SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 101
It feels great to act somewhat normal again.
+25 BONUS
101 Sleeping With the Enemy
101 Sleeping With the Enemy (Jayden)
The morning after the custody hearing, I woke up with a pounding headache. Sleep was almost impossible. Ashlyn being beside me makes me nervous. I came into the office early to try and clear my head. Now I
I'm hoping this black coffee will help.
The judge's decision is still fresh in my mind, and although I understand that Abby being with Winona is probably best for her, the thought of Phillip being back in the picture fills me with rage.
a
Winona is my world, and now I can't even talk to her because of Ashlyn. I need to find a way to fix this, to be with Winona again.
My lawyer, Daniel Richards, walks into my office, a grim look on his face. "Jayden, we need to talk."
My secretary must be on the job already. Good, we have a lot of work to do with Brennan Industries. But more crap news is not what I need. Anger is bubbling just below the surface. "What now?"
Daniel nods, taking a seat across from me. "Ashlyn approached Winona in the bathroom at the courthouse yesterday. She told her there'd be no confession. Winona was wearing a wire. She knew what they were up to." "Are you kidding me?" I explode, slamming my fist onto the table. "All this pretending, all this acting like I'm still in love with Ashlyn, and it's been for nothing?"
"We don't know that Ashlyn's onto you."
"Maybe not but having to sleep with that crazy woman is bringing me undone. I'm worried I won't survive the night. But at least now I don't have to worry about Abby's safety,"
Daniel sighs, rubbing his temples. "Ashlyn is slippery. We'll have to find another way to get the truth out."
I pace the room, my mind racing. "I'm done pretending I can't keep this up. I hate what she's done to my life, and I'm tired of the lies. I want to be with Winona.
Daniel watches me, his eyes filled with concern. "We have to be smart about this, Jayden. If you blow the lid now, it'll just make things worse. We need a new strategy."
I stop pacing and look at him, my jaw clenched. "A new strategy? Like what? I can't even talk to Winona because of Ashlyn, and now Phillip is back. This is a nightmare."
Daniel stands up, placing a hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure something out. But right now, you need to calm down. Anger won't help."
"It damn well helps me." I take a deep breath to rein in my fury. "Fine. But I'm done playing nice with Ashlyn. What's the point?"
Daniel nods. "Just keep it up for a while longer. I have my investigators on a few leads."
"I'll try. But no guarantees. If she does one suspicious thing. I'm out of there."
Daniel frowns, his expression serious. "We need to gather more evidence."
101 Sleeping With the Enemy
+25 BONUS
My office door opens again and in strolls Mother like she's a queen or something. She sits down next to Daniel, her presence as imposing as ever. "If all you want is a confession from Ashlyn, you should've said." I stare at her. "How did you know that?"
"I can't reveal my sources. But I can get what you need out of her."
"Are you sure? She doesn't trust you anymore."
"She thinks she's smarter than me. She's wrong."
"You've turned my life upside down wanting me to be with that woman and not Winona. Why the hell would you do this now?" I ask suspiciously.
"I thought Ashlyn was the best match for you. But somewhere along the line, she's completely lost it. I may want what's best for you, but Ashlyn crossed a line with your baby. A line I would never cross."
My heart wrenches thinking about how she's deliberately done that to herself and the baby, to frame Winona. If I let myself think about it too long, I want to shove Ashlyn down some steps myself. "Mother, I'd like to think it would be that easy. But Ashlyn is very volatile and defensive right now. I think she'll be onto you.
"At this point, it can't hurt to try. I'm worried about you being in that penthouse with her." Her brow
creases.
"You and me, both."
"Maybe you need a business trip," Mother suggests.
"I can't afford to leave when I've just taken back over. The new board members need to gain confidence
in me."
"Maybe you need a visit from your mother. I think my plumbing just went bust."
I look at her, a hint of a smile playing on my lips. "You know, that could work. At least she will know there's someone else in the house." "Ashlyn will hate it, but I don't care. Besides, I miss being able to see Abby. I want this confession as much as you."
I nod, feeling a surge of hope. "Alright, let's do it. But we need to be careful. One wrong move, and she'll
bolt."
Daniel nods. "Your mother's presence might be just the leverage we need." Mother smiles, a determined glint in her eye. "Just don't be too nice to me." "No chance of that."
She sticks out her tongue at me and I can't help but give a small smile
As they both leave, determination fills me. It's time to turn the tables on Ashlyn. For Abby, for Winona, and for the future we deserve.