Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

(Cass)

Lisa and I head out of the hospital. The air feels a little fresher out here, but only just. The tension from inside the Brennan Wing clings to me like a second skin. Hospitals are never places I want to be.

It always seems to be bad news for someone. Mom passed away here and that's still raw. I miss her. It was always her and I. Not being able to hug her now is something I may never get used to.

No matter what she was always in my corner. Winona is too, but she does it with a hefty dose of expectation of me to improve things. That's not a bad thing but some days it's hard to see how things can change.

"She'll be okay," Lisa says quietly, her voice soft. It's almost jarring to hear her without her usual sarcastic bite.

"Yeah," I reply, exhaling slowly. "I think you're right, but this is going to be hard for them both. Losing a baby changes people, doesn't it? But they've got each other, right?"

Lisa shrugs, her expression unreadable. "I'm not really sure where they stand with their marriage. I know Jayden has decided to let all the hall pass week stuff go. He wants to move forward. I think Winona would've been happy to hear that. But now, after losing this baby, it's hard to know where it will end up for them."

I glance at her, my brows furrowing. "Jayden's ready to move forward? Really?"

Lisa nods. "Yeah. He's all in. But Winona... She's the wild card here. She's been through hell, Cass. I'm just not sure if she'll want to lean on him or push him away. That's how she copes sometimes, you know?"

I bite my lip, thinking about it. Lisa isn't wrong. Winona is fiercely independent, almost to a fault. This will take her to the brink of reason. "Relationships are hard work," I say, thinking aloud. "I think I'll stay single forever. Too much drama for me."

"Yeah, well, exhibit A right here. Anyway, while they work through whatever it is they need to, we'll keep the kids distracted," she says, her tone shifting to practical mode. "Anne's amazing, but she's only one person. Let's do what we can so she gets a break. I know Winona and Jayden will appreciate that."

The thought of Bobby, Sarah, Abby, and Henry brings a small smile to my face. They've been through so much too, and the best thing we can do for them right now is make things feel normal-whatever that is anymore.

"Good plan. They have a big yard that needs some work according to Winona over the phone. I think we can get something done out there. Not that I'm an expert, but I'm willing to try."

Lisa chuckles, and for the first time in what feels like forever, it sounds like her usual self. "Sounds messy. I'm in."

As we round the corner to the parking lot, a familiar voice stops me in my tracks.

"Cass."

I freeze. My heart stutters before launching into a full sprint.

Gabriel.

Turning slowly, I see him standing a few feet away, his hands tucked into the pockets of a perfectly tailored designer suit, his expression somewhere between apologetic and... hungry. Damn it. Why does he have to look so good all the time?

"Gabriel," I say, keeping my tone neutral. "What are you doing here?"

He steps closer, his eyes locking onto mine. The familiar scent of spicy wood hits my nostrils. Mmmm.

"I came to apologize for last time. I was out of line. I wanted to check in on you."

Lisa crosses her arms, giving him a skeptical once-over. "How thoughtful," she says, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Gabriel flashes one of his devastatingly charming smiles, the kind that used to make my knees weak. The kind that still does, if I'm being honest.

"I'm serious. I shouldn't have pushed like that. I just... I've missed you. I know you're stressed over Winona? How is she?"

"She had some complications and

an operation. For now, she's stable,"

I say quickly, not wanting to dwell on

him missing me. "The doctors are optimistic, but the next 24 hours are

critical."

en FindNovel

I deliberately avoid mentioning the pregnancy. That's up to Jayden and Winona to share if they choose to.

"I hope she's okay," he says, his gaze softening But then his eyes are full focus back to me, and the intensity is an inferno threatening to melt my resistance. "And you? How are you holding up?" en FindNovel

"I'm fine," I reply, a little too fast, a little too sharp.

Lisa raises an eyebrow but mercifully doesn't call me out. Instead, she gestures toward her car. "Look, I'll give you two a few minutes. My car's just over there. Meet you there, Cass?" "Sure. I'll only be a few minutes," I say, even though I may regret letting her leave me alone with Gabriel.

Gabriel reaches out, his fingers brushing lightly against my arm. The touch burns my skin. It ignites the spark I hate myself for feeling.

"I still care about you, Cass," he says quietly. "My feelings haven't changed. You know that."

I stare into his dark, almost black

eyes, and the passion in them swallows me whole. For a moment it's like we're the only two people in the world, and all the reasons why we didn't work fade into the eo

background.

He leans down, his focus zeroing in on my lips. My heart races, my skin tingling in anticipation. I really need to stop this. Right. Now.

Before I can stop him-or worse, give in-another voice cuts through the heated moment like a cold blade.

"Cass."

I stiffen, my head snapping toward the source.

Viktor.