SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 327
My
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327 Collect Call
(Winona)
It's just after 10 p.m., and the penthouse is still when I get home. The kids are asleep, the lights of the city outside flickering through the tinted windows.
I've been trying to reach Jayden again, but the call goes straight to voicemail. I know it's the middle of the night over there, but still-it's not like him to ignore my calls, and the insecurity of being left in the dark creeps in.
I toss my phone onto the sofa with a frustrated sigh and head toward the kitchen. Anne is perched on one of the stools, cradling a mug of tea. I collapse onto the one across from her, rubbing my temples. ""Fun night?"
"Sure was. I can't wait for bed though. How did the kids settle?"
"All good. Henry has just been awake, so you should get a couple of hours."
"I'm not sure if I want the doctor to find a reason why he's restless or if it's just because I suck at this."
"You don't suck at it."
"Sure feels that way with Jayden gone. I still haven't told him about the delay."
"Still no answer?" Anne asks, her voice soft, eyes full of understanding.
"Nope. Nothing. It's not like him," I exhale, leaning my elbows on the counter. "And it's not just that. I'm worried about the kids, about Europe. I don't know if I'm ready for changing countries. It's a lot, Anne. A lot." My voice wavers, and I hate that. Anne smiles. "You're tougher than you give yourself credit for, Winona. This move is a huge change, sure. But the kids will adjust, and so will you. They'll learn to step out of their comfort zones, and that's what builds resilience."
I nod, but the fear inside me is still there. "What if this move... I don't know. What if I screw it up?" The words feel heavy in my mouth, like admitting I'm terrified will make it all fall apart.
"You've rebuilt your life from the ground up more than once. You're their mother. They don't need perfect- they just need you. You'll be fine. And so will they."
"What about you? Will you be fine?"
"Yes. I'll stay on here until you decide what's happening with this place. I'll be just fine."
"The kids will miss you. You've changed your life so many times to be with us."
"And I'll always do that. You have given Bobby and Sarah a real family. That leaves me to do my own thing for a while. I think in Europe you'll find you don't need me as much anymore." "No. I'll always need you."
She smiles. "You'll always be my daughter, Winona. But one day you will grow your wings as a mom and you won't need the type of support I give you now."
327 Collect Call
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"That day feels like a dream right now."
"It will happen, trust me. I think Europe can offer a lot of perspective for you. Just don't close yourself off. Make friends, give people a chance." "I will."
"I'm off to bed, and you should go too."
"Definitely. I might even take my tea there. Goodnight Anne."
We
both get up to leave the kitchen. I head for my phone on the sofa and just as I go to pick it up.
buzzes.
it
My heart jumps, thinking it's finally Jayden calling me back. But when I see the number, it's unknown. Well maybe his phone is damaged or something.
"Jayden?" I ask, my voice hopeful.
A robotic voice immediately cuts in:
"You are receiving a collect call from Gus Brennan, an inmate at Saint Haven Federal Correctional Facility. To accept the charges, press 1. To decline, press 2. Please note that this call is subject to monitoring and recording." Gus?
I quickly press one before I can overthink it. There's a brief pause, then the line clicks open.
"Winona... thanks for taking the call."
The last person I expected.
"Gus? What's going on?"
H
There's a pause, and then I hear him sigh, the kind of sigh that holds more weight than words ever could." I want to talk to you before things get even more complicated. I'm not sure when I will get to call again." There's a weird noise over the line. Almost hurts my ears.
"Don't worry, this actual call won't be monitored from here. I still have
I'm not surprised by that at all.
I sit down on the sofa. "What's happening, Gus?"
some pull."
"I might be going to be in confinement for a long time. Maybe for good. With the charges against me, they may lock me away in a highly protected facility. Treason isn't something they take lightly." Gus-the man who always seemed untouchable, larger than life-is telling me this is really happening to him. His whole life gave up for something he isn't guilty of.
My throat tightens. "You don't need to make this kind of sacrifice," I whisper, my voice shaky. "You've done enough. There has to be another way."
"I do," he says, voice firm. "It's time for me to stand up and give Jayden what he needs. If taking the fall means keeping danger away from my family... from your family... then so be it." 327 Collect Cal
I swallow hard, not knowing what to say. He's making here I am, feeling more unsure than ever about whethe
"I'm not sure Nexus Global is what he needs, Gus."