Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

177 The Man Ai

377 The Man I Am

(Jayden)

The idea that some of the staff might like a change in dwirling in my mind.

Then a thought jumps into my head. With all the skills on offer at Gus's estate, it would make a great training facility.

And all that land surrounding it. Two thousand hectares, surely some of that can be set aside for staff needing land to build on. In fact, why can't the building and development of plots be a part of the training? "What if," I say, turning to Viktor, "Instead of just offering jobs, we gave them the chance to build something of their own? Something they can build on for themselves."

Viktor's eyebrows lift, a glint of interest in his eyes. "You mean.... to offer them a way to be self-sufficient?

"Yes, if they chose that. But I think the whole estate could become a training facility. That would employ the staff and generate an income to sustain the wages.

"That's very workable."

1 nod, feeling the idea solidify as I speak. "Yes, exactly. I'd love to give the staff an option. For those who might prefer it, some land to work, a place to build a future for themselves."

"Not just employees, but stakeholders in their own lives," Viktor says slowly, a small smile forming. 1 think it's brilliant.

"Awesome!" I'm pleased he can see the vision like me

"My father-he didn't want charity. He wanted a way to earn his own way, to provide for us without having to rely on someone else's handouts."

"I think a training facility gives us a lot of options too. People get real skills and qualifications."

"What you're suggesting, it's not just an offer-it's a foundation for independence."

"Right. If they have their own land, something they can call theirs, it's not just a job-it's a future."

"A place they can shape however they want. Grow food, raise animals, build a small business that feeds back into the local economy. Sharing their skills, teaching others."

"It's a win-win. They'd still have the option to work for us as long as they needed, but they'd also have something to pass down, something they could rely on. They can pay it off if that's a better option than charity." Viktor nods thoughtfully.

"I think it's the way to move forward," I decide.

"There may be some legalities involved with land ownership."

"We'll sort it out. Nexus Global has enough lawyers."

"This is a very exciting prospect."

377 The Man I Am

"Would your father... would he think this is a good idea?" I ask, glancing at Viktor.

His face softens, and he gives a slight nod. "He'd think you're wise beyond your years. It's the kind of legacy he'd believe in. More importantly, what would your father think?"

The question catches me off guard. I look over at him, unsure of which father he even means. The man i grew up with? Or the man I'd come to find out was my biological father?

"Honestly," I start slowly, "I don't even know if I'd call either of them my father, Greg... he barely wanted anything to do with me, except to hate me for existing." I pause while I think about it.

"And Gus. Well, he didn't exist to me until recently. Even if he wanted me to be in his life, I wasn't. In the end, it was always just me and my mother."

Viktor's gaze holds steady, but he doesn't say anything, letting me untangle the thoughts out loud. It's strange-sometimes, I forget how much Judy took on.

Even now, as she drives me to cut her from my life with her overreach and manipulations, there's no denying the sacrifices she made.

"For most of my life, Mother was both parents to me," I say, almost to myself. Memories bubble up, ones usually keep buried. "Greg had a temper, but it wasn't physical with me... it was colder than that. But for Mother, well, she took a lot to protect me." "I see."

"I remember her standing between us more than once

"She protected you," Viktor notes.

I nod, feeling a mix of resentment and something close to gratitude. "As much as she could. But she never saw when to let go. That's the problem now. Anyway, I was left without any real father."

"And now, this legacy, and finding Gus got the cottage built for me... It makes me think of how different things might have been. But it doesn't make up for anything."

Viktor considers my words, and I can tell he's choosing his next carefully. "Maybe Gus intended for you to find your way to this point, to take it and make it your own. Sometimes the absence is the lesson."

I scoff, not sure whether I agree or not. "Maybe. But it doesn't change the fact that he wasn't there. None of them were, really. Not how I needed them."

1 let the silence stretch out, thinking of my own kids.

"Sometimes, I worry I'm overcompensating with them. I admit quietly. "Trying to be too much of a father because I never had one who was truly there for me. Maybe I want to make up for everything I didn't have." "You think that's wrong?"Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

1 hesitate, shaking my head slowly. "No... but I don't want them to grow up resenting me or feeling like they have to live up to some idea I have for them. I don't want them to feel what I felt, It's a lot to carry, Viktor." 377 The Man I Am

He nods, as if he understands more than he's saying. "It sounds like you're aware of that balance. That's already more than many can claim."

It's something, I suppose. I let his words sink in, thinking of Winona, who's been my rock through this all. I need to be that for her and the kids. And maybe, If I'm being honest, that's my way of making up for everything I never had.

"I just want to be better than the men, and women, before me, Viktor," I finally say. "To give my kids what I never had, love and support, without drowning them in expectations."

Viktor watches me, his expression thoughtful. "Sounds like you're already on that path."

"I like to think so. But at the end of the day, I wouldn't be the man I am without Winona, I would not change one thing that meant I'd never have met her. From the day I laid eyes on her, I knew we were meant to be." "Love can overcome anything."

"It certainly has so far. I don't even know why she gives me the time of day after all she's been through because of loving me."

"Perhaps one day you will need to afford her the same level of forgiveness."

"And I will. Nothing can ever turn me away from her."

374 Result!

378 Result!