Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

416 Owning My Shit

(Winona)

"It's true. He saw the chance, he wanted to shoot his shot, I guess," Lisa says calmly.

"The chance should never have been there."

Lisa takes a deep breath, "Look, it sounds like it was about feeling safe to lose control for you, not about hurting Jayden. You'd never do that to him purposely."

"I definitely didn't think of it in terms of hurting him, but maybe that was just me being convenient. 1 thought I was doing it for me, for my own empowerment. But now I see how incredibly short-sighted it was."

I pause, twisting a stray blade of grass between my fingers. "I was so focused on what felt I deserved, you know? A chance to be carefree, to do what everyone else seemed to do without consequence. But the truth is, I didn't think about how deep it could cut Jayden." Lisa leans forward, her face full of care. "You didn't kill anyone, Winona. You're not some evil took care of your needs, for once. That's not a crime."

"But now I've destroyed everything," I whisper. "If I'd told Jayden, and you, from the beginning, maybe we could've worked through it. But I kept it from him, and now I have to deal with whatever he decides. 1 have to own my mistakes." The tears sting my eyes, and I blink them away.

Lisa studies me for a moment before responding. "This isn't just about his feelings, you matter too. You've been hurt, betrayed, and let down so many times. It's okay to be a little selfish sometimes." Her voice softens. "You deserve love and forgiveness, even from yourself."

I look at her, my vision blurring with tears. "I wish I could believe that."

She lets out a soft sigh. "Look, I get it. You were in a dark place, trying to find some light, some control. You made some questionable choices, but that doesn't make you a bad person. You're allowed to mess up." She squeezes my hand tighter, her grip warm and reassuring. "You're human, Winona. And being human means screwing up sometimes. It's how we learn."

A soft cry from Henry pulls me out of my downward spiral, and I reach for him, lifting him up and holding him close. His tiny body is warm, and the smell of baby lotion and innocence makes me remember to let all the stress go.

I place a gentle kiss on his forehead. "I just want to do right by these kids," I murmur. "By all of them."

Lisa stands, brushing grass off her jeans. "And you are. Even when you feel like you're failing, you're doing better than most, trying your best. That counts for everything." She smiles, a flicker of pride in her eyes. I manage a smile through the tears. "Thanks. For not hating me. For understanding."

She leans down, pressing a kiss to Henry's cheek. "I'll always have your back. Now, I'll take Henry to go see what kind of fort they've built. We might be moving in there if things keep going to hell."

I give a small laugh. "Oh god, how do you always make me smile even in the worst of it?"

116 Owning My Shit

"That's what best friends are for," she says, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"We've been through so much, Lisa. You've been through so much because of me." My voice breaks, the guilt resurfacing. "I dragged you into my messes, into Jayden's drama, into all of this chaos."All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

"I wouldn't change a thing," Lisa insists. "I mean, it's not like I have a job to keep me occupied." She grins at me, the humor a balm for my aching heart.

"But I'd never have gotten back from that accident, the year in a coma and rehab if it wasn't for you. You saved my life and my sanity more than once. And this is how I thank you?" I shake my head, my voice thick with emotion.

"It's no less than what you've done for me and would do for me," she says, her tone fierce. "I mean, fuck, I tried to drug Lance into sleeping with me and got Jayden instead. I kept that from you for years."

She shakes her head. "You had to run away to have Abby, and I just let you, instead of telling you the truth." Her voice cracks, and for a moment, I see the signs of her own guilt.

"I think we can definitely call it even," I whisper, the tears finally breaking free.

"We can, and honestly, Lance is a lost cause for me," Lisa admits. "I've known that for a while. But guess it's the same as you, clinging to something I know rather than opening myself up to new hurt." "But you're going to rethink that, aren't you?" I press, hoping she will. She deserves happiness.

"Yes, after being out with Matteo and realizing men like that do exist, I'm rethinking it all." She winks, trying to lighten the mood.

"I'm not sure Matteo is a safe bet. Even Jayden said he was the Italian equivalent of Lance," I tease, a genuine laugh slipping out.

"Oh, I know it. I'm not going there, but I am going to shop around a little," she says, determination flashing in her eyes.

"Good for you." I really hope she does find someone to love her completely. She deserves the whole universe. "You deserve someone who sees how incredible you are."

She rolls her eyes, but there's a softness there, a vulnerability she rarely shows. "Now, I'd better go and check out this fort. I think you have a call to make?"

"I do," I reply, my heart tightening. "I need to know if I still have a marriage."