mom. She’s going to need all of us to help her get better. You up for the job?”

Abby hesitates, then nods firmly. “Yes!” Then she opens her eyes wide. “Am I supposed to be really quiet?”

“No darling. You can just be yourself. But we’ll try for no arguing and shouting with your brothers and sister, okay?”

“Okay. Can I go see Mom now?”

“Mom is having special medicine to keep her asleep for now, but I think she can still hear us. Go tell her about your day and we’ll join you soon. Keep her company for me. You know how she loves all your stories.”

“I can make her feel better.”

I brush her hair back and kiss her forehead. “I know you can. Mom will be proud of you.”

Bobby and Sarah look like they aren’t sure what to do. I motion to the bedrooms off the main living space. “You two share a room, Abby will be in with Henry. No fights. Take your things into the bedroom and then come give me a hug and tell Mom and I about your school day.”

They smile and run down the short hallway.

Henry, meanwhile, wriggles wildly in Anne’s arms, squealing for freedom. I step in and take him, propping him on my hip. “Don’t worry, Anne. He’s my shadow from now on. Everywhere I go, Henry goes.”

Anne raises an eyebrow, adjusting her cardigan. “You sure about that? He’s like a hurricane in tiny sneakers.”

“I’ve handled worse clients,” I reply. Henry, delighted by my attention, grabs my face with sticky fingers and laughs. “See? Easy.”

Anne smiles. “If you say so. Just don’t come crying to me when he outsmarts you.”

She glances toward Winona’s room, where Abby is now perched beside her mother, quietly telling her about her new friend at school.

Anne turns back to me, her expression softening. “You good?”

“I’m steady,” I reply simply. I’m not about to crack. Not now.

Anne studies me for a long moment, “You’ve had a change of heart over yours and Winona’s marriage?”

“Yes. I was an idiot.”

“I think anyone would’ve reacted the same under the circumstances, Jayden.”

I shrug, “maybe. But I was on my way to tell Winona I wanted us to move forward when I got the call about her fall. I’m done with letting anger rule me, or anyone else. Mother is gone, the circumstances are tragic and confusing, but I have to admit there’s a sense of freedom I’ve never known before.”

“I hope you can move past it all. It won’t be easy.”

“No, it won’t. But look at all the trauma Winona has moved past in her life. It can be done and I’m going to do it. Hopefully she’ll accept my apology and help me deal with it all.”

“Lance was a best friend to all of you. But especially you. Some people can’t be saved. They make their peace with their decisions. That was Lance. He lived every minute of his life knowing that one day he’d make the ultimate choice. You aren’t to blame. None of you are.”