Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband

393 Confrontation at the Cottage

393 Confrontation at the Cottage (Winona)

I'm tidying up the cottage, trying to distract myself from the waiting game, when I hear footsteps approaching. I turn to see Lance leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. I raise an eyebrow, surprised to see him here without Lisa. "Lance?" I say, "What's up? I thought you'd be sleeping.

He shrugs, pushing off the door and strolling over with that half-grin of his. "Figured we could catch up... without Lisa."

His tone has an edge to it, and something in his gaze tells me this isn't just a casual visit. I feel a little spark of dread ignite in my stomach.

"Alone? Why?" I ask, folding my arms, though I already have a feeling where this might be going.

"Cut the act, Winona," he says, dropping onto the couch across from me. "I wasn't actually using the bathroom earlier. I was... listening."

My stomach flips, and I try to keep my face neutral, but I know I'm a terrible liar. I should've known Lance would catch on; he's known me too long. "Listening to what, exactly?" I say, feigning innocence.

He tilts his head, giving me that look that says he knows he's got me cornered. "Oh, I don't know. Just a few words here and there-like 'timing' and 'three months.' Then, the guilty looks between you and Lisa. Took about two seconds to put it all together. You're pregnant?"

T

groan, slumping into the armchair. "I... it's not... Lance, this is complicated."

"I get that," he says, his tone surprisingly soft. "Look, I'm not here to judge. But this could be a problem. For me and Jayden. I mean, he's my best friend."

"Maybe you should have thought of that back when you made the suggestion to me," I tell him.

He stares at me. "So... there's a chance that it could be mine?"

I nod, feeling the sting of reality hit harder as I say it out loud. "Yes.a very slight chance only, and I'm waiting on the DNA test to confirm. But I haven't told Jayden yet. I can't-at least not untill know for certain."

He rubs a hand over his face, exhaling sharply. "Wow. I mean... we all knew the hall pass week was just supposed to be fun, right? No strings, no mess. No telling what went down with whom. Now look where we are."

"Pregnancy," I say, my voice firm, "was never supposed to happen. But it has. Regardless of stupid decisions adults make, it isn't the baby's fault. I have enough on my plate trying to stay pregnant without worrying about men's egos." The words come out easy and I realize I've just gone in to bat for my baby, and that felt good.

Lance's face shifts, his eyes narrowing. "If, by that very slight chance... it's mine... you know I'm not up for being a father. I mean it could just be Jayden's anyway I'd never tell."

393 Confrontation at the Cottag

I shake my head. "Jayden deserves the truth. I'm not going to lie to him about this, Lance. I won't do to him what's been done to him his whole life."

He leans back, looking almost stunned by my resolve. "Look, I get the whole 'honesty is the best policy' thing, but maybe-just maybe there's a way to handle this without blowing up your whole life, or anyone else's."

"No. Absolutely not. This baby doesn't deserve to be blamed for this. I won't start my baby's life like that. If you can't face up to responsibility and joy of fatherhood, then the baby will know his biological father was a selfish asshole."

He sighs, dropping his head into his hands. "Winona, you're killing me here. This whole situation... it's a disaster. We were just supposed to have fun."

"I know," I say, and my tone softens. "But now there's a life involved. I have to make sure this baby knows love and truth, no matter who the father is. And if Jayden, or you, can't handle that, then that's on you

guys."

He looks up at me, and for the first time, I see a flicker of understanding-and maybe a little respect. You're not playing around with this, are you?"Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"

"I can't," I say, and I feel a strange surge of confidence. "The chances of losing the baby are way higher than it surviving. I'm not going to hide it from Jayden. And... I'll deal with whatever that means."

He nods slowly, almost like he's processing it all in real time. "Alright. I get it. But I really hope Jayden never finds out about us during hall pass week."

now.

"Look, I need to maintain a calm environment for myself and the baby, so if DNA shows that Jayden is the father, I'm not telling him who I had sex with hall pass week. Maybe one day I will. But preserving this pregnancy as viable is the most important thing to me, right "He will never hear it from me. He's the best friend I have, then you and Lisa. I came close enough with Ashlyn to ruining that. I don't want to do that again."

"Do not compare me with Ashlyn. You approached me. Not the other way around. Remember that. And if the time comes, you better be telling Jayden the whole truth."

He nods. "When are the results back?"

"Maybe two more days. In the meantime we have to not show Jayden there's anything up."

"Just... promise me, Winona, that you'll think this through. Jayden... he's not as strong as he likes to act. And I'm not saying you should lie, but... just be careful, okay?"

nod, the gravity of his words sinking in. "I know."

He gives me a long, appraising look, then leans back, letting out a deep sigh. "Alright, I'll back off. But if you need anything, 'I'm here. Like, seriously. Even if you just need a break from all this insanity."

I smile, genuinely grateful for his support. "Thank you, Lance. I don't know what I'd do without you and Lisa right now."

He grins, his usual cockiness returning. "Hey, what are friends for if not to put you through a pregnancy scare? Besides, I couldn't let you have all the drama without me. I thrive on this stuff."

393 Confrontation at the Cottage

I laugh shaking my head. "Of course you do. But it is a little soon for jokes for me."

"Understood. But is it bad of me to want my little guy to be a better swimmer than Jayden's?

"Lance! Too soon!"

He grins. "Sorry. I'll try again tomorrow."

"Don't you

dare say a word." I know he's just teasing and trying to lighten things for me in the only way he knows how.

Lance hides a lot of pain behind his humor. It's how he deals with the world.

As he heads out of the cottage, I feel a strange mix of relief-and dread.

Now that's four people who know before Jayden. Damn it.