SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 163
163 The Recording (Jayden)
The thought of listening to Winona interact with Steve makes my skin crawl, but I know we need to do this. We need to face it together.
Barnaby nods at Winona, who pulls out her phone. "Whenever you're ready," he says calmly. "Winona, you stop the recording whenever you feet Jayden's anger or you feel overwhelmed and need a break. You're in control."
Winona presses play, and Steve's voice crackles through the speakers.
It's harsher than I remember, filled with that famillar venom. The same voice that's haunted Winona her entire life, and now it's seeping into my consciousness
Steve starts with his usual bullshit-taunting, throwing out his twisted version of reality. I glance at Winona, but she's staring straight ahead, her face a mask of calm. I know her too well to think she's unaffected. She's just holding it together. To be honest, so am I. ou're lucky I took care of you, protected you," Steve sneers. "I could've made a lot more money off you
T
Winona pauses the recording, and I feel the bile rise in my throat. "He actually said that?" My voice is tight, barely containing the rage.
Winona nods, her eyes meeting mine. "That's just the beginning."
I can't believe this man, this monster, is the reason Winona has had to fight so hard to become the incredible woman she is today. The thought of him having any influence over her, any power at all, makes my blood boil.
Barnaby clears his throat, drawing my attention. "Jayden, I can see you're angry, and that's understandable. But let's take a moment to unpack why this is affecting you so deeply."
I look at him, trying to push down the fury. "It's because... I see the parallels. The way Steve talks to her, the way he tries to tear her down... it's not far from how I treated her when I lost my memory." The words I just say stop me in my tracks. "Go on, Jayden." Barnaby encourages me.
"I was cruel, just like him. I blamed her, punished her, and I didn't even realize I was becoming like her bastard father. And like Greg."
Barnaby nods, his expression thoughtful. "It's important that you're recognizing this, Jayden. We're not our parents, but if we're not careful, we can fall into their patterns."
Winona squeezes my hand, and I look over at her, guilt washing over me. "I didn't see it then, but I see it
now."
She gives me nod. "Thank you for hearing me. I'm also hearing you."
She presses play again, and we continue listening. Steve's voice is relentless, dripping with malice. Every word is like a dagger to my heart, knowing that this is the man who raised her. 160 The Recording
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The man who twisted her childhood Into a living nightmare.
When Steve starts talking about how he left her mother and the baby, calls her mother a whore,
something in me snaps.
Winona stops the recording.
I clench my fists, feeling the anger rise to a dangerous level. "I want him dead," I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them. "I don't just want him dead, I want to kill him with my bare hands..."
Barnaby doesn't react, just watches me closely. "It's natural to feel that way when someone you love is threatened or hurt. But let's talk about what acting on that would accomplish. Is that the man you want to be?"
I shake my head, trying to focus. "No. I don't want to be like Gus, dealing with problems by eliminating them. But I can't stand the thought of Steve still being out there, still being able to hurt her, even if it's just with his words."
"You don't have to be like Greg or Gus," Barnaby says, his voice steady. "You can be the man you choose to be. One who protects Winona by supporting her, by standing by her side, not by resorting to violence or paying someone to do the dirty work."
I take a deep breath, trying to let his words sink in. "I hear you. But it's hard. It's hard to sit here and listen to this and not want to do something."
"I get it," Winona says softly. "No one wants him dead more than me, Jayden. But he's not worth taking the rest of my life away by being in prison for murder."
"I am with you all the way," I say, meeting her eyes. "I'm here. And if you're going to that house, there's no 'way you're going without me. I won't let you face whatever's there alone. We're in this together, no matter what."
Winona nods, a mix of relief and determination in her expression. "Okay. We'll go together. But you have to understand that this isn't just about confronting the past. Jayden, this will be confronting for you." Barnaby leans forward slightly. "Jayden, how do you feel about Winona going back to that house? Is there anything specific that worries you?"
"Everything," I admit. "I worry about what she'll find, what it'll do to her. I worry that it'll drag her back into that darkness. But I also know she needs to do this, and I'll be damned if I let her do it alone." Barnaby nods, his expression approving. "That's a good place to start. Supporting each other through this is key. But also remember that your role isn't to fix everything. Sometimes, just being there is enough."
I look at Winona, my resolve hardening. "We'll go together, and we'll face whatever's there. But this ends with us. No more letting either past dictate our future or Abby's."
J
I can see the gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Jayden. For being with me in this. For understanding."
"I'll always be with you," I say, my voice firm. "We'll get through this, and then we'll finally be free."
But inside I'm afraid of what I'll see at that house. What if her mother is there, what if there's a brother or a sister?
I know Winona won't walk away from them.
164 House of Ho
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164 House of Horrors