Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

My CEO 197

197 It Is Time

(Winona)

| drive back across town to Lisa's place, gripping the steering wheel tight. Tension creeps into my shoulders. This

is it-the last stop before | confront Steve. My heart pounds, every beat remindingof what's waiting for me.

| park out front and get Abby out of the car, my hands trembling slightly as | unbuckle her seatbelt. She chatters

on, oblivious to the storm brewing in my mind. Once we're through the gate, she runs up to Lisa's door with that

boundless energy. They get along so well. Lisa would make a great mom. It's a pity she couldn't find her person.

Then again, all you really need is a sperm donor, | suppose. | know several women raising kids alone and acing

i)

| mean, | did it. Okay, | had Anne, who | couldn't have done it without. But still, | think about what it would be like

if Lisa had her own little one running around, filling the house with that slaughter that Abby brings with her.

Lisa opens the door, smiling wide as Abby practically tackles her with a hug.

"Hey, sweetie! Ready for sfun?" she asks.

"Yeah!" Abby squeals, her little arms wrapped tightly around Lisa's waist. She looks up at her with those big,

trusting eyes, the kind that make you want to protect her from everything. Exactly what I'm about to do.

Lisa looks atover Abby's head, her smile faltering slightly as she takes in my tense expression. "You okay,

Winona?" she asks, her voice dipping into concern, a slight frown creasing her forehead.

I nod, trying to keep my expression neutral, though | can feel the tightness in my face. "Yeah. Can we talk for a

few minutes?" My voice sounds steadier than | feel.

She nods. "Abby, Ginger is on the sofa. He's really missed you," she says, her tone lightening as she directs Abby

toward the living room.

"Yay! Ginger!" Abby exclaims, dashing off to find the cat. They are the best of friends.

Lisa's gaze never leaves mine. "What's up?" she asks softly even though Abby's out of earshot.

| take a deep breath, steeling myself. "I need an alibi. | can't tell you why. | also need to leave my car here, and

somehow Abby needs to think I'm still here somewhere." The words tumble out of me, quicker than | intended,

but there's no tto sugarcoat this.

Lisa's eyebrows shoot up, her shock evident. "What the fuck, Winona?" she says, her voice rising slightly, though

she quickly checks herself, glancing toward the living room.

"The less you know, the better," | say, my voice firm, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation without

scaring her. "Are you okay with it?"

"Of course I'm okay with it," she replies, her tone softening, though the worry is still etched in her features. "But |

guess you aren't going into a club underage?" she adds.

"Not exactly," | say, a fleeting smile crossing my face at the memory of our wilder days. It feels like a lifetime

ago. "I'll slip out the back and order a car from another address."

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197 It Is Time

+25 BONUS

Lisa shakes her head, her concern deepening. "I can tell Abby you've gone for a nap or something?" she

suggests.

"Maybe," | say, considering it. "I'm not sure she'll buy that. How about, I'm on a business call in your office? It

probably won't even matter." | shrug, knowing that Abby is too young to question much, but not wanting to

underestimate her either. Still if anyone asks Abby, she needs to say | was here. | need to get this over with as

soon as possible and get back here.

Lisa sighs, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Winona," she says, "don't you go doing anything stupid."

"I'm not," | insist, though we both know that's a lie. "I'm right here, remember? I'll be as quick as | can." | grip my

purse tighter, feeling the solid weight of the pistol inside.

It's both a comfort and a burden. "I'll slip out back. Can | borrow a hoodie?"

Lisa nods, her expression a mix of worry and resignation. She disappears for a moment, returning with an

oversized hoodie that smells faintly of her perfume. "Here," she says, handing it to me. "Just... be careful, okay?"

"Always," | reply, forcing a smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes. | pull the hood up.

Before | go, I slip into the bathroom. | pull the hood up over my head, shadowing my face more. Never know

where cameras are these days.

I move quickly, almost jogging as | put distance between myself and Lisa's house. The adrenaline is pumping

now, sharpening my senses, making every sound, every movement aroundfeel more vivid, more real.

Three blocks later, | stop outside a random address, pulling out my phone to order a ride. | use a fake name, my

fingers trembling slightly as | type it in. When the driver arrives, | slip him a wad of fifties when he asks for ID.

No questions asked, just the way | need it.

The trip across town feels like it takes forever, the minutes dragging out as my mind races. The driver doesn't

say a word. | keep my head down and hood pulled over my face.

As we near the destination, | ask him to stop a few blocks away.

No need for anyone to know exactly where I'm headed.

Once the car pulls away, | start my fast walk toward the address Steve gave me, my breath quickening with each

step. The warehouse looms ahead, a hulking, abandoned structure with dark, foreboding -windows that seem to

watchas | approach. It's just after five, and I'm late, but that's okay. | didn't plan on sticking around long

anyway. He can wait.

I slip the gun into the hoodie pocket, the weight of it pullingdown, groundingas | approach the

warehouse. This is it.

| feel surprisingly calm for someone about to go and kill their father.

But then, I've played this moment out in my head a million times.