Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

49 Protecting Her (Jayden)

"Oh damn. My phone isn't in my pocket. It must have come out on the sofa or something." I give Ashlyn a peck on the cheek as she sits in the driver's seat "I'll just pop back and grab it. I won't be long."

"Okay, Hurry." She looks nervous.

"Lock the car doors when I get out. Just in case. Never know who's out and about this time of night." I squeeze her hand before stepping out. ""I will."

I walk through the gate and along the path, the cool night air sharp against my skin. My blood freezes at what I see in the doorway. What the hell is he doing to her? Something inside me surges, a primal protectiveness. I want to rip his head off. Winona is struggling against Phillip in the doorway. Her face is twisted in distress, her arms flailing. I run. up and drag him away from her, my adrenaline spiking, "What the fuck is going on?"

Phillip glares at me, his eyes wild and unfocused, and then bursts into tears. "I'm sorry. I got carried away. I just love her so damn much. She can't even kiss me when you're around." His words slur together, the smell of alcohol heavy on his breath. Pretty sure he's had more than the beers we saw him drink.

"Come on, man. Let's get you into a bed. You're toast." just feel sorry for him at this point, his desperation laid bare.

Winona stands there, looking confused and shaken. I nod at her, trying to offer some reassurance. "He is going to crash hard. Will you be okay?"

She nods, but I can see the doubt in her eyes. The fear. Her lips tremble, and I'm not sure I'm convinced.

"I'll go get him situated. I think he's already flaked it actually." Phillip is now drooped over my arm, mumbling things I can't understand, his weight dragging me down.

I take him into the first bedroom I see. The room is dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls. He can sleep that off. I know the feeling; I used to do stupid stuff when I drank too much. But I'd certainly never tried to force myself on the woman I supposedly loved I walk back out to the lounge, my heart still pounding. That was full on."

"I know. A little scary too. I've never seen him drunk before." Winona's voice is shaky, her body still trembling.

"Maybe that's why." I nod, trying to process everything

"Maybe."

"He's going to be out for hours. Are you sure you and Abby will be okay?" I ask, but I can see she's shaking hard, her eyes wide and haunted.

1 move towards her, and the next thing I know she is in my arms. Her body feels fragile against mine, and all I want is to protect her from the world.

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40 Protecting Her

"It'll be okay." I try to convince both of us. My wife is out in the car. I can't be in here like this.

"I'll be okay. I can lock myself in Abby's room and sleep in there."

Her voice is small, and it breaks something inside me. That sounds like you don't feel you're safe."

"What's the alternative? You can't stay here all night."

"I can call the cops." The thought of leaving her vulnerable is unbearable.

She looks up at me, and I can see the fear in her eyes, the confusion. Her deep, smoldering, sexy eyes. I glance quickly at her mouth. Full lips, parted, inviting. I lean in. She doesn't draw back.

I shouldn't. But she closes her eyes, and my mouth is an hers. The thrill of our tongues meeting races through my body. I fist her hair and drag her in more, she opens her mouth to me, and I'm flooded with need. The taste of her, the feel of her, the memories of her, it's intoxicating, overwhelming.

Her body melts against mine, and for a moment, it's like nothing else exists. Just us. Just this. Why, why did I ever let her go? Why did I believe my mother and Ashlyn? I should have listened to Winona all along. We could have been together with our daughter, just like we'd always dreamt.

"Jayden!" Ashlyn's voice cries out from behind us, sharp and filled with betrayal. I jerk back, my heart pounding, the guilt crashing over me like a tidal wave.

A pain sears through my head as my brain is a taken over by memories smashing my mind, over and over. Every single moment Winona and I ever shared hit me all at once. I grab my head in both hands. I can never love Ashlyn like I love Winona. I can never love anyone like I love Winona.

"It's my

my fault, Ashlyn. I kissed him. Phillip is drunk and he was trying to force himself on me. I was scared and when Jayden offered to help, I just kissed him."

"I knew you still wanted him."

"I'm sorry. It was just a moment. I'm not interested in Jayden. I promise. You are his wife."

Ashlyn comes up beside me and touches my face. "Yes and I'm having his baby, so back off, bitch," she says to Winona.

"Calm down, Ashlyn." I say.

"Don't you think you'll ever divorce me for her. I'll never let you go."

"I don't want a divorce." I think of her fragile mental state and the fact she is carrying a baby. I don't want to do anything to risk this pregnancy. "I promise. We'll always be married. Winona means nothing to me. Tomorrow I'll be telling Phillip if he ever lays a hand on her again, I will hunt him down and make him pay.

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