Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

386 Slip Up (Winona)

The screen flickers, and Jayden's face appears. "Hey, beautiful," he greets me, his smile warm and genuine. "How's everything over there?"

"Hey yourself," I say, managing a small smile. "We're doing alright, keeping busy. You?"

He leans back, glancing around as if taking in his surroundings. "London's... interesting. Few challenges here, but I think I've got them under control now." "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, I fired the CEO of Nexus London today."

"You did what?!"

"I'm not here to play, Winona. It had to be done." Jayden has an edge in his voice I haven't heard in a while.

"How did he take it?"

"Not well. He actually tried to attack me."

"Oh shit. Are you okay?"

"He never got close, Viktor is lightning fast. We are a formidable team."

"You still need to be careful. I'm not sure ruffling feathers like that is wise."

"No. It needed to be done. Things here are stagnant and he was resistant to change."

"Just have a conversation with him, perhaps you can come to an agreement," I suggest.

Jayden shakes his head. His face resolute. "I know what I'm doing, Winona."

"Of course you do. It's just that sacking people was what you wanted to avoid."

Jayden's brow lifts slightly. "Anyway. I need to stay an extra day. Things are moving fast here."

"Oh...okay." I swallow the wave of disappointment and try to keep my tone light.

He studies me for a moment, then nods, seemingly satisfied. "Good. How are the kids?"

I shake off the tension and focus on the good things. "They're doing great. Bobby's practically one of the landscapers now. Taking care of his kitten in between. "Good for him."

"Sarah's really gotten into decorating and design. She's made friends with the decorators, picking out colors and talking about textures like a little interior designer." "I like that for her busy mind."

"And Abby-she's been keeping herself busy, making everyone around her listen to her latest ideas."

Jayden chuckles, and his face lights up. "Sounds like they're making it their own."

386 Slip Up

"They are," I agree. "We can't wait for you to see it."

"Can't wait to see it either," he says softly, his expression softening. "Actually, there's something I want to run by you. I've been thinking about the estate, about how to keep everyone on, but in a way that feels meaningful." "Oh?" I prompt, intrigued despite myself.

"I've been considering the estate into a training facility Something where staff could teach new skills to others. It's previously been used as a tourist venue and for events. I'll send you the details in email. I'd love your input." I feel a spark of excitement, genuinely impressed by the ideas. "Jayden, that's a brilliant plan. There's so much talent here, so many people who'd thrive in that kind of environment."

His face lights up. "I was hoping you'd think so. And... I was also thinking we could offer small plots of land to some of the staff who've been with us a long time." "Wow."

"Let them build their own little down roots if they want."

Omes, start something self-sustaining. It'd give them a chance to put

There's a glint of pride in his eyes that wasn't there before, and I feel a matching warmth bloom in my chest..

"That's... that's incredible, Jayden. Not everyone would think to do that. It's generous. You're really looking out for them."

"I'd like to keep some staff on at the cottage. Just the ones you feel we can use. I'll leave that up to you." "I'm sure we can use some of them." Actually that fits well with my situation.

He nods. "I'd want to make sure this new estate operation is running smoothly before we think about moving back to the States. It's important to me that this place is stable first."

"I guess we just have to see how the timeline pans out." I'm not sure I feel comfortable being pregnant here in another part of the world. I think having my familiar medical team behind me is more sensible.

Of course, I have to wait and tell him anything face to face. I guess his delay gives me longer to wait for the results I need. I already feel like I'm lying to him.

"So, any chance you'll give me a little sneak peek of that massive cottage and I can say hi to the kids?"

"Absolutely," I say, excitement sparking as I turn the camera around.

The kitchen and living room?

are pristine, fresh flowers on the table, the windows letting in streams of light. "Here's the main area. The kids have been working hard to get it looking perfect." Jayden whistles, his eyes wide. "You've turned it into a home. It looks even better than I imagined."Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

I turn the camera back to face me, giving him a grin. "We're ready whenever you are. The kids are, too. They can't wait to show

you what they've done."

"I'm proud of you, Winona. You've done more than I could have hoped." He sighs, a bit of that confidence

386 Slip Up

softening around the edges. "Thanks for keeping everything running over there."

I shrug. "It's what we do, right?"

"Yeah, it is." He looks at me with a warmth that feels like it stretches across the miles between us.

"I'll hand the call over to the kids and they can tell you all their news. Henry is ready for his feed time. He ate some organic apples from Klara today. His first solids. Only a tiny bit." "Klara? Viktor's mother?"

I immediately realize what I've said. I swallow. "Yes. She sent me a welcome package of some of the goodies. I cannot wait to go meet her." I walk to Abby's room.

"That was very kind of her. We'll go as soon as I get back."

"Okay. I'll hand you to the girls now. It's Daddy. You need to say hello and then take the phone to Bobby, okay. I need to feed Henry."

"Yes, Mommy." Abby grabs the phone and begins her chatter with Jayden.

I go to get Henry from the nursery. I can hear him getting vocal. I can't believe how easily I slipped up just

then.

I hate trying to hide things. I need these results.

Jayden has to be here so I can tell him whatever it is I have to face.