Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband novel Chapter 500

(Cass)

Lisa and I head out of the hospital. The air feels a little fresher out here, but only just. The tension from inside the Brennan Wing clings to me like a second skin.

Hospitals are never places I want to be.

It always seems to be bad news for someone. Mom passed away here and that’s still raw. I miss her. It was always her and I. Not being able to hug her now is something I may never get used to.

No matter what she was always in my corner. Winona is too, but she does it with a hefty dose of expectation of me to improve things. That’s not a bad thing but some days it’s hard to see how things can change.

“She’ll be okay,” Lisa says quietly, her voice soft. It’s almost jarring to hear her without her usual sarcastic bite.

“Yeah,” I reply, exhaling slowly. “I think you’re right, but this is going to be hard for them both. Losing a baby changes people, doesn’t it? But they’ve got each other, right?”

Lisa shrugs, her expression unreadable. “I’m not really sure where they stand with their marriage. I know Jayden has decided to let all the hall pass week stuff go. He wants to move forward. I think Winona would’ve been happy to hear that. But now, after losing this baby, it’s hard to know where it will end up for them.”

I glance at her, my brows furrowing. “Jayden’s ready to move forward? Really?”

Lisa nods. “Yeah. He’s all in. But Winona… She’s the wild card here. She’s been through hell, Cass. I’m just not sure if she’ll want to lean on him or push him away. That’s how she copes sometimes, you know?”

I bite my lip, thinking about it. Lisa isn’t wrong. Winona is fiercely independent, almost to a fault. This will take her to the brink of reason. “Relationships are hard work,” I say, thinking aloud. “I think I’ll stay single forever. Too much drama for me.”

“Yeah, well, exhibit A right here. Anyway, while they work through whatever it is they need to, we’ll keep the kids distracted,” she says, her tone shifting to practical mode. “Anne’s amazing, but she’s only one person. Let’s do what we can so she gets a break. I know Winona and Jayden will appreciate that.”

The thought of Bobby, Sarah, Abby, and Henry brings a small smile to my face. They’ve been through so much too, and the best thing we can do for them right now is make things feel normal—whatever that is anymore.

“Good plan. They have a big yard that needs some work according to Winona over the phone. I think we can get something done out there. Not that I’m an expert, but I’m willing to try.”

Lisa chuckles, and for the first time in what feels like forever, it sounds like her usual self. “Sounds messy. I’m in.”

As we round the corner to the parking lot, a familiar voice stops me in my tracks.

“Cass.”

I freeze. My heart stutters before launching into a full sprint.

Gabriel.

Turning slowly, I see him standing a few feet away, his hands tucked into the pockets of a perfectly tailored designer suit, his expression somewhere between apologetic and… hungry.