SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 81
81 Winona Don't!
(Jayden)
I watched Winona and Ashlyn near the top of the stairs at Palisades Park, their bodies locked in a struggle.
I want to intervene, but I need to stay with the kids. My mind races as I try to process what's happening.
Abby tugs at my shirt, her eyes wide with confusion and fear. "Daddy, why is Mommy hurting that lady?" she asks, her voice trembling.
Before I can respond, the officer who had just left to get coffee comes rushing back.
He sees the struggle and sprints toward them, shouting for them to stop.
The commotion has drawn a small crowd of onlookers, and my stomach knots with anxiety.
"Stay here," I tell Abby and the other kids, my voice firm but gentle. "Everything is going to be okay."
I try to keep my eyes on the scene, watching in horror as it looks like Winona is pushing Ashlyn toward the edge.
Ashlyn screams, "No, Winona! Don't!".
Then she falls, her body rolling down the steep stairs in a terrifying blur.
Winona stands there, her face a mix of shock and rage and then she grabs her head, a scream tearing. from her throat, before collapsing to the ground, "Mommy!" Abby screams, her little hands clutching at me.
I scoop her up, holding her close. "It's okay, Abby. It's going to be okay," I whisper, even though I don't believe it myself.
More police arrive on the scene, their presence adding to the chaos.
The officer who had been with us takes charge, directing the crowd and securing the area. He me pass, his expression grim.
e won't let
"I need to take Bobby and Sarah into care," he says, his voice steady. "You may need to be a witness later.
Bobby and Sarah cling to me, their faces pale with fear I nod, trying to stay composed. 'Okay. Just make sure they're safe. I'll see you soon, kids, I promise."
The officer gently takes the children. "We'll take care of them," he assures me before leading them away.
I turn my attention back to the stairs, where Ashlyn lies barely conscious.
Her face is contorted with pain, and she clutches her stomach, moaning about the baby.
"Our baby... I'm losing our baby..." she whimpers, her voice weak. "She said she'd kill our baby."
Paramedics move quickly and two go to Ashlyn. They stabilize her and bring her up.
Ashlyn's eyes find mine. "Jayden, she tried to kill me. Winona tried to kill me and the baby," she accuses, her voice laced with pain and venom.
+25 BONUS
81 Winona Don't!
I look at Winona, who is still on the ground, cradling her head and sobbing. The police try to get her up and she fights them.
My heart aches with confusion and despair. I want to believe in her, but the scene before me is damning
It looked like she pushed Ashlyn, and I can't ignore what I saw.
One of the officers approaches me, his face serious. "Sir, we need to take statements and gather evidence. This lady... she might be facing serious charges."
I nod numbly, holding Abby tighter as she cries into my shoulder. "I understand," I say, my voice hollow.
As the paramedics wheel Ashlyn on the stretcher, she continues to moan about losing the baby and how she needs me.
Her words cut through me like a knife. I should have seen Winona wasn't well enough to be here.
I rushed her. Her mind was at breaking point.
Winona is on her feet, her face a mask of anguish and disbelief.
They handcuff her behind her back.
She meets my eyes, and I see the plea for understanding, the desperate need for me to believe her.
But at this moment, with everything falling apart around us, I don't know what to think.
The officer starts to lead her away, and she looks back at me one last time. "Jayden, I didn't... I swear I didn't," she cries, her voice breaking.
"It's okay," I say, but is it?
"Don't let her near Abby. She wants you for herself. Watch Abby. Promise me."
"You have the right to remain silent..."
I watch on as they read Winona her rights and lead her away.
All I can do is watch. I can't help her. I can't help the woman, I love.
"Promise me, Jayden!" Winona cries out as they lead her away.
I nod at Winona, feeling the weight of her plea settling heavily on my shoulders.
My world is exploding, and I'm left standing there, holding Abby, trying to calm her.
But deep down, doubt gnaws at me. Did Winona really push Ashlyn? Honestly, after everything, she could've been in that state of mind.
But Ashlyn faked Winona pushing her before with the necklace. Would she sacrifice the child she's carrying for revenge?
The image of Winona's hands on Ashlyn haunts me, and I can't shake the fear that maybe, just maybe, she
did.
As I hold Abby close, the weight of the situation crashes down on me, leaving me feeling more lost and confused than ever before.
81 Winona Don't!
+25 BONUS
I can't lose Abby too.
I glance around at the crowd, their faces a mix of shock and curiosity.
The whispers reach my ears, each one a dagger to my heart. "Did you see that? She pushed her."
"That's Winona Nolan and Jayden Brennan."
"Crazy rich people."
I want to shout at them, tell them they don't know anything, but I bite my tongue.
I need to get Abby home and call my lawyer.
Ashlyn is loaded into the ambulance, still clutching her stomach and moaning about the baby.
The paramedics close the doors, and the ambulance speeds away, sirens blaring.
A new wave of police officers arrives, and one of them, clearly in charge, starts barking orders. "I need statements from everyone who saw what happened. Let's get this area secured." Another officer approaches me, his expression one of pity. "Sir, we're going to need you to come down to the station later to give a formal statement."
I nod, barely able to process his words. "I have my daughter. She has health issues." I managed to say. can you come to the hospital? I need to be there with Ashlyn and my unborn baby" "We'll make arrangements Mr Brennan."
I look down at Abby, her little face pressed against my chest, and my heart breaks all over again. "It's going to be okay, sweetheart," I whisper, kissing the top of her head. "Daddy's here." The officer in charge starts speaking to the crowd, trying to disperse them. "Please move along, folks. There's nothing more to see here.
I turn away, shielding Abby from the prying eyes and the harsh whispers.
My plan is to go check in on Ashlyn, call Gus and do what I can for Winona.
I'll get to the bottom of this.