EuropeNovelMy CEO 175
175 Moving Forward (Winona)
| wake up to the sound of Cass's quiet snoring from the pull-out couch. She's still out like a light. The room is
dim, but | can tell we've slept later than | usually do. A quick glance at my phone confirms it's almost 10 AM.
| feel surprisingly refreshed. Maybe it's the change of scenery, or maybe it's the fact that, for the first tin
years, I'm not running away from my past-I'm facing it head-on.
| stretch out, careful not to make a noise and disturb Mom, who's still sound asleep in the bed next to mine. She
looks peaceful, almost like the years have melted away, and she's the mom | used to dream about having. A
mom who wasn't buried under layers of addiction and despair.
But this is reality, not a dream. And in reality, there's work to be done to move us all forward. | quietly slip out of
bed and head into the bathroom to freshen up. As | splash water on my face, | start thinking about what needs to
happen next. Cass will need sdirection, and Mom... Well, I'll find a way to help her too. | think Dr. Barnaby
might be good for her. If | can convince her to try.
I'm not letting them go back and live in that house. In that neighborhood. I'd like for them to cand live
where | do. Maybe an area where the rents aren't stupidly high, but not in the worst area either.
When | step back into the room, Cass is awake, flicking through channels on the TV with a look of
boredom.
"Morning," | say, trying to keep things light. "Dinner was amazing last night, wasn't it? I'll order scoffee. Do
you drink coffee? Actually, maybe it's just easier to go out for breakfast...well brunch, | guess." "Yeah. Morning,"
she grumbles, not bothering to look away from the screen.
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"Listen, | was thinking we could stay here for a bit. Give you both stto adjust before deciding anything
permanent.”
Cass raises an eyebrow, finally turning to face me. "Adjust to what? Living in a hotel room?"
"No, adjusting to a different kind of life, maybe in a different house," | reply, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"I was thinking | could teach you to drive, help you open bank account, and you can look for jobs." Cass narrows
her eyes. "What's the catch?"
"No actual catch but I'd like it if we can convince Mom to move from that house, it needs pulling down. A
neighborhood that's a little better can't hurt."
"I don't want you tellingwhat to do
You aren't my mother."
"You make your own decisions but at least you'll be able to make informed decisions. Get a job, save for a car, go
for it. Want to try college, great. If not, that's fine too. But | want you to have options. Real ones." She looks at
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175 Moving
serious?"
"Dead serious."
Cass nods. "I guess... | could try getting Mom to move. She's stubborn. I'm not making any promises." "That's all
I'm asking. That we try,"
Mom stirs in the bed and opens her eyes, blinking up at me. "What tis it?" she asks, her voice groggy. "Just
after ten," | reply. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. Rested, | think."
"Good." | take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation I've been rehearsing in my head since last
night. "Mom, I've been thinking... maybe you should cstay withfor a while. In my city." She looks at me,
surprise flashing in her eyes. "Your city?"
"Yeah, just for a bit. | haven't told you yet. But Jayden and | have a daughter. Abby. She's going to turn five next
birthday. She's had her struggles with health and all the supportive family vibes | can get around her are great."
"She's been ill? Oh, Winona, how stressful for you."
I nod. "She's strong and doing okay right now. | don't want that to be a factor in your decisions but I'd love for
you to at least meet and get to know each other. | don't feel good about letting you go back to that house."
"I'm not sure I'm going to leave my home, Winona, but I'm willing to cand meet Abby. I'd love to see her
actually"
"You c get to know your granddaughter, and we could figure out what the next step is for you and
Cass. No pressure."
Mom's face softens. "I'd love to meet her... but, Winona, what if I'm not... | mean, what if I'm too messed up to be
a good influence on her?"
| shake my head. "You've cso far, Mom. You've gotten clean, and you're doing your best. That's more than
enough. And Abby deserves to know her grandmother."
Mom looks down, her hands twisting in her lap. "I don't know, Winona. I'm scared... I'm scared I'll mess it all up."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"You won't," | say firmly. "And you won't be doing it alone. We'll take it one step at a time."
Mom nods. "Maybe."
"I can assure you what I've been through with Jayden's mother, Judy and ex-wife Ashlyn is nothing short. of
traumatic. There's nothing you can do that could be worse. Well, I'm sure you've seen the media storm on us.
But there's so much more."
I'm not sure | can handle that environment."
"Ashlyn is in a high security facility and Judy is overseas. It will be fine short term. | promise."
Mom still looks hesitant, but | can see she's considering it. "I'll think we can work something out," she
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says finally. "But | don't want to be a burden on you."
"You won't be," | assure her. "I have plenty of room at my townhouse."
Cass doesn't say anything, but she's listening. | can tell she's thinking about it, even if she won't admit it
yet.
"Let's get sbreakfast," | suggest. "We can talk more about it later."
As we head out of the room, | can't help but feel a glimmer of hope.
Maybe this is the beginning of something better for all of us as a family.
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