Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 99

99 Confrontation

(Winona)

The judge calls for a two-hour recess to speak privately with Abby and consider all the arguments and

information.

It's only then | realize Abby is present in the courthouse somewhere. My heart skips a beat at the thought of her

being here, so close yet so far from me. | hope she is okay. I'm sure Anne is with her.

The bailiff escortsout of the courtroom, and I'm allowed a brief toilet break. | head to the restroom, my mind

swirling with anxiety and hope.

| push open the heavy restroom door, the cool air hitting my face. | splash swater on my face, trying to

compose myself. As | stand there, staring at my reflection in the mirror, the door swings open, and in walks

Ashlyn, her eyes locked on mine. "Well, well, well, look who we have here," she sneers, her voice dripping with

sarcasm. "The desperate mother."

| take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "You aren't supposed to be nearor discussing the case."

She shrugs. "Who cares?"

She steps closer, her smile twisted. "I wanted to see the look on your face when you realize your little wire trick

isn't going to work. You really thought you could trickinto a confession?"

| feel a cold chill run down my spine. "I don't know what you're talking about," | reply, trying to keep my voice

steady.

Ashlyn laughs, the sound echoing off the tiled walls. "Oh, con, Winona. Don't play dumb. You and your

pathetic little lawyer think you're so clever. Wearing wires, hoping I'll slip up and confess. It's not going to

happen. You pushed me, and that's the truth."

| clench my fists, anger boiling inside me. "You're lying, Ashlyn. You know | didn't push you. You set this all up.

You're the one who's been manipulating everyone."

She steps even closer, her face inches from mine. "No one believes that because it isn't true. Not Jayden, not the

judge. You'll be in jail where you belong."

| glare at her, my heart pounding. "I won't let you get away with this, Ashlyn. | will prove my innocence." Ashlyn

smirks, leaning back against the sink. "Good luck with that. By the tyou're done fighting. Jayden will have full

custody, and you'll be left with nothing. You're wasting your time."

I swallow hard, trying to keep my composure. "Why are you doing this? What do you get out of destroying my

life?

She shrugs, her eyes cold and unfeeling. "Maybe | just enjoy watching you destroy your own life. Maybe! want

Jayden all to myself. Or maybe | just hate seeing you happy. You'll never know."

| shake my head, disbelief washing over me. "You're sick, Ashlyn. Truly sick."

She laughs again, the sound chilling. "And you're weak Winona. Always playing the victim. Face you're

going to lose. You've already lost."

99 Confrontation

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| don't respond, | know she's baitingfor a reaction. Instead, | turn and head for the door.

"Don't forget," she calls after me, her voice mocking. "No more wires. You're not fooling anyone."

| push open the door and step out into the hallway, my heart racing. I lean against the wall, trying to steady my

breathing. The encounter with Ashlyn leavesshaken, but | know | can't let her get to me.

As | head back to the room with the bailiff, I'm relieved to see Gordon waiting inside for me. He walks over,

concern etched on his face.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice low

I nod, though my hands are still trembling. "I'm fine. Just ran into Ashlyn in the restroom. She knows about the

wire."

Gordon's eyes widened in alarm. "Damn. | let it happen hoping she would slip up. What did she say?"

"She taunted me, toldwe're wasting our time. She's not going to confess to anything. She insists! pushed

her."

He sighs, rubbing his forehead. "This complicates things. But we won't give up. Let's get this day

first.

I reply, my voice determined. "I'm not giving up. Not on Abby. Do you think we'll have a chance?" over with

"As good a chance as any, I'd say." He pushes a lunch pack towards me. "Eat. We may have a bit to wait yet."

Almost three hours later.

"Okay," Gordon says, his expression firm. "The judge is ready. Let's go back in. We'll figure out our next move

from there."

I'm absolutely beside myself with nerves. Will | be seeing Abby at hto stay?

T

We walk back into the courtroom together, my mind racing with thoughts of Abby. I have to believe that the

judge will see the truth. | have to believe that there's hope.

We take our seats, and | give Phillip a quick hug. | glance around the room, my eyes landing on Jayden. He looks

tense, his jaw ticking. He doesn't look at me.

The judge re-enters the courtroom, and everyone stands. My heart pounds as | wait for her to speak, every

second feeling like an eternity.

| silently begged for this to be a positive outcforbut mostly for Abby. That kid is my life.

The judge sits and shuffles spaperwork before speaking. "May | commend you on your job raising Abby so

far, Ms. Nolan. She's clearly a well-balanced and happy child who has been dealt sunfortunate

circumstances. Still, | am certain | have reached the correct decision for her continued wellbeing."

I'm not sure if the unfortunate circumstances are me, her health, or the whole Brennan saga.

"Thank you, Your Honor." | acknowledge her observations about Abby and swallow, waiting for her to

100 Conditional Arrangements