Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

(Winona)

The law office is still and cold, a contrast to the storm of emotions brewing inside me. Jayden sits beside me, his jaw set, shoulders tight with the tension he's carried for days.

I can tell he's ready for this to be over but also bracing for whatever last hand Judy might play.

"You okay?" I whisper. He doesn't answer at first, his stare fixed on the polished table.

"No," he finally says. "But let's get it done."

Mr. Carter, the lawyer, clears his throat and adjusts his glasses. "Thank you all for being here. We are gathered for the reading of the final will and testament of Judith Ann Brennan." Jayden shifts in his chair, his knee bouncing with restless energy. I can feel the heat of his frustration, but I keep my hands to myself. No comfort from me is going to land right at this moment. "This will was last amended six months ago," Carter continues. "Mrs. Brennan made several significant changes, which we will now outline. Copies of the full document will be provided afterward." Jayden exhales sharply, his patience clearly wearing thin.

"To her son, Jayden Brennan," Carter begins, "Judith has left her controlling interest in Brennan Industries, with the express wish that the company remain within the family and that its staff and structure be preserved. Jayden, she entrusted you with ensuring that her legacy endures."

Jayden stiffens beside me, his jaw tightening further. "She knew I didn't want it. I signed it to her, why would I want it back?"

Carter continues without pause. "Mrs. Brennan also requested that I hand you this." He slides a small, velvet-lined box across the table. Jayden stares at it for a long moment before picking it up. He opens it, and I see his brows knit into a frown. "What is it?" I ask softly.

"A wedding set," Jayden shrugs as he answers, his voice low. He snaps the box shut and sets it on the table. "I've never seen this before. Why do I have it now?"

Carter adds, "Judith left a note for you to accompany this gift. 'Jayden, please return these to your father, Gus, with a message: I made the wrong choice. I should have said yes and gone to Europe. Perhaps, in another life, I might have found the courage to make the right decision.""

Jayden exhales sharply, leaning back in his chair. I know this will hit hard. The thought of ever having a normal childhood with two loving parents... How much different would his life have been?

Carter turns the page. "To her biological grandchildren-Abby, Henry, and any future descendants-she leaves her personal fortune and investment portfolio to be divided equally, once all other instructions have been fulfilled, and placed in trust until they reach the age of twenty-five."

He continues to read, "And also this... For my darling Abby. How I loved you. We never got to visit Grandma Judy's castle together like I promised, so now, it's all yours. Have a fairytale life, my beautiful girl."

I'm in actual shock now. I thought she'd sold that castle. Actually I was never even sure it was real. This reminds me that I need to still have this conversation with Abby.

Jayden isn't moving. He's just listening.

"And to Bobby and Sarah," Carter continues, "she has left a separate trust fund for each, with the understanding that while they are not her biological grandchildren, their importance to Jayden merits her consideration." My breath catches. She didn't have to do that. Judy and I rarely agreed on anything, but this gesture feels almost... human.

Jayden shakes his head. "Unexpected."

Carter offers a small, neutral smile.

He flips another page. "Additionally, a substantial portion of her estate has been left to charity, with an emphasis on education, housing, and women's health initiatives. Including family violence and its effects on the community." Jayden looks at me. I'm not sure what to say.

"That's a wonderful gesture, Jayden."

He nods.

Carter pulls out another envelope. "Judith also left personal notes for both Jayden and Winona, in the event that Winona was still a part of Jayden's life at the reading of this will, which I will now read." Does that mean if she still hadn't succeeded to part us by the time she died? She really was never going to give up. And up until the hall pass pictures, neither were Jayden and me.

He adjusts his glasses and begins. "To my son: Jayden, I know I made your life difficult, often intentionally. I believed that by pushing you, I could mold you into the person I thought you needed to be." Jayden has a sharp intake of breath, and I squeeze his hand despite my earlier hesitation. It can't be easy hearing that.

Carter goes on, "I probably overplayed my hand. Despite everything, I am proud of you. I always have been. Please, build your kids a better life than I subjected you to. And forgive me, if you can." Jayden stares at the table, his expression a mix of anger and something harder to place grief, maybe.

"And to Winona," Carter continues, turning to me.

I'm shaking now because I don't

know what on earth this can say. She hated me six months ago, she hated me always. How would she even know when this Will would be read? How would she know I'd be around still?

"She wrote: 'Winona, you proved me wrong. You have strength and resilience I didn't anticipate. This was never about you as a woman.at was about you with my son. Money should marry money, it's easier that way. The expectations and

understanding of living a billionaire life is paramount. I underestimated you."

Jayden looks at me now and gives my hand a squeeze.

"You became successful in your own right, but that doesn't mean you were suited to Jayden. I will always maintain that life might have been easier for you both without each other. If you stay with my son, do it because you truly believe it's worth it, not to spite me."

My pulse pounds in my ears, my emotions too tangled to untangle right now.

Even in death she has the ability to affect me.

Carter folds his hands. "That concludes the primary provisions of the will. If there are questions, they can be addressed in private."

Jayden stands abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "No questions," he says sharply. "Let's just get her service arranged and get her wishes upheld."

He turns to me, his expression a little softer now. "Will you be there for her service?"

I blink at him, surprised. "You want me to come?"

"You were there for everything she put us through. I understand either way. If you need to stay away or want to be there to finally see an end to the nightmare she made your life."

I hesitate for only a moment before nodding. "I'm not sure right now." He doesn't want me there because he needs me there. He's giving me the opportunity to see she is really out of my life now. Jayden's tension eases slightly, just a fraction. "Understood. Are you okay after that?"

I know he means the pregnancy. "Yes. But we do need to talk to Abby."

"That we do together. Now we just have Lance's to get through."

"Yes, no more Judy."

"No more."

As we walk out together, the air between us feels different-not warmer, exactly, but less charged.

Maybe the ghosts Judy left behind are already beginning to lose their grip.

At least for me.