Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband novel Chapter 542

(Winona)

“…and that’s why we’re proposing a total overhaul,” Darien is saying. His voice is confident, but his idea is garbage.

I hate it. None of this new branding speaks to innovation or trust—it looks like stuff college interns throw together after one too many energy drinks.

I open my mouth to tell him to sit down, but before I can, the meeting room door swings open.

And every muscle in my body locks up.

Phillip.

For a second, I think I’m hallucinating—like my subconscious decided to really mess with me today.

But no, he’s real. Tall, perfectly put together, that same effortless confidence that made him such a force in my business. And in my life.

The man I was engaged to. The man I built a business with. The man I spent one reckless night with before everything went to hell.

But even more than that, Phillip was my trusted friend. My best friend when I had to flee from Judy and Ashlyn before I had Abby. He knows he almost as intimately as Jayden does. He also betrayed me in the worst way by being a plant by Judy from the start.

Do I believe he really loved me? Yes. Do I believe he regretted everything he ever had to do with Judy Brennan? Yes. But that doesn’t change the fact that he never confided in me when he should have.

He never let me know from the time he developed real feelings for me, that Judy was someone who was pulling his strings. Of course, back then he never knew the extent of Judy and her sick manipulations of my life. The lengths she would go to, to keep me away from her son.

But even with all that happening, even with the worst things happening, Jayden and I still found a way to love each other. It’s fate. Meant to be. Now, Judy is gone for good and the freedom I feel inside over that is amazing.

But here’s Phillip back in my life. And no matter how much things have changed for Jayden and I, this is going to be a problem for Jayden. A huge one.

I’ve changed a lot. By the looks of it, so has Phillip. There’s something about his presence that is no longer unsure. He always worried he wasn’t good enough for this billionaire business scene.

Clearly, he doesn’t think that way anymore.

His gaze locks onto mine, and there’s no shock in his expression. He knew. He knew he’d be walking into this room, into me being here not knowing he would be here. And he still came.

I swallow hard, willing my voice to stay even. “Phillip.”

A murmur spreads through the room as the execs glance between us. They’ve all followed the media scrutiny on our lives, no doubt. I don’t care what they think. That can stay on the past where it belongs.

Phillip gives a polite nod, his voice smooth, unreadable. “Mrs. Brennan.”

There’s an edge underneath, something only I can pick up.

This is just so wrong on so many levels, and yet so right from a business standpoint.

Lance was always two steps ahead, pulling strings no one saw until they tightened into place. He knew exactly what he was doing, hiring Phillip. He knew how well we work together fundamentally. But did Lance really think it would just work so easily after everything?