EuropeNovelMy CEO 159
159 Navigating the Dally (Winona)
The penthouse feels more like a sanctuary today than it has in months. Abby's laughter echoes through the
spacious living room as she chases a bouncing ball, her small feet thumping against the hardwood floors.
The sound of her joy is a balm to my frayed nerves, still tender from yesterday's therapy session with Barnaby.
Jayden and | are at the kitchen island, laptops open, papers strewn about as we try to coordinate our schedules.
With Judy gone and Abby starting preschool full-time, our days are suddenly our own, but also more complicated
with finding a work-life balance. We're drafting a family calendar-work meetings, Abby's school events, therapy
sessions. It's mundane, yet feels like a significant step forward.
"Okay, so I'll drop her off at school on Mondays and Wednesdays, and you pick her up?" Jayden asks, pointing to
the digital calendar.
"Sounds good. And | can take Tuesdays and Thursdays," | confirm, making the entries. "Fridays we can alternate
or go together, depending on our schedules.
"Winona, | know you and Phillip are building another business but if you wanted the job back with Brennan
Industries, both of you, | can make that work. It might be easier to schedule then."
| take a deep breath. Okay, remember, hear what he's saying first. Don't get defensive. Be honest. "Having my
own business is important for me. For us. | feel like | need that autonomy again."
He takes a breath too. "Okay, | just wanted to offer, just in case. No . | think we have Abby and school
sorted anyway."
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"Now we need to work out family tand us time."
He looks atand smiles. "I'd like that."
too. Maybe a date night or something?"
Jayden nods, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's weird, isn't it? Planning like a... normal family."
I laugh "Weird as."
We're finding our rhythm, slowly. The air between us is lighter, cautiously optimistic. It's fragile but growing
stronger, like the first thin ice on a winter pond
As we continue planning, my phone vibrates with an incoming text
Darling daughter. Meet me
My poor excuse for a father. How did he get my new number?
Just seeing his sarcastic crap brings a flood of anxiety.
"Everything good?" Jayden glances over, his face lined with concern.
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159 Navigating the Daily
"Yeah, just spam," | lie, pushing the phone away. It buzzes again.
Jayden fields a call of his own, signaling tothat he needs to take it.
My hands tremble as | retrieve my phone, my breath catching as | read the message.
President's Park. Noon. ALONE
| shouldn't even consider it. But can | get a closure I've never gotten. | can tell him exactly what | need to
say.
| ponder telling Jayden, but the thought of how this might derail the fragile peace we're building stops me. He's
working so hard on trusting and rebuilding our life together, | can't throw a wrench in it now by bringing up the
man who embodies my darkest days. This needs to cup in therapy only. | know it will trigger Jayden because
he hates him.
Instead, | think of Gordon Brown, my lawyer. Maybe he could accompany me, stay hidden, just to ensure nothing
goes wrong. I'm long past being naive enough to actually go alone or engage with him via text.
I'll be changing my number again.
Jayden hangs up his call and turns to me, his expression softening. "Lunch break? There's schicken. salad."
"Sounds great," | respond, tucking away my phone and the turmoil it brought with it. As we eat, I'm physically
present but mentally miles away, wrestling with the decision.
"Maybe not, | made it."
""From scratch?"
"Yes, and | cleaned up after."
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| grin at this. "Wow, I'm impressed. You'll have to sack sstaff at this rate."
T
"I figure, if | can do it myself, for us. | will. You're right, | have too many staff for the wrong things."
"But they won't lose their jobs for real? They need to make rent too."
"I have that sorted. Just redirected."
""Great news." This feels like real progress.
The text from him could be progress too, | just need to be in control. Meeting him means facing my fears head-
on, maybe even shouting into the face of my trauma that he no longer holds power over me.
| draft an email to Gordon, asking if he'd be willing to be my silent guardian at this potential meeting. Hopefully
he reads it and has the tat such short notice.
My head runs through alternatives if Gordon can't do it
The next therapy session with Jayden is tomorrow.
As | stare out the window at the sprawling city below, | feel both empowered and terrified. This meeting could be
closure or it might reopen wounds, and I'm not sure if I'm ready. But it's the step | need to take. 159 Navigating
the Daily
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It feels right. Scary bu
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