SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 167
167 Two Worlds
(Winona)
We check into the best hotel in the city.
I don't belong here wasting money while others are suffering, I don't deserve it.
Jayden is busy at the front desk, handling the details, but my mind is back at that house. The contrast between this opulence and the place I grew up in is too much. How do I reconcile these two worlds? How do I accept that I'm living in one and Ignoring the other?
When Jayden comes back with the electronic room key, I can't help but voice what's on my mind. "This place is over the top, Jayden. We don't need all this. It's... unnecessary."
He looks at me, his expression softening. "You've been triggered. We'll stick a pin in this for now and talk about it in therapy."
Is he being understanding or patronizing?
We take the elevator up to our suite in silence, the plush carpet underfoot almost mocking the rough, cold floors of my past.
When we step into the room, it's as luxurious as expected-huge windows with a view of the city. A bed that looks like it could swallow you whole.
A bathroom that's bigger than most apartments on the other side of the city. My side of the city.
"This really feels wrong," I say, more to myself than to Jayden.
He sits beside me, taking my hand in his. "Don't let the past make you feel like you're not worth it. You worked damn hard to get here."
I give him a small smile, but the unease lingers. "I know. But that doesn't mean we should waste money on things. I'd like to live more frugally and set up some real assistance for people."
He smiles and pats me on the hair. "Ah, Winona. You can't save everyone. It's impossible."
He patted me on the hair! For fuck's sake. I'm not a pet he has to placate.
I pull away from him and stand up. "I don't have to save everyone. I just want to help someone. Just because you can't save every single person on the planet doesn't mean you shouldn't help anyone at all."
I pace a little and then think about what's happening. I'm definitely being triggered by that house and seeing my mom and meeting my sister. This isn't Jayden's fault. Taking it out on him now isn't fair.
We both agreed to a system, and I can't throw that away because things got tough. I sit back down on the bed next to him.
We sit in silence for a few moments, the tension easing. I lean back against the headboard, staring up at the ceiling. "I want to stay in town for the week," I finally say.
Jayden looks at me and nods. "I can stay if you want."
"I'll be okay. I'm not going to push myself on Cass. I don't think it's my place to reveal the past to her.
+25 BONUS
167 Two Worlds
She's probably better off not knowing."
Jayden nods. "I agree. She's dealing with a lot and throwing more at her might do more harm than good."
"I'll meet with Mom again," I continue. "See if there's anything she needs. I gave her my number before we came here and told her to call if she needed anything. Jayden squeezes my hand. That's a good plan. Letting your mom dictate where things go from here is
wise."
I nod, feeling a little more settled, but the unease doesn't fully disappear. What if I never hear from her again? What if it's just easier not having me in her life, even now?
I shake my head. I can't allow myself to think like this. Therapy is the place to hash this out. My phone rings. I glance at the screen. An unknown number. My stomach flips. This could be Mom.
I connect the call, and before I can even say hello, Mom's panicked voice comes through the line." Winona, it's Cass. She hasn't come home for dinner."
My heart drops. "What do you mean?"
rif
"Dinner, it's our thing. No matter if we argue, we always show up for dinner. No judgment. No anger. Just have dinner and talk things out."
"Okay. What happened, did you argue?"
"I told her everything," Mom says, her voice shaky. "I thought she should know the truth about what it used to be like, about her father. About who...what... I used to be before her." "Oh Mom."
"She was so angry, Winona. I'm worried sick. I can't go out there to get her. I'm not strong enough to face people like that... But I need to find her. I need to know she's okay. If anything has happened to her.." "Mom, slow down," I say, trying to keep my voice calm, but the fear is creeping in. "Where would she go? Do you know?"
"She will go back to what she knows. Old friends. Dangerous friends." Mom says, her voice breaking. Cass acts tough, but she's so emotional, Winona. And she's... she's like Steve in so many ways, temperamentally, before he went off the rails." "Send me the area location. I'll go find her."
"Winona, she's a recovering addict, and I don't know if she can handle it if she relapses."
The fear in her voice sends a chill down my spine. "We'll find her, Mom. I promise. We'll find her and bring her home."
"Please, Winona," Mom pleads. "I can't lose her too."
"You won't," I say, my voice firm. "Stay home in case she comes back. We'll start looking right away. Jayden will have connections. We'll find her."
hang up and turn to Jayden.
"Cass is missing." I say, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. "We need to find her."
167 Two Worlds
My phone pings and I take a look. That area of town is deadly.
I haven't been there since I was a small girl and even then, I knew to keep my mouth shut while Steve was getting his deals.
Jayden nods, his expression hardening with determination. "I heard. Let's go."
"Jayden." I stop him. "We're going to need help, I mean help with guns. These people don't mess around asking questions."
He nods and takes out his phone. "I'm on it."