SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 171
171 Family Bonds 171 Family Bonds (Winona)
I go to her and hold her now and we sob together. I finally got it. Why she never could leave and why she never contacted me after I was taken away. She made the ultimate sacrifice so I would go on to have a bright future. I think of Abby and I know I'd do nothing less for her if I had to.
Just then, Jayden steps back inside, and I can see his expression and I know he's heard. "I swear that slug is going to get what he deserves one day."
His hatred for Steve evident.
"I wish he was dead," Mom says quietly, her voice shaking. "But I'm grateful he never came back here. I'm grateful he left you alone."
Not exactly. He's been in our lives recently, remember? He's the one who told me he'd left you
almost
here and pregnant. I wasn't sure what I'd find here, or if either of you survived, but I'm so glad. He's actually done me a favor."
"My short-term memory is a little shot. So many years of drug abuse took its toll."
"It doesn't matter. He's gone now. I don't think he'll be back."
The room falls into a heavy silence. Cass is unusually quiet. I know it must be hard to hear the truth about the deadbeat father she never knew. The one she physically resembles so much. But that is not her fault.
"Cass, if you need to talk or ask questions, I'm here."
She doesn't say anything, just nods slightly, her gaze fixed on the floor.
"Come on, I'm looking forward to a hot bath and some food. Let's gather a few things and go check into a
hotel.
Cass goes up the hallway into her room, I watch Mom as she moves slowly, gathering a few things into a small, worn suitcase. The decision to leave this house-the only thing she's had to call her own-is clearly- hard, and I can see it in every hesitant movement. "Mom," I say softly, moving closer. "I know this is hard, but it isn't forever."
She stops packing for a moment, turning to face me. I know, Winona. But this house... it's all I've ever had. After he left, I found some semblance of peace here. It's where I finally got clean, where I started to build my life. Leaving for any amount of time sets my anxiety off.".
I look at Jayden. I know exactly how she feels about anxiety attacks.
For her, this place represents survival, even if it's tied to so much pain.
Mrs.... I mean, Mom...ah...sorry, what do I call you?"
Lucy. My name's Lucy Nolan. I went back to my maiden name. Jayden, you can call me Lucy."
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171 Family Bonds
+25 BONUS
"Lucy, Winona and I have been working together at therapy to try and clear some of this backlog of messed up childhoods that's interfering with us making our future together."
"I'm sorry to hear you've had struggles as well, Jayden, Mom says.
Π
"I'd sure appreciate you taking some time with Winona to help her get to a place where she can allow herself to think she deserves the life she's created for herself." He kisses my cheek.
He gives Mom a hug. "The past is the past but being a part of our future would be very much appreciated."
"Of course. I'd be very happy to do that. And for Winona and Cass to have a relationship."
"I think if you'd just seen the two of them working together, you'd be very proud. They are very much alike." Jayden grins and takes my hand in his.
There's something up with him. I can tell.
Mom nods and gives him a small smile. "They are both strong."
"It's not safe here right now," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "To be honest, me being here doesn't help me right now."
She nods. "I'll get some things from my room. It's not like I'm starting over somewhere new. I'll be back. "You've already started over new," I remind her as I touch her shoulder. "You're clean. You've raised Cass. You've done the hardest part. Anything after this is a breeze." She looks at me, her eyes filled with tears. "I wanted to leave this place so many times before, but if I did,
you
wouldn't know where to find me if ever..." Her voice cracks, if ever you wanted too."
"Oh, Mom. I just never thought this house would even still be standing let alone you be alive here."
"I know. I never wanted you to come back. It was just deep down, if ever you did, I wanted to be here for you at that time
"You are probably the reason I survived childhood. Thank you."
"You gave me hope, Winona. Knowing you were out there, living your life, gave me the strength to keep going. Gave me strength to see that Cass could have a future too."
The tears she's been holding back finally spill over, and she collapses into my arms, sobbing. I hold her, my own emotions swirling in a mix of anger, sadness, and a fierce protectiveness. Cass comes out at that moment and sees the two of us like that.
I can't read her face. I wonder if she's ever seen her mother cry like this. I have. I saw it every day I can remember until I left this place.
I don't ever want to have to see her cry like this again.
Cass simply puts her backpack on the floor and comes over.
She envelopes us both in a hug.