NovelAmazoneMy CEO 178
178 Back at the Townhouse (Winona)
The familiar scent of my townhouse hitsas we step inside. It's just so good to be home. To have somewhere
to call home. | feel for Mom and Cass who've just lost theirs, even though it was tthat house went.
My place is warm, inviting, and it's so far removed from the world we just left behind that it almost feels like
stepping into another life entirely.
But I've tried to keep it ordinary and nothing flashy but after revisiting my past | can see how this place reeks of
someone with money and not without.
Mom and Cass followinside, looking around with wide eyes. | can tell they're both trying to take it all in. Mom
clutches her bag a little tighter, like she's afraid she might break something just by being here. Cass, on the
other hand, has that sdefiant look on her face, like she's daring the house to reject her or me. She needs to
find her feet. That can be a rough road.
"This is... this is really nice, Winona," Mom says, her voice trembling a little. "I've never imagined living in
something quite so grand.
"It's home," | say, forcing a smile. "For now, it's your htoo. | hope you can be comfortable here. I'm not
forcing you to stay but you're welchere as long as you both need."
Cass scoffs, crossing her arms. "Yeah, sure. Let's see how long that lasts."
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"Cass," | warn, not in the mood for her attitude right now. "This is a fresh start. Let's try and make the most of it,
okay? Leave the negativity on the doorstep because Abby will be here soon."
She shrugs, but | can see the tension in her shoulders. She's on edge, probably feeling just as out of place as |
did when I first left that old house behind.
| lead them into the living room, where the sunlight pours in through the large windows, making everything look
even more polished and perfect.
The contrast between this and the ‘affordable’ hotel room we just left behind is almost overwhelming.
"You both can use the guest wing," | say, trying to keep the mood light. "That way you have a little autonomy
and can cook for yourselves. Kinda like a small apartment. There's two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a
kitchenette and a living area." Cass raises an eyebrow. "I get my own room?"
"Yeah, you do. If you want. | get it if you prefer to sleep in the sroom to start. Why don't you both take some
tto settle in? I'll make stea."
"Don't you have servants?"
"No. You have to put up with my cooking since Anne's gone."
"Anne?" Mom says her name.
| realize that she may have sfeelings towards Anne as she was the one who essentially becthe
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178 Back at the Townhouse
mother Lucy couldn't be, and the father for that matter.
"Anne is the lady who took you in all that tago. She's still in your life?" | see Mom's eyes shimmer.
I nod. "Yes. She has been a rock forand Abby. Right now, she has sother kids to take care of. But you'll
get to meet her...if you want to."
| hold off mentioning Steve right now and what he did to Bobby and Sarah to get at me. | don't want to trigger
her.
Mom nods. "I'd like that."
"Okay then, we'll worry about that later. For now, I'll show you to the guest quarters and it does have its own
back driveway and entry. So you don't have to check withif you want to cand go." | look at Cass.
She stares back at me.
"But you do need to check in with Mom, okay? | don't want her to worry."
Mom.
Cass shrugs. "I'll sort that out with Mom."
"Great. My only ground rules are you don't invite anyone in without clearing it with me. I'm not in a position
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmwhere | can have just anyone cand go." | look to Cass to make sure she's understanding me.
| see she's actually listening and continue, "and that you always consider Abby before you say and do anything.
That is the deal breaker for me. Abby's health and happiness must be the priority." "Fine by me." Cass nods.
"Okay then. Let's go."
Mom followsdown the hall. | get to the guest wing door and turn back. Cass hasn't moved.
"You'll both get your own electronic key. | do have one for this door, but | won't use it. You get complete privacy.
But | would love to spend twith you both daily."
"Of course." Mom smiles.
"Okay then, go through. I'll pop the kettle on in my kitchen. Cback and have stea and maybe a snack
and we can talk about a food shopping list for you guys."
I shut the door behind them and head to my kitchen, leaving them to explore their new living arrangements. |
hope this works out okay. There's always a chance it won't. It all might be too much for Mom.
Life is really piling up right now and | wonder if I'd have gotten through it all without the therapy. Actually, | know
Lwouldn't have.
We still have a long way to go. | settle into my favorite armchair with a cup of tea. So good to be home. | can't
say I'm sorry that house is gone for good.
| wish the asshole who kept us all trapped in that life for so long was gone for good too.
179 Settling In
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