Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

(Winona) Jayden's

gone.

I remind myself of that as I walk through the towering glass doors of the office building. He's only in Brussels. Not gone-gone. I have things to do. I'm handling everything. I exhale. I do have this.

So why does it feel like the entire world is off balance?

Kit and River are back at the house, settling into their first official day. The kids were so stoked they practically pushed me out the door. Anne's in the city at her apartment for the week.

The kids are fine. Jayden's fine. Everything is under control.

Except me.

Everywhere I look, there are babies.

Babies in strollers, babies strapped to parents' chests, babies gurgling in cafés.

My heart surges to grab them up, smell their baby smell. Feel their soft new hair. Hold them close and never let them go again. I push the thoughts away. It's not only weird but it's unhinged to think like that about other people's babies.

One locks eyes with me now from the elevator next to mine, chubby hands gripping his pram, drool dripping onto his bib. His mother smiles, wiping his mouth and giving the appropriate going and gahing. Has the whole damn city just given birth?

I should look away from the infant staring at me. I don't. I'm lost in the curious eyes of this baby. Probably nine months old. I remember Henry at that age.

I remember how I'd imagined having an infant in my arms again. I remember what an idiot I was for letting myself believe.

The elevator dings. I force myself forward.

I don't have time for this. I need to get through the day. I've managed the panic attacks over the stairs, and I will manage the nightmares and seeing babies all the time too.

I have to.

Today is about the rebrand. New name, new strategy, new everything. That's where my focus needs to be. I'm heading up a billion-dollar company. I have to prove I can do this. That I am good enough. By the time I step into the sleek conference room, I've shoved every intrusive thought into a locked mental drawer.

The room is already filled with people from the marketing team, along with the designers, all of them seated around the Oak table, waiting. I take my seat at the head.

But there's one empty seat.

"Ciara, where is my Chief of Finance?" I ask my personal assistant. She's bright and bubbly, and efficient.

"Kevin left yesterday. His replacement... seems to be running a little late..."

"Why wasn't I notified we had a new starter today?" This is ridiculous. I need to be notified about these things. This could set everything back.

"Ah, it was already planned before...."

"Before I got here?"

She nods. "Specific instructions from Mr. Collins."

"Wait, Lance had the replacement ready to go?"

"Apparently, yes. For six months. But no one here seems to know what exactly went down. Kevin never spoke much."

"Do we have a name?"

"No. I'm not sure about the details yet. I'll make some calls."

"We don't have time now. We'll deal with it later. Just for the record, I'm told everything before it happens. Even if Lance had it sorted. I hate surprises. Understand that." "Yes, Mrs. Brennan."

"Right, we have a lot to get through," I say, placing my tablet on the table. "Let's get started. I don't have time to wait for someone who may never turn up. Go ahead, hit me with what you have." Silence.

"Anyone?"

A few exchanged glances.

Then, finally, one of the designers clears her throat. "I'm Ella Duniam. So, um... we've been brainstorming, and we have some "

I hold up a hand, already irritated. "Let me stop you right there. I don't want brainstorming. I want actionable results."

She pales slightly, nodding. "Of course. But these are a starting point, at least."

A starting point? I need an ending point.

I gesture for her to continue even though I know none of this will be close to what I need.

Ella clicks on the screen, bringing up a presentation with at least fifteen different logo concepts. I skim over them quickly. Some are sleek, some are modern. Some of them are good. None of them are exceptional.

"This looks like a dating app," I say

flatly, tapping on one logo, moving to the next. This one screams middle-aged coupon-clipping housewives. And this?" I raise a eyebrow. "Was perfect for last year."

swnol

I turn my gaze to Francine, the head of the design department. "I don't want bland don't want recycled ideas. I want bold. Cutting-edge. This app is supposed to

Fol

revolutionize financial management. Make it accessible, intuitive,

powerful. Where in these"

gesture

at the screen-"does any of that

come across?"

She fidgets. I'm met with awkward silence.

One of the guys clears his throat. "We were aiming for approachability..."

"No one respects approachable," I cut in. "They respect dominance. Confidence: Why do you think the world still runs on brands like Ferrari and Rolex? Because they don't ask to approach you. They tell you why you need them." noveldrama

More silence.

I look back at the nervous young executive. I feel for him trying to shoot his shot. I sigh.

"Go ahead. You may as well present what you've prepared. All good practice for you. What's your name?"

What I need right now is a miracle. At this point I can't see me getting this app relaunch off the ground and I'm struggling to see why Lance chose these people to be a part of this business at all. Maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe I need to take a step back and keep an open mind.

"I'm Darien Browning." The young exec steps to the end of the table.

I sit down and try to focus.

What a fucking disaster my first day is turning out to be. My shit has gone to Hell in a handbasket.

I bet Judy is holding onto it and laughing.