Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 152

152 is That What He Wants?

152 Is That What He Wants?

(Winona)

"What kind of sex?" | have no clue what she's on about.

Lisa leans back, "You don't know? God, I'm sorry. | shouldn't have said anything."

"Tellwhat you mean." | demand.

"It was, you know? Kinky, like Dom and sub kink from what | gathered. She basically did all the was into just to

keep him on a sexual leash, so to speak."

| want to throw up.

things he

"You know," Lisa says, "maybe you should consider that therapy idea Jayden brought up. It's not the worst

suggestion." She's gracefully changing the subject and I'm letting her.

But my mind is still locked onto what she said about Jayden's sex life with Ashlyn. | focus back on the words Lisa

just said so she doesn't see how rattled | am by the earlier revelation. "Go tell a complete stranger my deepest

and most irrational fears? Not likely," | add.

"Yeah," Lisa says with a shrug. "Jayden's been through therapy for his own stuff, right? Maybe it's tyou both

went together. Could help you work through this Ashlyn thing. And everything else." "Couples therapy? Then we

can argue in front of a complete stranger, nice."

"Look, they are trained to help you through this type of trauma."

"Trauma?"

"You almost got shot by Ashlyn, and you almost lost Jayden. You've both had so much heavy stuff over the years,

trauma is a given if you ask me."

| bite my lip, considering it. It feels...like I'm being weak. Like admitting there's something really wrong that |

can't just be strong and fix. Maybe there is. Maybe it is trauma.

*Jayden mentioned it once before," | admit, "but | wasn't sure. | mean, therapy... It's a big step."

Lisa looks at me, her eyes softer than usual. "Winona, you've been through hell and back. If anyone deserves a

bit of help to sort things out, it's you. Being strong isn't always enduring. Being strong is knowing when to ask for

help." | consider this.

"How would you adviseif it was the ssituation?

Okay, she's gotthere. | sigh and a tear rolls down my cheek.

"Take your own advice, Winona. Just go see a specialist and ask squestions about the process."

I'nod. "I think I will."

could be what

"And if Jayden's on board with it, maybe it's something you both should try together. Hell, it could be what saves

your relationship."

+25 BONUS

152 Is That What He Wants)

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Maybe. | just... I'm scared. What if it just makes things worse?*

Lisa raises an eyebrow. "You tell me, do you think it can get worse than last night?"

| consider that. | don't think I'd like to see what a worse level would be like. The top of my arms are sore and |

remember Jayden grabbinghard last night.

"Girl, you guys need to deal with this stuff before it tears you apart completely. Think of Abby. Besides, therapy

isn't just about fixing things-it's about understanding each other better, communicating better."

"Yeah," | mutter, staring into my cold coffee. "Maybe couples therapy is what we need to finally move on. One

way or the other."

"That's what I'm saying." Lisa says, leaning forward. "It's worth a shot, Winona. For closure, if nothing else."

"Help yourself to more coffee. I'm going to the bathroom." What Lisa said about Jayden and Ashlyn has me

needing salone time.

The light in the bathroom is harsh, too bright for my pounding head, but | need to see. | let the robe drop down

below my shoulders, and there they are-dark bruises.

Stark against my skin, marking the places where Jayden's fingers gripped.

My breath catches in my throat, and for a moment, all | can do is stare. This is... it's not what | thought would

ever happen. Jayden's never hurtphysically before, not like this.

But seeing these bruises, feeling the soreness... It's hard.

| lean against the sink, gripping the edge as | try to steady myself. What does this mean? Was it just the alcohol?

Just the heat of the moment?

Or is there something darker here, something I've been too blind to see? Something that runs in his genes?,

Judy's words echo in my mind, the warnings about abuse, about how it can start so subtly that you don't even

realize it's happening until it's too late. How it escalates. But Jayden's not like that. He's not. | know him. But do

1? Do | really?

And if Ashlyn did things to encourage that darker side of him, that may have involved rough play, perhaps she

had him hooked like it was drugs or something. My stomach churns, bile rising in my throat at the thought.

| don't doubt her ability to do anything.

Maybe he wanted that all along and just couldn't admit it when he was younger. | mean we had a very active and

healthy sex life before the cadent and he never once as much as suggested anything like

that.

I mean that's when you'd mention it, when you were young and eager to give anything a try once. But that car

accident really did change him. Maybe this is part of that. | don't know.

Is that what Jayden wants? Is that what he needs? And if it is, where does that leave me?

20

152 H That What He

+25 BONUS

| let out a shaky breath, pulling my robe tight aroundagain. | can't tell Lisa about these bruises. | can't even

process it myself.

The doubt is there, though, festering under the surface, makingquestion everything | thought | knew about

Jayden.

153 The Crossroad