SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 408
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408 The Aftermath
408 The Aftermath
(Winona)
The cottage is eerily quiet after the fight. The only sound is my own ragged breathing as I sit on the edge. of the sofa, my head still spinning from hitting the step The ache in my chest, both from physical pain and the emotional wreckage Jayden left behind, refuses to
fade.
Lance stands a few feet away, his face battered and bruised. Estate staff are tending to his cuts, wiping away the blood with practiced but concerned efficiency.
He keeps glancing at me, eyes full of worry, but I can't bring myself to meet his gaze.
I'm trying to keep it together, but I'm unraveling fast. I'm hot and sweaty and each pulse rushes through
my ears.
"Do you have Klara's number?"
I unlock my phone and hand it to him. "She lives a three-hour drive away and she has her own family. But she will know who can come see me."
"Okay. Otherwise, I'm taking you to the nearest hospital."
"As if you're in any condition to drive."
"Klara," Lance says, into my phone, his voice thick with urgency. "I'm Lance, Winona's friend. Winona... She's not doing well. She says you might know someone who can come out here?"
I close my eyes, pressing my hands to my stomach, trying to calm the waves of nausea and fear. Klara knows everything. She knows how fragile this pregnancy is, how my stress is a threat to the baby. And to
1. me.
Lance hangs up, his eyes finding mine. "She's on her way. She was still in the city."
"Oh, thank God," I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.
How do I tell Klara what just happened? I can barely make sense of it myself.
Jayden's accusations, his anger, the way he threw Judy's words in my face-it all keeps playing on a loop.
I try to focus on breathing, on staying calm for the baby, but my hands won't stop trembling.
Finally, Klara taps the door and steps in, her medical briefcase in hand. Her eyes sweep over the scene,
taking in Lance's bruised face, the staff hovering nearby, and me, hunched over on the sofa.
"Winona," she says, her voice gentle but firm. She kneels in front of me, placing a warm hand on my knee. "Let's get your blood pressure checked, alright?"
I nod.
"Can you put on the kettle and make some tea?" She asks Lance.
"Yes."
"I'm taking Winona into the bedroom. I'll be out again shortly."
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I'm too exhausted to protest and I let her help me into my bedroom.
"Lie down. Tell me all about it in your own time."
She wraps the blood pressure cuff around my arm, her touch reassuring. "Try to breathe slowly," she murmurs, her voice a soothing balm. I follow her instructions, inhaling and exhaling as she monitors the numbers.
The machine beeps, and Klara's frown deepens. "It's high," she says, not sugarcoating it. "Dangerously high."
A lump forms in my throat, and I look away, blinking back tears. "I can't go to the hospital," I whisper. "The kids need me here... I don't want to be alone in there."
Klara's eyes soften, but she doesn't budge. "Your health comes first, Winona. And the baby's. But let's not make any rash decisions. We'll have some tea and see if it comes down a bit. Relax. I'll go get the tea." She covers me up with a woolen blanket. I close my eyes and try to calm my racing heart.
Klara is back with the tea. "Sip it slowly, Chamomile." She takes my hand, her expression gentle but serious. "Winona, I know that's easier said than done to relax. Where are the kids?"
"My best friend, Lisa, and Lance is...was Jayden's best friend. They came to visit. Lisa has the kids at the theme park. Jayden and I were supposed to be having a romantic dinner." The tears roll down my cheeks.
"I see. Just try and work through your emotions."
I swallow hard, my hand instinctively moving to my stomach. "I'm trying," I whisper. "I really am. Jayden was so angry. I couldn't stop him. I fell back and hit my head." "Let me see that."
Suddenly the cottage fills with noise. Lisa and the kids are back, Abby's laughter echoing. "Oh God, now!
have to tell them their father isn't home."
"You leave that to me." Klara stands up and marches out to the living area. I can hear her clearly as she directs everyone.
"Lisa, hello. I'm Klara. Winona is resting in her bedroom*
"Lance! What the hell has happened to you?" I hear Lisa say.
"Children!" Klara's voice is sharp and commanding. "Mama is resting. You need to wash up for bed."
I hear the combined groan of the kids and them asking where Jayden is.
Klara claps her hands sharply. "Come along! Your father is delayed a few more days and your mama is not feeling well. Stop complaining and move!"
The kids go quiet. Wow, that worked.
Klara and Lisa come into the bedroom.
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408 The Aftermath
Lisa's eyes are wide with worry. "Winona, what happened?"
I force a smile, even though my lips tremble. "Just... a rough night."
"Alright, spill. What happened? Lance is a mess."
I open my mouth, but the words stick in my throat. Klara steps in, her voice calm. "Winona's blood pressure is dangerously high. She needs rest, and we have to be careful. It's the pregnancy." Lisa's eyes widen, and she kneels beside me. "Is it the baby? Are you okay?"
I shake my head, the tears finally breaking free. "Jayden and I... we had a fight. The worst one yet." I realize Lisa doesn't even know who I was with hall pass week.
"What the fuck did you fight about and why is Lance looking like minced meat?"
I take a deep breath. I have to tell her now. "Hall pass week. There were photos sent to Jayden. Of me....
and...other men."
"Oh shit. Winona, that's fucked up. Jayden seeing you with other men, he would not like that but why would he have attacked Lance so badly unless..."
She stares at me... "Unless..."
I nod. "I'm so sorry, Lisa. I should have told you, I know you've loved Lance forever. I should have told Jayden too. It's just, at the time, it seemed to make sense, you know? Now look what I've done." "Oh Babe. No... no it's okay. You don't owe me anything. I'm so sorry this happened this way."
"Everything is ruined now. My whole family is wrecked. I didn't even get to tell Jayden I'm pregnant. How could I?"
Lisa wraps her arms around me, her embrace fierce. "We'll get through this," she promises. "Together. We always do."
But as I cling to her, Klara's worried expression is a silent reminder that nothing is certain.
Not my health. Not the baby's.
And definitely not any future with Jayden.