Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 234

234 Calm Before the Gala (Winona)

One Month Later

Sitting around the dinner table with everyone feels like a common occurrence these days. It's been a full month

of peace, and I'm not used to it yet.

| glance over at Jayden, who's dishing Abby her pasta while she chatters nonstop about the wedding and

attendants dresses we chose, starring, of course, her gorgeous pink princess dress as flower girl. "You know, we

can't let Daddy know how we will all look. It's bad luck."

Abby o

clamps her little hand over her mouth, her blue eyes are wide.

I laugh. "It's okay, Sweety. | know you're very excited. We all are."

"I can't wait, Mommy!"

"Eat sdinner. We can make ssecret plans tomorrow." | wink at her and she munches into her mac and

cheese Anne has made.

"Actually, if you, Bobby and Sarah would like to go eat at the breakfast bar in the hen, you can. A

Friday night treat."

"Yay!" Sarah says with a smile.

Bobby grins. "Cool."

The three of them take their bowls and head into the kitchen leaving us in the dining room.

"It's so nice having the kids here, and you Anne." | say with a smile.

"I think this will work out just fine. The kids start their new school Monday."

"I'm not sure the penthouse is an ideal family home, but | think stability is more important right now." | say.

"His where the heart is, Winona. The kids actually love it here with you all.

"| think it's going to be fine for as long as we need to be. Just need to get regular outings because we don't have

a yard."

"Wouldn't it be nice to have somewhere close like that reserve where we spread Mom's ashes? No wonder she

loved it there. So beautiful with the river."

"I might have to look into splaces closer to here." Jayden smiles. "| mean the spot where Ashlyn's ashes

went is a beautiful lake district and it's not that far away."

"Yeah. It was lovely there. | think Ashlyn would definitely approve of being laid to rest where her dad was.

""For sure."

"Mom's service went better than | expected. | mean, seeing all those people who knew her... it was nice, right?"

Jayden nods, offering a small smile. "It was. | didn't realize your mom had such a big impact on that

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234 Calm Before the Gala

community. She definitely left a mark."

Anne chimes in from her seat across the table. "You and Cass should be proud.".

"I am," | admit, twirling my fork in my salad. "I didn't expect so many people, honestly. But seeing how loved and

respected she was... It felt good. Cass seemed pleased too, even if she didn't say much later. Too busy with her

move | guess." Jayden raises an eyebrow. "How long has it been since you've actually heard from her?"

| shrug, trying not to let the disappointment show. It's been three weeks since she moved into her place with Mia

and five weeks since we flew out for the service. "I don't want to push too hard, make a fuss, you know?"

Anne nods thoughtfully. "She needs her space, but maybe a check-in wouldn't hurt. Just make sure she knows

you're still there for her. Maybe we could take her a casserole next week."

"Great idea. I'll text her later anyway to see if she's coming to the Gala Ball for the Brennan Wing and if she's

bringing someone. Just to get final numbers a bit closer to the mark." "How's our little Henry doing?" Anne asks.

Jayden's eyes light up at the mention of the baby. "He's doing great. They're getting him out of the incubator

soon, seeing if he can regulate his own body temperature. And we're going to try bottle feeds next week."

"That's incredible!" Anne says, beaming. "He's csuch a long way."

"He really has. But he's still very vulnerable," | say..

"So, | gather the spa day and dress shopping went well?" Jayden asks.

"Yes! We finally found the perfect wedding dresses." | beam at him.

Jayden raises an eyebrow. "Dresses? Plural?"

"Obviously, there's more than one dress, Jayden," | say, smirking. "There's the wedding dress and then the bridal

party dresses. I'm considering a reception dress as well. We had to get them off the rack, so the choices were a

little limited, but we made it work." "And it was fabulous," Anne adds with a grin. "The day at the spa, and some

shopping. It was the kind of day every woman needs once in a while."

"You should've seen Abby and Sarah," | laugh, remembering how adorable she looked trying on a miniature

version of the dresses we picked out. "They looked like little princesses."

Jayden grins. "I don't doubt it. I'm happy you're happy."

"You ready for tomorrow night?" | ask Jayden.

The gala is his big night. He still funds the Brennan Wing personally and every year there's a fundraising event to

involve more high-profile people to help keep the cutting edge technology current.

He shrugs, but there's tension in his shoulders. "Ready as I'll ever be. I'll make my speech, thank everyone for

supporting the Brennan Wing, and get the hell out of there."

234 Calm Before the Gala

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"You think Judy will show up?" | ask cautiously. The no contact order is still in place, but the gala is one of those

events where everyone who's anyone in the city will be there.

Jayden's jaw tightens. "She'll be there. But as long as she doesn't cnearor try to talk, It'll be fine."

"Do you think she will?" Anne asks, her voice laced with curiosity.

Jayden shakes his head. "Who knows? But if she does, security will take care of it. I'm not worried about her. I'm

more worried about making sure Henry's nis out there as the inspiration for the fundraising and a reminder

of how fragile life can be for skids" "Honestly, though, tomorrow is just about showing our support and

getting through the night without any ."

"Well, Judy has been so perfect with Abby and her visits. | don't think she'll rock the boat and risk that stopping."

Jayden's eyes meet mine. "I think you're right. Honestly, this has been the best month of my life without her in

it." "It sure feels normal for a change."

"Let's hope it stays that way."

"Do you think Greg's kids will be there?" | ask Jayden.

"Brennan Industries is a benefactor of the Brennan Wing. | guess they might."

| really hope if they do that there isn't any friction.