SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 353
353 Calmer Waters (Jayden)
The kitten fiasco really threw off my mood. I know I overreacted, and Bobby's reaction hit me harder than I expected. I was too harsh before checking in with how he's feeling.
Between moving the kids to Brussels, this mansion, push backs with the Nexus Global team, the staff everywhere here-I need to settle it all down.
It's been a huge change for all of us, but I guess I didn't realize how much it would affect the kids. Especially Bobby. I don't want to undo all of Anne's good work with him. It's been months of reprogramming with her.
I can't expect that all his trauma is over with now. I know better than anyone, it's a constant effort to not let the demons back in every day. I need to stand with Bobby each day and demonstrate how it's done, not just tell him.
It's not like she let him have his own way all the time either, but I think this is one of those times where we choose our battles carefully.
As I sit in the main sitting room, the responsibility settles heavily on my shoulders. Bobby is my son, the same as Henry is my son and I need to set an example for them both, but also show them it's okay to make mistakes too. We're humans not robots.
I glance around at the grand room, now devoid of its more fragile items. The staff worked quickly to pack away all the delicate things, and the house already feels a little less suffocating.
Still, it doesn't feel like home. I think Winona is right. It never will. Gus building a family home he never got 'to use has me confused and second-guessing the kind of man he was. Maybe he really would have been a great father if he had the chance. But, no, he still chose Europe. He could've stayed in the USA.
Winona comes in, her face etched with concern. She paces, glancing out the window at the darkened garden before turning back to me.
"Jayden, I'm really worried about Bobby," she says softly, sitting down beside me. "This move... it's hitting him harder than I thought it would." "Yes, but it's good he's expressed his feelings now."
"Sarah and Abby, they have each other. But Bobby... I didn't get it before; he feels he's on his own."
I nod, running a hand through my hair. "Makes sense when you put it like that," I admit.
"His new friends, the new school back home... he'd really just settled in. And now with the kitten, he feels like we're stopping him from having any joy.
I sigh, leaning back into the couch. "You're right. I overreacted. It's just-this place, this life-it's so different from what we had in the States. It will take us all time to adapt."
Winona reaches for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We're all feeling it, Jayden. But for Bobby, it's more than just adjusting to a new house. He's lost everything familiar to him. He needs something to hold onto, something that makes him feel grounded." 353 Calmer Waters
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I rub my thumb over her hand, thinking about what she's saying. She's right. Bobby has been through more than most kids his age. I need to recognize that.
"Maybe the kitten could help him. Like a support animal or something. It'd give him something to care for, something that's his." It's really worth considering.
She smiles softly. "Exactly. I think it could be good for him. But there will be definite rules. He has to look for an owner and not complain if he finds one. He has to take on all the responsibility for the care of the cat."
I sit up straighter, feeling a little more confident. "Along those lines.. maybe we should take a trip out to Viktor's family farm this weekend."
"What about Nexus Global?"
"I have news there, but I'll be having weekends off."
Winona just beams. "That's amazing. Thank you."
I get back to the subject at hand. "Bobby can spend time with Viktor's younger brothers, see their, workload. They've got a whole setup with animals-goats, chickens, everything. He could get some hands-on experience and make some friends." Winona's eyes light up at the idea. "That sounds perfect, and it might help them feel more at home in a different way."
"I'll set it up," I say, feeling a surge of energy at the thought. "We'll make a weekend of it. I'm sure there's somewhere we can stay close by."
Winona leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder. "Thank you," she whispers. "Today's been hard for you. I'm really so proud and so grateful that you put your family first."
I kiss the top of her head, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. "We got this."
She pulls back slightly, her eyes searching mine. "But Jayden, there's something else on my mind."
I frown, the peaceful moment shifting into something more serious. "What is it?"
She hesitates, biting her lip before speaking. "When Gus called before I left, he said something that's been bothering me. He told me not to take everything I'm told at face value." "Why is that bothering you?"
"Because of Henry's doctor wanting another month of tests and Dr. Green saying he'd be fine and it was ultimately up to us. I mean, was Henry's doctor purposely stalling us?" "Why?"
"What if Judy's been pulling strings behind the scenes, Influencing Henry's doctor somehow?"
The thought sends a chill down my spine. My mother. I can't rule it out.
"Do you think she's been interfering?" I ask, my voice low.
7 don't know," Winona admits, her frustration clear. "But it wouldn't surprise me. Maybe she wanted to delay us being together again."
353 Calmer Waters
Anger simmers just beneath the surface. But I refuse to let it affect me.
"We're all together again, so she failed."
"I'm still going to be careful. Double check all the information."
"Me too." There's no way my mother is affecting our lives again.
+25 BONUS
354 The Future of Nexus Global