Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

162 The Past Unravels

(Winona)

"I know we have our list, Jayden, but I have something else I need to talk about in our safe space today."

Jayden looks surprised but he nods. "Of course."

Barnaby leans back in his chair, glancing between us. Winona, It sounds like there's something significant you need to share with Jayden. Let's start."

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding.

I look at Jayden, his eyes are filled with worry. "I met with Steve," I say, my voice steady, but I can feel the tension coiled in my stomach. "Steve Halley. My fath...my sperm donor. That creature is barely human let alone a father."

Jayden's eyes widen, and his face pales. "You what? Winona, are you serious? That man is dangerous."

"I know," I say quickly. "Which is why I had Gordon with me, hidden from Steve. I wasn't stupid about it. Jayden."

"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you let me go with you?" His voice is tight, barely controlled. I can see the hurt and the fear mixing in his expression, and it tears at me.

"I didn't want to put you in that position," I say, my voice softer now. "I knew this was something I needed to do without you. And honestly, I wasn't sure how you'd react, and I knew I had to go. I wanted to."

Barnaby clears his throat, cutting through the tension. Before we dive into the details of what happened, Winona, can you talk about why you felt you needed to go? What pushed you to take that step?"

I take a moment, trying to gather my thoughts. "I needed to confront him. He's been this shadow over my life for so long, defining who I was. I felt like... I felt like if I didn't face him, I'd never be free. I'd always be that scared little girl, hiding from the monster in the closet." Jayden is still staring at me, but his face is relaxed, like he's taking in my words and not thinking how this affects him as a man. "And now? How do you feel now that you've seen him?"

"Free," I say, meeting his eyes. "For the first time, I feel like he doesn't control me anymore. I told him everything I've wanted to say for years, and he didn't break me. But..."

"But what?" Jayden presses, leaning forward.

"But I'm scared, Jayden," I admit. "I'm scared that my past-everything I've been through-might affect our future. You've always seen me as this strong, capable person, but that's not who I was before we met in school." I pause and look at him and then Barnaby, "Go ahead, Winona. Speak your truth. You're safe."

"My life was... it was a nightmare, and I've never shared the details with you, with anyone, because I was terrified you'd see me differently. I guess I was terrified I'd see me differently."

Jayden shakes his head, his voice thick with emotion. "Winona, nothing you say could change how I feel about you. We've been through so much together."

162 The Past Unravels

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I look at him, my heart aching because I know that's not reality. It's just a record we play with each other to avoid reality.

"That's what you say now, but I've seen it before, Jayden. People say they'll love you no matter what, but then they learn the truth, and everything changes. It's happened to us."

"You're right. But I'm not going to just talk about it this time. I'll prove it with my actions."

"I'm giving you the chance to know who I really am, all of it, before we make any more major commitments. If you want out, I'll understand."

Barnaby interjects, his voice calm but firm. "Winona, why do you think you never shared these details with Jayden before? What held you back?"

"Fear," I say without hesitation. "Fear that he wouldn't love me anymore. That he'd look at me and see the filthy, neglected child I was, not the person I've tried so hard to become. That I could never be good Xenough for his status. That Judy was right." Jayden's jaw hardens at the mention of her name. "I don't care what she thinks anymore."

I continue to explain to Barnaby. "His mother knew about my past, and she used it against me. She's the one who brought Steve back into my life. She wanted to break me down, and for a long time, I let her." Jayden takes my hand in his. "Winona, I'm so sorry."

I shake my head. "It's not your fault, Jayden. She was manipulative, and she knew exactly what buttons to push. But we are here to learn how to leave that past behind us."

Barnaby leans forward slightly, his eyes sharp. "This is where we need to focus. Winona, you've carried this burden alone for so long, and that's understandable given your history."

I nod.

Barnaby continues his counsel. "But now, you're in a partnership. The challenge is learning to share that burden, to trust that Jayden won't walk away."

Jayden's voice is low but intense. "I won't walk away, Winona. I understand why you didn't tell me. I'm angry, not at you, but at the situation, at what my mother did, at what Steve has done to you. No kid deserves that." Barnaby says, looking at both of us. "This process is learning to navigate emotions together. It's about building that trust, brick by brick,"

I feel the tears welling up again, but I push them down. I know I need to trust you, Jayden. And I want to. But this is... it's so hard. I've lived my life expecting the worst from people because that's what I've always -gotten."

Barnaby nods, his expression approving. "Good. I like the honesty. And Winona, this isn't just about Jayden understanding your past. It's about you understanding that your past doesn't define your future unless you let it. I feel you see that now." nod, squeezing Jayden's hand back. "I know I got where I am today because of my brain. I knew education was my way out and I worked hard at school."

But I also know there's one more thing I have to do.

162 The Past Unravel

One last plece of my past that I need to confront, no matter how much it terrifies me.

I'm going back to that house to see if they are still there.

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