Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

63 Playing The Game (Ashlyn)

One Week Later

So, this is the infamous Gus Brennan. Last week he outed Lance and I and the little indiscretion. But he also did me a favor and named Jayden as the biological father of this baby.

I

Judy has been ridiculous about it all, but I don't care. I eye her defiantly across the office that used to be Jayden's. She can pretend she hates me, but I know she needs me.

She can't get rid of Winona from Jayden's life without me. She's been carrying on about where Jayden is and that he hasn't answered any messages or calls. It's not like I'm holding him hostage. He hasn't been 'home since all this about Lance went down. Now Judy pretends to be shocked about me sleeping with Lance. She doesn't fool me. Don't pretend to be holier than thou when you've been hiding Jayden's real father all this time.

She's looking at Gus and he's studying whatever is on the desk in front of him.

"Ladies, please, take a seat." He says without looking up.

I sit in the plush leather chair. Judy remains standing.

He looks up and his blue eyes pin me to the spot. Wow Talk about a silver fox. Fast forward thirty years and this is how my husband looks. No complaints here. He's hot. I smile at him.

"Ashlyn, we haven't met formally but by now you know who I am."

"I nod.

"I'm not going to pretend. What you did to Jayden is inexcusable."

I shrug.

Gus stares at me waiting for a reaction he isn't getting. This is all old news, what I want to know is what happens next.

"You don't have anything to say about that?"

I shake my head. "No. What's done is done. The point is the baby is Jayden's."

"I see," Gus says. "Okay. Jayden is going away until Abby has her next operation. Neither of you are to interfere with that."

My mind races with possibilities. What is going on here? I look at Judy and she has her eyebrows raised, so she doesn't know either.

"I know what you've both been up to as far as Winona is concerned. I don't give a damn how you feel about her, but she is the mother of the Brennan heir. I will protect her. Abby needs both her parents in a peaceful setting." Wait! Is Winona away with Jayden too?

Judy's face is deadpan again now.

63 Playing The Game

"Jayden needs to get mentally strong again. He needs this time and he doesn't need either of you around while he does that."

"Isn't that Jayden's choice?" Judy asks with a flat voice.

Gus nods. "It was. These are his wishes. Uncompromising."

"Let me guess, that bitch has gone too." Judy spits the words out.

Gus stands and slams his hand on the desk. The noise makes me jump. A thrill races through me.

"Winona is the mother of his first-born child. My first-born grandchild. Heir to Global Nexus. You will not threaten her or the child again. Jayden will make his own decisions and not be influenced by your lies."

"My lies? She's the one who wanted to take him away from his birthright. She's the one who wants him all to herself. I just tried to get him to take his rightful place again."

Gus stalks the room. "I'm warning you Judy, let him live his life. Accept whatever he decides."

"I'll never accept her."

"You may never accept her, but you will accept that he will make his own choice and so will Winona."

Six months together with that kid? They will be back in bed in no time. I'll have lost him forever. All this effort for nothing. But I do still have this kid. His kid. He is tied to me whether he likes it or not.

I hate Winona so much. She's wanted to get him back all along. But he's married to me.

"You may think you can come in here and be the boss, but you don't frighten me." Judy stares at Gus.

He gets up in her face and his voice is dangerous and low. "I'm not here to frighten you, Judy. I'm here to see this company survive. I'm here to see Jayden regain his full capacity. I'm here to do what you couldn't do, protect our son." Oh, he's good. Damn good. He knows every button to push in Judy. The fury on her face right now is quite enjoyable.

"You put him into the life he had, not me. I tried to leave your asshole brother, but you took Jayden as a baby and refused to return him until I went back."

What? He kidnapped Jayden as a baby? Forced Judy to stay with Greg Brennan. He really had it in for her. Gus walks away looking grim. "Shit happens, Judy."

"You don't care about Jayden. You're just using him. He'll see your true colors eventually. All you care about is Nexus Global."

"Just keep away from Jayden. Or you may indeed never see him again, and that will not be my doing. I'll have surveillance on them, so I'll know if you try and go near him. He has a new phone and number. Don't bother trying to call." Judy storms out slamming the door as she goes. She's not leaving this alone, no way. I know her.

Gus watches her and then turns to me. "Ashlyn, do I have your word you'll leave Jayden to do what he has

to do?"

63 Playing The Game

Hard no. "Yes, for sure. I don't care where he is. I know he loves me and this baby and once he has Abby sorted, he'll be back. I just care about keeping this baby and myself healthy until then.

He smiles. "I hope you will let me make that a little easier for you."

I smile back. "What do you mean?"

"With Jayden out of town, perhaps I can step in and take you to appointments. A surrogate father, if you

will."

I look down and then back up at him through my lashes. "I'd really love that."

"How about we start it off with dinner tonight? I hate eating alone."

"Oh, yes. What should I wear? I don't have a lot of choices for evening wear. Jayden wasn't one for going to dinner unless it was business."

"I think we can do something about that, my dear." Gus hands me a platinum credit card. "I'll have my driver take you shopping. I'll make reservations at Leonardo's for nine tonight. I have a lot of work to get through." "Are you sure? I can throw something on."

"I'm sure. I'll pick you up at eight-thirty. Go get your outfit. Whatever you need."

"Thank you, Mr. Brennan." I say coyly as I take the card from his hand.

"Call me Gus. It will be nice to go out with a beautiful young woman."All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

He thinks I'm stupid. I'll play his little game. I still have an ace up my sleeve.