Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

(Jayden)

I sink into the chair beside Lisa and Cass, once I've signed the permission forms, my elbows on my knees and my face in my hands.

The adrenaline from holding it together for Winona is wearing off, leaving me raw and exposed. My whole body is tight, and the silence is suffocating.

But I have no clue what to say to them. I don't want to make promises I may not be able to keep.

Cass is the first to break it. "She's tough," she says, her voice firm but shaking at the edges. "Winona doesn't quit. She's been through worse and come out swinging. She'll get through this."

I look up at her, appreciating the confidence she's trying to project. "I want to believe that," I say quietly. "But seeing her like that..." I trail off, unable to finish the thought.

Cass sits forward, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "Do you think she knew?" she asks softly.

I frown. "Knew what?"

"The baby... was...gone," Cass says, her voice barely above a whisper. "She seemed so... hopeful this morning. Like she was planning for the future."

"She definitely knew in the shower."

"I just hope she, I hope she wants to pull through this."

"She does have four kids, she won't give up on them," I snap before I can stop myself.

Lisa glares at me. "Hey, don't snap at her. We're all just trying to process this, same as you."

I take a deep breath, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Fuck. I'm sorry, Cass. I just... I'm barely holding it together right now."

Cass nods. "It's cool, Bro. I get it."

"I fucking hate this waiting. My head is pounding and I feel so ill," Lisa says. "Why? Why couldn't this just be a happy ending for a change?"

"I need her to come out of that surgery alive," I admit, my voice cracking. "I need her to yell at me for hovering, to laugh at something crazy Henry does, to roll her eyes when I say something cheesy. I need her to be okay." "I know. I need her no filter advice on life. I cannot function without her, I swear."

I nod, swallowing hard. "I know exactly how you feel."

Cass reaches over, placing a hand on my arm. "We're not alone in this, Jayden, Lisa. Whatever happens, we're here for each other. For her. For the kids. All of it."

"I need to update Viktor and Nexus Global team. And Klara." I stand, my legs feeling like lead.

"Let me call Viktor. He can do the rest," Cass offers.

I collapse back into the chair, burying my face in my hands again. "I want to have it all together but my brain is like jello." I uncover my face. Every art of me is consumed with how Winona is faring in the operating theater. Cass stands up. "I got this, Jayden." She heads off down the hallway to make the call.

"Do the kids know anything?" Lisa asks suddenly, breaking the silence. "About Winona being pregnant?"

"No," I reply. "We decided not to tell them, just in case..."

"It was the right call."

"I know we expected this might happen. But that doesn't make it any easier."

"Nothing could prepare you for this, surely," Lisa says. "Parenting has never been for me, but I can still imagine how much this must hurt. I'm so sorry, Jayden."

"I hope I can get her through this. She'll be so destroyed losing our son."

"Son?" Lisa stares.

"Yes, we found out via the blood test

and the first ultrasound. I had thought to call him Leo, like Viktor's baby brother. I liked that name. We both did. He's the same age as Henry."

"Wait... Viktor has a baby brother?" Cass asks with her eyes wide.

"Viktor is the eldest of twelve."

"Wow," Cass answers.

I glance at the clock on the wall, it's been an hour, the secondhand ticking by agonizingly slowly. "How long does surgery like this take, I wonder?" Lisa shrugs. "I don't know."

We lapse into silence again, each of us lost in our thoughts. The minutes crawl by, and every sound from the hallway makes my heart race, hoping and fearing it's news about Winona. en FindNovel

The door to the sitting room opens, and we both look up at once.

It's not Dr. Harris-it's a nurse, her expression neutral. "We've just finished the procedure. Dr. Harris wanted me to let you know she'll update you in the next thirty minutes." en FindNovel

"Is...is Winona okay?" I ask.

"She's stable but not out of the woods. They will take her to intensive care. The doctor will tell you more."

I nod. "Thank you for letting us know."

The nurse leaves, and Cass is back. "Was there news?"

"Surgery is done. Winona is stable for now. Doctor Harris will update us soon." I relay like I'm a robot.

"Can we see her?" Cass asks.

"I think we'll leave that for Jayden for now. Intensive care limits visitors, and the kids will need us," Lisa tells Cass.

Cass nods. "Viktor says he will call you later today."

"Thanks, Cass. That really helps." I can't ignore Nexus Global forever but right now, it's the furthest thing from my mind.

"I think we'll go to the house and talk to Anne as soon as we're updated on Winona, unless you want to hear that in private...?" Lisa asks.

"No. There's nothing that Winona wouldn't want both of you to hear."

The door opens and it's Dr. Harris. She comes in and closes the door behind her.

My heart pounds in my throat.